Open Thread: Not A-Rod for a few hours

by 226 Comments

Dispensing with the who, what and when of it all
Bud Selig, knight clown in shining armor

I need a PED break for a few hours. As hard as we’ve fought to find other news, Yankee Universe has been subsumed by Alex Rodriguez and his failed drug test from 2003. I hear he strangles dolphins with his bare hands as well.

Anyway, for your open thread tonight, let’s do a little link-o-rama. Mostly, these are interesting posts outside the realm of the Yanks, but I’ll lead it off with some Bronx-inspired hits.

That’s all I have for now. After a few days off, the Knicks are hosting San Antonio, and the Nets are in Houston tonight. The Devils are skating in Florida. Play nice.

Dispensing with the who, what and when of it all
Bud Selig, knight clown in shining armor
  • http://thejoeyhshow.blogspot.com/ Joey H

    Manny made Ortiz famous.

    • Mike Pop

      I will be talking about this on my show later tonight…..

      • Mike Pop

        Just messing around with ya man.

        • http://thejoeyhshow.blogspot.com/ Joey H

          You’re just jealous.

    • El Generalissimo
      • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

        Damn, dude took so much steroids, he changed his last name to try and throw the feds off his trail!

        • Mike Pop

          Arias? Noone knows that that means, scholars maintain that the translation was lost hundreds of years ago.

      • Mike R.

        That’s back when his nicknames were ” Slim Papi” and “That guy that sucks”.

  • Kilgore Trout

    Does anyone know the deadline for 81game season ticket holders to pay up?

  • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

    I hear he strangles dolphins with his bare hands as well.

    Baby ones. After he rapes them. And after he’s done strangling them, he rapes them again.

    • Mike R.

      Well humans and dolphins are the only animals that have sex for pleaure. The man knows his zoology.

    • steve (different one)

      plus, i heard he only does the male dolphins.

      NTTAWWT

  • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

    Eric Gagne signed a Minor League deal with the Brewers today.

    http://www.theonion.com/content/news_briefs/terry_francona_sends_eric

  • Ben C

    any links on the kinds of concessions that will be at the new stadium?

    • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

      Steroid and hormone enhanced beef and pork products.

      • John

        what about the vegetarians?

        • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

          Steroid and hormone enhanced salads.

  • pat

    Shea is pretty much in complete rubble except for one ramp section to the upper deck, it is a wondeful sight to behold.

    • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

      “Shea is pretty much in complete rubble…”

      … just like the Mets.

      http://www.instantrimshot.com

    • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

      It’s kind of sad. Spent lots of time in that place as kid.

      • Mike R.

        I agree. It is sad that you spent a lot of time there as a kid. Maybe therapy can help you defeat those demons.

      • Mike Pop

        Me too, you could see the ballgame well from pretty much anywhere you sat in the park. But, I really don’t care too much about it being knocked down.

    • http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

      I hate Shea.

      • Artist formerly known as ‘The’ Steve

        Yeah, I like progress more than sitting around reflecting. The new places are both SO gorgeous, the old ones will be a distant memory very quickly.

  • Mike Pop

    No matter what that article says, I still don’t think that they are a better team without Manny. Also, they seem a bit too confident but that is understandable.

  • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
  • screens

    does anybody know whats going on with the white screens in the stadium?

    • Mike Pop

      I would think you would know what is going on with the screens yourself, Mr. screens.

    • Mac

      Future Advertising.

  • Yankeegirl49

    Would someone like to join me on another forum and help me with another Joba debate before I go postal? LOL

    • Mike Pop

      You cannot use common sense to “prove” anything to a B-Jobber.

      • Yankeegirl49

        You cant use stats and facts either!

        • Artist formerly known as ‘The’ Steve

          If that’s the case, then just point at them and laugh.

    • Thomas

      What debate? Whether he is our #4 or #5 starter?

      • Yankeegirl49

        LOL..THAT would be easier!

  • Chofo

    Sorry fro going back to the press conference. Do you know that in the Dominican “cousin” or “primo” (in spanish) is not only the son of your aunts and uncles? Actually you callthat way a pal.

    Enrique Rojas from ESPN Deportes, who knows many of Arod´s pals, doesn´t know any cousin close to him. http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/blogs/index?entryID=776494&name=enrique_rojas

    • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

      AROD YOU ARE TEH LYING BASTARD!!!!!!!11!!!1!1!!11!!111!!!!!!

      Mike Francesa is gonna be ALL OVER THAT SHIT tomorrow.

