The W - Baseball - The Yankees are in serious discussions with the Rangers to acquire Alex Rodriguez. (Page 2) This thread has 36 referrals leading to it
It's stuff like this that makes me wonder whether MLB and the NFL are actually booking around the ESPN's Bill Simmons. The guy is fresh off a great Superbowl win by his Pats and then he gets a stomach punch like this. At least I know there will be something funny to read on Page2 this week.
Obviously it should have all been done in the ring, you know, contract signing for Boston, Steinbrenner and his lackeys come down, he lays out the Boston braintrust with a superkick, and signs the contract himself...
Oh wait; we've seen that one.
/tarnish...
[the GPL is] not just a crazy idea that some lefty Commie hippie dreamed up in a drug-induced stupor. -- Linus Torvalds
The way I heard it this trade doesn't sound that great for the Yankees. As it was, nobody would take A-Rod for anybody with his huge contract. With Texas eating ~$60 mil. and the Yanks paying $16 mil/year. It at least becomes close. I also wonder why the player's union wouldn't let A-Rod take less money before, but are willing to let him take a pay cut this time.
Only I like Soriano and Contreras and wouldn't trade both of them for A-Rod. Bernie Williams for A-Rod sounded better to me. Soriano for A-Rod at $16mil. sounds better since they are the top two picks in fantasy baseball. FYI: Yahoo just started new drafts.
PS: Whoever thinks Nixon is as good as Gary Sheffield must be on crack. Sheffield: .330 Ave - 39 HR - 126 Runs - 132 RBIs - 18SB Trot Nixon: .306 Ave- 28 HR - 81 Runs - 87 RBIs - 4SB (Nixon also can't hit leftys.)
Originally posted by gugsEDIT: And one more thing, am I the only one getting a Lakers vibe from these Yankees? They've loaded up on superstars (A-Rod, Vasquez, Brown) but overlooked the little things (2B, bench, bullpen).
(edited by gugs on 15.2.04 0122)
As for bullpen, the Yankees picked up Quantrill and Tom Gordon as set-up men, so they did improve themselves. Upon reflection, Larry Luchianno still needs to be tarred and feathered. However, the Yankees line-up probably would look far more imposing if they had traded Jeter and kept Soriano, as Soriano at this point has a far higher ceiling. And, in the line-up vs. line-up ideas, remember, if Lofton is in center, that means Williams is the DH, not Tony Clark. And, this idea stolen from www.nypost.com: Make things fair in baseball. Have the third place finisher in the AL East face the winner of the AL Central in a best of 3 series for the 4th playoff spot.
Bob Ryan has a good take on NY vs. Boston matchups. The full article is here.
I cut-n-pasted the main part. I would say I agree with almost everything he says, although I'd give the Sox a slight advantage at starting pitching.....
You'd maybe like to play the matchup game? Fine.
CATCHER: Jason Varitek vs. Jorge Posada
Both are switch hitters with power, but only some utter Red Sox knucklehead would deny that Posada is a better hitter. And only a Yankee knucklehead would deny that Varitek is the better receiver and leader. Both are coming off terrific years that had many people insisting each was his team's MVP. Put that mythical gun to my head and I'll take Varitek. EDGE: Boston.
FIRST BASE: Kevin Millar/David Ortiz vs. Jason Giambi
Millar's value to the 2003 Sox far transcended his stats, which were first-half heavy. Ortiz led the Sox in big hits. But Giambi is an ex-MVP who needed knee surgery and should be primed for a big year (provided he stays out of those front-page headlines, wink, wink). EDGE: New York.
SECOND BASE: Pokey Reese vs. Mr X
Reese quickly will become Derek Lowe's best friend, at least on game days. If he hits .250, great. If he hits .275, clear a parade date with Mr. Mayor. The Yankees might stay in-house (Enrique Wilson?) or they might just go out and buy Jeff Kent. Who knows? EDGE: Boston (for the time being).
