TFD has already linked to this hacktastic, whispered-in-his-ear, stenography school piece by Hal Bodley. It's no secret that Bud and Bob have their chosen outlets, but I'd guess a big piece of USA Today's non-baseball audience that glances through the red section might not know that.

I talked today with someone close to Bud and close to the process. While I certainly wasn't given anything "secret," I did get more on the line of thinking, so let's follow:

1. No candidates have been eliminated - well, no, not officially. Some suck, but as long as they can be strung along in hopes that something amazing will happen, why not?

2. D.C. is the top choice - Sure, as long as it helps negotiations with Angelos, as the last line of the piece shows.

3. Committee "will be guided" - there's no frickin' committee. Oh, in name, and maybe they even meet, but this is and always has been Bud's decision alone.

4. The Dark Horse - Norfolk isn't as far out as everyone thinks. They have a distinct advantage in the temporary stadium and seem to have funding for a permanent stadium. I'm unconvinced of the viability of the market (and as a 4 year Tidewater resident in the late 80's, I can't imagine it's changes that much), but there *is* money in their proposal.

5. Gambling - It doesn't scare Bud off, but he's worried about the public perception and the chance it brings Pete Rose up in some relativistic discussion.

6. The Decision - Expect another delay, which is really the last thing baseball needs.

Disgusting, really. A simple decision would seem easy. Even an auction wouldn't be a bad idea. Just let it go to the high bidder with a valid stadium plan. Be free market even with an antitrust exemption. Hell, even contraction is looking better than this mess.