      • Thomas

        No, he still too distraught over McClouth’s long term deal.

    • Steve H

      Maybe before David Ortiz was David Arias he was David Rodriguez, Alex’s cousin that he spoke of today.

  • Mike Pop

    Man, another huge NBA deal has got to go down soon. So many rumors, someone has to get traded. VC, Amare, or Antwan Jamison.

  • Mike Pop
    • A.D.

      Cash needs to trade him

    • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

      I assume the bag is full of super secret Angels game plan info that will help the Yanks finally beat that damn team.

      • steve (different one)

        he actually has Chone Figgins in the bag

        • Mike Pop

          I wish.

    • http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

      Now he’ll never be a true Yankee.

    • Artist formerly known as ‘The’ Steve

      That’s OK, as long as he has Mike Scioscia’s testicles in there.

      • Steve H

        Or the winning formula known as small ball. Just like that spectacular squeeze they attempted against the Sox in October.

        • pat

          BBBBUT VARITEK DROPPED TEH BALL!!!!!

        • Artist formerly known as ‘The’ Steve

          I’ll have you know Mike Scioscia is very sensitive about people referring to his testicles as “small ball”. And he’s doesn’t like them squeezed, either. Hurts like a sumbitch.

          • Steve H

            Scioscia must have been a juicer too, hence the small balls.

            • Mike Pop

              You Steve’s never cease to amaze me.

  • Rich

    Why don’t they pass to Gallinari more?

    • Artist formerly known as ‘The’ Steve

      Anti-Italian racism.

    • http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

      Because everyone involved is a strunz.

      • whozat

        Started watching The Sopranos recently; I _finally_ figured out what my great uncles have been saying all these years!

        • http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

          I got it from “The Godfather;” Sonny says it when he tells Clemenza to kill Paulie.

  • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

    Is Tim Duncan the most underrated player in team sports? He’s a lock top-ten guy of all time, but I think hardly anybody actually puts him in the top ten.

    • http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

      I hear that.

    • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

      Top ten of all-time? Really? I don’t doubt you, I know very little about basketball. I know Tim Duncan is a great player, but I didn’t think he was that great.

      • Mike Pop

        You prove his point.

      • http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/group.php?gid=43434432275 Jim

        The NHL Center Ice Package is free this week if you have Time Warner cable, FYI.

      • Steve H

        #1 Power Forward of all time. Definite top 10. Bill Simmons did a quick breakdown of Duncan’s career broken into 3 or 4 parts. He is ridiculously consistent, which I think leads to him being underrated. He just does the same (great) thing day in and day out, season after season.

        • Mike Pop

          But Kidd deserved MVP that year Duncan won it.

          • Steve H

            I’m sure Duncan would gladly give up his MVP for one of Kidd’s 4 rings. Oops, nevermind

            • Mike Pop

              Ha, but Kidd did deserve it. Turned the Nets around and brought them to the Finals. Just made them a team again. Not to mention had a great year.

              • Steve H

                Yeah, it’s surprising Kidd never did win one, especially considering Nash won two, and isn’t half the player Kidd was in their respective primes.

                • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

                  And especially considering that both of those two Nash MVP’s were “Nate McLouth wins a Gold Glove”-ian hackjobs.

                • Mike Pop

                  Him and K-Mart were some duo. Kittles and RJ were great role players too. But playing the Lakers and Spurs in consecutive years, you need a little better team to go against those two teams back then.

          • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

            Tim Duncan 2001-2002 (MVP)
            82 games, 40.6 mpg, 25.5 ppg, 12.7 rpg, 3.7 apg, .506 fg%, 2.5 bpg, 3.2 topg
            Jason Kidd 2001-2002
            82 games, 37.3 mpg, 13.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 9.9 apg, .391 fg%, 2.1 spg, 3.5 topg

            Tim Duncan 2002-2003 (MVP)
            81 games, 39.3 mpg, 23.3 ppg, 12.9 rpg, 3.9 apg, .513 fg%, 2.9 bpg, 3.1 topg
            Jason Kidd 2002-2003
            80 games, 37.4 mpg, 18.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 8.9 apg, .414 fg%, 2.2 spg, 3.7 topg

            Meh, it’s pretty close, but I’d probably give both MVP’s to Duncan. If you gave that second one to Kidd, I wouldn’t complain, but personally I’d vote for Duncan both times.

            • Mike Pop

              He brought them from the cellar of the NBA to a Championship caliber team. He made everyone much better, I hear ya that it was very close but I think Kidd deserved it for what he did in New Jersey.

