I'm disgusted with Mark Tiexiera. I'm disgusted with the Yankees. I am also disgusted with baseball.
Following Mark Tiexiera's greedy decision to take every single dollar he could possible scrounge, the Yankees racked up their offseason total to 441 million dollars. Plus the 1.3 billion dollars they spent on a new stadium this year too. Well, wait, nevermind, the idiot taxpayers of New York are ponying up the money for that so that Yankees can continue to overspend for anyone and everyone. It's ridiculous, and bad for baseball. It's also bad for America. While far too many Americans battle through the recession, lose their jobs, struggle to make ends meet, the Yankees keep spending and spending and spending, and spending....
Their argument? We have to pay a luxury tax on our salaries so we're punished for it. Punished? If the New York Yankees had a living room, that 30 million was in their couch cushions.
Tiexiera could have gotten equal dollars from any number of teams. Teams he grew up rooting for, teams near his family and friends, but instead he followed the money to NYC. If I felt at all like he wanted to live and play in New York, I would be fine with it, but it's all about the money and if you don't believe that, get a life. The fact of the matter is, he will never see millions 100-180 anyway, but his great, great, grandchildren will reap the benefits. Instead of being the wholesome, guy who had a chance to change baseball for the better, Tiexiera helped bridge a bigger gap between the rich and poor among franchises, and drive away fans who are sick of seeing teams like the Yankees try to buy Championships. It will make it more fun when A-Rod bats .180 in the postseason and CC loses game 5 of the ALCS without getting out of the 2nd inning, while Tiexiera sits on the bench with a pulled hammy. At least we can hope we see that.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Ridiculous
The Packers did a fantastic job of one thing tonight... keeping the Bears in it. That should have been a blowout in the first half. The Bears are absolutely putrid. The fact that they are a playoff contender is a joke. They beat the Colts in Week 1 when Peyton was playing on one leg and in his first action of the year. They also beat the Eagles, the Lions twice, Vikings, Rams, Jaguars and Saints. That is not exactly a who's who of NFL Royalty this year. Kyle Orton has got to be the worst quarterback in the league, or at least darn close. Their coach, Lovie Smith, is maybe the most useless head coach in football. He is never doing anything when they show him on TV. Seriously, he is tucked so far into his hat and facemask that he probably can't even talk into his headset. He never changes his expression and rarely ever paces. He doesn't call the offensive plays, doesn't call the defensive plays and has guys in the booth tell him when to challenge a play. I guess he throws the challenge flag, so at least that's something. The Packers just couldn't make the play to knock the Bears out, and low and behold, in the fourth quarter, the predictable defensive breakdown allowed a big play for the Bears, and then the ability to make a stop allowed the Bears to tie it up again. So of course, if we follow the script, the next step would be a 4th quarter interception by Aaron Rodgers. But what did we get...
Probably the stupidest penalty I've seen in a while. A horse collar/late hit, whatever you want to call it after a nice return by Will Blackman. Honestly, how can you not resist from doing that? You should get fined for that kind of stupidity. Or cut. Or arrested. On another note, I have absolutely no idea why teams still believe this little squib kick thing is a good idea. I can't even really dream up a reason to believe why they think it is beneficial. The Bears were burnt on it, making it the 24th straight time I've watched that fail.
Then the Pack really decided to show that they weren't going to repeat earlier mistakes when they settled for a 52 yard field goal attempt that was missed, by throwing 3 consectutive passes taking it down to the two minute warning. It worked as they picked up a first down. Then they did the right thing by forcing the Bears to use their last time out by running the ball. I can't complain at all about the clock management in this game. So it's all set up, the script has been changed, there was no interception, so what do we get instead.... a blocked field goal!!! You have got to be kidding me. Hey at least they found a different way to blow this one. I was getting sort of sick of watching them lose the same way every week.
And what ends up really costing the Packers, well, what else would you guess.... A PENALTY!!! A stupid penalty at that. You just watched your opponent get called for the same thing, so why not go try it out yourself. Absolutely genius football players on this team. If that wasn't bad enough, let's have our two defenders crash into each other, fall down, and give up another big play. Wow.
I'm done. I want that 4 hours of my life back.
Go Lions.
