Monday Morning Mehta 7/31/06
Edition # 171
July 31, 2006
www.mondaymorningmehta.blogspot.com
Phillies/Trade Deadline report
The Phillies finally pull of the deal the fans have been waiting for, trading Bobby Abreu to the Yankees for 4 minor leaguers. Also going to the Yankees is Corey Lidle who is a free agent at the end of the year. On paper, this trade looks lopsided in the Yankees favor. But the Phillies get what they've been looking for in relief of Abreu's $15 million he is due next year. The Phillies were limited in dealing partners because of Abreu's no trade clause and that really made this a tough deal for Phils GM Pat Gillick.
My thoughts:
- The deal is an absolute incomplete right now. You cannot grade the trade.
- The Phillies have been around a $95 million payroll team the last few years. They need to spend the full $95 mill next year (and possibly some more) - preferably most of it on pitching in order for this trade to be complete and be graded.
- If the Phillies spend $92 mill or lower next year, this trade was useless and it was all about the cheap owners telling Gillick to lower payroll, and had absolutely nothing to do with on the field betterment of the team. And I will be pi$sed the payroll is going backwards. In a new stadium with very good attendances the last few years dropping the payroll is unacceptable (yes - it has dropped, but nothing like Pittsburgh or Milwaukee's drop). Repeat - "Unacceptable"
- The words "payroll flexibility" has been thrown out there a lot the last few days. With David Bell's $5 mill, Mike Lieberthal's $7 mill, Randy Wolf's $9 mill, Corey Lidle's $2.5 mill, Rheal Cormier's $2.5 mill, Ryan Franklin's $2.5 mill, and Arthur Rhodes $4.8 mill off the books (a total of $32 million), what more "payroll flexibility" can a GM ask for?
- The Phillies didn't get any of the Yankees top 3 prospects or Milky Cabrera in the deal. Yankee GM Brian Cashman had to use all his strength not to bust out in laughter yesterday during his press conference. He was ecstatic.
- Will they sign Barry Zito or Jason Schmidt? Listening to Gillick yesterday, you'd think not. But I just want to remind everyone that every year there's more than just the free agent pitchers out there. Last year it was Josh Beckett, in previous years it's been Tim Hudson & Mark Mulder. Although the ladder two have been disappointments, I'd still take them on this team any day.
Overall:
- I don't think Pat Gillick is a dope. This trade smells too much like a straight salary dump because the owners are going to lower the payroll for next year. Not far away is the organization calling themselves a small market team.
Trade Deadline talk
- The WOW of the trade deadline for me has been the Astros willingness listen to offers for Roy Oswalt. As mentioned above, if guys like Oswalt or Carlos Zambrano ever become available, the Phillies should be all over this. If "payroll flexibility" was so important, these are the $15 million pitchers they need on their radar. Both are free agents after 2007 (Zambrano has another year of arbitration).
- As usual there's a ton of talk and we'll have to wait and see what transpires in the next few hours. Alfonso Soriano to the Dodgers, Angels, Astros, Twins is the biggest name to watch. Brad Lidge's name has been out there as the Astros are desperate for offense. It would've been nice if Abreu had said Houston was one of the teams he'd waive his no trade clause for. Seems like a perfect match - Astros want offense, Phils want pitching.
- The Mets are trying to get Jason Schmidt and may be willing to give up top prospect Lastings Milledge to get him. If Schmidt lands with the Mets for the last two months in a great pitchers park, you can rest assured that he isn't going to sign with the Mets next year and the Phils have no chance to get him.
- Chase Utley extends his hitting streak to 31 games.
- Hank Baskett mania is sweeping Philadelphia.
I'd love the Phillies just become absolute sellers and get rid of Cormier, Delucci and if it's even possible Pat Burrell. Sell, sell, sell!! Please don't let the recent 3 game winning streak deter you from that path. Let's really start fresh and stock the farm system (which is barron right now), so that next year if Carlos Zambrano is made available, we have the talent in the minors to go out and get him. The "core" of this team (Utley, Howard, Myers, Hamels) are all very young so it isn\'t like the winning clock is ticking. Let's do it right this time instead of trying to band-aid ourselves to the playoffs like the last 5 years.
