Just think if the Yankees had moved to 2 or 3 games behind the Red Sox, instead of 7, after Johnny Damon's homer beat Boston last night.

Some fans would have been screaming that Boston should have re-signed Damon (the same ones who screamed about Pedroa Martinez).

But over-paying veteran players seems to be a tend of the past (okay, J.D. Drew is an exception).

But it is definitely the case with pitching. And it is why the Red Sox are not going to throw big money (if anything) at Curt Schilling to keep him next year.

The New York Yankees are a prime example of good and bad moves.

The bad involves Mike Mussina, whom the Yankees renegotiated with and signed for two years, (2007 and '08) for $23-million.

Mussina is now banned to the bullpen, where he may not re-surface.

In 2008, the Yankees will not only still be paying Mussina, but also giving $11-million to the shelved Carl Pavano (Pavano also gets $2-miilion in '09 when the Yankees will certainly not pick up their option on him ... it remains a huge stroke of luck for Boston that New York out-bid the Red Sox for Pavano).

Here are a few of the good moves: Phil Hughes (2004 draft, 1st round), Joba Chamberlain (2006, supplemental round), Ian Kennedy (2006, ast round), Alan Horne (2005, 11th round).

Hughes is in the Yankees starting rotation. Kennedy is joining him, replacing Mussina (at least for one game). Horne was the Eastern League Pitcher of the Year (a title won by Jon Lester in 2005) and Joba Chamberlain is looking to be a Jonathan Papelbon-like find for the Yankees.

Young arms are cheaper and, if developed well, usually less prone to injury. Look at some of the free agent pitchers for next year: Shawn Chacon, Matt Clement, Bartolo Colon, Freddy Garcia, Sidney Ponson, Jeff Weaver.

Not much of a selection.

One final note: Tonight is a great one for Red Sox/Sea Dogs fans. In New York, the two big Texans (Josh Beckett and Roger Clemens) go at it ... In Portland, the popular Field of Dreams celebration takes place before tonight's 6 p.m. doubleheader.

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