TODAY’S TOP STORIES

KNOWING A BARGAIN WHEN YOU SEE ONE: “Good stuff cheap” read’s the Boston Globe’s online headline this morning. This after the announcement that the Red Sox have reached a preliminary agreement with future Hall of Fame starter/closer John Smoltz on a one-year, $5 million deal. According to the report, Smoltz, 41, will finalize the deal later today and can earn another $5 million in performance incentives.

Oh, and the Red Sox also picked up former first-round pick Rocco Baldelli in a one-year, performance-laden deal.

You think of the big, bad Red Sox as a free-wheeling, free-spending organization, but after missing out in the Mark Teixeira sweepstakes the Bosox have acted with financial prudence, taking shots on guys who have exceeded at the highest level, and doing so at discount prices that only escalate based on actual performance.

You may recall the Red Sox already have signed former Dodgers ace Brad Penny to a one-year, $5 million deal. That escalates to the neighborhood of $8 million with performance incentives.

Both Smoltz and Penny had some injury issues last season, but both also have shown the ability to perform at an extemely high level when healthy, Smoltz in a Cooperstown-sort-of-way. The Sox have invested $10 million guaranteed that the two can help them push toward another World Series. And if they don’t perform, Boston can walk away after one year and not be bogged down by long-term contracts.

Both examples, to me, seem exactly the kind of deal the Cardinals have indicated they are looking for. Smoltz, in particular, meets the characteristics of the kind of player described by manager Tony La Russa just last week that he’d like to have — someone with starting and closing experience. Alas, the Cardinals remain on the sidelines.

Perhaps the Cards are doing the right thing by remaining patient as the market for pitchers sets itself. Then again, you don’t want patience to turn into paralysis.

IN OTHER BASEBALL NEWS: The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel is reporting today that the Brewers have signed all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman to a one-year, $6 million deal. Hoffman can earn an addition $1.5 million in incentives, based on games finished, according to the report. So scratch Hoffman off the list. You can read what the Journal-Sentinel and Milwaukee fans have to say at the blog site highlighted above.

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THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: Who will win tonight’s BCS Championship game between Florida and Oklahoma and what will be the final score?

VAHE GREGORIAN
Florida “holds” Oklahoma four touchdowns below what it’s been scoring in the second half of the season but can’t quite stop the Sooners.
Oklahoma 35, Florida 28

STU DURANDO
The SEC doesn’t lose in the championship game. I’m sick of the SEC but until it loses I can’t pick against any of its teams. However, this game is completely anti-climactic to me. The BCS folks have made this an afterthought by playing on a Thursday night, a week after New Year’s Day. I feel more like I’m about to watch a great season opener for 2009.
Florida 37, Oklahoma 30

JOE STRAUSS
If money grew on trees, this is what handicappers would refer to as “low-hanging money.” As the bowl season has screamed: The SEC is big league, the Big 12 is 4-A. Teams that don’t play defense don’t hang against SEC big boys. Ask Texas Tech. Oklahoma has an underrated defense — within the Big 12. A late score makes this one deceptively close.
Florida 38, Oklahoma 32. (Give the points.)

TOM TIMMERMANN
I saw a lot more of Oklahoma this year than I did Florida, which has probably colored my thinking that the Sooners are better. I’m counting on Oklahoma’s defense to make the plays needed for the win.
Oklahoma 28, Florida 27

CAMERON HOLLWAY
Tonight’s game is no more a “championship” than Utah-Alabama, USC-Penn State or Texas-Ohio State. Utah is the national champion, and USC, Texas and tonight’s winner belong in the conversation. I picked Oklahoma to be crowned in the preseason, so I’ll have to stick with that pick. The Sooners offensive line might be the best in NCAA history, which gives Sam Bradford the time to pick any defense apart.
Oklahoma 34, Florida 31.

REID LAYMANCE
The Sooners’ only loss this season came against Texas, a team with a gritty QB (Colt McCoy) and a good kick returner (Jordan Shipley). Florida has that and maybe a bit more in Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin.
Florida 35, Oklahoma 33

PRESEASON PREDICTIONS: Everyone’s got a 50-50 chance at getting the above question right. How hard is that? The really challenge was picking the national champion before the season began. Take a look at who our college football writers, columnists and college editor said would win it all in our preseason preview.

