Recent Trades and Talks..and Oh Yea...Manny

So finally we can bring up a topic and not hear about Brett Favre, but within the last 2 days so much has happened in the world of sports. The rumors are flying as the MLB trade deadline nears and the biggest name floating around, none other than Manny Ramirez.

Aside from the clown, the biggest and best move of this year has been the trade with the Braves and the Angels that occurred yesterday. The Braves traded superstar first baseman Mark Teixeira to the Angels for first baseman Casey Kotchman and minor league pitcher Steve Marek. This was a steal for the Angels who surely will look to re sign Tex after the season. With this move it's more than clear that the Angels are serious about their World Series push. With K-Rod's season, Lackey almost no hitting the Red Sox last night and the addition of Tex to bolster the middle of that already tough lineup the Angels are the real deal Holyfield.

Now to the crux of the news this week, Manny Ramirez has once again opened his pie hole and dished out verbal sewage without processing what the words mean through his little noggin. Manny has come out and said he is willing to play for another team if the Red Sox don't want him or if they think they are better without him. Check this out, this is some of the majestic substance that comes out of this future hall of famer:

"I don't have any preferences. I could choose a team that offers me the best conditions or one in the chase for the postseason. I don't care where I play, I can even play in Iraq if need be."

At this point if I am John Henry I am looking to get this crazy guy out of my club house and preferably into the National League. The problem lies here though, there is almost no such thing as equal value for Ramirez unless you get a Pujols or A-Rod in return. A nice fit for Manny and a possible trade situation could be the Rockies. In Mile High Ramirez would surely add to his home run total but might have difficulty chasing down balls in that big outfield. In return the Rockies would send Matt Holiday to the Sox and possibly a minor league player. Thats the most logical trade that you can come up with but right now I think the Rockies are too close to contention that they are willing to give up Holiday.

Other teams interested in Manny have been the Mets, Philies and Diamondbacks. The chances that Manny actually gets dealt is slim to none for the simple fact that the Red Sox would literally be saying hey were are giving up on this season and any hope we have of another winning year. If they trade Ramirez it's clearly a sign that they do not care about another World Series and that this is the start of a rebuilding process.


Some trade rumors I am hearing right now,

- Jason Bay outfielder for the Pirates might be on the move to the Tampa Bay Rays.

- The Yankees might try and acquire the other Molina brother from the San Francisco Giants, Bengie Molina.

- The Red Sox and Astros are in serious talks to trade for Miguel Tejada.

- The Rockies most likely will not be trading reliever Brian Fuentes.

- The Giants are trying to trade for Adrian Beltre.

- The Mariners are saying they are willing to listen to offers for JJ Putz, but he wont come cheap.

- With recent struggles of newcomer Kosuke Fukodome, the Cubs are looking for an outfielder and have set their sights on Raul Ibanez.


Remember where you heard it first...lets see what happens.

A Question To Ponder

So on my way home from the Yankees game last night as they got pummeled by the Baltimore Orioles. I was listening to 1050 ESPN Radio and Brandon Tierney brought up an interesting question. If all of the GM's in baseball quit and you had the opportunity to pick a team to become the general manager with the exception of the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox and Dodgers. Your choice should be based on payroll, fan base, location, and baseball history, what team would you choose.

BT's co host Rob Parker said he would choose the Cincinnati Reds. Based on history, fans and he said he would like to bring back baseball to prominence like it was with the big red machine. BT said he would like to revitalize the nation's capitol and get baseball to boom there. Other places he mentioned would be good, Toronto and Seattle.

Baseball's big towns don't need much help, New York, Boston, these places will never die when it comes to baseball. I would love to GM the Chicago Cubs, the team hasn't won in forever although this year seems to be a possibility for them. The history with Chicago baseball is never ending whether its the east of the west side of Chicago, White Sox or Cubs. Another team which would be nice to rebuild would probably be the Kansas City Royals. The Royals are a team full of young talent just not enough money and resources to get over the hump. If it wasn't for the shared revenue teams like the Marlins, Royals, Rays and Pirates might die out.

So I pose the question to you now, what team would you like to bring to a championship and develop into a winner?

