All I want is to just be free

Qualifying offers are due at 5 p.m. today, around which time I’ll probably be seeking an audience with Tommy John. It has been that kind of summer. We’ll see what we can get in the meantime. Chris Botta reports that Nathan Lawson was qualified, while Peter Mannino was not. Haven’t confirmed this independently, but a) it’s Chris, so it’s gotta be good, and b) it meshes pretty well with the sentiment the second half of the year here.

Washington traded Sami Lepisto to Phoenix for a pick.

This is probably common knowledge, but the funky part of “Wanna Be Startin’ Something” comes indirectly from a 1972 Cameroonian dance song, notes Language Log. That is one groovin’ tune. The inconsistent saxophone makes it, no?

And RIP, Sky Saxon of the Seeds and Billy Mays.

Michael Fornabaio