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QUESTION TO THE READERS

MACLIN A MIZZOU GREAT? On the eve of Jeremy Maclin announcing his decision between the NFL and staying in school, I got to wondering about where he would rank with all-time Mizzou football greats. I didn’t grow up here so I don’t have a great historical perspective as far as seeing guys play. I know what my eyes tell me about Maclin: He’s an incredibly talented athlete who glides so smoothly while juking opponents it often seems he’s doing it effortlessly. If he goes pro now, does he hurt his legacy among Mizzou greats, or perhaps not even be considered one? Or has he already put himself in the upper-tier in the schools annals? Educate me on this one.

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STAT OF THE DAY

7,354.2 — Career innings pitched by Cy Young, the most in Major League history. That averages out to about 334 innings pitched per season in his 22-year career. Pretty amazing, huh?

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: What would be better for the St. Louis Blues: They finish strong this season and make a playoff push or they stay on their current pace and get a shot in the draft at one of the game’s top two prospects — Canadian forward John Tavares or Swedish defenseman Victor Hedman?

JEREMY RUTHERFORD
This is a very difficult question because if the Blues went into 2009-10 with Erik Johnson, David Perron, T.J. Oshie, Patrik Berglund and Jonathan Tavares (who I believe they would take No. 1 overall), it would be the best young nucleus in the NHL. However, I’ve always been a believer that winning games is what’s most important, and the draft order will fall how it falls. Here’s the bottom line in my book: Next year isn’t Year 2 of the Checketts/Davidson regime . . . it’ll be Year 4. If the Blues don’t sniff the playoffs soon, they risk losing fans who may never be around to see Tavares wear the Bluenote. You saw what having Erik Johnson meant this season . . . nothing. Johnson is a tremendously talented player and will be a cornerstone defenseman for years to come, but a fluky injury ended his season, and without him, the Blues are wallowing in mediocrity. As good as Tavares and Hedman are and will be, I’ll take the victories.

BERNIE MIKLASZ
Given the blitz of injuries, I don’t see the Blues as a viable playoff contender, which is just as well, because they’d be a one-and-done entry with a quick expiration date in the postseason. So bring on the kids. In fact, the Blues should do everything they can to accumulate more draft picks by trading marketable veterans.

JEFF GORDON
Blues season ticket holders don’t want to hear this. Neither does ultra-competitive coach Andy Murray. But this is the truth: The top two picks in the 2009 draft offer extraordinary promise. Either prospect would greatly advance the Blues’ cause. Since the Blues are unlikely to climb into the Western Conference’s top eight this season — given the long-term loss of Erik Johnson, Eric Brewer and Pauk Kariya — the lottery looms as a phenomenal opportunity. I would never encourage a professional sports team to tank, but . . .

TOM TIMMERMANN
Enough waiting until next year. The Blues haven’t gone to the playoffs since 2004, haven’t won a series since 2002. No one in the NHL goes four years without making the playoffs (well, maybe the Blackhawks) and if the Blues do that, there will be increasingly fewer reasons to be a Blues fan. The Blues need to throw a lifeline to their beleaguered fans by making the playoffs. Of course, I don’t think it’s an option; unless the ice at Scottrade comes from Lourdes, I don’t see them getting back in the playoff picture this season.

DAN O’NEILL
I think, with still more than half of the 2008-2009 schedule remaining, the Blues should definitely make a concerted effort to stay a losing course. If at all possible, they should try to get a few more key players hurt, maybe Brad Boyes could play a round of golf with Erik Johnson, perhaps Keith Tkachuk could slip on a piece of carpet. At the same time, coach Andy Murray should make it clear to his present roster that his new system will be based on glaring mistakes and half-baked effort. Call it the “Twilight Zone Trap.” What’s more, the marketing team should get on board and adjust the Blues’ sales pitch from “We’ll Do Whatever It Takes” to “We Won’t Do Squat,” or “We’ll Do Whatever It Takes To Lose,” or “We’ll Tank It Everytime.” Maybe they even could feature “Towel Man” in some ads and use the theme, “That’s Right, We’re Throwing In The Towel.” Or maybe they could just contact the NHL office and inform the league that they would like to forfeit 55 percent of their remaining schedule. Unconventional, yes, but hey, whatever it takes.

