By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
The Red Sox and Theo Epstein have a problem most general managers would kill to have - more pitchers than rotation spots. Let's face it, in an ideal world, that's what Theo was hoping to be faced with at this point in the season. And while everyone talks about six-man rotations and moving Dice-K to the bullpen, let's talk for real for a second here and realize what the Red Sox have right in front of them - a major trading tool in Brad Penny.
Is the Bronson Arroyo situation all over again? Nope. The Red Sox are not going to settle for Wily Mo this time around. If they make a move, they're going to get real value.
A couple of things make Brad Penny expendable. The first, obviously, is the fact that John Smoltz is ready to return to Major League baseball as his 30-day rehab stint ends on Friday. He's expected to pitch that day and if it's with the big Sox, it will be against the Braves of all teams. The second is his contract. Penny is a one-year gamble by Theo that seems to have worked out for the best so far. It will be smart for the Red Sox to wait and see what happens with Smoltz, that is, does he still have it and it's doubtful the team will jump into a deal involving Penny. But on top of Smoltz, the Red Sox have a rejuvenated Clay Buchholz mowing down AAA'ers as he waits for a chance to redeem himself after his 2008 choke job. Not to mention Michael Bowden has a 2.48 ERA and has held opponents to a .207 ERA down at Pawtucket.
What makes Penny valuable also lies in two things. The first is his performance. He had a rocky start to his Red Sox career, as short as it may turn out to be. Penny had a horrendous April, but has improved every month so far this season, dropping his ERA almost 3.5 runs since the beginning of May. In his last five starts, he's gone 2-1 with a 3.65 ERA, and that's even after a sub-par outing two starts ago against Texas. The most important thing he did for his stock was dominate the Yankees for six inning to out-duel C.C. Sabathia on June 11. With the way he's pitching right now, Penny could be considered a No. 2 or No. 3 starter for a lot of teams, and I'm talking contenders.
The second key lies in the rest of the league. Penny became a much bigger commodity because the amount of healthy pitching on the trading block has dwindled just within the past week with the two biggest names on the list going down. Roy Halladay left his start in the third inning with a groin injury. Jake Peavy, who utilized his no-trade clause to block a move to the Chicago White Sox is out 8-12 weeks with a torn ankle tendon. On top of that, there are several teams battling injuries that would love to have an arm like Penny's. Are you going to try to tell me the Phillies wouldn't take Penny to fill Brett Myers' spot?
To this point the Red Sox seem to be far from making a move, which shows they realize the size of the chip they possess. In Penny they have a decent chip that could help them get some talent to help for the stretch run without the team having to give up some of the young talent they covet so much.
Monday, June 15, 2009
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Lakers are NBA Champions; Kobe finally "gets his"
By Brendan Hall
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
Let the floodgates open. Let the overkill, and the overexposure, commence.
The Los Angeles Lakers quickly overcame a nine-point deficit to build a 10-point cushion early in the second quarter of game five of the NBA Finals. The Orlando Magic were never able to cut into it cleanly, and the Lakers went on to win their 15th title in franchise history.
I theorized before this series that the Lakers were soft on the interior, and they proved to me that they’ve come a long way since the 2008 Finals. The combination of Andrew Bynum and Trevor Ariza, and with Lamar Odom coming off the bench, was lethal enough to outlast Dwight Howard and Co. in the frontcourt. More importantly, everyone knew their role on this team – Kobe see, Kobe do – and didn’t get in the way.
And now, since SportsCenter now conveniently operates directly across from the Staples Center, we shall be reminded every day for the next three months the following:
-- Kobe finally won one without Shaq.
-- Phil Jackson has now won more championships in any North American professional sport than anyone else – more than Scotty Bowman, more than Red Auerbach – which means he must now be the greatest coach since Knute Rockne. Phil Jackson is of Deity status (Woj already beat me to the punch, though he’s not tongue-in-cheek).
-- Pau Gasol has evolved into a mecha-beast on the low post.
-- Kobe finally won one without Shaq.
-- Kobe finally won one without Shaq.
-- Shaq, will you go to Cleveland please?
-- Lebron. 2010.
And they're probably going to promote the heck out of those "MVPuppets" and their neighbor "Lil' Dez". It’s going to be a beautiful disaster of a summer. By mid-August we’re going to know everything about these cool, hip bunch of yuksters that we’re going to be screaming for the NFL season to start. I can’t wait.
But I digress. Here are my game balls for the series:
Kobe Bryant
The Finals MVP played like someone with a chip on his shoulder in this series, averaging more than 33 points per game, to stamp himself as the world’s greatest player. He made difficult shots look easy, and didn’t take for granted the open looks he got. In the force-fed “Kobe or LeBron?” debate, I officially want Kobe taking the last shot.
Trevor Ariza
A question now arises as to what the long-term plans are for the upstart forward. It’s not a question of whether they keep him or not – they’d be stupid to even contemplate it – but how much to throw at him. Jackson entered Ariza into the starting lineup full-time for the Finals, and he played like a bona fide veteran. He was the best defender in this series, and provided key long-range shots when needed. Rack 'em.
Derek Fisher
Just for his shot in game four alone, you have to give the man some sort of merit. But more importantly, he played with an even-keeled, smooth tempo, and quietly had a very consistent series. This is why Kobe likes him – he never gets in the way, and hardly makes a mistake. When you need him to score, he scores.