            • Steve H

              As much as I respect Kidd’s game (he himself is a douche), I can’t see an MVP with a 39% or 41% shooting %, even if scoring was low on his list of things to do, those are still piss poor shooting #’s.

              • Mike Pop

                Guess you got a point.

    • Steve H

      Another thing that pisses me off regarding Duncan was when Ben Wallace was in his prime and mentioned as an MVP candidate due to defense and rebounding. The only problem was that Duncan was just as good defensively as Wallace, but also a top notch offensive player. The fact that Duncan is so well rounded underrates him to a point. Much like Manny is called the best RH hitter of all time, etc, it’s only because he excels only in hitting. Pujols and A-Rod can lay claim to being just as good a hitter as Manny, but they don’t get labeled as great hitters, they are labeled as great players, because they do other things well.

  • mustang

    Are Knicks in any rumors? If so what?

    • Mike Pop

      Been linked to Amare but the Suns owner said stop asking, because you(Knicks) will never get him. Because of Mikey D.

      • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

        Thank god. Donnie Walsh would never take on Amare’s awful contract. He’s been working like hell to clear space for LeBron, he’s not going to blow it on a horribly overrated player with an albatross contract like Stoudamire.

        Amare is the new Stephon Marbury.

        • Mike Pop

          Doesn’t he become a free agent the same time as Lebron? I don’t fully understand the cap in the NBA but I thought Amare wouldn’t be a problem when talking about going after Lebron. Doesn’t matter anyways, Knicks aren’t getting Lebron. They will get something but not Lebron. He’s going to team up with Jay-Z.

          • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

            Doesn’t he become a free agent the same time as Lebron? I

            Probably, but not definitely.

            Amare has a player option for 2010-2011. He can decline it and become a FA for the summer of Bron, or he can exercise it and pocket another 17M for that year.

            In any event, I want no parts of Amare. He, and his teammate Steve Nash, are the two of the five worst defensive players in the history of the league (the other three being Dirk Nowitzki, Eddy Curry, and George Gervin).

            • Mike Pop

              Dirk is my favorite player, and boy he is bad at defense.

          • Nady Nation

            You can’t seriously believe that LeBron would be willing to spend his prime in East Rutherford, right next to NYC and the Mecca of basketball, all because he’s boys with Jay-Z.

            • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

              Furthermore, seeing as how they haven’t even finalized financing or project scope, much less dug a single shovelful of dirt yet, I’d hold off on the idea that they Nets are moving to Brooklyn anytime soon. Especially in the midst of a worldwide credit crisis and an economic downturn.

              I’d put the real-world ETA on the Atlantic Yards project at about 2014 at the earliest. And that assumes that no shifts in city/state politics occur in the interim that would derail approval, which also isn’t a given.

              The Yankees and Mets were lucky, they beat the clock.

              • Mike Pop

                Why not? They could have a real good team in the next couple years. Couple more lottery picks with Devin Harris, add Lebron to that mix……Championship! Also it is more realistic that the Nets have a solid team when Bron hits FA, not a pipe dream like the Knicks who have to sign 2 top FA’s to be contenders.

    • Nady Nation

      The best total unsubstantiated rumor I saw was the following:

      Knicks send David Lee, Malik Rose and Jared Jeffries to the Bulls for Tyrus Thomas and Larry Hughes.

      I know most Knick fans would have trouble coming to grips with dealing Lee, but I would do this deal in about 3 seconds. I think Tyrus Thomas would be just as good as Lee in D’Antoni’s system, but more importantly, we’d get Jared Jeffries off the cap for 2010, which is a HUGE perk in this trade. Hughes and TT both come off the books after ’09-’10 as well.

      • http://liberalmusings.wordpress.com Pablo Zevallos

        I’d ask for a pick in that deal.

        • Nady Nation

          That’s being greedy. They’re gonna have to give Lee big money to retain him, plus they’re taking on Jeffries’ putrid contract.

        • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

          I’d ask for two picks in that deal. Lee >>>>> Tyrus Thomas. And, Jared Jeffries’s contract isn’t that bad of an albatross: come the summer of 2010, he’ll only have one year left on his deal; his expiring contract + Eddy Curry’s expiring contract can be used in a sign-and-trade for whomever Lebron chooses to be his wingman.

          That trade doesn’t present enough of a return on Lee to be worthwhile.

          When Donnie took over, we had 4 bad contracts that went past the Summer of Bron (Randolph, Crawford, Curry, and Jeffries); we didn’t need to dump all four, just two of them. Walsh already dumped the two biggest and worst contracts (Randolph and Crawford).