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MIDDAY NEWS AND THOUGHTS

HELP ME UNDERSTAND: The Los Angeles Dodgers have offered a one-year contract to all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman, according to the Los Angeles Times. Hoffman made $7.5 million last season with the Padres and San Diego reportedly made him a one-year, $4 million offer earlier before withdrawing it in November. The Dodgers’ offer, according to the Times, reportedly exceeds $4 million. The report also states the Milwaukee Brewers are in pursuit of Hoffman, who is expected to make a decision this week.

Hoffman, 41, may not be the stud he once was, but he did convert 30 of 34 save opportunities last season. With the Cardinals’ glaring need at the position, wouldn’t a one-year offer in that range offer high upside with little risk? It’s a head-scratcher, along the lines of the Cardinals not taking a chance on starting pitcher Brad Penny, who landed with the Red Sox on a one-year, $5 million deal. But with Hoffman it’s even worse, as he could end up closing for an NL Central competitor.

To steal a line from a valued colleague: The Cards don’t seem to really be looking for low-hanging fruit … they want to pick it up off the ground.

BC BRINGS HAMMER DOWN ON COACH: After meeting with the New York Jets yesterday about their head coaching position, Boston College football coach Jeff Jagozinski will be fired today according to a report in the Boston Globe. While apparently there was no specific language in his contract barring him from seeking other jobs, upon his hiring BC officials had made it clear to Jagozinski that they wanted a coach for more than just two or three years. Jagodzinski had just completed his second 10-win season with BC and has three years remaining on his contract.

Wow, I guess Boston College meant business. On one hand, I question the severity of such actions when someone is just trying to improve his/her lot in life. On the other hand, I admire BC for sticking to its guns and making a statement that winning doesn’t mean everything. But more than anything I just like to see it when things go Bad in Beantown.

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THINGS TO PONDER

CUBS’ BRADLEY IS THE BOMB: Chicago Tribune columnist Rick Morrissey writes today that, “What became finally and conclusively apparent in the 2008 postseason was that the cute, happy, aw-shucks Cubs thing doesn’t work. … Now comes Milton Bradley, who is so un-Cublike he probably wears White Sox boxers under his pants. … The Cubs aren’t bringing him to town to be a leader. They’re bringing him to provide another left-handed bat and light a fire. Light a fire, pull the pin of a grenade — it’s the same thing, isn’t it?

How a company that recently filed for bankruptcy keeps adding payroll is unclear to me, but the Cubs have clearly shown they want to be the Beast to Beat in the National League.

HOW ‘BOUT THEM DAWGS: Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford and running back Knowshon Moreno are both expected to announce later today that they will enter the NFL draft, according to ESPN. Stafford, a junior, and Moreno, a redshirt sophomore, led the SEC in passing and rushing this season, respectively. Some draftniks believe Stafford could be the No. 1 overall pick in April’s draft and Moreno is expected to be the first or second running back selected.

And people around here think Mizzou underachieved this year. How did a Georgia team led by that kind of talent go 9-3 and end up playing in the Capitol One Bowl? And before you say it’s because of all the talent in the SEC, let me point out that one of those losses came at HOME against ACC opponent Georgia Tech.

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STAT OF THE DAY

5 — Number of times Keith Tkachuk has been named to the NHL All-Star team after getting the nod today. Tkachuk, who became the seventh U.S.-born player to reach 1,000 points earlier this season, was also a member of the All-Star team in 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2004.

THE WATERCOOLER

Question: Now that closer Brian Fuentes is out of the equation, what is the Cardinals No. 1 priority?

BERNIE MIKLASZ
Same as it ever was: starting pitching. It’s folly to assume Chris Carpenter can return to full health and form. And shouldn’t the Cardinals at least take a look at Trevor Hoffman? He had a strong second half in 2008. Does the Hall of Fame closer have one more solid year left in that arm?