Probably the stupidest penalty I've seen in a while. A horse collar/late hit, whatever you want to call it after a nice return by Will Blackman. Honestly, how can you not resist from doing that? You should get fined for that kind of stupidity. Or cut. Or arrested. On another note, I have absolutely no idea why teams still believe this little squib kick thing is a good idea. I can't even really dream up a reason to believe why they think it is beneficial. The Bears were burnt on it, making it the 24th straight time I've watched that fail.
Then the Pack really decided to show that they weren't going to repeat earlier mistakes when they settled for a 52 yard field goal attempt that was missed, by throwing 3 consectutive passes taking it down to the two minute warning. It worked as they picked up a first down. Then they did the right thing by forcing the Bears to use their last time out by running the ball. I can't complain at all about the clock management in this game. So it's all set up, the script has been changed, there was no interception, so what do we get instead.... a blocked field goal!!! You have got to be kidding me. Hey at least they found a different way to blow this one. I was getting sort of sick of watching them lose the same way every week.
And what ends up really costing the Packers, well, what else would you guess.... A PENALTY!!! A stupid penalty at that. You just watched your opponent get called for the same thing, so why not go try it out yourself. Absolutely genius football players on this team. If that wasn't bad enough, let's have our two defenders crash into each other, fall down, and give up another big play. Wow.
I'm done. I want that 4 hours of my life back.
Go Lions.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Newest Brewer?
Reports are starting to surface that the Brewers are close to a deal with former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Braden Looper. I've silently wondered why the Brewers weren't looking at Looper as he seems like a cost efficient and effective pitching options for the Crew. His career 3.96 ERA looks promising and at 12-14 with a 4.16 ERA, definately qualifies for a solid back of the rotation starter
I'm wondering though, if the Brewers are looking at him as a closer rather a starter. He emerged as a closer for the Marlins back in 2002 and 2003, then had two solid seasons in that role for the Mets in 2004 and 2005 before he was replaced by Billy Wagner. He had a career high 108 strikeouts last year in 199 innings pitched. The Brewers never seem to lack creativity in what they sign guys for, or ask of their players, so I'm just venturing a guess on this, but it's an intriguing possibility. He could be had for much less that the 20-30 million that Brian Fuentes is going to get, and the Brewers wouldn't have to give up one of their coveted draft picks. I'd guess Looper can be had in a 2 year deal for around 12-15 million which is on the cheap for a pitcher nowadays.
I'm wondering though, if the Brewers are looking at him as a closer rather a starter. He emerged as a closer for the Marlins back in 2002 and 2003, then had two solid seasons in that role for the Mets in 2004 and 2005 before he was replaced by Billy Wagner. He had a career high 108 strikeouts last year in 199 innings pitched. The Brewers never seem to lack creativity in what they sign guys for, or ask of their players, so I'm just venturing a guess on this, but it's an intriguing possibility. He could be had for much less that the 20-30 million that Brian Fuentes is going to get, and the Brewers wouldn't have to give up one of their coveted draft picks. I'd guess Looper can be had in a 2 year deal for around 12-15 million which is on the cheap for a pitcher nowadays.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Trail Blazer
Mark Tiexera has the chance to help the Milwaukee Brewers in the future. Not on the baseball field with his play but with his free agent choice. Tiexera is being offered similar money by the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals as he is by powerhouses in the Boston Red Sox, Anaheim Angels and New York Yankees.
He is from the Baltimore area and has said all along that he would like to play close to home (where have we heard that before?). If he chooses to go play in a place he feels comfortable, he could change the face of one of the those perpetual losing franchises. All of a sudden, that team becomes instantly credible in the eyes of the media and in the eyes of other free agents.
Maybe, just maybe, by Tiexera shunning the big guns, it would show others that they have choices in which franchises they go to. They can see that they have choices other than chasing the ultimate marketing buck in the big city. He has the opportunity to show that it is ok to go to a place that makes you happy or makes you feel comfortable. Like Baltimore or Washington, or for someone someday, Milwaukee.
Here's to hoping he makes the right decision.
He is from the Baltimore area and has said all along that he would like to play close to home (where have we heard that before?). If he chooses to go play in a place he feels comfortable, he could change the face of one of the those perpetual losing franchises. All of a sudden, that team becomes instantly credible in the eyes of the media and in the eyes of other free agents.
