Mark Kotsay agreed to a two-year extension today. He is signed through 2008, with a no-trade clause through 2006. He’ll make about $7 million a year. To which I say: Ahh!

Having Kotsay out in center is so comforting. If a ball is hit in the air towards center, I don’t even worry. If the ball is catchable, Kotsay will catch it. He’s like the feeling you get after a long hard day of work, and then you finally put your head on that soft, cold pillow, and put the warm covers on. Complete relaxation and comfort. He’s a security blanket.

So we know now that Kotsay won’t be traded; if Jay Payton is indeed traded to Oakland, he’ll likely be traded elsewhere right away. Dodgers? Cubs? Rockies? Yankees? Still waiting for this whole puzzle to fall into place…