I’m not sure that I have seen a player as desperate to get rid of a decent player as the Angels were with Gary Matthews Jr. today. Matthews had two years and $23 million left on his deal. He hasn’t lit the world on fire at the plate in the last three years with the Angels, but he is a very solid defensive player and he is sound at the plate. In other words, though he’s no all-star he’s not exactly a handicap either. Despite that, the Angels not only sent hm to the Mets for a journeyman middle reliever, but they also agreed to pay $21.5 million of the remaining contract. So, the Mets get a very solid platoon outfielder – especially since they aren’t going to have Carlos Beltran for at least a month – and it cost them practically nothing. On the other hand, the Angels are saving a lousy $1.5 million, and they lose outfield depth for it. Terrible deal, but that’s fitting for the offseason that the Angels have had. Wow, this has not been their winter.

Percy Harvin is sitting out of practices right now because he has been suffering from a migraine since yesterday. There is not yet any indication whether he will play on Sunday Harvin is a very ice player, and he’s done a lot for the Vikings this year, but I’m not that sure that this is going to be a big impact either way – it certainly won’t be as significant as the public will give it credit for. n my eyes the game on Sunday s gong to be won by the offenses, not special teams, so Harvin is far from the most important Viking that day. He’s a nice-to-have, not a must-have.

Interesting story out of the A’s farm system today. Grant Desme, an outfielder and one one of the top prospects the A’s had is leaving baseball just months after being named MVP of the Arizona Fall League. Desme isn’t leaving because he is disillusioned or because he wants to play another sport. He’s leaving to join the seminary. I bet you that Billy Beane was more than a little shocked when he had that conversation.