tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33858216093995387212024-03-13T17:28:10.965-04:00Sportsaholics AnonymousA meeting place for people addicted to sports and sports cards and memorabilia collecting. Follow me on Twitter @ChrisWGambleChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05613956074577564532noreply@blogger.comBlogger160125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385821609399538721.post-4199538906669516322012-03-14T15:30:00.002-04:002012-03-14T15:30:16.651-04:00MovingAfter much deliberation and tinkering I have decided to move my blog to a new home. You can find me at http://thesportssoldier.wordpress.com/ where I will continue my passion of sports writing. Please feel free to add me to your favorite websites or subscribe to follow my new blog. Thanks everyone, I have gotten quite a few page hits on this page and I hope to get even more in my new home. It was time for a change.Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05613956074577564532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385821609399538721.post-52682278869725306772012-03-12T15:39:00.002-04:002012-03-12T19:04:47.760-04:00Giants on Draft DayThe New York Football Giants own the 32nd pick in the first round, the last pick, thanks to their Super Bowl victory. For a team that just won the Super Bowl there are plenty of needs. The Giants lost two tight ends during the Super Bowl, Travis Beckum and Jake Ballard who will probably miss the entire 2012 campaign. This has led to a lot of speculation that the Giants will be looking at tight ends with the last pick in the first round. Nonsense, I say.<br />
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Since Jerry Reese has taken the reigns as the Giants GM they have never drafted based on need in the first round. It is against Reese's philosophy. Last year they took CB Prince Amukamara, a move that turned out to be wise after so many cornerbacks went down, including Amukamara who was able to come back and show some flashes towards the end of the year. The Giants have needs all over the place. On the defensive side of the ball there are questions regarding Osi Umenyiora, the talented defensive end. Reese loves his pash rushers and Osi is one of the best. If Osi and the Giants can't come to an agreement then the Giants could draft an impact DE, if one is still available, to help take some of the pressure off of Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre Paul. There is also a chance the Giants could look to defensive tackle if Chris Canty and the Giants can't work out a deal to restructure his contract since he is owed $6 million this year. There is also a chance that Reese goes for a defensive back. Aaron Ross is a free agent and is not expected back. Terrell Thomas is a free agent coming off an year that he missed with injury. Right now Corey Webster and Prince Amukamara are the starting corners. I expect the Giants to re-sign Thomas but adding more depth, if the talent is on the board, is not out of the question. There is one area I don't see the Giants going all-in for and that is linebacker. The Giants have a trio of second-year linebackers in Joaquin Williams, Mark Herzlich, and Greg Jones. They also have Michael Boley and are expecting Jonathan Goff back after he missed all of last season. <br />
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On the offensive side of the ball the offensive line is a higher priority than tight end. Kareem McKenzie is a free agent and is expected to leave via free agency. There is also the issue of center David Baas' health after his neck gave him a lot of trouble this past season. The Giants do have some offensive line prospects in James Brewer, Kevin Boothe, Mitch Petrus, and Jim Cordle. However, offensive line depth is a huge need. If there is a good enough prospect on the board I can see the Giants going this route.<br />
Running back is now also a need. Brandon Jacobs is gone. Ahmad Bradhsaw is a good running back but health has always been a problem. D.J. Ware, Andre Brown and Da'Rel Scott are the other running backs on the roster. The Giants like both of them but could look to grab a running back at some point in the draft if only for the competition in camp. Scott showed amazing flashes during last season's preseason games but he has also earned a spot in Coach Coughlin's doghouse with his propensity to put the ball on the ground.<br />
Obviously, tight end is an area of concern for the Giants as well. Losing Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum for the season hurts. Only Bear Pascoe remains healthy at the position. There is a chance the giants address this need via free agency with an older, yet still capable veteran like a Dallas Clark, or a Kevin Boss who is reportedly getting released from the Raiders. Or, they could address this need in the later rounds of the draft. With the Giants weapons at wide receiver, the tight end doesn't play a pivotal role in moving the ball. The tight end is usually a third or fourth option for Eli Manning. If the best prospect on the board is a tight end then the Giants will take a tight end. However, if they see a playmaker available at another position they will take that player, even if it is a wide receiver.<br />
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One thing Jerry Reese has demonstrated is an ability to keep the draft geeks guessing. He is as unpredictable as they come. That has worked well for the Giants in years past. Without that philosophy the Giants wouldn't have drafted Jason Pierre Paul. The first 31 picks will shape what the Giants do at 32. Even if they address a need in free agency they still might take that position with their first pick if the prospect is rated highly enough. Call me crazy but I think Jerry Reese likes drafting from this spot because it is the spot you always try to take the best player available. That's the way Jerry Reese builds his football team and so far it has produced 2 Super Bowl winners. You can't argue with a system that has proven it works. <br />
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If I had to guess these are the players I think will be available for the Giants and guys that they might draft, in no particular order:<br />
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TE Coby Fleener, Stanford. Fits a need and is arguably the best TE in the draft. He is a big target at 6-6 and has a knack of finding the end zone.<br />
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RB LaMichael James, Oregon. I doubt he falls to 32 but you never know. Has good speed but is considered kind of small. <br />
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TE Dwayne Allen, Clemson. His combine might have made his stock fall. A good tight end who should be able to step into an offense and contribute. Combine numbers mean squat, watch the tape. He won't be the best but he will be good.<br />
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OT Bobby Massie, Ole Miss. Good work ethic combines with a big body. Listed at 6-6, 316, he is athletic and strong. Might need some time to develop but could be a right tackle in a year or two full-time.<br />
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DE Quinton Coples, UNC. At 6-6, 284, he is a big, athletic man. Could fit in well with a 4-3 scheme like the Giants use. The Giants love their pass rushers. I don't think there is a chance he makes it all the way down to this slot but stranger things have happened.<br />
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DT Jerel Worthy, MSU. His game can frustrate at times. Not sure if he mentally checks out or gets frustrated. When he is on he is a beast. The Giants could see a lot of upside in him, especially if Chris Canty is shown the door. They do have Marvin Austin coming back from injury but depth along the D-line is always welcome in East Rutherford. <br />
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ILB Vontaze Burfict, ASU. He had a poor combine but, like I said before, I don't pay much attention to workouts sans pads and at game speed. He has ability to rush the passer and has shown the speed during the game to run. The Giants could see him as a prospect and nab him with the final pick in the round. I would be surprised if he made it this far, I can see a team picking him earlier. I would also be surprised if the Giants take him based on the plethora of other prospects out there and the amount of young linebackers they already have.<br />
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<br />Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05613956074577564532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385821609399538721.post-28947413274841772012012-03-07T03:40:00.002-05:002012-03-07T03:40:36.848-05:00Peyton and Bounties and another thing or two- Peyton Manning is going to be released by the Colts tomorrow. It is a sad end to a Colts career that ranks among the greatest of all-time. Few quarterbacks have come close to accomplishing what Peyton has in a Colts uniform. Now, he follows other greats like Johnny Unitas, Joe Montana, and Joe Namath, icons in the cities where they brought home championships and set records, and will finish out his career on another team. It is unlikely that Peyton will retire but I guess that is always a possibility until he signs with another team. Right now, it seems like the Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, and maybe even the Jets will kick the tires on Manning. If I had a gun to my head I would pick the Cardinals. They could trade or release Kevin Kolb, who I believe has a $7 million roster bonus due to him if he is on the team by March 17th. I might be wrong on the date and I can't find a good source on it but I do know he has a roster kicker due for $7 million. Teaming with Larry Fitzgerald would be fun to watch. I have already stated my thoughts on Peyton and the Jets...it is a bad idea for the team.<br />
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- So apparently the Saints are the dirtbags of the NFL. Former defensive coordinator, being the biggest dirtbag of them all, allowed players to receive extra bonus pay for injuring opposing teams stars. He also apparently did the same thing while in Washington. The fact that the players, coaching staff, and front office allowed this to happen under their very noses disgusts me. There has been a lot of players coming to the defense of Gregg Williams, saying this kind of thing is rampant in the NFL and isn't a big deal. To them I say, it is a rule in the NFL. The use of bounties is outlawed. It is not okay, regardless of who allows it, for anyone to break the rules of the game. The game's very integrity is based on those rules. They are there for a reason. Oh, and don't worry about former NFL players suffering from various mental disorders from taking too many hits to the head. Don't worry about players like Dave Duereson who suffered severe depression as a result of his head injuries. Yeah, those guys don't count because you got paid, right? Asinine comments from asinine people. The NFL has a huge issue on it's hands regarding player safety and to have a team completely disregard the long-term health of those men for a few hundred or few thousand extra bucks is disgusting. If I were NFL commissioner, and the Saints are lucky I am not (and so are the Rams for whom Gregg Williams is now a defensive coordinator), I would demand the firing of Sean Payton, Gregg Williams, and general manager Mickey Loomis and suspend them from the league for three years. I would also demand the IRS investigate the players for unreported income, something the IRS is doing anyway, and support any decision they make in regards to that money, including jail. I would also force the Saints to surrender their first round draft pick for the next three years and fine them one hundred times the total amount of money that was posted in this bounty system. I would also make them pay another one million dollars to fund the healthcare plan of retired players. If the Saints didn't care about injuring those players then they shouldn't mind helping them afford the long-term healthcare so many players need after they leave the field.<br />
My penalties are stiff, maybe too stiff in some of your minds. However, the Saints allowed the league's rules to be undermined, put players health in jeopardy, and circumvented the NFL salary cap. They undermined the integrity of the game. I don't want to hear about how every team does it. Nobody else has gotten caught and if they were caught I would demand similar penalties for that team, or teams, as well. As for the players who think it is no big deal? Wait until you retire after suffering from several concussions. Wait until you need knee replacement surgery at 45 years old. Wait until your body is similar in age to that of a 90 year old at age 50. To them I say, shut up and let the NFL do it's job by enforcing the rules. The NFL needs to make an example of the Saints and they need to do it now.<br />
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- Deron Williams can score 57 points against the Bobcats but Jeremy Lin score 25 and he gets back pages and the whole Linsanity thing. I get it, Lin came from out of nowhere and helped turn a struggling Knicks team around. I get it. But, lost in the whole fog of Linsanity is the fact that he is still only the second best point guard in the New York area. I love watching Lin play. But Deron Williams is the best player in the New York area, yes, better then Carmelo Anthony right now and better that Amare' Stoudemire. I'm just telling the truth.<br />
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- I swear you can't keep Yankee fans happy. Michael Pineda throws two innings and already there are some fans calling the trade a bust. Seriously? After two innings? Pineda didn't throw in Winter Ball this offseason for the first time in a few years. His arm needs to get built back up. He isn't a bust. Not yet. The trade could still be a bust down the line but I would hold my judgement for several seasons and see what happens. This new generation of Yankee fans is driving me nuts. They were born in the 1990's and don't know what it's like seeing a crappy team. I saw the 1990-1992 Yankees. It wasn't pretty. I watched as former Yankee youngsters like Doug Drabek, Jose Rijo, Otis Nixon, Fred McGriff, Jay Buhner, Bob Tewksbury, and others go on to win Cy Young awards, championships, and otherwise be productive for other teams. You don't know what it's like to watch Matt Nokes, Mel Hall, and Jesse Barfield as everyday players. All these younger Yankee fans know is success and it is rotting their perspective. Since 1995 the Yankees have failed to make the playoffs once. ONCE! I had to wait 15 years of my life before I saw the Yankees in a postseason game. I know Andy Hawkins. I know Scott Sanderson. I know Rick Rhoden. I know Dave LaPoint, Jimmy Jones, Clay Parker, Tim Leary, and Wade Taylor. Those were pitchers in case you were wondering, some of them considered the ace on the staff like Sanderson, Rhoden, and Hawkins. Younger Yankee fans should thank God they don't have ownership or a general manager that will put them through another decade of futility. It was bad. I was young back then and loved my Yankees. I loved Alvaro Espinosa, Don Mattingly, Butch Wynegar, Pat Kelly, Mike Stanley, and Matt Nokes. So, my message to younger Yankee fans who weren't around for the 1990 debacle is: Chill out. Enjoy the game of baseball for what it is, a wonderful thing on a summer afternoon or evening. Enjoy the little things about the game. Stop thinking like the world will end if a bad trade is made. Stop thinking 2 innings of Spring Training baseball means anything more than a warmup. Relax. Settle down. Then again, maybe the Yankees need to go through a few years of futility again. I lived through it once and can do so again. I will stay loyal to my team no matter who they put out on that field.<br />
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- Speaking of the early 1990's Yankees, former first overall draft pick Brien Taylor was arrested last week for trafficking cocaine. I can remember when he was drafted and everyone immediately thought of Dwight Gooden as a young pitcher. Taylor was on his way before he injured his shoulder in a fight that he wasn't really a part of. Now this. It is sad to see. For my younger readers, imagine the hype surrounding Stephen Strasburg only you never get to see him pitch in a big league game. Taylor was supposed to turn the Yankees around. It never happened. The Yankees turned themselves around and the rest is history. It still would have been interesting to see what Taylor could have done for those dynasty Yankees. To this day I am still left wondering and every now and again I come across a rookie card of his and think about what could have been. Just sad.<br />
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- For what it's worth it is nice to see Johan Santana out on the mound again. I would love to see him pitch a full season with his old form again. I'm sure Met fans would love to as well. Before he got hurt he was simply amazing to watch, a true pitcher, a complete pitcher. He was an artist. Maybe he still is.Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05613956074577564532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385821609399538721.post-24450151308978176892012-03-01T16:51:00.001-05:002012-03-01T16:51:30.094-05:00Hit and Runs- It has to be a tough thing to be a Sizemore in baseball this year. First, Grady Sizemore injured his back while fielding grounders with the Indians. An update is being prepared by the Indians and it might be very bad news for Sizemore and the Indians. Grady was once an up and coming young outfielder, thought to become one of baseball's best. Then the injuries began. And they didn't stop. Now, the three-time All-Star who has appeared in just 104 games over the past two seasons, might be lucky to play at all this season.<br />
On the other hand, there is Scott Sizemore, no relation to Grady, who tore his ACL on February 27th. He will now miss the entire year. Sizemore was expected to compete for the A's starting third baseman job. Now, he is out for the year. Spring Training has been a cruel mistress to these two this year.<br />
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- The price for a good catcher just went up. First it was Joe Mauer signing an 8-year, $184 million deal with the Twins a couple of seasons ago. Now, the Cardinals have inked All-Star catcher Yadier Molina to a 5-year, $75 million deal. Molina is a very good catcher. Is he worth $15 million a year? In my opinion, no. He has never driven in more than 65 runs, never hit more than 14 homers (both RBI and homer totals were career highs set last year), and has never hit higher than .305, again a career high set last season, besting his previous best of .304 from 2008. Don't get me wrong, I think Yadier Molina is a spectacular catcher on both sides of the plate. I'm just not a fan of giving a catcher, who plays 140 games at most and is susceptible to a myriad of injuries and breakdowns $15 million a year. Especially one coming off a career year where he set career high marks for hits, doubles, homers, RBI's, AVG, and runs scored. Yes, his defense is impeccable. Yes, he can swing the lumber. No, I still don't think any catcher is worth $15 million a year. Not after seeing Joe Mauer, Buster Posey, and Russell Martin all go from All-Star up and comers to question marks because of health or overuse as was the case with Martin. Strangely, though, if there is one catcher I would give the money to it is Yadier who has shown an ability to stay healthy, call a great game, hit the ball, and be a leader. It is crazy but sometimes it works out.<br />
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- Now for the rude, inappropriate comment that I can't resist. You know it's wrong but you will laugh too...or just think I'm an ass which you probably do already. Plaxico Burress wants to join the Eagles. He has practically taken out a full page ad in the Philadelphia newspapers and is telling anyone with two ears he wants to be an Eagle. Between him and Mike Vick that outta make shower time lots of fun postgame and post-practice. Soap on a rope fellas, soap on a rope. See it wasn't so bad. Ok, maybe it was. You still smiled though didn't you?<br />
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- To this day I still don't understand why the Rangers traded Mike Knuble. For Rob DiMaio of all people. DiMaio went on to play 12 games as a Ranger. Knuble went on to score 30+ goals two times and 20+ 8 times. To this day that trade still bothers me and it seems like the Rangers have been searching for that kind of player since Knuble left. Brendan Shanahan was kind of like that player but he is now gone and the Rangers are still searching. Maybe P.A. Parenteau will rejoin the Rangers as a UFA next season. Maybe.<br />
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- The question this season seems to be not what trophy Henrik Lundqvist will win but how many. In my humble opinion he should walk away with the Vezina (for best goalie) and the Hart (League MVP). He has meant everything to the Rangers this season and he is the reason for the Rangers being atop the Eastern Conference standings right now. Oh, he has 8 shutouts this year to lead the league. Hopefully the anti-Rangers bias among the voters won't shine through this year.<br />
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- Can someone please tell me what Bill Simmons of ESPN is doing interviewing President Barack Obama? Seriously? The President of the United States doesn't belong on a sports website. We don't need to know what his brackets will be for March Madness. We don't need his input on Jermey Lin, the Bulls, or the White Sox. The only thing we need from a President is leadership and that doesn't mean in sports. Stop the nonsense and let the President be the President by trying to fix, oh, I dunno, the damned economy. <br />
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- While everyone is paying attention to Jeremy Lin, Steve Novak is quietly putting together a very nice season for the Knicks. His ability to shoot the three is something the Knicks offense has lacked since Allan Houston left. Novak is only averaging 8.0 PPG but is 53-113 from beyond the arc. That's a very nice percentage of 46%. He has the ability to score 9 points in a few minutes, even on three possessions. Add that to what the Knicks already have and yes, they are a very dangerous team, especially in the playoffs. <br />
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- the other day I told Terry Francona to shut up. now it's time for Bobby Valentine to shut up. Ever since taking over as Red Sox manager, Bobby V has seemingly only cared about what the Yankees are doing. Recently, he commented on Derek Jeter's now infamous flip play to home plate in the 2001 ALDS. Seriously, how does this come up from Bobby V? The game had nothing to do with any team Bobby V was managing. In 2001, Bobby V was busy taking the defending NL Champions to a third place finish in the NL East. In October of 2001, he was planning how to make the Mets even worse and how to guide them to a 5th place finish. Why does a play that happened over 10 years ago bother Bobby Valentine so much that he has to comment on it now that he is managing in the Major Leagues again? Boston, you may have gotten rid of the bar but you brought in the circus.<br />
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<br />Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05613956074577564532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385821609399538721.post-43895489173352762252012-02-27T19:38:00.000-05:002012-02-27T19:38:39.426-05:00Around the Horn- The Columbus Blue Jackets missed a golden opportunity. Their star, Rick Nash, demanded a trade. Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson made a bad decision not trading the unhappy Nash. I won't say Nash will quit on the team, he doesn't appear to be that kind of player. However, New York Rangers GM, according to a twitter post by WFAN's Brian Monzo, offered Brandon Dubinsky, Tim Erixon, J.T. Miller, Christian Thomas, and a first round draft pick. Those are some very nice pieces for the Blue Jackets to build around. Now, he is stuck with a disgruntled forward for the rest of the year on a team that is going nowhere. <br />
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- Remember when Joel Zumaya wowed the baseball world with his 100 MPH fastball? If you don't, you have good reason. Zumaya burst onto the scene in 2006, pitching to a 1.94 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and recorded 93 strikeouts in 83.1 innings. Then the injuries started and he never appeared in more than 31 games in any season, the 31 came in 2010. He missed all of last season and, his 2012 campaign is already over after 13 pitchers. He will need to have Tommy John surgery, or elbow ligament replacement surgery. He is now mulling retirement according to an ESPN.com report. Zumaya has had a myriad of issues with his health. It's not like it has been one area. He has missed time with elbow, foot, shoulder, and finger issues. He once hurt himself moving boxes in his father's attic. He also played the video game <i>Guitar Hero</i> so much that he suffered an injury and missed the 2006 American League Championship Series. This guy is not very lucky.<br />
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- Terry Francona needs to keep his mouth shut. He is no longer the Red Sox manager and he needs to stop undermining new manager Bobby Valentine. Valentine recently banned beer in the Red Sox clubhouse, something he has done at other managerial stops in the past. Francona then goes "Mike and Mike" on ESPN radio and says it is a PR ploy and could backfire. The only thing that backfired Terry was the Red Sox last year. You are no longer the manager, so just shut up, accept the fact you were at the helm of one of the worst collapses in baseball history and oversaw what appears to be a dysfunctional clubhouse. Be thankful you were lucky enough to get a gig commenting on baseball but don't abuse that gift, and that's really what it is, by badmouthing your replacement. There was no reason for him to say anything. Why not say something about the 19 other teams around the league that have a similar policy? Oh, he didn't get fired by any of them.<br />
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- So let me get this straight, Ryan Braun is clean because his triple-sealed drug test was in one place for too long, showed no evidence of being tampered with, and I'm supposed to believe this guy was clean all along? Color me skeptical. OK, so the guy had the test for too long, yet doctors say that wouldn't affect his test. Temperature wouldn't affect his test. I might be jaded by the fact that everyone seemed to be doing steroids or some other performance enhancer at the turn of the century but Braun's reasoning that an STD forced him to take something that spiked his testosterone just doesn't seem to hold water. Now, he has to stay clean the rest of his career and keep producing at the level he was in order for me to believe him. This is what these players have done to themselves. Just because you got off on a technicality doesn't mean anything, nor does your willingness to take a retest 3 months after the positive test. <br />
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- How does Nicki Minaj keep getting the chance to do events. If I recall correctly she put in a poor performance at the Super Bowl, made the entire world scratch their heads during the Grammy's and was still invited to perform at the NBA All-Star game. I'm willing to bet she doesn't get another invite to a sporting event though.<br />
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- Speaking of the NBA All-Star game, ummm, yeah, so apparently they played it and the West won. I am beginning to think the only All-Star game worth a damn is MLB's and even then it isn't great but at least they know how to celebrate the game and it means something even if it shouldn't. The second best All-Star game is the NHL's where the skills competition had star power and skill on display. The NFL and NBA don't even rank anywhere close to the other two.<br />
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- The Nationals signed star third-baseman Ryan Zimmerman to a six-year extension. These ain't the expos anymore folks. The Nationals are supported by their fanbase and the team is investing in that fanbase by keeping star players around. It should be fun to see Bryce Harper, Stephen Strasburg, Anthony Rendon, and a slew of others in the next few years. Zimmerman could be a National until 2020. I don't think I ever remember that kind of stability from the franchise formerly known as the Expos.<br />
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<br />Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05613956074577564532noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385821609399538721.post-81546489917592913492012-02-25T14:57:00.000-05:002012-02-25T14:57:04.764-05:00Some Crazy (or not) Baseball Predictions for the 2012 Season<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Spring Training is under way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The warm rays of the sun are beaming down
upon our favorite teams as they ready themselves for the 2012 baseball
season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are some of my predictions
for this upcoming season:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Manny Ramirez will not finish the season
in the Major Leagues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Clay Rapada will see time in the Majors
this season with the New York Yankees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Michael Pineda will win 17 games for the
Yankees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The Mets will finish with one more win
than the Cubs with 72 wins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will be
third worst team in the National League.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Johan Santana will make an appearance at
Citi Field this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will also spend
a significant amount of time on the DL.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Mark Teixeira will hit .280.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> C.C. Sabathia will win 20 games for the
Yankees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Phil Hughes will win the fifth starter
spot, go on the DL, and win 12 games while showing he still has talent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The Washington Nationals will be in the
race for a playoff spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will win
the Wild Card.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Curtis Granderson won’t hit 40 homers
again this year but 37 homers isn’t a huge drop-off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The Texas Rangers still have plenty of
offense and will make the playoffs but get bounced out in the first round.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The Boston Red Sox will fail to make the
playoffs for a second straight year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Prince Fielder will find that his new
home digs are not as friendly as Miller Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He will hit over .300, 30 homers, and drive in 118.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will finish second in the MVP race.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Jose Reyes will stay healthy for most of
the season, leaving Mets fans to lament that he would be healthy for another
team only to hurt his hamstring in September and miss the team’s playoff run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Marlins will fall short and the Phillies
will pass them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Bryce Harper will be in the Majors this
season, flash some power but show he isn’t quite ready for the Big-Time
yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Stephen Strasburg will headline a
rotation of Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmerman, John Lannan, and Edwin Jackson
which will be one of the best in baseball surprisingly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Justin Verlander will not win a second
Cy Young and he won’t win his second MVP.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jacoby Ellsbury will not hit 30+ homers
again, and will struggle to hit .300.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Raul Ibanez will hit 20 homers for the
Yankees while having an OBP lower than Mark Teixeira’s batting average.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Atlanta Braves will make the
playoffs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will win the NL
East.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Phillies will actually finish
third in the division behind the Nats and they will make the playoffs under the
new format.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Braves and Nats make the
statement that this is now their division.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Mike Stanton of the Marlins will hit 40
homers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Josh Johnson of the Marlins will look
like a Cy Young contender but his health will sabotage him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> A.J. Burnett will win 15 games for the
Pirates and strike out 190-210 batters leaving Yankee fans scratching their
heads.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Buster Posey will be a force this season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Joe Mauer will make people question his
future behind the plate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Houston Astros will lose 103 games.
