Waiver Deadline

I wasn't planning on posting until after the NFL opener on Sept. 9th but since the MLB waiver trading deadline is tonight I thought it would be worth mentioning two trades that have hit the headlines. Last week, Manny Ramirez was placed on waivers and claimed about a day or so later by the Chicago White Sox. The move is good on both sides because the Chisox are in the middle of a division race and Manny's bat could provide some punch for what is an already better than average roster. I don't think they will catch the Twins in the AL Central however. Consider that the Twins have been one of, if not the best team in baseball since the All-Star break and Joe Mauer, the game's best catcher, has been on a tear hitting over .320 since the break. All of this is being done however without Justin Morneau, on what would seem a nearly annual basis.But you ask me, "What about the Wild Card?" Very true...what about that Wild Card. That ladies and gentlemen is reserved for one of the three teams fighting for 1st place in the AL East. The Yankees and Rays have been deadlocked for the division lead for seven days, a Major League record for this late in the season. And the Red Sox, who despite a massive number of injuries, have managed to stay alive in what would seem to be the most competitive division in baseball. I personally think that the Yankees will win anywhere from 100-105 games this year and win the division, with the Tampa Bay Rays winning the Wild Card.

Now we move to the "just end the season" New York Mets. About 20 or so minutes ago, the Mets traded Jeff Francoeur to the Texas Rangers for infielder Joaquin Arias. Lets get to the point here. Most Mets fans knew that this was going to be Jeff's last season with the Mets regardless of how he played the final month of the season. When I had heard about the Mets dealing Ryan Church to Atlanta for Jeff, I was happy about the trade. Church could play everyday in Atlanta and not have the scrutiny of New York to irk him. Jeff is very young and had a huge upside. The main problem for him is that he is a very anxious hitter. He almost always swings at the first pitch, and in most cases ends up striking out on three pitches. When he broke into the league, he was considered one of the best young hitters in the game, when teams got a scouting report on him, his numbers over the last few seasons have declined. This season Jeff started out as the Mets hottest hitter with an average of over .400 in the very early season. We all knew that it wasn't going to last but to get off to a red hot start could have been an indication of the season to come. However, the REAL indicator came in the 20 inning game on a Saturday night in April against the St. Louis Cardinals. Just about every Mets player who came to bat had a hit. Jeff went 0-7. It dropped his average to about the .350 mark, which by many standards is incredible, but it only turned out to be the inflated numbers of April. After that game, his season has never been the same.

Jeff seemed like a great clubhouse guy and seemed to like New York, but not producing in New York will get you the boot. Personally, I am happy for Jeff because he is now thrown into a pennant race with a division leader. If the Rangers hitting staff could get Jeff to stop swinging so early in the count, as in the first pitch, he could be a very dangerous hitter.

Good Luck Jeff

That Time of Year Again

The dog days of August. Training camp. It can only mean one thing...NFL Football. With the Giants coming off a tremendously disappointing 2009 season, they look to get back to the team of 2007. Even though, they won the Super Bowl that year, even as as Giants fan, I must admit they weren't the best team that year. But there was a certain swagger about them, a distinct confidence if you will. After the disgrace of a defensive performance that was given to us the fans, the team went out and signed veteran safety Antrel Rolle of the Arizona Cardinals and veteran linebacker Keith Bullock from the Tennessee Titans. However, after three preseason games, I am not the most confident fan out there. What I saw was about as unsightly and smelly as a dirty floor of a Baltimore crab house at the end of a busy Saturday night. Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens picked apart Perry Fewell's defense with a no-huddle offense in a 24-10 win over the Giants that wasn't as close as the final score. It was really easy to find those who did play well. Defensive end Justin Tuck and defensive tackle Rocky Bernard, who was starting in place of injured Chris Canty, had two sacks apiece. Cornerback Corey Webster had one interception and broke up three passes. Rookie punter Matt Dodge finally looks like he has settled into his role. He got plenty of work with nine punts, including one for 74 yards. Eli Manning looked rusty but my concerns are very limited because I know he will be out there week one like he has every single year.

Only time will tell us if the Giants are for real this season. Look to see if Victor Cruz lives up to the preseason hype.

Now, on to the Jets. With about two weeks until the season opener, Darrelle Revis is still

nowhere to be seen and today they were hit again. Outside linebacker Calvin Pace has a broken foot and must undergo surgery that will sideline him for four to six weeks. This is a big deal for the defense because this will now require Jason Taylor to step up and be an every down pass rusher. Physically, he is not up to the task. Taylor was brought to the Jets to be a situational pass rusher on the various blitz packages. With Pace out, and with no end in sight for the Revis contract situation, the Jets defense will have to blitz to get to the quarterback. However, without Revis locking down his side of the field, a short pass will negate any pressure. Without Revis, the Jets not only lose his shutdown ability, but also his incredible tackling ability. Right now the main concern for the Jets needs to be signing Revis and getting him out there ASAP. But the biggest issue on defense might be the head coach. Rex Ryan keeps saying that he is not concerned about the loss of Pace and the absence of Revis. He might be told by upper management to say these things, but there is no way in hell he can feel that way. Many teams can't take the loss of one star player, and lets not think about two. I do think Revis will sign but I don't think that it will before the season starts. Mark Sanchez looks good, but watch out for the sophomore slump. But I doubt his slump will be that bad considering he has Braylon Edwards and Jerricho Cotchery, two very skilled recievers to throw to. Not to mention Santonio Holmes, acquired by trade from the Steelers, in week five after serving his suspension.

The Jets are moving in the right direction but they do too much talking. There is nothing for them to base the trash talking on. Talk is cheap, play the game.

See you after the season opener on September 9th.