Instead of swaying palm trees, the roar of 747s greeted baseball's general managers Monday as they began gathering for their annual meeting. They came to a hotel near O'Hare International Airport to swap stories and perhaps players, and to start discussions with agents. Increasing the use of instant replay could be a topic when the formal meetings start Tuesday, especially after a series of missed calls in the postseason. "How far would I go with it? A lot further than most," Chicago White Sox GM Ken Williams said. "I think the game has changed with the use of technology. I think we should bring it up to date." Video reviews, which began in 2008, currently are limited to determining whether potential home runs are fair or foul or whether the ball cleared a fence. "I have been on record as using as much technology as possible for the betterment of our game and to protect the umpires, too," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Monday. Cashman is comfortable commissioner Bud Selig will protect the game and "make sure that whatever gets implemented is done in the proper way, and if it gets done slowly over time and we're better for it, so be it." Just last Wednesday, the Yankees beat the Phillies for their 27th World Series title. Now it's time to move on to next season, though Cashman doesn't expect much to happen during these sessions. "Friday was the parade. Saturday and Sunday was quiet time, and today felt like a full day of traveling, even though Chicago is not far," Cashman said. "We'll be in catch-up mode. The last thing you want to do is do something quick. I really want to make sure I take our time, sit down, and have our discussions with all personnel. I have my own ideas of what I think would be best." More deals are expected around the winter meetings, to be held in Indianapolis from Dec. 7-10. World Series MVP Hideki Matsui and left fielder Johnny Damon became free agents Monday and 37-year-old left-hander Andy Pettitte also is eligible for file. New York's biggest rival in the AL East, the Boston Red Sox, were busy Monday. They exercised their $7.7 million option on Victor Martinez and declined options on Jason Varitek and Alex Gonzalez _ although Varitek can exercise a $3 million player option. Boston also agreed to a $5 million, two-year contract with 43-year-old knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. Since this year's GMs meetings last only until midday Wednesday, the general managers might not be able to hold as many discussions as they did during past sessions. "Surprisingly, there have been more conversations throughout the playoffs and the World Series than I can remember," Williams said last week after his team acquired third baseman Mark Teahen in a trade with the Kansas City Royals. "And to be able to do something prior to the general managers' meeting and have substantial talks on major things prior to that is surprising, but certainly welcome to me. We've done our groundwork quite some time ago." Continued... |