MLB Trade Deadline Round-Up

Charlie Klein

So Roy Halladay did not get moved. Just like how I thought he would not. There were, however, big moves made by teams trying to make themselves more competitive for the final two months of the season, and here are the big winners and losers from the 2009 MLB Trade Deadline.

Winners:

Boston Red Sox

Some may be surprised with this selection considering the fact that their rotation has not looked very good of late. To be honest, most things in Sox Nation have not gone the way their die hard fans would like. The addition of Victor Martinez to a slumping lineup will do wonders for them. Let's look at what they gave the Indians in return: Justin Masterson (SP/RP), Nick Hardagone, and Bryan Price. Notice who was not in there? Clay Bucholz, Lars Anderson, basically any of the Sox's biggest prospects. It feels like to me Cleveland got hosed again. Then the Red Sox go out and deal LaRoche for an outstanding piece to put on the bench in Casey Kotchman, who has playoff experience and has a great glove at first base.

Philadelphia Phillies

Phills GM Ruben Amaro must have sent a text to Jays GM J.P. Riccardi that went something like, "How do you like me now bitch!" following the acquisition of 2008 Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee without giving up any of the prospects the Jays wanted for their ace. They gave up some good prospects, but not Kyle Drabeck or J.A. Happ. Their rotation looks to be the class of the National League with a great 1-2 of Lee and Hamels.

Detroit Tigers

The Tiggers needed to add a pitcher to their rotation in order to increase their hold on the AL Central. Trading for Jarrod Washburn, who has a 2.64 ERA, including a July ERA of under one, was a great move. They give up a strong A ball prospect and Luke French, who is said to be just like Wasburn (a fly-bally pitcher) and cheaper. Their 1-2-3 of Verlander, Jackson, and Wasburn is good enough to take on any other in the playoffs.

Loser:

Cleveland Indians

I am really sorry Cleveland fans, I really truly am. None of your teams can ever do well. And every time the Indians build up their team the moment it becomes to expensive your ridiculous owner demands that they be traded. I guess you can just thank your lucky stars that Indians didn't give up Grady Sizemore too. The fact that Shapiro was not able to get any of the Phillies top prospects in a deal for a pitcher that was pretty comparable to Halladay (Lee just does not have all the ESPN hype) is pretty disappointing. And then deal Martinez and not get Bucholz, is just insult to injury.

Boston's Halladay aspirations

Justin Thrift

This isn’t an article or column as much as it is a prediction. Look at this as baseball prophecy, if you will.

Up until now, I haven’t weighed in on the whole Roy Halladay situation. Until yesterday’s Cliff Lee deal, mostly everyone felt rather strongly about Philly’s chances of landing the Toronto stud, and I really had no reason to refute them. But in the wake of this Philadelphia-Cleveland deal, a few new opinions have arisen on the Halladay saga, and as usual, I’m here to state that I like the chances of the Boston Red Sox. Just here me out.

On the morning after another horrendous outing from the gruff Brad Penny, Sox fans are concluding one thing: while Penny does in fact bear a striking resemblance to a Spanish bull morphed with the Hulk himself, he is not someone we want to see more of. Letting up 5 runs in the first inning to the Oakland Athletics is not the quality of a pitcher that Boston is looking for as they go for their third World Series victory in 6 years. We tried him, he’s not working out, and we’re ready to move on.

In addition to the Penny mess, earlier this week John Smoltz continued his campaign towards Boston fans for why he should be cut from the rotation faster than an irate Daisuke Matsuzaka ranting in Japanese. Smoltz is a legend, well, was a legend, and now it’s time for him to hang it up. I’m sure Theo Epstein and Francona could organize a sit down between Smoltz and Brett Favre to help speed up the process.

So suddenly Boston’s premier starting 5 is illuminated as faulty. Apart from a solid 1-2-3, the Boston 4 and 5 spots lie completely in the hands of the cranky Dice-K and the aforementioned hacks.

But if there’s one thing we have learned from Boston’s championship head office over the past 7 years, it’s that they know what to do to build contending teams. Rest assured, Theo Epstein, John Henry, and Larry Lucino will not let Friday afternoon come before doing all they can to secure Roy Halladay. Quite arguably the best pitcher in baseball, acquiring him would solidify Boston’s WS hopes for the next two years and forge a probable wrap on this year’s contest.

Call it outlandish or unlikely, but Halladay is going to go somewhere and Boston has the best prospects out there currently to deal with. Better than LA, NYY, and Philadelphia, a package that involves players such as Clay Buchholz, Lars Anderson, Michael Bowden, and Ryan Westmoreland to name a few, will be undeniable for J.P. in the final hours of the trade deadline.

The Jays have talked far too much and come way too far not to trade Halladay. Even if Roy ends up in another uniform other than the Red Sox, I am 100% confident that the pitcher will be moved by tomorrow at 4 p.m.

Dig in baseball fans, the next 26 hours are going to be a thrill ride.

Does Ruben Amaro Still Have An Ace Up His Sleeve For Philadelphia?

Puneet Singh

Now that Phillies have completed the deal for Cliff Lee they should be done doing any tinkering at this deadline and be mentally prepping themselves for the fight in October.

It was announced this afternoon that those "Fightin' Phils" had acquired Cliff Lee and OF Ben Francisco from the Cleveland Indians for minor league pitching prospects Carlos Carrasco, Jason Knapp, catcher Lou Marson and SS Jason Donald, pending Lee passes his physical.

When it's all said and done, the Phils will have added themselves a true ace to that rotation, taking pressure of that pitching staff and putting themselves on the top of the list for favorites for the World Series title.

I hope everyone was following the Phillies trading scenarios involving pitchers though. VERY CAREFULLY none the less. Notice this: the Cliff Lee trade doesn't happen to include any of their young starting pitching gems in J.A. Happ and Kyle Drabek or their stud outfielders Michael Taylor or Dominic Brown.

The afforementioned four prospects were all supposed to be used in the Roy Hallday trade, which Philly eventually backed out of, citing that the demand was too high. Now that Cliff Lee is acquired there's no possible way they'd trade for Halladay, would they?