It is not going to be pretty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> I will not be the next owner of the
Dodgers and neither will you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Adam Wainwright will be the reason the
Cardinals make the playoffs again this year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Pitching at PETCO Park will make Huston
Street look like the best closer in baseball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At least for a month or two.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Madison Bumgarner will win more games
for the Giants than Tim Lincecum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
will Matt Cain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jim Thome will still put up very nice
offensive numbers but his play at first base will show teams why he has been a
DH/pinch hitter for the last few years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The Reds are a team on the rise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will flirt with the playoffs and could
make them if Adam Wainwright falters in his comeback.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Alex Rodriguez will hit 31 home runs,
drive in over 100, and hit .278.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Derek Jeter will hit .308. He will score 117 runs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Albert Pujols will get off to a slow
start then hit .322.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Miguel Cabrera will not enjoy his move
to third base.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Tigers won’t either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Matt Kemp will put up better numbers
than he did last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He might even win
the MVP this time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jose Bautista will crack 50 homers
again, the last year he does it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Ryan Braun will move past the whole
steroid thing and put up very nice numbers but not monster numbers like last
year leaving many to speculate whether he misses Prince or PED’s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Starlin Castro will continue to impress
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will also continue to baffle
them with his lackadaisical play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Carl Crawfod will play better but his
numbers will still pale to those he put up in Tampa leading many to wonder
about his future in Boston.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The Angels will be one of the best teams
in baseball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It won’t be all Pujols
either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their rotation is among the best
in the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Jason Bay will hit 20 homers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">R.A. Dickey will lead the Mets with 13
wins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Johan will win 10, Pelfrey 11.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The Mets will trade Jon Rauch before the
trade deadline.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And that’s all I got for now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05613956074577564532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385821609399538721.post-16429469938822085522012-02-24T05:05:00.000-05:002012-02-24T05:05:53.078-05:00This and That and the Other Thing- Is there anyone more respectable than Duke Basketball Coach Mike Krzyzewski? I mean seriously, is there? How can you not root for the guy? There are no recruiting scandals to speak of. No players getting into trouble with the law. A nationally ranked team almost every year he has coached and players that tend to graduate one of the most prestigious schools in the country. <i>Sports Illustrated</i> was right to have named him and Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt "Sportspeople of the Year." We are talking about two class individuals who focus on their players/students more than they do on winning. Winning is secondary to them yet seems to come so easily. I can think of no one other than Coach K to lead our Men's Olympic basketball team. The guy is total class, and all he knows is winning. He represents all that is good in the game of college basketball. Even people who hate Duke have to respect what Coach K has done.<br />
<br />
-Ryan Braun was found to be innocent of using performance enhancing drugs. For me, there are a lot of unanswered questions. Among them are, what caused the spike in testosterone levels? Was it mishandling of the evidence or something else? How did this story leak to the media when the results of these tests are supposed to be private until MLB confirms them? Why is that nobody seems accountable on any end of this story? My personal opinion, I am glad Braun was found innocent, yet I find myself hoping he really is and didn't get off on a technicality. Hopefully MLB learned from this mess and it, it's fanbase, and the players can move forward.<br />
<br />
- Speaking of performance enhancing drugs, has Manny Ramirez tested positive yet?<br />
<br />
- How popular is Jermey Lin? He made the cover of <i>Sports Illustrated</i> for the second straight week. To be honest, I don't think that has ever happened before. If it has please correct me. He is the first Knick to grace the cover since 2002 when Othella Harrington was being posterized by the Wizards Michael Jordan and the first Knick since 1999 to make the cover as something other than a stooge when Latrell Sprewell made the cover. I don't know about you but I find that amazing.<br />
<br />
- According to ESPN.com, teams are engaging the St. Louis Rams in talks regarding the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 Draft. The Rams, not in the market for a QB would be wise to trade down if offered the right package. The Rams are a team with lost of holes and if they can obtain extra draft picks to fill them then they would be wise to do so. It is speculated that teams engaging the Rams in talks are those in need of a quarterback who want the chance to draft Robert Griffin III, who some believe to be the next Cam Newton. I say "some" because I need to see more out of the Heisman winning QB. The talent is there in Griffin but I still have questions. Hell, I have questions about every QB in every draft so take that for what it's worth.<br />
<br />
- A lot has been made of Jeremy Lin and his receiving attention because he is Asian. Personally, I don't find race to be an issue. I don't care if you are even from this planet. When you put up numbers like Lin has in your first few games as a starter everyone should take notice. Floyd Mayweather, however, thinks he speaks for all black athletes when he criticized all of the attention being paid to Lin. I personaly called him a racist on Twitter and told him I couldn't wait until he got knocked out. There was no response. Mr. Mayweather, you are a boxer, not a spokesperson for NBA players and not a spokesperson for the African-American community. throw some punches then shut up, period. It seems in recent years everyone is all too eager to throw around the "racism" line when someone disagrees with someone of another race. This is the United States of America. We may not have the most spotless past but we can determine our future and as long as we identify as races, religion, or even heritage first we will never survive as a country. It is time to think of ourselves as American first and be happy for everyone who meets with success, regardless of race, religion, heritage, or sexual orientation. Stop the stupidity, start with the unity!<br />
<br />
- It is hard to believe Danica Patrick will only be 30 years-old next month. It feels like she has been around forever in racing. It probably feels like it has been forever since Danica is featured in just about every sports magazine, from story to advertisement and everywhere in between. Not even the best NASCAR drivers have the kind of endorsements she has. Some may say it is based on her being a woman. I say it is because she is an attractive woman who happens to race. Are my comments sexist? Maybe slightly, but sex sells. It also doesn't hurt that she is the "underdog" in a sport dominated by men. Americans love the underdog and she will remain the underdog until she wins a NASCAR race.<br />
<br />
- Roy Oswalt announced yesterday that he is willing to pull a Roger Clemens an sign with a contender in mid-season. I find it hard to believe that there isn't one team out there that is willing to take on a pitcher with Oswalt's track record. Sure, he has some injury history but he has to be worth a shot, right? My bet it he signs with Texas after one injury to Texas' starters or an ineffective beginning to one of their back end guys.<br />
<br />
- Speaking of Texas, the Rangers announced that Yu Darvish isn't here to "play around." No kidding!?!?! You mean he will take his job as a starting pitcher seriously? Wow!<br />
<br />
- That sound you heard last night was the Los Angeles Kings getting better. They acquired C Jeff Carter from the Columbus Blue Jackets for D Jack Johnson and a first-rounder. Johnson is a good defenseman who can help on both sides of the puck but Jeff Carter can, if on his game, become an elite scorer out west. Good trade for both teams. Carter makes a ton of money but should give the Kings the bump they need into the playoffs and become a threat once there. I don't think they stand a shot of getting in the way of the Red Wings or Canucks but they could do some damage.<br />
<br />
- It will be interesting to see if the Carter trade has any impact on the Blue Jackets desire to trade Rick Nash. I think they will still trade him and continue the rebuilding process but only if they get a decent package in return. <br />
<br />
- Staying with the NHL, my NHL MVP, or Hart Trophy winner, is Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist. He also happen to be my Vezina Trophy winner for best goaltender. He is the best Rangers goalie I have seen in my lifetime and that covers Mike Richter and John Vanbiesbrouck, both of whom won Stanley Cups, albeit Beezer won with the Panthers.<br />
<br />
- There is no truth to the rumor that the new his and her scents from the New York Yankees will mirror how well the team is playing. Nothing says die-hard like smelling like crap when your team is playing like it. I am a die-hard Yankees fan but won't be lining up to buy this unless it smells good. Even then I don't think I would buy it. When I think about a sports related scent I immediately think sweat and locker room. Then again, I could be wrong. However, I am skeptical since the only thing from the old Yankee Stadium not to show up on Steiner Sports were the bathroom accoutrements. I hope the Yankees didn't use them in this new cologne/perfume. Nothing says "I love my team" like smelling like their bathrooms!<br />
<br />
- That's all folks. Working on my MLB 2012 predictions, or, as I like to call them...my 2012 I'm wrong predictions.Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05613956074577564532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385821609399538721.post-47066914207396282972012-02-23T18:57:00.001-05:002012-02-23T18:57:12.060-05:00The Only Battle of CampNow that Raul Ibanez and Eric Chavez are in the fold for the Yankees, there remains only one true positional battle for an open roster spot, the last reliever slot. The Yankees can go with several options here. Adam Warren, David Phelps, and D.J. Mitchell are pretty much Major League ready. They could give Joe Girardi innings out of the bullpen. However, it is more likely that a second lefty will be joining Mariano Rivera, David Robertson, Rafael Soriano, Cory Wade, and Boone Logan. The Yankees had signed Hideki Okajima to a minor league deal but he failed his physical, voiding the contract. That leaves Rule 5 Draftee Cesar Cabral, a lefty who has spent most of his career as a starter, Clay Rapada, a lefty specialist recently signed to a minor league deal from the Orioles, and Mike O'Connor to battle it out to accompany Boone Logan north. We have to assume that whomever loses the fifth starter battle between Phil Hughes and Freddy Garcia will end up in the pen. My money is on Garcia to lose the battle and be the reliever. <br />
<br />
There is no guarantee that the spot goes to a left-hander. The Yankees have viable relievers all over the place. George Kontos, who injured an oblique muscle and will be out for either a few days or weeks dependeing on who you talk to, is an option. Adam Miller, once considered a top pitching prospect in the Indians organization is an intriguing possibility. As is former Red Sox Manny Delcarmen. I don't think the Yankees would mess with their young starters like Warren, Phelps, or Mitchell, for a few months of the regular season, not to mention waste on of their options in the process. Instead, I think the Yankees will place someone who has minor league options left in that spot, giving the team flexibility moving forward.<br />
<br />
Flexibility is going to be key. Joba Chamberlain and the recently signed David Aardsma, formerly a closer for Seattle, will be back from their Tommy John surgeries at some point in August, give or take a month. Injuries will happen of course and there is always the chance that Cory Wade implodes or Garcia or Hughes don't perform well. Bullpens are finicky like that.<br />
<br />
Going forward, I would place my money on Adam Miller. There is talent there and Larry Rothschild should be able to get something out of Miller. I could be wrong and the Yankees see the second lefty as a necessity in which case Cabral will be given every chance to win the job. If he can't Clay Rapada has a good enough track record against lefties that he should be able to walk away the winner. In a year where almost everything is set in stone going forward, the last roster spot in the bullpen will be the only fight worth watching. The Garcia/Hughes undercard isn't as exciting because whoever doesn't win that spot is bullpen bound.Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05613956074577564532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385821609399538721.post-16820738592200568732012-02-21T15:45:00.000-05:002012-02-21T15:45:07.590-05:00Just Stuff- Greg Oden, the number one pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, underwent surgery yesterday. Apparently, the surgery was to clean up debris in his left knee when the doctor found more damage and Oden underwent his third microfracture surgery. He hasn't played since the 2009-2010 season and since the 2008-2009 season has played in exactly 82 games. This guy was supposed to be the best big man in the NBA since David Robertson, or some such nonsense. Instead, he has made the Blazers pine for the days of Sam Bowie. You can't help but feel bad for the guy. Here was a man who was supposed to be the next big thing and the only thing he has done is break everything. The drafting track record of the Portland Trailblazers is unique in the sports landscape. In 1972, they chose LaRue Martin #1 overall. Martin played just 4 seasons before retiring and never averaged more than 5.3 points per game or 4.6 rebounds per game. Who did they pass on? Bob McAdoo, Paul Westphal, or some guy named Julius Erving. Then, in 1978 they drafted Mychal Thompson from the Bahamas #1 overall. Thompson wasn't awful but the Blazers could have had Larry Bird who was drafted #6 overall by the Celtics.Then, we all know about the 1984 draft where the Blazers had the #2 overall pick and chose Sam Bowie instead of some dude named Michael Jordan. Now, add Greg Oden to the list of failures. The guy chosen right after Oden? Kevin Durant. Talk about wanting to kick yourself. Had the Blazers picked right We could have seen Michael Jordan and Larry Bird play together. The lineage of going from Dr. J to Larry to Michael to Durant. Wow. If only Portland had competent people at the helm at any point in their franchises history and we could be talking about the greatest franchise in history here.<br />
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- As compensation for Theo Epstein, the Red Sox received Chris Carpenter, a hard throwing pitcher who can't find the strike zone as often as needed to be what scouts would call successful in the Major Leagues. Carpenter was once drafted by the Yankees but didn't sign. He now joins Daniel Bard, who was also drafted by the Yankees but didn't sign, and Yankee castoffs Alfredo Aceves, and Mark Melancon in the Red Sox bullpen. Should be an interesting year in Fenway and Yankee Stadium.<br />
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- The rumors surrounding Rick Nash and the New York Rangers are becoming a bit overplayed. Nash is a very good player but if I'm the Rangers I don't give up Brandon Dubinsky or Michael Del Zotto, or Ryan McDonaugh with Chris Krieder or a first rounder. I would trade Dubinsky and a second rounder for Nash but I don't think the Blue Jackets would bite. The best thing that can happen to the Rangers is Dubinsky finds his scoring touch and Brad Richards finds his as well. Then, there is no need for Nash. I wouldn't complain about having Nash on the team, it would just have to be at the right price and I'm not giving up Krieder.<br />
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- Manny Ramirez signed a minor league deal with the Oakland A's. I am still angry at Major League Baseball for reducing his suspension from 100 to 50 games. Manny chose to retire instead of face his suspension. That was his choice. His retirement should not count as time served at all. Here is a guy who has failed two drug tests in the past couple of years and also technically failed the "secret" drug test that led to MLB's current testing policy. It is a sham. Manny is a sham. He has been a joke in this game for years, from his antics to his performance enhancing drug use. He has spit in the face of MLB, it's fans, and the history of the game. I am shocked any team would take a flyer on him. I have the over/under for his next suspension at 40 games...if he makes the A's.<br />
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- The Yankees signed Raul Ibanez to a 1-year contract. What, was Andre Dawson too busy? Ibanez will be 40 years-old on June 2nd. His on-base percentage was .289 last season. This should be interesting.<br />
<br />
- Mariano Rivera hinted at retirement yesterday but didn't come out and say he would directly. I am going to pretend I didn't hear that. Every time I hear Mariano and retirement I am just going to stick my fingers in my ears and yell, "La-la-la, I can't hear you, la-la-la." Maybe if we ignore Mo he will be forced to rethink his decision and stay for a few more decades. I don't ever want to see Mo leave the mound. <br />
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- Last night Deron Williams proved he was the best point guard in the New York area by splashing 38 points down on the Knicks. Jeremy Lin played well, as he has done almost every night since getting the starting job. He should be a fixture on this Knicks team for a few years. Carmelo Anthony looked rusty and lost and Tyson Chandler's wrist needs rest. Still, despite that injury, Chandler played his usual game and played nice interior defense and played hard all night. The Knicks lucked out when they got Chandler. If this team can stay healthy and develop an offensive flow and play a little defense they might have a shot at making the NBA Finals. <br />
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- Coming soon will be my outrageous 2012 MLB predictions. Stay tuned.<br />
<br />Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05613956074577564532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385821609399538721.post-61271535969693106252012-02-18T14:19:00.000-05:002012-02-18T14:19:24.417-05:00This, That, and the Other Thing...Hypocrisy AboundJust a few blurbs from around sports:<br />
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- Major League Baseball recently denied the Houston Astros request that would allow the Astros to wear their original team uniform. That uniform, from what they were the Colt .45's, features a pistol, the Colt .45, under the word "Colts" with the "C" looking like smoke coming from the barrel. Major League Baseball doesn't want kids to see an image of a gun so the Astros will have to alter their old uniform to not feature the pistol. Ummm, okay. Does Major League Baseball really think that kids don't know what a gun is? I have seen five year-old children play <i>Call of Duty, </i>a popular video game on Playstation, Xbox, and the PC, which features people shooting other people. It makes no sense for Major League Baseball to deny it's history. History is what it is and you can't hide from it. Are parents supposed to tell their children that the franchise was originally named for a malt liquor? Or are they going to tell their children that the Colt .45 is a famous pistol that helped win the West? This is Texas people. I am of the opinion, you either honor history or you don't. You can't alter it. For crying out loud, the Washington Wizards used to be called the Washington Bullets in one of the most dangerous cities in North America, Washington, D.C. Did the Wizards name change reduce violence in that city? Nope. Washington, D.C. still has one of the highest murder rates in the country. Also in that same city, there is a certain football team called the Washington Redskins. The Redskins refused to change their name like St. John's University who changed their name from the Red Men to the Red Storm. Do we honestly think that people become racist because of a team name, no matter how insensitive it is? No, we don't. MLB needs to chill out. The Astros are probably going to lose 90 or more games this year and will probably not make it onto any national broadcasts. The only people seeing these uniforms will be in Texas, where it is legal to carry a concealed firearm. Someone should tell MLB that it is a Constitutional right to carry firearms in this country and that a gun in the correct hands is a useful tool that defends freedom, protects citizens, and enforces the law. By making it seem like a gun is only used by criminals and that guns are bad only adds fuel to the fire. Guns are not bad. People are bad. Maybe I shouldn't have said that because now MLB might soon ban human beings from appearing at their games.<br />
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- ESPN recently posted a headline on their mobile site that said "Chink in the Armor." I bet you can't figure out who they were talking about? That's right, Jeremy Lin and his 9 turnovers as the Knicks lost for the first time since Lin began starting. Seriously, ESPN? You didn't know that "Chink" is an offensive word used to describe Chinese people? What? No headline from them after Ryan Braun won the MVP saying "Jew the Man!"? Oh, that would be offensive. Well, ESPN, allow me to tell you, it's the same thing. ESPN has become a joke. They suspended Paul Anzinger for political comments critical of Barack Obama on his personal Twitter account saying it violated their social media policy. Azinger said "Facts: POTUS has played more golf this month than I have: I have created more jobs this month than he has: #Marthasvineyard." ESPN believes political commentary is best left to those in that field. But, if Azinger hadn't been critical of the President would he have been suspended? Nope. This same organization invites Barack Obama to fill out his NCAA brackets on air. That is political commentary, even if it isn't on social media. On June 11, 2011 ESPN personality Kenny Mayne said on Twitter "he almost rammed a car with Palin bumper sticker, with intent." Oh, he never got suspended for saying he almost committed a violent act because he saw someone with a differing political opinion but Paul Azinger can make a statement and get suspended. Oh, so political commentary only goes one way at ESPN. Sadly, there are more examples. Stephen A. Smith can go on a show and call 2008 Presidential hopeful Rudy Guiliani "a dictator as far as I'm concerned." Let me be fair for a moment, Craig James, who is considering a run in politics is a Republican but has never, as far as I have seen, crossed the line. Peter Gammons, on Dec. 22, 2000, used politics in a column, a quote from an average Joe in Boston, and was not reprimanded for it. Those words didn't have to be included in the quote. Want to read it? <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/gammons/s/2000/1222/969933.html">Here's Gammon's article.</a> Politics didn't have to be mentioned but they were, innocently. ESPN has featured stories that center around political figures from Sarah Palin, John McCain's wife, Barack Obama's brother-in-law, and several others. I thought their policy was to leave politics aside, to let political outlets handle politics? What happened to sports and politics don't mix?<br />