Maybe, just maybe, by Tiexera shunning the big guns, it would show others that they have choices in which franchises they go to. They can see that they have choices other than chasing the ultimate marketing buck in the big city. He has the opportunity to show that it is ok to go to a place that makes you happy or makes you feel comfortable. Like Baltimore or Washington, or for someone someday, Milwaukee.
Here's to hoping he makes the right decision.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Cameron for Cabrera, Mike for Melky
Rumors keep swirling that the Brewers are eventually going to trade Mike Cameron to the Yankees for Melky Cabrera. There seems to be stumbling blocks on the way to the trade regarding the Brewers either paying for some of the 10 million that Cameron is due next year or taking back some salary in return. The player who keeps coming up is "disappointing" lefty Kei Igawa of the Yankees. I say, go for it.
Igawa was solid in AAA last year after struggling with the Yankees. If nothing, it adds depth to the pitching staff, which is what they were hoping to get with the money they saved on Cameron. He's younger than the other guys they were looking to go after. It's less of a risk than to try to trust the health of John Smoltz, Randy Johnson or any other 40 something the Brewers are kicking the tires of. Who knows what getting out of the pressure of New York would do for Igawa. The Brewers can afford to try him as a starter, long man out of the pen or a reliever, and see where he fits. Pitchers moving from the American League to the National League have a good track record of improvement in numbers as well.
As far as Cabrera, what a perfect move for the Brewers. He is another guy who might thrive outside of New York. He's low risk with his salary around 500,000 and under club control for the next 3 years. They shed Cameron, his strikeouts, his salary, and, unfortunately his defense, but hopefully continued improvement from Ryan Braun and Corey Hart on the corners can compensate some for that loss.
I know this is the ultimate optimist view of this trade, but I can't help to take that view. It seems like a great deal to me. It could get even better if the Brewers could pawn Bill Hall off on them too...
Igawa was solid in AAA last year after struggling with the Yankees. If nothing, it adds depth to the pitching staff, which is what they were hoping to get with the money they saved on Cameron. He's younger than the other guys they were looking to go after. It's less of a risk than to try to trust the health of John Smoltz, Randy Johnson or any other 40 something the Brewers are kicking the tires of. Who knows what getting out of the pressure of New York would do for Igawa. The Brewers can afford to try him as a starter, long man out of the pen or a reliever, and see where he fits. Pitchers moving from the American League to the National League have a good track record of improvement in numbers as well.
As far as Cabrera, what a perfect move for the Brewers. He is another guy who might thrive outside of New York. He's low risk with his salary around 500,000 and under club control for the next 3 years. They shed Cameron, his strikeouts, his salary, and, unfortunately his defense, but hopefully continued improvement from Ryan Braun and Corey Hart on the corners can compensate some for that loss.
I know this is the ultimate optimist view of this trade, but I can't help to take that view. It seems like a great deal to me. It could get even better if the Brewers could pawn Bill Hall off on them too...
Dark Days Ahead
I'm not even sure where to start after today's disappointing performance by the Green Bay Packers. I wish I could at least say that they were finding creative ways to lose games, but it's the same script as it has been.
1. Don't come out ready to play and fall behind early
2. Fight back, play well, and take control of the game
3. Have a couple of defensive breakdowns to allow a late opponent score
4. Destroy any chance of a last minute drive by throwing an interception
There might be one of those four in some loss, but the majority are there every week.
No one will let me blame it on the fact that the Packers sorely miss Brett Favre's leadership and the way guys, offense and defense, rally around him. The way, that despite his interceptions that everyone remembers, he found ways to win games. Which led to countless 4th quarter game winning drives and one losing record in his time as Packers starting quarterback.
So, since I can't blame it on that, who is to blame?
Is it the coaches? The blatant lack of discipline on display by the costly penalties week after week, or the fact that they have to constantly call timeouts to get alignments correct. Breakdowns on defense, blown coverages and improper personnel could be placed on the coaches. A lack of blitzes, or effective blitzes could be a product of the system and be put on the coaches, or....
Is it the players? Losing recievers at key moments, penalties, and poor tackling should be blamed on the men who get paid millions to not do those very things. I'm forgetting dropped passes, not knowing where to line up and missing blocks. That's on them.
