Buster Olney

  (1:02 PM)

Hi, folks, hope all is well -- lots of good stuff in the playoffs so far, unless you are of Cub or Brewer persuasion. Here's one bit of hope for the Cubs -- if they can win Game 3, then they've got Ted Lilly in Game 4, and he is probably their best pitcher right now. As for Brewers' hope... Well, maybe the home crowd will get them going. Let's get it started.

Mike (Milwaukee)

Buster, I appreciate your work, but haven't Brewers fans experienced enough pain watching Corey Hart in critical situations, that we don't need you to build our hopes up for a return of CC?

Buster Olney

  (1:04 PM)

Mike -- Don't mean to torture you, for sure. But it will be interesting to see just how far the Brewers' ownership will go in an effort to keep Sabathia. I still think he'll wind up in California.

Marty (Boston)

Hey Buster, Tell me, if Manny and the Dodgers Play the Sox in Boston game 1 of the Series how will Manny be recieved by the croud?

Buster Olney

  (1:05 PM)

Marty -- I think 80 percent boos and 20 percent cheers; on one hand, a lot of them love him, and on the other hand, every indication that we have is that he flat-out quit on the Red Sox (and their fans) because of his contractual situation. And that will not go over well.

Kirk (Mpls, MN)

Who is the odd man out in the Twins outfield?

Buster Olney

  (1:07 PM)

Kirk: Delmon Young's star is falling quickly. I'm assuming he'll get at least part of next year to show something, but he's got to start showing some pop in a hurry; if he gets off to a .275-5 HR/30 RBI first half next year, you can bet that the Twins aren't going to sit around and wait for a second-half revival, after what they saw this season.

Zack (Akron, Ohio)

Buster, who makes sense for the Indians to go after in the offseason? I know we have some internal issues, but are you hearing any names that make sense?

Buster Olney

  (1:09 PM)

Zack: Orlando Hudson would be perfect for the Indians, I think -- he'd give them a strong infield, with Asdrubal Cabrera moving to short and Peralta moving to third -- and they will certainly look into acquiring a closer, like Huston Street. And they have to hope that Matt LaPorta emerges quickly, because certainly it's a lineup in need of some thump, with Hafner finishing this year with a .197 batting average.

Paddy (St. Louis, MO)

Hi Buster, I think you should be glad you're a fan of the stories, and not the Dodgers anymore, cause if you were, you'd still be nervous like me with a 2-0 lead. I'm freaking out because I'm hoping for a 1981 and not a 1978.

Buster Olney

  (1:12 PM)

Paddy -- as a Dodger fan growing up, I was haunted by 2-0 -- I thought for sure after they won Games 1 and 2 at the outset of the 1978 World Series that they would beat the Yankees, who I despised as a kid. But then Reggie Jackson (warning: bitter childhood memories will follow) stuck his damn hip in the way of Russell's throw to first base -- in other words, Reggie cheated (smartly), and the Dodgers blew it. But hey, the Cubs of '08 certainly don't have the swagger of the '78 Yankees, as Lou would attest.

Galen (Toronto)

Hi Buster, really enjoys you chats - you give the perfect length of answers (not too short but to the point). Question: What do you do if your the Blue Jays? You have the rising Rays and ever present Red Sox and Yankees.

Buster Olney

  (1:14 PM)

Galen: Thanks for the kind words. A writer in Toronto the other day had a great idea -- an investment in Rafael Furcal, who would be perfect for them in every way. And I think they have to get a veteran starting pitcher, whether it's some free agent like Jon Garland or maybe someone they could get in trade like Zack Greinke (unlikely).

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Mr. Olney: I keep hearing about how the Braves are looking for two top line starters and a power hitting outfielder. How can they fill those roles with their limited budget?

Buster Olney

  (1:15 PM)

J.B.: Their budget is not limited this off-season. They are said to have a lot of money to spend, because of expiring contracts, and they have scouted Derek Lowe and A.J. Burnett down the stretch.

