VAN HALEN wants to play the Super Bowl, and I say, "Hell, yes!" Decades-long popular songs, loads of energy, showy front man ... let's make this happen.

The band is not as tight, spry or fresh as this 1984 video, but after seeing said rock band a month and change ago I left amazed how much I liked it and how in-your-face the performance was.

The thing, though, that left the most lasting impression is how young like 25 percent of the crowd was. That must make the boys proud, knowing Rubes 25 to 35 years of age still find them funky and relevant and popular. Thus, there's wide-spread appeal to have Van Halen as a Super Bowl halftime bit, and I would watch every lick.

... FRANKIE FLOP SWEAT: While played out a tad I found the trade-Francisco chatter to be a cool talker with WOBBLE today because it is perplexing. He is pitching well, selling hope and maybe fooling legions of fans. He has allowed seven earned runs his last four starts, and we absolutely can work with that.

The velocity on the fastball seems okay and likewise for the slider. He's not tripping out with the worst of them and is handling many a spot with poise. He's also a free agent after this year, and re-signing him now is an option but maybe not the right thing to do.

Will he and his enigmatic ways really command $9 million on the open market? Does an average pitcher these days really haul in about $9 million a year, as Lavelle pointed out today? I am struggling with this on several fronts.

He'd fit in sweetly next season if we were guaranteed he has grown up and is capable of consistency. I am not sure he's the guy I want to give that much cash, but if you let him walk we now are over reliant on reparation projects (SPOT, GIBSON) and ownership to find one or two guys who actually matter. SCOTT DIAMOND has earned the right to be considered a front-line starter, but I still am not sure really how good he is.

I don't trust Francisco Liriano, a pitcher walking too many guys. I don't trust he'd bulldog his way through the offseason so we don't have to wait three months for him to become fixed. So, I guess while the leverage is pretty high I'd suggest moving him for a prospect who can help by like next season. Take that money, MARQUIS' money and PAVANO'S cash and bring in a game-changer. I mean a big-timer. Take a cue from the Wild and mash on free agency with one superstar, and let's roll from there.