Washington DC
July 6th, 2008
The rumors broke on Saturday, the day after the Nations' Birthday, that the Indians were actually considering a trade of their strike em out ace, CC Sabathia. The Brewers tried to quash the rumor, to detract from competition.
On a day that Cleveland picked up Jeff Weaver, ex-Yankee and West Coast flop-ESPN broke that CC Sabathia text messaged one of their reporters confirming the news, saying "I am good, but it is weird leaving these guys (Tribe)"
I was scratchin my own head as to why the Tribe would want Weaver, whose brother Jared is as nasty as any this year with a ton of movement on the ball which is required for any success in the bigs.
Hoping that CC would be in pinstripes, or anyone but Tampa or Boston it is seemingly a win for those in AL, for now. And bam, during tonights' Yankee win over Boston, who split the series...the news broke that the Brewers gave up Matt LaPorta, outfielder / first basemen plus prospects, for the nastiness that is CC.
It's in line with the Twins' trading Johan Santana to the Mets, of not letting the teams' ace stay in the same division. Note to Brett Favre, you may just end up in Miami with Bill Parcells. Of course it makes sense, that a team chooses to let a better offer go way side, instead of having to lose to their phenom in the same league. It is bad for business, just ask Red Sox fans how they feel about Wade Boggs, or Clemens.
CC is the standing Cy Young winner in the AL, and had 30 strike outs in 3 games with 110 in the last 14 games. It makes sense, I guess, considering the Brewers are suffering in the pitching department, especially in the closers role.
So as the Indian faithful with tears say good-bye to their lovable giant of a guy, the Brewers excitedly say hello to the best pitcher, a real life "Gentle Ben" who has the nastiest paw swiping pitch of any lefty, league-wide.
Barring anything out of the ordinary, CC Sabathia will be back on the market in the Fall as a Free Agent. So the Tribe, the Red Sox, the Rays and the Yankees will all be vying for his favor, and pushing the dough his way in about 3 months time.
Don't worry Cleveland, you still rock and have another shot in the off season. The Tribe just hasn't been all in this year, so why not benefit from this trade, I guess?
Though the Brewers may be the loser in this deal. They gave up LaPorta and 3 other prospects for a half a year with CC, and it's a year that they have to prove to be in it, which they have now done. It is Shocking too. "Milwaukee's Best" hasn't been seen since 1982 in the post season. So, pass me another Best Ice and role on Crew! Nice to see the Brewers' ownership wants in on post season play, and better for their fans, thus their future.
IN other rumor mill progessions, Matt Holliday may become a Yankee by the trade deadline at the end of the month. I heard it on 880 am, NY. Yankee fans should hope not, another youth is not the answer to their probloems. Though Roy Halladay, aka Doc, would be more the solution and a better fit in NY.
So Toronto, wanna trade?
In related news, ESPN reports that Barry Bonds worked out for the Boston Red Sox, who are without Ortiz. Some Boston fans are not happy about it either claiming moral high ground, which is just silly when considering some of the politicians to come out of that city. They're not the most moral, so have no room for any high ground. By signing Bonds the Red Sox could assure themselves a spot on the most coveted "mantle" in all baseball history.
Not the longest home run ever hit, that one is The Micks with the top 5 longest homers. But they could attain the most by any one player ever hit. Regardless of how many vitamins, or how big Bonds got, no one can take how many parkers he hit awat from him or us, ever.
Bonds is a part of our baseball history, and there is no "white-out" to erase him from the annals of sports all-time greats. We, the fans, will tell the story as we wish to our kids, not fake, pretentious, disengenious, self-serving, parasitic phonies that are todays' mass media big money sports-boobs, who suckled on the teet of "those that can" all too much, only to end up biting the ones who fed their familes, and paid their mortgages. Too far for me to go?
Bonds may be back, so what about Clemens now too? Or will criminals and George Mitchell totally ruin baseball, and steal our strike out race too? Clemens deserves to retire with dignity, he has earned it, and worked extremely hard for it. Fans have been watching this ace for 24 years, almost as long as the founders of this webite are old, and we want to say good-bye.
In reality, America demands a presumption of innocence until proof otherwise. All evidence and witnesses thus far pushed forward have turned out to be in Clemens favor, including Blair, Kelley, McCready (denied affair to postchronicle.com) Bagwell and yes, Pettitte too-who could have shown to dismiss Hardin, but didn't. DNA? Chain of custody, simple. The chain is relevant so that nut-jobs, or cops that plant evidence can not taint the process. It just so happens that McNamee might be both, with his super high arrest numbers when an under-cover dick for the NYPD.
One can't assume he cheated either, especially as Congress stated their research showed "no enhanced performance," and Mitchell stated that PEDs "only gave a psychological edge, like when confident before a big speech" which if true, then ole Mitchell should be taking some as well. But if the litmus test is no cheaters, then I would like to go through the Hall and point some out.
