Theo needs a hobby

Why are the Red Sox meeting with CC Sabathia? That one came out of nowhere. I can understand them considering Mark Teixeira's high asking price, but why even bother with CC? He costs a lot and chokes in the playoffs - in other words, he's a perfect Yankee. Let them have him. Maybe it's just another move to drive up the price.

Of course, that brings to mind the time Greg Maddux seemed to be interested in signing with the Yankees long ago, but wound up just using them to get a better offer from the Braves. Not exactly the same situation, but I didn't know how to transition into the fact that Maddux - whose last appearance came against the Phillies in the NLCS and is a brother of former SoxandPhil Mike Maddux - plans to announce his retirement on Monday.

That's kind of sad.

Less sad is that Theo Epstein suggested that it's not an either or whether to resign Jason Varitek or acquire a new starting catcher.

While there haven't been any new developments in terms of a potential deal with Varitek, Epstein did allow that the team could both sign the Sox captain and make a trade for a catcher of the future in the same offseason.

"It's probably broader than people think, maybe not so deep," Epstein said, of the trade market for catching. "If you study all the clubs, there are more teams with a catcher to move than one might think or that maybe is being represented. That doesn't mean that we've found a way to match up yet. We haven't. Probably more teams out there with catching that they can move than anticipated."

Christmas shopping: Last year I got in trouble when I snuck off to Citizens Bank Park to Christmas shop without Christine. This year, I'm taking her along tomorrow - she just has to wait in the car after we browse in case I need to make a purchase for Santa.

{Unfortunately, the tree lighting hasn't happened yet, and Phanta Claus and the championship trophy won't be there until next weekend. But I'm sure that will be madness, so we're not going then. I just hope they're decorated tomorrow, even though they haven't had their official Christmas kickoff.}

Playoff tix

Our playoff ticket order form arrived today. The Phillies beat the Dodgers 8-1. Coincidence? Probably, but here's my crazy conspiracy theory: The Phillies brass knew season ticket holders would be getting their orders today, so they threatened to withhold the team's paychecks unless they started hitting, raising the fans' playoff hopes again. Voila. Ten hits in an easy win.

Kyle Kendrick pitched decently - one earned on three hits and two walks with three strikeouts - to beat Greg Maddux, who was making his first start as a Dodger since 2006.

Ryan Howard, Chris Coste and Chase Utley homered.

Competitors: The Mets won (again), the Marlins are losing, and the Phils are still stuck 2.5 games out.

Red Sox: They beat the Blue Jays 8-4. Druggie Paul Byrd got his first Red Sox win. Christine's not happy that Shaun Marcum got beat badly because he's on our SoxandPhils fantasy team. Five RBIs came from the top spots in the lineup - Jacoby (slump's over) Ellsbury and Dustin (what's a slump?) Pedroia. Jason Varitek, who may also be rebounding a bit, was 2-3 with a homer.

Unfortunately, we may be a man down in the outfield for the rest of the season. All-Star Game MVP J.D. Drew has a herniated disc. He hopes to avoid the DL. I haven't seen a team so ravaged by injuries since the great 2008 Yankees.

Competitors: The Rays are winning (again) against the White Sox, the Twins are scoreless in the early innings, and the Yankees won.

Druggie debuts ...

... and loses.

Roy Halladay once again demonstrated his mastery of major league hitters, tossing a 4-1 complete game win over the Red Sox.

Paul Byrd, pitched decently in his Sox debut against the Blue Jays but not good enough against Halladay. He went 7 1/3 innings, giving up four earned on 10 hits. No walks, nor strikeouts. This was the first of three consecutive starts Bryd is slated to make against the Blue Jays. The Globe reported that would be the first time since 1958 a pitcher has made three starts in a row against the same team.

Competitors: The Twins and White Sox won; the Rays are losing.

Phillies: They're playing late again. I feel asleep before the conclusion of last night's game (Christine was dozing but woke up for the bottom of the 9th). The Phillies actually won a game, 1-0 over the Padres. I'm glad the game lived up to the stature of the two starters, Jamie Moyer and Greg Maddux.

Tonight, they're leading 2-0 in the 2nd.

Mets won again.