Sizzling Stove
The baseball off-season had been off to a relatively slow start, until the last week. I guess it was the beginning of the winter meetings that got this all going, when the owners got down there they must have heard the lat great gorilla Monsoon say “Business is about to pick up.” Because that is exactly what this has been like, when a bunch of wrestlers used to come flying out of the locker room and a brawl would ensue in the ring.
I am not sure what the hell is going on, but this I do know my New York Yankees have been unexpectedly quiet. However, yesterday they pulled the big shocker in actually offering Bernie Williams arbitration, which mean he will most likely be a Yankee again next season, mostly in a supporting role. I guess the biggest news was the Astros and Clemens not being able to come to a deal. That leaves Clemens open to sign with anyone; however it seems unlikely that he would leave the state of Texas. In an obvious counter to that move the Rangers finally unloaded Alfonso Soriano who was set to make upwards of $10 million a year if offered arbitration. Soriano is fast becoming the Shareef Abdur-Rahim of his sport, a guy with unlimited talent and above average production who nobody wants. Also the Rangers are interested in dealing All-star third baseman Hank Blalock, again most likely to make some room financially to throw about $18-20 million at Clemens.
This stuff is getting out of control. Honestly I have no idea who is on what team right now. As I am writing this and trying to highlight some of the moves of the past week, updates keep popping up on ESPN.com and MLB.com. Pierre dealt, Renteria dealt, Loretta dealt, Rogers no arbitration, Overbay dealt, Hoffman re-signs, Moyer re-signs, Wickman re-signs, Mabry signs with Cubs, Mesa goes to Colorado, Zito likely being traded, and Manny, well Manny is still on the Sawx. All this stuff is happening and I am still trying to figure out why in the hell the Yankees threw a crap load of money at Carl Pavano last off-season.
I guess as of right now you would have to look at the Mets and Blue Jays as two teams who have upgraded their talent level. Although just because they have made some good moves now that does not translate to how it will work out on the field. This two clubs perennially are ones that people look at who can “make some noise this season.” A bunch of analysts every year talk about how the Blue Jays will be a factor this year and a player at the trading deadline while competing with the Yanks and the Sawx, yet it never happens. And the Metropolitans have their supremely optimistic, yet downtrodden fan base. Like Hitler drunk on power, Met fans get drunk on the dope skills of GM Omar Minaya. Now I know Marty Met and Danny Price, the two drunkest Met fans I know, are going to outline in every minute detail why the Mets are the greatest team ever headed into next season, but please spare me, I have been through this rhetoric before. In fact Dann one time last year actually used this quote when describing his Metropolitans, “We're a few holes away from being dominant.” Now he cannot wait to tell me how they have filled in those holes. But as I have always said, until they don’t do it, I am sticking with the Bravo’s.
Who knows what is going to come next on the hot stove, maybe my Yanks will get with the program and make a bigger splash rather than their last signing which was 35 yr old journeyman catcher Kelly Stinnett
I am not sure what the hell is going on, but this I do know my New York Yankees have been unexpectedly quiet. However, yesterday they pulled the big shocker in actually offering Bernie Williams arbitration, which mean he will most likely be a Yankee again next season, mostly in a supporting role. I guess the biggest news was the Astros and Clemens not being able to come to a deal. That leaves Clemens open to sign with anyone; however it seems unlikely that he would leave the state of Texas. In an obvious counter to that move the Rangers finally unloaded Alfonso Soriano who was set to make upwards of $10 million a year if offered arbitration. Soriano is fast becoming the Shareef Abdur-Rahim of his sport, a guy with unlimited talent and above average production who nobody wants. Also the Rangers are interested in dealing All-star third baseman Hank Blalock, again most likely to make some room financially to throw about $18-20 million at Clemens.
This stuff is getting out of control. Honestly I have no idea who is on what team right now. As I am writing this and trying to highlight some of the moves of the past week, updates keep popping up on ESPN.com and MLB.com. Pierre dealt, Renteria dealt, Loretta dealt, Rogers no arbitration, Overbay dealt, Hoffman re-signs, Moyer re-signs, Wickman re-signs, Mabry signs with Cubs, Mesa goes to Colorado, Zito likely being traded, and Manny, well Manny is still on the Sawx. All this stuff is happening and I am still trying to figure out why in the hell the Yankees threw a crap load of money at Carl Pavano last off-season.