          We’re good.

          • http://liberalmusings.wordpress.com Pablo Zevallos

            I’m not so sure about that contracts thing: http://tinyurl.com/aswje5

            • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

              Hmm, interesting. I anticipated the cap going down a bit but didn’t know about the “phantom players” thing.

              Sheridan is still leaving out my concept of using the Curry and Jeffries deals as chips for a sign and trade IN the summer of 2010 rather than before, though. I think that would work, but perhaps I’ll need to re-evaluate.

              • http://liberalmusings.wordpress.com Pablo Zevallos

                Or, like he says, trade Nate + Curry/Jeffries while Nate is at sky-high value

                • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

                  Yeah, I could see that. As much as I like Nate, I anticipated moving him at some point. My plan was always:

                  Lee at 11.0M
                  Chandler at 2.1M
                  Gallinari at 3.4M
                  2009 1st round pick at 3.0M
                  =19.5M – 55M (my 2010 cap guesstimate) = 35.5M

                  35.5M = 17-19M AAV for Lebron + 16.5-18.5M AAV for Bosh (or Wade, or Joe Johnson, or heaven forbid Amare)

                  therefore,
                  Curry’s expiring 11.2M + Jeffries expiring 6.8M = whomever we want to sign and trade for Bron-Bron’s running mate, with plenty of cap room left for Lebron’s max deal

                  =

                  LeBron, Bosh, Lee, Chandler, Gallinari, and draft pick X all fit under the cap.

                  The phantom players may make me recalibrate that.

                • andrew

                  :/ …. i dont know if i’m comfortable with a 6 man roster…

          • Nady Nation

            I think Lee is overrated, personally. I like him a lot, but he’s just an embarrassing defender and really can’t match up against any of the league’s top 4’s. Ideally, he’d be a 6th man on a good team. I do have complete faith in Donnie though, so I agree that we should be in good shape regardless.

      • Thomas

        I’d do that just for dumping Jeffries and getting the cap space. Lee hurts the Knicks defensively more than he helps them on offense. I really could care less about who they get back as long as they are FA after 09′-10′.

        • Mike Pop

          Jared Jeffries was drafted 11th overall.

          Washington Wizards fail.

          • Thomas

            You can’t blame them that much. The only players taken after him that were really better than him were Boozer and Prince at 34 and 23 respectively, both of whom were passed over by a lot of teams.

          • Steve H

            The Jeffries pick, amazingly was a good pick. Of the 1st rounders that went after him, the only guy considerably better is Tayshaun Prince. The rest of the guys are in the same boat as Jeffries, or much, much worse.

            What’s even worse is some of the guys drafted before Jeffries.

            #2 Jay Williams (too bad he got hurt, he would have been great)
            #3 Dunleavy(looked like a bust, but coming on)
            #4 Drew Gooden (solid, but not a star)
            #5 Tskitishvili-BUST
            #6 Wagner-BUST
            #8-Wilcox (meh)

            Weak ass draft.

            • Thomas

              Not surprisingly in the 2002 draft the Knicks drafted a foreign player. Nene actually became good, too bad the Knicks traded him, Camby, and Mark Jackson for McDyess, who of course was always hurt.

              • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

                You think the 2002 NBA Draft was putrid? Look at the year before…

                http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001_NBA_Draft

                I think I just threw up in my mouth a little. Kwame Brown? Eddy Curry? Eddie Griffin? Desagana Diop? Rodney White? Kedrick Brown? Ugh.

                • Thomas

                  Somehow, I think 2000 is worse. 3 All-Star, one of which was Jamal Magloire a.k.a. the east needed another center. Only 3 of the first 10 taken were above average.

                  Stomile Swift, Darius Miles, Marcus Fizer, Mihm, Dooling, Pryzbilla, Moiso?

                • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

                  Yeah, the drafts immediately pre-Bron/Wade/Melo/Bosh were pretty bad. Weird how talent influxes ebb and flow…

            • usty

              I went to high school with Jay. I’ll never forget him lighting up J-Kidd for a triple-double that rookie year. He was a cool, cool dude too. Never a prick to anyone despite being Gatorade player of the year and all that shit.

    • mustang

      WOW !!!!
      I ask two little question the next thing you know get a complete Knicks trade brake down.
      LOL

      RAB at its best…baby

  • Mike Pop

    Big second half for the Nets.

  • Artist formerly known as ‘The’ Steve

    Now, for some ACTUAL BASEBALL

    “I want to close by looking at the pitcher who was ridden as hard as any in the game last year, C.C. Sabathia.

