With no Tribe game to discuss, I thought it would be an opportune time to open a forum regarding two specific things that occurred yesterday; both making me shake my head in disbelief during more than one occasion.
First, I find it absolutely hysterical (and a bit sad, actually) that there is a sudden outcry against interleague baseball because the ace starting pitcher of the New York Yankees (Chien-Ming Wang) was injured. Second, the fact that the Indians are simply supposed to trade Sabathia ASAP, so the Yankees do not have to prematurely end their season. I’m talking fantasy baseball-style trade offers that would make radio call-ins sound like Hall of Fame General Managers.
Regarding the first topic, anyone who blames the game more than the player is simply out of line. You’re a professional athlete on a team that is coached by a slew of minds that are paid to think ahead. It’s not like this interleague play just came out of nowhere; coaches should be doing a few baserunning drills here and there. You know, just in case a pitcher actually gets on base?
From the Bronx Block:
Mets suck. Astros suck. Interleague sucks. Boston sucks. Everybody sucks.
And comments from said post:
God I hate interleague play…seriously whats the point…
Certain purists knock the whole Designated Hitter aspect all season long, potining to inflated team stats et al. But then on the other side, you have those that think baseball is “less interesting” when a pitcher has to bat? Talk about wanting to have both sides. If NL fans want to see a DH, then perhaps we can roll with Rick Manning’s suggestion about switching up the rules every other year – where a DH gets to play in an NL park and pitchers bat in those that are AL.
Would this appease the masses? Not likely, but it could at least quench some of the whining.
But the answer to the Yankees’ problems? Obviously, it’s trading for C.C. Sabathia. And not just trading for him; we’re just supposed to give him away for players who won’t be contributing for at least a couple of years. While we’re sitting here a few days ago pondering if Robinson Cano plus playerswould be enough, you have a slew of fans that want the Cy Young winner without even tossing Cano out there.
Now, I realize that I’m about to discuss comments of blogs more than the blogs themselves, so I’m well aware of the types of people that are able to just toss out opinions. But just to get a taste…
Great idea. Especially if they can trade Melky, Kennedy and Horne/Betances for CC and Dellucci.
That way, if at season’s end, he’s won it all for NYY, and everyone loves eachother, they can lock him up long term. And if they fail and he hates it there, a la Pavano, he can bail and the NYY get two draft picks in return.
If three players from a pool of Melky, Tabata, Kennedy, Horne, McCutchen, etc. could net CC and David Dellucci, go for it, IMHO.
Trading your top prospects for CC isn’t the way to go. The guys have options in the minors to try out. panicking and going after CC isn’t the solution to the problem. It’s a last resort to this problem.
You’re getting the picture. Of course, there are a fair amount of Yankee fans that think trading for Sabathia right away is a tad on the alarmist side – and I agree. But those that are yelling C.C.’s name are also tossing out potential trade targets as well – like Jake Peavy (the NL Cy Young winner) and Ben Sheets – with zero consideration for availability or contract situations.
Is there any other team in the league that feels entitled to having the best players in the league? And if one of theirs gets hurt, the other teams are just supposed to give up theirs for players that everyone is willing to part with?
I realize that we have a few readers that are fans of the Yankees. And look, I feel bad that Wang got hurt while running the bases. I really do. I was looking forward to his post-season collapse that trumps any that have come from the arm of Sabathia. But in the same, to just expect a team to make an impact trade the day after the guy gets hurt – with a team that is also 5.5 games out of first place in their respective division is just ludicrous.
Yes, there’s a very good chance that Sabathia is not with this team next season. And yes, we’re likely looking at all trade possibilities regardless of our position. But the fact that a team is now that much more desperate to add to their pitching staff does not lower the asking price. If anything, it’s the exact opposite. So let the bidding begin.
Oh, and don’t expect interleague play to change any time soon.
Update: While this post is directed more towards fans, Brinson at the Fanhouse points us to this quote by Hank Steinbrenner:
‘My only message is simple. The National League needs to join the 21st century,’ Steinbrenner said in Tampa, Fla. ‘They need to grow up and join the 21st century.
‘Am I (mad) about it? Yes,’ Steinbrenner added. ‘I’ve got my pitchers running the bases, and one of them gets hurt. He’s going to be out. I don’t like that, and it’s about time they address it. That was a rule from the 1800s.’
Anyone have a pinstriped tissue they can lend? For $.15 on the dollar? And thanks to Mr. Steiner over at B&C, I’m obviously not alone in this frame of thinking.