My MLB playoff picks after the trade deadline

NL
New York Mets vs Cincinnati Reds - New York is clearly the team to beat in the NL. The Reds have greatly improved their bullpen and have a decent offense.

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers - The Dodgers picked up Greg Maddux and Julio Lugo, they have distanced themselves as the best in the NL West. St. Louis has an excellent offense.

Mets vs Cardinals in NLCS

AL
Detroit Tigers vs Boston Red Sox - The Tigers are for real. While the Twins are making a run at it, Chicago has fallen apart. Detroit just keeps winning.

New York Yankees vs LA Angels - The Yankees made the biggest deal of the deadline, adding Bobby Abreu. Add him in when Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui come back and they have one heck of an offense. Add in Corey Lidle to the pitching staff and Craig Wilson to the bench, and they have a deep roster.

Boston Red Sox vs New York Yankees

Yankees defeat Mets in World Series
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Here is what I had before:

NL
New York Mets vs Los Angeles Dodgers

St. Louis Cardinals vs Atlanta Braves (wild card)

Mets vs Cardinals in the NLCS

AL
Chicago White Sox vs Boston Red Sox (wild card)
New York Yankees vs LA Angels
White Sox vs Yankees in the ALCS

White Sox defeat Mets in World Series

Abreu to Yankess for minor leaguers

The rebuilding for next year has officially begun.

The Philadelphia Phillies have traded Bobby Abreu and Cory Lidle to the New York Yankees for 20-year-old minor-league shortstop C.J. Henry (their No. 1 pick in 2005) and 27-year-old left-handed reliever Matt Smith, reports ESPN.

Abreu must approve the deal, but he has said he would play for the Yankees.

Earlier this week, the Phillies traded third baseman David Bell, but moving Abreu marks a big change for the future, as he frees up a lot of salary that the Phils can use elsewhere in the offseason.

As much as I liked Abreu and as good of a player he is, Philadelphia did the right thing in moving him because of his high salary. I am hoping that they will also move Burrell.

NFL Draft Picks can be greedy

Greedy - that's all I have to say about NFL Draft picks who hold out.

They have not even played a single down in the NFL, yet they hold out for more money. Like a few million is not enough. Cut me a break.

By holding out, picks can jeapordize their chances to start, to gel with their teammates, to learn the schemes, etc.

If I was drafted into the NFL, I sure would want to be there on time and have the opportunity to compete for playing time.

What I don't understand is why these players agents don't try harder to get their guys into camp on time. It always seems like agents deal with teams every once in a while to get something done. Sure, GM's and coaches have other things to do. But take an hour, sit down and figure out what each side wants, and work out a deal by compromising.

An NFL rookie holding out is ridiculous.

Paying money to see the Yankees minor league team is hard to do

It hurts to pay to see the Yankees at any level - even triple A.

Just thinking about giving this organization money makes me cringe. Like "The Boss" does not have enough money. Of coarse, my admission to the Columbus Clippers does not go right to George Steinbrenner, but you get the point.

But there is something about minor league baseball. There is something about watching a game that has no impact on your fantasy team. There is something about paying only $6 and sitting real close to the field. There is something about watching guys that are so close to the major leagues that they can smell it.

And it being dime-a-dog night sure didn't hurt.

Too bad the Yankees don't have a lot of young talent. Final score tonight was Pawtucket (Red Sox) 9, Columbus 2.

But going to a minor league game is still enjoyable.

Enough of that now though, I need to go watch Baseball Tonight to see how my fantasy team did tonight.

2006 Philadelphia Eagles predictions - game by game

at Houston - After passing up on Reggie Bush for Mario Williams with the first overall pick in this year's draft, the Texans will look to turn around their terrible history. The Eagles, meanwhile, will look to begin their quest back to the Super Bowl. Philadelphia will start clicking right away and overwhelm the Texans 28-10 to start the season 1-0.
Eagles 1-0

vs New York Giants - The Giants looked to be the team to beat in the NFC during last season, before they got crushed in the playoffs. With another year under his belt, Eli Manning should give the Giants a chance to win the NFC East. This is the first of division games, in which the Eagles were 0-6 last year. The Giants win this one, a close 17-14.
Eagles 1-1

at San Francisco 49ers - The 49ers won only 4 games last year and lost their best receiver in Brandon Lloyd this offseason. They will be no match for the Eagles offense. Birds win, 35-7.
Eagles 2-1

vs Green Bay Packers - In their first Monday night game, the Eagles continue their dominance in prime time games under Andy Reid, and crush the rebuilding Packers. Eagles win 27-10.
Eagles 3-1

vs Dallas Cowboys - The much awaited game vs T.O's new team. Philly fans will be pumped for this one and the team will be ready to go. Dallas will contend for the NFC East Title this year, but the Eagles win this one on emotion, 20-17.
Eagles 4-1

at New Orleans Saints - The Saints have a stud back in Reggie Bush. But wait until he faces the Philly defense, who dominated LaDanian Tomlinson last year. The Saints were the second worse team in the NFL last year. Eagles win, 42-14.
Eagles 5-1

at Tampa Bay Bucaneers - This will be a tough game. The Bucs were a playoff team last year and have won big games agaist the Eagles. Tampa Bay gets the best of the Eagles in this one, 21-14.
Eagles 5-2

vs Jacksonville Jaguars - By no means will this be an easy game for the Eagles, but they pull out a close one, 14-10.
Eagles 6-2

