I Wanna Puke

Did I miss something here? I know Brett Favre is one of the most loved athletes in football history, but someone, for the love of god, tell me why this story is so all pervasive in the sports landscape? I mean my goodness, you would think that Favre invented football or something (all he did was decided to end his self imposed retirement by signing a 2-year deal with the Vikings).

I don’t like Brett Favre.

I don’t like his ‘it’s all about me’ attitude, or the fact that you simply CANNOT trust a word out of his mouth as he clearly has no idea what he is doing as one day he is retired, the next day he is unsure, and the next days he is playing. Honestly, how could his wife, friends or teammates trust anything he says? When he finally decides to end his football career, who knows he might play until he’s 45, he should either (a) become a spy where lying is prized, (b) become an actor (we know he can cry on cue even when he isn’t certain that he is speaking the truth), or (c) maybe he could become a politician because we all know how those men and women break out into hives when they tell the truth.

Really, I can’t be the only one about to vomit every time I hear his name mentioned, can I? Of course, that didn’t stop Favre-center (Brian Kenny even used the term at one point), I mean Sportscenter, from spending, literally, the first 38 minutes of the show talking about Favre. That’s right, Sportscenter, reportedly a show about SPORTS, spent the first two-thirds of their hour talking about Favre. We got a full two minutes on the Nationals signing of Stephen Strasburg at that point, but right after that we were back to all Favre, all the time. Maybe we can get an All-Favre TV station? I don’t know what’s a bigger shock to me, that Sportscenter was completely dedicated to Favre, or that for the first time in five years it wasn’t dominated by coverage of the Yankees and Red Sox?

I know that Favre has nearly appeared in 300-consecutive games, a record unmatched in the annals of the game, but the man is 39 years old (40 in October), and that body will eventually break down (he has a minor rotator cuff tear in his shoulder in addition to the biceps that was recently operated on, though neither injury is expected to be a factor this season). In addition to that, there is this – his play suffered a massive drop off last season over the final four games of the season when he completed less than 57 percent of his passes with two scores, eight interceptions and a sickly 53.3 QB Rating. Sure he was hurt, but that is some awful work is it not? Moreover, Favre finished 21st in the NFL in QB Rating last year (81.0), threw for fewer yards than David Garrard (3,620 to 3,472) and led the NFL with 22 interceptions. I know he has the “name,” and I know that the two guys they had under center weren’t great options (Sage Rosenfels, Tarvaris Jackson), but has anyone paused in the euphoria of the signing to realize that he simply isn’t better than about 15-18 other NFL quarterbacks at this point of his career?

I wish Favre all the best, and in truth I’m happy that he finally signed so we will be spared having to talk about him every time a Vikings QB threw an interception this season.

By Ray Flowers

Around They Go

The merry-go-round continues to spin as we approach MLB’s trade deadline on Friday. In today’s column we’ll simply run through some of the names that are in the news. I can’t be the only one who finds this alternative invigorating and frustrating as hell can I? I mean we hear rumor after rumor but often fail to come to any type of resolution with a boatload of these players who end up staying right where they are. Let’s hope this year sees a lot of movement (I’ll be writing about these things all day on Friday in my running Trade Deadline Diary).

The Indians have already moved Ryan Garko to the Giants, you can read about the deal in Around the Horn. The question now becomes do they try and also unload Cliff Lee and/or Victor Martinez? Depending on which source you read, chances of both being moved may be as high as 50/50. The bidding should be pretty strong considering that Lee is probably one of the 10 best lefties in the game while V-Mart is one of those rare catchers who can be a difference maker at the dish. The Red Sox are said to be heavily involved in talks for Lee as they are apparently unlikely to get Roy Halladay given that they would likely have to overpay to get a pitcher from a divisional foe.

Why would the Blue Jays announce to the world that they would explore potentially dealing Roy Halladay if they were just going to ask for half of every team’s young hurlers in any potential deal? Couldn’t they have just done that behind the scenes and spared us all the palace intrigue since it appears no better than a 50/50 shot that he will be moved.

Brett Favre won’t play, at least according to offseason rumor #312. Let’s hope that he won’t call a press conference to state that his last retirement press conference was real and that all the media should just refer to it if they need a quote for their columns.

