Stop the Presses!

Omar Minaya just traded for 2 white ballplayers. Yes, I am serious.

I'll Take This Guys Team Tonight

Thoughts on Johan Santana/Phil Hughes

There are a few things to consider when talking about Johan Santana being traded to the Yankees. The structure of a potential deal between the Twins and Yankees would have Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera, and Austin Jackson going to Minnesota for Johan.

First, let's be honest here. Johan is the most dominant regular season pitcher in the league since Pedro still had his shoulder attached. This guy just does not lose. He's also pitched well in the playoffs. Can he go up against Beckett in a big postseason game and come out on top? Absolutely. He is one of the more dominant pitchers in recent years and can be counted on 35 times per season and in October. He is also a lefty in Yankee stadium. Not a bad combo.

Phil Hughes has been the gem of the Yankees system since the minute he arrived. He has been looked after by every member of the organization before he joined the rotation in May. When he went down with a hamstring injury you have to wonder whether some front office people were okay with it because he would be able to rest his arm for a few months. Before Joba surfaces Hughes was the darling of the system. Which of them has shown he can start games for the Yankees? Hughes. Which one is deemed untouchable? Joba. Why this is the case I still have not seen.

Melky Cabrera has solidified his place as the starting CF for the Yankees. He too is a product of the Yankees system although not touted as highly as the pitchers. Cabrera has an above average arm with decent range. At the plate he is becoming more selective but still takes his hacks as many youngsters do. He does not hit for much power and is a solid back of the order hitter. Will he ever hit like Bernie? Probably not. Can he be a serviceable CF in the league for the next 10 years? Absolutely.

Now for Austin Jackson. Who? Jackson is a 20 year old OF in the Yankees system who is behind Jose Tabata in potential but probably closer to playing for the Yankees due to his age and experience. He is a highly touted prospect who projects as a starting outfielder by 2009 or 2010. He is a bit like Alfonso Soriano, if you ask me.

So the question is this: Do you make this deal if you are the Yankees? The answer may surprise you. First lets address the fact that the Yankees should not trade Melky and Austin together in this deal. If you include Melky you need to keep your top OF prospect and try and give up something else instead. No to Hughes. Look, I love this kid as much as any Yankees fan. He has the makeup to be successful and the stuff to get guys out. He has the ability to be a very good major league player. Will he be as good as Johan Santana? If I had to guess I'd say no. If the Yankees have the chance to get Johan Santana and have to give up Hughes and Melky and someone to do so, I think they have to make the deal. You cannot hold onto a prospect because he projects to be great. In this case I think you have to go with the guy who has a 70% winning percentage, a 3.22 career ERA (in the AL), and strikes out over 200 guys a season. Then I think they sign Andruw Jones to a one year deal. Although Boras and the Yankees might not be on good terms right now (thank god).

Should be an interesting few weeks. For what it's worth I think the Mets will overpay for Johan.

Cooperstown Riot?

I'm setting the over at 137 for fights between Yankee and Red Sox fans in Cooperstown if Goose and Rice go into the Hall together next year. Rock Raines is the wild card here. 2600 hits, 1500 runs and 800 steals. Is he a first ballot HOF? No way all three get in. I think they should put Goose and Rice in. And then put Rock in 2009 when Rickey is on the ballot. Very cool for the best AL & NL base stealers of the 80's to go in together.

I know we're not a religious bunch but say a prayer for Sean.

Week 12 Picks and Recap

It seems my prognosticating has taken a dive. I'd prefer that occurs in the second half as opposed to the Giants taking a dive, frankly. I've allowed Eric from That's What He Said back in this year long challenge. I am now 74-83-2 on the season and need a big week.

Broncos at Bears (-2)
Titans (-1) at Bengals
Bills at Jaguars (-7.5)
Raiders at Chiefs (-5)
Texans at Browns (-3.5)
Seahawks (-3) at Rams
Vikings at Giants (-7.5)
Saints (-3) at Panthers
Redskins at Bucs (-3)
Niners at Cardinals (-10)
Ravens at Bolts (-9)
Eagles at Patriots (-22.5)
Dolphins at Steelers (-16)

Live Blog--Bravo Tony Dungy

The Giants should be winning 28-10 right now if they hadn't stopped themselves in the first half. Now it is 16-10 and Kiwanuka has a broken leg, and Jacobs has a bum hammy. And there's been a Sinorice Moss sighting. No, I swear.

The Colts are about to finish off a 13-10 victory against KC. With 2 minutes left the Colts had 4th and 1 from the KC 3 yard line. Instead of kicking the field goal and allowing the Chiefs to get the ball back, Peyton ran a QB sneak to get the 1st down. KC had no time outs left and watched Manning kneel 3 times. Vinatieri then won the game with a FG with :03 left. Would your coach have made that call?

Eli just got sacked on 3rd down. Lions ball down 6 with 2:25 from their 32 yard line. Arghhhhh

Do you think the Texans missed Andre Johnson?

Who would you vote for MVP between Brady and Favre?

Who will be the head coach of the Bengals next week? If you tell me Marvin Lewis, I ask you: Why?

From a strictly selfish fantasy football perspective, can someone on the Falcons get in the end zone. Please?

James Butler!!!!!! Interception of Kitna in the end zone with 1:54 left!!!!!!!!!! Cmon Eli get a W.

We can probably ask this question a few times per year for the next decade, but who would you rather have between Eli and Rivers?

My preseason picks included the Rams and Saints winning their divisions. Nobody's perfect

Why do either Daryl Johnston or Troy Aikman do every single Giants game? Is it possible to get a non-biased perspective from a fucking Cowboy on a Sunday? Ever?

