New York Yankees: Christmas In July Brings Free Players

Now, I am as biased against the Yankees as it is humanly possible. I hate everything about the pinstripes, except for Hank Steinbrenner, who has brought me more joy as an owner than I should be legally allowed to have.

Still, I try to detach myself when it comes to writing about them. Sure, I hate them, but goddamn it I respect them. They are the most successful franchise in North America, and the greatest sports stadium on this continent is entering its final months.

This worries me. As someone who enjoys epic storylines, this could get uncomfortable. What better way to end the 85 year run of Yankee Stadium then to have a World Series victory be the last game played (of course, that would mean the Fall Classic would have to go at least 6 games, which hasn't happened in years)?

It makes me sick just thinking about it.

But what really bugs me is that other teams seem to be on board with this whole idea of closing out Yankee Stadium with a bang.

The Pirates gave away their first or second best player for next to nothing. When Ross Ohlendorf is the most well-known player you receive in a trade, chances are you got the short end of the straw.

That bothers me because the Pirates are a team nowhere close to contention for anything other than a .350 season, and here they are giving up their only bright stars, save Nate McLouth.

It bothers me because the Yankees pulled off a trade on the scale of the Pau Gasol trade, except better, since Nady fills an immediate need, and the suspect Yanks' pitching could always use a boost.

Fast forward to yesterday when the Tigers decided to help the Yankees' charity case by thoughtlessly donating an All-Star catcher in Ivan Rodriguez.

(Note: I will NEVER call him Pudge. That's Fisk. He and LaDanian Tomlinson will end their days in sports plagiarism hell.)

That sure was kind of them, donating a player who the Yankees needed at that position for a mediocre-at-best middle reliever.

Honestly? They couldn't get a better reliever than Kyle Farnsworth for Ivan? That's a slap in the face to his career.

For a team that claims it needs pitching, especially middle relief, badly, Kyle Farnsworth sure is an odd choice.

And it's not like the Yankees gave up anything. They give up one of their many weak links in the bull pen, and get a rental catcher for a stretch run, then two draft picks when he goes elsewhere at the end of the season.

And before you go whining, "Well, the Red Sox got Gagne last year, and they might end up with Nate McLouth soon," two words, shut the hell up.

To get Gagne, the Sox gave up Kason Gabbard, not just a good prospect, a winning pitcher at the major league level for several starts.

Yeah, Gabbard hasn't exactly lit up the stat sheet, but he was a decent number four starter, and he could have even been a middle reliever who could eat up innings, like Justin Masterson is planning to be.

To get McLouth, or whatever pu pu platter the Marlins offer, the Sox would have to give up Manny. Say what you will about Manny, but he is one of the best hitters of his generation, and he will contribute to any team, if simply by putting bodies in the seats.

So pardon me if I sound bitter, but it bothers me when teams just seem to give away players for free, since it seems like those good players always go to teams I don't like.

No, I can't blame the Yankees for trying to upgrade as much as possible before the deadline. But I can blame these teams for donating their All-Stars to the Yankees for next to nothing in return.