Of This and That…and More Manny

Posted by Mike Giardi July 28, 2008 at 12:58 pm

Thoughts while listening to my Pearl Jam “Live in Hartford” bootleg that just came in the mail (emotional!).

- My brother-in-law has a nice in-ground pool and while he was away, my wife volunteered our services to check on the house, empty the dehumidifier and, of course, clean the pool. Two weeks ago, I show up and there’s a baby bunny perched on the top step in about an inch of water. I rescued him, although it did require me to dive in the pool - fully clothed - and may have resulted in a concussion for said bunny rabbit when I flipped him off the side of the pool (it was an accident. I swear). But today, there was no helping another bunny, who had expired after a harrowing swim. After I scooped him out, I went swimming. What are the odds I now end up twitching my whiskers and eating carrots by the bucket full? Actually, that could be the least of my worries.

- So any trade of Manny involves the usual suspects - the Dodgers, D’Backs, Mets and Phils. The Dodgers have the right mix of players, but their owner may have already nixed a deal in place for C.C. Sabithia because of money. Then again, any deal might not be about money, as the Globe claims the Sox are telling other teams they will pay the remainder of this year’s contract. As for the D’Backs, obviously Theo and Josh Byrnes know each other well, and once again, Arizona might have the right group of youngters to make something happen. The Mets have no one to trade. I repeat, no one to trade. They won’t deal Reyes or Wright, so what does that leave? They dumped their entire farm system in the swap for Johan, and the rest of that squad is ancient. As for the Phils, Pat Burrell?!? Thanks, but no thanks. Your thoughts?

- Its also important to note that Manny has apparently agreed to waive the no-trade, but only if the acquiring team guarantees they won’t pick up his option and allows him to become a free agent. Word is Boras is thinking 4 years and 100-million. Nothing would surprise me, not in baseball, not with Boras and certainly not with Manny.

- Lost in the shuffle is that perhaps Alex Cora asked out. Late last week, there were rumbling of a Cora for Juan Uribe trade. Problem with that is Uribe is an OBP disaster, and - on top of that - has been getting more ABs in Chicago with Joe Crede having physical issues. I’d trade Cora. I don’t think he’s as good as Jerry Remy tells us he is, but I wouldn’t dump him for Uribe.

- I’m curious when the Sox send Craig Hansen back to Pawtucket. The only time he’s gotten anyone out this month is when the game is out of hand.

- Sidney Ponson may have nice numbers this year, but I wouldn’t trust that guy when the pressure gets elevated. The Yankees may have learned that last night.

- I can’t wait to hear what Terry Francona has to say today.