Well well well, look at what Ruben did. He managed to keep one deal alive, and create another. GM's take note. This is called smart managing and business.

Is there a chance for Halladay to move to the city of Brotherly Love, where the Fresh Prince once grew up? Take a look at this.

A rotation with Halladay:

Halladay-Lee-Hamels-Blanton-Pedro

A rotation WITHOUT Halladay:

Lee-Hamels-Blanton-Pedro-Moyer

A rotation with Halladay instantly makes the Phillies the WS favorites by a long shot. Is there still a need for Halladay to join that team? Maybe. Would it be great if they could get him? Abso-friggin-lutely.

Any time you have the opportunity to land a Cy Young caliber pitcher you do it. Anytime you have the opportunity to land TWO Cy Young caliber pitchers in the same season, you thank God and tell him you owe him one.

If Toronto are willing to accept a deal based around Happ, Drabek and Taylor; do it in a heartbeat. They're called prospects for a reason; they may never reach the potential or ever scratch the surface of it. Roy Halladay is considered a workhorse and a stud for a reason; he's an absolute beast and quite possibly the best pitcher in the game right now.

Face it; J.P Riccardi is in a pressure situation to sell, he's come this far and now there is no turning back. If Philly comes at him with the offer he was demanding for Halladay and he declines, he will look like a fool to not only the rest of BlueJay's management, but all other MLB teams, offices and the fans or Toronto as well.

My advice: get this deal done at all costs. Both Lee and Halladay are under contract until the end of NEXT year. That gives Philly plenty of time to work out a negotiation to keep them both there for a VERY long time.

End of the day the deciding factor is this: Are Happ and Drabek really THAT good and does Amaro have the balls to shake up baseball and give everyone a wake up call?

Time will tell. By 4:00 pm on Friday July 31st, everyone will know the Phillies and Amaro's intention. Lee makes getting through the postseason a little easier; getting Halladay will make lifting the World Series trophy a LOT easier.

The Luxury Tax & Revenue Sharing in MLB

Charlie Klein

Annually at 4:00 Eastern Standard Time on July 31 all 30 teams in Major League Baseball decide whether or not they are in contention. More than almost any other day in baseball July 31st casts teams into two entirely distinct piles: competitive and non-competitive. And yet what gets lost in all of the sound and fury of trade speculation is that many teams have been non-competitive since pitchers and catchers reported to Arizona or Florida in February.

While New York Yankees radio man John Sterling frequently states that one cannot predict baseball, I could have told you with absolute certainty at the start of the season that teams like the Washington Nationals, Kansas City Royals, and the Oakland Athletics were not going to win the World Series this season. Baseball itself is a sport that is predicated on tradition and probability. More than in any other sport patterns and trends are followed with the zeal of an Evangelical Priest who thinks he has met Jesus. In essence, it is the rule and not the exception that baseball is for the most part predictable.

What is the source of this predictability? The fact that Major League Baseball has been unable to create a level playing field for all of its 30 teams. In 1999 MLB created a self-described 'Blue Ribbon' panel to investigate the revenue inequalities between the teams. The committee discovered to no one's surprise that there was a steep difference between the top teams and the lower level clubs.

"Large and growing revenue disparities exist and are causing problems of chronic competitive imbalance. Year after year, too many clubs know in spring training that they have no realistic prospect of reaching postseason play."

And the numbers from the era preceding 1999 bear that out. In terms of revenues, due to faster growth rates on already larger revenues, by 1999 the top seven teams averaged more than double the revenues of the bottom 14 teams. Where the disparity is greatest is under the category of competitive balance. During the last five seasons of the late 1990s, none of the teams in the bottom 14 of payroll spending won one of 158 postseason games played. Every World Series was won by a team with one of the top seven payrolls.

Many within the baseball community championed the efforts made by MLB from 2002-2006 where some semblance of revenue sharing was imposed on teams who spent over the amount decided upon by MLB. According to a report in 2005 done by the Wall Street Journal the Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Rays, Kansas City Royals, and Florida Marlins each received $30 million or more. Some of those teams controversially decided to keep that money to enhance their own profits instead of investing the money in player salary. Forbes reported that the Royals revenues from 2002-2006 doubled to $32 million, while their player costs only increased six percent. Similarly, the Florida Marlins reportedly received more than $60 million in revenue sharing, according to The Hardball Times, but the team had an opening day payroll of $45.5 million. The system was still imperfect.

When 'Proud to be Your Bud' Selig and the delightful Donald Fehr sat down in 2006 to draw out a new collective bargaining agreement, the issues of revenue sharing and the luxury tax were major sticking points on a new deal. When, at long last, a deal was struck, the song remained the same. The biggest change was now all teams would be taxed at a 31 percent rate. Under the new deal, larger-revenue clubs agreed to continue to transfer $326 million in local revenue to smaller revenue-generating franchises.

To be fair, those who find themselves in affirmation of the efforts made by MLB to 'share the wealth' point to the fact that there has been no repeat World Series winner since 2000. Those same advocates would also point to the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays who for the first time in its franchise history won the American League pennant and the 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks who defeated the highest revenue generating team in the New York Yankees to win the World Series. "See," they say, "The little guy can make it with smarts and a little bit of luck!"

Yet the fact remains that big market teams will always have a leg up on their competition. It's all based on simple numbers. Baseball Economist author J.C. Bradbury concedes that there is some big market advantage: his regression analysis finds that every additional 1.58 million residents in a market generate an extra win per season. In the book Bradbury uses the biggest market (New York Yankees) against the smallest (Milwaukee Brewers), and size alone would project a New York team winning 10.6 more games in ten seasons. And yet from 1995-2004 the Yankees won 26.3 more games on average. Thus Bradbury concludes that city size only accounts for 40 percent of the difference in wins. He argues that the other 60 percent come from the skill or lack thereof a team's front office.

Other studies have shown that lower payroll teams have a much lower chance of winning their divisions. Washington University's Olin Business School professor Michael Lewis, writing in the New York Times noted that below-average-payroll teams have won their divisions less than ten percent of the time in the past two decades.