Cosmo (Anytown, USA)

The Phils scored 5 runs with their two best players going 0 for 7 (6 K's). Is this good news or bad news for the Phillies?

Buster Olney

  (1:16 PM)

Cosmo: Good news. They're a deep team, with a great bullpen and good starting pitching (when Brett Myers has his head together), and nobody would be surprised if they were the team to represent the NL in the World Series. They look a whole lot more settled than they were last year, at the outset of the playoffs; Cole Hamels has talked a lot about learning from the experience of the playoffs last year.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Mr. Olney: Yes but if Bill Russell's glove wasn't manufactured by a stone mason Reggie's hip never becomes an issue.

Buster Olney

  (1:17 PM)

J.B.: Fair enough, sir, but I think on that play, Russell actually sort of let it fall on purpose to create the DP chance. But your assessment of his defense is, well, darned fair.

Michael in Boston

Buster, What do you think of Bill Simmon's column re: Manny? Do you agree or disagree?

Buster Olney

  (1:19 PM)

Michael: In the end, Manny is someone who's been in the big leagues for 15 years, and he's responsible for his actions. He is an incredible hitter doing incredible things for the Dodgers, including running balls out and hustling on defense, and in his last months with the Red Sox (and for a lot of days prior to that), he flat-out dogged it. Period.

Brad (Gadsden,Alabama)

So do you think Vandy will beat Auburn tom.?

Buster Olney

  (1:20 PM)

Brad: Publicly, I say, YES, WE'LL CRUSH 'EM. Privately, I say... yikes.

Gus (NY)

Buster, let me hear what the gameplan for the yanks should be? I heard you say jeter is done at ss?? what should they do this offseason and how do you think things are going to pan out next season??

Buster Olney

  (1:24 PM)

Gus: I don't think Jeter will be moved this off-season -- next off-season, perhaps; the Yankees have to identify a suitable replacement before they make that move. They've got to get two starters, and if I were in Brian Cashman's chair, I'd make a blowaway offer to Derek Lowe and put together a Cano/Kennedy/Igawa/another prospect offer for Jake Peavy, and then look to sign Orlando Hudson. I'd offer arbitration to Bobby Abreu and if he takes it, you have a productive player on a one-year deal, and if not, then you get the draft picks. I'd cut ties with Jason Giambi, I'd try to re-sign Andy Pettitte and Mussina (although I think Mussina is walking away). I'd also check in with the Indians about whether they would be interested in any kind of a Carmona/Cano conversation (which I seriously doubt).

Brian (Brooklyn)

Even though David Wright has put up HUGE numbers the last 2 Septembers you believe he needs to see a sports pyshiatrist? Seriously?

Buster Olney

  (1:26 PM)

Brian: He's a great player. He's going to be an MVP candidate just about every year of his career. The notion of trading him is silly, because he's good for the team in just about every way. And it's clear that he does grind himself into the ground in big spots, so yeah, it's worth it for Wright to talk to other great players/athletes who've benefitted from a sports doc (like Smoltz).

Vince (CA)

Who do you think could handle taking over for #2 in NY?

Buster Olney

  (1:28 PM)

Vince: Got nothing for you there yet. The Yankees undoubtedly are having the same quandary; they don't have a great shortstop prospect in their own system. But they've got another year to look around.

Paul (Albany, OR)

Buster, doesn't it make sense for the Dodgers to do just about everything to retain Derek Lowe. That would give them 4 solid pitchers plus Maddox if he wants to come back. The youngsters are only going to grow so keeping their staff has to be the priority right? Thanks.

Buster Olney

  (1:29 PM)

Paul: Yes. But if in a financial bidding war, if all things are equal for Derek Lowe and he's willing to pitch in New York, the Yankees should make sure they have the highest bid. They've got the money, for sure.

Brad (Jackson, MS)

What do you see happening to Jeremy Hermida in the offseason? If the Marlins are serious about moving him, I think he could be a great pickup. Look at his home/road splits, and you gotta think that away from Dolphin stadium he could develop that star potential we saw in '07.

