Manny Being... Traded

You know I wasn't really worried about the Los Angeles Dodgers being a threat in the NL West despite the fact that they are currently parked atop the division. The Dodgers just got a whole lot scarier. Manny Ramirez was traded to the Dodgers today just before the deadline.

Reports are sketchy but it looks as if this was a three team deal involving the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates and Dodgers. The Sox will get OF Jason Bay. L.A. now has a very jumbled outfield with decrepit guys like Juan Pierre and Andruw Jones taking up bench spots (and a significant chunk of the teams payroll. They also have up-and-coming guys like Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp who should be taking the call as starters.

This one could go either way for all teams involved. I think Manny will play hard with a change of scenery and will give them the power bat Andruw Jones couldn't. Boston will be set for the future with the OF trifecta of Bay, J.D. Drew, and Jacoby Ellsbury. Pittsburgh received prospects and will continue their perpetual rebuilding process and provide for a nice doormat to all other NL teams.

This trade also makes for a couple of VERY interesting potential World Series matchups. Joe Torre and Man-Ram's Dodgers against the Yankees? Man-Ram, Derek Lowe, and Nomar against the Red Sox? All the makings of an exciting postseason.

Hop on the Pain-Train to Title Town!

Ummm, welcome to the team Ken Griffey, Jr? Today the White Sox made a bold... if largely puzzling splash by trading a middling minor league second baseman (Danny Richar) and perhaps the worst reliever ever (Nick "Magic" Massett) for the once mighty and formidable Junior. 

Junior has been an annual subject of trade rumors for the Sox since Kenny "Dark Ninja" Williams took over as GM. And finally, Kenny's man-crush/love-boner for Junior has come to fruition. But at the most unexpected of times. Why unexpected? Cuz where the hell is Junior gonna play?

The Sox are locked in at the corner OF. Q! and Dye aren't going anywhere, and both continue to rake. There is currently an abysmal black hole in Paul "Eeyore" Konerko at first base. We have a better first baseman in Nick Swisher, currently playing center. And Jim "Pretty Rabbit" Thome as our slugging, left handed DH.

Where does Griffey fit into all of this. If the year was 1997, I would be crapping my pants in excitement. Griffey slides in CF, Swish moves to 1B, and Konerko helps set-up and take down the post-game spread. But as everyone knows, Junior ain't "Junior!" any more. He definitely can't play CF effectively, or without getting hurt. So wtf?

I don't really doubt Kenny Williams. The man brought the first World Series title to Chicago in almost a century. And everyone shat all over him this offseason, when all he did was bring in the best bullpen in the AL (of all time according to Joe Morgan), sign the Cuban Missile Alexei Ramirez for chump change, and there is that other guy... what's his name... oh, QQQQQ!!!!!. All for a pittance. And now Kenny wants, Junior. Kenny can have Junior, and the best lefty pinch hitter in baseball coming off the bench. Or whatever. 

My prediction is that there is another trade coming. We need to make some space if Junior is going to have any value. We'll see how the afternoon pans out.

But that's that. Junior is on the White Sox. I for one am psyched to see him in his alternate blacks. And I'll be standing and cheering like a mofo when he passes that greaseball, roided pockmark on the history of baseball, Sammy Sosa, on the all-time HR list. That will be a sight to behold.

So welcome to Title Train U.S. Junior. Get us a couple clutch hits this year, and we'll reward you with some nice hardware for the mantle back at home. Just stay away from the nerve tonic, and everything's gonna be all right.

-bb13

Rome With The "Chris" Blast

One of my favorite sports "honks", Jim Rome calls Jim Everett (Los Angeles Rams QB), Chris (after female tennis player Chris Evert). Jim Rome now says he regrets this encounter but talking heads need to get their name out somehow and this is the clip that made him famous. A little uncomfortable but mostly hilarious.

The whole situations is pretty much uncalled for which makes it that much more funny. Rome knew before Everett came on that he was going to antagonize him and he didn't waste any time. "Jim... good to have you on the show. Check that, Chris... good to have you on the show." Fast forward... "I think that you probably won't say that again." "I bet I do... (pause)... Chris."

Yanks Trade For Pudge

The gritty Yankees have done it once again. They have overcome all odds to replace a broken starter (catcher Jorge Posada) with an over-the-hill future Hall of Famer. This scrappy team of high priced flameouts has added another (alleged) 'roid abuser to their roster, assuring themselves a run at the AL East crown and a sure-fire 1st round playoff loss to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim or the AL Central champs.

Baron and Nash Killin' It

Nothing I post could do justice to the above "trailer". No, that is NOT Matthew Lesko doing the robot.

The Heat Is On

Jeremy Shockey's trade from the New York Giants to the New Orleans Saints was a win-win situation. The Giants got rid of a lightning rod and reported team cancer while the Sainst pick up a premier tight end who has by all accounts been on his best behavior since making the move. Things may change when the going gets tough but look for the Saints to trot out one of the best offenses in the league this year. Shockey hasn't looked this good since his performance in Heat.

Open Letter to Kevin Youkilis

Dear Kevin Youkilis,
I don't like your face. I like it even less when you open your mouth and give that squirrel a chance to get inside. But believe me, I'm rooting for him: "Go on! Get in there little buddy".

I hate the way you caress the bat with your right hand before the pitch comes. I hate you because the Red Sox fan who was yelled "Go ahead, win like that you fucking faggot" at me when the umpire called an inside strike on Mike Lowell in the 9th inning of Friday's game against the Yankees, likes you. I do, however, love that you haven't figured out that for every time you open your mouth and act tough, Joba is going to burn another patch of fur off your face. I love that you act like you don't want any part of it when talk to the media and tell them "hey, come on, someone's gonna get hurt", like you're not deathly afraid it will be you.

Sincerely,
Objective Baseball Fan