    Sabathia gobbled up innings late in the year as the Brewers desperately attempted to make the playoffs. There was much talk about the Brewers’ right to use a rented player this way, and about then-manager Ned Yost in particular.

    Near the end of the season, I looked at these effects and found that Sabathia didn’t seem to be having any issues. With this new metric, we can ask how close Sabathia came to the injury zone. The answer: not very. His highest value was a mere 0.13, ironically on the last day of the season against the Cubs, clinching the playoffs for the Brewers. This is very good news for Yankees fans who shouldn’t worry that the Brewers wore Sabathia out. And this probably means Sabathia will be able to handle a large load this season as well.
    ”

    http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/the-injury-zone/

    Kalk did some great articles both during and after last year, trying to see if the workload was affecting CC adversely. He didn’t find anything until he pitched multiple starts on short rest in October. And that was only a slight decline in stuff, not anything dangerous.

    CC’s a horse, no doubt about it.

  • Tom Zig

    If Ortiz bats 3rd and Bay 5th, who bats clean up for the Sox? Youkilis?

    • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

      I’d go:

      1-Dustin Pedroia (R)
      2-Kevin Youkilis (R)
      3-David Ortiz (L)
      4-Jason Bay (R)
      5-J.D. Drew (L)
      6-Mike Lowell (R)
      7-Jason Varitek (S)
      8-Jacoby Ellsbury (L)
      9-Jed Lowrie (S)

      • Steve H

        Drew 5th? You’re assuming he’s healthy of course. That might be lineup 1, but they better have 1A. I think Jacoby will bat leadoff unless/until he completely sucks. They wants McScrappy in the two hole.

        • Artist formerly known as ‘The’ Steve

          I’d go:

          1-Jason Varitek (S)
          2-Jed Lowrie (S)
          3-Jacoby Ellsbury (L)
          4-David Ortiz (L)
          5-J.D. Drew (L)
          6-Mike Lowell (R)
          7-Dustin Pedroia (R)
          8-Kevin Youkilis (R)
          9-Jason Bay (R)

          If I’m Tito, I want to make sure I bunch up all my righties and lefties. Just to confuse the enemy. Then, I bat Varitek leadoff. I like him, he’s got moxy. Plus, I have Tek steal every time he gets one base. I figure the more he runs, the faster he’ll get.

          • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

            I can’t wait to trade Kevin Cash back to the Sox in a month when they’re desperate because Varitek is batting .100 against college kids in the spring.

            Maybe we can get Izzy Alcantara. Is he still around?

            • Artist formerly known as ‘The’ Steve

              If we trade Kevin Cash for Cash, what does that mean exactly?

              • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

                Technically, it would be Cash trading Cash for Cash, wouldn’t it?

                • Artist formerly known as ‘The’ Steve

                  Yes it would.

                  And if we got a 3-way going with the Phoenix Suns we could possibly have Cash trade Cash for Nash plus Cash.

            • Steve H

              Is Izzy still around, kicking catchers in the chest to make sure he had a clean run at the pitcher? Still one of the best baseball moments ever. And boy could he MASH in the minors.

            • andrew

              Alcantara could replace Farnsy whenever benches clear, I like the move

          • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

            I figure the more he runs, the faster he’ll get.

            I enjoyed this comment.

    • Steve H

      Pedroia. He hit cleanup for 4 games this year and crushed.

      Not sure if you all remember, or if it was more locally here in Boston, but the media made the biggest f’ing deal in the world of Mr. Scrappy hitting 4th. I was so sick of it. Oh, he’s 5’5 and 150 lbs. and hitting cleanup, omg!!

      • Thomas

        No, they made a big deal on ESPN. It essentially was what won him the MVP, because he had one hot week at the end of the year while batting 4 and everyone said “Hey, let’s ignore Joe Mauer superior year, Pedrioa should be the MVP.”

        • Steve H

          Ok. Thanks. I should have assumed and remembered that RSPN made such a huge deal out of an 18 at-bat sample size.

  • http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

    http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/02/rays-ink-kenned.html

    The Rays picked up Adam Kennedy. Good move.

    • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

      Bastards. I can’t remember the last time they made a move (signing, trade, etc) and I said “that was dumb.”

      • http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

        Greg Vaughn?

        • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

          Wade Boggs?

          • Steve H

            Wilson Alvarez?

            • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

              Taking Bobby Abreu in the expansion draft and immediately trading him to the Phillies for Kevin Stocker?

