Yankees Deal Melky Cabrera, Dunn & Vizcaino to Braves for Javier Vazquez & Logan

December 23rd, 2009 by Patrick Read No comments »

 

On the heels of agreeing to terms last week with designated hitter Nick Johnson, the Yankees have said that they “are not done yet,” and fans have been anxiously awaiting a counter to the Red Sox’s addition of John Lackey and Mike Cameron to their roster.  

Jorge Posada campaigned for another starter to be added to the rotation, so that either Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes could solidify the bullpen.

One can’t argue with Posada’s logic, given last year’s midseason turnaround as Phil Hughes cured what was an abysmal first half performance by reliever s. Many credit Hughes with saving the season.

Since Posada’s push, the Yankee Universe has been abuzz about who could be their next acquisition for the rotation.

The Bleacher Report opined last week that the defending World Champion Yankees might consider a trade to Atlanta for Derek Lowe.

But the Yankees found a more appealing move. 

According to Fox Sport's Ken Rosenthall, the Yanks have closed a deal with Atlanta that lands them starting pitcher Javier Vazquez and relief pitcher Boone Logan.

In return, the Braves will get young outfielder Melky Cabrera, prospect (LH-Reliever) Mike Dunn, young flame-throwing prospect Arodys Vizcaino, plus $500,000 cash.  

Vazquez is just what the Yankees are looking for in a starter. He is 33 years old and in the last year of his contract worth $11.5 million.

With the Yankees shedding Cabrera’s estimated $2 million, they land a fourth starter for a total of $9.5 million, less than the market demands of as much as $12 million.

Vazquez has a career 4.14 ERA and is coming off a great year with Atlanta, having posted a 2.87 ERA. He came in fourth place in the National League for Cy Young votes.

Javier is a workhorse and has pitched in more than 200 innings every year since 2000, except for one year when he pitched in 198 innings.

The last time he pitched in the American League was in 2007 with the Chicago White Sox when he had a 4.67 ERA. The year prior he had a 3.97 ERA.

The one time he made the All-Star team was in 2004, when he pitched for the Yankees.

After having a strong first half, he struggled to the finish and was dealt after the season to Arizona for Randy Johnson.

So, Yankee fans, bid farewell to a fan-favorite in Melky Cabrera.

In his five years with the Yankees, Cabrera averaged .269, had 36 home runs, and 228 RBI.

The Braves will be impressed with his defense. He is quick on his feet and has a strong arm.

They also pick up a character for the clubhouse who players will find him easy to get along with.

Last year, Brett Gardner won the center field position over Cabrera (before breaking his thumb), and rumors were rampant about who the Yankees might trade for Melky. 

Now that question has been answered.

But another question remains—do the Yankees replace Melky Cabrera in left field or stick with Brett Gardner starting in the outfield?

Or do they re-visit Johnny Damon, Jason Bay, or Matt Holliday ?

 

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Tiger Woods: Metaphor For The Decade

December 23rd, 2009 by Mike Casella No comments »

"As we say farewell to a dreadful year and decade...."

...and so begins Frank Rich's New York Times Opinion piece entitled, "Tiger Woods, Person of the Year."

I can add nothing to it. The best I can do is include its link.

He articulates with a razor-sharp edge every emotion I've felt about, what on the surface appears to be a story about Tiger Woods, but in reality is about us.

It is a must read for all.

Please go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/20/opinion/20rich.html?scp=2&sq=frank%20rich&st=Search

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John Terry Bribe Allegations: He Did Nothing Wrong but the Brit Hunt Continues

December 22nd, 2009 by Ramkumar S No comments »

 

It is never easy playing for Chelsea. Every player playing for Chelsea is branded as a mercenary by the media and the misguided. Stronger is the feeling when the Chelsea player captains the England world cup squad. 

So when a sleazy tabloid sets up a sting operation to capture live on camera John Terry's involvements in a "bribery scandal," it is sure to bring up a lot of emotion, questions, and sell a lot of copies for the newspaper. Bravo NewsoftheWorld— that was a job well done. 

To set the record straight, consider the facts and the events.

"Chelsea hosts a large number of visitors at the training ground throughout the year, the majority of which are made up of club sponsors, our charity partners and supporters, The players play a big part in these visits and John Terry naturally has a leading role."—A spokesman representing Chelsea.

So, we know for a fact that key players and important club figures can give facility tours to anyone they like for free or for a fee.

So when two businessmen asked for a behind the scenes tour of the Cobham facility, and are willing to pay for the tour, there is nothing wrong with that. They just need to find someone willing to do that for them.

Enter Tony Bruce, who acts as the liaison between the businessmen and John Terry. If the businessmen were willing to make a charitable contribution to the charity of the tour conductors choice, then isnt it a win win for both parties?  So, the video leads us to believe that John Terry's share of £8,000 will go to the "Make A Wish" charity that helps terminally ill children. In this economy £8,000 is not easy to come by. 

What the video did not show is John Terry asking for or taking the amount. If John Terry has pocketed the £8,000 for himself then we all have a reason to feel angry over the English Captain. But the video simply does not show any evidence of such wrong doings. 

Of course, Tony Bruce was supposed to pocket £2,000, but then again, he is a liaison not a charity organizer. He will obviously expect to get paid for his service.

The sour part of the video was the discussion to keep this hush-hush, but that is understandable. Nobody would want unwanted publicity stating that they are willing to give a facility tour for a standard contribution to a charity. It just makes one feel cheap. Sometimes in this economy, even cheap things might be necessary. Also, it does not show the parent company in good light as everyone will be viewing it from a "corporate money maker" angle.

