For the Times, they are A-Changing

July 11, 2008 – 11:39 am

Well, have you been paying attention to what’s been going on in Metsville? Wow, have things changed. I guess only time will tell, but getting rid of Willie Randolph and replacing him with Jerry Manuel is looking nothing short of a genius move at this point, granted it sill being a very small sample size to go with. However, they are playing at a 14-9 clip, and it seems like a burden has been lifted off the shoulders of the players, who may have been playing a bit tight under the Willie Randolph regime. More importantly, the Mets and their six-game winning streak have the Mets back in the playoff chase, only being 1 1/2 games out of first place.

Granted, still a long ways to go, but let’s hope for the Mets and their fans, the good play continues.

Enough of Moises Alou already, 15 games for the year is ridiculous. I bet we’ll hear stories about how bad Alou feels about things, and that sort of thing, but let’s see Alou put his money where his mouth is. If he feels that bad, why not sign on to play in 2009 at the league minimum, and take an incentive laden deal based on performance. If he were to do something like that, I’d believe he truly felt bad about this year. Short of that, I think it’s all talk.

Well, Omar Minaya, what do you plan to do next, or do you plan on playing the rest of the year with a starting corner outfield tandem of Fernando Tatis and Endy Chavez? (Assuming Ryan Church does not return anytime soon). Who does everyone see on the radar? I’d love Xavier Nady from Pittsburgh, but I don’t see it happening anytime soon, I think the price is too high for what the Mets might be able to afford. Any suggestions?

Packers & Favre: Make your mind up already, and let’s move on!

July 8, 2008 – 12:28 pm

Another day, another soap opera. This time, the Green Bay Packers are leaving their legendary quaterback Brett Favre, not to mention their fans, in total limbo. You’d have a hard time convincing me there are Green Bay Packers fans out there, that wouldn’t welcome back Favre with open arms. Anyone who thinks Favre doesn’t want to come back, is kidding themselves. At this point, there is too much smoke for their not to be fire. Al Harris, current Green Bay Packers cornerback, is quoted as saying Brett told him, he has the “itch to play,” according to ESPN.

Yes, I realize this is not necessarily fair to Aaron Rodgers, who currently is in position to become the starter. However, Brett Favre isn’t exactly a mediocre quaterback, he is a LEGEND not only in Green Bay, but leaguewide. The funny part, at least to me, is that Brett Favre is trying to do the right thing. He’s trying not to put Green Bay in a bad spot, by downplaying the rumors. However, for some reason, it appears the Packers are not welcoming back Brett Favre with open arms, they seem to be annoyed that Favre has changed his mind, after working with Rodgers in the off-season to become the new #1 quaterback, and tinkering the offense to work with Rodgers’ strength and weaknesses. That’s all fine and dandy, if the Packers are ready to move on, then they should come out and say it, and give Brett the option to play somewhere else.

This isn’t the first time an NFL legend has had to consider playing somewhere else. Emmitt Smith ended his career as an Arizona Cardinal. Tony Dorsett ended his career as a Denver Bronco, Johnny Unitas ended as a San Diego Charger. These situations didn’t work out, but others like Jerry Rice, had success after leaving their original organization. It’s up to Favre to decide whether or not he would play somewhere else, as teams like Minnesota, Chicago and Tampa Bay, probably amongst others, would love the opportunity to bring in Favre.

Unfortunately, as Peter King of SI points out, this saga is pretty far from over, but it should be easy to decide, either the Packers welcome back Favre, or they let him play elsewhere. Stop dragging it out, people want to know the conclusion, not the whole saga attached to it…

Brewers bring in CC

July 7, 2008 – 11:12 am

The Milwaukee Brewers are expected to announce today the acquisiton of C.C. Sabathia from the Cleveland Indians for four minor leaguers, highlighted by 2007 first round pick LF Matt LaPorta, along with two minor league pitchers and a player to be named later. Sabathia, a pending free agent, will give the Brewers a potent 1-2 combo at the top of the Milwaukee rotation along with right hander Ben Sheets.

The Brewers are trying to solidify their talent as they try to make a push towards the playoffs, not having been in the post season since the Robin Yount/Paul Molitor led Brewers back in 1982. Let’s also not forget the famed spending ways of previous owner Bud Selig, and his tumultous regime in Milwaukee. Things seem to be turning around a bit in Milwaukee.

This is the first big trading chip of the year, and may be the biggest one sent packing as we approach the trading deadline at the end of this month.

It is a growing trend in major league baseball where the middle markets are starting to spend more and compete with the bigger markets. Five years ago, a team like Milwaukee would’ve had no chance at bringing in a Sabathia, it would’ve been reserved for the New York, Boston, Chicago or California teams. It’s definitely good to see more teams get into the mix for the top talent.

Another great example is the Oakland A’s signing last week of international prospect, 16-year old pitcher Michael Inoa to a $4.25 million signing bonus. Teams like the Athletics wouldn’t have been involved in a signing of this magnitude in past years. It’s good to see the finances of baseball working better, but there’s a LONG ways to go before they gain the financial equality that the NFL has.

Rangers setting themselves up for Salary Cap Disaster?

