June 9, 2009

The NHL has a serious problem that they themselves created.

Since its 2005 labor issue, the NHL’s popularity plummeted.  When the NHL returned to the regular season, it came back to television on VS and NBC instead of ESPN.  VS – REALLY – a major sports league wants its games played on a channel which specializes in hunting and bull riding.  The NHL should have done whatever it takes to stay on ESPN.  REALLY – ESPN is.  It is – REALLY. For sports, clearly, ESPN is.  It is money, fame, recognition, fresh, popularity, hip, always on.  It is good business.

SERIOUSLY – who made the decision to put a critical Stanley Cup clinching game the same night as the NBA finals?  If you are trying to grow your sport’s popularity, why would you put your biggest stage on the same night as Kobe Bryant?  SERIOUSLY – that’s just bad business development.  All the advertisers and major sponsors are heading to ABC, home of the NBA Finals (and LOST), not NBC, home of “I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here”.

I mean, C’MON, this ignorance deprives people of seeing a beautiful, fast, action-filled sport with young stars like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Pavel Datsyuk.  Hockey combines speed and hitting and slick passes with 100 mph slap shots.  How can you not like a sport where there are penalties for slashing, boarding, and fighting – C’MON!!!!!!!

June 8, 2009

Living in Phoenix has its advantages:  Six months of absolutely perfect weather, great golf courses, three hours from snowboarding in the winter, five hours from the beach in the summer, and (of course) the most complete school in the Pac-10 Conference at Arizona State University.

But Phoenix isn’t a major sports city.  It’s nothing like the life or death of New York, Boston, or Philadelphia sports.  Phoenix isn’t even in the Chicago, Miami, Dallas, Los Angeles second class of sports cities.

Yet, Phoenix has a professional team in each of the major sports leagues:  MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL.  That’s usually what puts a city in the top tier of sports cities.

So what is wrong with Phoenix sports?  Simply put:  It’s a fickle sports town where people flock to whoever is hot and avoid whoever is not.  But 2009 is even more different . . .

It all started when the former cellar dweller Arizona Cardinals became the NFC Champions.
Next, the Phoenix Suns organization wanted to change its essence, but their players didn’t.
Then, the Arizona Diamondbacks, in the middle of their youth movement, forgot that their young players still have a lot to learn.
Finally, the Phoenix Coyotes realized that moving 20 miles west of Phoenix to one of Phoenix’s oldest suburbs, in a state that is years behind improving its highways, cuts your fan base in half for Sunday through Thursday night games.

All the previously mentioned cities (New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Miami, Dallas, LA) would be completely shell shocked if they were in Phoenix.  Grown men would be calling out sick from work.  Local sports radio hosts would be calling for organizational firings.  Newspaper columnists would be writing brutally honest columns reprimanding players and coaches.

What was the final blow for me?  A bunch of things . . .

The Diamondbacks won a game in 18 innings, and all I heard around town was the 9 innings of no-hit ball the Diamondback bullpen put up.  Are you kidding me?  Why isn’t anybody talking about the five runs the first two relief pitchers gave up TO SEND the game into extra innings – REALLY – we are going to focus on those nine innings instead of how the game got to extra innings – SERIOUSLY – It was David Eckstein who homered off of your relief pitcher – David “33 Homers in 10 Career Seasons” Eckstein. David “I’m not tall enough to get on the rides at DisneyLand” Eckstein.  David “My bat is the size of a toothpick” Eckstein – C’MON! – What a joke.

Earlier this past weekend, the Phoenix Suns, who have lost a lot of season ticket holders and are desperately calling them multiple times a week to get them back,  had their best player, Amare Stoudemire, went on a country wide radio campaign to express his displeasure with the organization.

The Phoenix Coyotes are broke, and people are just starting to care now that the team seems destined for Canada.

This wouldn’t happen in most other cities – instead, Phoenicians (yup, that’s the fancy West Coast wannabe term) just keep playing their golf, traveling to California for the beach, or getting ready for the next season.  Phoenix will never be a main-stream top sports city.

January 13, 2009

As I was going through my calendar at work, I realized that there is one more month until pitchers and catchers report for spring training (I need to start coming up with these years new excuses to leave work at noon).

It’s the most wonderful time of the year as the baseball season starts up with high expectations for every team (but the Pirates and Royals). New faces in new places create a stir in the clubhouse and energize the fans. Soon, fans start to receive their fantasy baseball magazines and prospect books.