BYE

vs Washington Redskins - By now we will know if all of the offseason moved Washington made has paid off. Washington will be a good team and has a shot at winning the East, but this game is in Philadelphia and the Eagles pull out a close one, 24-21.
Eagles 7-2

vs Tennessee Titans - After losing Steve McNair, the Titans, who have struggled, will not be much better this year. Eagles win easily, 28-10.
Eagles 8-2

at Indianapolis - The start of a brutal stretch takes the Eagles into Indy. The Colts will contend in the AFC and blow out the Eagles in this one, 38-17.
Eagles 8-3

vs Carolina - This Monday night matchup features the two teams that will play in this years NFC Title game. The Panthers win this one, but the Eagles will even the series in January. Panthers, 28-24.
Eagles 8-4

at Washington - This time, in the nations capital, the Redskins get the best of Philadelphia, 28-17.
Eagles 8-5

at New York Giants - The rough stretch continues, but the Eagles battle out a close win, 17-14.
Eagles 9-5

at Dallas Cowboys - In a Christmas showdown, the Cowboys get revenge, 24-7.
Eagles 9-6

vs Atlanta Falcons - The Eagles close out the year with a win over Atlanta, 24-14.
Eagles 10-6

Not again - here go the Phillies giving false hope

The Phillies really don't have a chance of making the playoffs this year.

What they really need to do is trade some of their better players, shed some salary, and get a few good young prospects in return.

But GM Pat Gillick is hanging on as long as he can before making any trades, to see if the Phillies can climb back into thw wild card race. If they do pull to within a couple of games of the wild card, Gillick may put the future on hold and try and win now.

As much as I want the Phillies to win now, I know they are not going to. It would be in their best interest to start building for next season.

However, they have won two in a row and in the middle of a four game series with the Atlanta Braves (who they are now tied with), Philadelphia has a chance to put themselves in a better position in the playoff hunt. There are stil seven teams in front of them, but Cincinnati, who leads the wild card race, is only 5.5 games up.

If the Phillies hang in there, Gillick might decide to keep what he has and look for a postseason berth this year.
Big mistake.

It is inevitable that the Phillies will crumble down the stretch. And if they do not attempt to trade guys like Bobby Abreu, Pat Burrell, Corey Lidle, etc now, they will have made a big mistake. Of coarse, they should only trade these guys if they get get fiar market value in return. July 31 is quickly approaching and with three more agains the Braves, three against Arizona, and four against Florida, Philadelphia could greatly alter their course of action should they get hot.

"It doesn't make any difference, I would veto it." - Alex Rodriguez on the latest trade rumor which has him going to Philly

Now this is an interesting rumor:

A New York Post story is reporting a rumor that has Alex Rodriguez, Melky Cabrera and a player to be named beting traded to Philadelphia for Bobby Abreu Pat Burrell, David Bell and Tom Gordon.

However, A-Rod squashed any possibility of this rumor coming to fruition, saying "It doesn't make any difference. I would veto it." The Yankees third baseman has a no-trade clause.

Which makes me wonder. Would I want to play for the Philadelphia Phillies?

Putting aside the loyalty and being a Phillies fan, the Phillies have a horrible track record. The last time they made the playoffs was in 1993, and although they have come close the past couple of years, they have struggled big-time this year and look to be sellers at the trade deadline.

So why would a player like Rodriguez want to come to a team that has no shot of making it to the post-season?

Although A-Rod takes a lot of heat in New York, he is on a team that has a chance to compete year in and year out. With a no-trade clause, he controls his destiny.

If I were him, I would not want to play for Philadelphia either. But as a Philly fan, I would welcome the trade.

Dreaming of an infield with Rodriguez, Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, and Ryan Howard makes me drool. It's not going to happen.

Oh well, the headline peaked my interest.

My Major League Baseball playoff picks before the trade deadline

NL
New York Mets vs Los Angeles Dodgers

St. Louis Cardinals vs Atlanta Braves (wild card)

Mets vs Cardinals in the NLCS

AL
Chicago White Sox vs Boston Red Sox (wild card)

New York Yankees vs LA Angels

White Sox vs Yankees in the ALCS

White Sox defeat Mets in World Series

Abreu to Mets for prospect Milledge?

ESPN is reporting rumors of the Phillies trading outfielder Bobby Abreu to the New York Mets for Lastings Milledge.

This would be a great deal for both teams.

The Phillies would benefit by moving a big contract, freeing up money to spend this offseason. Milledge is also a very good prospect who could add to the young talent they already have.

The Mets would benefit because Abreu is a heck of a player. Mixed in with Jose Reyes, David Wright, and Carlos Beltran would give New York one heck of a lineup.

Another rumor has Abreu going to Baltimore for Rodrigo Lopez. What a rip off that would be. Abreu is worth way more than Lopez.

The trade deadline is quickly approaching. Let's hope GM Pat Gillick hangs on long enough to get a very good young player in return, should he choose to move Abreu.

Phils should deal Abreu - but not if the price is not right

This year is a wash.

It's time for the Phillies to start building the future and get out of the mess Ed Wade created.

Philadelphia already has young talent to build around in Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, and Aaron Rowand. They have young pitching who could prove to be a rotation to build around in the future with Cole Hammels, Brett Myers and Ryan Madson (although they have not pitched well this year with the exception of Myers).

But the true mess comes within the long term contracts Wade signed a few players to. David Bell and Mike Leiberthal will be gone after this year (finally). Which leaves Pat Burrell and Bobby Abreu. Burrell will be tough to move because of how much money he is making and the struggles he has had at the plate.

Abreu on the other hand, while making a ton of money and having a no-trade clause, is a hot commodity. Dealing their star right fielder would be a great opportunity to get some young prospects as well as give the Phillies a little financial freedom to sign better players in the offseason.

However, I don't think Philadelphia should give up Abreu. After all, he is a heck of a player.

But if they can get a couple of good, solid young players in return and get a team to pick up Abreu's contract, I am all for them trading him and having money to spend elsewhere in the offseason