The Debate for Relief

In honor of Rich "Goose" Gossage being inducted into the baseball Hall Of Fame today, I decided to start looking at relievers and their place in history.

Gossage played for 9 teams over his 22 year career racking up 310 saves, 1502 strike outs with an ERA of 3.01. Gossage was the flame thrower with the huge mustache, that put fear into all those that stepped into the batters box.

But now we take a look at todays closers the likes of Hoffman, Rodriguez, Wagner and last but surely not least Rivera.

The man that strides to the rubber to the sounds of Hell's Bell's, Trevor Hoffman is currently the all time saves leader and most likely a lock for the Hall Of Fame once his time is up. Hoffman over 16 years has 544 saves and counting over 1000 strike outs and an ERA of 2.79. Hoffman who is 39 probably has a couple years left in him and just might break the 600 save plateau.

Billy Wagner has had his share of up's and down's but has established himself as a dominant closer. And although he doesn't throw 100 mph like he use to he can still dial it up to 95 and get his share of strike outs. Wagner currently plays for the Mets but did most of his damage with the Astros and 2 years with the Phillies. 342 saves, a 2.78 ERA and 1062 strike outs over 14 years give Wagner a chance at the Hall if he continues to put up decent numbers for about 5 more years.

The young stud known to the baseball world as K-Rod is having one of the greatest years a reliever can have. He is on pace to break the all time saves in a single season record currently held by Bobby Thigpen who recorded 57 saves in 1990. The closest someone has come to that number was Eric Gagne in 2003 when he saved 55 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers. On Sunday July 27th K-Rod has 43 saves, just 4 off his career high and we have about 2 and a half months left of baseball. At this pace Rodriguez could have 60-70 saves by the time the playoffs role around for the Angels. Francisco Rodriguez has already recorded 4 consecutive years of 40+ saves and has the game that could one day land him in Cooperstown.

The greatest closer of all time has played his career in one place and under the bright lights in the Bronx. Mariano Rivera has done it all, from 50+ save years multiple times to getting key strikeouts and saves in the post season when the team needed him most. Arguably the most important piece of the Yankees dynasty that lasted from 1996-2000, Rivera has been labeled "Mr. Automatic" and all this with just 1 pitch. The most devastating 2 seam fastball you will never see coming and the winning desire unlike any other. In 14 years Rivera has notched 469 saves, 914 strike outs and an ERA of 2.30. In the post season Rivera has 93 strikeouts, an ERA of 0.77 and an incredible 34 saves. The final numbers for Rivera are projected to be really earn him the title of best of all time. In due time barring injury Rivera should surpass the all time saves record that will ultimately be set by Trevor Hoffman once he is done.

So to this we say congrats Goose, and hopefully in the next decade or so we see more relievers get into the hall. Just because your a closer doesn't mean you were less of a player and dont deserve to be mentioned wit the best of all time. Get Lee Smith who is 2nd on the all time saves list into Cooperstown.

The Rivalry Renewed

Tonight is the start of the best rivalry in sports history as the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox tangle it up one more time in Bean Town.

Friday is the match up of fire ballers as staff ace Josh Beckett takes the hill for the dreaded Sox and young flame thrower Joba Chamberlain counters Beckett for the New York Yankees.

Usually we don't make a big deal about Yankee vs. Red Sox games in April, May and June but after the all star break these games matter just a bit more. Now the gap between the Rays, Sox and Yanks is just 3.0 games. So this weekends 3 game series is very, very important.

Another big story involving this series is the return of David Ortiz for the Sox who missed 42 games with a wrist injury. The Yankees are on a hot streak as they have not lost since the all star break, winning 6 in a row and 11 in a row at home going back to before the all star game. The 11 game win streak at home is the biggest one the Yankees have had since 1998.

So the two familiar foes go to battle one more time as this series could be a deciding factor late in the year for the AL East and or the Wild Card.

BREAKING NEWS: Sports Illustrated has reported that the New York Yankees have traded Ross Ohlendorf, right-handed pitcher George Kontos, left-handed pitcher Phil Coke and right fielder Jose Tabata to the Pittsburgh Pirates for outfielder Xavier Nady and hard throwing reliever Damaso Marte.