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Lou Holtz had to issue an apology for making a statement that many people misconstrued. Mark May said, "you have to have leaders in the locker room to get the team and the young players to buy into what the coach is teaching you." Holtz then said, "Let's remember that Hitler was a great leader, too. There are good leaders and bad leaders." Now anyone with a brain would tell you that Holtz was not comparing Hitler to a great leader, merely that many people thought he was. Holtz was trying to say that the lesson the coach is tying to teach needs to be a good, sound one. It was about leading in the right direction. Instead of ESPN publicly backing Holtz they made him apologize on air because people misinterpreted his comments.<br />
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ESPN is a world of hypocrisy. Several of their on-air personalities have been charged with sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and sexual assault and other misdeeds. That gets swept under the rug for the most part. ESPN also scripts their debate shows. <i>Around the Horn</i> producers have, according to Dan Shanoff, who made several appearances on the show, given the lowest ranking (or newest) guys or gals the unpopular opinion to defend. This means that Shanoff was basically pressured into saying something he didn't believe to foster debate. John Kruk has also admitted he was told by producers what to say on <i>Baseball Tonight</i> when he picked the Pirates to win the NL Central one year. Originally he said he was told to pick the Yankees, who were trailing the Red Sox by a large margin at one point and he said no so a deal was made that he would say the Pirates would win the NL Central. Great to see journalistic integrity, or even integrity, is something ESPN holds dear. Or not.Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05613956074577564532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385821609399538721.post-61744956563296062202012-02-17T19:59:00.002-05:002012-02-17T19:59:58.551-05:00NASCAR Turns Down 'General Lee'NASCAR recently turned down plans to have golfer Bubba Watson drive the iconic 'General Lee' of "The Dukes of Hazzard" fame at a March 4th Sprint Cup Series event in Phoenix. NASCAR spokesman, David Higdon, according to ESPN, believes that, "The Confederate flag is not something that should play an official role in our sport as we continue to reach out to new fans and make NASCAR more inclusive." That's all well and good Mr. Higdon, but showcasing one of America's most iconic cars, which the 'General Lee' is, is not exactly making the Confederate flag an "official" part of NASCAR. <br />
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NASCAR has basically bowed to public ignorance over what the Confederate flag actually stands for. It doesn't stand for slavery. It stands for state's rights which is what the Civil War was actually fought over. Slavery just happened to be the issue that put the federal government and the slave-holding states at odds with each other. A quick history lesson would clarify that. However, since the South was made up of slave-holding states, many people assume that the Confederate battle flag is actually a symbol of hatred, racism, and intolerance on the scale of the Nazi flag. This is simply not true. <br />
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The evolution of the Confederate battle flag is an interesting one. The one emblazoned on top of the 'General Lee' is actually the third adaptation of the Confederate States flag. The original featured two red bars separated by a white bar and a blue field to the left (like the American flag) that featured stars representing each state in the Confederacy. The flag was prominent on battle fields all the way up until May of 1863. <br />
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Here is a little known fact, several thousand slaves and free blacks served under that flag in various capacities. From cooks, laborers, teamsters, musicians, personal attendants to high-ranking officers, and other non-combatant roles. While there is no evidence in the form of official muster rolls and other paperwork that would make African-Americans "officially" having served under arms for the Confederacy, there are reports from journals and diaries kept by Confederate and Union soldiers around that state that at least several hundred probably did take up arms against Union forces throughout the war. Many of them joined up with guerilla units, served as scouts, and in other roles. The notion of enlisting African-Americans came up for debate several times in the Confederate Congress but was never passed for fear of alienating the white soldiers currently fighting for the South. Enlisting slaves and free-blacks might have caused many of the white soldiers, who were from a mostly agrarian society and depended on slave labor to keep production up on their farms. Too late, towards the very end of the war, did the South reverse this policy in 1865.<br />
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Please don't misunderstand me, I am not advocating slavery or defending it in any way. I am sure some of you might be reading this and be programmed to think I am a racist. I assure you, that is not the case. I come from a lineage that predates the Civil War in this country and my ancestors fought on the side of the Union. Please understand that this is not an advocacy for slavery. Okay, now that the disclaimer is done I can continue.<br />
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Today, it is easy to confuse the Civil War as the fight for freedom of the slaves. However, that simply isn't true. It wasn't until 1862, after the Battle of Antietam, that President Abraham Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation that said all slaves in states participating in rebellion against the United States government were hereby free. It is important to note that only the slaves in the states that had taken up arms against the United States government were free but that slaves in the "border states" were still to be held as slaves. Interesting that Lincoln wouldn't free them all? Technically, slavery was allowed in the Union during the war. However, does the United States flag get banned at sporting events because of its association with slavery? Let us not forget that from 1776, when the United States declared itself independent from Great Britain, until 1861, when Southern states began to separate from the Union, the United States of America was a country built on slavery. Does this make the United States flag any worse than the Confederate one? It shouldn't. History is filled with evolution. Slavery will forever be a black-eye in the history of this great country. However, what makes this country truly great is that our system of government allows us to correct oversights and unforeseen circumstances that our Founding Fathers never anticipated.<br />
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Slavery was abolished for good in the United States with the 13th Amendment which became law on December 6, 1865 after being passed by the Senate on April 8, 1864 and passed by the House on January 31, 1865. Technically, because of Lincoln's Proclamation, slavery was legal in the United States long after it was made illegal in the South. And, since the Confederacy dissolved in April of 1865 and slavery wasn't officially abolished until December of 1865 in the United States, the United States actually allowed slavery to exist longer than did the Confederacy.<br />
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The Confederate battle flag is a part of our nation's history, a pivotal part. It marks the only time that states seceded from the Union against a federal government that they saw as overreaching. After the Civil War, veterans of the Confederacy adopted their old battle flag as part of the symbology in groups such as the Ku Klux Klan. This is where the Confederate flag begins to be seen as a symbol of hatred. However, in later years, as the Civil War veterans died off and were replaced by their descendants and others, the American flag also began to be flown at KKK rallies. Yet, there are no court cases seeking to ban the American flag from sporting events as a symbol of hatred or division.<br />
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Can the Confederate flag be interpreted as a racist symbol? Yes. Just like anything else. Hitler and the Nazi's turned the swastika, a symbol that is over 3,000 years old, into a symbol of racism, intolerance, and hatred. The swastika did not stand for the things that Nazi Germany represented before it's implementation in the 1920's, 1930's, and 1940's as a national symbol for Germany. Now, because of that, the mere appearance of the swastika automatically means Nazi whereas for thousands of years in places as diverse as China, India, Europe, and was even used by the United States Army 45th Division in its shoulder patch for its positive connotations. <br />
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Today, the Confederate flag is beginning to take its place alongside the Nazi symbols as purely racist, purely evil. There have been court cases that have sought the banning of the flying of the Confederate flag outside state capitols, courthouses, and have sought it's removal from state flags. <br />
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Getting back to my original point, NASCAR has bent to the popular belief that the flag represents a divisive symbol. I believe, as do many Americans, that it is a symbol of our history of our nation. A symbol for states rights and sacrifice just like our American flag with it's thirteen red and white stripes and fifty white stars against a blue background. For most Southern Americans, the Confederate flag is about heritage and roots, not about racism. NASCAR's decision to keep the 1969 Dodge Charger 'General Lee' from participating in their event is short-sighted and adds fuel to a fire that has burned wildly in this country. The more we make the flag a symbol of hatred, the more those who believe in racial inequality will use it. It is akin to putting bullets inside of a gun, you are giving them the ammunition to use instead of denying them that ability. If the Confederate flag had been left alone and not recognized as anything more than a part of our nation's history we wouldn't be having this discussion. Instead, groups like the ACLU and NASCAR allow the flag to be used as a symbol of hate instead of history.<br />
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"The Dukes of Hazzard" was not a television show based on racism. It was a show about two Southern boys fighting a corrupt system, something many Southerners feel the Civil War was actually fought over. The car became as much a part of American popular culture as "Daisy Dukes" shorts on women in the 1970's. Are we to think that "Daisy Dukes" are now a symbol of racism and hate? C'mon. The Confederate flag plays a prominent role in every NASCAR race without NASCAR's sanction because of the massive Confederate flags that fly from the RV's in the infield. Yet, where is the movement to ban those flags? There isn't one and there shouldn't be. NASCAR originated from bootleggers souping up their cars to outrun the law, kind of like the Duke boys from the show. The 'General Lee' isn't a symbol of racism but a symbol of the origins of NASCAR. <br />
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Sports evolves along with society. African-Americans weren't allowed to play Major League Baseball until 1947 when Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier and opened the door to an entire race of people to pursue their dreams the same as anyone else. During one game the entire St. Louis Cardinals team threatened to sit out a game rather than play on the same field as a black man. Only because the commissioners office intervened did the game actually take place. Yet, the Cardinals pennant isn't associated with racism.<br />
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The more we allow certain symbols to be completely taken over by hate groups the more we limit our own freedoms and surrender ourselves to their hate. Instead of slinking behind the glass shield of political correctness, NASCAR should have explained why they would allow the 'General Lee' to take part in pre-race festivities. NASCAR should embrace their roots and embrace the fans that have vaulted the sport to the national spotlight. Instead of shying away and letting the Confederate flag become a symbol associated with racism, NASCAR should have stood up for itself, it's rights, it's fans, and sought to educate the public. All in all, we should be, as a nation, denying the hate groups these symbols and educate ourselves, and others, as to their original meanings.Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05613956074577564532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385821609399538721.post-30615486087457599392012-02-17T15:01:00.000-05:002012-02-17T15:01:30.829-05:00Peyton and the JetsPeyton Manning's future is up in the air with the Colts. There is no guarantee that he will ever play again as he has reportedly had four surgeries on his neck in the past year. However, that won't stop teams from scrambling to add the soon-to-be thirty-six year-old future Hall of Famer. One of those teams that might show interest is the New York Jets. Jets players have come out publicly in support of the team getting Peyton but does this move make sense for the Jets?<br />
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It isn't every day that you see a franchise quarterback hit the open market. It just doesn't happen. Now, there is no certainty right now that Peyton will hit the open market but it is unlikely the Colts will roll the dice on a $28 million question mark if Peyton doesn't look like he can play football. If he can play, it makes no sense for the Colts to cut their quarterback, regardless of the squabbles Peyton and owner Jim Irsay have had. But, since this is a speculative piece designed around Peyton ending up on the Jets I will leave the Colts out of this. Let's just assume the Colts let Peyton go and the Jets are interested.<br />
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The Jets locker room this year was closer to a circus than it was a football team coming off of back-to-back AFC Championship game appearances. There is, or was, a good football team in there somewhere. Did it just break apart overnight? I don't think so. However, that isn't to say there aren't big holes on the Jets that need to be filled. One of those holes is not at the quarterback position.<br />
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Mark Sanchez has been frustrating, especially to Jets fans. They expected a franchise quarterback to begin to emerge this season. After all, he did help lead the team to back-to-back AFC Championship game appearances. Bad quarterbacks really can't do that. The problem with the Jets is their personnel decisions. They reach for aging veterans to plug into the holes created by years worth of poor drafting. Going into this season, the Jets had Santonio Holmes flanked by Plaxico Burress, who hadn't played football since 2008 when his career was interrupted by a nightclub, sweatpants, and a handgun. He went to jail and yet here he was, expected to be the team's number two wide receiver for all intents and purposes. Derrick Mason was brought in to be the slot/possession guy but Mason was thirty-seven years old. Mason was so ineffective that he was traded on October 11th after openly complaining. Mark Sanchez has not been given the tools to succeed.<br />
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Bringing in a quarterback who is nearing the end of his career is not the answer. Sure, Peyton is a great quarterback, a first ballot Hall of Famer but giving up on a supposed franchise quarterback after three years of starting reeks of stupidity. If the Jets go out and get Peyton they might have one or two years of good football. We've seen Peyton, when healthy, elevate a mediocre football team. However, what happens in two years when Peyton is now thirty-eight? Do they use another draft pick on a quarterback and have Peyton tutor him? What if the Jets sign Peyton and cut or trade Sanchez and Peyton get hurt in the fourth game of the season? Do they implode the whole football team and hope to start over? They would basically have to. They would be in the Colts position right now. <br />
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If I were Mike Tannenbaum, I would keep Sanchez and clean the locker room up. Trade malcontents, even if it means trading Santonio Holmes. There are going to be enough good wide receivers coming into free agency that Holmes can be replaced. The Jets could also use some offensive linemen that can block the speed rushers that are now predominant on defensive lines everywhere. Wayne Hunter was terrible on the right side and finding a right tackle who is good, not great but just good enough, is a lot easier than finding a quarterback in the draft. Sanchez hasn't been terrible. Sure, he has been at times, but so have a lot of quarterbacks, even Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Tony Romo, and Philip Rivers to name a few. These are excellent quarterbacks. Instead of throwing their quarterback under the bus, the Jets should do what the Giants did for Eli, get rid of malcontents that hinder the quarterbacks growth. The Giants got rid of Jeremy Shockey, a pest by all accounts who pestered Eli in the huddle to throw him the football. Once Shockey got injured and was no longer in the huddle the Giants went on to win a Super Bowl and ever since Eli has gotten better and better with a few bumps in the road. If Santonio Holmes is degrading the man throwing him the football then Holmes has to go. Wide receivers can be found, franchise quarterbacks can't.<br />
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If the Jets management really believes that Mark Sanchez is not the answer then they had better draft a quarterback and develop him, especially if they are going after Peyton if he becomes available. This year's quarterback crop, at least in projected elite quarterbacks, is short. Still, a Brandon Weeden, an older quarterback a la Chris Weinke, will be available when the Jets pick in a middle round. If not, there should be someone who can at least compete for a spot. Is Greg McElroy the answer? Unknown but doubtful. Obtaining Peyton's services will surely mean a capable backup will be necessary, just in case. We all know the Jets are built to compete now. They are aging, and in some spots aging poorly. They don't have a legitimate pass rush and rely on schemes to get to the quarterback or defend against the pass. Opposing quarterbacks have all the time in the world to throw and that will lead to someone getting open. Sure, the Jets have Darrelle Revis but unless they clone him the chances are that one of the opposing team's wide receivers will get open against Antonio Cromartie or Kyle Wilson. <br />
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The Jets problems didn't stem from the quarterback position. Yes, Sanchez threw untimely interceptions and fumbled at inopportune moments. However, his ground game was putrid to start the year. Shonn Greene did eventually emerge as a 1,000 yard rusher but his inability early in the year to get major chunks of yardage compounded the Jets offensive woes, especially when two of the teams top three receivers were over thirty-four years-old and one hadn't played football in three years. Despite all of the Jets offensive problems, Sanchez improved on his completion percentage (56.7, up from 54.8 in 2010) and threw 26 touchdowns, up from 17 the year before. His yards gained per completion were the lowest they had been since he came into the NFL at 11.3, further testimony of the Jets older receiving corps. <br />
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Mark Sanchez has talent. Will he be what Peyton Manning was in his prime? Probably not, in fact I'd bet on it. Few quarterbacks can ever hope to be. Eli Manning isn't as good as his brother and yet has more Super Bowl rings than Peyton. Winning Super Bowls is not just a quarterback thing. Even Peyton in his prime would have a hard time winning a Super Bowl with the Jets and their current roster. There is no Dwight Freeney of Robert Mathis to get to the opposing team's QB. There is no Marvin Harrison or Reggie Wayne. Holmes has talent but he also has what appears to be an attitude problem. There are much bigger problems on the Jets than their quarterback. They need a pass rush. They need a right tackle. They need a younger, more capable back than LaDainian Tomlinson to share some duties with Shonn Greene. They have an emerging tight end in Dustin Keller. They have a left tackle in D'Brickashaw Ferguson. They have a center in Nick Mangold. They have the shut-down corner in Revis. Their linebacking corps is aging but very good. They need some safety help. They need young wide receivers that can stretch the field with their speed, something the Jets really didn't have. The Jets don't need a quarterback, especially a thirty-six year old one who is not a sure thing to stay healthy. If Mike Tannenbaum thinks this is the route the Jets should go down then perhaps Woody Johnson should go another route in the general manager department. Obtaining Peyton Manning might...<i>might</i> help the Jets for a year or two but he could also set them back five years, something I don't think Jets fans can tolerate.Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05613956074577564532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385821609399538721.post-24894450091131844562012-02-15T18:45:00.000-05:002012-02-15T18:45:37.355-05:00Cashman and his PitchersWith the A.J. Burnett saga looking like it is coming to an end, I wanted to take a look at the free agents pitchers signed, and the trades Cashman has made for pitchers since becoming GM of the Yankees in 1998. I will start in 1998 and do a year by year trade and free agent signing review. This is for pitchers only. Here goes:<br />
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1998: <br />
- Signed Orlando Hernandez as an amateur free agent. This move gets an A+. El Duque was one of the Yankees best starters in the postseason. There were few pitchers in baseball anyone trusted more with a game on the line.<br />
- There wasn't much else to do to this team. The core was still together and the Yankees would roll to baseball's best record and eventually a World Series title.<br />
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1999:<br />
- Brian Cashman had a bit of a problem. Scott Brosius was a clutch player, a good defensive third baseman, and fit in well with the Yankee scheme. The Yankees had a super third base prospect in Mike Lowell and had just drafted another third base phenom in the 1998 draft in Drew Henson. Cashman's solution was to trade the ready for the big league Mike Lowell to the Marlins for Ed Yarnall, Todd Noel, and Mark Johnson, three minor league pitchers. Yarnall at one time was considered one of the best left-handed pitching prospects in the game. Lowell would go on to win World Series titles with the Marlins and Red Sox and make 3 All-Star game appearances, and won a Gold Glove. For his career he managed to drive in 952 runs over 13 seasons, hit 223 home runs and produce an OPS (on base plus slugging percentage) of .805 for his career. Cashman's first major trade was a terrible one. Yarnall flamed out and would be traded to the Reds. Noel made a couple of relief appearances and would be gone. Johnson never made the Yankees. <br />
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- The second major trade for Brian Cashman was a blockbuster. He traded Homer Bush, Graeme Lloyd, and David Wells to the Blue Jays for Roger Clemens. This trade gets an A+ as Clemens helped lead the Yankees to two more World Series titles and won a Cy Young. I'm not getting into performance enhancing drugs here, you make your own call. David Wells, as we will see later would come back to the Yankees.<br />
