Lenn, you're a Met fan, am I correct? If yes, sorry about that. I'm a diehard Yankee fan, but a realist. It's ALWAYS about pitching. If one watched them during the season this is what you saw. This staff gave up too many two out runs and two strike hits or walks. Combine that with being "wild in the zone" and not having an "out pitch" led to this disaster. The fifth inning the other night was just a microcosm of the season, Gurrerro two out hit, and Cruz's home run on a 1-2 count. Burnett and Vazquez are the worst offenders. Phil Hughes despite his 18 wins during the regular season did not show the stuff of a pitcher that can dominate. However he shows the ability to develop, so give him time. It's all in to sign Cliff Lee. Signing Crawford gives them four outfielders, and three lefty bats in the OF. Gardner, Grandy, Swisher, and Crawford. Swisher is valuable as a switch hitter and he puts up numbers. It's a tough call. If Pettitte retires and Vazquez is dumped there's the 20-25MM to sign Lee. It was a mistake to walk Hamilton. By doing so what you are saying is we can't get you out. What ever happened to purpose pitching? If you want to walk him fine, but do it by making him very uncomfortable in the batter's box. Buzz him, throw low and inside etc. Pitching is an art, and some of the greatest artists were Gibson, Drysdale and Marichal, and yes Clemens. No one throws inside anymore, moves batters off the plate, makes them uncomfortable. I left someone else off the list the President of the Texas Rangers was pretty good at it too.