Bay Area Baseball

Jacobs hit 32 HR’s for Florida last season and should anchor Kansas City’s lineup. Photo: Getty Images.

With the Phillies’ World Series victory, its officially time for teams to begin building for the 2009 season. The Royals got their offseason underway by trading reliever Leo Nunez (2.98 era) for a new first baseman Mike Jacobs. Expect the Royals to make more moves, as they now have an even greater surplus of first baseman, with Jacobs, Billy Butler, Ross Gload, Ryan Shealy and rookie Kila Ka’aihue.

Some big names to keep an eye on include free agents Ben Sheets, Mark Teixeira, CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett. Other names currently under contracts who should be moved are Jake Peavy, Matt Holliday and potentially Garrett Atkins.

Early reports have Teixeira going to either Boston or New York, and Sabathia likely headed to Yankee Stadium as well. It should be an interesting three months.

Jimmy Rollins’ Elmer Fudd cap didn’t help him catch this popup. Photo: Getty Images

A new craze has apparently taken hold in the World Series, the hats with ear muffs attached, known to the players as Elmer Fudd caps, are being worn both in the dugouts and on the field of chilly Philadelphia. Although they are a nifty little invention and likely keep you quite warm, they have no place on the field.

While in the dugout players have been allowed to wear just about whatever they want, beanies, hoodies and otherwise, generally field gear has been reserved for baseball caps, gloves and uniforms. The Fudd hats look ridiculous on the field and are extremely silly. Imagine a quarterback wearing ear muffs over his helmet or a hockey player with a beanie over his. Ridiculous. Keep the Fudd caps off the field and in the dugout and stands where they belong.

The Philadelphia Phillies will have to wait at least one more night to clinch a World Series title. Photo: Getty Images.

Last night’s rain delay pushed the Phillies victory celebration back until Wednesday at the earliest. It isn’t the ideal situation for Major League baseball, which will see a 2-2 game resume in the sixth inning - weather permitting.

The delay should benefit Tampa Bay, who narrowly avoided being the first team to lose a rain shortened World Series clincher by tying the game on a BJ Upton manufactured run. The Rays, on the brink, should have tonight and tomorrow to think about their newfound momentum. Evan Longoria and Carlos Pena finally got on the board with hits and Cole Hamels will not be available.

Tampa Bay will also have a more well rested David Price ready to come in at some point, Price threw 2.1 innings on Oct. 23 so he should be able to pitch multiple innings if needed. The shortened game will certainly be a new look for baseball.