On a side note, the New York Yankees brass are discussing the option of bringing Barry Bonds to the Bronx.

Stupid Favre, Stupid Packers

So Brett Favre has that itch again but there is one problem, it seems like the Green Bay Packers have no desire to scratch it. There is a big problem when a quarterback who has been the face of your franchise draws zero interest in bringing said franchise guru back.

Favre changed his mind...shocker, every year Favre has played the I might retire card, but always comes back. This year he just did it while crying and at a press conference. Then he sent text messages and phone calls to try and get back on the team but the Packers want none of it. They are ready to move on with the Aaron Rodgers era and see where that takes them, good luck.

The Packers are ready to let Favre leave or be Aaron Rodgers BACKUP! yea right... The day Brett Favre becomes a back up is the day hell freezes over. So now its time to move on and let Favre go, but now the question is to who? Will you trade him and try to get something for #4 or release him and fear the worst...I'll explain.

Nightmare scenario : Monday Night Football, September 7th game one of the ESPN double header, Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers, and trotting out of the Packers tunnel is #4 but in the purple jersey and the crowd cheering for a player who is not on the home towns team.

My favorite trade proposal would be this right now as it also makes a lot of sense, The New York Jets trade a 3rd round pick and Chad Pennington to the Packers for Brett Favre. Favre goes to the team that should have drafted him and gets to school Kellen Clemens. Pennington gets to go to Green Bay where he can be the back up and groom Aaron Rodgers.

What will happen, who knows but the Brett Favre saga is still rolling on and its catching steam.

The Best Skills Contest Ever: The Home Run Derby

In my opinion no slam dunk contest, or pro bowl in Hawaii can touch the Home Run Derby. The derby is excitement with every pitch and every stadium has something else to offer when the Derby is held there. In Baltimore we all remember when The Kid, Ken Griffey Jr. belted a shot off the warehouse in right field. Or who can forget Mark McGuire hitting monster shots over the green monster.

This year the big names are not in the Derby, there is no A-ROD, Ortiz, Ramirez. Ryan Howard, Griffey Jr. or Bonds etc. But this year the youngsters are out in full force and they all have some pop.

This year the Home Run Derby participants are as follows:

1. Josh Hamilton - Texas Rangers - 20 Home Runs this season

2. Lance Berkman - Houston Astros - 22 Home Runs this season

3. Chase Utley - Philadelphia Phillies- 25 Home Runs this season

4. Dan Uggla - Florida Marlins - 23 Home Runs this season

5. Ryan Braun - Milwaukee Brewers - 23 Home Runs this season

6. Grady Sizemore - Cleveland Indians - 22 Home Runs this season

7. Evan Longoria - Tampa Bay Rays - 16 Home Runs this season

8. Justin Morneau - Minnesota Twins - 14 Home Runs this season



Now for my analysis and predictions. The person who I think will win and who i will be rooting for is Josh Hamliton. This guy in a press conference was talking about hitting it out of Yankee Stadium which has never been done. Plus he hits like a mack truck and has a lot of raw power. Oh yea, and pitching to him is 71 year old high school coach Clay Counsell who taught him a lot about baseball. Hamilton said if he ever got to the MLB and went into the Home Run Derby he would let him throw BP to him. Oh one more thing, the last time Counsell was in Yankee Stadium October 8th 1956, to watch Don Larsen throw the only perfect game in World Series History.

Other possible winners are going to be Chase Utley for his quick swing and his pure power, Ryan Braun (who selected his agent to pitch to him) is probably the strongest guy next to Hamilton in the Derby and Lance Berkman is swinging a really hot bat and with the short porch in right field, we should see a lot of homers.

My dark horse / sleeper pick is the rookie, Evan Longoria. The kid is amazing but has not developed his power fully yet. But his swing is deadly and he has boat loads of potential.

So sit back and relax, and let the big bats swing and the baseballs fly. Can the cathedral known to the world as Yankee Stadium hold the baseball tonight? How many balls will fly over the short porch? Will Josh Hamilton do as he said and hit it out of Yankee Stadium over the white facade? Time will tell, tonight is the Home Run Derby!

