Rosenthal's Latest: Buehrle, Bourn

Just got back from watching the new Transformers movie.  I found it disappointing.  It was a bit cheesier and for-kids than I expected or the ads lead you to believe.  Shia LaBeouf was a bright spot but most of the dialogue makes you wince.  The plot was annoying and I got a little CGI'd out by the end.  I know, what do you expect from Michael Bay.  But I liked The Island.  Just read some reviews of it; 90% of them said something like "This will please fanboys, but I didn't like it."  "Fanboy" seems a required word for reviewing the movie.  Well, I am not a fanboy of Transformers (my parents bought me Gobots* instead) but I still don't recommend the movie.  On to baseball.

Ken Rosenthal's latest column is a little lacking in terms of fresh trade rumors to dissect.  Instead, he's more focused on informed speculation.

• Rosenthal believes the White Sox and Mark Buehrle should be able to bridge the gap, which amounts to 18 months of no-trade protection.  That's the general feeling; it will be nice to see a fan favorite stay.
• Rosenthal says Kenny Williams has talked to roughly 20 teams about his starting pitchers in one way or another.  Interestingly, he confirms the recent radio rumor that the D-Rays inquired about Buehrle.  Williams has also discussed Jose Contreras and Javier Vazquez with Tampa Bay.  I'll say it again: the Devil Rays should be contenders in 2008.
• Trade speculation: Phillies outfielder Michael Bourn to the Rangers for Akinori Otsuka.  Such a move, however, would increase reliance on Pat Burrell and leave the Phillies short-staffed in the outfield for 2008.  Rosenthal believes Bourn could develop into a Juan Pierre type, sans the noodle arm.

*The Gobots' theme song is awesome.  It's basically "The Gobots, the Gobots" repeatedly.

Comments

[buehrlebro]

D-Rays=3rd place team in 08, legitimate contender in 09

Please, please, PLEASE take Conteras and/or Vasquez off our hands Tampa Bay!

[Thundersticks]

Tim: Thanks for the heads-up on Transformers. Was going to see it some time in the next few days, but will either see F4 or the new Die Hard, and wait to see it on DVD.

buehrlebro: I know JS has always been a fan of Vazquez and tried to sign him when he was a FA. He's not particularly special in the AL, but would make a solid #3 in the NL, especially on a team like the Braves. I'd trade Lillibridge and a grade B pitching prospect for him.

[RotoAuthority]

I saw the new Die Hard as well. Absurd as expected but I liked it a bit more than Transformers.

[Thundersticks]

How about Fantastic Four? Have you seen it?

[Teetz]

buehrlebro, why would you want Vazquez off your hands? The guy is well above average.

[RotoAuthority]

Nah...I thought the first FF was kind of lame despite Alba.

[Thundersticks]

She's worth the time spent all by herself!! The first one was good to me. Not great, just good. The special effects were well done.

Have a fun, but safe 4th everyone!!

[darkstar1661]

Hey, this is great, thanks for making boring news interesting with the movie review Roto! You da man...

So can we get a movie review with each future WhiteSox picthing rumor as well? (although you may go broke watching a movie everyday in an effort to keep up with the PaleHose...)

Anyway, you really think the DRays will be able to compete in 08? That would mean one of the Yanks/BoSox would have to play lower than their ability again (like NY this year) and for them to leapfrog quite a few teams reaching for that WC spot.

Not saying its impossible, really just asking for your idea as to the level of play and possible record you think they could produce.

[rangersorrobbers]

For as long as - well, forever - the Rangers have needed two things. The first most people know about: STARTING PITCHING. That's always stunk here. The other, especially since the opening of The Ballpark, has been a great defensive center fielder who could also hit leadoff.

That must be the thinking behind the rumors of Otsuka for Bourn. While Bourn seems to be loaded with speed and potential, he doesn't seem to be breaking out - it looks more like he's flaming out, and the Rangers could and should do better for the return on talent and impact the get if they move Otsuka.

http://rangersorrobbers.wordpress.com/

[ArodSucksAtLife]

Every cheesy bit of Transformers was a ridiculously awesome kind of cheesy. Like how when the President gives that really lame a cheesy speech at the end of Indepenence Day but you get into it every time you see the movie. That and holy god Megan Fox might he the hottest chick ever. This movie is worth every min, and ever dollar if only for her leaning into the car while checking the engine scenes.

[pedroia2007]

Thanks for the attempted heads up but... sorry just like when I hear movie critics on tv, i zone them out. If I like I what I see in the ads, and its something I am linked to, Ill go see it.

Everyone has their own opinion. hey my friend back in 2000 was pleading me to save my money and nd not go see X-Men

[RotoAuthority]

The ads for Transformers are pretty deceiving in that they make it look awesome. No doubt Megan Fox is super hot but she can't save the movie.