Buster Olney

  (1:29 PM)

Brad: Agreed. I would imagine there's a good chance he's going to be traded, because of all their arb-eligible guys.

Anthony (Columbia, MD)

As much promise as the Orioles have in the minors, is it reasonable to think they will have a chance to compete in the AL East in 2010 or 2011? I mean the rays have a young team, the yankees and red sox have unlimited payrolls and the blue jays have had a decent team the past couple of years.

Buster Olney

  (1:31 PM)

Anthony: I don't think they're close enough yet where we can even put a year of expectation on it -- I mean, really, they're three or four good starting pitchers away from being in the conversation, and besides Tillman and possible FA expenditures, it's hard to see where the answers are coming from in the next two years.

Mike (Milwaukee)

Would the Marlins be willing to trade Hermida for Corey Hart...

Buster Olney

  (1:31 PM)

Mike: I think that was a rhetorical question, no?

Jason (America)

Who do you like in tonights game BOS @ LAA?

Buster Olney

  (1:33 PM)

Jason: I picked the Angels to win the series, so... the Angels pretty much have to win tonight. Talked to some general managers in recent days who think that the greatest homefield advantage (regardless of the records) is owned by the Red Sox, because of the intimidating and intense nature of the crowd in Fenway. It'd be very, very tough for the Angels to survive in this series if they went to Boston down 0-2 (I think it's been done only once in history -- the '01 Yankees, against Oakland).

Robert (Miami, Fl)

Good job as usual Buster. What do you see the Marlins doing in the OF and who else is leaving Miami? (I think Jacobs should be moved to make way to Gaby Sanchez)

Buster Olney

  (1:35 PM)

Robert: My early guess is that Jacobs, Uggla and Hermida are dealt; I don't think Jacobs will have a ton of trade value, but some team (SF?) might give up a second-level prospect for him. Uggla will have more value, and Hermida will have some value.

James (Washington, DC)

why on earth would the padres trade Jake Peavy for a second baseman with a league average on base percentage for his career and two marginal minor league pitchers?

Buster Olney

  (1:36 PM)

James -- Cano had a down year but he is signed (with cost certainty), and the feeling about him in the game is still that he's a great hitter waiting to happen. You didn't mention that other prospect -- which would be a very good prospect.

Buster Olney

  (1:36 PM)

James -- Cano had a down year but he is signed (with cost certainty), and the feeling about him in the game is still that he's a great hitter waiting to happen. You didn't mention that other prospect -- which would be a very good prospect.

Rob (Philly)

How hard do you think the Phils will go after re-signing Burrell? And if not him, are they interested in Manny?

Buster Olney

  (1:38 PM)

Rob: I think they'll make an effort to re-sign Burrell, but they won't go crazy. And no, I don't think they'll go after Manny, for the dollars that have been mentioned (4 x 25). In fact, I really am curious to see who is going to sign Manny for that kind of money...

Brian (New York)

Moose HOF?

Buster Olney

  (1:39 PM)

Brian: If he doesn't throw another pitch, yes, I think he gets in, eventually. 270 wins in the AL East in the steroid era, a 20-win season. But I do think he'll wait 8-12 years on the ballot before it happens.

Tom(NJ)

Not sure if i know Buster. Who's your pick for the WS?

Buster Olney

  (1:40 PM)

Tom: I picked the Angels -- and if they lose in the first round, it would be in keeping with just about all of my picks this year, which were lousy (I had Indians-Cubs in the WS).

Greg (LA)

My prediction is that the LAD's refuse to ante up this winter, meaning that Manny, Lowe, Penny and Blake all leave. Furcal is the only one their likely to keep. Thoughts?

Buster Olney

  (1:41 PM)

Greg: I tend to agree with you. The fact that the Dodgers were unwilling to take on any money at the trade deadline gives us some insight into their cash-flow situation, and they've got a lot of good, young players in a bad division; why would they overspend for anybody?

Josh (Knoxville, TN)

Buster, are you willfully ignoring the Cubs questions? Aside from your opening salvo, there's nothing. Although I'm not sure there's much that can be said. 4 errors last night that followed the 8 walks in game 1 says quite a bit.