As I go through my notes getting ready for early drafts and auctions, I am surprised about how many impact, former All-Star, free agents are still on the market. Nobody can deny that the economy isn’t hurting Major League Baseball. Here are some current free-agents with the places where I (selfishly) hope they end up.

Orlando Hudson, 2B  -  REALLY!

Even though they say they do not have any money due to several players getting raises in arbitration, the Cardinals have to be considering signing O-Dawg to a one year deal. Hudson is the type of player the Cardinal Nation would fall in love with – hard working, fan friendly, superior defender, and a decent offensive player an OPS over 800 the past three seasons. Hudson takes a lot of walks which should be nice as a #2 hitter in front of Pujols, Ludwick, Ankiel, and Glaus.

Ben Sheets, SP  – SERIOUSLY!!

The last of the first tier free agent starters have finally signed, so now it’s time to speculate about that second tier, and Sheets is at the top of the list. The former four-time All-Star finds himself without a team. Not for long though – I think Sheets will sign with Texas to become their ace (and rejoin his old Brewer pitching coach Mike Maddux). Sheets has always shown great control with a greater than 3:1 K:BB ratio the past two seasons, so moving the AL shouldn’t have as big of an impact as other starters switching leagues.

Adam Dunn, OF  – C’MON!!

Dunn says he wants a 5 year deal with a team that will let him play the OF. Some AL teams, most recently the Orioles, have inquired about him to be their full-time DH, but those talks didn’t progress.

Selfishly, I would absolutely love to see Dunn in Colorado launching moon shots. Their OF right now is Hawpe, Spilborghs, and C-Gonzalez. I am not a big fan of Spilborghs, so Dunn fits in nicely this season, but next season would be extremely crowded because super prospect Dexter Fowler should be ready by next year. I am imagining that every Dunn homer in Colorado would be like the Pujols playoff shot off of Lidge. That’s clouding my judgment, so moving on . . . . Washington is throwing money around in offers without a bite, but they have youngsters Willingham, Milledge, and Elijah Dukes in their OF . . . . The Mets don’t really have a LF right now . . . . I think the intriguing teams would be Seattle and Texas – both could add Dunn to their OF/DH rotations. Gutierrez, Balentien, Ichiro in Seattle and Murphy, Hamilton, Cruz in Texas. If Dunn gets a longer deal, I am going to say Texas again as they have fewer higher rated OF prospects coming up than Seattle.

And I won’t even go into the enigma that is called Manny . . . .

Who knows what happens, but where do you think these guys will end up?
Are there any other impact, lineup or rotation changing, players out there?

**as posted at Baseball.RotoChamps.com**

January 4, 2009

At the beginning of last season, did anybody think that 30 year-old Ryan Ludwick would have 40 2Bs, 37 HRs, 113 RBIs, a 965 OPS, and 17 votes for NL MVP? Probably not.

Ludwick was seen as organizational depth in the outfield, spending parts of 8 seasons in AAA. He was traded from Oakland to Texas to Cleveland before he signed a minor league deal with the Cardinals.

Ludwick was considered a AAAA hitter – a hitter who could perform in AAA, but never put it together in the majors. Then he got his chance with the Cards at the end of 2007, and Ludwick blew up in 2008.

So are there guys out there who could be 2009’s Ryan Ludwick?? Here are some guys who could.

Nelson Cruz, OF (Texas Rangers), 28 Years Old – REALLY!

AAA – 383 AB, 18 2B, 37 HR, 99 RBI, 24 SB, .342 AVG, .429 OBP, 1123 OPS
MLB – 115 AB, 9 2B, 7 HR, 26 RBI, 3 SB, .330 AVG, .421 OBP, 1030 OPS

Amazing 2008 season – crushed the minors and continued to perform in the majors. In Texas, Cruz could go 30/20 playing everyday (minor league career 75% SB%). However, Cruz struggled in 330 PA during the 2007 season where his lack of consistent contact skills were exploited (26.2% K%). One note to the amazing 2008 season, Cruz had a .377 BABIP which is well above the league average.

With Milton Bradley’s departure in free agency, Cruz seems to have a starting position as the team’s right fielder or designated hitter.

Dallas McPherson, 3B (Florida Marlins), 28 Years Old – SERIOUSLY!!