All Star Starters and Snubs

It pains me to say this but the biggest all star game snub of all was Mike Mussina, pitcher for the New York Yankees. Mussina racked up 11 wins and only 6 losses, an ERA of 3.61.

For the NL the biggest all star snub has got to be Ryan Howard. Yes he has a terrible batting average but he is leading the league in home runs and RBI's. Howard is a beast, so what it took him a little while to get his hitting going. Howard deserves at least a reserve spot on the team.

As far as the starters go this is the lineups for the AL and NL squads.

1. Ichiro Suzuki
2. Derek Jeter
3. Josh Hamilton
4. Alex Rodriguez
5. Manny Ramirez
6. Milton Bradley
7. Kevin Youkliss
8. Joe Mauer
9 Dustin Pedrioa

And starting for the AL will be Cleveland's new ace, Cliff Lee.

And here are the starters for the NL

1. Hanley Ramirez
2. Chase Utley
3. Lance Berkman
4. Albert Pujols
5. Chipper Jones
6. Matt Holiday
7. Ryan Braun
8. Kosuke Fukodome
9. Geovany Soto

And the starting pitcher for the NL team will be Ben Sheets, who has been lights out this year. Of course my pick to start the game would have been Tim Lincecum but hey I'm not Clint Hurdle.

Well there you have it, more on the All Star Game to come.

The Best Free Agent Out There

So he MAYBE did steroids, but so did everyone else, he is still the best player of the last 2 decades and possibly one of the best players of all times. And yet he is still a free agent and we are just about at the All Star Break.

There are so many teams that can use a big bat in front or behind their # 3, 4, 5 hitters and Barry Bonds would be the perfect fit. With half a season left Bonds batting anywhere from # 3 - # 6 will give you walks and home runs as well as RBI's galore. Bonds is still a threat no matter if he is in the NL or the AL and will provide the protection needed to give a team chances to score runs.

Recently the Arizona Diamondbacks have had internal talks about Bonds and letting him come to play for their team as they have learned that Eric Byrnes will most likely miss the rest of the season.

Personally as a Barry Bonds fan and a Yankee fan, I would love to see Bonds in pinstripes, hitting homers over the short porch in Yankee Stadium would be a sight to see. Bonds would finally be in the AL and can DH. Batting in front or behind A-Rod, now that would be a beast of a lineup.

Bonds would also fit well with almost every other AL team as the DH position was made for Bonds because at his age and with his speed and knees not what they use to be, Bonds could just do what he does best, hit the ball.

Teams like the Mets who need an outfielder and some extra power, Bonds in Colorado would be a hitting paradise for him or a team like the Marlins with a bunch of young guys to have a Bonds to learn from as far as work ethic and baseball he would be a nice fit there.

Ultimately I hope he does get signed because he is a great player and needs to be a part of baseball, but it better be with a team in the AL. Bonds = DH, any team that picks him up will not regret it.

"Air McFly"

So Nike is finally putting out the hottest shoes to ever be seen in 1989, the shoes worn by Michael J. Fox A.K.A Marty McFly.

The light blue and grey hightops that were shown in Back To The Future II were released in limited fashion at an art exhibit hosted by non other than Kobe Bryant. He ever showed up in a fancy ride, the good ol' DeLorean.

Nike released only 350 pairs of the sneakers but if you missed out you can go right ahead and pay $1,000 on Ebay...happy bidding.

A-ROD You Dummy

So apparently AROD had sex with a stripper back in 2004 during the ALCS vs Boston and now she has come out to tell about it. Pretty convenient timing a day after Cynthia Rodriguez filed for divorce. Here is the article from the Daily News...enjoy....idiot (aimed at AROD..not you kind reader).

Boston stripper claims to have had two-night fling with A-Rod in 2004

BY CORKY SIEMASZKO
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Tuesday, July 8th 2008, 12:15 PM

"A leopard doesn't change his spots," Candice Houlihan (above) said about Alex Rodriguez.

Alex Rodriguez's bitter divorce took a new twist today with a report that a former Boston stripper had a two night fling with A-Rod in 2004 - the year the Red Sox broke the curse and won the World Series.

