You Talking to Me? Big signings in the Big Apple

From: Gonzalez, John

To: Fox, Ashley; Sheridan, Phil

Subject: K-Rod and B-Jovi

Two of the biggest free-agent pitchers are off the board - and both are headed to New York. CC Sabathia is going to the Yankees, while the Mets signed closer Francisco Rodriguez to a three-year deal.

Mets-haters everywhere - including Ruben Amaro Jr. - are trying to spin the K-Rod thing as no big deal. The detractors point to the fact that he had 62 saves last year and yet the Angels supposedly didn't make a serious attempt to keep him. So: good or bad move for the (not so) Amazin's?

Meanwhile, reports say the Arena Football League is in dire financial straits and may fold. I know the two of you are huge AFL fans. How distraught will you be if you can't watch the Soul defend their championship?

From: Sheridan, Phil

To: Gonzalez, John; Fox, Ashley

Subject: K-Rod and B-Jovi

The Soul will be champions forever. That's Freddie Shero's dream come to life. Seriously, it is mind-boggling what's happening out there. The NFL and MLB are having layoffs - which strikes me as sheer evil, since they are well-known to be immensely profitable. Having the Arena league vanish? Well, it hurts more in principle than in practice.

I propose a moratorium on Initial-Rod. It makes my pancreas swell up.

Rodriguez had a great year, no doubt. Surgically graft it onto the Mets' season and they win the NL East. But it doesn't work that way. He's going to have to pitch under immense pressure in New York. We'll see how that goes.

And I'm shocked - shocked! - Sabathia signed with the Yankees.

From: Fox, Ashley

To: Gonzalez, John; Sheridan, Phil

Subject: K-Rod and B-Jovi

First of all, was there ever any doubt Sabathia would end up a Yankee?

Getting K-Rod certainly helps the Mets, as long as he stays healthy. All you have to do is look to the Phillies to see what a lights-out closer can do for you. We all know the effect Mr. Perfect had on the Phils. If K-Rod can do that for the Mets, look out.

I will be devastated if the AFL closes. No, I've never been to a Soul game (sorry Jaws), but I just like having the option of sharing air space with Jon Bon Jovi. Makes me feel like I'm 13 again, sitting with my big brother listening to our Bon Jovi albums. I loved them back in the day.

From: Gonzalez, John

To: Fox, Ashley; Sheridan, Phil

Subject: K-Rod and B-Jovi

I agree about K-Rod. The Astros didn't want Brad Lidge any longer, and that worked out pretty well for the Phils.

Why does it not surprise me that you're a fan of the cheesiest hair-band rocker of all time? If only to save Philadelphia from being associated with "You Give Love a Bad Name," the league must disband.

From: Fox, Ashley

To: Gonzalez, John; Sheridan, Phil

Subject: K-Rod and B-Jovi

It was the mid-80s, and actually, I liked Richie Sambora the best. I'm sure that's hard to fathom, since you were watching

Sesame Street

at the time.

From: Gonzalez, John

To: Fox, Ashley; Sheridan, Phil

Subject: K-Rod and B-Jovi

No one rocked harder than Cookie Monster. When he counted the cookies he'd eaten through song, it was like listening to the Beatles.

From: Sheridan, Phil

To: Gonzalez, John; Fox, Ashley

Subject: K-Rod and B-Jovi

I spent the '80s listening to the Replacements and Feelies, but I must say there were cheesier hair bands than Bon Jovi. Poison? Great White? Quiet Riot?

And Animal was the heart and soul of all Muppet music.

From: Gonzalez, John

To: Fox, Ashley; Sheridan, Phil

Subject: K-Rod and B-Jovi

As Frank Oz once said, "Don't mess with Animal. He eats glass, man."