SHORTSTOP: Nomar Garciaparra vs. Derek Jeter
If you don't already have your irreversible, utterly unalterable opinion formed, you can't possibly care. EDGE: even.
THIRD BASE: Bill Mueller vs Alex Rodriguez
The Sox guy is gritty, tough, resourceful, and defending American League batting champion who is coming off a career year. The new Yankee guy is the most productive shortstop since Honus Wagner and is very possibly the most talented baseball player of the past decade. Let the record show that it's Jeter who should be making the move to third, not A-Rod. So, if Derek is really a mensch . . . Oh yeah, EDGE: New York.
LEFT FIELD: Manny vs. Matsui/Bernie
Hey, he's a goofball, but he's still our goofball. Put down the customary .300/35/110 for Manny and enjoy the full show. (Last year was his best ever defensively, by the way.) Hideki Matsui is a really solid player who should improve his home run total. Bernie Williams is on the slide. EDGE: Boston.
CENTER FIELD: Damon vs. Lofton
At his best, Johnny Damon gets on base, steals a few when he gets there, and runs from Charlestown to Revere for fly balls. The throws, we won't talk about. But in his two years here he's been (a) Mr. First Half and (b) Mr. Second Half. Lofton has been a second-half savior for teams in need of a center field fix the last two years, but he's a long way from what he once was. EDGE: Boston.
RIGHT FIELD: Trot vs. Sheffield
Who here doesn't love Trot Nixon? He's just a plain, old-fashioned ballplayer, is what he is. Now he swears he'll hit lefties if given another chance. Sheffield is an immense talent, albeit an aging one. But he should have a big year. EDGE: New York.
DH: Burks/Ortiz vs. Bernie/Assorted Mr. X's
Signing Ellis Burks was very interesting, because if he has anything left, the Sox will have a formidable DH in the lineup 162 times, plus whatever, this year. Bernie ought to be a decent DH for New York, but it seems all you hear about with him anymore is shoulder, shoulder, shoulder. EDGE: Boston.
If you're keeping score, that's 5-3-1 in favor of Boston. But catcher and short are really too close to call, and second is officially an INC until we see whom the Yankees throw out there.
It's good conversation, but here is what really matters: Pedro P Mussina
Schilling P Brown
Lowe P Vazquez
Wakefield P Contreras
Kim/TBA P Lieber
Embree RP White
Timlin RP Quantrill
Arroyo RP Gordon
Williamson RP Heredia
Foulke CL Rivera
If Javier Vazquez is as good as some people think, it's tough to separate the first three starters. Tim Wakefield is more of a known commodity than Jose Contreras. The Yankees replenished their setup corps, and you wonder whether it's possible for Mike Timlin to pick up where he left off last year, which was Lightsoutville, USA. And while Keith Foulke had more saves, Mariano Rivera is still The Man.
STARTING EDGE: Even.
SETUP EDGE: Even.
CLOSER EDGE: New York.
Sox pitchers and catchers report Friday. But baseball's version of WWIII already has begun.
Bob Ryan is a Globe columnist. His e-mail address is ryan@globe.com.
Patriots win another Super Bowl. So much for that idea of a "Curse of Jim Plunkett" book.
It constantly amazes me how Boston fans will talk about how great they are, year in and year out, and degrade everything that wears the pinstripes, yet thier team cant beat the MFY on the field.
Am I the only one at this point who, despite having my own favorite team I root for, is pretty much rooting for anyone except the Red Sox or Yankees to win the Series this year? I don't care if it's the Cubs, the A's, Marlins, Twins, Royals, Mariners, Giants, Braves, Mets, Devil Rays, Tigers...anyone will become my team for a short time if they can knock out either or both of those teams in the playoffs (since at this point I think we can pencil in both of those teams for playoff berths)
Toil not to gain wealth, cease to be concerned about it. Proverbs 23:4
Gugs... Tony Clark won't even be on the roster on Opening Day. They're about to sign Travis Lee to caddy for Giambi at first. The DH spot will be a toss up between Bernie/Lofton/Giambi on a daily basis. I imagine Lofton will be seeing the short end of that if Bernies healthy. The two are about equal defensively, with a slight edge to Lofton.