There is also a major misconception about the manner in which the luxury tax is used. The money from the tax is not distributed to smaller market teams to promote competitive balance. Instead, the money is transferred to an "Industry Growth Fund" that MLB utilises for player benefits and to globally promote the growth of baseball. The money that is used comes from the MLB revenue sharing program, which is entirely separate from the luxury tax.

In the end the revenue sharing regimen instilled by the 2006 CBA does not do enough to ensure real competitive balance in the areas that matter. The program does not address the inability of smaller market teams to keep or sign star players. It does not deal with the fact that bigger market teams can build new stadiums that will generate higher revenues that will never find their way to the pockets of smaller market teams. Most importantly, it has not leveled the playing field in terms of competition within any division in baseball. The poor are still poor, and the richer are getting richer by the day. Until MLB is able to instill a salary cap, this inequality will go on eternally. And I do not expect the Player's Union to accept any new CBA in 2011 that will create a salray cap.

After all, it is no mistake that the phrase 'any given Sunday' refers to the only league in the world with a functional revenue sharing system.

Michael Vick To The Vikings? It Would Make Too Much Sense

Puneet Singh

With Brett Favre remaining in retirement and turning down the Minnesota Vikings offer to suit up for them, the Vikings remain back at square one; with Tavaris Jackson as their No.1 QB going into the season.

Whether they choose to stay on the route with Jackson or turn to their backups John David Booty or Sage Rosenfels is up to Brad Childress and Minnesota management. But if I had my two cents, there is a certain QB who just hit the market and is eligible to play barring good behavior.

That man is none other than Michael Vick.

Before anyone says "WELL HE KILLED DOGS!". He admitted his crime, served his sentence and now it's time for the man to live. If Ray Lewis and Donte Stallworth can get away with killing humans, Lawrence Phillips getting multiple chances after drug abuse, the least Michael Vick could get is ONE LAST chance.

Back to the playing scenario. Given that the current Viking's quarterbacks are either unseasoned to just not NFL quality (all three of them in all honesty), what other QBs are available?

A trade for the loser of the Brady Quinn/Derek Anderson battle would probably command either a 2nd or 3rd round draft choice. Not only that, trading for the loser you'd be trading for exactly that: a loser. Not exactly what you should be looking for out of that situation.

Vick can help this team. Believe me when I say that.

Ask any coach and GM four ago which QB can make almost any throw any distance, the name would be Michael Vick. Yes Peyton Manning, and Phillip Rivers both have electric arms, but Vick's left arm is an assult rifle.

If those highlights don't make a believer out of you, I don't know what can. He is a proven NFL talent, and I doubt that he has lost any of that while spending time in a jail cell. Sure he's got a little rust on that arm of his, but that's what preseason, scrimaging and training camp are for.

He fits in with the Viking's offensive system. With three wide receivers who can spread the field in Bernard Berrian, Sidney Rice and Bobby Wade and the running back tandem of Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor the offense is top notch.

Vick will add another dimension to that team. Team's would have to worry about Vick running out of the draw or AP running wild on them. Vick can make the short passes, Vick can make the long passes. Moving around in the pocket or scrambling outside of it to make the throw, Vick CAN do it.

With the Brett Favre saga at a supposided conclusion, the Vikings see where they stand. The ball is now in their court; do they go 7-9 or 8-8 again with their current group of QB's and hope to win the division against an improved Chicago team and a upstart Packers squad or roll the dice with Vick?

Vick's worth the gamble. It's beats having Sage "I Fumble the Football" Rosenfels doing his best Michael J. Fox impression on the field or Tavaris Jackson and his demoralized ego after the last two years trying to carry this team.

UFC 101: The Forrest Griffin vs Anderson Silva Preview Edition

Puneet Singh

With UFC 101 11 days away (including today), a potential match of the year is setup for that night: UFC Middleweight champion Anderson Silva vs former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin. Let's take a closer look at these fighters and the matchup at hand.

Anderson Silva

Enought can't be said about this man. Silva is always in the conversation as the best pound for pound fighter in all of MMA, and a victory over Forrest Griffin would help to cement that title.

Since making the jump to UFC back in 2006, Anderson Silva is 9-0 against all competition, which includes victories over Rich Franklin (twice), Dan Henderson, Chris Leban, Nate Marquardt, and James Irvin; all men who are highly regarded and respecting in UFC.

In addition to going 9-0, Silva picked up the UFC Middleweight Title against Rich Franklin in his second career fight in the octagon. Since then, he has successfully defended the title in five straight matches.

Silva is considered to have the complete set of skills; excellent submission technique, world class in-the-clinch skills, quicks hands, a vast array of kicks to go around with a cheetah like instint.

But with the good there is the bad. This is in reference to Silva's last two fights, which have been sub-par by many people's standards. Silva seems to have gotten lazy or lost his drive due to a lack of competition.

A win for Silva could lead to a mega matchup with current Welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre, who said he'd be willing to jump up to Middleweight to fight Silva. A large purse and THE BEST Pound for Pound fighter in MMA right now should be more than enough to satisfy Silva's hunger.

Forrest Griffin

A fan favourite because of his enourmous heart and never quit attitude, Griffin is a always a threat whenever he steps into the eight sided ring.

Since winning and becoming the Ultimate Fighter back in 2005, Forrest has been a force to be reckoned with. He has gone 7-3 in the UFC including big wins over Mauricio Shogun Rua and Quinton Rampage Jackson; the latter for the UFC Light-Heavywright title.

Although, Griffin's title run was short lived (he'd lose it six months later at the very next paperper view to Rashad Evans), he is still a major draw and big competition for anyone that steps into the ring with him.

The good of Griffin's fighting abilities: too much to list. He is the complete fighter with size, strength, speed and mixes them well against different opponents.

The bad for Griffin is that he has a decent ground game; nothing to be ashamed of but at the same time, it can't rival that of his opponent for that night, Anderson Silva.

A win for Griffin would put him up in the conversation again for a Light-Heavyweight title shot against Lyoto Machida or at least a rematch against Rashad Evans; both of which would be almost as big as a draw as this.