John Kitna just got annihilated. Sam Madison picks it off and the Gmen will come back from Detroit with a HUGE victory to go 7-3. I will now stop screaming at the television until next week.

Week 11 Picks and Recap

Losing sucks. Losing to your good friend sucks more. If you learn from your mistakes losing should turn into winning real quick. I feel lucky to have gone 5-9 in my week 10 picks as I thought I was shutout while watching the games. Eric, from Thats What HE Said went 8-6. The Rams won too, so it must have been a full moon. Above you see the Bears starting QB. No, really he is. For now.

On to the Picks from Week 11.

CHARGERS AT JAGUARS (-3)

KC AT INDY (-14.5)

OAKLAND AT VIKINGS (-4.5)

CLEVELAND (-2.5) AT BALTIMORE

PITTSBURGH (-9.5) AT JETS

TAMPA BAY (-3) AT ATLANTA

CARDINALS AT BENGALS (-3)

MIAMI AT PHILLY (-9.5)

REDSKINS AT COWBOYS (-11)

SAINTS AT TEXANS (-1.5)

CAROLINA AT PACKERS (-9.5)

GIANTS (-2.5) AT LIONS

RAMS (-3) AT NINERS

BEARS AT SEAHAWKS (-5.5)

PATRIOTS (-16) AT BILLS

TITANS AT BRONCOS (-2)

Now He's One Of Us

Like it or not, now he's one of us. The second the ink dries on the contract, The 3B is officially a Yankee. He doesn't become the guy who passed through here for 4 bizarre seasons. He's here for the next ten, his prime and who knows what we're going to see? We're gonna see some amazing things and also probably continue to be frustrated and perplexed.

No need to beat a dead horse. We all know what he's done and what he hasn't done and when he's done it and hasn't done it. This latest debacle was classic A-Rod, way more complicated and selfish than it needs to be. The term "True Yankee" is thrown around a lot but all we want to see is guys who play the game hard and keep their mouth shut. That's what earns respect. Of course bringing home a championship doesn't hurt.

Obviously it's not all his fault we haven't won. Starting pitching and a bad bullpen have been problems for a few years. With the kids we have, the new ballpark, we're launching a new era, Hopefully another dynasty. A bizarro dynasty where Jorge, Mo, Jetes (and hopefully #46) are the elder statesmen. We can see Cano, Melky, the pitchers and maybe Tabata emerge as the new core. And in the middle of it all, a guy who may set records for HR's, Hits and RBI's. Too bad he's such a douche bag.

He'll never be completely embraced. He'll always do things to piss people off. He's eternally 1977 Reggie. But with the next 10 years here, he's going to be remembered as a Yankee. He goes into the Hall as a Yankee. He's gonna be the guy setting records in the new ballpark (The Corporate Jabroni Dome). And hopefully, he's part of a few championships as a Yankee. Bottom line is, he's ours and we gotta deal with it. The gift and the curse.

The 3B Wants Back In--Official statement from Alex Rodriguez

Official statement from Alex Rodriguez
received: Nov 14, 2007 at 03:48 PM

11/14/2007 3:27 PM ET
After spending time with Cynthia and my family over these last few weeks, it became clear to me that I needed to make an attempt to engage the Yankees regarding my future with the organization.

Prior to entering into serious negotiations with other clubs, I wanted the opportunity to share my thoughts directly with Yankees' ownership. We know there are other opportunities for us, but Cynthia and I have a foundation with the club that has brought us comfort, stability and happiness.

As a result, I reached out to the Yankees through mutual friends and conveyed that message. I also understand that I had to respond to certain Yankees concerns, and I was receptive and understanding of that situation.

Cynthia and I have since spoken directly with the Steinbrenner family. During these healthy discussions, both sides were able to share honest feelings and hopes with one another, and we expect to continue this dialogue with the Yankees over the next few days.

Week 10 NFL Picks

BRONCOS AT CHIEFS (-3)
BILLS (-2.5) AT MIAMI
BROWNS AT PITT (-10)
RAMS AT SAINTS (-10.5)
TITANS (-1.5) AT JAX
ATLANTA AT CAROLINA (-4)
PHILLY AT WASH (-2.5)
VIKES AT PACKERS (-6)
BENGALS AT RAVENS (-3.5)
BEARS (-3.5) AT OAKLAND
DALLAS (-1.5) AT NYG
DETROIT AT AZ (-1.5)
INDY (-3.5) AT SD
NINERS AT SEAHAWKS (-10)

Week 9 NFL Picks--Recap

Just like the Bears, Eric from That's What HE Said is spiraling downhill. And fast. I have a bad week and go 7-6 and STILL manage to win. If I keep this up I may be asked NOT to be in the Wedding Party next summer. At least he gets to see Torre and Mattingly. Come to think of it, I wonder if the Dodgers have a home game the weekend of his wedding....

Between Donnie Baseball, Commerce Casino, and the Wedding this could be quite the trip.

This Week: 7-6
Overall: 62-65-2
Lock of the Week 3-6 (.5 game behind the Bears)

Week 9 NFL Picks

Whew. Anderson almost beat us but we managed to tie him last week. He sees this as a moral victory I am sure. To us, it feels like a loss. We were 6-7 last week. It can only get better this week.

Tampa -3.5 Ariz

Tenn - 4.5 Carolina

Buff - 2.5 Cinn

Det - 3.5 Den

KC - 2.5 G Bay

New O - 3.5 Jacks

Minn + 7 San D

Atl - 3.5 SF

Jets + 3.5 Wash

Cleve - 0.5 Sea

Oak - 3.5 Houst

Indy + 5.5 New E

Phila + 3.5 Dallas

Pitts - 9 Balt

Last Week: 6-7
Season Totals: 55-59-2
Lock of The Week: KC