AX, I think it is money,more than anything else, that draws players to Yankeeland. Everyone knows that the Boss can pay like no other team, so if a player wants to get the max amount, he either goes to Yankee or makes a big news flash about how the Yankees are interested in him. This way, any team that wants that player has to propose a deal that at least comes to close matching the perceived Yankee's offer. Take Pedro's case for instance. Despite what he might say now, there is no way Pedro would prefer to play for Yanks. He knows most Yankee fans (I saw a poll saying 70% +) don't want him to wear the pinstripes. However, he has to enter this "dance" to squeeze out the most he can get from be it Sox or any other team. Also, don't forget, the Boss also has an incentive in meeting Pedro even if he has no intention of signing him. He would want Sox to spend all the $$ on this guy so Sox can't pay other players. B_D. p.s. Pedro's follow up meeting with Sox at Tampa this week was pre-arranged, before me bet the Boss. Pedro was just tightening the screw on Sox Brass by meeting "the enemy" before meeting them. Gotta hand it to Pete. He is pretty damn smart.