Either way, McNamee destroyed the reports credibility by changing it completely in his deposition (an American Classic if there ever was one), which is what liars do, they morph when caught. Yet Mitchell and Selig still stubbornly stand by it regardless. Great that he compares politics to a game though, like he made of Ireland.
If the excuse is because of the distraction of an ongoing investigation, well tell me how Miguel Tejada is doing this year for the Astros. The Yankees need help with pitching, realized the need last year, Clemens had a 4.5, and his splits in the first two innings might call for him in the set up role. He is less than a 1 ERA in the first 2. So, unless the Yankees are going to let Mitchell manage their team too, then they would do well to snatch a Rocket, man.
comments (19) write a comment »
write a new comment
3 months ago
I like everything except for saying that the trade doesn't make sense for the Brewers. This now means that the Cubs and Cards are going to have to do something to beat the Brewers, who look really good now.
from 3 months ago
Also, "not really in it?" The Brew Crew are 3.5 games behind the Cubs for the lead in the NL Central.
from 3 months ago
Didnt mean to offend brother. I only remember them from about a month ago, with Gagne as their closer. Believe me, 3.5 back then they are still in it, with CC, they definitely are now too. Just hurts to lose LaPorta and those prospects for only a guarantee of half a season. You guys are all in it, at least youve committed, unlike my Yanks.
from 3 months ago
There, I fixed it for you :o) Enjoy the phenom, if you guys make it I will be pulling for ya, cuz that Yanks just aint in it. I dont mind saying it anymore either
3 months ago
Kind of always looked at it being the Cubs vs Cards. No offense to Milwaukeans, as I enjoy my Best Ice! Cheers
3 months ago
Barry Bonds needs to stay out of the MLB for good, I'm sick of him.
from 3 months ago
A lot are. I just hope he doesnt end up with Boston. He would kill it in Fenway, though I doubt that attitude of his would change at all. When in college the team voted to kick him off. I actually pulled for him in NY, cuz the Yanks need offense. Wonder how much he'd be paid, probably not too much now-a-day
from 3 months ago
Knowing him he will still demand top dollar.
from 3 months ago
If he makes any demands at all then he wont be playing for anyone. I kind of thought Oakland might sign him, or maybe Tampa....but the sox, with that porch? I guess they'd secure the "home run king" in the Hall, if writers allow for him, which they may not pending the outcome of his legal issue.
3 months ago
The PTBNL will sway me on whether or not Shaprio got enough for CC. I am torn between Green and Brantley but then again so must the Tribe FO if they made it a PTBNL and not a choice off the bat.
Bryson is intriguing but nothing to get super excited about unless he does pan out.
IMHO, Johnson makes no sence. Why not get a lower level prospect that has a greater upside.
But as I said the PTBNL will be the determining factor of how I feel about this trade..
from 3 months ago
Hey Doc, well at least the Tribe picked up some pitching in return, though it isnt a good sign fro tribe fans whose owners just let go of the season. If I were an Indian fan I might not support them for the rest of the season, and just wait for another month to watch Brady. Just unreal.
Yes, youre right, they need some bat power, but can that be realized through a prospect...though considering Poppi was a PTBNL, it may work out. However Poppy wasnt a prospect either. The new thing for baseball is the youth movement, and maybe the Tribe has secured a good future with these prospects, especailly LaPorta. Rock on tribe, and good luck.
And what about the Brewers making a push for post season...what a day!
from 3 months ago
Thanks for the support. The fact that the Tribe can not put back to back good years is very much a concern. That is a direct refleciton on Shapiro and Wedge.
I will be pulling for the Brew Crew this year!
from 3 months ago
What happened to Lofton? He was awesome for you guys, and you certainly had the rotation.
3 months ago
Ben Buddy, Bonds already said he would play for free and donate any salary that needs to be paid to children to attend games. What a jerk?
from 3 months ago
Are you kidding? If not, that is....very generous to say the least, and thoughtful
3 months ago
i don't think barry bonds worked out for the red sox. I believe there were internal discussion about perhaps having barry bonds come in for a workout which means the red sox front office was basically just brainstorming. The Sox wouldn't sign Barry Bonds, but holy shit that'd be interesting to say the least. Ellsberry, Pedroia, Manny, Ortiz, Bonds, Drew, Lowell? Gadamn.
from 3 months ago
Thats right Matt, that would be a shoe in for the series for sure. Too bad if not, the Yanks could certainly use him, and absorb the media attraction/scandal as well. More crap happens in NY to players, and managers but somehow theyre able to absorb it. Maybe its the Yanks legacy, or rich history, it may be bigger than Bonds, A-Rod and his scandal, Pettitte, Clemens, Will Randolph etc. He would probably be easily signed in Tampa or Oaklnad, and it would show their fans that those teams still havent given up this year. Its all about the fans, and what they want, because they flip these proce tags...best of luck the rest of the season.
3 months ago
I'd be surprised if Bonds plays at all this season but Bonds would definetly be a better fit in NY with the short porch in right.
from 3 months ago
Yep, courtesy of the Babe. Good point
write a new comment