THT Links: T Minus Ten, Nine, …

While it might always be sunny in Philadelphia, it is wicked cold. I am sorry, but my personal rule is that if the temperature is going to be below 0, then it needs to be snowing. This bright skies and 25 mph wind stuff is killing me. What’s excruciating is the giant wind tunnel that forms within a one-block radius around my building so that the nearer I get to coming home, the harsher the wind chill. I am so thankful this is my last winter in Philly.

Is a Walker Allowable on the Basepaths? – Barry Bonds, or his agent, seems to believe that Barry could hit 1,000 home runs. Maybe he was talking about minor leagues, major leagues, celebrity softball tournaments, and exhibition games combined.

What a Difference an I Can Make – JM Barten takes a little closer look at Bryan LaHair and lets readers in on an interesting geological tidbit.

Myers Spends Signing Bonus on Slim-Fast – Probably not, but Brett Myers, fresh on the heals of his extension is 32 pounds slimmer. Remember the days when the media would respond to any baseball player losing weight as a steroid allegation? Good times.

No Papel in Pen – The Red Sox are adament for the time being that Jonathan Papelbon will be in the rotation unless something dramatic happens like “the anointed closer fails, Papelbon struggles as a starter and the doctors OK the move.” Since Joel Pineiro is currently the anointed closer, I think it’s safe to draft Papelbon expecting to get some saves this season.

A-Rod Pens New Book: Playoff Choking for Dummies – No, not really. In reality, Alex Rodriguez has actually written his second book aimed at children, this time focusing on how to become a lightning rod of hatred among misinformed media pundits. No, wait, that’s not true either. Sorry, just can’t help myself. Okay, all done now. Seriously, the book is based off Alex’s childhood and his passion for baseball throughout life. At least, his passion for regular season baseball. Dangit!

Prepare Yourself for Hearing About This at Least 500 Times This Year – Did you know Alex Rodriguez has an out clause in his contract for after the 2007 season? Well you do now, and in case you are a lobotomized goldfish and forget that five seconds from now, I am confident in this nation’s sports media to remind you; again and again and again and again and…

Further Evidence That We’re All Bored – Talking Chop has a look at which non-top prospects could become top prospects by next year. Meanwhile, the ABP is still out on the Braves 2006 NL East Division Championship.

Dodgers != Giants – While the Giants are old, (the latest archaeological research claims that the Giants are actually the last remaining remnants from Thera), the Dodgers have an almost over-abundance of youth, as illustrated by True Blue LA, which examines how the Dodgers might look in 2009 based on PECOTA projections.

Harang Agrees to Extension – It’s a four-year, $36.5 million guaranteed contract with a team option in 2011. This buys the Reds out of Aaron Harang’s arbitration years and potentially his first two years of free agency. If this trend continues, the free agent market might all but dry up, leaving the winter with even less baseball news.

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