You'll notice I haven't mentioned the Dodgers, the only team that is known to have made a contract proposal offer to Ramirez. The Dodgers also should be a favorite for Sabathia, offering him — like the Giants — the chance not only to play on the West Coast, but also the National League.

Well, in an interview with the Los Angeles Times on Tuesday, Dodgers president Jamie McCourt wondered aloud about whether it would be "a little weird" to sign big-money free agents while the nation's economy is reeling.

McCourt also said that the free-agent game would be more tolerable if the players' contracts were not guaranteed — an antiquated point of view that is certain to draw ridicule, no matter how much clubs wish it were true.

McCourt's husband, owner Frank McCourt, indicated that the club will not raise its offer to Ramirez. The Dodgers have given no indication they will be a serious player for Sabathia. No wonder agents are again questioning the Dodgers' willingness to spend big.

The Dodgers still could sign a lesser free-agent bat, trade for Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano and piece together their pitching. But now is not the time for a high-revenue team to fret over baseball economics, not when Sabathia is there for the taking and Boras is ready to play ball.

The game is about to start.

The dominos are about to fall.