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- The third trade of the year for Cashman came after the 1999 season, on December 22nd. He shipped Hideki Irabu off to the Montreal Expos for Jake Westbrook, Ted Lilly, and Christian Parker. Westbrook and Lilly would end up becoming reliable starters, both still pitching to this day. Unfortnately, neither of them did it with the Yankees for very long. Parker made one start for the Yankees and that was it. Westbrook and Lilly were two useable pitchers and Irabu had worn out his welcome in the Bronx. Good trade by Cashman.<br />
<br />
2000:<br />
- It was a minor move at the time but Cashman signed Chien Ming Wang to an amateur free agent contract. It would be a few years before people realized who Wang was but he would go on to win 19 games twice for the Yankees.<br />
<br />
- Jake Westbrook didn't last long as a Yankee. He was shipped to the Indians with Zach Day, and Ricky Ledee in exchange for David Justice in June. Justice did help the Yankees limp into the playoffs and go on to win the 2000 World Series. Westbrook would go on to win 44 games between 2004 and 2006. <br />
<br />
- The other mid-season trade occurred on July 12th when the Yankees acquired Denny Neagle from the Reds in exchange for Jackson Meilan, Drew Henson, Brian Reith, and Ed Yarnall. Neagle was supposed to stabilize a rotation that suddenly wasn't getting the job done. David Cone wasn't the same since his perfect game against the Expos. Neagle didn't do anything to help and the Yankees faded down the stretch and were lucky to make the playoffs. He would be allowed to leave as a free agent at the end of the season. However, none of the guys Cashman gave up made an impact in the big leagues. Henson was reacquired for Wily Mo Pena just before the start of the 2001 season.<br />
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- In December, Cashman signed Mike Mussina. Mussina would be the second best free agent singing Cashman has made behind C.C. Sabathia. There isn't much else to say about Moose, he was a good one.<br />
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2001:<br />
- The first major pitching move, if you could call it that, was the acquisition of Enrique Wilson, a utility infielder in exchange for Damaso Marte. Marte will sound familiar to Yankee fans because in 2008, the Yankees acquired him from the Pirates to help fill the left-handed specialist role out of the bullpen. I don't know what Cashman was thinking. A hard-throwing lefty for a utility infielder who hit .216 as a Yankee. But hey, someone had to replace Luis Sojo, right? Yep, great move, or not.<br />
<br />
- In June, the Yankees began to look for bullpen help. Jeff Nelson, the reliable set-up man, was gone. So, the Yankees shipped D'Angelo Jimenez to the Padres for reliever Jay Witasick. Witasick was not good but not awful but never earned Joe Torre's trust which might have saved his arm some major surgeries. Witasick would be traded at the end of the year to the Giants for John Van Der Wal, a spare outfielder and pinch-hitter.<br />
<br />
- On July 1st, Cashman was on the troll again for relief help, trying to replace that Jeff Nelson fellow. This time he sent minor-leaguer Ricardo Aromboles to the Reds (there was a lot of trades with the Reds during this stretch wasn't there?) in exchange for Mark Wohlers, the former Braves closer mostly famous for giving up the game-tying home run to Jim Leyritz in the 1996 World Series. Wohlers wasn't very good. Not at all. Needless to say, Wohlers didn't win the set-up man role.<br />
<br />
- On July 4th, the Yankees gave reliever Brian Boehringer his independence from the team and sent him to the Giants for backup catcher Bobby Estalella and minor leaguer Joe Smith. Boehringer pitched pretty well with the Yankees but I guess not good enough.<br />
<br />
- On July 30th, the Yankees acquired a friendly face as they received Sterling Hitchcock from the Padres in exchange for Darren Blakely and Brett Jodie. Hitchcock was not very good as either a starter or reliever. But, the Yankees didn't give anything up to get him so you can't blame Cashman for rolling the dice on a guy who knew the Yankee clubhouse.<br />
<br />
- After the season, the Yankees looked to the free agent market to fill the void left by Jeff Nelson's departure. They had to look somewhere since the trades Cashman made didn't work out. The first free agent reliever the Yankees gave a big contract to was Steve Karsay. Karsay wasn't bad. He was just never healthy. The Yankees spent $21 million for four years of a mostly injured Steve Karsay. He only appeared in 91 games, 78 of which came in his first year as a Yankee after only appearing in 31 the year before with the Indians. Thank you Joe Torre!<br />
<br />
<br />
2002:<br />
- Cashman kicked off the year by signing old friend David Wells as a free agent. Wells would go on to win 34 games for the Yankees over the next two years, the exact same number of wins he had in his first 2-year stint with the Yankees. This was a good move by Cashman.<br />
<br />
- On July 5th, Cashman made one of the worst trades he has ever made. It was a three team deal that saw the Yankees send Ted Lilly, Jason Arnold, and John-Ford Griffin to the A's. The Yankees received Jeff Weaver from the Tigers. Weaver was a former first pick and never got into a groove on some awful Tigers teams. Lilly was being used as a spot-starter on the Yankees, never getting much of a chance except when there was an injury to one of the starters. Lilly would go on to win 115 games for the A's, Blue Jays, Cubs, and Dodgers. Weaver is out of baseball. Weaver was absolutely terrible as a Yankee, he went 12-12 with a 5.35 ERA, a 1.49 WHIP, and was even worse in the playoffs. Bad move. Lilly was, and has been a much better pitcher over the last decade than Weaver was over his entire career. <br />
<br />
- After the 2002 season the Yankees began gearing up for 2003. In December, they signed Chris Hammond, a lefty reliever coming off of a monster year with the Braves. Hammond posted a 0.95 ERA and went 7-2 out of the bullpen for the Braves. Cashman was still trying to find the guy to set up for Mariano Rivera and Hammond was another roll of the dice, a pitcher coming off a career year. Hammond wasn't awful in Pinstripes, not by a long shot. He appeared in 62 games in 2003, posted a 3-2 mark with a 2.86 ERA and 1.20 WHIP. Steady numbers. He was traded following the 2003 season as we will see later.<br />
<br />
<br />
2003:<br />
- Cashman started the year by shipping Orlando Hernandez to the White Sox in exchange for middle reliever Antonio Osuna and a minor leaguer whose mother never knew he played baseball, Delvis Lantigua. The White Sox flipped El Duque and some minor leaguers/fringe major leaguers a few days later to the Expos for Bartolo Colon, who was acquired by then-Expos GM Omar Minaya in exchange for Cliff Lee, Grady Sizemore, and Brandon Phillips the year before. El Duque never pitched for the Expos due to injury. I guess getting Osuna, who at least pitched that year in exchange for someone who didn't pitch at all is a win. <br />
<br />
- Another middle reliever was signed, this time it was Juan Acevedo. Acevedo was coming off of a career year with the Tigers and Cashman hoped he could maybe step in as a dependable reliever. Yeah, that didn't happen and Acevedo was released in June and was out of baseball by the next year. <br />
<br />
- In February, Cashman signed Jon Lieber to a two-year contract. Leiber was a former 20 game winner with the Cubs but had just undergone Tommy John surgery. The first year Leiber rehabbed his arm. The second year, 2004, Leiber would become arguably the best Yankee pitcher down the stretch. A risky but smart move by Cashman.<br />
<br />
- Two days later, Cashman swooped in and stole Jose Contreras out from under the Red Sox nose and signed the Cuban star as a free agent. Contreras was supposed to be Luis Tiant reincarnated. Well, he wasn't. He is still pitching as a reliever and is fairly decent but the Yankees got little to return on Contreras except the "Evil Empire" moniker that Red Sox President Larry Lucchino placed up the Yankees. <br />
<br />
- The search for quality relief led Cashman to swing another trade in July, this time acquiring Armando Benitez from the Mets in exchange for Jason Anderson, and two other minor leaguers whose mothers didn't even know they played baseball. Benitez is the rare guy who actually pitched worse than his 1-1 record and 1.93 ERA as evidenced by his 1.50 WHIP. He blew a game against the Red Sox and that led the "can't handle the big game" label to be placed squarely on Armando's back. He would have one more season, as the Marlins closer, that was good before imploding faster than a sinking Russian nuclear sub. We will soon find out Mr. Benitez's fate with the Yankees. Here's a hint, he only pitched in 9 games for them.<br />
<br />
- Cashman continued to look for bullpen help, this time getting Jesse Orosco from the Padres. Orosco was 46 years-old at the time and was expected to be the lefty-specialist the Yankees needed. Well, it didn't work out and Orosco called it a career after getting dealt to the Twins. He did put up some interesting numbers as a Yankee though. They include a 10.38 ERA, 4.1 innings across 15 games, and a WHIP of 2.308. I seriously might have been able to do just as bad, maybe even better.<br />
<br />
- With Orosco not working out, Cashman swung another deal with the Reds, this time getting Gabe White as part of a conditional deal. White wasn't the answer either but since nothing big was given up for White Cashman gets a pass on this deal. It was just another transaction in a long line of transactions for middle relievers that never seemed to work out.<br />
<br />
- At the trade deadline, Cashman traded a fading Robin Ventura to the Dodgers for outfielder Bubba Crosby and reliever Scott Proctor. It would be a little while for Proctor to make his Yankees debut and his arm would never be the same as Joe Torre trusted him and rode Proctor into the ground, literally ruining his career and blowing out his arm. At the time, this seemed like a good trade. Ventura was a shell of his former self and the Yankees had Aaron Boone coming in from the Reds. Proctor, at time, seemed like he might be the guy who could bridge the gap from starters to Mariano. Then Joe Torre happened.<br />
<br />
- In August of 2003, the Yankees had tired of Armando Benitez and shipped him to the Mariners for Jeff Nelson. The Yankees had been trying to find a replacement for Nelson ever since Nelson left. They didn't want to pay Nelson a crazy amount of money and instead wound up spending more on guys who couldn't replace him. The sad thing was, Nelson was not the Jeff Nelson the Yankees remembered and he would be gone at the end of the year and the quest to find a replacement for Jeff Nelson continued.<br />
<br />
- In December of 2003, only a couple of months after the Yankees lost the World Series to the Marlins, Cashman found himself trying to replace 3/5ths of his starting rotation. Andy Pettitte signed with the Astros. Roger Clemens retired and then unretired and signed with the Astros. David Wells was allowed to leave as a free agent as he was getting old and his chronic medical problems made him a little too risky going forward. Enter Kevin Brown. Brown was coming off an excellent year with the Dodgers and the Yankees needed pitchers. Brown was, at the time, signed to a ridiculous contract and the Yankees had money to burn. They shipped Yhency Brazoban, failure Jeff Weaver, and Brandon Weeden (who is now hoping to be drafted in the NFL after being a fairly successful QB in college this past season) to the Dodgers for Brown. The problem was Brown was 39 years old when he pitched for the Yankees, made a ton of money, and was now expected to jump alongside Mike Mussina as the teams new 1-2 punch. Well, it didn't work out that way and Yankee fans remember Brown as one of the reasons the Red Sox did what they did in 2004 and also for punching a wall with his hand and missing several starts because of it. Failure.<br />
<br />
- Three days after getting Brown, the Yankees addressed their rotation again, obtaining Javier Vazquez from the Expos in exchange for Nick Johnson, Randy Choate, and Juan Rivera. Vazquez was supposed to be the new Pedro Martinez, a good pitcher in Montreal being held back by a terrible team. Vazquez would make the 2004 All-Star team because he did pitch well the first half of the season and it looked like the Yankees had a new, young, stud pitcher going forward. Then the second-half collapse came and Javier's ERA exploded. He wasn't much better in the playoffs, in fact he was worse. The Yankees cut ties with Javy after the season.<br />
<br />
- The day after the Yankees got Javy, they signed Paul Quantrill, another reliever they hoped would carry the success from the previous year's career year into the Yankee bullpen. Quantrill was a proven workhorse, someone Joe Torre could ride forever. He led the league in appearances the previous three years and was fairly successful. One of those seasons was even in the American League East with the Blue Jays. Well, Quantrill would be ridden hard by Joe Torre in 2004, even if he wasn't very effective. He led the league once again in appearances with 86! However, he was a mid-thirties pitcher with a million miles on his arm and Cashman still gave him $3 million per year. Ugggh!<br />
<br />
- Chris Hammond was shipped away to the A's for two minor leaguers that never helped the Yankees at all. Granted, Hammond was 37 going on 38 when the Yankees traded him but he had shown he could be fairly successful out of the bullpen. He had a couple of decent years left in him before retiring. Eh, whatever, right?<br />
<br />
- On December 16th, the Yankees thought they found the answer to their set-up man question. Tom Gordon was signed to be that guy. He was good but not great. In 2004, he was very good, then hit a bit of wall in the playoffs, probably from being abused by Joe Torre. He was abused once again in 2005, appearing in 79 games after getting into 80 games in 2004. At 38 years-old, the Yankees figured they used up all of the good Tom Gordon and let him walk via free agency after 2005.<br />
<br />
<br />
2004:<br />
- The year started off kind of slow pitching wise. The Yankees had made their big splashes at the end of 2003 to get ready for the 2004 season. They would trade Alfonso Soriano for Alex Rodriguez. Bring in the washed-up Donovan Osborne and actually allow him to pitch big league innings. <br />
<br />
- Orlando Hernandez was brought back and he pitched fairly well between injuries. <br />
<br />
- In May, the Yankees made a minor deal that sent a minor leaguer to the Dodgers and received Tanyon Sturtze. Poor Sturtze would become trusted by Joe Torre who developed weird relationships with relievers that he trusted, even if they weren't the best out there. He would then ride those men into the ground out of fear of giving the ball to someone else. I think Torre suffered from PTSD after Nelson and Mike Stanton left. <br />
<br />
- Gabe White was sent back to the Reds in June for Charlie Manning and cash. Manning was one of the pitching prospects the Yankees sent to the Reds in one of their 4,000 deals over the last couple of years.<br />
<br />
- In July, the Yankees signed amateur free agent Ivan Nova. Looking good so far.<br />
<br />
- At the July 31st trading deadline, the Yankees sent Jose Contreras packing, finally having seen enough of him. He was sent to the White Sox for Esteban Loaiza who miraculously won 21 games the year before with the White Sox and then imploded. Loaiza is gone from baseball. Contreras is still pitching out of the bullpen.<br />
<br />
- In December, after the Red Sox bounced the patched together Yankees from the ALCS, Cashman went out and brought in Mike Stanton, who was another reliever Joe Torre couldn't live without in exchange for Felix Heredia. Stanton had been on the Mets the previous two years and was now a 38 year-old relief pitcher. Well, Stanton was awful and would be released after appearing in just 28 games with the 2005 Yankees. Bringing Jeff Nelson back to replace Jeff Nelson didn't work and bringing Mike Stanton back rto replace Mike Stanton didn't work. <br />
<br />
- To help bolster the bullpen, (see a theme here with a lot of these trades and signings?) the Yankees shipped a disgruntled Kenny Lofton to the Phillies for a hard-throwing reliever named Felix Rodriguez. F-Rod was only 32 years-old and had been one of the better relievers over the last few seasons...in the National League. Needless to say, Rodriguez didn't last with the Yankees and was allowed to walk as a free agent after the 2005 season.<br />
<br />
- Kevin Brown, and Javier Vazquez weren't working out for the Yankees. Esteban Loaiza didn't work out. Jon Leiber was a free agent. The Yankees once again needed pitching help. In December of 2004, the Yankees tried to bring in pitchers that would prevent the Red Sox from embarrassing them in the playoffs ever again. Enter Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright. Pavano was signed on Dec. 20th and Wright was signed Dec. 28th. Pavano was given a 4-year contract worth over $40 million. Jaret Wright, coming off that career year in the National League was given $21 over 3 years. Well, Pavano made 26 starts for the Yankees...over the entire length of the contract. He missed all of 2006 and never made more than 17 starts in a season. Of course, I forgot to mention Carl Pavano was also coming off a career year in the NAtional League and the Yankees remembered him from the 2003 World Series. There is nothing else that needs to be said...go up to a Yankee fan and mention Carl Pavano and their reaction will tell you all you need to know.<br />
<br />
- Jaret Wright was the other big free agent signing that was supposed to remake the Yankees rotation. He was a power pitcher and...well he wasn't the same pitcher that dominated Yankee bats in the 1997 AL Playoffs that's for sure. I don't know what the Yankees were thinking giving Jaret Wright that contract.<br />
<br />
<br />
2005:<br />
- Javy Vazquez was considered a failure after one season in the Bronx. The Yankees needed dominant pitching. Enter Randy Johnson. The Big Unit was acquired from the Dimaondbacks in exchange for Javy, Brad Halsey, and Dioner Navarro. Randy Johnson was coming off a year where he struck out 290 batters to lead the Majors. George Steinbrenner had a thing for Johnson ever since he was a Mariner. Of course, he was past 40 when the Yankees acquired him and he pitched better than most 40 year-olds probably could. He won 34 games as a Yankee over 2 seasons. His first season in Pinstripes was pretty good, winning 17 games and posting a 3.79 ERA and piling up 211 strikeouts. But, Randy was a cantankerous soul and would be gone from the Yankees after only two year. Javier Vazquez has actually outpitched Randy Johnson since the trade and is 10 years younger. But, hey, mess up once with the Yankees and you gotta get packing. <br />
<br />
- In February, the Yankees brought back Ramiro Mendoza. He was another former Yankee bullpen arm that they always had trouble replacing. Like Jeff Nelson and Mike Stanton before him, Mendoza's second time with the Yankees was forgettable. He appeared in 1 game and was gone from baseball.<br />
<br />
- Speaking of returns, Brian Boehringer was signed on July 1st, his third go around with the Yankees. When in doubt bring in a familiar face, eh Brian? Less than a month later he was released without ever appearing in a game. <br />
<br />
- Paul Quantrill, the used up middle reliever, was used as trade bait to help out the Yankee rotation which was injury plagued to say the least. Come on, Jaret Wright and Carl Pavano people. Kevin Brown who last played with Ty Cobb, and Randy Johnson who George sometimes called Walter...old and beat up were the Yankees. In return for Quantrill, the Yankees receiver Darrell May and Tim Redding. They needed people to fill in as starters and they picked the two most unqualified guys to ever do that. May was a 33 year-old wannabe Major Leaguer. Redding was a little younger, 27, and both were equally horrible in Pinstripes. However, the Yankees farm system didn't have much in the way of Major League-ready arms with the exception of Chien Ming Wang and this is what they had to resort to to try and fill in some starts.<br />
<br />
- After May and Redding flamed out, the Yankees acquired Al Letier from the Marlins as part of a conditional deal. Leiter was 39 and nearing the end of a very successful career. Sadly, he wasn't the answer either. <br />
<br />
- Just a few days before the trading deadline, the Yankees were still looking for someone to pitch some innings from the 5th spot in the rotation. So they acquired Shawn Chacon from the Rockies for Eduardo Sierra and Ramon Ramirez. Chacon was a flash in the pan, pitching well his first year with the Yankees and stabilizing the back end of the rotation along with fellow flash in the pan Aaron Small. By the next year Chacon was awful...or normal, and he was shipped to the Pirates for Craig Wilson in 2006. <br />
<br />
- I bet most Yankee fans don't remember how desperate they were for pitching that year. Well, they signed Hideo Nomo at one point, though he never appeared in a game for them. He was a washed-up shell of his former self.<br />
<br />
- The bullpen was still a mish-mash and the Yankees were in need of a left-handed reliever. Sound familiar? Well enter Alan Embree, formerly of the Red Sox. Exit Alan Embree after posting a 7.53 ERA in 24 appearances spanning 14.1 innings. <br />
<br />
- Bullpen problems? What bullpen problems? The Yankees acquired Ron Villone from the Marlins in exchange for a minor leaguer. Villone was a lefty. Maybe he could get lefty hitters out. Right?<br />
<br />
- In December, after letting tom Gordon walk via free agency, the Yankees found hard-throwing Kyle Farnsworth sitting out there, waiting to have money thrown at him. Cashman had the money and he did the throwing, inking Farnsworth to a 3 year, $18 million contract. Farnsworth was coming off a good season that he split between Detroit and Atlanta, had never shown consistent stuff but had a lively fastball and sometimes had a nasty slider. Oh, what a Jeff Nelson he could be, Cashman probably thought to himself. He resembled the second coming of Jeff Nelson more than the first and was traded in his thrid year with the team. If he had been healthy all year long Joe Torre might have blown out his arm and saved other managers the frustration of having to put Farnsworth in the game. In all seriousness he is a nice guy and is a serviceable middle reliever, just not worth the money the Yankees threw at him with the expectations that came with it. Another middle-reliever fail. <br />
<br />
- Then, on December 15th, the Yankees signed Mike Myers. The answer to the Mike Stanton replacement question...at the moment. Myers was a lefty, was 37 years old, and, did I mention he was a lefty? Myers was going to finally be the guy to get out David Ortiz. Myers wasn't awful but he was frustrating. He would get out a righty, face Ortiz and give up a homer. Or he would give up a base-hit to the only lefty he would face, leave the game and get ready for tomorrow's lefty hitter. He wasn't consistent and was maddening every bit as much as Boone Logan is today. Maybe more so. Middle relief fail #3,906.<br />
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<br />
2006:<br />
- The bullpen was still up in the air...as if it had ever been settled since 2000, so the Yankees signed Octavio Dotel to a contract. Dotel, like Leiber before him, was rehabbing from surgery but it was a low-risk, potential high reward deal. Dotel pitched in 14 games for the 2006 yankees, wasn't very good and was allowed to leave as a free agent. Dotel would recover fully from his surgery and be a pretty good reliever and is still pitching today at age 37. <br />
<br />
- Some minor pitching moves took place in January and February. Ramiro Mendoza was signed to a free agent contract. Presumably to replace himself. Darrell Rasner was claimed off of waivers from the Washington Nationals. Mendoza never appeared in a game again in baseball and Rasner would be a somewhat decent fill-in starter for the Yankees over the next couple of years before taking his talents to Asia. The Yankees also signed 38 year0old Scott Erickson to a deal. That would have been awesome if this were 1990, not 2006. Erickson was done, washed up and used. He still made it into 9 games with the Yankees before Cashman realized there were better options out there.<br />