AAA – 448 AB, 22 2B, 42 HR, 98 RBI, .275 AVG, .381 OBP, 999 OPS

Peaked as Baseball America’s #2 prospect in the Angels organization in 2005, Dallas McPherson has always been about power. The 2nd Round draft pick in 2001 out of The Citadel played his first full season since 2004 and led the minor leagues in HRs.

The Marlins, in a cost-cutting move, traded Mike Jacobs to Florida which opens up an infield spot. Florida has several options, and they will probably see what happens in the spring:
McPherson can slide over from 3B to 1B in the majors.
Some reports think Cantu slides to 1B with McPherson stepping in at 3B.
There is a chance that Florida uses recently acquired Emilio Bonifacio at 2B and slides Dan Uggla over to 3B squeezing McPherson out.

Josh Phelps, 1B (San Francisco Giants), 30 Years Old  – C’MON!!!

AAA – 461 AB, 31 2B, 31 HR, 96 RBI, .291 AVG, .373 OBP, 941 OPS

Phelps hasn’t had a full-time gig since 2003 with Toronto. He has been with seven organizations since 2004 (TOR, CLE, TB, NYY, PIT, STL, now SF). Late-season success in 2007 with the Pirates continued in 2008 with the Cardinal’s AAA team. Unfortunately, Phelps was stuck behind the NL MVP Albert Pujols. Most of his time in the majors, Phelps has been used as a platoon player against lefties.

Phelps signed with the Giants this off-season, and he will have to attempt to beat out youngsters Pablo Sandoval, John Bowker and Travis Ishikawa for the 1B job.

**as posted on Baseball.RotoChamps.com**

December 30, 2008

Banks are going under and getting a bailout.
The Big 3 U.S. Auto-Makers just got a bail-out.
The economy is in a recession.
Holiday spending was down big even after the biggest Black Friday ever.

You wouldn’t be able to tell that by the cash the Yankees are spending on starting pitching. The Yankees shelled out $244M over the next eight years for CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett combined.

Who’s next? Well, the teams with the money will fight over Derek Lowe, arguably the best starter left on the market, Oliver Perez, the left handed Rick Vaughn enigma, and even Andy Pettitte, who could come back for one last large paycheck. These starters will be picked up by the large market teams with cash.

What’s left? To be honest, it’s risk. Small market teams on a tight payroll will have to sign pitchers with risks, hope that risk pays-off, then trade that pitcher at the deadline to playoff contending teams for prospects. One other thing to note, some of the teams with the tightest payrolls also have the best pitching parks: San Diego, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Oakland, Milwaukee and Minnesota.

At the two weeks leading up to the 2008 deadline, in a year when the top teams were supposed against trading prospects, the following veterans were traded for good prospects:

The Oakland A’s received Adrian Cardenas, Josh Outman, and Matt Spencer from the World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies for Joe Blanton.

The Washington Nationals got 2B Emilio Bonifacio from the Arizona Diamondbacks for Jon Rauch.

The Seattle Mariners got a nice SP prospect Gabriel Hernandez from the Florida Marlins for Arthur Rhodes.

In 2007, the Rangers received outfielder David Murphy and OF prospect Engel Beltre from the Boston Red Sox for Eric Gagne.

The Padres obtained Will Inman, Steve Garrison, and Joe Thatcher from the Milwaukee Brewers for Scott Linebrink

Following the professional teams, fantasy owners in large (12, 16, 18, 30 team) leagues with deep benches could benefit with stashing some of these pitchers away on your roster for a pay-off later on.
So here are guys I am following, and if the situation works, these pitchers could end up on my bench or stashed on the DL. Then I hope to spin them off in a trade if needed.

Mark Mulder, 31 – REALLY!

Mulder has done absolutely nothing but have surgery on his left rotator cuff, rehabilitate several times, and pitch horribly the past three seasons. After recovering, it seems Mulder could not return to his preferred arm angle used during those successful Oakland years. This off-season, Mulder has been working with a trainer on increasing flexibility. With increased flexibility, Mulder can get back to his old arm angle.

If its true that Mulder is back to throwing at this preferred arm angle and if he has worked through the scar tissue, the fastball, curveball, change-up lefty could be getting hitters out in the National League very soon.

The former Michigan State star and 2nd overall draft pick could end up anywhere. Mulder could be reunited with Ken Macha in Milwaukee or he could end up staying in his familiar area of the Southwest and sign with San Diego or Arizona.

