07/31/08

Two days in a row, can you believe it?

Leading Off
-Fishing is the biggest participant sport in the world.


Free Throws
(It’s baseball trade deadline day today, so I’m looking at all the trades (that matter).)

MLB
-Ken Griffey, Jr. after 9 seasons of service with the Reds, has now left Cincinnati. He now joins a Chicago team that has won a World Series in the past 100 years. Griffey brings his 608 career home runs to the ChiSox, as they look to make a run for their 2nd World Championship in four years. Moving from the Sox to the Reds is pitcher Nick Masset and second baseman Danny Richar, needless to say that neither of them top the depth chart at their position. Griffey is basically a rental player, but could be with the White Sox for the 2009 season if he elects to use his contract option. Griffey brings with him his $13M/year contract, more than 16 times what Masset and Richar make combined!

-I hate these 3-team deals, so confusing, so I’ll just go over what each team got. First off we’ll start with the biggest name and that’s Manny Ramirez, who now moves his side show to the 2nd biggest market in sunny L.A. It’s no secret that “Manny being Manny” has grown tiresome to some in the BoSox organization. Manny, despite growing older with every swing of the bat, still maintains a high batting average and good power numbers. Manny always finds time to high five fans in the crowd, as well as place calls from his cubby in the green monster. Some don’t appreciate his foolishness, others are willing to look the other way as long is he delivers. Personally I would rather him take the game more seriously, but how can you argue with a .312 career average and 510 home runs. The Dodgers are one of many teams this year to put the “World Series or bust” tattoo on their forehead. The Dodgers lost a couple of prospects in the deal, so only time will tell if this pays off for the Dodgers.

-I’m sorry but the only upside I see in this deal for the Pirates is that now Andy LaRoche gets to play with his brother Adam. Bryan Morris was a first round draft pick, but after going through Tommy John surgery, he’s fallen off the table faster than a nasty curve. Andy LaRoche is a nice guy to fill a hole, but a former 21st round draft pick isn’t going to cover up the hole left by Jason Bay.

-Finally we get to the Red Sox, who won this trade in my opinion. They got Manny out of Boston and brought in a player who actually has very comparable stats to a young Manny Ramirez. Of course we don’t know how Bay will develop, but he’s Canadian, so what’s the worst that could happen. Bay is only 30 years old compared with a 36-year old, Ramirez. Manny Ramirez is also worth $19M per year, (a number which is frowned upon in the Marlins organization), while Bay is only making $6M. it’s just my opinion, but I think the Pirates got fleeced.


Daily Dose
Los Angeles Angels @ New York Yankees (As a rule I don’t encourage people to watch Yankee games, but hey, it’s “Pudge” Rodriguez’ debut)