Conclusion:

Easily two of the top three fighters in the Light-Heavyweight division going at it against each other. Griffin coming off a disappointing loss to Evans, while Silva is coming off a string of disappointing performances.

If Silva doesn't come out motivated or hungry, Griffen will eat him by Round II. If Anderson is focused, Silva will beat Griffin by the third round. Forrest's heart will carry him as far as his body can take him. It's up to Anderson's hunger to match and surpass Griffin.

If United Want The Next Upcoming Star, They Should Pounce For Angel Di Maria

Puneet Singh

According to the words of Sir Alex Ferguson, United are all done spending money this summer for any players. When the man says something, you listen.

So all the rumours of "United launching a bid for David Silva, Rafael Van Der Vaart, Franck Ribery" etc etc should be ignored.

Looking at United's signings offseason, it's as simple as this; what you see is what you get.

Michael Owen is an injury prone veteran with the 'potential' to bounce back and score 15-20 goals for us this year. Antonio Valencia is a right sided winger/midfielder who has is a good passer and above average defender with good instincts and shooting ability. Gabriel Oberton is a young frenchman who has 'potential' to be a cross between Thierry Henry and Flourent Malouda. I'll see that when I believe it.

While there is potential here, there is no definite.

Looking at our midfield for next year we will have Carrick, Anderson, Scholes, Hargreaves, Giggs, Valencia, Park, Fletcher, Nani, Oberton, Tosic and also John O'Shea who can play in the midfield if need be.

While all of these players are gifted, talented and hardworking outside of Anderson they all lack one thing: Flair. With Ronaldo now plying his trade in Madrid, we have lost a lot of flair from the midfield, nearly all of it actually.

That's why it's necessary to buy one more player for this squad for not only short term, but the long term future of United; Angel Di Maria of S.L Benfica.

The hype around Di Maria is real. Him along with Messi and Sergio Aguero led the 2008 Argentina olympic squad to a Gold Medal victory over Nigeria with Di Maria scoring the game winning goal which is shown here:

After the Olympics, Di Maria was linked with Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan. Recently as of last weel, Inter Milan rekindled their interest in Di Maria while Barca have taken the 1st step to get on good terms with Benfica, offering their new striker Kerrison on a season long loan to Benfica.

Di Maria at the young age of 21 has already been capped numerous times for the Argentine national team, and a place on next year's World Cup sqaud looks imminent.

With Ryan Giggs getting older, and Nani unproven from last year as the case for Tosic, United could use a winger/side midfielder with experience and class. The time has never been more crucial for United to add a player and Di Maria's name is calling

Daily Fail: Maniacal Minaya

Charlie Klein

Mets General Manager Omar Minaya announced the firing of Tony Bernazard and brazenly attacked a reporter yesterday in Flushing, NY.

Most of the controversy coming out of the press conference did not surround the dismissal of former Vice President of Player Development Tony Bernazard, who, as reported on this site, has become infamous for having issues with anger management.

Minaya challenged New York Daily News reporter Adam Rubin in front of the entire press gallery by implying that Rubin reported the stories about Bernazard in an attempt to get a job in the Metropolitans' front office. Minaya said, "Adam has lobbied for the player development position. I scuffled with it early on. I had to think about that."

When Minaya was asked whether he was alleging that Rubin had plotted to get Bernazard fired, he said, "No. I'm saying that I had scuffled a lot as I made my decision because I had know that the person writing this had been lobbying people for a position in player developent." Omar dearest also took a shot at Rubin's reporting, "All the things that have been public are not exactly how it happened, but I'm not going to go into the details."

In all of my journalism classes whenever the journalist becomes part of the news it is rarely a positive thing. A journalist's primary goal is to report the facts of a situation so that a curious public can sort out for themselves what to believe and how to think. Journalists are meant to be witnesses to events, not the starring players. And yet, Adam Rubin has had the misfortune of becoming the news.

This whole story is a definite case study in the ethics of journalism. Minaya's idea of how those ethics work in his mind was violated by the inquiries by Rubin of how to get into the business. Certainly people are entitled to their own opinion but they are not to have their own set of facts. Minaya's understanding of the facts in this case are as flawed as Rafa Benitez's facts about Sir Alex Ferguson.

It is a fact that Rubin did ask someone in the Mets organisation for "career advice." As Mets COO Jeff Wilpon acknowledged yesterday, Rubin consulted him for advice. Wilpon said, "I don't think there's anything wrong with that. I believe Adam was just doing what anybody else does. I get a call once a week like that."

My favourite professional sports colour commentator Keith Hernandez was part of the Mets SNY triumverate to criticise the actions taken by Minaya. Hernandez, no stranger to contoversy himself, said, "I kind of find it hard to believe that Adam Rubin was brought into this. The point is, Adam Rubin is not the issue here. Adam Rubin is a beat writer and it is his job to cover the team. He got a lead on a story and guess what - he reported it correctly."

The Mets did win last night in dramatic fashion following a pinch hit grand slam by Fernando Tatis and have won two games consecutively. No one will really remember that though, which is too bad for a team that should be labeled as the New York Mess.

The Looming Storm

Justin Thrift

On a hot and muggy summer night, you can sometimes step outside and literally feel a storm approaching. You do not have to be told by the weather man or informed in a passing conversation: you can just sense it. Similarly to the way farm cows instinctively lay down prior to rain, you can predict a raging electric storm even before the dark clouds arrive and the first drops of rain fall.

In Boston, the Yankees are that approaching storm that everyone is aware of. In the wake of the next classic series between these two heavy weight teams, the next confrontation with the Yankees is on every Sox fan’s mind.

Summertime in downtown Boston really is the best time (apart from October) to get a sense of the city’s love for their team. You can’t enter a restaurant or bar without seeing Red Sox related TV, walk 5 feet without seeing another Sox cap, or drive around the block without seeing numerous team-related bumper stickers, signs, and memorabilia. Every man, woman, and child wants to talk about player happenings and last night’s ballgame. It’s electric to be around.