Nick Johnson is still on the market, but with Adam LaRoche and Ryan Garko already with new clubs, who is still in the market for a first baseman? The team was hopeful of acquiring two potentially strong prospects for Johnson, but the impending free agent will likely have to be sold at a discount unless the Nats want to lose him for nothing at the end of the year. Someone should be interested, after all the man is hitting .295 with a .407 OBP this season. Don’t let his .405 SLG concern you – at least that’s what the Nationals will be telling other clubs.

Ian Snell continues to be on the Yankees radar. In six minor league starts the man has a 0.97 ERA and 47 Ks in 37.1 innings. Given all the money they have at their disposal, why don’t they just offer to pay everything left on Snell’s salary for this year and next and just float some mid-level prospects the Pirates way? In other Pirates news, they seem to be willing to sit pat with Freddy Sanchez and Jack Wilson. Apparently they only trade fantasy all-stars and not merely solid major leaguers. If they do move Sanchez, the Giants would love to be the recipient of the .300 hitting second basemen given that their second basemen have combined to post a .585 OPS this year. That’s just embarrassing.

The Mariners have “officially” announced that Jarrod Washburn is available on the trade market. Did I miss something? Since when do teams “officially” put someone on the market? Is there a website I can visit? Given the proliferation of the news media, virtually no major move occurs without the story leading so that we are made aware of it well before an actual deal happens. Take Washburn for example. We knew this guy was on the trade market about two months ago, but it’s good to know that the Mariners are going to do what everyone expected them to do all along.

By Ray Flowers

Don't Forget Mother's Day

The weekend is nearly upon us, and before you jump in the shower to make yourself beautiful or handsome for your significant other, here are some of my thoughts revolving around the diamond as we head into a wonderful weekend of baseball. Oh, one other thing. Don’t be a bum and remember it’s Mother’s Day this Sunday. You don’t have to go and buy something fancy for your mama, but at least get her a card and write something heartfelt in it – they love that more than a new coffee machine anyway.

Jeremy Bonderman, out while working on strengthening his shoulder, is apparently hitting 90-91 mph with regularity on his fastball as he nears a minor league rehab assignment. Still just 26 years old which is pretty amazing, Bonderman was once an up and coming star who struck out 202 batters while winning 14 games in 2006. Since then it has been one physical setback after another. I wouldn’t put too much stock in his rehab until he takes the hill and we can see how he responds in actual game situations. He could end up being a fine AL-only addition, but I say you need to make him prove he is worth it before you blindly throw out a big FAAB bid on a guy who is coming off a terrible season (5.55 K/9, 1.22 K/BB, 1.56 WHIP in just 71.1 innings) despite a somewhat decent ERA of 4.29.

Chris Coghlan seems to have the Marlins in a bit of an excited phase – kind of like a college kid at the thought of a drunken party on Saturday night where there will be about 25 single gals looking for a good time. Coghlan, a second baseman who could also see time at third base if Emilio “I was great for two weeks but now I’m awful” Bonifacio doesn’t start hitting soon. Coghlan was simply tearing up Triple-A this season hitting .348 with a .990 OPS and 22 RBI in 24 games, and he figures to get a real shot at some substantial playing time which should pique the ears of NL-only participants. In 483 ABs last season at Double-A Chris hit .298-7-75-83 with 34 steals, showing that he could be highly productive. Still, he only has 24 games played above Double-A, so it would be wise to avoid blowing your FAAB budget on him.

I think ESPN only spent 25% of Sportscenter today talking about Brett Favre. What an improvement in their coverage the world of sports. What is that tagline of their, the Leader in World Wide Sports Coverage or something like that?

Ryan Freel is the newest member of the Cubs after being brought over in a deal with the Orioles. Freel will take over the roster spot vacated by Joey Gathright and basically supply the same skill set with the added ability to play multiple positions. Freel has always been a personal favorite for his 100% at all times spirit, and after a big spring training there was some hope that he might provide some value in a league specific scenario this season. Unfortunately Freel started slowly this year hitting .133 in 15 ABs before incurring a head injury, and though his speed isn’t what it once was he is still capable of stealing a bag and he did hit .298 last season in 131 at-bats with the Reds.