              • Jack

                Reggie’s brother?

                • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

                  They wish.

                • Artist formerly known as ‘The’ Steve

                  Signing Hideo Nomo as their #5?

      • Steve H

        How about not putting David Price in the bullpen?

        • Artist formerly known as ‘The’ Steve

          Ding ding ding!

      • Thomas

        Canseco? Abreu?

  • http://www.bronxbaseballdaily.com Rob Abruzzese

    Don’t forget about the Ken Griffey Jr news. He’s probably signing with Atlanta which means Xavier Nady and Nick Swisher are both probably staying.

    • http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

      I touched on that this morning. Very, very good news for the pro-Swisher camp. :)

      • Steve H

        Somewhat. Trading Nady would have been better for the pro-Swisher camp (of which you are the President, I’ll gladly be the VP). On a related note, this exchange from Neyer’s chat today:

        Damien (Bronx): True or False? Swisher/Nady can be a very productive platoon in RF.

        SportsNation Rob Neyer: True, but I would argue that Swisher’s too good for a platoon.

        • http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

          Rob Neyer just got points in my book.

          • Steve H

            Yours and mine both, and then he lost them in mine with this gem.


            Steve (Tampa, FL): Will you do another list of best players for the next 5 years, this year? Off the top of your head, who would you choose as your top pitcher and hitter for the next 5 years?

            SportsNation Rob Neyer: I don’t think I’ll run through every position again, as much fun as that was. Maybe next winter. My top pitcher would be Tim Lincecum or Johan Santana, and my top hitter would probably be Pedroia, if not Hanley Ramirez (with Sizemore in the mix).

            Seriously, Pedroia’s a good player, but give me any position player over the next 5 years and I’ll have a pretty long list going before I pick him. Unreal.

            • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

              He wouldn’t even be my first choice for second base over the next five years.

              • Steve H

                He might not even be my 2nd choice for 2b over the next 5 years. Kinsler had a better year than him, and it wouldn’t shock me if Cano was a better player the next 5 years either. I don’t know what Neyer was thinking there. Seriously, there are so many people I’d take before Pedroia, Sox bias aside.

                • Mike Pop

                  Ya, I don’t get that at all. A hitter? and he picks Dustin?

                  Miggy
                  Hanley
                  Wright
                  A-Rod
                  Tex
                  Sizemore
                  Braun
                  Pujols

                  That’s 8 and there is a whole lot more.

                • http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

                  I don’t know, Pedroia seems like a decent choice for 2B. Kinsler has some nasty H/A splits and Cano’s gotta learn to walk. We’ll see, I guess.

                • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

                  Chase Utley is far and away the best second baseman in baseball, on both sides of the ball.

                • Steve H

                  I think he was saying position player in general, not just hitters, so add to your list Mauer, Mccann, Utley, Longoria (maybe), Reyes, Kinsler, maybe Hamilton, Bruce, Weiters.

                • Mike Pop

                  I think you definitely take Longoria over Pedroia.

                • http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

                  Oh I agree on Utley. He is the best second baseman hands down. If we’re talking the next 5 years, though, I thought we’d be going youth oriented. But, yeah, I <3 Utley.

            • Artist formerly known as ‘The’ Steve

              As good as Johan Santana’s been, he’s clearly shown signs of slipping the past 2 seasons. I’d want him on my team for the next few years, but the next FIVE years? I can’t say that.

              Especially a power pitcher with a smallish frame (6’0″ 195) at his age (30).

              • Steve H

                Agreed, Santana #2 makes no sense. CC was better than him in the AL in 2007 and the NL in 2008 and is getting better, whereas Santana is slipping. That and I’d probably take 10 guys over Santana other than CC as well.

  • Bonos

    Damn but the Rays are run well. They now have Kennedy and Aybar as IF backup. Or maybe the Yanks are run poorly. Do the Yankees have an IF bench?

    • Steve H

      So they Rays, who have had one good season in their history are run well, but the Yankees, who have made the playoffs 14 times in the last 15 seasons are being questioned on how they are run, because of IF bench?

      • http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

        Sarcasm aside, this offseason has been real good for the D-Rays in my mind. I think they should’ve gone after Hoffman, but that’s debatable. I’d say the trade for Matt Joyce was great (man did they fleece the Tigers or what?) and adding Pat Burrell was a very wise move, especially at the price for which they got him.

        • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

          Nah dude, Hoffman in the AL East would be bad news. He faded badly in the NL West.

          • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

            2009 Trevor Hoffman on the Brewers = 1977 Joe Namath on the Rams

          • http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

            Like I said, it was a great move when the Rays didn’t get him. ;)

            • Mike Pop

              Nice save……..

              • http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

                I”m like 2008 Trevor Hoffman.

    • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

      OH NOOOES, THE RAYS SIGNED TEH ADAM KENNEDY!!!!!!!1!!!!

      Pardon me if I don’t give a shit. Kennedy has had a wOBA north of .335 exactly once in his career. That occurence happened before the Iraq War started.

      • Tom Zig

        Which iraq war?

        • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

          Heh.

      • Thomas

        The first time I read that I read it as “OH NOODLES, THE …”. If you really wrote oh noodles, it would have been awesome.

    • E-ROC
  • A.D.

    Man Gagne to Hoffman in Milwaukee. 2004 dream 1-2 punch

  • Tom Zig

    Are we getting a prospect profile tomorrow?

    • Steve H

      Teixera? I think it was leaked and pulled back, just when I was trying to read it

  • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

    Wilson Chandler: Thank you, Isiah, sometimes you actually do a good thing or two.

  • http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/profile.php?id=594331910&ref=name Jamal G.

    Nate Robinson is bush-league.

    • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

      I heart bush league.

      • http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/profile.php?id=594331910&ref=name Jamal G.

        Come on, how dare he show emotion after contributing to his team’s success late in the game?! Act like you scored a bucket before!

        • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

          Mike Francesa, is that you?

          • http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

            I wonder if he’ll jump on K-Rod and Sabathia as much as he did Joba for post-inning antics.

            • Mike Pop

              If you guys hate him so much, then why keep listening to him?

              • http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

                I usually don’t, even when I’m home. But, sometimes, I think it’s fair to listen to something you don’t necessarily agree with–even if he’s wrong like…99.9% of the time.

              • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

                I put him on after the A-Rod presser today, and I couldn’t bear it for more than two minutes.

            • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

              I can answer that for you now, if you like.

              • http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

                Do it. I dare you.

                • Mike Pop

                  I double dare ya.

                • http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

                  That’s assault, brotha.

                • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

                  My answer is this: Nothing. Not even the fee for the gaming license, which I would appreciate if you would put up personally.

                • Mike Pop

                  I’ll turn this damn bus around, that”’ put an end to your precious field trip pretty damn quick, huh!!!

                • http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

                  O’Doyle Rules!

                  and

                  Mi famiglia non mangia qui! Non mangia in Las Vegas! E non mangia a Miami CON HYMAN ROTH!

  • http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/profile.php?id=594331910&ref=name Jamal G.

    Way to lay on the grenade, Lee.

  • Jack

    So, this was in my school paper today:

    http://www.uwire.com/Article.aspx?id=3752482

    WHAT WAS THE BIG GULP FOR?!?!?!?!?!?!?

    • Steve H

      “You might want to wash the microwave before using it.”

      ummmm…..ok.

      • Jack

        Seriously, I’m as confused as a blind lesbian on a shrimp boat. (h/t my bro-in-law)

    • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

      Hey guys. Big Gulps, huh? Alright!

      Well, see ya later.

    • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

      His sheets are on my bed, while my sheets are slightly singed in the hamper.

      That is grounds for death right there.

  • Nady Nation

    Lee cannot be the guy to foul there. That’s terrible

    • http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/profile.php?id=594331910&ref=name Jamal G.

      If not him, then who? There was no one else in vicinity of Parker to make the foul prior to a shot attempt.

    • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

      Yeah, as much as I understand the philosophy that you always take size and never trade big for small, if you tell me I can only afford to keep one player between Lee and Nate, I’m not sure I just wouldn’t pick Nate.

      The difference between 2007 Nate and 2009 Nate is astonishing. He’s a legitimately good player now. Chandler and Nate are the core of this team, and that’s a good thing.

      • http://liberalmusings.wordpress.com Pablo Zevallos

        He’s a legitimately good player now

        If by that you mean a 6th man, then yes. But he doesn’t know when to pass and when to shoot, he doesn’t defend well, he’s too emotional, and he is too streaky. I wouldn’t mind having him, but I’d rather have Lee.

      • http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

        So are there “sabermetrics” for basketball? ‘Cause if there are,I may just try and get into the NBA again. I rooted for the Bulls when I was a kid and if I had to pick a favorite team, they’d still be it. However, next season, whatever team drafts Jeff Adrien will be my favorite.