So who is it? Probably a combination of the two. When th Packers ended their 14-3 run last year with a loss at home to the Giants in the NFC Championship Game, it seemed like a disappointing end to a great run. It turns out, it began the Curse of #4. It's all downhill from here. Ask the Cubs how curses work out for a team. It's going to be a long century!
1. Don't come out ready to play and fall behind early
2. Fight back, play well, and take control of the game
3. Have a couple of defensive breakdowns to allow a late opponent score
4. Destroy any chance of a last minute drive by throwing an interception
There might be one of those four in some loss, but the majority are there every week.
No one will let me blame it on the fact that the Packers sorely miss Brett Favre's leadership and the way guys, offense and defense, rally around him. The way, that despite his interceptions that everyone remembers, he found ways to win games. Which led to countless 4th quarter game winning drives and one losing record in his time as Packers starting quarterback.
So, since I can't blame it on that, who is to blame?
Is it the coaches? The blatant lack of discipline on display by the costly penalties week after week, or the fact that they have to constantly call timeouts to get alignments correct. Breakdowns on defense, blown coverages and improper personnel could be placed on the coaches. A lack of blitzes, or effective blitzes could be a product of the system and be put on the coaches, or....
Is it the players? Losing recievers at key moments, penalties, and poor tackling should be blamed on the men who get paid millions to not do those very things. I'm forgetting dropped passes, not knowing where to line up and missing blocks. That's on them.
So who is it? Probably a combination of the two. When th Packers ended their 14-3 run last year with a loss at home to the Giants in the NFC Championship Game, it seemed like a disappointing end to a great run. It turns out, it began the Curse of #4. It's all downhill from here. Ask the Cubs how curses work out for a team. It's going to be a long century!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Opportunity of a Lifetime
I had the opportunity this past weekend to be on the sidelines at Lambeau Field before the Packers and Houston Texans game. It was an amazing experience that I will always remember. I've been to Lambeau many times before, but never like this. It capped a fantastic weekend where I met a lot of great people, including the majority of the Houston Texans coaching staff on Saturday night. I included a couple of my 140 pictures below or you can click on the link below them to see my entire photo gallery.
Bye Bye CC
Well, with all the lead-up, speculation and guessing as to where CC was going to go, he ended up following the money. It was always speculated that he wanted to play in the National League, or in his home state of California or that he enjoyed his time in Milwaukee so much that he'd consider signing there for less (who were we kidding?) But when it was all said and done, he took the Yankees offer of 7 years/161 million dollars. And honestly, I can't blame him in the least.
I was back and forth on the whole thing for the months following the Brewers exit from the playoffs, and today, when it happened, I felt relief. I'm glad that the Brewers didn't end up on the hook for 100 million plus. It would have crippled the franchise for years. Now they can make some trades, pick up some free agents off the bargain rack, maybe a mid-marquee name or two and build this team back up the way they had been doing it.
CC was great for the franchise while he was here. He helped put Milwaukee baseball back on the map, and I think we should be thankful for what he gave us. Let's just hope Sheets doesn't sign with the Yankees too so the Brewers get their full compenstation for the two. I'm still not against the Brewers resigning him to a 2 year/25 million dollar contract which is what is speculated the Yankees were going to offer him. That is actually a bargain for a pitcher of his caliber with little risk with a two year contract. Maybe toss a mutual option for a third year and boom, we've got Sheets back. Everyone likes to hate him for being injured all the time, but he has been loyal, valuable and productive for the Brewers over his time. Even if he only makes 25 starts a year because of injuries, that's better than 25 starts out of someone else.
Melvin said there won't be a firesale of the Brewers now, but I guarantee there will be some players coming and going. So let the speculation begin!
I was back and forth on the whole thing for the months following the Brewers exit from the playoffs, and today, when it happened, I felt relief. I'm glad that the Brewers didn't end up on the hook for 100 million plus. It would have crippled the franchise for years. Now they can make some trades, pick up some free agents off the bargain rack, maybe a mid-marquee name or two and build this team back up the way they had been doing it.
CC was great for the franchise while he was here. He helped put Milwaukee baseball back on the map, and I think we should be thankful for what he gave us. Let's just hope Sheets doesn't sign with the Yankees too so the Brewers get their full compenstation for the two. I'm still not against the Brewers resigning him to a 2 year/25 million dollar contract which is what is speculated the Yankees were going to offer him. That is actually a bargain for a pitcher of his caliber with little risk with a two year contract. Maybe toss a mutual option for a third year and boom, we've got Sheets back. Everyone likes to hate him for being injured all the time, but he has been loyal, valuable and productive for the Brewers over his time. Even if he only makes 25 starts a year because of injuries, that's better than 25 starts out of someone else.