But an interesting scenario unravels year after year that only illuminates more clearly why the Red Sox and Yankees are caught up in America’s premier sports rivalry. Even though Boston is filled with fans who would rather lie down in front of an Amtrak train than pay homage to the dreaded Yankees, the Bronx Bombers are a consistent topic of conversation across the land. Eavesdrop into any conversation between Red Sox fans and you’re sure to hear the line, “Did the Yanks win last night?” You could say it’s because New York is Boston’s biggest division competition, but the truth is, rooting against the Yankees is a full-time position held by every diehard Sox fan.

And this reality is alive and well in Beantown right now. Though the Sox and Yanks haven’t crossed paths in over a month of play, the two teams are fixed in a daily battle atop the AL East that feels like a game in itself. The presence of the Yankees is so strong in Boston folklore that at times it can feel as if some Boston fans are pleasured more by a Yankee lost, than a Boston win. I can attest to feeling upset and angry after the Red Sox lose a game, only to be thrilled and completely elated upon finding out that the Yankees lost too. Furthermore, nothing feels better than a day when the Red Sox win and the Yankees lose, just as nothing is more depressing than a Yankee win after a Red Sox loss. What a sting.

To outsiders, it may seem like a sickness, just over dramatic arrogant hype. But it shouldn’t. After all, we’re not only rooting against the Yankees so our team can win the pennant – Red Sox fans have a genuinely real fetish for seeing the Yankees do poorly. We enjoy seeing New York players make errors and run into walls, and we live for the feeling that comes when the Sox beat them at Yankee Stadium. It gives us pleasure to see Yankee fans miserable. I actually get gleeful.

And I’m sure it’s one hundred percent mutual.

But all the awareness of the Yank’s day-to-day updates is just an example of Red Sox fans anticipating the storm. There’s a building tension around both fan bases before any Boston-New York series; a palpable energy that manipulates everything on the local sports scene. It’s an historic relationship, a constant battle between rivals that never really allows each of the teams involved to hide, even when they’re playing on opposite sides of the country.

The rivalry picks up where it left off every time these two teams meet, but as every Yankee and Red Sox fan knows, the rivalry is never really paused in the first place. Endless discussion, trash talk, and opinions fly around the Northeast. The NESN and YES networks report the other team’s latest successes and failures to their fan bases that ceaselessly root for a loss. It’s an endless battle of two teams and their fans, and it’s going to resume on the field very shortly: August 6-9 in the Bronx.

Last time these two teams met, the Yankees found themselves disgraced and overpowered by the Red Sox who carried out yet another sweep of their New Yorker foes. Since then, the Sox piled up a nice lead atop the AL East entering the All-Star break, only to give it up with a poor offensive start to the second half of the season. The Yankees have been streaking hot as of late, causing the Red Sox to grasp for life in the water as they desperately strive to keep pace.

As the MLB nears the trade deadline and the teams look to finalize their rosters going into the fall, these approaching rivalry games have the potential to be some of the most entertaining games yet. It’s almost time for the latest installment of the 2009 Red Sox/Yankee showdown. Can you feel the storm approaching?

Why Pete Rose Should Be In Cooperstown

Charlie Klein

Imagine for a moment a player who has the following on the back of his baseball card: 4,256 hits, .303 batting average, and 1,314 RBIs. A 17-time All-Star Selection. Winner of three World Series, including a World Series MVP. A Lou Gehrig Award winner. After reading this, one would probably say that man should be a first ballot hall of famer. Who is this man? None other than Pete Rose, and he deserves to be inducted.

It seems like every year that Major League Baseball inducts players into its Hall of Fame the name Pete Rose inevitably resurfaces and rears its ugly head (if names had heads). Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice joined names like Ted Williams, Ty Cobb, Christy Mathewson, and Hank Aaron amongst the most hallowed names in their sport yesterday in Cooperstown, NY.

While they celebrated the accomplishment many again began debating who yet remains uninducted that merits inclusion in the Hall of Fame. To me, Pete Rose has always deserved a place in the Hall for his historic career as a baseball player.

Yes, Rose has been guilty of violating many parts of baseball's unwritten rules of how to play the game. Yes, Rose has bet on baseball games he managed. Yes, Rose purposely ran into a catcher in an All-Star Game. Yes, Rose has plead guilty to income tax evasion. But that has nothing at all to do with the player he was during his 23 year playing career.

Some may argue that he should not be inducted on all of the factors I just presented. They will surely say, "If Rose deserves to be in, then so do Sosa, McGwire, Clemens, and Bonds." That is an utterly fallacious argument. It is an undeniable fact that Pete Rose did not use steroids. Furthermore, all of his legal issues came once he became a manager or after he had retired from baseball. Whether or not he should be inducted is entirely dependent upon his career as a player. Ty Cobb had a terrible reputation but is still thought of as being one of the greatest of all time. He did nothing wrong as a player, which sets him apart from the likes of Bonds.

Ultimately the liklihood of Pete Rose ever being inducted in the Hall of Fame is extremely minimal. Even if Bud Selig complied with the wishes of a teammate of Rose's Joe Morgan and legend Hank Aaron, I doubt the Veterans Committee would vote for him.

The Mistreatment Of 'Samu'; A Look Back At Samuel Eto'os' Last 15 Months At Barcelona

Puneet Singh

Usually when a team has massive success in one year its better to add players to that group rather than subtract. It would be foolish to remove a player or group of players especially if the one player you are removing was one of your best players out on the field.

In case you haven't realized yet, I am talking about the Samuel Eto'o saga that has finally found its conclusion.

With the conclusion of the Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Barcelona for Samuel Eto'o the 1 year loan of Aliaksandr Hleb along with €48 million euros due to be done by this coming Monday, its time to take a look at how this saga actually began, back in the summer of 2008.

SUMMER of 2008

Call it the exodus and the re-establishment. Ronaldinho, Deco, Juliano Belletti, Gianluca Zambrotta, and their coach Frank Rijkaard were all shown the door while Lilian Thurman hung it up due to a potentially fatal heart condition.

In that summer came in came Pep Guardiola as their coach, along with Seydou Keita, Hleb, Gerard Pique and Martin Caceres.