<br />
- On July 1st, the Yankees took a chance on the recently released Brian Bruney. Bruney had an excellent fastball and had had problems controlling that pitch. He would become a pretty good bullpen guy before losing his control again and some fastball velocity. But the bullpen is the most volatile part of any teams roster and a roll of the dice with a guy like Bruney can sometimes heap huge rewards. you don't have to spend $21 million over 4 years for a reliever.<br />
<br />
- For some reason Cashman had a short obsession with washed-up former Orioles. First it was Scott Erickson then came Sidney Ponson. Ponson somehow managed to make 3 starts and 2 relief appearances in 2006 for the Yankees. He was released just over a month later, in August. What is even crazier is that he was brought back in 2008 as we will see later.<br />
<br />
- On August 11th, Cashman signed John Axford to a minor league deal. Axford didn't do anything special for the Yankees but has gone on to become one of the best closers in baseball. Weird how that works sometimes, huh?<br />
<br />
- On November 10th, tired of the Gary Sheffield act, and with Bobby Abreu now in right field, the Yankees shipped Sheff to the Tigers for three minor league pitchers, Anthony Claggett, Kevin Whelan, and Humberto Sanchez. Whelan is the only one still in the Yankees organization, but all three made appearances for the Yankees. Claggett was awful. Sanchez never recovered from the arm surgery, and Whelan is a AAA closer that has trouble finding the strike zone too often. All that for Gary Sheffield!<br />
<br />
- On November 12th, the Yankees shipped Jaret Wright who was terrible as a starter to the Orioles for reliever Chris Britton. Britton would become somewhat famous for seemingly using up all of his options in the span of seven minutes as the Yankees shuttled him back and forth between Scranton and New York in 2007.<br />
<br />
- On December 8th, the Yankees went all redux again, this time successfully. They brought back Andy Pettitte. I don't need to say anything more about Andy.<br />
<br />
- On December 19th, after watching the Red Sox sign Daisuke Matsuzaka, the Yankees dipped back into the Japanese leagues. This time they came up with Kei Igawa, and gave him a 5 year deal worth $4 million a year. He made most of his money setting AA and AAA pitching records. Good for him, I guess. Igawa will forever be the ink stain on Cashman's shirt. He appeared in 16 game, 13 starts, for the Yankees, posted an ungodly ERA of 6.66 (see what I did there?) and allowed 15 homers in 71.2 innings. Yikes! The saga of Igawa is sad. the guy wanted to pitch, he never gave up, even when the Yankees offered to end the pain. He is a free agent now, and Brian Cashman can sleep at night...sort of...when stalkers aren't ringing his doorbell I guess.<br />
<br />
<br />
2007:<br />
- The Yankees had let the Randy Johnson experiment go on far too long. He was miserable, fans were miserable, and Cashman was miserable. On January 9th, he was dealt to the Diamondbacks for Luis Vizcaino (he might be an answer as a middle reliever, hopefully, maybe?), minor league shortstop Alberto Gonzalez, and minor league pitchers Ross Ohlendorf and Steven Jackson. All of these guys would see time with the big club. Ohlendorf, who will pop up again later, was the best of the bunch. Vizcaino followed Octavio Dotel, Tom Gordon, Kyle Farnsworth, Felix Rodriguez, etc. out of town.<br />
<br />
- May 6th, Susan Waldman makes hysterical noises on the radio, yelling "Roger Clemens is in Gawge Steinbrennah's bawx!" a few thousand times as the Yankees dramatically announced Roger Clemens would be coming back to join Andy Pettitte back in the Bronx. Roger was later seen bench pressing the Old Yankee Stadium which would ruin the foundation of the landmark and lead the Yankees to have to build a whole new Stadium. OK, that last part isn't true.<br />
<br />
- Bye-bye Scott Proctor. At the trading deadline, the Yankees shipped Scott Proctor off to the Dodgers in exchange for utility guy Wilson Betemit. Scott Proctor, who somehow managed to make an appearance in every Yankee game since Billy Martin was manager, was probably very glad to get away from Joe Torre who actually held Proctor hostage in the bullpen chained to a wall and fed leftover hot dogs. OK, that's not true but it sure seemed like it. Proctor would later wonder what he did to piss God off when Torre followed him out to Los Angeles a year later.<br />
<br />
- On December 4th, the Yankees traded one of their top pitching prospects, Tyler Clippard to the Washington Nationals for reliever Jonathan Alabadejo. Clippard had a very nive MLB debut against the Mets but Cashman got impatient. Clippard is now famous for "Clipparding" wins in Washington where he actually made the All-Star team last season. He is the vulture extraordinaire, getting wins and pitching well despite not pitching well. Wish I could do that. Either way, this was a win for the Nats. Alabadejo used the Scranton Shuttle almost as often as Chris Britton. <br />
<br />
- On December 12th, the Yankees remembered Andy Pettitte was a free agent, unlike in 2003, and they actually re-signed him! Hooray!<br />
<br />
- On December 21st, the Yankees thought they had themselves a new bullpen arm when they inked LaTroy Hawkins to a contract worht over $3 million per year. Hawkins was coming off of a sensational year and Cashman finally thought this was the year the pitcher coming off of a career year in the NL would translate into the AL in Pinstripes. Except the story didn't end up that way. Hawkins went from having a good year with Colorado in 2007, to being God-awful for the Yankees in 2008, to being dominant for the Astros after the Yankees traded him in June for Matt Cusick. Wow, great job.<br />
<br />
<br />
2008:<br />
- The Yankees had been scrap-heaping arms in AAA. They signed Billy Traber (lefty!) and Heath Phillips (lefty!) to minor league deals in January. Traber made the show and showed everyone he wasn't cut out for Major League Baseball. Phillips was replacement level at AAA. <br />
<br />
- In February, the Yankees signed a little-known Mexican Leaguer named Alfredo Aceves to a deal. Aceves would become a kind of better version of Ramiro Mendoza, spot starting and relieving and vulturing wins. alas, he had trouble staying healthy and the Yankees didn't offer him a Major League contract after the 2010 season so he went to the Red Sox for 2011, battled injuries, and filled in nicely as a starter. Oh well.<br />
<br />
- June 19th, 2008...Welcome back Sidney Ponson! Oh, you still are terrible. Darn.<br />
<br />
- July 11th, wow, Eric Milton is a Yankee again! The top pitching prospect that was traded for Chuck Knoblauch signs a minor league deal. He never throws a pitch for the Yankees because of injuries. Not sure if Cashman was trying to Leiber him but it didn't work.<br />
<br />
- Three days before the non-waiver trade deadline in July, the Yankees package Jose Tabata, Ross Ohlendorf, Jeff Karstens, and Daniel McCutcheon to the Pirates in exchange for Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte. Marte was traded to the Pirates years before if you recall and the Yankees really needed that lefty reliever. Nady was that extra bat the Yankees needed to propel them into the playoffs. Only they missed the playoffs in 2008. Shucks. Karstens is somehow still pitching in Pittsburgh. Ohlendorf is now a free agent and is still fairly young (redux?). Tabata, once a top prospect, has some age issues, is married to Martha Washington's slightly younger sister, had thought about quitting baseball in 2008, and is now a decent enough outfielder for the Pirates. The Pirates win this deal because they got players who are still playing for them. Nady is gone from the Yankees. Marte had a decent World Series run in 2009, got re-signed, and hurt himself. Or maybe he robbed a bank and ran away. Who knows? Who cares?<br />
<br />
- July 30th saw the Yankees make two trades, the LaTroy Hawkins trade with Houston and they actually found a taker for Kyle Farnsworth, sending him to the tigers in exchange for Ivan Rodriguez. Yes, Pudge Rodriguez. Same guy, different decade.<br />
<br />
- In December of 2008, the Yankees lost Ivan Nova in the Rule 5 Draft to the San Diego Padres. Luckily for the Yankees, they returned him. Phew!<br />
<br />
- Having just missed the playoffs, Brian Cashman and George Steinbrenner decided they were not gonna let that happen again. So the first strike in free agency was for A.J. Burnett, the very pitcher who inspired this post to begin with. Burnett had a decent year in 2009. a terrible one in 2010. And a blah, bad one in 2011. The Yankees have two years left of Burnett that they are trying to unload on someone (Pirates?) and a total of $33 million. Yikes! That contract hasn't worked out at all like the Yankees hoped. At least he wasn't Pavano or Igawa, right? Right?<br />
<br />
- Just days after inking the inked up Burnett, Cashman landed his man, C.C. Sabathia to a monster deal. Mussina was retiring and the Yankees needed an ace. Wang was done with the Yankees, and the Yankees needed an ace. Did I mention they needed an ace? Anyway, Sabathia is Cashman's best move and his best pitching move since becoming GM. Mike Mussina's free agent contract is #2. Yay Sabathia!<br />
<br />
<br />
2009:<br />
- Nothing but minor pitching moves to begin the year. Sabathia, Burnett, and Pettitte headlined the rotation. The Yankees inked some journeymen who might be able to fill-in in a pinch like Jason Johnson, Brett Tomko, Casey Fossum, Russ Ortiz, and Josh Towers. None really contributed much. Then there was the purchase of Chad Gaudin from the Padres. He wasn't terrible in 2009 as a spot starter/long man. The Yankees lost two more middling minor league pitchers to the Pirates in Steven Jackson and Anthony Claggett. But the Yankees were set as they made their run to the World Series and a Championship. They did it one the backs of essentially three pitchers, Sabathia, Pettitte, and Burnett.<br />
<br />
- In December, the Yankees sent Brian Bruney to the Washington Nationals and instructed the Nats to select outfielder Jamie Hoffman in the Rule 5 Draft. Hoffman didn't make the Yankees and was returned to the Dodgers. Bruney has battled inconsistency and injury but the Nats got him for free.<br />
<br />
- On December 8th, the Yankees completed a three-team trade that netted them Curtis Granderson. They gave up Ian Kennedy to the Diamondbacks (he won 21 games this season for them), Phil Coke and Austin Jackson to the Tigers. Yankee fans can't complain about the trade as Granderson was amazing last year. It is doubtful Kennedy could have been as good as he was as a Yankee. Phil Coke is a middling lefty reliever/starter who is left-handed (yes I know what I just typed).<br />
<br />
- December 22nd was a weird day in Yankeeland. The Yankees sent young lefty Michael Dunn, Melky Cabrera, and minor league phenom Arodys Vizcaino to the Braves for Javier Vazquez and Boone Logan! Javy's back! Javy had gone on to quietly become one of the most consistent starting pitchers in baseball since leaving the Yanks and apparently Cashman didn't like that so he brought him back to the Bronx to ruin what remained of his life. In all seriousness, the Yankees probably shouldn't have traded Javier after one bad season and shouldn't have traded for him the second time around. Cashman loves bringing back pitchers for second looks for some reason. Well, Javier was worse this time around and Cashman had egg on his face. I mean, I don't understand what went wrong. Vazquez was, after all, coming off of a great year in the National League. I have no idea why it didn't translate.<br />
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<br />
2010:<br />
- Sergio Mitre was re-signed. I forgot to mention when the Yankees orginally signed him in 2008. Oh well. He was originally Liebered, meaning he was injured when he signed his contract and Joe Girardi loved the guy so the Yankees thought it best to sign him, hold onto him, let him rehab and then boom! Only, the boom was supposed to be a good boom and not a bad one as Mitre ended up exploding all over the place. They are still trying to get the Mitre off the walls.<br />
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- February 28th, the Yankees signed Chan Ho Park. Park had been moderately successful in the National League before Cashman figured he would roll the dice, after all you can't fail on EVERY guy who succeeds in the NL and suddenly becomes a free agent afterward, right? Park was dreadful surrendering 7 homers in 35.1 innings. Yikes!<br />
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- May 12th, they Reduxed Tim Redding, only this time Redding never made it to the Bronx. Seriously, Cashman, what is your love affair with pitchers who weren't good enough the first time around. <br />
<br />
-July 31st, the Yankees sent Mark Melancon and a minor leaguer to the Astros for Lance Berkman. Berkman wasn't good for the Yankees but rebounded with the Cardinals last year. Then Melancon suddenly became closer material and is now a set-up man for the Red Sox. Joy.<br />
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- In a seperate deal the Yankees acquired Kerry Wood from the Indians for two minor leaguers, one of whom was Matt Cusick. Wood was very good and helped bridge the gap to Mariano but he walked as a free agent at the end of the year. Still was a good move.<br />
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<br />
2011:<br />
-Hello Bartolo! Bartolo Colon signed a deal with the Yankees as he attempted to make a comeback. It worked out much to everyone surprise.<br />
<br />
- The Yankees signed Rafael Soriano, another expensive middle reliever, who had a weird first year with the Yankees. He was good and awful sometimes in the same inning. There were shades of Pavano there as well with weird injuries that were never explained. I'll give Cash a pass on him since he didn't really want him to begin with.<br />
<br />
- Another big free agent signing was made right before the 2011 season. Pedro Feliciano, who had been abused so badly by the Mets that Cashman even criticized the MEts for his handling, was signed to a two-year deal. Feliciano's arm fell off and he will make $8 million over two years for NEVER throwing a pitch in a Yankee uniform. It's a shame too because he looked so good in those Spring Training warm-ups. This is one of the all-time worst signings by a Yankee GM.<br />
<br />
- In February, the Yankees signed Freddy Garcia. Garcia was a bit of a gamble but it worked out and the Yankees brought him back to probably watch him come back to earth this season. Finding Freddy saved the Yanks last year, along with Bartolo.<br />
<br />
- Luis Ayala was signed the same day as Garcia. He would have an excellent regular season as a middle reliever. He was cheap so of course he outperformed Soriano and Feliciano. See what I mean about bullpen arms? Anyway, he's an Oriole now so he might be their closer.<br />
<br />
- On March 25th, the Yankees felt they needed an old veteran to go with all the other old vets so they signed Kevin Millwood for that just in case. They never broke the glass on him, thankfully. <br />
<br />
- April 9th was the day the Yankees signed Carlos Silva to a contract. Another one I'm thankful never pitched in the Bronx.<br />
<br />
- On June 16th the Yankees found Cory Wade sitting out there ready to give a good season's worth of work. Another cheap guy who outperformed the big contracts? Amazing.<br />
<br />
- On June 29th Sergio Mitre threatened to show the world those nude photographs he has of Cashman unless Cashman traded for him and rescued him from Milwaukee. Mitre came and Yankee fans suffered.<br />
<br />
- On July 14th, Cashman saw a lefty out there with experience in J.C. Romero. He signed Romero and stashed him in AAA. One cool thing to note, Romero has a 2011 Topps Update card of him in a Yankee uniform despite the fact that he never suited up for them. Yay airbrushes!<br />
<br />
- Somehow, Scott Proctor escaped Joe Torre's grasp, made his way to Atlanta and Florida and then became a Yankee again and sacrificed himself for the good of getting shellacked. He would go out and try to get enough people out so that the Yankees could go home. RIP Scott Proctor.<br />
<br />
- Just before the calendar turned to 2012, the Yankees signed Hideki Okajima, a lefty, to a minor league deal. Okajima might have three gallons left which should get him through Spring Training and earn him a spot to get shelled on the Major League roster. <br />
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<br />
2012: <br />
- The Yankees traded top prospect Jesus Montero and Hector Noesi to the Mariners for Michael Pineda and minor leaguer Jose Campos. No comment can be made yet.<br />
<br />
- Three days after getting Pineda, Cashman got Hiroki Kuroda to solidify the rotation. We shall see. Remember, National League guy....north of 35 years-old. Nothing can go wrong here, right? We'll see.<br />
<br />
- Feb. 8th, the Yankees felt like Hideki Okajima, the former Red Sox needed a friend so they brought in Manny Delcarmen, the former Red Sox to fight for a spot in the bullpen. It is doubtful he does anything special but then again, it's a minor league deal so no harm, no foul.<br />
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<br />
There it is folks. No recap needed. Judge for yourself.<br />
<br />Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05613956074577564532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385821609399538721.post-81705459699549218902012-02-13T14:48:00.005-05:002012-02-13T14:48:56.824-05:00It IS LinsaneI still can't believe the hype surrounding Jeremy Lin of the New York Knicks. The guy has been phenomenal, don't get me wrong, but he has played less than a week of basketball at this level and has yet to play with the Knicks two biggest stars, Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony. Lin has been the answer for the Knicks after they lost Anthony to injury and Stoudemire to the death of his brother. However, Stoudemire is back and I don't see a problem with him playing with Lin. Instead, I see Melo being the question because Melo almost demands that the offense run through him. Look at what has happened to Stoudemire's stats since Melo joined the team as exhibit A.<br />
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Anyway, this blog isn't about how Jeremy Lin is going to fit in with the Knicks. I'm sure he will be fine. This post is about the insanity, or should I say Linsanity, surrounding everything Jeremy Lin. A quick scan of eBay will show astronomical prices on some Jeremy Lin rookie cards. Three weeks ago, people couldn't give these cards away. How much value did a guy who was cut by the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets and riding the bench for the Knicks warrant? None. Then, Lin started playing, and the Knicks started winning. That once worthless basketball card is now selling for $20 in most cases. Here is the link to an offering for a Jeremy Lin autographed RC going for $199.50 (with less than two minutes left as I write this)<a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/JEREMY-LIN-2010-11-PANINI-TIMELESS-TREASURES-CARD-AUTO-10-299-ROOKIE-KNICKS-/320847880837?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ab4062285">http://www.ebay.com/itm/JEREMY-LIN-2010-11-PANINI-TIMELESS-TREASURES-CARD-AUTO-10-299-ROOKIE-KNICKS-/320847880837?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ab4062285</a>. <br />
It's crazy. It's Linsane! Want more? <a href="http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=jeremy+lin&_sacat=See-All-Categories">Just type in Jeremy Lin on eBay, or follow this link</a> and prepare to be shocked. His jersey is selling out faster than stores can replenish them. He is putting the Knicks back on the radar because he has people excited again. For all of the hype that surrounded the Knicks going into this season with Stoudemire and Melo, and Tyson Chandler, it was Lin that made Knicks fans believe. Why?<br />
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In the sports world when you have someone come from out of nowhere and enjoy success it excites fans mostly because the fans can dream about doing it themselves. What kid wouldn't love to take Kobe to school on the court? Jeremy Lin never went to school at a basketball powerhouse. He was a HArvard boy with enough talent to barely get a look in the NBA. Then, all of a sudden, like Robert Redford in <i>The Natural</i>, he is hitting game winning shots and putting up rookie numbers that haven't been seen in a long time. With this type of success you will have people looking to cash in, especially on the secondary market.<br />
<br />
Enter the eBay Lin craze. Enter the Lin craze in general. In a society fueled by the need to have the latest and greatest, people are running out and buying everything Jeremy Lin. Jeremy Lin is the new iPhone of the NBA. Everyone has to have his jersey. People want his autograph. People need to follow him on Twitter (his account by the way now has 217,195 followers as of 2:27 PM on Feb. 13th). People want to feel a part of "IT", whatever "IT" is. Right now, Jeremy Lin is "it" because he has helped turn around the Knicks season which was looking like it was going to be a huge disappointment. In a city with over 8 million people and a metro area of about 14 million, being the next big thing is huge. We have all seen the Facebook and Twitter posts of our friends who are suddenly interested in Knicks basketball again, even if the last Knick they could name was Patrick Ewing. <br />
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Jeremy Lin is bringing the swagger back to New York, especially on the heels of the New York Giants winning the Super Bowl. New York is becoming cool again in sports. Even the New York Rangers are atop the NHL standings and the Yankees are poised for another playoff run. New York has had it's share of winners over the years but the Knicks haven't had much success since Patrick Ewing left and now, with the help of a scrawny Harvard kid, the Knicks are relevant again in a way that might even make Patrick jealous. <br />
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So, will the Jeremy Lin market crash? In a conversation on Twitter with Beckett editor, Chris Olds, who clearly has a pulse on the card market, he believes there is a chance for the Lin market, at least the Lin card market to sustain these prices if people start putting them away and not flooding the market with it. He is right. There are limited numbers of these cards since card companies, like Panini, are not overproducing cards like they did in the 1980's and 1990's. If people are putting the Lin's away into their personal collections and the demand remains high then there won't be a crash. My personal belief is that greed will win out and these cards will keep on getting posted, especially if the Knicks make the playoffs and Jeremy Lin continues this absurd level of playing. People will always look to cash in. It's human nature. There will be a few who will keep their Jeremy Lin rookie cards, if I had one I might take advantage of the craze and post it up for sale but if I had doubles I would keep one for my own collection. <br />
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Bottom line, if you think the Jeremy Lin craze is at a fever pitch now, just wait if the Knicks get to the NBA Finals and this kid is still playing at this level. You ain't seen nothing yet.Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05613956074577564532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385821609399538721.post-47650060785250561562012-02-09T18:37:00.001-05:002012-02-09T18:37:39.161-05:00Some of this and a little of that-Mets GM Sandy Alderson is now on Twitter and opened his account with a bit of a joke. It read, "Getting ready for Spring Training-Driving to FL but haven't left yet. Big fundraiser tonight for gas money. Also exploring PAC contribution." Pretty funny guy. Although this account isn't verified by Twitter just yet the Mets organization confirmed that it is Sandy's account. However, given the Mets propensity for misdiagnosing everything from injuries to free agent contracts I wouldn't hold my breath just yet.<br />
<br />