Mark Prior, 28 – SERIOUSLY!

Prior has been out since 2006 with absolutely no registered major league pitches the past two seasons. Without any injuries, Prior was a dominant pitcher with a high strikeout rate while allowing less than one hit per inning.

Prior doesn’t have to be an ace to be valuable to a team – he can be a solid mid-rotation starter. However, Prior probably has to do something about those pitching mechanics so that these shoulder problems do not return.

Prior, a former USC star, could end up returning to San Diego on a incentive laden deal again or join one of the Los Angeles teams.

Chuck James 27 – C’MON!!

James is out with rotator cuff and labrum surgery and out to at least the All-Star break. However, when healthy, Chuck James has strong command (8.6% BB/PA, 17.5% K/PA in majors) and the ability to fool hitters as a lefty. However, James is a fly-ball pitcher – an extreme fly-ball pitcher. He needs to be in a good ball park preferably in the National League. James won’t be an ace with those fly-balls, but he could be a solid mid-rotation innings-eater.

James, a 20th round draft pick in the 2002 draft by Atlanta, is a fly ball pitcher. He could go to any team whose ballpark benefits a fly-ball pitcher like San Diego. James could also end up in Kansas City (a good fly-ball stadium but James would have to deal with one extra slugger) since their GM, Dayton Moore, was the assistant general manager in Atlanta and Director of Personnel Player Development the year James was drafted.

I only covered some starters, but there are some interesting middle relievers who fit the same type as Mulder, Prior, and James:

Yhency Brazoban, 28
Chad Cordero, 26
Wil Ledezma, 27

**as posted on Baseball.RotoChamps.com**

October 3, 2008

REALLY – Lance Armstrong is returning to competitive cycling in an attempt to win the 2009 Tour de France.  The 37 year old Armstrong will be joining Astana, and he hopes to raise cancer awareness across the world.  The absolute only way this is a good thing for Armstrong is if he wins the Tour de France, REALLY. If Armstrong does not win the Tour de France, the overly aggressive and insane French press will be all over Armstrong writing stories about how he can’t win when the sport is clean.  Even though National Geographic’s Stefan Lovgren wrote an great article explaining some of the science behind Lance Armstrong, the French will always be on a witch-hunt.  A win in 2009, at the age of 37, with daily drug tests and results posted on the internet, is the only way this turns out a wonderful story for Armstrong, REALLY!

SERIOUSLY – Major League Baseball is nervous – truly nervous, SERIOUSLY! Why?   While a Boston Red Sox/Chicago Cubs or a LA Angels vs LA Dodgers World Series would be huge for MLB, a Tampa Bay Rays vs Philadelphia Phillies World Series would be horrible for television ratings.  With the riveting first round match-ups like Brewers/Phillies and Rays/White Sox, baseball fans are thirsting for a big team.  No Mets and no Yankees in the playoffs means a lot of the Northeast is moving on to the Giants, Jets, Knicks, Rangers.  While a lot of people root for the underdog and MLB talks about trying to level the playing field (the draft slotting system push the past two years as one example), MLB always roots for the big market and worldwide most popular teams to go through the playoffs  because of the cash money, SERIOUSLY!

C’MON - Angels, big game tonight – it’s a must win.  I don’t think I can handle the Red Sox winning another game.

August 27, 2008

REALLY – It’s time.  Get your coolers cleaned out, your beer stocked up, your recliners in the perfect position because, that’s right, it’s college football time.   Do I even need to type anything more?  How about amazing games like Missouri/Illinois, USC/Ohio State, Arizona State/Georgia in the first month of the season?  Or what about the suddenly offensive Big 12 or the powerful SEC?  Is there anything better – I cannot wait for that perfect night in November, sweatshirt and shorts, and a cold beer while tailgating for the next big game – if Christmas is truly the most wonderful time of the year, this is a very close second, REALLY!

SERIOUSLY – What a huge statement from the LPGA today:  all of its players must learn and speak English while passing an English proficiency test or else face losing their membership.   Do you remember those congressional hearings on steroids for baseball – which ball player came out worst immediately following the hearings – Sammy Sosa of course because he brought an interpreter to the meetings even though he has played 17 years of professional baseball, SERIOUSLY! The LPGA is a world-wide business, so its great to see many of its tour members from other nations, but most of the tournaments, press, and sponsers are American.  Speaking the language is the key to further progressing the stars of the LPGA – there is a lot of money in professional sports, and investors would like for the professional players to communicate with its clientele.