In the context of baseball, the use of drugs hurts only the player. In the context of baseball, the use of alcohol hurts only the player. In the context of baseball, womanizing hurts whom? Maybe the wife of the player? In the context of baseball, felonies are crimes against society, not against baseball. In the context of baseball, gambling is the only crime against baseball.
Gambling, in the context of baseball, is a capital offense and Rose has richly earned-- hell, he agreed to-- his death sentence. Let him hang.
Bob Kohm, co-owner of Rotojunkies.com (rotojunkies.com) , and a large market kind of guy.
Heck, anything to get Rodriguez out of Texas; he needs a chance to shine, and an opportunity to plan for a team that doesn't dwell in the ratings cellar.
I wouldn't mind him heading to Toronto, but I'm not too keen on seeing another superstar join the Yankees. I would love to see the Yank' machine crash and burn, even with all the money they're throwing at it.
SD2: April, Year 3; what's the point to the Career mode, anyhow? FF7: Disc 1; 4h into game; en route to the next reactor FF8: Disc 2; 15h into game; Squall, Rinoa, Irvine vs. Master NORG. FF9: Disc 1; 6h into game; Hunting down Dagger after she drugged me!
Originally posted by Santa SangreAnd with this aquisition the Yankees payroll is over One Billion Dollars...Salary cap what?
(edited by Santa Sangre on 16.2.04 1258)
Really? I wouldn't be surprised if it were. It's a steal for the Yankees...but this reeks of NY Rangers syndrome. Buying up big name players...but you can't buy team chemistry. If they don't win the World Series, I will LAUGH AT THEM.
FLAMES: 30-20-5-3 for 68 points LAST YEAR: 29-36-13-4 for 75 points PACE: 43-30-6-3 for 96 points
Originally posted by tarnishIt's stuff like this that makes me wonder whether MLB and the NFL are actually booking around the ESPN's Bill Simmons. The guy is fresh off a great Superbowl win by his Pats and then he gets a stomach punch like this. At least I know there will be something funny to read on Page2 this week.
I dunno... for some reason I'm not panicking about this one. Consider...
1. How does A-Rod make the transition from "Guy who was a control freak with a huge ego who signed a ludicrous contract that he knew would screw over any chance Texas had to be good, plus demanded to call pitches from shortstop and seemed to be on a crash collision course with his manager" to "Guy making $25 million a year who's just happy to be on a good team and has no problem playing 3B when he's twice as good defensively as the current SS"?
2. How is Jeter happy about having the best SS in baseball breathing down his neck on the same team, when people already question his D?
3. Is there any way the NY press won't be making a huge deal out of this all season and blowing up every perceived slight, comment, incident and everything else?
4. Didn't they just trade a guy who everyone thought was the next Hank Aaron just 10 months ago for a guy who makes 5X as much money?
5. Starters under 30: Vazquez (27), A-Rod (28) , Jeter (29). It's evolved into an older team with no young pieces. And their farm system is shot. Right?
6. If the Post is right, and Contreras IS involved... that's unbelievable. What happens if Brown breaks down?
7. How will they have money this summer to trade for another pitcher if Brown breaks down, or something happens to Mussina, or Leiber (or whomever steps into his spot if he's dealt) doesn't pan out? Would they be willing to shatter the $200 million mark this summer and make a complete mockery of the sport?
8. How many people in the history of sports will have more pressure on them than A-Rod this season?
9. EVERYONE will hate the Yankees after this. As if they didn't already. If we beat them after this trade, it only makes things that much sweeter. F them.