-The New York Knicks have their Tim Tebow. Jeremy Lin has exploded in New York, and around the league. He has scored 25, 28, and 23 points in his last three games and has almost single handedly made Knicks fans forget that Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire are out with injury or, as in Stoudemire's case, out grieving a lost brother. It also helped that Lin won the game against Utah on February 6th. Yeah, the Knicks might have found an answer in Lin or they may have created more questions in the long run. Personally, I'll wait and see what happens when Carmelo and Amar'e come back and see how the kid handles the point guard position then. I also wonder if the monetary commitment to Baron Davis will make a difference in Lin's playing time when Davis comes back from injury. For now, it's hard not to like the kid. He went to Harvard and has come from out of nowhere. Of course he is going to be hyped. Time will tell if the kid is as good as these three games says he is. I, however, have liked what I have seen in the bits and pieces that I can stand to watch pro basketball. <a href="http://deadspin.com/linsanity/">Here you can see Maurice Evans avoid being posterized</a> by Lin as he goes in for a dynamic dunk. Nice defense Evans. <br />
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-The Yankees signed Russell Branyan to a minor league contract yesterday. Branyan is getting up there in age, he is 36 years old, and his production suffered mightily last season. Between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (can you please change your name back to the California Angels because this name sucks) and Arizona Diamondbacks he hit .197 with 5 homers and 14 RBI's. He has, however, hit two of the longest home runs ever at the new Yankee Stadium, the longest of which travelled 451 feet. He isn't that far removed from hitting 31 homers, which he did in Seattle in 2009 so it might be worth a shot. Branyan will either hit the ball deep or strike out so there won't be much suspense if he makes the team. Joining Branyan with the hopes of keeping their Major League dreams alive are DeWayne Wise (famous for his catch that saved Mark Buerhle's no-hitter), Manny Delcarmen, Hideki Okajima, and Bill Hall. <br />
<br />
-Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd admits he was under the influence of cocaine when he pitched sometimes. Somehow, even as a kid, I had that feeling. He blames racism for his not getting another chance like Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry, and Steve Howe. He claims that he was a loud and proud black man and he was discriminated against because of this. My question is, when was this guy not on cocaine? He says he pitched "two-thirds" of his games under the influence but he doesn't say when he actually quit the drug, if he did at all. That could have a lot to do with it. If he was stil using and wasn't performing why would ANY team give him a shot? At least in Gooden and Strawberry and Howe's cases, these men had stopped using, had entered treatment facilities and are, in Gooden and Strawberry's case, still dealing with the struggle to stay clean. Boyd needs to stop pointing the finger at a racist MLB and start looking in the mirror. He has nobody to blame but himself. <br />
<br />
-Here is an interesting tidbit, Mike Napoli heads into arbitration as being one of only 4 catchers to average 20 homers a season in his first six seasons. The others? Oh, just Mike Piazza, Roy Campanella, and Johnny Bench. Amazing.<br />
<br />
-The Yankees and Pirates are talking about a deal for AJ Burnett. According to Buster Olney, the Yankees are asking for Garrett Jones and the Pirates aren't interested in dealing him. I don't know if a deal will happen, in fact I'd be surprised. The Pirates will most likely ask the Yankees to eat most, if not all, of Burnett's contract while not giving up any decent players or prospects. Jones is a nice player who would fit in nicely in the OF/1B/DH rotation and provide some pop. <br />
<br />
-After watching the New York Rangers lose a game-tying goal in the closing seconds of their game against the Devils thanks to a blown call by the referee, I think it is time the NHL adopt a review policy like that of the NFL. Simply reviewing that potentially-game altering play would have shown there was no penalty and that goal should have counted, thereby awarding each team one point. Instead, the game was over and the Devils got two points all because a referee got a call wrong. In the last minute of every game if there is a goal it should be reviewed, regardless if there is a penalty or not on the play. If no penalty is seen then the goal should count. Period. Just my two cents.<br />
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<br />Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05613956074577564532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385821609399538721.post-33955742700117076612012-02-07T19:06:00.001-05:002012-02-07T19:06:02.860-05:00Hall of ShameRight before the Super Bowl, the NFL announced it's Hall of Fame class. Needless to say I was shocked at the omissions. I'm not saying that these guys didn't deserve a shot at the Hall of Fame, but some of the omissions have left me angry at the NFL and the way people are elected into the Hall of Fame.<br />
<br />
Cris Carter is second all-time among receivers with 130 TD receptions. He is also one of eight players to have over 1,000 receptions. He has been eligible since 2008 and yet he still finds himself on the outside looking in. Carter led the league in receptions one year (1994) with 122. The following year, Carter tied his career high with another 122 receptions. He led the league in touchdown catches three times. He was an 8x Pro Bowler to boot. There is no way Cortez Kennedy is more valuable than Cris Carter.<br />
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Let's talk about Cortez Kennedy. He was elected to the Pro Bowl 8 times, never led the league in a single category, and recorded double digit sacks just once, 14 in 1992. He was a good player but not Hall of Fame worthy in my opinion. His 568 tackles and 58 career sacks don't come close to the numbers that other, more deserving players put up. One of those players was Charles Haley.<br />
<br />
Charles Haley did get elected to the Pro bowl as many times as Cortez Kennedy. Haley was only elected 5 times. However, Haley ended his NFL career with 100.5 sacks. More importantly, Haley led the 49ers defense to Super Bowls and then helped Dallas do the same. He was the heart of several Championship defenses and a terror to opposing quarterbacks. I know he had more of an impact on the game than Cortez Kennedy did. I'm not trying to diminish what Kennedy did but Haley was the best on some of the best defenses in the game. That has to count for something.<br />
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How Bill Parcells is left off is beyond me. That is just ludicrous. He turned around a pathetic Giants team and brought 2 Super Bowl Championships to New York. Then he took New England from the depths and brought them to a Super Bowl. Then, he became the head coach of the Jets and turned that franchise around. Next, he took a struggling Dallas team and remade them into title contenders. He even almost rejuvenated a Dolphins franchise. Everywhere he has gone he has won. He deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, period.<br />
<br />
Andre Reed was the number one receiving option on one of the most explosive offenses in football history and yet did not get elected. Tim Brown is another of the best receivers of his generation and yet did not get elected. Something is fishy about the way the NFL allows people to vote. Surely it wouldn't hurt if they made people make their ballots public like they do in baseball. I say they do it so people can explain how they voted.Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05613956074577564532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385821609399538721.post-5344207254762304332012-02-07T18:29:00.001-05:002012-02-07T18:29:08.688-05:00Super Bowl Hangover? Not in New YorkThe New York Football Giants are Super Bowl Champions. The confetti has been cleaned up and the champagne has been drunk but there is no hangover in New York. The New York Giants defeated Tom Brady and the Patriots for the second time in 4 years in the sports biggest game and New York football has taken center-stage once again. Amazingly, it had nothing to do with Rex Ryan who must be on Zoloft by now after watching the team that shares a stadium with the Jets beat the team that reigns in their division. It happens sometimes, Rex. In all seriousness, that was the last shot I'm taking at Rex Ryan or the Jets in this post because it isn't about the Jets right now. It is about the New York Giants. They are the Champions of football once again. I never thought this team had a shot at the beginning of the year. Never. I don't think there was a Giants fan out there who thought the team would be Super Bowl bound after they were at 7-7 after losing to the Washington Redskins. I have seen every Giants Super Bowl and they all seem to have one moment (ok, not the Ravens Super Bowl debacle but all the wins do) that makes the game a classic. In 1986 there was Phil McConkey with the catch and Phil Simms setting the all-time Super Bowl completion percentage. In 1990 there was Mark Ingram's catch and Scott Norwood's wide right. Hell, even in 2000 Ron Dixon had the kickoff return for a TD. In 2007, there was David Tyree catching the ball against his helmet after Eli Manning escapes a sure sack. Then, there was the Plaxico Burress TD catch in the corner of the endzone. There was the defeat of a previously undefeated team and the thrill of victory. Then, this year, there was Mario Manningham's catch that led to the Giants game-winning "reluctant touchdown" by Ahmad Bradshaw. There was Eli Manning leading his team down the field for one more 4th quarter comeback in a season full of them. There was Chase Blackburn, the guy who started the year as a substitute teacher before being signed right before the Giants-Packers game in early December, getting a timely interception against Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, a tight end coming off of one of the best single seasons ever at his position. <br />
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As the Giants bring the Lombardi Trophy to the New York/New Jersey area, it is fitting to think about the history that the New York Giants have had in this game. No, they don't own the record for most Super Bowl victories. But, there is something special about Big Blue. Something that no other team can claim. The New York Giants were where some of the game's greatest coaches got their start, whether as head coach or assistant. A quick mental check reveals Vince Lombardi, Tom Landry, Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, and Tom Coughlin all began their coaching careers with Big Blue. It just seems fitting that the Lombardi Trophy now resides in New York.<br />
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It might be years before Giants fans stop talking about this past Super Bowl. The memories of the last Giants Super Bowl were still fresh in every Giants mind as they prepared for a rematch. I hope, as a Giants fan, that I don't have to wait more than two years for another Super Bowl but I know I will have this one to keep me warm for many winters to come if need be. Especially when the embers of the Giants Super Bowl XLII win still smolders all these years later. Thank you Big Blue.Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05613956074577564532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385821609399538721.post-24413709950334949952012-02-01T18:01:00.002-05:002012-02-01T18:01:48.722-05:00Sandy and the MetsThe New york Mets are in a bit of a bind. They have financial problems that threaten the entire organization, all stemming from the Wilpon's decision to invest in Bernie Madoff's ponzi scheme. Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel were fired two seasons ago and now the Mets are run by Sandy Alderson, who some believe fostered sabermetrics in the baseball world and gave birth to Billy Beane, the star of <i>Moneyball</i>. Well, here in reality, I see Sandy Alderson, not as the father of sabermatricians everywhere but rather a shrewd evaluator of baseball talent. Here is a look at some of the players Alderson drafted during his tenure as general manager of the Oakland Athletics:<br />
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1984: Drafted Mark McGwire in the first round with the 10th overall pick. McGwire, with, or without the help of performance enhancers, would go on to become one of the greatest sluggers in the game. Oh, and he won the Rookie of the Year Award.<br />
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1985: Drafted Walt Weiss with the 11th overall pick in the first round. Weiss would win the Rookie of the Year award as well and would go on to become a serviceable player for years and helped lead the A's to a World Series title.<br />
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1986: Alderson drafted two players who would go on to have very productive careers, albeit for other teams. He drafted Kevin Tapani in the second round and Rod Beck in the 13th. Tapani would be a very good middle of the rotation starter for the Twins and Rod Beck would be a dominant closer for the Giants in the mid-1990's.<br />
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1987: This draft was a little lackluster. Scott Brosius, who went on to be traded for Kenny Rogers, would go on to help the Yankees win a World Series or two, or three. <br />
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1988: Nobody big drafted here. Just a few serviceable players like Darren Lewis and Joe Grahe.<br />
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1989: Another kind of blah year with Matt Mieske, Kurt Abbott, Craig Paquette, and Dana Allison types. Good enough to make the majors, maybe even have a very good year or two but not good enough to keep it up.<br />
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1990: Everyone who grew up collecting baseball cards in the 1990's remembers the name Todd Van Poppel. He was the top pitching prospect in all of baseball at one point but never came close to living up to expectations, mostly due to injury. Other serviceable Major Leaguers drafted that year include Tanyon Sturtze, Kirk Dressendorfer, Ernie Young, and Izzy Molina.<br />
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1991: Not a very good draft.<br />
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1992: Jason Giambi was picked in the 2nd round. He would only go on to win an MVP in an A's uniform before bolting for more money in the Bronx. <br />
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1993: Scott Spiezio was taken in the 6th round. He helped the Angels win the World Series in 2002.<br />
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1994: Ben Grieve, who would go on to win yet another Rookie of the Year Award for the A's was drafted here. He had a nice career but flamed out early on. I wouldn't mind having had Grieve's career in the Majors. Not for one second. Tim Hudson was also drafted but did not sign.<br />
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1995: Mark Bellhorn was drafted in the 2nd round. Bellhorn was a decent enough middle infielder. Other notables include Jeff DaVanon and David Newhan.<br />
<br />
1996: Eric Chavez highlights this class. Chavez was one of the best third basemen in the entire Major Leagues. Too bad injuries sapped him of all of his Hall of Fame potential.<br />
<br />
1997: Drafted Tim Hudson again in the 6th round and inked him to a contract this time. He only won 20 games and helped take the "Moneyball" A's to the playoffs. He was an ace and is still pitching very well for Atlanta.<br />
<br />
1998: Mark Mulder, one of the three aces that had nothing to do with the success of the Oakland Athletics "Moneyball" years was taken with the 2nd overall pick. Mulder won 20 games but his career was shortened due to injury. Gerald Laird, and Eric Byrnes are the other notables from this draft class.<br />
<br />
Then, the torch was passed to Billy Beane who profited more than any other general manager from his predecessors draft classes. Yes, Beane did draft Barry Zito to round out the big three but it was Alderson that laid the groundwork. It was Alderson who signed Miguel Tejada, drafted Eric Chavez, and Jason Giambi. Yes, none of those guys stayed but it was also their departures that paved the way for new draft picks like Nick Swisher, for example, who was taken with the compensation pick after the A's lost Giambi. Sandy Alderson made the A's into what Billy Beane got credit for. There is no doubt in my mind. <br />
<br />
Since taking the reigns from Omar Minaya and the clueless Mets ownership that allowed Minaya to ink the likes of Jason Bay, Luis Castillo, and Oliver Perez to name a few, Alderson has set about rebuilding the Mets team. Granted, he doesn't have the resources that Minaya enjoyed but he has a plan and a keen eye for baseball talent that Minaya never had. Let's not forget that this is the same Omar Minaya that traded Cliff Lee, Grady Sizemore, and Brandon Phillips to the Indians for Bartolo Colon and Tim Drew when he was GM of the Expos. Gee, I wonder if the Expos, who turned into the Nationals, would have liked to have a middle of the field that included Brandon Phillips at second, Grady in center, and Cliff Lee on the mound? Colon did go 10-4 with a 3.31 ERA for the Expos but he was traded to the White Sox for...get this...Rocky Biddle, Orlando Hernandez, and Jeff Liefer! Great job Minaya. You turned 3 players who made the All-Star team later on for basically a washed up El Duque, a middling middle reliever in Biddle, and a guy who barely made the Majors in Liefer. Congrats! Oh, and those playoff hopes that Minaya saw and dealt the future for? Well, the Expos finished 12 games out of the playoffs. So, ummm, yeah. It's hard taking over for stupidity. Well, I'll give him a bit of a pass because he did give up bopkus for a couple of good seasons of Johan Santana.<br />
<br />
The Mets farm system hasn't produced a star since David Wright debuted in 2004. Before that it was Jose Reyes. The Mets haven't been known for their farm system in years. It has been neglected and abused over the years. Look at the "Top Prospects" that have come forth: Paul Wilson, Bill Pulsipher, Jason Isringhausen, Carlos Gomez, Fernando Martinez, Alex Escobar...the list goes on. These were top prospects that were either rushed to the majors, suffered major injuries, or saw success on other teams, or all three. The Mets and farm system do NOT go together. Don't mention Ike Davis to me just yet, he has a lot to prove, including staying healthy. I have written about the Mets farm abuse before, you can look in the archives for those stories. This is nothing new. Enter Sandy Alderson. <br />
<br />
Alderson has been the Mets GM for two seasons now. Really, he has one full season under his belt as Mets GM, having taken over in October of 2010. He has had one draft with the Mets. One. Yet, Mets fans are already ready to fire him. He let Jose Reyes walk. He spent $10 million on middle relievers and bench players. He drafted Brandon Nimmo who never played high school baseball. The list of complaints, all of them unwarranted, goes on. Alderson has not even gotten his office set up yet at Citi Field and already Mets fans want him gone, afraid that he is trying to turn the Mets into Oakland East. Let's not forget that Alderson did build a World Series winner using a fairly big payroll in 1989. His teams also went to two other World Series'. The man knows baseball, period. He turned Carlos Beltran, who was not coming back to Queens, into a top pitching prospect in Zack Wheeler. The Giants got half of a season out of Beltran who went to St. Louis. Score one for Alderson.<br />
<br />
Alderson fleeced San Francisco again when he sent Angel Pagan to the Giants in exchange for Andres Torres and Ramon Ramirez. Torres and Pagan are kind of interchangeable. Pagan had a bit of a stigma as a clubhouse distraction and getting a similar player and a middle reliever in exchange for him was a solid move. Within hours of that trade, Alderson inked Jon Rauch and Frank Francisco to contracts. Both are middle relievers. Both should be decent enough in Citi Field, even with the fences moved in, to get some decent prospects in return come July when every MLB team in the race is looking for bullpen upgrades. None of these moves made this offseason are for this year. They are stopgaps and plugs to bide time until Alderson's draft classes, and Matt Harvey, and some others are ready to help take the reigns of the future. Most of the veterans are pieces to be used in trades for prospects which will allow Mets ownership to breathe a little and regroup. The goal of the Mets is NOT to become the A's of the East. There is no way fans would pay to watch that and the Wilpon's are businessmen who are probably tired of losing money at this point. Having an empty new stadium is probably not on their list of things they want. <br />
<br />
Mets fans need to calm down and stop demanding Sandy Alderson's job already. He hasn't had a chance to execute his plan. Firing him now would only add years onto the Mets rebuilding plan and possibly destroy it. I'd have faith in a guy who found McGwire, Giambi, Tejada, Hudson, Mulder, and Chavez. Why wouldn't you?Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05613956074577564532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385821609399538721.post-86765252445394161422012-02-01T14:23:00.001-05:002012-02-01T14:23:13.326-05:00"Media" DayI don't understand the NFL's vetting process for Super Bowl media day. Seriously, who lets some of these people in? Do we really need to have Artie Lang asking Bill Belichick on how to fix the Minnesota Timberwolves? Or, reporters from EXTRA running around wearing Tom Brady jerseys? Just what NFL knowledge does Ciara bring to the event? Oh, she trains with the same trainer Tom Brady does? Or how about the crackpot asking Pats tight end Aaron Hernandez if he wants to hold his dragon? For the record, the man was talking about a dragon he was wearing around his neck. Was it necessary to ask Logan Mankins, an All-Pro guard for the Patriots, who would win an arm wrestling match between King Kong and Godzilla? Do Super Bowl fans really care if Wes Welker can name the cast of the "Jersey Shore"? Why are reporters, wearing outrageous costumes and asking questions that have nothing to do with the Super Bowl, allowed to do this? It's a side show that, in my opinion, cheapens the whole event. Does anybody really care about fictitious arm-wrestling match-ups? There is no reason for these questions. None. I understand that the Super Bowl is the NFL's biggest stage but don't make stooges out of the players by allowing Larry, Moe, and Curly in to interview the players. Do we really care, as NFL fans, what kind of dance moves Aaron Hernandez, a Puerto Rican, will do in response to Victor Cruz who has made the salsa dance part of his end zone routine? The answer, NFL, is no, nobody gives a damn. <br />
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Here is an idea...check out who you are giving the credentials to. If you aren't going to do that then I want a pass for next year's media day so I can interview the players for my blog. I promise I will ask only football questions. Can we begin to take the NFL's most serious football game a little more seriously? Keep the crackpots for the Pro Bowl where this kind of atmosphere can be accepted. Stop jerking real NFL fans around and don't waste the time of the players. I honestly can't blame Osi Umenyiora for skipping out, who really wants to deal with that crap. Now, seeing Marisol Gonzalez in attire more suitable for a call girl (see video<a href="http://deadspin.com/5881218/give-them-a-pretty-lady-in-a-tight-dress-and-reporters-at-media-day-become-comic+con-nerds"> here</a>) and Ines Sainz in tight fitting clothes isn't always a bad thing...but hey, they are foreign reporters and probably know more about football than most male reporters in their country. It's the guys wearing capes, the reporters asking King Kong questions, the "Jersey Shore" references, and the men with dragons around their necks. Enough already.Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05613956074577564532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385821609399538721.post-72141747576046512492012-02-01T03:00:00.002-05:002012-02-01T14:01:19.753-05:00Pretty CloseCall it insomnia or whatever, but I couldn't sleep last night and began flipping through some of this year's NFL Preview magazines. With the Super Bowl nearly upon us I wanted to see how their predictions fared and I was a little shocked to come across <i>The Sporting News</i> and their predictions. Going into the season not many people gave the Giants a shot but they did. Here's how they predicted:<br />