The ex-dancer, Candice Houlihan, told the Boston Herald she's rooting for A-Rod's wife, Cynthia, in the divorce battle.

"A leopard doesn't change his spots," Candice Houlihan, a hairdresser in Reading, Mass., told the paper. "Good for her. I think she's doing the smart thing."

Houlihan said she met A-Rod at Fenway Park in July 2004 after she and some friends hollered at him and a few other Yankees.

"We were really bustin' his chops and he walked over to us and I thought he was going to yell at us," she said. "But he introduced himself, asked me who I was and if I wanted to meet up for drinks later. I was like 'Hell, yeah!' "

Houlihan said she and A-Rod had a few shots of tequila and some cocktails and then went back to his room at the Ritz-Carlton and had sex.

"I felt bad afterward," she said. "I'm not a bad person. I know how it feels to be cheated on, it sucks. But a couple of drinks later, I didn't notice all that much, to tell you the truth."

He called her a few months later when the Yanks were in town for the American League Championship Series and they had sex again.

"I feel like I reversed the curse," she joked.

Hey Favre - Your A Jerk!

Ok Brett, we get it your awesome and your "every man's man" whatever that means Mr. I wear Wranglers. Brett Favre single handedly is making all of Wisconsin sick to their stomach's from this roller coaster ride he is putting them through. And the worst part is, this is the 3rd year in a row in which he has escorted the Cheese Heads to this amusement park he calls his life.

Look, you have 2 options, play or retire, you dont get to straddle the fence no matter who you are. You are putting the team and everyone else in your damn city in a tough spot and that is not a good thing. Favre says he has the "itch" again...well maybe you shouldn't have scratched yourself so many times before the season ended.

And boy how about Mr. Aaron Rodgers? This guy has been holding the clip board for #4 since the day he was drafted, and has taken like 20 snaps in the NFL, and now when Favre decides to "Hang It Up" and Rodgers gets to be "The Man" Favre says...nah...JUST KIDDING!

But wait, there is a twist, according to sources in Wisconsin Favre sent a text message (oh how savvy) to Packers GM Ted Thompson about wanting to come back. Instead of responding immediately Thompson said I'm on vacation we will talk when I get back. In other words...leave me alone Brett just enjoy your retirement. If the Packers are smart they tell Brett to relax and go be with his family and let the Aaron Rodgers era begin, let the Favre times be done with.

And Favre, if the Packers say no to letting you come back please don't go to another team to play, that will only end bad for you. If you go play for a team who desperately needs a QB like say division rival the Chicago Bears, you will not live to see your next birthday. Brett, do the right thing...stay retired and let football carry on without you.

Whitner Says A Mouthful

The last "good" memory for the Bills ended in horror and the game received a title that all would never forget. Usually when a game is epic enough to be labeled someone is going to be less than happy.

The Music City Miracle where Frank Wycheck lateraled the ball to Kevin Dyson and the rest was history. 1999 was the last time the Bills made the playoffs and now all of a sudden defensive back Donte Whitner thinks this team will win 10+ games? Give me a break!

Although Whitner is a up and coming DB with a very promising future this is something that he more than likely will regret to say. Whitner in an interview with the Sporting News guarenteed a playoff appearance for the Bills this year.

" Do I expect us to make the playoffs?" he says. "I'm guaranteeing it."

How in the world does he think this is possible? The Bills play in the AFC East, a division which holds the New England Patriots who are coming off a 16-0 season and a loss in the Super Bowl to the New York Giants. An AFC East that hosts the new revamped New York Jets who have drastically improved their entire defense and offensive line. And the Dolphins...

If the Bills are lucky they sweep the 2 games against the Dolphins, win 1 against the Jets and lose to the Pats by less than 75 in 2 games.

Week one for the Bills will be a loss to the Jags, followed by another loss to the much improved and scary Raiders. Week 3 they might beat the Rams and then its a toss up in week 4 against the Cardinals. Week 6 is a lynching at the hands of the Chargers and the Jets get their win week 7 as do the Pats week 8. The Cheifs will fall to the Bills for their at best 3rd win of the season, and the Bills win again in week 10 against the 49ers. They then fly to London to face the Phins and that's win number 5. Their last 3 games are against the Jets and Broncos on the road, the Pats at home.