PS: I don't ever remember looking forward to a season more than this one. This is unbelievable. It's a Cold War. They should just start bombing each other.
(edited by JayJayDean on 16.2.04 1549) “To get ass, you’ve got to bring ass." -- Roy Jones Jr.
"Your input has been noted. I hope you don't take it personally if I disregard it." -- Guru Zim
I don't see this is such a big surprise...let's see obscene contract, check. A-Rod wants to play for the 'big time', check. guady stats on former team(s), check. interest from rival, check, easy opportunity to move those not in favor of the Boss anymore *cough soriano cough*, check, puts pressure on those even in the Boss's favor *cough Jeter cough*, check.
Of course the theory now is that with A-Rod the yanks will just mutilate the opposing starters so whoever they throw out there won't matter much. Worked for the Indians, not so much for Texas.
You wanted the best, you got... Out of Context Quote of the Week.
"EMBRACE THE PENIS! LOVE THE PENIS! THE PENIS IS YOUR BEST FRIEND! Be..... the penis." (DEAN)
Originally posted by Eddie FamousBut what happens if Maddux signs with the Yanks, as NY Radio was reporting a little bit ago.....
Dunno, really. Even then, they're old and will have three known competent starters (Vasquez, Mussina, hisself). Brown would be on the list if he wasn't so fragile (I think ESPN had it right when Stark said that the only thing he hadn't injured was his right eyebrow), Contreras was spotty in nine career starts, and Lieber hasn't pitched in a year and a half coming off Tommy John surgery. They've still got nothing left in the farm system, and are getting old in a hurry. This might work in the short run, but we know what happens when the Yanks buy up aging stars.
DEAN's Nuggets of Wisdom:
"A-Train could wear a Vampirella outfit and I would toast a load to it."
But what happens if Maddux signs with the Yanks, as NY Radio was reporting a little bit ago.....
Oh sweet Jesus no....not Maddux too...this is like seeing your children join a cult.
Wait…if it’s MLK Jr. Day AND Pat Patterson’s Birthday…who gets the token win here?-- Matt "Excalibur05" Hocking on a match between Mark Henry and Rico
MH: What’s a clever way to say that I have a penis? CJ: Uh…Mark, nobody’s going to buy that shirt. MH: How about if I say that I’ve got…a…uh…? CJ: Coming up with T-Shirt ideas is hard Mark, why not leave it to the WWE marketing department. MH: I know! I’ve got it! CJ: Got what? MH: Stank! That’s Mah Stank! I’m gonna make a fortune!! CJ: “That’s Mah Stank”? MH: On the front it’ll say “Can You Smell It?” and on the back it’ll say “That’s Mah Stank”. Everybody’ll buy it because they’ll think it’s a Rock shirt. CJ: You know…you might be on to something there, sad to say. MH: I can’t wait to show mah stank to Trish.
You know, I have a feeling that Spanky didn’t quit, he was fired. Why? So they could repackage Mark Henry as “Stanky.” Think about THAT! --Matt "Excalibur05" Hocking, 1/19/04 Raw Satire
You wanted the best, you got... Out of Context Quote of the Week.
"EMBRACE THE PENIS! LOVE THE PENIS! THE PENIS IS YOUR BEST FRIEND! Be..... the penis." (DEAN)
Originally posted by Big Bad
But what happens if Maddux signs with the Yanks, as NY Radio was reporting a little bit ago.....
Oh sweet Jesus no....not Maddux too...this is like seeing your children join a cult.
Yes, but remember this about him:
* Maddux, as great as he's been, is OLD. There's a reason no one wants to give him more than two years. * He struggled to hit 15 wins last season. Not much comfort, I know, but does anyone really think he'll do as well this year? * Questec at home makes Maddux something something.