Buster Olney

  (1:42 PM)

Josh: You just have to hope that Rich Harden comes up big. I don't know what more there is to say, except the obvious -- they were terrible in Games 1 and 2. It surprised me that Dempster got that rattled.

Jeff (LA, CA)

Why is no one talking about the Dodgers actually winning these games? The Cubs have 5 total runs, 2 on a wind aided pop up, and 2 in garbage time. That's great pitching from Lowe and Bills, and the errors, fans, curses, etc, didn't contribute to that.

Buster Olney

  (1:44 PM)

Jeff: The Dodgers played well and won ... and in the same breath, we can say that the Cubs have looked awful (Dempster, infield defense, Soriano at the plate, etc.)

Marty (NY)

The Yankees seem like they are in need of a bat like Manny's, what are your thoughts?

Buster Olney

  (1:45 PM)

Marty: With Cashman back in the fold, I think there's virtually no chance that the Yankees sign Manny -- unless he wants to play for a whopper one-year deal.

Sam (St. Louis)

Buster, play Dr. Phil for a minute. Is it bad that as a Cards fan I relish the Cubs losing the way the do.

Buster Olney

  (1:46 PM)

Sam: No, it makes you a serious baseball fan. Our 4-year-old likes the Pirates and he was thrilled when the Cubs lost.

Buster Olney

  (1:47 PM)

I'll throw out for everybody the question asked here before: Will Red Sox fans boo or cheer for Manny if he were to play in Fenway in the World Series? I'm curious.

Will (Oakland)

Will the A's finally make a play for some big name free agents with a new stadium upcoming?

Buster Olney

  (1:48 PM)

Will: I think they'll land a big-time hitter, one way or the other, whether through trade or free agency.

Tommy(Boston)

I'll boo.

Tom (NY)

They will BOO just like they Boo johnny damon

mike (toronto)

he will be booed

Louis (Austin, Tx)

Buster, do you think the Cubs made a mistake starting Fukudome for games 1 and 2 after struggling for so long now. Batting him second in game 1 really surprised me.

Buster Olney

  (1:49 PM)

Louis: He was trying to get him some fastballs to hit, to get him going -- and it just didn't work out. I was really surprised by how Lou kind of buried him after Game 2, rather than give the standard: "Well, we'll consider our options for Game 3..."

Alex(Texas)

I think the fans of Boston were tired of Manny. They will boo him and he'll deserve it. As a big Bill Simmons fan I found his Manny article way off base. I couldn't have disagree more with him.

Josh (Knoxville, TN)

I'm not a Red Sox fan, but if I was I'd be inclined to boo. He played well for the Sox, but given his attitude over years (which peaked this season), you have to wonder how much he actually cared about the team. Consistently putting oneself before ones team deserves a boo in my book.

Mona (VA)

Buster, is Manny becoming the greatest Playoff performer in major league history?

Buster Olney

  (1:50 PM)

Mona: He's an incredible hitter, and yes, he's one of the greatest post-season hitters of all time. Heck, he's one of the greatest hitters of all time, period. That is indisputable.

Ed (Toledo)

Don't you think the division series should be 7 games?

Buster Olney

  (1:51 PM)

Ed: Yes, I do. I wish they'd shave one week off the regular season, and use those days to add a few days to the All-Star break, and to the post-season, for a seven-game series.

Alex (Boston)

You'd hear a smattering of cheers, but mostly boos. I agree w/Simmons that Boras had a major hand in this, but ultimately it should have been up to Manny to realize that he shouldn't have acted out like he did.

Marty (Boston)

I will boofrom my living room

Eric (Milwaukee)

They won't boo, they'll be saying "Booooooo-urns"

Jamie (CT)

Manny is a tremdous player and did alot for the sox but the way he acted before he got traded warrants a boo. Also why is every thinking its mental with the angels why can't it be the sox are that good and well balanced?

mike (toronto)

buster cmon is burnett staying in toronto along with hallady getting extention

Buster Olney

  (1:51 PM)

Mike: I don't think so. The deal that the Jays will probably offer will be in the range of 4/60, and he can get more than that, I'd bet.