- Sources tell me that the Eagles are close to signing rookie first round pick Broderick Bunkley and the deal should be completed by Tuesday. OK, nobody actually told me that but since most of the first rounders around him signed in the last few days, I think his contract should fall into place now and the frugal Eagles will finally ink their first rounder. The holdup is the Eagles want him to be signed to a 6 year deal, while the agent for Bunkley is insisting on 5 years. The Eagles are so forkin ridiculous that they'd let this get in the way of the kid's development. What gets me is Andy Reid preaching everyday at camp that Bunkley should be in here and he's hurting his chances by holding out. Hey Andy, it's just as much your fault he's not signed as it is his fault.
- I find it highly amusing how Larry Bowa was raving about Bobby Abreu yesterday. "Team player" was his exact quote. Can Larry just shut up please? Wasn't he bad mouthing Abreu last year when he got canned?
NHL Week in Review By : Ed Wasser
- It's been quite a disturbing week for us all. Ex-N'Synch member Lance Bass came out of the closet and shockingly revealed to the world that he was gay. When a paragon of masculinity, a stall worth if you will, of machismo and toughness like Lance Bass can reveal his homosexuality then what can we believe in this crazy world? At any rate, here we go......
- Some ridiculous sporting feats as seen on TV or movies (This will make more sense as you read on)
- American History X - Derek (Edward Norton).....So Edward Norton plays a white racist guy who challenges a group of black guys to a basketball game which the white guys win. But that's not the ridiculous part. The ridiculous part is the game ends with Norton doing a two handed reverse dunk. Please, having Norton dunk is silly enough, but to have him do a two handed reverse jam is ludicrous.
- Beverly Hills 90210 - Brandon (Jason Priestly).....4'9" Brandon Walsh was the most dominant child hockey star in Minnesota and, according to his father, could have made it to the NHL. But Mr. Walsh thought it was more important that Brandon be a regular kid and had him stop playing hockey. WHAT!?!?!? What parent would step in and stop their kid from being a professional athlete? The funniest scene in the history of that show was when ex-Boston Bruin great Cam Neeley played himself in a guest starring role. Neeley towered over Priestly so badly it looked like Mr. Rork and Tattoo. And I'm supposed to believe he was going to be an NHL player? Please.
- One Tree Hill - Lucas Scott (Chad Michael Murray).....OK, I guess I have a thing about height. Granted I don't know a lot about the NBA but I know being a tall guy sure helps you be successful. Chad Michael Murray plays Lucas, who is not even the tallest guy on the show, girls included, yet he is supposed to be the best basketball players in the area. Oh and by the way, he's not even a guard, he's a 5'5" power forward. Another classic cameo is when Charlotte Bobcat Emeka Okafor was on the show and Lucas gets to meet him. It looked like the scene from "Rocky III" when Sly Stallone is standing in front of Hulk Hogan and looking straight into his chest.
July 31, 2006
www.mondaymorningmehta.blogspot.com
Phillies/Trade Deadline report
The Phillies finally pull of the deal the fans have been waiting for, trading Bobby Abreu to the Yankees for 4 minor leaguers. Also going to the Yankees is Corey Lidle who is a free agent at the end of the year. On paper, this trade looks lopsided in the Yankees favor. But the Phillies get what they've been looking for in relief of Abreu's $15 million he is due next year. The Phillies were limited in dealing partners because of Abreu's no trade clause and that really made this a tough deal for Phils GM Pat Gillick.
My thoughts:
- The deal is an absolute incomplete right now. You cannot grade the trade.
- The Phillies have been around a $95 million payroll team the last few years. They need to spend the full $95 mill next year (and possibly some more) - preferably most of it on pitching in order for this trade to be complete and be graded.
- If the Phillies spend $92 mill or lower next year, this trade was useless and it was all about the cheap owners telling Gillick to lower payroll, and had absolutely nothing to do with on the field betterment of the team. And I will be pi$sed the payroll is going backwards. In a new stadium with very good attendances the last few years dropping the payroll is unacceptable (yes - it has dropped, but nothing like Pittsburgh or Milwaukee's drop). Repeat - "Unacceptable"
- The words "payroll flexibility" has been thrown out there a lot the last few days. With David Bell's $5 mill, Mike Lieberthal's $7 mill, Randy Wolf's $9 mill, Corey Lidle's $2.5 mill, Rheal Cormier's $2.5 mill, Ryan Franklin's $2.5 mill, and Arthur Rhodes $4.8 mill off the books (a total of $32 million), what more "payroll flexibility" can a GM ask for?
