Let's Hope He's The Anti-Hampton

Pretty damn shocking when the reports started circulating late last night that the Rocks had inked an extension until 2020 with Tulo that involved over $130 million. Unexpected, exciting, refreshing, and potentially a really smart, although somewhat risky, maneuver on the part of the Monfarts/O'Dowd. Of course as a fan, I'm thrilled that there's no chance Tulo could depart for the Yankees after three more years (unless he's traded, as the contract does not include a no-trade clause). Still, that's a large sum of guaranteed money for a team that doesn't have bottomless pockets. But what the hell, I'm not going to fret over the prospect of things going south for a guy who had 40 RBI in the last full month of baseball he played.

Almost equally surprising, and more important for the 2011 season, the Rocks somehow appear to be ready to sign DLR for at least two more years (potentially four years with player/club options). Hard to overstate how important it is to have a power lefty in a projected starting rotation packed with righties. Welcome back DLR. May 2011 be a healthy, productive one for you.

After a snooze fest of a hot stove season thus far, things got interesting quickly. Still, there is more work to be done. Let's not forget these aren't additions to last year's team - and Tulo wasn't going anywhere soon anyway. O'Dowd needs to find at least one bat out there that provides some backup for Tulo and Pony. The fact that these two deals were made gives me some hope O'Dowd has at least one more trick up his sleeve.