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AFC East<br />
1. Patriots<br />
2. Jets<br />
3. Dolphins<br />
4. Bills<br />
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AFC North<br />
1. Ravens<br />
2. Steelers<br />
3. Bengals<br />
4. Browns<br />
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AFC South<br />
<br />
1. Colts<br />
2. Texans<br />
3. Titans<br />
4. Jaguars<br />
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AFC West<br />
<br />
1. Chargers<br />
2. Raiders<br />
3. Chiefs<br />
4. Broncos<br />
<br />
NFC East<br />
1. Eagles<br />
2. Giants<br />
3. Cowboys<br />
4. Redskins<br />
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NFC North<br />
1. Packers<br />
2. Lions<br />
3. Bears<br />
4. Vikings<br />
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NFC South<br />
1. Falcons<br />
2. Buccaneers<br />
3. Saints<br />
4. Panthers<br />
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NFC West<br />
1. 49ers<br />
2. Rams<br />
3. Seahawks<br />
4. Cardinals<br />
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Not terrible. a few ones wrong, a few very nicely picked. Here is how their playoff match-ups unfolded:<br />
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Wild Card Games:<br />
Steelers over Chargers, Jets over Colts, Giants over 49ers (eerie they picked that these two teams would play each other, though two rounds early), Falcons over Buccaneers.<br />
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Divisional Games:<br />
Patriots over Jets, Ravens over Steelers, Giants over Eagles, Packers over Falcons.<br />
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Championship Games:<br />
Patriots over Ravens (nicely done) and Packers over Giants<br />
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Super Bowl:<br />
Packers over Patriots.<br />
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Well, we know now that the Packers won't repeat because the Giants beat them in the divisional round. I was a little shocked that they were the only magazine to pick the Giants for the playoffs, and to go deep into them as well. They nailed two matchups for the Giants on the head, just in the wrong round. I have to give a lot of credit to <i>The Sporting News</i> staff for picking the Giants and 49ers to make the playoffs when most had them written off.<br />
Paul Schwartz had this to say:<br />
<br />
"There are enough quality athletes and players at marquee positions for the Giants to contend once again for the playoffs. If they clean up the turnover sloppiness, their offense should have little problem moving up and down the field and finding the end zone. The defense can get to the passer up front but must find a linebacker to make plays.<br />
The Giants have stability at quarterback, which is always a plus, but Manning's offensive line--for so long a strength-- is banged up and in need of repair. Better overall depth is also needed, as the Giants have shown an alarming tendency to wear down late in the season, leading to swoons that are often costly." <br />
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I have to give a lot of credit to Schwartz here. He was pretty accurate in his assessment. The Giants made the playoffs because of their playmakers. They cleaned up the turnovers and moved the ball through the air like no other Giants offense in team history. The Giants got to the passer quite a bit and they struggled when their linebackers failed to make plays. Then, once the linebackers started to grasp the defensive playbook, the Giants began to win. These kids, and I will call them kids since they started 3 rookie linebackers at one point this season, took time to learn and once they did they showed a lot of promise. <br />
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They weren't perfect but I was surprised to see that any magazine picked the Giants for a bit of postseason glory. I was also surprised to see them pick the 49ers. Nice to see they had some confidence in that team.<br />
What was also surprising to me was their forgetting the Saints in the playoff picture. They went with the cool team from last year in the Buccaneers who fell on their face but who can blame them. The Bucs, like the Giants, missed the playoffs after going 10-6 last year in a tough division. Little did they know what was in store for them this year. Their pick of the Colts gets a pass because that was based purely on Peyton Manning playing. Without him, we saw what happened. The Colts now have the first pick in the draft and Peyton may or may not be leaving Indianapolis. Either way, Andrew Luck will be a Colt unless they pull off some crazy deal. Anyway, in a year barely anyone picked the Giants to make the playoffs, <i>The Sporting News</i> gets a ton of credit in my book because they came very close to getting the Super Bowl matchup right, and that was before free agency, and even before we knew there would be a season.Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05613956074577564532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385821609399538721.post-91815981337797064132012-01-30T13:33:00.000-05:002012-01-30T13:33:15.890-05:00Around the Leagues- The New York Knicks, despite all of the roster changes over the past year, are worse off now then they were before. There is no point guard, and even if Baron Davis comes back healthy I don't know if he is the answer. There is no defense, even with Tyson Chandler in the middle alleviating the one area that has plagued the Knicks since Patrick Ewing left, a big man who can play defense. Carmelo Anthony has not been the answer to compliment Amar'e Stoudemire. STAT has looked miserable since Melo arrived in New York and now rumors are out there, whether or not they are true, that Philadelphia is interested in trading for Stoudemire. This season has not gone as many Knicks fans hoped it would. They went to bed at night with dreams of an improved team ready to go deep in the playoffs. However, it looks like this team might not even make the playoffs. Coach Mike D'Antoni has to go. If for nothing else than to find someone who can coach defense, develop an offensive system that can distribute the ball to open scoring options, and pull this team out of a funk. D'Antoni is not that guy. He never wanted Melo. He wanted the younger kids like Danilo Gallinari, and a point guard that was thriving in his system like Raymond Felton. He now has Carmelo Anthony who would have been better off staying in Denver. Melo doesn't fit in the philosophy. D'Antoni's system is based on movement through the point guard, not the small forward. Look at Steve Nash in Phoenix. The guy won two MVP's under D'Antoni. Look at what Raymond Felton was doing before he was traded from New York. Now, the Knicks don't have Felton. They don't have Chauncey Billups, who was released for financial reasons. The Knicks don't have a point guard. Sure, Baron Davis is rumored to be a Knick but he has been injured since before they signed him and his road to recovery hasn't been as quick as some have hoped. Even if he does make it back there is no guarantee he will fit into D'Antoni's system. A quick look at the Knick point guard position will show you exactly what is wrong with this team. They don't have anyone able to create plays off the dribble. Toney Douglas is averaging 2.7 assists per game. Mike Bibby has looked old and confused at times. This is not a team. There doesn't seem to be a system in place that can work with these players. Exhibit A: The Knicks' performance against the Miami Heat. They launched 43 three-pointers. 43! They made 18 which is actually a nice percentage of 41.9% but the fact that they threw up that many three's in a game they lost only by 10 points is confusing. Hell, the Knicks were only down by four at half-time. Does that seem like a team that needed to toss up that many three's? Bill Walker led the team off the bench with 21 points in that game shooting 70% on his three pointers. He went 7-10 from three-point range. Toney Douglas went 4-8 from beyond the arc. It just doesn't make any sense. This team has talent. Loads of talent. Landry Fields is the kind of scrappy guy fans love. Tyson Chandler is a force in the middle, something the Knicks have lacked for years. Amar'e Stoudemire is a threat inside on offense. Melo is Melo and, when healthy, should be better than he has been this season which has still been good. Bill Walker is a perfect guy to come off the bench at any guard position. Iman Shumpert looks like he could be a very good player for a very long time. What's missing? A point guard. There is none. Toney douglas is NOT a starting point guard on any team in the NBA but the Knicks. Baron Davis should be the starting point guard but who knows when he comes back and what he has to offer. The Knicks should have signed Shane Battier this offseason. At least he would have offered defense and leadership on the floor. There is none right now. Not even on the bench in the suit. Is it too late to ask Jeff Van Gundy to come back? Time for the Knicks to bit the bullet, either they get players D'Antoni wants (not likely since they ignored him when they traded for Melo) or they fire their coach. Whatever they do they need to do it quickly.<div>
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<div>
- Great job by the NHL this past weekend with their skills competition. Adding in a little flare to attract some younger fans was a good thing. It has worked for the NBA with its Slam Dunk contest so bringing it in to the skills competition could only help a sport that has struggled to attract fans.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
- The New York Rangers were on full display at the NHL All-Star game. Marian Gaborik won the MVP and Dan Girardi became the first ever Rangers defenseman to score a goal in the All-Star game. Also, allowing the players to choose their team is a great idea. It can be fun for fans to see Marian Gaborik skating against Henrik Lundqvist and other stars against teammates. It is different and fresh which is exactly what the NHL needs to be.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
- The New York Yankees are reportedly interested in Bill Hall according to Ken Rosenthal on Twitter. Hall hit .211 last year with 2 home runs. He also plays multiple positions, ranging from 2nd, 3rd, and the outfield but he doesn't play any of them especially well. His best season came in 2006 when he his 35 homers, drove in 85, and hit .270. He is not that player anymore. He did hit 18 homers for Boston in 2010 but I am not a huge fan of this move. If this is Eric Chavez's replacement the Yankees are making the wrong move. Even with his DL time, Chavez is a huge improvement in the field over Hall at third, and is an all-around better hitter. Hall is a shell of the player he was years ago. Yes, there is some pop in the bat but he doesn't offer anything else. He doesn't hit for contact, doesn't walk a lot, strikes out a bunch, and doesn't play defense well. I'll take Chavez over Hall any day of the week, even if I know Chavez will miss a month with injury. With the 40-man roster full (Kevin Whelan was DFA'd to make room for Hiroki Kuroda last week) another move would have to be made if this a Major League deal. If this is a minor league deal then the move makes sense as no roster spot would have to be vacated unless Hall went with Yankees to New York at end of Spring Training. If this is a minor league deal then hard to argue with bringing in a veteran presence to push younger guys.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
- The NFL Pro Bowl is beginning to be even more irrelevant than it ever was. Seriously, it's not even football anymore. All it is is an offensive skills competition. There is no reason for the game to be played when it is. Who wants to see an all-star team that is missing the best players from the two teams in the Super Bowl anyway? Besides, it isn't like people can actually go to the Pro Bowl. It takes place in Hawaii. What the NFL should do is rotate where the game is played, kind of like what MLB, NBA, and NHL do and allow each NFL city to be rewarded with fanfests and other fun, interactive things with the games best. It feels so isolated being in Hawaii. Yes, it's nice for the players who get time in Hawaii with their families but only 48,423 were in attendance. The capacity for the game is 50,000. They need to move this game in order to breathe new life into it. It can't even sell out a college stadium? Bad news NFL. Revamp or die. You are the most popular sport in America right now, there is no reason the Pro Bowl shouldn't be sold out, or at least be near capacity at a PRO football stadium. Reward the fans of all of the cities who support their football teams, especially the ones that can't get the Super Bowl. Should the fans of the Patriots, Packers, Giants, Jets (I know MetLife will host one Super Bowl in 2014 but it may only be once), Oakland, San Francisco, etc, etc. Fans around the country who brave the elements to root for their favorite team should be given the chance to see the best the NFL has to offer and all of the fanfare that goes along with it. Imagine the Pro Bowl in Lambau. Cold, yes. Coll? You bet. They did play one game in Florida at Sun Life Stadium in 2009 and drew 70,000+ fans but it has been a Hawaii thing for the most part since 1979. If the NFL is worried about the cold then play the game in the middle of the season when the weather is more tolerable. I know the owners and players are worried about injuries but when was the last time you heard of anyone getting injured in the Pro Bowl? They barely tackle in the game for crying out loud. Not to mention there are special rules for the game to prevent injuries such as no blitzing, no rushing punts, field goals, or PAT's, intentional grounding is legal, and a bunch of others that protect players. Even if it stayed an end-of season- thing, then at least bring it around to all of the different venues of the NFL. Reward the fans, introduce some football history, and celebrate the game. Don't hide it in Hawaii and keep it as a reward for players only. Sure, a trip to Hawaii sounds great but if it weren't for the fans in Green Bay, New York, Chicago, Foxboro, etc, there would be no football.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
- The Mets are reportedly interested in OF Rick Ankiel. Ankiel, you may remember was the flame throwing pitcher who came up with the Cardinals, had a stellar second-half and was pegged as an ace of the future. Then, he couldn't find the strike zone, lost arm strength, and converted into a fairly successful outfielder. Ankiel makes sense for the Mets because he isn't expensive, plays both corners and can fill-in in center field, and isn't terrible at the plate. He won't be a star but he is serviceable. Serviceable is about all the Mets can afford these days anyway.</div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05613956074577564532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385821609399538721.post-37158890914940840762012-01-24T18:15:00.002-05:002012-01-24T18:15:31.965-05:00A Kingly sum for the Prince and Why I Hate This Move for TigersDetroit has a new first baseman, who looks a lot like an old first baseman from the early 1990's. Prince Fielder, son of Cecil Fielder, has signed with the Tigers for 9 years and $214 million. That's about a $23.4 million annual salary. First, many people were taken by surprise at Fielder's joining the Tigers. Especially with Miguel Cabrera at first base, few people expected the Tigers to even be in play despite losing Victor Martinez to a season-ending ACL injury before the Spring Training even began. Hell, I expected Fielder to end up with the Nationals, a team that could have had a shot at the playoffs had they added Prince.<br />
<br />
Now, Detroit will put Prince at first and move Miguel Cabrera to third. Their DH slot, which was supposed to be taken by Victor Martinez will probably go to Delmon Young, Brennan Boesch, Ryan Rayburn, or Don Kelly, or a combo of those guys. Their lineup will feature two of the most feared hitters in the game today in Prince and Miguel, with a solid surrounding cast. Delmon Young is pretty good and Rayburn and Boesch look like they may be decent regulars. They even have some good young pitchers with, obviously Justin Verlander, and Max Scherzer.<br />
<br />
However, and this is a big deal to me, why would the Tigers offer nine years to a position player who is close to 300 lbs? He will be 28 in May and is listed as 285 lbs. He has, probably 4 prime years left before a decline starts to happen. With his body, that decline could happen sooner, especially if he doesn't start to DH more in later years. It's not like he is a gold-glove first baseman either. Sure, he can make a play. Is he Mark Teixeira or Adrian Gonzalez, or Albert Pujols? Hell no. Was Miggy even a good defensive first baseman? Nope. He was so blah in the field at third he was moved to first. According to fangraphs.com, the last time Miggy played third was in 2007 and he ranked 16th out of 21 qualified third basemen on defense. Now you have two below average fielders at the corners and the defense up the middle is not the best in baseball either. Ramon Santiago is a good enough defensive second baseman but his range will be tested by the limited range of his first base partner. Jhonny Peralta has a decent bat but I'm not a huge fan of his in the field. Getting back to Prince's weight and body-type, let's not forget that his father, Cecil, was out of baseball after his age-34 season. Cecil also listed his playing weight at 230 lbs. That is 53 lbs lighter than his son is currently listed at for those keeping score at home. <br />
<br />
What if Miguel Cabrera can't play third? What then? Do he and Prince share first and DH duties? Then what do you do with Victor Martinez? trade him? There isn't a team in baseball that would take on V-Mart and his money since he can't catch anymore and was faking it at first base to begin with. We can't forget V-Mart signed a 4-year, $50 million contract before last season. there will still be two years remaining on that deal when he comes back in 2013. Ace Justin Verlander signed a 5-year, $80 million deal that will run out in three years. I can't fathom what the Tigers are thinking here.<br />
<br />
What makes all of this worse is the new Collective Bargaining Agreement that will levy huge fines, up to 50% of total payroll for being over the luxury tax limit two years in a row. That limit is $189 million right now. In three years the Tigers are going to be looking into dumping salaries, probably starting with Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez. Cabrera signed an 8-year $153.3 million deal prior to the 2008 season. He will be a free agent after the 2015 season. Maybe the Tigers plan is to let Cabrera and Martinez walk and to re-sign Verlander and have a team of Verlander and Prince and a bunch of young kids or veteran cast-offs. I just can't picture how signing Prince Fielder does anything positive for the Tigers in the long-term. In the short-term they might be able to outslug a few teams and their lineup will be scary in a short playoff series for the next couple of years but their corner defense is now atrocious and it will only get worse next season when they need to find at bats for Miggy, Prince, and Martinez who all play the same position. I sincerely doubt Cabrera will be at third beyond this year. <br />
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Wow, Detroit, wow. Short-sighted. I don't see the long-term benefit for the ballclub. Not at all. Oh, and don't expect the Yankees to jump in and rescue you. Maybe the Dodgers would take Miguel Cabrera to play first after new ownership settles in since James Loney isn't a long-term solution there and the Tigers will more than likely have to eat a large portion of anyone's salary who they want to trade. Why wouldn't a team demand that? They have the Tigers by the toe.Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05613956074577564532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385821609399538721.post-55483925864789784432012-01-24T17:26:00.001-05:002012-01-24T17:26:27.453-05:00What a Ride...A confession of sortsFirst, for those of you who don't know me, I am a New York Giants fan. This season has been one of the most amazing I can remember, probably more so than the 2007 season. I went from being down about the season after all of the injuries and free agent losses, to getting on board the Jerry Reese wagon and buying into the fact that this team was good. Then, the Giants hit a bump and I got off the playoff wagon, as I am apt to do when I see my team losing, it is more frustration than anything else. I am one of the idiots that called for Tom Coughlin's firing. yes, I admit it. I went on Facebook and Twitter and called for Coughlin's firing. I forgot the team was dealing with injuries and playing some of the best teams in football at the same time. I became upset and downtrodden when the Saints absolutely crushed the Giants. To be honest, the Giants did look lost. Stupid penalties were occurring, misreads, broken coverages, the list goes on. It looked like the team was in chaos. <br />
<br />
I couldn't have been further from the truth. Look, Tom Coughlin is no evil genius like that former Giants defensive coordinator who liked to video his opponents practices in New England is made out to be. No, Tom Coughlin is one of the better coaches the Giants have ever had and he does it by, of all things, staying level. Sure, we make fun of Coughlin for his screaming rants at refs and his emotions he lets out during games. Most of that is media-driven. After all, what coach doesn't? Through the injuries and the losing streak where it looked like the Giants would never win another game again I bought into the distress. It was hard not to. <br />
<br />
Football is the only sport I can't be even-keeled in. I can deal with a 10 game losing streak of the Yankees. I can deal with the Rangers going on a losing streak. Yes, they all suck. However, losing a football game is like a 10 game losing streak in and of itself. I look forward to the game all week and when I see my team perform poorly it makes me mad. I would love to get paid to get angry on a field and hit some folks (okay, so I might get killed but that's not the point). There are few football fans out there who don't live and die each Sunday with their team.<br />
<br />
Back in August, I defended Eli Manning for his "Yes, I am elite" comments because I knew he had the talent. Back in November and early December, I still backed Eli but I was down on Coughlin and Perry Fewell. I saw nothing but the loss. Nothing else. I couldn't. I wear my heart on my sleeve when it comes to the Giants. Most Giants fans do. I shouldn't have thought that the Giants were out of it at any point but I did, most people did. Newspapers were speculating about who the next coach of the Giants was going to be. Hot seat couldn't be mentioned on pre-game shows without Tom's name being brought up. <br />
<br />
After the Saints loss I was beginning to think about next year. A year which would feature a Giants secondary with their best cornerback back in the lineup in Terrell Thomas. A year where Prince Amukamara would have a full camp. Where the rookie linebackers like Greg Jones, Mark Herzlich, and Joaquin Williams would have a year of experience and a full camp under their belt. Next year was looking pretty good. Little did I know that next year doesn't enter the minds of the Giants, or any football team for that matter. It just doesn't. If there is a way there has to be a will to go with it.<br />
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Let me be clear, I never stopped rooting for the Giants. Not when they have gone 4-12, 7-9, 6-10, or any other record they have sported in the twenty-six years I have been a fan. I just wallowed in the muck that comes with getting blown out and losing ugly. The Redskins game in December threw me over the edge. Nothing the Giants did was right and I really began to question if the Giants had any heart. They did. It was on display the next two weeks and then again against the Falcons, the Packers, and the 49ers. This team won't quit. And, I apologize for ever thinking they had. Oh, and I still think the Giants will be a better team next season, even if they do win the Super Bowl this season.Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05613956074577564532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385821609399538721.post-40086474427408216402012-01-18T15:16:00.005-05:002012-01-18T15:16:59.787-05:00Top 10 Yankee Prospects Revised<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Yankees traded their top prospect, Jesus Montero,