- The Phillies didn't get any of the Yankees top 3 prospects or Milky Cabrera in the deal. Yankee GM Brian Cashman had to use all his strength not to bust out in laughter yesterday during his press conference. He was ecstatic.
- Will they sign Barry Zito or Jason Schmidt? Listening to Gillick yesterday, you'd think not. But I just want to remind everyone that every year there's more than just the free agent pitchers out there. Last year it was Josh Beckett, in previous years it's been Tim Hudson & Mark Mulder. Although the ladder two have been disappointments, I'd still take them on this team any day.
Overall:
- I don't think Pat Gillick is a dope. This trade smells too much like a straight salary dump because the owners are going to lower the payroll for next year. Not far away is the organization calling themselves a small market team.
Trade Deadline talk
- The WOW of the trade deadline for me has been the Astros willingness listen to offers for Roy Oswalt. As mentioned above, if guys like Oswalt or Carlos Zambrano ever become available, the Phillies should be all over this. If "payroll flexibility" was so important, these are the $15 million pitchers they need on their radar. Both are free agents after 2007 (Zambrano has another year of arbitration).
- As usual there's a ton of talk and we'll have to wait and see what transpires in the next few hours. Alfonso Soriano to the Dodgers, Angels, Astros, Twins is the biggest name to watch. Brad Lidge's name has been out there as the Astros are desperate for offense. It would've been nice if Abreu had said Houston was one of the teams he'd waive his no trade clause for. Seems like a perfect match - Astros want offense, Phils want pitching.
- The Mets are trying to get Jason Schmidt and may be willing to give up top prospect Lastings Milledge to get him. If Schmidt lands with the Mets for the last two months in a great pitchers park, you can rest assured that he isn't going to sign with the Mets next year and the Phils have no chance to get him.
- Chase Utley extends his hitting streak to 31 games.
- Hank Baskett mania is sweeping Philadelphia.
I'd love the Phillies just become absolute sellers and get rid of Cormier, Delucci and if it's even possible Pat Burrell. Sell, sell, sell!! Please don't let the recent 3 game winning streak deter you from that path. Let's really start fresh and stock the farm system (which is barron right now), so that next year if Carlos Zambrano is made available, we have the talent in the minors to go out and get him. The "core" of this team (Utley, Howard, Myers, Hamels) are all very young so it isn\'t like the winning clock is ticking. Let's do it right this time instead of trying to band-aid ourselves to the playoffs like the last 5 years.
- Sources tell me that the Eagles are close to signing rookie first round pick Broderick Bunkley and the deal should be completed by Tuesday. OK, nobody actually told me that but since most of the first rounders around him signed in the last few days, I think his contract should fall into place now and the frugal Eagles will finally ink their first rounder. The holdup is the Eagles want him to be signed to a 6 year deal, while the agent for Bunkley is insisting on 5 years. The Eagles are so forkin ridiculous that they'd let this get in the way of the kid's development. What gets me is Andy Reid preaching everyday at camp that Bunkley should be in here and he's hurting his chances by holding out. Hey Andy, it's just as much your fault he's not signed as it is his fault.
- I find it highly amusing how Larry Bowa was raving about Bobby Abreu yesterday. "Team player" was his exact quote. Can Larry just shut up please? Wasn't he bad mouthing Abreu last year when he got canned?
NHL Week in Review By : Ed Wasser
- It's been quite a disturbing week for us all. Ex-N'Synch member Lance Bass came out of the closet and shockingly revealed to the world that he was gay. When a paragon of masculinity, a stall worth if you will, of machismo and toughness like Lance Bass can reveal his homosexuality then what can we believe in this crazy world? At any rate, here we go......
- Some ridiculous sporting feats as seen on TV or movies (This will make more sense as you read on)
- American History X - Derek (Edward Norton).....So Edward Norton plays a white racist guy who challenges a group of black guys to a basketball game which the white guys win. But that's not the ridiculous part. The ridiculous part is the game ends with Norton doing a two handed reverse dunk. Please, having Norton dunk is silly enough, but to have him do a two handed reverse jam is ludicrous.
