On this date in 2008, the Rays won their 71st game of the season to set a new franchise record. They finished the season with 97 wins and won the first pennant in team history as well. Here are this week's links…
- Phoul Ballz interviewed Phillies prospect Tommy Joseph, who was acquired in the Hunter Pence trade.
- Midwest Sports Fans wrote about Dan Feinstein, the Athletics director or pro scouting.
- The 5.5 Hole broke down the cost of Albert Pujols' early-season slump.
- Wahoo's on First explains why the Indians should start rebuilding.
- Levi's Landing shared some thoughts on the Giants' trade deadline activity.
- The Giants Cove wrote about the rest of the Giants' deadline story.
- Kings of Kauffman lists some free agent pitchers the Royals can consider.
- Seattle Sports Central speculated about the Mariners' 2013 rotation.
- Talkin' Sox with Dan says the Red Sox need an overhaul.
- BoSox Injection looks at the Red Sox's options with Josh Beckett.
- Rising Apple doesn't think the Mets should retain Jason Bay.
- Yanks Go Yard looked back at the Curtis Granderson–Austin Jackson trade.
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1st of all.. I don’t really want him back at Fenway…
Now… If Boston chooses to not for some reason think they will resign Cody Ross? Crawford, they delay getting his TJ surgery (which they should send him for now btw) I could see the Mets and Boston trying to work out a salary trade with Bay and Beckett. I think Beckett has a far better chance of returning to their former self, especially in the NL and he would send the Mets a #3-4 (now) SP on the cheap, like the NYY did with Burnett, only Beckett is better than Burnett and generally has been for years.
Boston might have to include either salary, or some kind of fair prospect in return to make up for the other 15m beckett is owed thru 2014, then try and get CC to move to RF when he comes back, or platoon Bay when he does.
It is a scenario to move Beckett and Bay if both GM’s want to get rid of “problem childs” if they so choose.
unfortunately that Granderson deal has looked worse and worse every day for the Yanks. Hes nothing more than a power hitter at this point, which is fine, but I think we all expected alot more tools from him. His average is below .250, strikes out at an alarming rate, plays terrible defense, and doesn’t steal any bases. Jackson is turning out to be one of the better OFs in the game. Not sad to see Kennedy ago (always felt last years success was an apparition and his stuff and mentality would not translate well in the AL East) and Coke is replaceable. Now if the Yankees shell out for 20 mill a year for this guy they are in trouble. Hes in his prime of his career and that average, and the strikeouts and the defense will only get worse. Nice guy, but rather overhyped.
Joseph will be MLB ready as soon as next year, his fellow C in A ball Hector Sanchez went straight from A ball to AAA to the big leagues last year and has become a solid backup to Posey. So from the Giants perspective this was inevitable, they want to give Belt a solid shot and he’s basically in competition with Hector for playing time as Posey can play 1B. But it’s very likely Buster is going to remain a C where his value is greatest for as long as he can under club control. The Giants got a solid acquisition and the Phils will have to decide how best to use Joseph behind Ruiz who’s clearly not past his prime yet.
Ruiz will be 34 on Opening Day. While he is, or was now that he is likely done for the year, having a career year, considering the age and position, how much longer can he go on?
Joseph will get a shot by 2014 at the earliest, but hopefully he is ready for the show by then, because chances are Ruiz will be on fumes.