So after every season we get into the "Hot Stove Season" and have to read about or view on YES network or ESPN about how the Yankees will pursue so and so.

Lately I have seen some rather odd journalism that goes on. Unfortunately Yahoo Sports is usually the culprit. Do they ever check their sources? They claimed the Yankees were attempting to trade Nick Swisher, then the next day everyone under the sun denied that. The only way trading Nick Swisher would make sense is if Xavier Nady was re-signed and could prove he can stay healthy. In other words, the Yankees wouldn't trade Swisher until June or the trade deadline if they do at all.

Reports are the Marlins refuse to sign Josh Johnson to a 4 year deal, that he has asked for. The Marlins will only offer a 3 year deal. This is the problem with Major League Baseball, teams develop talented players and then refuse to pay them what they're worth when they outperform their rookie contracts. The Marlins though, are among the only three teams in MLB who can develop players, let them leave and not miss a beat - obviously the others are the Twins and the Angels. When Josh Johnson goes on the market expect a team like the Dodgers, Red Sox or Cubs to buy him. When the Yankees spend money it's a big story, when these other big market teams spend the money it's deemed baseball economics.

ESPN decided to run a story stating Roy Halladay will not re-sign with the Blue Jays. Really? The Blue Jays tried to trade him last year and will do the same this year thinking the guy would want to stay there? I'm sure the reasons are simple for Halladay, he's done all he can in Toronto but wants to win a World Series. He may win 250 games or so and make the Hall of Fame. I'm sure it also annoys Doc that the Blue Jays reward 1 year of performance with huge contracts to Vernon Wells and Alex Rios. When they let his friend AJ Burnett go to the Yankees that may have been the last straw, as the Blue Jays let good players go and sign mediocre players (that includes you BJ Ryan) to excessive contracts.

Can the sports writers keep articles to things that are factual? I know some stories are put under a "rumor" section but most of the rumors posted note a source - recent ones just say things that could be true without any proof.