C’MON – Do Frenchies have an attitude or what?  Andy Roddick won his first round US Open Match 6-2 6-2 6-2 over Fabrice Santoro – but Santoro quit on the last point allowing Roddick to win the match on an ace.  C’MON Frenchie – finish the match by playing hard no matter what you thought happened or not.  That was an embarassment on Arthur Ashe court.

August 25, 2008

With the closing ceremonies complete and the Summer Olympic flag getting ready to move to London in 2012, I am going to break down the Olympics in The RSC.

REALLY - Team USA.  That’s all you have to say – TEAM USA!  While some individuals had disappointing Olympics, the teams sent to the Olympics to perform for Team USA did sensational!

Basketball – Gold for the Men’s Redeem Team and Gold for the Women
Indoor Volleyball – Gold for Men and SIlver for Women
Beach Volleyball – Gold for the Men and Gold for the Women
Water Polo – Silver for both Men and Women
Soccer – Women are Golden
Baseball – Bronze
Softball – Silver

No other country came close to what the USA accomplished, REALLY!!! China got to its huge medal count in individual events like diving, weightlifting, and shooting, but its teams didn’t do too well.  Russia got its medals in individual events like diving and wrestling, and its only teams who performed well was synchronized swimming, REALLY! This is what happens when superstar individuals group together and make a stand . . . . I mean, REALLY, look at it.  The men’s volleyball team played for its coach whose in-laws were tragically attacked.  The men’s basketball team grouped together for redemption.  The women’s basketball team stayed together to remain dominant.  Our women’s beach volleyball team played to become the first dynasty.  The women’s soccer team stepped up to make a statement that the USA was back, even without its injured star.  It was sweat and blood and tears – it was strength and resolve – it was magical, sensational, and damn sweet to hear to National Anthem played over and over and over again, REALLY!

SERIOUSLY - The Chinese government would never, ever forge documents, SERIOUSLY. This speculation needs to just stop.  The government run media outlets just incorrectly published the ages of the Chinese female gymnasts multiple times, SERIOUSLY, mistakes happen at GOVERNMENT run media agencies.  This insinuating that the passports were forged is ludicrous – it’s not like the Chinese Olympic officials would forge anything like faking the fireworks for television viewers by slipping in computer generated fireworks or a having a cute little girl lip-syncing a song sung by a girl with some crooked teeth – oh wait a minute – those did happen . . . . . . hmmmm . . . . China . . . . SERIOUSLY.

C’MON – You would think our sprinters had never run in a major track event before, I mean – C’MON Team USA.  Every runner who was part of a track team knows how to pass a baton – if I remember practice – “Go, Go, Go, Stick, Stick, Stick”.
A baton is a rod of metal which is passed from the hand of one relay team member to the hand of the next relay team member in the designated zone.  4×100m anchors Lauryn Williams and Tyson Gay meet your batons – batons meet Tyson and Lauryn.  C’MON Lauryn and Tyson – you are the anchors – you don’t even have to pass the baton, all you have to do is receive it safely, and you both choked by cleanly dropping the baton.  Coaching can only go so far – performers have to perform, and our two best sprinters choked.

July 13, 2008

I’m back . . . . it was an absolutely crazy month at work which sucked the free-thinking creative juices out of me. While I took a pause, the world of sports was continuing at a fast pace. It’s Major League Baseball’s All-Star Break, so it’s a good time to look back at the first half of the season. Since I live in Arizona and have to listen to the front-running sports radio hosts, I want to discuss the Diamondcracks.

REALLY – The absolutely worst thing to do was sign Eric “I’d Rather Work Hard at my Reality Show” Byrnes to a long term deal. Did anybody notice that Carlos Quentin is an AL All-Star and a potential MVP candidate – REALLY!!! Now – with Byrnes out the season and top-50 MLB prospect Carlos Gonzalez patrolling center field in Oakland, the D’Cracks have an empty corner outfield spot.
There have been rumors of Jason Bay, Xavier Nady, Ken Griffey Jr, and Raul Ibanez coming to patrol LF – those guys are nice but they would come at another significant hit to the farm system. The farm system cannot take another hit like it did when Byrnes sent 6 top prospects to Oakland for Dan Haren – REALLY!!
However, there is somebody who could play everyday, provide some pop, and give out some veteran leadership and playoff experience – Juan Rivera, OF, Los Angeles Angels. He has played with the Yankees and the Angels – two organizations built around winning. When playing full-time, he is a consistent .280 hitter with 20 HRs and an above average OBP. He is buried on the bench in Los Angeles behind Guerrero, Hunter, Anderson, and Matthews, so he should come pretty cheaply. That’s part 1.