Adam Kennedy was sent from the Rays to the A’s on Friday. I know the guy has fallen out of favor but dude still hit .280 last season, slightly above his career .276 mark, and it just seems odd to me that he can’t find a backup job on someone’s squad. He has no fantasy value at the moment, though with the A’s motley collection of aging/injury prone infielders perhaps he can work his way into AL-only relevance by the time the season is complete (he could even see a fair amount of playing time at second over the next month until Mark Ellis returns from injury).

Wait. Did you hear that Manny Ramirez was suspended? How did I miss that? Oh wait, I didn’t. I think ESPN spent 25% of Sportscenter talking about it so when you add that to their coverage of Favre, that leaves the world of sports and the 3,000 or so other professional athlete’s in the States the could be covering received 50% of the show. If you sense a bit of sarcasm give yourself a little happy face stamp like your kindergarten teacher used to give you when you spelled beautiful right. Speaking of that, I sent to a current flame asking her to spend the weekend with me. Do you think that the happy face she sent back to me signaled ‘all systems go big boy’ or ‘you’ve got to be kidding you moron.’ For some reason I think it’s option number two.

Alex Rodriguez has been activated from the DL hopefully putting an end to the Cody Ransom and Angel Berroa era at third base. Of course, now they have the steroid using, whining, wife cheating, celebrity dating phase of the plan back in order. I’m not sure that is any better.

Really, Are You Serious?

I wanted to talk just about baseball today, but I just couldn’t limit myself to the diamond in my comments so you will see a couple of shouts out to the NHL and the NFL. Hope you don’t mind.

Vincente Padilla allowed a single hit over eight innings on Tuesday afternoon though, shockingly, he didn’t emerge with a victory as the potent Rangers’ offense waited until the 10th inning to start hitting in a 7-2 victory over the Mariners. In the outing Padilla walked three batters while striking out four in his eight inning shutout effort as he needed just 102 pitches (“only” 66 of those pitches went for strikes). In the end, Padilla lowered his ERA to 5.71 while his WHIP dropped to 1.50 with the scintillating outing. Should you be rushing to the waiver-wire to add Padilla to your squad? The short answer to that question is a resounding no. His K/9 rate of 5.97 is below the magic six, his BB/9 rate of 3.38 is right on the major league average and the result is a poor 1.77 K/BB mark. In addition, after an average fastball speed of 92.7 mph in 2005, his gas has decreased, subtly, in each of the past four seasons down to its current level of 90.8 mph. In addition, since joining the Rangers in 2006, Padilla has a 6.48 K/9, a 1.91 K/BB, a 5.02 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP. If you want a guy with numbers like that anywhere near your roster, you got bigger cahones than me.

Chris Young, the potentially dynamic outfielder for the D’backs and not the 6’10″ hurler for the Padres, is mired in a terrible slump that has seen him produce just one hit in 25 at-bats to drop his average down to a pitcher-like .177. The guy has got oodles of talent, but once again he is proving that it’s darn near impossible to have consistent success at the plate if you cannot control the strike zone. In 1,360 career at-bats Young has struck out more than a quarter of the time (25.7%) which has resulted in a terrible 0.34 BB/K mark at the dish (the marks are much worse this season at 32.3% and 0.19). Obviously an approach like that isn’t going to lead to a strong average, a fact clearly seen in his career mark of .238. In addition, after swiping 27 bags in his rookie season, he regressed to just 14 last year and has been successful on just three of five attempts this season. To review. (1) There is no upside in batting average here. (2) Young needs to cut down the strike outs and up the walks. (3) His stolen base numbers are dwindling (you can’t steal first so it doesn’t help that he owns a pathetic .301 OBP). He should still be a Mike Cameron clone, a guy who routinely goes 20/20 with a suspect average, so if you are in a keeper league now might be the perfect time to acquire his services, though if you do you would be wise to leave him on your bench until he straightens his approach at the plate out.

Are the Ducks really going to plow through the Sharks and the Red Wings? If they do, not only will that be a complete and utter shock, it will also show just how grossly undervalued the team was by pundits heading into the playoffs.

Jonas Hiller has been so good for the Ducks that I’m coining a new phrase. No longer when a goalie plays a great game did he “stand on his head,” now it’s he “pulled a Hiller.” The netminder owns a 1.74 GAA and a .955 save percentage in nine playoff games.

Who hates Brett Favre as much as me? Goodness gracious just retire and shut up. He is almost as high on my “hate list” as the Dodgers and the Yankees, and that my friends is saying something.

By Ray Flowers