- Beverly Hills 90210 - Brandon (Jason Priestly).....4'9" Brandon Walsh was the most dominant child hockey star in Minnesota and, according to his father, could have made it to the NHL. But Mr. Walsh thought it was more important that Brandon be a regular kid and had him stop playing hockey. WHAT!?!?!? What parent would step in and stop their kid from being a professional athlete? The funniest scene in the history of that show was when ex-Boston Bruin great Cam Neeley played himself in a guest starring role. Neeley towered over Priestly so badly it looked like Mr. Rork and Tattoo. And I'm supposed to believe he was going to be an NHL player? Please.
- One Tree Hill - Lucas Scott (Chad Michael Murray).....OK, I guess I have a thing about height. Granted I don't know a lot about the NBA but I know being a tall guy sure helps you be successful. Chad Michael Murray plays Lucas, who is not even the tallest guy on the show, girls included, yet he is supposed to be the best basketball players in the area. Oh and by the way, he's not even a guard, he's a 5'5" power forward. Another classic cameo is when Charlotte Bobcat Emeka Okafor was on the show and Lucas gets to meet him. It looked like the scene from "Rocky III" when Sly Stallone is standing in front of Hulk Hogan and looking straight into his chest.
posted by Monday Morning Mehta at 10:02 AM
4 Comments:
Frank - what'd do write this stuff even before MMM is published? Are you gearing for a full time gig or something? We're not accepting applications at this time sorry.
Re: Abreu
But HOW could this trade be fair? Because we are "relieved" of our obligation to pay our best player? This is not a capped sport!!!
There was one prospect we wanted, right, and they said "no"?
Anyway, this is why I HATE HATE HATE the Phillies and just cannot root for them.
Suarin, remember about 10 years ago you and I got into a big debate about stadium v. no stadium?
Your argument, which is sound, was that we should build them a stadium like Baltimore one, and that would bring in all sorts of money, and then with that money they could build a good team, by paying players.
My argument was, you don't need a new stadium, just big pockets. Pay for good talent (from your farm or from trades) make the team good, and people will pay, and then you will have more money, and THEN and ONLY then would I say, "ok you are putting some effort out, some money, so we are willing to help you build a stadium" You need someone willing to spend money to make money….
Well they whined about being a "small market team" in a city where the Flyers always bust the are near top of salary….
We should have refused the stadium so that they would eventually sell the team to someone like a Dan Snyder, who hate him as you may, the guy spends $$.
Now – those owners have been rolling in it the last few years, yet they REFUSE still to pay their players.
Unbelievable. I will never EVER EVER believe that salary relief in an uncapped sport is a positive… ESPECIALLY an All Star
I don't even really CARE about the Phillies anymore… and I am STILL furious today…
Came in reading the NY Post, etc… "It's a Steal! Yankees get Abreu from Phils"
I mean, is Philly a laughingstock? Or is it a given that it is OK to be cheap and promise to pay your players large amounts and then say "Oh my God these salaries are WAY too much, please someone help us out… Boston? New York? Someone please…."
F-ckers. And the fans just eat this $hit up over the last few years.
Meanwhile---Jeff Lurie, God Bless him, has done a tremendous job. YES he does end up under the cap each year, frustratingly, but he has shown that he keeps that to have it there just in case. I mean yes he also does that so he can make boatloads more money… but when needed he will use it… see TO contract and Kearse. (now should he have upped TO contract? That is a different argument… let's just talk about spending the dough to bring people in)
Enough with the Phils- to hell with them. Under this ownership group, I hope they go another 20 years without a Championship... or 3 times that amount...
Go Eagles!
And yes, go Flyers!
And even, go Sixers! (but get rid of that bum Billy King-despite being a BLue Devil--and keep AI for God's sake.
"Greasy"
Broadway Joe Z
Plus Gillick came out and said the Phillies won't compete next year either. So how would you like to be in charge of ticket sales when the GM tells everyone the team is going to suck?
E.W.
Joe -
It's the reason the Phillies traded Curt Schilling, it's the reason we traded Scott Rolen, and it's the reason we traded Bobby Abreu. Money. Phillies are a pathetic organization and there's no
Wait til 5-7 years from now when Ruben Amaro Jr. trades Utley and Howard - who haven't won a title because we still don't have any pitching & they're making $20 mill a year and we trade them for stiffs in a salary dump trying to get pitching.
It's the same thing with this team - I guess our only hope is they sell.
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