late last week for Michael Pineda and Jose Campos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That has reordered the top prospect list for
the Yankees so I figured I would publish a new, updated one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m no expert but here goes anyway:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Manny
Banuelos, LHP – His stats from last year, <span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black;">6-7, 3.75ERA, 129.2IP, 71BB, 125K, .266BAA</span>, are not
exactly great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His walks were way
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He began the year with a nice
showing in Spring Training and ended the year at AAA Scranton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He projects as a top of the rotation starter
and nothing has changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He should be
ready for the big leagues next year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This year he will fine-tune his repertoire in Scranton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is possible the Yankees promote him,
either a spot start due to injury to their rotation or later in the year as a
September call-up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will be 21 in
March so there is no need to rush him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dellin Betances, RHP – Like Banuelos,
Betances’ walks were up big time last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His stats from AA and AAA last year, 4-9, 3.70ERA, 126.1IP, 70BB, 142K,
.217BAA</span>, are pretty solid, except for the walks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he learns to control the zone he could be
an amazing pitcher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His batting average
against is superb, as is his strikeout rate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s the walks that have been a problem with Betances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He got his taste of the Major Leagues last
year and struggled a little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is hard
to expect a lot from a kid who is just going to be 24 years old in March.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like Banuelos, the Yankees don’t feel like
they need to rush him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will spend the
year at AAA and should make another cameo. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gary Sanchez, C – I believe the attitude
problems that he exhibited last year are behind him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is very young and expects to be
great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he struggled last year he
became frustrated and reacted poorly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Yankees handled him correctly and he came back mashing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could very easily vault to the number one
slot on this list by next year if he has a good year. He managed to hit .256,
17 homers, 26 doubles, and drive in 52 runs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His defense isn’t that great and is a work in progress, kind of like
Montero.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the Yankees feel
confident now that he will take to catching and at least be serviceable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also said the same about Montero.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wouldn’t be shocked if he made it to Single
A Tampa this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’ll probably
start at Low-A Charleston but could easily move up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is still just 19 years-old.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mason Williams, OF – Williams reminds me a
little of Austin Jackson, without all the strikeouts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He seemed to put it all together last year,
hitting .349, 11 doubles, 6 triples, three homers, and stole 28 bases while
driving in 31.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he has another very
good year I will find it hard not to move him up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can see Williams becoming the Yankees
center fielder in three years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe
less.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year he should start in
Tampa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know if the Yankees will
move him up to AA unless he goes bonkers in Tampa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no need to rush him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He will be 21 in August.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dante Bichette, Jr., 3B – A lot of MLB
Draftniks scratched their head when the Yankees chose Bichette so high (their
first pick in the draft, 2<sup>nd</sup> round).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well, Bichette went nuts last year, hitting .335 with 17 doubles, 3
triples, 4 homers, and drove in 48.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not
bad at all for his first taste of pro ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What surprised me were his 3 triples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After the Yankees drafted him I heard the only great thing about
Bichette was his power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, apparently
the kid can hit all around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will only
improve on those power numbers as he develops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Remember, this kid went from high school to pro ball and put up those
numbers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honestly, I don’t know enough
about his defense yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will be 20 in September.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can see him starting the year at Staten
Island and moving up to Single A Tampa.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">6.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Austin Romine, C – I have him this high
because he is very close to becoming a Major Leaguer and made his debut last
season with the Yankees, collecting 3 hits in 19 at-bats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He struggled in the Majors but you have to
expect some growing pains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides, he
has never been touted to be an offensive threat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will, however, be a very good Major League
catcher and could hit occasionally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
I like about Romine is he is better than Francisco Cervelli right now, both
offensively and defensively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Romine will
finally get a full year at AAA with Montero now gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last year he hit .279 with 13 doubles and 6
homers and drove in 48.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The defense is
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The offense might come soon, or
it might not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, at worst, the
Yankees have a back-up catcher in Romine that won’t embarrass you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At best he is their starting catcher in a
couple of years.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">7.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jose Campos, RHP – Campos, as most of you
know, was acquired as part of the Montero trade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His numbers in Low-A ball are pretty sick, 5-5,
2.32ERA, 81.1IP, 13BB, 85K, .214BAA</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I wrote a little about him in the trade blog post so I won’t go crazy
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He needs some work but has an
electric fastball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can see him
starting the year in Staten Island or Tampa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He will be just 20 in July so there is plenty of time for him to develop
his other pitches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every time I read
something on him the more I think he will end up in the bullpen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can see him as a closer candidate down the
line.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">8.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adam Warren, RHP – Warren might be ready for
the Majors right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doesn’t possess
overpowering stuff but pitches to contact and has seen some success from that
formula.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pitched to a 6-8, 3.60ERA,
152.1IP, 53BB, 111K, .249BAA</span> line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was surprised the Yankees didn’t give him a taste of the Majors last
season which leads me to believe the Yankees don’t think he can be any more
than a fifth starter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can see him
going on to have similar Major League success to Jake Westbrook.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">9.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ravel Santana, OF – I wanted to put Santana
ahead of Warren but Santana is a ways away from making the Majors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is a toolsy kind of outfielder and I’m not
a huge fan of toolsy guys in the lower minors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He posted a stat line of .296, 11(2B), 3(3B), 9HR, 29RBI, 10SB</span>
and struck out 40 times in 185 plate appearances while walking only 17
times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s 40 strikeouts in 41 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m interested to see how he develops outside
of the Dominican Summer League.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The above
stats are from his first stateside action in the Rookie Gulf Coast League.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can see Santana getting to Charleston this
year but I don’t think he will get to Staten Island or Tampa…not yet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Slade Heathcott, OF – The only thing Slade
has known in his life is adversity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From
off the field to on the field he has battled problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was an alcoholic and the Yankees had to
step in and get him help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was deemed
to have attitude problems but he is maturing now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, his biggest problem is injury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His right shoulder has had two surgeries now
and has sapped a lot of his arm strength.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He seemed to finally be putting it together when he went down with the
shoulder injury last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He posted a
batting line of .279, 11(2B), 4(3B), 5HR, 17RBI</span> which were all
improvements over the previous season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He had 5 homers across 2 levels in 53 games when the year prior he only
had 2 homers in 76 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His batting
average climbed and he was hitting for more power all around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, there are a few red flags about
Slade that caused me to place him at number 10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>First, he strikes out a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Second, his injury history is beginning to get serious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Third, he has speed but has not shown an
adeptness for stealing bags, getting caught 7 times last year while only
stealing 6.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I used to be a huge fan of
Slade’s, and I guess I still am, if only because I root for him to overcome
adversity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this point, I am beginning
to wonder if he will make the Major Leagues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He needs to stay healthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He might
start in Tampa where he appeared in 1 game before the injury occurred, or he
could go back to Charleston to get his confidence up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be interesting to see how the Yankees
develop him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will be 21 this season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">10A. J.R.
Murphy, C – Another one of the Yankee catchers who can hit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Yankees have played him in the outfield
at the corners and at first and third base.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, they say they are committing him to catcher more this year
after he made improvements defensively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He is finally starting to hit, posting </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt; line-height: 115%;">.</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">287, 29(2B), 7HR, 46RBI</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those doubles should turn into more homers as
he fills out his frame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is still
young, he won’t turn 21 until May, so there is plenty of time for him to
develop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can see him becoming a solid
catcher or corner outfielder/infielder in the Majors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gave him the 10A spot because I am not so
sure about Heathcott these days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has
to prove he can stay healthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Murphy
could catapult to the top five with a strong showing this year in Tampa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can see him moving up to Trenton if he does
well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05613956074577564532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3385821609399538721.post-24198946428820480462012-01-15T14:32:00.003-05:002012-01-15T14:32:55.920-05:00Mets Top Five Prospects<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’ve done the Yankees Top prospect list, a list
which now needs to be revised with the subtraction of Jesus Montero and the
addition of Jose Campos, but I figured I would do a top prospect list for the
New York Mets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For years the Mets farm
system has suffered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, there is
David Wright and Jose Reyes and Mike Pelfrey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, for every one of those players there is a Fernando Martinez, an
Alex Ochoa, and an Alex Escobar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
same can be said for a lot of teams minor league systems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, here is a look at the Mets Top Five
Prospects:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matt
Harvey, RHP – Harvey is the closest thing to being a big arm ready for the big
leagues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He made it as far as AA last
season, where he should start again this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He didn’t have a great year at AA Binghamton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He walked 23 batters in 59.2 innings at AA compared
to walking only 24 in 76 innings at A Port St. Lucie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will be 23 in March and should make it to
AAA at some point this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
watching the Mets rush other prospects to the Majors and stunt their
development it is essential that the Mets promote Harvey at his own pace, not
the pace the Mets want, like what happened with Fernando Martinez.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Arms are a finicky sort of thing and the Mets
would do well to let Harvey develop and not rush him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has a very good fastball and a pretty
decent slider.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His change-up is still a
work in progress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he can’t get his
change-up to develop or has trouble bringing a third pitch with him to the
Majors then the Mets have the makings of a darn good closer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I project him to be a top of the rotation
guy, somewhere around a #2 starter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Zack
Wheeler, RHP – Wheeler was the prize of the Carlos Beltran trade with San
Francisco.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will be 22 in May and
features a 93-96 MPH fastball, a very good curveball that sits in the 70’s, and
a change-up that needs a lot of work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His control has been a big issue as he advances. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He walked just under 5 men per nine innings
last season (4.7) for his career.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
stuff is there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He, like Harvey, needs time
to develop a third pitch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has yet to
pitch above A ball but should see time in AA this year if he doesn’t start out
there to begin with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I project him as a
#2 type starter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not quite ace material,
unless his change-up develops and his curveball finds the plate with more
consistency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Personally, I think he
needs to learn how to pitch a bit more instead of throw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he doesn’t develop a third pitch he will
be like Harvey, a closer type pitcher.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandon
Nimmo, OF – He was the Mets first-round draft pick last season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is fresh out of high school and the Mets
had to really do their scouting to find him since he didn’t play high school
baseball and instead played in American Legion games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nimmo is an interesting case because there
was a complete lack of a hard-core scouting report on him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has the tools though and I think he might
be able to finally break the Mets failures with toolsy outfielders like Alex
Ochoa, Alex Escobar, and Fernando Martinez.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He will need a lot of time in the minor leagues but that is not a bad
thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have him rated so high because
I truly believe the Mets have their starting right fielder, or even center
fielder of the future in Nimmo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will
just have to wait and see what this Wyoming kid can do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t go off of his stats from his first taste
of rookie ball last season but he did display some power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will need to learn patience at the plate,
having struck out 14 times in 44 plate appearances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the Mets rush him they should fire the
entire team…everyone associated with the Mets would need to be let go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This kid needs time to develop and you might
not see him in Queens for five years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes good things are worth waiting for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jenrry
Mejia, RHP – Mejia was high on most Mets top prospect lists heading into last
season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Mets should have been jailed
for the way they handled him, having him bounce between starting and
relieving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He went down for Tommy John
surgery last year and will have a long road to recovery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Mets need to stop dicking this kid around
and either make him a starter or a reliever and stick to that plan. I would
prefer to see him as a starter since good bullpen help is easier to find.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he flames out as a starter THEN and only
then do you make him a reliever and see what he has to offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact that he was in the Big Leagues at 20
years old in 2010 is more of testament to the Mets not having good enough
prospects at the high levels and their impatience when it comes to developing
prospects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know he pitched well at AAA
but there was no reason to take one of your top prospects as a starter and then
make him relieve just because you felt he could succeed there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2010, he went from Rookie A ball all the
ay to the Majors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That makes no
sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No wonder the kid blew his arm
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He started at every level in the
minors and then became a reliever in the Majors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once the Mets figure out where he belongs
then they need to let him develop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
was no need to rush this kid to the Majors and yet they did it anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could be an ace if he develops fully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or, he could be a closer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Mets starting pitching has been atrocious
lately and having a young trio of Mejia, Harvey, and Wheeler anchoring the
rotation in 2014 is a good thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cesar
Puello, OF – Stop me if you’ve heard the one about the toolsy Mets outfield
prospect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Puello is another one of these
guys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does he have the tools?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, they are there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He can steal bases, having stolen 45 in 55
attempts at A Savannah in 2010.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He can
hit for some power, he hit 10 homers at Port St. Lucie last season in 441
at-bats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has been able to hit for
average as well, posting a .305 mark in 2008, a .296 mark in 2009, and a .292
mark in 2010.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, once he got to
higher A ball his average plummeted to .259 last season and his strikeouts went
through the roof, whiffing 103 times in 441 at-bats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot of scouts like him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scouts love tools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can he be good?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Certainly, he won't even be 21 until April.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Do the Mets have a track record developing tools guys?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If the Mets don’t rush him like Fernando Martinez he might learn to
adjust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Learning to adjust is the one
tool no scout marks down on his pad and if he can’t do that then none of the
other tools really matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05613956074577564532noreply@blogger.com0