SERIOUSLY – The D’Backs need to wake up because they have a pitching problem- they no longer can say they are the only team with two true #1 aces who keep them in each and every game them pitch. Milwaukee boasts Ben Sheets and CC (Not C.C.) Sabathia. The Cubs have Carlos Zambrano and Rich Harden. AND – the Mets are looking for an ace to pair with Johan Santana and the Phillies are shopping for somebody to join Cole Hamels.
So Phoenix fans, what needs to be done? Lets realize that Micah Owings, Doug Davis, and Randy Johnson are nothing more than three #4-5 starters – SERIOUSLY! These pitchers are .500 – which for most teams are good, but on poor offensive teams, it’s not good. Owings is young, Davis walks too many, and Randy is just too old – those factors lead to the team being out of half the games due to poor starting pitching. They need to get an above average starter who can keep them in 2/3 of the games started.

C’MON – How many strikeouts will the Diamondback offense finish with this season?? They are young players who haven’t had time to fully develop pitch recognition in the minor leagues, but C’MON – how many K’s will they get?

With all the whiffs coming from Phoenix, it’s surprising there isn’t more wind!!

Did you hear the Diamondbacks are providing rebates for season ticket holders – they don’t have to crank down the air conditioning with all the swings and misses from DBack hitters acting as a fan.

The Diamondbacks strikeout so much that after last night’s victory, they had to go to Van Buren to get some ho’s.

June 18, 2008

REALLY – Can any city in this wonderful country step up and stop Boston? I mean, REALLY, is there anything more annoying than a Boston sports fan when their teams are winning? Boston fans get louder and louder. . . . not just that, have you ever noticed that as the season goes on and a Boston team is in first, that Boston accent gets more pronounced. I mean, REALLY, use that accent all the time or just let it go!! Just in case you missed it, the Celtics destroyed the Lakers for their first NBA title in 22 years. The Patriots are coming off an undefeated regular season and a Super Bowl loss because some Giants scrub made the catch of a lifetime. The Red Sox are the defending World Series Champions, and they are currently 5 games a head of the Yankees. Thats just sick, REALLY. Let me end with how annoying Boston fans are . . . in the middle of Game 6, I sent a text to one of my closest friends who is a die hard Boston Everything fan living in LA. I said, “You must not be popular right now”. His reply, “Even I am starting to hate me.”

SERIOUSY - Lets go further on this NFL players holding out for more money – just because it bugs the hell out of me. At the start of every season, we hear about players holding out because they want to renegotiate for more money. This season the list includes Chad Johnson, Darnell Dockett, Anquan Bolden, Brian Urlacher, Chris Baker . . . . . I think I have clearly stated my point that they are selfish people who need to get back to work and honor their contract since the teams cannot give them a paycut for SERIOUSLY shitty performance. I think the simple solution would be for teams to hire a financial planner staff for their players (instead of players hiring their own) – that way, players don’t end up like the SERIOUSLY messed up Latrell Sprewell, the former four-time NBA all-star, who made $96M in the NBA. Yet Sprewell cannot pay his mortgage and he sold his yachts, SERIOUSLY. Players wouldn’t be upset about getting an extra 1M to 2M a year – their investments will make just as much as renegotiating. Note to professional athletes – you don’t have to give your agents commissions on the profits made from your own investments, SERIOUSLY.

C’MON – General managers get to fire coaches who have to deal with the players they acquire. C’MON Omar Minaya – isn’t it chicken to fire Willie Randolph in the middle of the night? Does Willie acquire the bullpen arms? C’MON, Omar, it’s not Willie’s fault that 41 year old Moises Alou would rather be on the disabled list than the field. C’MON Omar, it’s not Willie’s fault that his best player Ryan Church is out with a concussion and you replaced him with a part-time AAA ball player. This has typical scapegoat all over – especially after last season’s monumental collapse at the end of the season.