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.