John Terry did what was best for the charity and the enthusiastic fans. It was not his fault that the enthusiastic businessmen would turn out to be undercover reporters who were more keen on a story. All such vilification of John Terry should stop unless and until it has been proven than the money which "he claimed will go to charity" was pocketed by him. 

Ancelotti and the Chelsea club have realised the truth and have given their 100 percent backing to the captain. This was the same club that slashed Adrian Mutu's contract when he was convicted of doping. It seems like the FA too are going to do the same and let Capello decide on what the right approach is. One cannot see Capello taking a different stand from the one taken by Carlo Ancelotti.

With the World Cup fast approaching, It would do the England loads of good if their media were to ensure that there are as little distractions to the football team as possible. But can the media resist from making such scandalous stories since their livelihood depends on it? 

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Yankees Re-Acquire Javier Vazquez from Braves for Melky Cabrera

December 22nd, 2009 by Doug Rush No comments »

Late last night, Mark Feinsand of the New York Post said Brian Cashman and the Yankees were very close to making a deal for a starting pitcher.

Around 8:00 AM EST this morning, Cashman made a deal to bring back a starter most Yankees fans remember.

The Yankees re-acquired former All-Star Javier Vazquez. They also got left-handed reliever Boone Logan from the Braves in exchange for Melky Cabrera, Mike Dunn, and Aroyds Vizcaino.

This is a major and surprising move by the Yankees to add another starter to the rotation, especially since most felt Vazquez wasn't ever coming back to the Yankees.

Vazquez was the ace for the Yankees back in 2004, where he went 14-10 with a 4.91 ERA and 150 strikeouts in 198 innings.

He was an All-Star for his great first half, but Vazquez imploded in the second half and was even worse in the postseason with a 9.91 ERA.

The last image most Yankees fans had from 2004 of Vazquez was his surrendering of Johnny Damon's grand slam in Game Seven of the ALCS against the Red Sox.

In early 2005, Vazquez was a part of the mega-trade that sent him to the Diamondbacks for Randy Johnson in early 2005.

During the 2004 season, Vazquez was just 27 years old and was trying to carry an American League pitching staff when he was so young and inexperienced.

Now, entering the 2010 season, Vazquez will be 32, and he will not be expected to be the ace like he was in '04.

Vazquez joins a pitching staff with C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Andy Pettitte, so Vazquez can just relax and go pitch like he always does, which might end up being a great thing.

In 2009 with the Braves, Vasquez went 15-10 with a 2.87 ERA with 238 strikeouts in 219.1 innings.

His ERA is surprisingly low, especially when Vazquez used to average somewhere in the 4.00 area with the Diamondbacks and White Sox. Maybe, as he has gotten older, Vazquez has learned how to become a better pitcher to go along with his stuff.

Since 2000, Vazquez has had nine seasons where he has pitched in 200 innings or more, missing the feat the one time in 2004 (by two innings), but the Yankees are getting back a guy who eats up innings and will be very durable going into the 2010 season.

With the Vazquez trade, it means that either Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain will begin the 2010 season in the bullpen.

Personally, I think it should be Chamberlain. He belongs there after his struggles in the 2009 season.

With the Yankees trading Melky Cabrera to the Braves, it means they are still looking for someone to play left field. There are still three options out on the market they can look at.

There is Matt Holliday, who seems to have only negotiated with the Cardinals.

There is Jason Bay, who has only negotiated with the Mets.

And of course, there is last year's left fielder Johnny Damon, who may need to take a lot less money and back off his contract demands if he wants to come back to the Yankees.

Many felt Melky could be the new left fielder, but with the trade, it is almost certain that the Yankees are going to continue adding to their team.

Overall, it is a very shocking trade to see happen, but the Yankees wanted to add a starter to the rotation and they got one with the trade for Vazquez. It could work out a lot better than it did in 2004, mostly because of the experience Vazquez has gained in the five seasons he was away from the Bronx.

It also still leaves a spot open in the lineup, something Cashman still needs to address and could be his next move.

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Washington Redskins: 10 Predictions For 2010

December 22nd, 2009 by Adam Hankins No comments »

The end of the Washington Redskins 2009 season is mercifully approaching, and so are the inevitable changes to be made by Bruce Allen. Without a salary cap in 2010, it will be a perfect time to clean up the roster without cap implications. The following is a list of predictions for 2010:

1. Jim Zorn is gone, along with the rest of the coaching staff. This is more than a possibility. It is a certainty—especially after the Monday night slaughter at the hands of the Giants.

2. Mike Shanahan will be hired, along with his chosen staff. Where there's smoke, there's fire, and Bruce Allen probably already has this deal ready to go.

3. Clinton Portis will be released. Portis is on the downslide of his career, and has become unreliable and ineffective.

4. Jason Campbell will be traded. Most scouts around the league view Campbell as a competent career-backup, but nothing more. The Redskins want to find the next great quarterback.

5. The Redskins will sign a veteran quarterback in the offseason. Allen will want to have veteran leadership to allow a rookie quarterback to sit on the sidelines for the first season (see No. 6).

6. The Redskins will draft a quarterback. With Bruce Allen at the helm, it will probably be in the second round rather than the first, using a pick acquired from a trade.

7. Chris Cooley will be traded. With the emergence of Fred Davis at tight end, Cooley's days in Washington are probably over.

8. Aging and/or injury-prone veterans will be purged from the roster. Chris Samuels, Randy Thomas, Phillip Daniels, Renaldo Wynn, Mike Sellers, and Todd Collins will probably be released.

9. LaRon Landry will be traded. He has made too many mistakes, and despite his enormous potential, has also shown an inability to be coached.

10. Other than a quarterback in the second round, the Redskins will select three offensive linemen, one linebacker, and a running back in the draft.

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