At best I see the Bills going 6-10 and last I checked 6 wins gets you a tee time and a comfy spot on the Lazy boy in January.

Terrific Tampa

They once were associated with garbage and losing but now they are synonymous with winning and triumph. It seems with new colors and a new name, the once Devil Rays, now just Rays, have gone from bottom feeders of the AL East to first place and 5 games up on the Red Sox, Rays.

Today on Monday, July 7th the Rays are 55-32, currently wearing the crown of all the teams in the league as for the first time in their brief history, they are the kings of baseball.

Currently on a 7 game winning streak with their latest W coming at the hands of the Royals, 9-2, it seems like now-a-days if the Rays lose, that's the new surprise. With a young phenom in Evan Longoria who is a rookie and a potential All Star already, and finally a rotation that's worth mentioning, this team is for real.

I have said it all along, with all their young hitting all they needed was some pitching, and well this year it all came together. Scott Kazmir, James Shields, Matt Garza, Andy Sonnanstine, and Edwin Jackson make up the 5 stepping stones to the success of the Rays who are currently shining brighter than the sun in their logo.

Could the Rays be the team that catapults from bottom of the food chain to World Series Champs? Only time will tell, and if they are as for real as we have already seen, then this 2nd half of the season will be no different. Another 40-50 wins and you are looking at the Rays as a 100+ win team and front runner to be the outright kings of baseball.

Say Good Bye To Seattle

About 6 million people in Seattle are losing a basketball team and for the first time since 1967 the city of Seattle will be without a professional basketball franchise.

The Sonics will be moving to Oklahoma City leaving behind the team name the green and yellow colors and taking on a whole new look and feel. The Sonics are leaving Seattle after winning one championship in 1979 under the coaching of Hall Of Famer Lenny Wilkins and the play of Dennis Johnson, Jack Sikma and Gus Williams.

In 2006, the Sonics were sold to an investment group led ClaytonBennett , who said the team would stay in Seattle if a new arena complex was built. Yet, in August 2007, Sonics co-owner Aubrey McClendon announced publicly to The Journal Record that, "we didn't buy the team to keep it in Seattle; we hoped to come here." After receiving a private warning from NBA commissioner David Stern, Bennett responded, assuring Stern that, "As absolutely remarkable as it may seem, Aubrey and I have NEVER discussed moving the Sonics to Oklahoma City, nor have I discussed it with ANY other member of our ownership group."

Well that proved to be true.

The New Sonics owners will be paying at least $45 Million for the move and as much as $75 Million in total when all is said and done.

Couple of names being thrown around for the team name my personal favorite right now is the Oklahoma City Outlaws. Has a nice ring to it.

Stand And Your Out

So apparently when you go to a football game you're suppose to act like you work on an Amish farm and show no emotion. We all know the general rules, no smoking, no fighting (although this happens like 100 times a game and at times is more exciting than the actual game) and no throwing things on the field. If you adhere to these rules the rest is fair game and you are allowed to enjoy your self.

Well not anymore, at least not in Kansas City, The Cheifs have passed a new rule in their Fan code of conduct that prohibits fans from...STANDING. That's right, that is not a typo, you are no longer allowed to stand at Cheifs games. It is so prohibited that its actually the #2 rules on the Fans Code Of Conduct list. And for the best fans, the Cheifs have set up a special text messaging system so that you can COMPLAING ABOUT SOMEBODY STANDING IN-FRONT OR AROUND YOU. Are you serious, what has the world come to?

How will fans go to the rest room or get themselves some chili, maybe there is a 5 second grace period for standing who knows. The vendors walking around the stadium won't be able to do that anymore, the bearers of the treats will now have to crab walk their ways up and down the aisles.

The good thing about this rule and the one thing that makes sense, is that the Cheifs aren't exactly an amazing team and well lets be honest, they haven't given their fans something to stand about since 2003, the last time they sniffed the playoffs.