I will have a season wrap, and look ahead to the future, in tomorrow’s entry. Until now, enjoy this championship.
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
Let the floodgates open. Let the overkill, and the overexposure, commence.
The Los Angeles Lakers quickly overcame a nine-point deficit to build a 10-point cushion early in the second quarter of game five of the NBA Finals. The Orlando Magic were never able to cut into it cleanly, and the Lakers went on to win their 15th title in franchise history.
I theorized before this series that the Lakers were soft on the interior, and they proved to me that they’ve come a long way since the 2008 Finals. The combination of Andrew Bynum and Trevor Ariza, and with Lamar Odom coming off the bench, was lethal enough to outlast Dwight Howard and Co. in the frontcourt. More importantly, everyone knew their role on this team – Kobe see, Kobe do – and didn’t get in the way.
And now, since SportsCenter now conveniently operates directly across from the Staples Center, we shall be reminded every day for the next three months the following:
-- Kobe finally won one without Shaq.
-- Phil Jackson has now won more championships in any North American professional sport than anyone else – more than Scotty Bowman, more than Red Auerbach – which means he must now be the greatest coach since Knute Rockne. Phil Jackson is of Deity status (Woj already beat me to the punch, though he’s not tongue-in-cheek).
-- Pau Gasol has evolved into a mecha-beast on the low post.
-- Kobe finally won one without Shaq.
-- Kobe finally won one without Shaq.
-- Shaq, will you go to Cleveland please?
-- Lebron. 2010.
And they're probably going to promote the heck out of those "MVPuppets" and their neighbor "Lil' Dez". It’s going to be a beautiful disaster of a summer. By mid-August we’re going to know everything about these cool, hip bunch of yuksters that we’re going to be screaming for the NFL season to start. I can’t wait.
But I digress. Here are my game balls for the series:
Kobe Bryant
The Finals MVP played like someone with a chip on his shoulder in this series, averaging more than 33 points per game, to stamp himself as the world’s greatest player. He made difficult shots look easy, and didn’t take for granted the open looks he got. In the force-fed “Kobe or LeBron?” debate, I officially want Kobe taking the last shot.
Trevor Ariza
A question now arises as to what the long-term plans are for the upstart forward. It’s not a question of whether they keep him or not – they’d be stupid to even contemplate it – but how much to throw at him. Jackson entered Ariza into the starting lineup full-time for the Finals, and he played like a bona fide veteran. He was the best defender in this series, and provided key long-range shots when needed. Rack 'em.
Derek Fisher
Just for his shot in game four alone, you have to give the man some sort of merit. But more importantly, he played with an even-keeled, smooth tempo, and quietly had a very consistent series. This is why Kobe likes him – he never gets in the way, and hardly makes a mistake. When you need him to score, he scores.
I will have a season wrap, and look ahead to the future, in tomorrow’s entry. Until now, enjoy this championship.
Fantasy Baseball: Chin Music
By Chad Garner
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
I know you want to hit the panic button, Johan Santana owners.
Go ahead and do it because I'll be the owner that pounces on your sell theory and have an ace in my pocket for the rest of the season.
Granted, Santana's last performance on Sunday against the Yankees where he worked only 3 innings, allowing 9 hits, 9 earned runs, 2 walks and 3 strikeouts would make any owner want to barf, but this is Johan Santana people.
I know, I know ... but he allowed a career-high 9 runs. Big deal. There's plenty of pitchers who get roughed up from time to time, and even the elite don't always have their best stuff.
Santana still has the ability to be lights-out at any point.
He hasn't done it recently, however.
In his previous start, he allowed 5 earned runs to the Phillies and give up 3 runs both times against Pittsburgh and Washington on June 2 and May 27, respectively.
That's not ace material, I know.
So what, Santana's in a mini-funk. So trade him and they'll all laugh at you.
His stat line (3.29 ERA, 8-4 record, 1.22 WHIP, 94 Ks in 82 innings) so far isn't anything to cry about, either.
I'll say it again, DO NOT SELL ON SANTANA.
Mind you, if you get a great deal do it, but don't do it because you're simply reacting to a bad start or a mediocre stretch of four so-so starts.
If you do, owners will pounce and take advantage of you. Plus, who really wants to be laughed at for the rest of the season?
MONTH OF MANY RETURNS
Here's a look at who's been red hot for the last month, with aces mixed in with some surprise arms that have been delivering the goods.
Tim Lincecum (3 wins, 1.19 ERA, 0.98 WHIP), Josh Beckett (4 wins, 1.91 ERA, 0.91 ERA), Justin Verlander (4 wins, 1.25 ERA, 0.97 WHIP), Matt Cain (6 wins, 1.73 ERA, 1.15 WHIP), Chris Carpenter (3 wins, 1.98 ERA, 0.73 WHIP) and Jered Weaver (4 wins, 1.67 ERA, 1.07 WHIP).
CAN YOU GET SOMEONE OUT, PLEASE
Boy, White Sox closer Bobby Jenks has been a real killer in the last month, posting a dismal 6.30 ERA and 1.50 WHIP while nailing down 6 saves. Those numbers just aren't getting it done!
Don't you expect more from a front-end closer? Maybe Jenks isn't that good and should only be considered a middle-tier guy?
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