There's nothing worse than a braggart. Remember that, when you're clicking your little links and whatnot ...

* Cliff Lee apparently wanted to remain a Phillie, and seems a little hurt that he won't. Crashburn Alley says we shouldn't feel too sorry for Lee.

* As Joe Sheehan notes, the biggest story about the big trade has flown almost completely under the radar. The big story is that Roy Halladay left a huge amount of money on the table to pitch for the Phillies.

* Wait a minute? Some idiot rated Corey Koskie ahead of Justin Morneau? Yeah. Some idiot really did that.

* Well, it's officially official: 2009 is the Year of the Career Achievement Award. First Derek Jeter is Sportsman of the Year, and now Mariano Rivera is Pro Athlete of the Year? In a year in which he didn't appear on a single Cy Young ballot? Hey, watch out for Andy Pettitte; there are still nearly two weeks to go in the year!

* Jason Rosenberg asks an interesting question: Why didn't the Yankees simply keep Hideki Matsui? He signed with the Angels for roughly the same money as the Yankees will pay Nick Johnson.

* For a preview of what I'm going to write about Tim Raines in a couple of weeks, here's Mr. Posnanski.

* Just in case you haven't checked out Page 2 lately, you really should read Jim Caple's story about regular guys who love Hall of Fame candidates.

* Finally! The truth about Abner Doubleday.