July 2, 2008 – 11:18 am

It’s hockey free agent frenzy time, correct? Well, it must be time for the New York Rangers to spend some money, no? After last year’s splash of Scott Gomez and Chris Drury, the Rangers bolstered their backline Tuesday, by re-signing Michal Rozsvial to a 5-year $20 million contract and adding free agent Wade Redden from the Ottawa Senators to a 6-year $39 million contract. While both of these guys are certainly talented, the question of whether or not they were overpaid certainly arises. Moreso, you have to wonder what GM Glen Sather and the Rangers management is thinking. After all, if you look at the Rangers salary cap hits for the upcoming season, the Rangers have $41,075,893 tied up for the upcoming season in just 9 players (see chart below). When the salary cap is $56.7 million, it doesn’t leave much wiggle room to not only make future adjustments, but to even field a viable roster of 23 skaters, there definitely isn’t a whole lot of margin for error, to say the least.

Player cap hit Length
Scott Gomez 7,357,143 thru 2013-14
Chris Drury 7,050,000 thru 2011-12
Wade Redden 6,500,000 thru 2013-14
Michal Rozsival 5,000,000 thru 2011-12
Henrik Lundqvist 6,875,000 thru 2013-14
Chrisitan Backman 2,300,000 thru 2008-09
Fedor Tyutin 2,843,750 thru 2011-12
Petr Prucha 1,600,000 thru 2008-09
Dan Girardi 1,550,000 thru 2009-10

Total 41,075,893

Other players under contract for 2008-09 and expected to be on the team:

Lauri Korpikoski 1,017,533
Aaron Voros 1,000,000
Marc Staal 826,667
Brandon Dubinsky 633,333
Blair Betts 615,000
Ryan Callahan 575,000
Colton Orr 537,500
Ryan Hollweg 512,500

Total (17 players) 46,793,426

Not included in this calculation are players like Nigel Dawes and Fredrik Sjostrom who are currently RFA’s, as well as backup goaltender Steven Valiquette, who has signed, but contract terms are not currently available. Let’s assume Valiquette will count for 600,000 against the cap for next year, so that leaves $9,306,574 to fill 5 spots, 2 of which will likely be to Dawes and Sjostrom. Barring trades to unload some salary (I believe Gomez, Drury and Lundqvist all have no-trade or at least minimum no-trade clauses), how can the Rangers still be in the running for Mats Sundin or Marian Hossa? It would be crippling for them to sign either, at least as I see it. Maybe they have knowledge to something I do not. At a minimum, I would think it’s unlikely (at best) that any of the 3 big UFA’s they have on the market return to the team, Jaromir Jagr, Brendan Shanahan or Sean Avery. Stay tuned Rangers fans, it could get ugly in the upcoming years. Maybe Cablevision thinks it’s the NBA soft cap they are dealing with. No sir, you cannot field a team if you are over the cap in the NHL.

Someone should ask Sather & Company what the plan is for the future if the cap actually goes down next year, which is always a possibility…..

NHL Free Agency Frenzy Begins….

July 1, 2008 – 10:10 am

It’s about an hour away from starting, and the late signings are coming in. The Captials signed RFA D Mike Green, to a 4-year $21M contract, taking off the market one of the better up and coming defenseman.

The New Jersey Devils re-signed UFA D Bryce Salvador to a 4 year $11.6M contract, taking off the market a nice solid stay-at-home defenseman. They also ahve re-signed UFA LW Jay Pandolfo to a contract, of which terms have not been anounced yet. Sergei Brylin was not re-signed, his option was not picked up, and he will hit free agency at noon.

There are also rumors in the New York Post that Brendan Shanhan might be looking to re-join the team he started his career with, the New Jersey Devils, but that also remains to be seen. Mats Sundin is expected to try and choose between returning to Toronto, or join the Rangers, Canadiens or Red Wings, or retire. Brian Campbell is expected to move to the east, but it’s very up in the air where he ends up at this point, it should be an exciting day of hockey free agency ahead!

Maybe This Year Will Be Different

June 26, 2008 – 1:02 pm

I have made no secret of my lack of interest in the NBA Draft. How did Portland do this year with Greg Oden? How about Seattle with Durant?

Let’s take this year’s champs as a perfect summation of what I have been saying regarding tge NBA draft for years. Did the Boston Celtics win the title because of how well they drafted? No. They won because of smart trades for veterans and stifling defense. How did the Lakers get within 2 games of their 15th title? By trading for Pau Gasol before the deadline, not by any draft day maneuvering.

Anyway, the big story today revolves around whether the Chicago Bulls will use the first pick in the draft to obtain local hero Derrick Rose, the freshmen phenom from Memphis, or whether they will trade the pick with a package to Miami for another local star - Dwyane Wade.

Speaking of Miami, they are not sure what they will do with the second overall pick (assuming the Wade to Chicago deal doesn’t go down). Will they take K-State big man Michael Beasley or perhaps, troubled O.J. Mayo from USC? What about the Stanford twins? Will it matter? Doubtful…it will take more than good drafting to knock the Lakers and Celtics off their posts as the best in their respective conferences.