        • http://liberalmusings.wordpress.com Pablo Zevallos
        • Steve H

          There are. Basketball-reference.com has a ton(offensive and defensive win shares, etc), and Espn has PER, which one of their writers (i’m drawing a blank) uses for every single argument he makes.

          • Mike Pop

            Are there win shares for throwing punches?

            Z-Randolph threw one.

          • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

            John Hollinger. His PER (Player Efficiency Rating) gives 2008-2009 David Lee a 18.87 (15.00 is average; LeBron is #1 at 31.6, Bruce Bowen and Adam Morrison are last in the 5’s, for comparion’s sake)

            Nate Robinson is a 18.39. Meaning, according to ESPN’s stab at basketball sabermetrics, they’re basically the same player. And since Nate will be resigned cheaper than Lee, I’m starting to think that’s the direction Donnie Walsh would lean in, if there’s truly not room for both of them.

  • http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/profile.php?id=594331910&ref=name Jamal G.

    Nate Robinson is straight nasty.

    • Steve H

      I’d still like to see him playing corner for the Pats.

  • andrew

    The suns are currently 27-35 from the floor… that is absolutely ridiculous.

    • Mike Pop

      Well, we now know Amare is not going anywhere.

    • Steve H

      Wow. Think they are happy Porter is gone or what?

    • Steve H

      Now 31-41, including a missed 3/4 attempt at the end of the half.

      • Steve H

        And Matt Barnes has missed half of their shots. Holy shit.

        • Mike Pop

          Alvin Gentry=Coach of the Year.

          • Steve H

            He should get a contract extension after his 1st half as coach.

            • Mike Pop

              NOO! Fire Girardi, bring in Gentry.

  • Rich

    Nice win by the Knicks.

  • Mike Pop

    Dwight-45 points.

    Marshawn Lynch might be due for a suspension.

    • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

      BTW, virtually every article I’ve read on the Cowboys this offseason is calling for the team to release TO for the good of the clubhouse, saying that he’s hindering Romo’s development.

      They have a bit of a point there.

      • Mike Pop

        Ya, I’ve done my reading so far this offseason. Saw this today;

        http://football.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/10970/20090217/jones_no_decision_yet_on_owens/

        Honestly, I don’t want to see him go just yet. Let’s see what that offense can do when everyone is fully healthy. But if gets released, whatever, not going to lose sleep over it. We both know what Roy Williams can do when healthy and Austen has talent. Not too worried about it, but I hope they try to get Ray Leiws or Suggs.

  • pat

    If you’re offended by foul langiage don’t keep reading but I’m sorry, Pete Abraham has been acting like such a douchebag regarding this arod business. Every single post is riddled with petty personal attacks and bias towards the rod. He lauds himself as so professional and he really just looks like a little bitch with a personal vendetta. I mean one of his “posts” before was making fun of arod for wearing a kaballah bracelet. Yeah kaballah seems like a crazy religion for rich people but whatever if he really believes it then who the fuck is pete abraham to pass judgement?? I’m sorry but this past week or so really sealed my opinion towards that dick. He likes to rip on francesa but he’s really an egomaniac with an audience just like mike.
    I wish I didn’t have to go to his blog for the behind the scenes crap he is privy to.

    • steve (different one)

      Pete’s very worst quality (and he has some good ones) is that he’ll post something that is obviously intentionally inflammatory (a cheap shot at Girardi or A-rod usually), and then when he’s called out on it, he’ll go into the comments section and feign innocence. he pulls this BS all the time.

      he’s like a 12 year old sometimes.

      • http://liberalmusings.wordpress.com Pablo Zevallos

        “he’s like a 12 year old sometimes”

        There. Fixed.

        • http://liberalmusings.wordpress.com Pablo Zevallos

          just kidding, btw

    • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

      Han Solo: Ha! You guys seem like crazy morons to me.
      Luke Skywalker: You don’t believe in the Force, do you?
      Han Solo: Oh, you mean that thing you just found out about, like, three hours ago and are now judging me for not believing in it?
      Luke Skywalker: Do you believe in anything?
      Han Solo: Uh, yeah. Didn’t you see my Kabbalah bracelet?
      Luke Skywalker: What’s Kabbalah?
      Han Solo: About a buck seventy-five. Hahahaha! Honestly, I have no idea. I’m just a slave to trends.

      • http://liberalmusings.wordpress.com Pablo Zevallos

        I loved that FG.

    • Mike Pop

      Cashman did seem a little upset in that interview.

  • tb646

    The video of the new stadium looks great. Especially in the beginning when there was a park.

  • http://eastrutherfordrant.com donttradecano