There was a strong push from both Guardiola and president Joan Laporta to have join Eto'o join the former group with an exit at the Nou Camp. They were heavily offering away 'Samu' (what the Blaugrana faithful call him) to Milan, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Arsenal.

Numerous deals were being offered; Eto'o for Emmanuel Adebayor (who came off his monster season), Eto'o for Dider Drogba, Eto'o for WHOEVER.

It was a slap in the face of a loyal servant who was coming off a year where he scored 18 goals in 28 total games which included 16 in 18 La Liga games.

Unfortunately for Eto'o a deal never materialized. Lucky for Barcelona. They would not add a forward that transfer window. And Eto'o would go off to have a big year leading them to the treble.

All the while that Barca were shopping away their #9, Eto'o continually insisted that he wanted to stay at Barcelona and see out not only his contract but his playing career as well. Eto'o did not deserve Barca, he deserved better.

The 08/09 Campaign; The Year of Barca's Treble

Barca started the year off in scintillating form with the offense in full force outscoring opponents 15 to 6 while going 4-0-1 in that time. Eto'o was responsible for four of the first 15 goals.

When everything was all said and done and Barcelona had finished their 2008-2009 season winning La Liga, Copa Del Reya and The Champions League; thus concluding the treble. In that Champions League final against Manchester United, it was Eto'o who tore through the Manchester United defense in the 1st 10 minutes to score the game winning goal.

At the end of the 08/09 year Eto'o finished second on the team in scoring, amassing a whopping 36 goals in 52 games which was 10 more than Thierry Henry and two less than Lionel Messi; the man who received all the accolades and praise for Barca's success.

SUMMER of 2009

Barca started the summer off quiet while Madrid and Manchester City were the ones making all the noise.

With Madrid stacking stars like poker chips, the pressure was on Barca. Whilst there was no interest from Barca to sign Cristiano Ronaldo, Raul Albiol or Kaka, Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola did make it clear that signing either Franck Ribery, Karim Benzema or David Villa was his objective this offseason.

When Madrid were unable to sign Villa, they turned to Benzema and wrapped up that deal as well. Barca made an attempt to sign Villa, but his loyalty remained with Valencia. They were looking at a summer of no major signing while Madrid would take the spotlight of the summer without winning anything. Even Carlos Tevez showed his true colors as a mercenary and signed with Manchester City in a mega contract deal.

After Madrid had mopped up most of the major chips of the summer, Barca made a quick splash to sign Kerrison as a piece for the future but look set to loan him out for at least this year unless Eidur Gudjonsen finds a new home.

Back track to Eto'o: Eto'o was almost offloaded in late June early July; the newly rich Manchester City were 90% done with a deal to sign Samu; the transfer fee of €25 million had been agreed to by both parties and all that was left were the personal terms. That was the stumbling block; Eto'o was demanding upwards of €10 million after taxes. The Citizens felt that was too much for their swollen pocketbook and opted against that, instead taking Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz along with Tevez.

The Week Of July 19th, 2009

Rumors became truth. Ibrahimovic officially hands in his transfer request to Jose Mourinho and Massimo Moratti, claiming he wants to go to Barcelona because he has a better chance of winning the Champions League and Ballon D'Or.

Inter Milan oblige and begin discussions with Barcelona within that week. Barcelona view this as an opportunity to offload Eto'o, while Inter will gladly take the services of a forward who has scored 130 in 200 appearences for Barca.

The deal is contingent on both players passing physicals while the contracts have been setup; Ibra will now earn €8 million a year for Barcelona while Eto'o's wages are suppose to bring him in upwards of €7 million.

Inter Milan are sad to see Ibra go, but both Moratti and Mourinho are ecstatic to have a player coming in who WANTS to be there. Eto'o meet Jose, Jose meet Samu. This is a match made in heaven.

Why Did Barca Go This Route?

Why did Barcelona opt to give up their second leading scorer who was such a clutch player for them over the last three years for a player who is considered a big game flop all over Europe?

Three Reasons:

1.) Eto's Contract. Samuel Eto'o wanted a pay raise over the last three years which Barcelona have failed to give him. He had openly stated that he will not sign an extension for Barcelona unless his wages are improved; very understandable given his work for the team.

2.) Youth. While there is only a one year age difference, many believe Eto'o has already peaked and a decline is imminent within the next two to three years. Ibra'cadabra on the other hand is 27 and many believe he has yet to put it all together to be the total package. With a move to Barca everyone is banking on it to finally happen.

3.) A New Dimension. Eto'o can score, we all know that. But what Zlatan scores and creates opportunities for others; something that Eto'o doesn't do so good. What Barca are hoping is that when opponents lock down on Messi, Ibra will take over and when teams lock in on Ibra, Messi can run wild.

Conclusion:

Eto'o deserves better. Many people don't criticize Guardiola and Laporta because they don't say much to stirrup trouble, but actions speak louder than words. Laporta may have signed Ibrahimovic but it is mainly from the pressure of Madrid. When Zlatan flops in El Classico and Champions League, Barca will wonder what could've been if Eto'o was around.

Good Bye Samu, you are off to a greener pasture. Eto'o and the €48 million make Inter a better team now and for the upcoming years. Ibra = Scudetto. Eto'o and €48 million = a strong run in the Champions League.

Holliday Could Be As Big Of An Addition As Halladay

Charlie Klein

The St. Louis Cardinals traded prospects Brett Wallace, Shane Peterson, and Clayton Mortensen to the Oakland Athletics for outfielder Matt Holliday and cash considerations yesterday in the biggest trade yet before the deadline on July 31.

The Cardinals have outdone themselves once again with another great addition to their NL Central leading squad. The Cardinals gave up a talented pitching prospect in Chris Perez for the best utility man in baseball in Mark DeRosa. Giving a manager like Tony LaRussa that kind of flexibility is a major lift for the pride of St. Louis. They traded Chris Duncan for the under perfoming Julio Lugo, who comes for free courtesy of the Boston Red Sox. To top it all off they add Matt Holliday, one year removed from an All-Star calibre season who will surely be energized by being in a pennant race. Add all of those players to a lineup that already boasts the best player in the game in Albert Pujols and one should have the recipe for a NL Central Division Championship.

