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Rock-headed Rockie

One benefit to handing out a guaranteed multiyear contract is that it may make a player more comfortable. The downside is that it may empower a player to say dumb things.

Rockies outfielder Brad Hawpe, who was given a big deal by GM Dan O'Dowd after showing surprising early success, apparently felt emboldened enough to take a shot at O'Dowd. After the Rockies GM suggested that one big problem this year has been a lack of execution by the Rockies (which should be obvious), Hawpe was offended enough to respond, "I don't think we put any concern in what somebody from the outside says about us.''

Talk about biting the hand that feeds you. But then, that's one of the drawbacks in having a young team; the players may lack maturity.

Pavano still a pain in the buttocks

Carl Pavano has stooped to another new low. In an interview with The New York Times he blamed what he said was the Yankees' misdiagnosis of his elbow injury for keeping him out. This, of course, is the same guy who missed time due to a famed buttocks injury and various other seemingly minor ailments, who didn't arrive in New York in shape and never told the Yankees about hurting himself in a car accident while he was supposedly rehabbing.

He also apparently does not own a mirror.

Pavano tried unsuccessfully to weasel out of paying his former agent Scott Shapiro the $2 million commission on his joke of a $39.95 million contract. The Yankees were far from the only team that wanted him four years ago, but if anyone takes him now, it's their fault.

Boras vs. Coonelly: The feud continues

It hasn't surprised anyone that the battle between super agent Scott Boras and Pirates president Frank Coonelly over star prospect Pedro Alvarez's alleged contract agreement has turned into a battle royal. Boras and Coonelly are two brilliant and dynamic men who seem to have genuine hatred for one another, which always makes things interesting when they do battle.

And their relationship won't get any better considering what's going on with Alvarez, who has an arbitration hearing on Wednesday to have his $6 million "agreement'' with the Pirates overturned. A lot of allegations and accusations will fly around the hearing room, which will have to be fairly large to fit all the egos. While Coonelly isn't as well-known as Boras, he was the architect and major promoter of the slotting system that kept amateur bonuses low and annoyed Boras to no end.

Some MLB people are suggesting that they believe the union is grieving the agreement mostly because Boras was upset to learn that Florida State catcher Buster Posey received slightly more money, $6.2 million, as the No. 5 pick from the Giants. But while Boras has told folks that he believes New York City product and Vanderbilt slugging star Alvarez is by far the better player (and his request for $8.5 million up front suggests that Boras actually sees Alvarez more in line with Mark Teixeira, a Boras client who received $10 million in a multiyear deal when he was drafted), Boras denies that Posey has anything to do with Alvarez.

Some MLB folks have suggested that there's precedent that will enable the Pirates to win their case. But common sense may suggest otherwise. Alvarez only muttered the words "I accept'' to Pirates GM Neal Huntington after the midnight Aug. 15 deadline.

Additionally, Alvarez's side is believed likely to argue that they were unaware the deadline had been extended, and Boras may be prepared to say that the only reason he even handed Alvarez the phone after midnight is because he assumed time had expired and believed he was disallowed from continuing dialogue at that point. Union officials apparently will say they never got a phone call requesting the extension from MLB, which may contend that with multiple deals happening at once and time running short, it saw no harm in some brief extensions.

Whatever is decided, the whole episode has just raised the bar in one of baseball's best backroom feuds.

Around the Majors

• The Brewers have taken a great step forward this year. But their defense and bullpen remain considerable questions. One possible remedy next year might be to bring up heralded shortstop prospect Alcides Escobar and move J.J. Hardy to second base. Rickie Weeks has been a disappointment and could be a candidate to be moved to the outfield -- or just moved, period.

• Brad Lidge is trying to become only the second closer to have a perfect season, meaning no blown saves (with at least 30 saves). The only closer to have had such a season was Eric Gagne.

• It's possible that both Cy Young winners started the season on the Indians. Cliff Lee should be a lock in the AL, while CC Sabathia has a shot in the NL. Webb is probably still the favorite there, but if Sabathia runs the table he should merit serious consideration.

• Paul Byrd isn't doing too badly for the Red Sox, either.

• Johan Santana may not have earned the whole $137.5 million yet. But he's earned a lot of it.

• Alex Rodriguez slipping up and suggesting that the Blue Jays are out of the race when the Yankees are now a half-game behind them is amusing but isn't really news (we already knew the Yankees were out of it). What was interesting was A-Rod subtly touting potential free agent A.J. Burnett along with Roy Halladay as their great "one-two punch.'' By the way, that was a hint for Yankees management -- and Hank Steinbrenner already said publicly that he wants Burnett.

• Can Carlos Delgado win Comeback Player of the Year for what he does within the same season? For real, he may win MVP -- though Albert Pujols will be tough to beat. And there's no question now that the Mets are picking up Delgado's $12 million option.

• Jamie Moyer, 45, ran into the man who signed him back in 1984, Cubs scout Billy Blitzer, at Shea Stadium on Sunday, before Moyer shut down the Mets. Blitzer recalled that he signed Moyer for $12,000 after Moyer, a sixth-round draft choice, wanted $15,000. Back then, Blitzer recalled, teams fought over as little as $500. Times have obviously changed. And, as Blitzer said, "He's made up that three thousand dollars since then.'' And then some.