Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Opening day is here!!

My thoughts:

-C.C. Sabathia looked bad yesterday in his Yankee debut. He didn't get out of the 5th inning, as the Orioles lit him up for six runs. Hopefully this isn't a sign of things to come for Sabathia, as he had no control of his fastball whatsoever.

-Cliff Lee followed his AL Cy Young year with a dreadful opening performance yesterday against Texas, as he gave up 10 hits and 7 runs in 5 innings pitched. Unfortunately for Lee, coming off of last season there is nowhere to go but down. How far he declines is anyone's guess, but if Cleveland expects to win anything this year they need Lee to be a good performer at the very least, especially when you consider that Carl Pavano is their third starter, and they have unproven question marks at the 4 and 5 spots in the rotation.

- If Texas' pitching ever becomes respectable, that team is going to be a major threat in the American League. I am well aware you could pretty much say that for the last decade but offensively those guys can rake.

- Watching the Mets in Cincinnati yesterday, I was cold just watching them. That being said Johan Santana was an abbreviated version of himself yesterday, giving up 1 run over 5.2 innings. The two major Mets acquisitions in the bullpen, J.J. Putz and Francisco Rodriguez, shut the door on the Reds as the Mets secured a 2-1 victory. If the Mets are going to be a postseason team, both of those guys are essential to that.

- I think I just saw the Hanley Ramirez home run ball fly past my window. Was that a bomb or what? I wonder how long before they put him in the outfield? As good as he is offensively, he is terrible at short defensively. His offensive value as a shortstop is ridiculous, but I'm fairly certain his defense will cost you quite a few runs over the course of the season.

- I believe Matt Kemp is due for a breakout campaign, and he started that yesterday with a home run off Jake Peavy. The guy has all the tools to be a very good center fielder. Yesterday the power was on display, as was the defense as he made a great diving play on a line drive to right center field. I think hi and Clayton Kershaw are poised to make marked improvements in their respective games this season.

-Griffey homered in his return to the Mariners. That is good for him, good guy, Hall of fame baseball player. It really is too bad that injuries derailed his career, otherwise we'd probably be talking about him as the career home ru

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Jay Cutler to the Bears




























Finally this month long worth of back and forth, he said/she said mess is over. Jay Cutler has been traded to the Chicago Bears along with a 5th round selection in this year's draft for QB Kyle Orton, a 2009 1st round draft pick, 2010 1st round draft pick, and 2009 3rd round draft pick.
First of all, FINALLY this is over and maybe it will die down after a week of talking about the trade. I grew extremely tired of hearing who's cell phone was reached and who's was not.

As far as the trade itself:
- I am impressed that the Bears finally put the pedal to the floor and went hard after a QB they can build around for the future.

- I am slightly annoyed that the Jets didn't match this package considering it was not an overbearing package. The only reason I am not fully annoyed is because I don't know the level of reluctance on Denver's part to get him out of the conference. If the Jets gave all they could in the efforts, then you just chalk it up to another one lost and proceed forward. They probably would have had to give a Ricky Williams deal to get it done. As much as I like Cutler, he isn't worth that, nor are many others.


- I don't understand why the Broncos would move so quickly in moving the guy, and not give some time for offers at the very least. But with the way they have mishandled this entire situation, I am not surprised.

- As far as the trade from Denver's vantage point, I think they received good compensation but could have received more. I actually think Kyle Orton is a decent QB and is better than any of the alternatives they could have gotten (including the rookie QBs), but I just don't understand the rush to trade him especially when you have Daniel Snyder involved who is known to throw away draft picks for no apparent reason I think they should have strung it along a bit. At the same time, it is possible although unlikely that the Redskins could have pulled out of the running.

-As far as the Bears, they just put a lot in Cutler's basket, now they have to figure out who he is going to throw the ball to, as Chicago's offense features one pass catcher worth noting and that is Greg Olsen. Cutler is a very good QB but they need to give him guys to throw the ball to. I actually think Earl Bennett can make an impact, after all he was Jay's #1 WR at Vanderbilt. I'm not saying to expect Eddie Royal impact, but he should see the field quite a bit. At least Cutler is finally on the opposite side of a decent defense.


- Cutler gets to play for the team he grew up rooting for, and will likely see a new deal some time soon. I assume we won't have to hear Lovie Smith say "Jay Cutler is our quarterback" after every game this season.

-I also believe Cutler is a QB made for that weather. As WFAN host Mark Malusis consistently says, 'The man can throw the ball in a hurricane'. He's built physically for the nasty weather he'll see in Chicago.

-If Kyle Orton was really the deal breaker in this deal, then it will be a short tenure for McDaniels and Xanders. Again, not saying that Orton isn't serviceable, but that is all he is.
-Earl Bennett will be on every one of my fantasy teams this upcoming season.

- I wish the Jets could have gotten the guy but it is what it is. I guess they'll have to go to war with an undrafted free agent, and Kellen Clemens. Life as a Jets fan is rough I tell you. Here's to hoping Kellen Clemens can turn into something good. He's had to deal with being replaced/potentially replaced two years straight. You know what they say Kellen. 'Whatever doesn't kill you will make you stronger'. Boy that quote applies to me as well in this spot.