And that is a big change in the mind-set.

I have not spoken with Manny himself, but I have spoken with people who represent him. Coming to camp on March 1 does not bode well for Manny to be able to play. But Manny is eligible and obviously the Dominican team would love to have Manny play.

In my experience with talking to players who have opted out of the tournament, it's not pressure from the club, it's the pressure they themselves feel. Absence may make the heart grow fonder, but it may not get you a spot on the roster.

That's as many tickets that have been sold for the Winter Olympics.

It's going to be a lot of fun.

There will be no split season. It's not a negotiating ploy, believe me. It's their decision and that's what we will do.

There was a time when people were saying, 'Will there be a next time?' Now it's a given. That's a tribute to the tournament and how it has been conducted. It is now a given there will be a tournament in 2009.

American fans should be excited about what they're going to see because it's something never seen before. It's going to be fun.

Coming to camp on March 1 doesn't bode well for Manny's participation.

No one wants to play more than Pedro does. So if it's at all possible, he will play. Obviously, his toe is still an issue. I spoke with a representative of Pedro within the last 24 hours. It is still possible he will play, but at best it's 50-50 right now.