A lot of people are saying that the Yanks are finally going to miss the playoffs this year, but the Red Sox needed that streak where they were awesome to move ahead of the Yanks, who have one good starter and half their offense injured, by just three games. I think it's a lot of wishful thinking, it won't take a lot for the Yankees to get back in first. So I don't think it's a bad move to get Ponson, they didn't have to give up anyone and they're the Yankees, they have limitless amount of money. Sure Ponson may suck, but last year they did the same thing picking up crappy pitchers throwing them out there and seeing what sticks. It worked last year so why not try it again.
Any word on the ATF raiding Krivsky's office? I mean, ye gods, you don't give up Kearns and Lopez for league-average pitchers. I think they seriously think that's the kind of move they need to make to make the playoffs. Cincinnati, I'm sorry about your front office.
I know the Yankees have it bad with Pavano on the shelf and Johnson past his prime, but do they really think Ponson is the answer? I would have taken my chances on bringing up one of the prospects, especially in light of Jonathan Palpelbon's success in Boston.
And am I the only one who thinks (or maybe hopes) that somehow Toronto will steal the division?
Originally posted by It's FalseAnd am I the only one who thinks (or maybe hopes) that somehow Toronto will steal the division?
If the division and/or Wild Card was in the 88-90 win range, I could see Toronto getting in. Looking at the numbers at the break though, it looks like it will take at least 95-96 wins to get the AL East and the Wild Card might actually be 96-97 wins. To get to 95, Toronto has to go 18 over after the break, while Boston would have to go 8 over during that time period and the Yankees 14 over to reach 95. As for Ponson with the Yankees: This has a better chance of turning into Kevin Brown at the end or the Esteban Loiza Yankee fiasco rather than the Small/Chacon lightning in a bottle they caught last summer.
I think it is safe to say that the Yankees grabbed Ponson just so the Red Sox (who also put in a waiver claim) couldn't get him - not that I can see why anyone would want him......The yanks & sax are both "playing without a net" this season. It's the Division Title or no playoffs since the Wild Card is going to go to Detroit or Chicago.
The Ponson move is laughable. Not only is he terrible, but he's out of shape and uncommitted to working hard. It's ridiculous that a supposed playoff caliber team picked him up for their rotation. I tend to think the Yankees won't make the playoffs, and I wouldn't be at all shocked to see the Blue Jays finish second.
The reds deal was a steal for Washington. There's a good chance that the three guys they got were the three best players in the trade. I have no idea what the Reds could have been thinking with this move.
Originally posted by BigSteveI have no idea what the Reds could have been thinking with this move.
They were thinking that their bullpen desperately needed help, and that their offense was good enough to lose a part or two in order to get it. Or maybe they thought they still had Wily Mo Pena to plug into the outfield.
Originally posted by It's FalseI know the Yankees have it bad with Pavano on the shelf and Johnson past his prime, but do they really think Ponson is the answer? I would have taken my chances on bringing up one of the prospects, especially in light of Jonathan Palpelbon's success in Boston.
What exactly does Sidney Ponson have to be the answer for? Is anyone, Yankees management included, lifting this guy up as the #1 starter? Seriously, they brought him in to be the fifth starter, someone who is, right now anyway, not expected to get a single start in the postseason (if they make it). Does Ponson have the ability to be a better option than running Shawn Chacon or Kris Wilson out for another start, or taking Ron Villone out of the pen and putting him into the rotation? At this point, I think he could be. I don't see them making a play for a front-line pitcher. If the Phillies throw in the towel, perhaps they make a play for Abreau. Bringing in a grade-A outfielder may create issues if both Sheffield and Matsui come back healthy (who cares), but as long as they don't have to give up Hughes, or someone else of high value, I could see it.
Too bad that the Yanks couldn't have sent Chacon to Cincinatti for Kearns....that might have been nice.
I think, therefore, I think I am, at least I think...
The Reds made a pretty bad deal for themselves. They overpaid for some decent middle-relievers. Clayton, Harris, and Wagner are the throwins. It is not a deal for them to win this year. Their only hope is that in the long run, Bray is another H. Street. Only in the long run R. Wagner could be better than Bray or Majewski. I’d also rather have Rauch, if I'm forced to take a MR from the Nats. They should’ve been able to get the same deal without adding in Kearns. Just think of all the players they rejected in the last 2 years they could’ve traded Kearns for. He still has a lot of value.
I liked the idea of trading F. Lopez because I think he is overvalued. But the deal should’ve been much better. If you wanted 2 solid middle-relievers you could’ve went to the Cubs with Eyre, Howry, N. Perez for F. Lopez + R. Wagner. Or if you wanted to get rid F. Lopez, Kearns, + R. Wagner send them to Pit. for J. Wilson, R. Hernandez, Vogelsong, + (S. Torres or Marte).
The Nats are now better prepared to trade Soriano, Guillen, or even flip Kearns for prospects.
Leave Youppi! alone, Jays fan! Not baseball related, but at a Raptors-Nets pre-season game back in November at the ACC the Rap-tor mascot was messing around/dancing on top of a garbage can.