A.J. (Chicago)

The biggest mistake the Cubs made was not starting their best pitcher (Harden) in game 1. He was acquired for this very reason and he was babied during the regular season so he would be healthy for the playoffs. It makes no sense to me.

Buster Olney

  (1:53 PM)

A.J.: I respectfully disagree. Harden's fastball in his last start was clocked in the mid-80s, and he had a cortisone shot a month ago -- and since then, he's had three erratic starts. I do wonder if they'll regret starting Harden in Game 3, rather than Lilly; it would be a shame if the series ended without the Cubs' best post-season pitcher throwing a single pitch.

Vince (CA)

they will boo, but for the wrong reason and to the wrong person, management didn't want manny to stay by not dealing with this situation in the off-season last year! if they would have just paid manny, or at least said they were going to pick up the options then he would have retired in fenway and arguably been the best Sox hitter of all time!

Denny, Cary, NC

I boo Manny now from my sofa, they will boo, he quit on a team that paid him mega$$$$$. He should have to repay the fans.

Guille (Indiana)

I think it will be a case of many booing Manny.

Matt (chicago, IL)

They will boo...

John (Watertown, NY)

Redsox fans will boo Manny mercilessly!!

Buster Olney

  (1:54 PM)

So I get the feeling from you folks that Manny will be booed... Wow. So far, it's unanimous.

Mike (Boston)

We're not yelling BOOO, we're yelling DREWWWW.... oh, wait, that was last year.

Chris (Philly)

Chances Evan Longoria gets any more pitches over the plate this series?

Buster Olney

  (1:56 PM)

Chris: You saw how Ozzie (or Don Cooper) walked to the mound before Longoria's last at-bat and seemingly said, 'Don't give the kid anything to hit.' And the pitcher basically rolled the ball up there four times, to walk him. I am wondering if someone will give him the standard rookie treatment and buzz him inside today, to see how he reacts.

Eric (Milwaukee)

Quote from Hart after grounding into a first-pitch, bases-loaded double play after Myers walked in the last run: "Nothing is working right now with a lot of the guys," Hart said. "We're trying to see pitches and see what we can do. ... I'm not going to sit there and walk, though. I'll eventually find it, and hopefully we'll still be in it." Why won't he go up there and take a pitch or two?

Buster Olney

  (1:57 PM)

Eric: The numbers show he is among the five most likely players in the playoffs to swing at the first pitch -- something like 50 percent. I was wondering before yesterday's game if Dale Sveum would sit him down for a game... but the reality is that the Brewers need him to get going, one way or another.

Eric (MA)

Red Sox fans will boo but Manny will think they're cheering.

jim (boston)

The fenway faithful will boo manny every time he steps to the plate, too bad he'll be DH'ing if they make it to fenway because he'd get booed in the field too!

Travis Tampa Fl

I'll Boo him but I'll be in the Trop doing it! Fenway will be an empty place come World Series time... Thoughts?

Ben (Baton Rouge, LA)

Let's look ahead, Phillies vs Dodgers. Who do you like in that one?

Buster Olney

  (1:58 PM)

Ben: Conceding that I have zero credibility with predictions this year, I'd take the Phillies.

Marc (Malden, MA)

You might get different reactions, depending on which part of the ballpark you're in. I think they'll cheer his first AB and then boo after.

J.A. (not adande) Manchester, NH

What are the chances that Francona is playing coy with Josh Beckett's injury? And his thought process is, if we can steal one (which we did) in Anaheim and come back to Boston with Beckett in game 3, that puts us at a distinct advantage. I'm rolling with that, because I think he is a better manager than he gets credit for.

Buster Olney

  (1:59 PM)

All indications are that his side session went well, for 67 pitches. I think he'll start. With that, my time is up... Lots of great questions today -- thanks for those. Have fun watching the games in the week ahead.