Big Money Jays Flexing their Canadian Gold Medal Muscles

What is going on here? We're outbidded by Toronto? The next Derek Jeter won't play for us because we haven't used up the old one?

The biggest stud shortstop prospect on the international meat market is taking his act to Canada.

According to an industry source Hechavarria is close to signing a $10 million deal with the Blue Jays because he didn’t envision himself playing short for the Yankees.

Hechavarria, 21, was leery of Derek Jeter’s impending extension that will keep him at short for the foreseeable future.

WHAT THE...?

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO OLD-FASHIONED SALESMANSHIP?

Are you telling me that we couldn't sell this guy on the advantages of waiting one year, maybe two, to become the shortstop for the New York Yankees? Or, better yet, we wouldn't fork over enough money -- yeah, cash, dough, bread, clabba, trakdom, or as the African bushmen call it, r't;rp'p -- to make it worth his while?

We have now let the last three stud international players walk: The Cuban pitcher who went to the Reds, an $8 million shortstop to the Redsocks, and now Heck Hechavaria.

All winter, we have poormouthed. We are walking the streets of Tampa with our pant pockets pulled out and a tin can, asking for donations. And now, we don't even have a car salesman on staff who can convince this kid why he should play in New York, instead of suburban Buffalo.

Steve Swindall, where are you?