DERRICK GOOLD
What “is” the No. 1 priority and what “should be” the No. 1 priority are completely different questions. What “is” the No. 1 priority apparently is positioning themselves with a flexible budget so that they can: a) swoop in with a vulture’s savvy when other teams are selling off parts (yes, I’m looking at you Houston) and, b) brace themselves for a revenue stream that could fall short of initial estimates. What “should be” the No. 1 priority hasn’t changed. It’s starting pitching. The Cardinals simply do not have enough known quantities to fill out their rotation. They need someone who they know will fill innings and there are plenty of options out there. (A Braden Looper-type, even if it’s not Braden Looper, per se.) The Cardinals are counting on a healthy Chris Carpenter, and he has the salary to mandate that. But they should consider Carpenter a bonus. Build a rotation that can contend without him and be a favorite to win with him.

RICK HUMMEL
I don’t think there is a No. 1 priority. I think they need a starting pitcher and a closer. They rank equal in my mind. And I don’t think it would be impossible that they’d consider signing a pitcher who’s done both … started and closed.

DAN O’NEILL
That is somewhat of a loaded question because I don’t believe Brian Fuentes ever was in the equation, not seriously anyway. I think the Cardinals should be looking for bench strength right now. I think pitching is going to become available later because of the economic conditions. There are going to be a number of free agents signing late, ala Kyle Lohse, accepting shorter term deals, hoping for an economic turnaround and a solid 2009 so that they can cash in next winter. They don’t call me Dan “DeWait” O’Neill for nothing.

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MIDDAY NEWS AND THOUGHTS

MEET COACH MOSS: No, Winston Moss has not been named the new Rams head coach just yet. But he at least survived a round of defensive bloodletting by the Green Bay Packers. According to the Associated Press, Packers head coach Mike McCarthy cleaned house Monday by releasing defensive coordinator Bob Sanders and five other assistants. According to the report, assistant head coach-linebacker coach Moss was the only major defensive coach to keep his job. Moss interviewed Saturday for the Rams head coaching position, the first of multiple candidates expected to visit.

Moss has not commented yet on whether he feels it would be better to be fired by the Packers or hired by the Rams. Stay tuned.

FORGET EVERYTHING YOU’VE LEARNED: The Arizona Republic makes a case for the Arizona Cardinals to beat the Carolina Panthers this weekend … and bases it on historical data. No, not the fact it’s the Cardinals first trip to the playoffs in 10 years. No, not because they haven’t advanced past the second round since winning an NFL title in 1947. The Cardinals have a chance, they say, because other lower-seeded teams have gone on the road in recent years to win Super Bowls.

I’m thinking those other lower seeds didn’t finish the last six games of their seasons 2-4. And I’m guessing that if you went even a bit deeper, you’d find that those other lower seeds were not outscored 167-70 in four such losses. But if the good folks in Arizona think historical data is on their side, all I can say is, “Good luck with that.”

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THINGS TO PONDER

YES TO RICKEY, NO TO McGWIRE: The Chicago Tribune polled its nine baseball Hall of Fame voters to see who they chose to induct into this year’s class, which will be announced on Jan. 12. Base-stealing leadoff man Rickey Henderson received the only unanimous nod. Also going in on the Tribune ballots were Andre Dawson and Jim Rice. Conspicuously absent from all nine ballots … Mark McGwire. You can take a look at all nine complete ballots and read why the writers voted for the players they did at the Chicago Tribune web site.

BULLETIN BOARD BLUNDER: Nothing like calling out a Heisman Trophy winning quarterback just days before facing him in a national championship game. But that’s exactly what Oklahoma defensive back Dominique Franks did earlier this week, saying Florida quarterback Tim Tebow (who won the Heisman last year) would be only the fourth-best quarterback in the Big 12.

No. 2 Oklahoma will square off Thursday night with No. 1 Florida in the BCS championship game. Given a chance to respond at a media event today, Tebow just laughed off Franks’ comments and took a pass on responding. But Franks better beware of Tebow’s passing (both on the field and off). Imagine a game-winning pass from Tebow that sails right over Franks’ hands. Nothing better than letting your play do your talking for you … particularly to a DB who may find himself on a nationally televised island Thursday night.

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STAT OF THE DAY

$423.5 million — Total amount the Yankees have committed to just three free agents this offseason. A press conference has been scheduled for tomorrow to announce that first baseman Mark Teixeira’s eight-year, $180 million deal has been finalized. Other deals already completed by the Yanks include seven years at $161 million for pitcher CC Sabathia and five years at $82.5 million for pitcher A.J. Burnett.