In Holliday's first game in St. Louis red he went 4-5 with an RBI, run scored, and a stolen base. Peter Gammons told St. Louis sports radio station 101 ESPN that Holliday would thrive in a city like St. Louis because Holliday craves competition, wants to perform in sold out stadiums where baseball is a cherished tradition. Say what you will about St. Louis, but no one can doubt the city's devotion to its baseball team. Gammons said that Holliday was miserable in Oakland because of the change to the American League, the ruin that is the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum, and the fact that the A's have been out of contention since the second week of April. A change of scenery could be what Holliday needs to push him back to elite status.

His addition to the Cardinals could have more of an impact on their team than the addition of Roy Halladay on the Phillies, or whatever team to which he ends up going. St. Louis already has the pitching necessary to carry them on a playoff run and adding a bat like Holliday's only makes the greatest hitter in the game better. That should be scary enough. The 2-3-4-5 of DeRosa, Pujols, Holliday, and Ludwick will do more for their team on a daily basis than Halladay will do every five days. That being said, Halladay is no slouch either and will have a major impact on whatever team he is traded to. In my opinion, the Cardinals have set themselves up well for a deep playoff run.

Looks like the Cubs will have to wait another year to break their curse.

Daily Fail: Steve Spurrier & ESPN

Charlie Klein

Which SEC coach would have the audacity not to vote for Tim Tebow for a pre-season All-SEC first team spot!?!?! The ESPN coverage devoted to this almost comedic 'whodunnit' rivalled the attention the all sports network gives to Brett Favre.

Specualtion abounded that Lane Kiffin, Tennessee Volunteers new coach, was the coach thad did not vote for Tebow. After all, it fit with everything else Kiffin has done since he began making a mockery of the once storied football program at Tennessee in November of last year. On one particular occasion Kiffin accused Florida coach Urban Meyer for violating NCAA rules by contacting a recruit while he was on the UT campus when in actuality Kiffin violated SEC rules by his comments. All of that aside, it was not him.

SO WHO DID IT!?!?!

Steve Spurrier, final answer. After showing every other coach saying that they were not the ones who picked Ole Miss QB Jevan Snead over Tebow, ESPN finally gave us all the answer that was as satisfying as seeing the Crawford dunk on LeBron James. Spurrier was at a total loss as to how he managed to mess up the balloting for the preseason All-SEC team but apologized to Tim Tebow calling him one of the best Florida quarterbacks in school history. Spurrier's explanation was that the ballot had been filled out for him and that he did not give it a good look before signing off on it.

This whole story boggles the mind in more ways than one. First, it brings into question how accurate the USA Today Coaches' Poll is or is not. What if Spurrier had voted Oklahoma instead of Florida number one without even knowing it, just in the same way he voted for Snead instead of Tebow? Second, why is this such a big deal? Tebow himself said that it will not motivate him any more than he already is to do well. Tebow is not just going to tear up the Gamecocks because their coach was enough of a cock not to vote for him. Third, we all know who the best QB in the SEC is, so why is a pre-season all-conference team that important. No one remembers who was on last year's so who really cares who is on this year's? In the end it just shows the amount of hype that ESPN can give to the most unimportant of stories.

After all, Spurrier famously admitted that he really is not that much of a thinker, preferring to be referred to simply as 'the old ball coach.'

Daily Fail: Tony Bernazard

Charlie Klein

The Mets organisation has offered so many 'Daily Fail' opportunities this season that it has become so difficult to choose which one about which to write. Whether it be their continual inability to field like major leaguers or the fact that a .240 hitting Daniel Murphy bats third in their lineup, the Mets continue to flounder. As if things really could not get any worse for the Metropolitans, it has now become known that their Vice President of Player Development Tony Bernazard challenged the Binghamton Mets clubhouse to a fight.

Bernazard allegedly removed his shirt and challenged Mets prospect Jose Coronado to a fight following an expletive laden tirade in which Bernazard criticized the team for doing a poor job of controlling its underage drinking. The Mets executive is also rumoured to be the man behind the firings of Willie Randolph and Rick Peterson.

Bernazard's feisty attitude appears to know no bounds. The VP reportedly had a heated argument with Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez while the team was in Atlanta. The New York Daily News also reported on Tuesday that Bernazard at a recent game at Citi Field wanted a seat behind homeplate that was being occupied by a scout from the Arizona Diamondbacks. He allegedly unleashed a profanity-laden tirade on a subordinate who suggested that he wait until the end of the half-inning to take the seat.

The pressure is certainly on Bernazard. The Mets farm system has been unable to find suitable replacements for injured stars J.J. Putz, Carlos Beltran, John Maine, Jose Reyes, and Carlos Delgado. The Mets currently have nine players on the disabled list, and that does not include their legions of fans who have been injured beyond repair this season. Met fan Keith Plokhoy, of West Milford, New Jersey, commented to me last night following the Mets losing a series to the worst team in baseball, "I regret my entire existence."

The fact that Omar Minaya was not aware of the particulars of this incident shows his inadequacy as the GM of the Mets. Minaya cannot even keep his own house in order, let alone make the correct decisions on free agents. Come on Omar, at least put your man in anger management!

Five NFL Players With The Most To Prove in 2009

Charlie Klein

With most teams opening their training camps in the next few weeks, it is about time that The Truth Blog began its NFL coverage in earnest. The following list is comprised of players who have much to prove following disappointing 2008's. There are surely players that I will neglect in this list, if you have one you think is deserving please leave a comment with your argument.