But above all else:
The Yankees are just another team. When it comes down to it, they can only put nine players on defense and one at the plate at a time. They can only have 25 players on their active roster, until September, when they can have 40... just like everyone else. Ruth ain't coming onto that field. DiMaggio ain't coming out there. Mickey Mantle is not coming out there. We play the team they field NOW, not the players they've had. Aura and mystique are just two words, four and eight letters respectively. As Red Sox fans, we can not let them intimidate us. We might as well run scared from the Tigers because they've signed Ivan Rodriguez. Besides, it's not like everyone else has been laying down. Red Sox have lost almost nothing offensively, and they've made HUGE additions to the pitching staff. Blue Jays have done the same, reloading the farm system at the same time. Baltimore's decided to spend some money and compete offensively and pitching-wise. Even Tampa Bay has made some strides and will be a better team. They've got just as hard of a road as we do.
They may spend like this, but they have nothing in the minors and they're getting old FAST. This may be the unraveling of the Yankees as we know it.
DEAN's Nuggets of Wisdom:
"A-Train could wear a Vampirella outfit and I would toast a load to it."
But what happens if Maddux signs with the Yanks, as NY Radio was reporting a little bit ago.....
Oh sweet Jesus no....not Maddux too...this is like seeing your children join a cult.
This Maddux story is starting to get legs. There's a good chance he could join the Yankees by the end of the week.
But I'd love to see Theo Epstein suddenly swoop in and scoop up Maddux for Boston. Wouldn't THAT be a kick? And let's face it, Boston NEEDS to make a big move at this point.
But hey, I'm not sweating the Yankees. Let's not forget the moves the MOTHERFUCKIN ANAHEIM ANGELS made this offseason! Colon and Vlade will lead ANAHEIM back to the top!
Edge: So Triple H wants me to come to Raw and fight him for the big gold belt. I've TOTALLY passed you on the card. Jericho: Yeah, but while Triple H is burying you, I get to make out with Trish in front of millions. You tell ME who the winner is here, junior!
Originally posted by drjayphd Maddux, as great as he's been, is OLD. There's a reason no one wants to give him more than two years. * He struggled to hit 15 wins last season. Not much comfort, I know, but does anyone really think he'll do as well this year? * Questec at home makes Maddux something something.
We might as well run scared from the Tigers because they've signed Ivan Rodriguez.
This may be the unraveling of the Yankees as we know it.
Well, 15 wins from your number 3 or 4 starter is pretty decent, most teams would love to have it. Plus, he brings playoff experience, and he has dominated before. New league, new batters, who's to say if he cant baffle everybody. (I am hoping!)
The difference between the Tigers signing Ivan and the Yanks getting A-rod and perhaps Maddux is pretty easy to understand. A pitcher who can possibly win 12-15 games and the MVP of the league VS an aging catcher who has a pretty brutal back injury clause written in his contract.
The thing I think is going to hurt the Yanks, is they will be expected to win 130 games with this lineup, and not livign up to that is going to be a big blow to thier collective egos.
On the Maddux front: If it was the Maddux of the '90's, I'd throw in the towel. This Maddux, while he can still have those special nights, I don't know if he can do it often enough in the American League. But, he still is better than Lieber or Contreras. And, he'll probably get bumped out of the Yankees rotation late in the season by Randy Johnson (let's be honest, you know that one is coming eventually). Back to A-Rod: The biggest fraud of them all opened his mouth again. Larry Luccino reportedly www.nypost.com repeatedly harrassed Bud Selig telling him to veto the trade because it was not in the best interest of baseball. For the love of God, as much as I despise the Yankees don't cry poverty with the second highest payroll. Go out, trade Kim/Williamson/Lomasney to Texas for Soriano and put together a better offense than the Yankees. Don't go crying to Bud, especially when you are the one who put A-Rod on the market, and especially when you are the person who hired Grady Gump as the manager a few years ago to begin with.
As a full-time yankee-hater, I can only hope at this point for a couple of torn ACL's - the media coverage and talk radio discussion for the next 9 months is going to be sickening
lets go mets.....
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