I guess as of right now you would have to look at the Mets and Blue Jays as two teams who have upgraded their talent level. Although just because they have made some good moves now that does not translate to how it will work out on the field. This two clubs perennially are ones that people look at who can “make some noise this season.” A bunch of analysts every year talk about how the Blue Jays will be a factor this year and a player at the trading deadline while competing with the Yanks and the Sawx, yet it never happens. And the Metropolitans have their supremely optimistic, yet downtrodden fan base. Like Hitler drunk on power, Met fans get drunk on the dope skills of GM Omar Minaya. Now I know Marty Met and Danny Price, the two drunkest Met fans I know, are going to outline in every minute detail why the Mets are the greatest team ever headed into next season, but please spare me, I have been through this rhetoric before. In fact Dann one time last year actually used this quote when describing his Metropolitans, “We're a few holes away from being dominant.” Now he cannot wait to tell me how they have filled in those holes. But as I have always said, until they don’t do it, I am sticking with the Bravo’s.
Who knows what is going to come next on the hot stove, maybe my Yanks will get with the program and make a bigger splash rather than their last signing which was 35 yr old journeyman catcher Kelly Stinnett
2 Comments:
I'm just glad to see that I'm the premier Met fan in your mind...
I will not go thru the moves and we should be the hot pick for all the talking heads, the same ones that screamed about Florida last year and the Phillies the year before that.
Yes, I love the Mets and their moves fill the holes we have, but there are still two huge obstacles.
1. When Glavine, Pedro and Traschel pitch six innings and get tired, who's gonna get six outs to reach Billy the Kid in the 9th?
On a side note, we didn't over pay for Wagner. We overpaid to relax a little in the ninth. Do you know how many heartattacks I've had waiting for Looper, Smoke Benetiz or Johnny Franco to blow a save? I would have offered Kris' first born, meaning whatever results from endless sperm deposits in the Columbia sewer system, for someone to come out of that pen with the credentials that Wagner has...
And Two - I'll believe we're the champs of the NL East when the Braves up and die. Until we knock them off, they're the No. 1 team and will probably pick up that 15th NL East title.
We're the favorites for the NL Wild Card, for sure tho.
The Yanks are quiet cuz they've overspent the last couple of years, didn't win and Cashman won the war against the Tampa group in Boss's ear.
The thing is no one in the National Media thinks the Boss will let Cashman start the season with Bubba Crosby as the center fielder and you need relief help, like every team in the majors.
I joked with a Yankee fan the other day that if Crosby was out in the hallowed ground of center field on opening day, Mickey Mantle would climb out of his grave, grab another gallon of whiskey, wake up Joe D and rush the Boogie Down.
But with Cashman in charge and the fact they lost over 60 million last year with luxury taxes, the smart move is rely on those bats you bought last year and the chink in LF, Hi-Dek Mat-Su, hope that Brown's subtration is an addition, that Pavano and Wright don't completely suck and die this year and wait until the trading deadline...
Then again, they could wait until January and sign Preston Wilson on the cheap since no one seems to be knocking on his door.
The Blue Jays suck, the Cubs will be tough in the Central and Grady Little will revive the Dodgers. Manny will be Manny in Boston cuz the Mets aren't giving up the Farm, which is one guy, and Floyd and money for his crazy ass. A.J. Burnett and Paul Byrd are the two worst signings next to B.J. Ryan, but what can I say - The Mets signed Bobby Bonilla in the early 90's and Mo Vaughn in the early 00's...
Steve "Did I really think Todd Zeile was better than John Olerud?" Phillips OUT
I too am going with the Bravos until they don't win it. The last 3-4 years I was convinced the Braves had a terrible team yet they somehow find players and ways to win. I will no longer doubt them. But yes the Mets are much more improved. The additions of Julio Franco and Jose Valentin are proof....sarcasm intended...
I actually think the Yanks have more "holes" and question marks then the Mets do right now. The Mets got their 1Bman, they got their closer, and they got their catcher. We all know championships are not won in Decemeber so I am not going to predict playoff type success yet. I've been here before! This dance is old. However, give me a few more arms in the pen and I'll take Anderson Hernandez at 2B.
I'm sure the Yanks will still make the playoffs and have a better season then the Mets, even though signing Farnsworth has been the biggest move you guys made so far, but I will still enjoy my season far more then you will enjoy yours!
Run Nigga Run!
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