1. Chad Ochocinco (Cincinnati Bengals). This guy is on the verge of becoming just another irrelevant arrogant wide receiver. With another year similar to his 2008 season, in which he caught 53 passes for 540 yards and four touchdowns. With arguably the best number two wide receiver in the NFL in T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Championship!) leaving for the Seattle Seahawks and a relatively unproven wide receiving corps, it is all on Johnson to be the guy for Carson Palmer this year. Is it not what Chad's been dying for for a few years now? This season he has to prove he is the player he was only a few years ago, when the skills that got him to the endzone were just as good as his dance moves in the endzone. (odds of proving doubters wrong: 70%)

2. LaDanian Tomlinson (San Diego Chargers). I think we all were disappointed in LT last season, so much so that many were saying that Darren Sproles could be the RB of the future in sunny San Diego. Tomlinson did rush for over 1,000 yards again, but only averaged 3.8 yards per carry and scored only 11 touchdowns, his lowest total since his rookie season in 2001. He is only two years removed from 28 TDs but many are predicting that LT is done. Running backs typically start to drop off in terms of production around 30 and LT has proven to be no exception. Part of me feels like LaDanian still has it, but in my fantasy league I will not draft him No. 1 overall. Until he proves it, he is no longer that guy. (odds of proving doubters wrong: 60%)

3. Jay Cutler (Chicago Bears). Jay Cutler was so petulant and needy that he made Brett Favre look like a stand up guy. His childish fit with Denver Broncos coach Josh McDaniels resulted in him being traded to the Chicago Bears, who have been unable to find themselves a franchise quarterback really since Steve McMahon. The Bears leading receiver was rooking running back Matt Forte, followed by tight end Greg Olsen, and cornerback Devin Hester. What does this mean? THE BEARS HAVE NO WIDE RECEIVERS! Aside from Rashied Davis the Bears receiving corps is comprised primarily of rookies. I do not think Cutler is good enough to make those rookies play beyond his age. He has to prove that he can still throw for 4,000 yards without Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal. (odds of proving doubters wrong: 40%)

4. Reggie Bush (New Orleans Saints). When the Texans passed on Reggie Bush in the 2006 NFL Draft many in the NFL community believed that the Texans passed on THE talent for the next ten years. How could Charley Casserly, Texans GM, not draft the next Barry Sanders!?! Let's flash forward to 2009 and it is the player Casserly did take, Mario Williams is the better player. All of that aside, Reggie Bush has much to prove in 2009. The Saints released Deuce McAllister, the only real threat to Bush's carries for the past few years, so now it is time for Reggie to prove his worth. Pierre Thomas, who had a decent 2008 season, is waiting in the wings should Reggie be unable to carry the load. Is Bush just a 3rd down back/receiving running back? Or is he the feature back New Orleans drafted in 2006? (odds of proving doubters wrong: 50%)

5. Shawne Merriman (San Diego Chargers). If I failed to put a defensive player on this list, it would have definitely lost a bit of legitimacy. Honestly I am no fan of Shawne Merriman and all of his antics. Furthermore I believe he is a dirty player. His suspension for using a banned substance in 2006 is enough to prove that. What cannot be disputed is this man's ability to get to the quarterback better than almost any linebacker in the NFL. Merriman was out because of injury for all of 2008. In 2007 and 2006, he had 12.5 and 17 sacks respectively. This season Merriman has to prove that his horrible injury has been healed and that he can be the player he was. (odds of proving doubters wrong: 65%)

With The New Stadium On The Way, The New York Islanders Are Headed In The Right Direction

by Puneet Singh

Over the last eight years, there hasn't been much to be proud about for a New York Islander fan. Actually, over the last 15 years, its been a torrid time if you follow the Isles. Few playoffs runs or even .500 years and a lot of mediocrity sums it up best.

Trading away young players such as Roberto Luongo, Olli Jokinen, Todd Bertuzzi, Jason Spezza and Zdeno Charra to name a few, has been one of out major problems.

The other? Horrible contracts. Trevor Linden, Alexai Yashin and Rick DiPietro are the 1st three that come to mind.

Couple this with poor management, instability within that management group and a dull stadium and no wonder there are rumors of the Islander's possibly being moved away.

The Islander's are scheduled to play a few preseason games in Kansas City with a move within four to five years possible if a new stadium cannot be constructed and setup within the next two to three years in Nassau County.

Moving the Islander's out of New York would be nothing short of a catastrophe.

Whether people realize or appreciate it, the Islander's have GOOD history. They won the Stanley Cup for consecutive years in the early 1980's, forming a dynasty. They had All-Star players in Bryan Trottier, Mike Bossy, Bobby Nystrom, Steve Tambellini, The Potvins and The Suters. It would be one thing if they were like the Vancouver Canucks with no Stanley Cup titles or too many good players, but the Islander's are a staple of the NHL.

As bleek as the past has been, the future is bright. The drafting of John Tavares is a huge start.

Call it the Sidney Crosby effect. Within three days of his jersey printing, 10,000 NY Islanders jerseys with the printing of #91 Tavares on the back of it were sold. He has given new hope to Islander fans, new and old. Season ticket purchases have gone up by 40%. People want to see Tavares and want to see him succeed.

It's the same effect Sid had on Pittsburgh; in the Pens first year of the "Crosby Era" they finished under .500, but Crosby topped over 100 points as a rookie and made some powerful noise out of Pittsburgh helping to put the Pens back on the map. Tavares doesn't even need to put up 100 points as a rookie, just getting the Islanders close to .500 and making entertaining highlights would be enough to draw a crowd to the Coliseum.

But like I said, the future is bright for the Isles. There is a lot of talk going around that the permit and approval for the new stadium will be given by winter. This is bigger than Tavares. A new stadium brings in more revenue and attracts bigger name players. Face it; no one wants to play in the Coliseum, it's the Kingdom, The Vet and The Penguins old stadium rolled into one. It just needs to go.

Think about this; By 2011 with a new stadium in place and Tavares settled in and hopefully for the Isles sake, established, the Islanders would be a hot market similar to how they were in 2000 when they wooed Michael Peca, Alexai Yashin(when he still had something to offer) and had a stacked defense of Roman Hamerlik, Kenny Johnnson, Adrian Aucoin and Chris Osgood in net. That was the last time the Islander's were relevant. I hold that mini-era close to my heart because that was the last time we would see a solid run by the Islanders deep into the playoffs.

Three years. Three years will make or break the New York Islanders. I don't want to put any pressure on John Tavares but the entire Islanders franchise is now on his shoulders. It's up to him to make hockey relevent and powerful on Long Island again. Hopefully he'll get the help he needs in some good players and most importantly, the new stadium.