Awesome cheesy would be Commando from 1985. This is just bad cheesy. Optimus Prime saying "my bad" wasn't funny. This was not Michael Bay tongue in cheek winking at us, it was just lame dialogue. They could've done much, much better.

[Darin]

Its all about HOT ROD!!!!

[DentalPlan]

I'll sell on the Devil Rays being contenders next year. Their offense is still middle of the road, and the pitching is still last in ERA by a huge margin. Even if a starter or two come through the bullpen is always bad. And it's the AL East.

[pedroia2007]

stick to talking about trade rumors, instead of trying to get people not to see a certain movie. Everyone has their own opinion about any movie

[Nate80]

I agree, stick to the trade reviews and leave the movie reviews to the pros... any Gobot fan cannot truly appreciate Transformers. Besides, did you not see the talent, aka Megan Fox!!

[RotoAuthority]

Nope - my website, my topics. Everyone has their own opinion about everything, that doesn't invalidate mine. The movie was lame.

[touchmymonkey]

I think a good genreal rule of thumb would be to avoid movies based on toys or videogames ( Doom , Mortal Combat ). As long as we have drifted abit - could someone recommend a decent stat based baseball game for a 12 yr old? not into video games ( he's not into video games - sad I know). Would have to be something he can play solo too - or is strat-o-matic still the way to go?

[RotoAuthority]

You gotta get the kid into RBI baseball on Nintendo.

[touchmymonkey]

He's just not into the video games - he loves baseball so i figured some sort of baseball stat board game thingy - but don't know of any besides strat o matic

[darkstar1661]

Not sure if it would work or not Monkey, but I remember there was a PC game called Baseball Morgal where you could play it or just run a teams daily opperation. I believe you ran everything from the roster to ticket prices ~ kinda like a Sims game for baseball I believe.

[darkstar1661]

Oh and Roto, give all the movie reviews you like. Telling us something like "you probably won't like it if you're not a huge Transformers fan" is truthful speach. A huge transformer fan saying "you shouldn't say that, it was great" just proves what you were saying. If they point to a hot woman as the reason its somehow better than it is, her being in it to begin with usually shows it as a slight-of-hand truck to sell a weak limited-audience script ~ further proving the point...

Personally I've found it isn't worth getting too excited over any of the movie made for kids (yes, cartoon, comic or toy movies are made to please kids even if it secondary) so your review is pretty much what would be expected. Fanboys will of course scream otherwise, but they almost always are the only ones to really love this type of movie outside of that 15&Under group.

Spiderman worked on the mass audience, otherwise its pretty much yawn to 20+ peps...

[rangersorrobbers]

Any "cheesy" parts of Transformers actually added a human element to the movie. Overall, it's a great modernization of a great story - not based on toys. Now if only the Rangers could, "Transform and roll out!"

It was a GREAT movie! Worth seeing in the theater for the size and sound.

http://rangersorrobbers.wordpress.com/2007/07/02/transformers-was-incredible/

[pedroia2007]

Well I just saw the movie... and i must say... it is one of the best movies I have seen in awhile. Course the special effects of the robots transforming stands out but also there were numerous parts where i was laughing good. The writers knew where to slot in the laughs. The ending was great sendoff to future sequels. I'll be surprised if this doesnt approach $300 million

[rotoenquire]

Liked the Movie ALLOT, the only thing that really bugged me was the bom box robot. Otherwise if you are a fan of Transformers it is for you.

Megatron transforms into his later version of galvitron and flies. Look for the next 2 movies planned to be better, this was to set the story line for the rest of the movies.

As For Baseball, Buerle's agent has forced the White Sox to sign him with a full no trade clause no team will pay anything for him now knowing he will leave in 2 months...Also Contreras is headed to the NL and I hope it is the Mets, would help my NL only league, I have him in our AL league and he would transfer to my NL team which has a chance to win it all this year....

[nrmax88]

"stick to talking about trade rumors, instead of trying to get people not to see a certain movie. Everyone has their own opinion about any movie"

How about you stick to posting whatevr u want, instead of wasting your time telling the guy how to run his own site. People are so full of themselves. Nobody has a gun to your head here bro, you can leave if you want, trust me we wont care.

[nrmax88]

"I agree, stick to the trade reviews and leave the movie reviews to the pros... any Gobot fan cannot truly appreciate Transformers. Besides, did you not see the talent, aka Megan Fox!!"

Another stupid thing to say. What makes a pro reviewer have the right to tell me what movie to see. Its tims site, if he wants to say a movie sucked, then to dam bad for all of you. He isnt demanding you dont see it, just stating HIS opinion on HIS site. And since when does a guy who reviews movies for a living have an overidng opinon over anybody elses. Me you, or Roto are all as qualified as any professional move critic. Its an opinion.