Melvin said there won't be a firesale of the Brewers now, but I guarantee there will be some players coming and going. So let the speculation begin!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Useless Waste of My Time
While watching the Bucks and the Bulls tonight, I thought how much I disliked Drew Gooden. Not as a player, not as a person, not really for any reason in particular, but I just can't stand him. This got me thinking about other players in the league who I just can't stand for reasons that are either stupid or may not even exist. So, with that, I decided to put together my list of Players I Can't Stand for No Particular Reason, or reasons that are too ridiculous to even mention.
Chris Anderson, PF, Hornets
Renaldo Balkman, SF, Knicks
Bruce Bowen, SF, Spurs
Brian Cardinal, PF, Grizzlies
Ricky Davis, SF, Clippers
Walter Hermann, PF, Pistons
Stephen Jackson, SG, Warriors
Tyronn Lue, PG, Bucks
Drew Gooden, PF, Bulls
Andres Nocioni, SF, Bulls
Eduardo Najera, SF, Mavericks
Fabricio Oberto, PF, Spurs
Tayshaun Prince, SF, Pistons
Wally Szczerbiak, SF, Cavaliers
Jamaal Tinsley, PG, Pacers
Hedo Turkoglu, SF, Magic
Antoine Walker, PF, Grizzlies
Anyone I should add to the list?
Chris Anderson, PF, Hornets
Renaldo Balkman, SF, Knicks
Bruce Bowen, SF, Spurs
Brian Cardinal, PF, Grizzlies
Ricky Davis, SF, Clippers
Walter Hermann, PF, Pistons
Stephen Jackson, SG, Warriors
Tyronn Lue, PG, Bucks
Drew Gooden, PF, Bulls
Andres Nocioni, SF, Bulls
Eduardo Najera, SF, Mavericks
Fabricio Oberto, PF, Spurs
Tayshaun Prince, SF, Pistons
Wally Szczerbiak, SF, Cavaliers
Jamaal Tinsley, PG, Pacers
Hedo Turkoglu, SF, Magic
Antoine Walker, PF, Grizzlies
Anyone I should add to the list?
Luke Warm to Cold Stove
The off-season for the Brewers hasn't exactly lived up to my expectations so far this year. I know it is still considered early, but with today's report that they will most likely be quiet at the Winter GM Meetings, I'm starting to wonder if they are painting themselves in a corner with these CC negotiations. If it drags out into the depths of winter before one of the L.A. teams steps up and offers him a contract which he will accept, the Brewers may be left with little options. At least on the free agent market. I think plan A still includes keeping this team relatively as it was last year with CC leading the staff once again. I think plan B is still the trade of Cameron, Fielder or Hardy (my gut says Fielder), and the restocking of their minor leagues and young talent and pushing some of those talents to the big league level. I can't call it a rebuilding project, becuase that isn't what it is, but a restocking project might be a better way to say it. Then if these young guys develop quicker than anticipated and they are competitive this year they will have depth in the minor league system to make trades for veterans as the year goes on, or as needed. And by the way, if you haven't figured it out, plan A is not going to happen. Getting CC back is a pipe dream and if you haven't realized it yet, wake up.
The reason I feel that Fielder will be the one to go is that I don't think the Brewers believe that Alicides Escobar is ready to be an everyday player. He didn't perform well in the Arizona Fall League which is usually a pretty good indicator. If you didn't read about Escobar and other Brewers propects in the AFL, you can check it out at this link...
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/35014469.html
Whichever way they want to go, I just wish it would get going or stop calling it the hot stove, because it's been about as dull as can be.
The reason I feel that Fielder will be the one to go is that I don't think the Brewers believe that Alicides Escobar is ready to be an everyday player. He didn't perform well in the Arizona Fall League which is usually a pretty good indicator. If you didn't read about Escobar and other Brewers propects in the AFL, you can check it out at this link...
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/35014469.html
Whichever way they want to go, I just wish it would get going or stop calling it the hot stove, because it's been about as dull as can be.
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