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      The Giants overpaid for Freddy Sanchez

      July 30, 2009 /

      It’s no secret that the San Francisco Giants have one of the worst offenses in baseball this year. They’re ninth in the NL in batting average (.258) and dead last in runs scored (398), on-base percentage (.307) and slugging percentage (.691). Given how bad their offense is, the actors that played Roger Dorn, Jake Taylor and Pedro Cerano from “Major League” would compile a better lineup than the puss (save for Pablo Sandoval) that the Giants fill their lineup card with on a nightly basis.

      So when you read or hear that San Fran traded for Pirates second baseman and ’06 batting champ Freddy Sanchez on Wednesday, it’s easy to think that the Giants just added the equivalent of Mickey Mantle’s bat to their lineup.

      There’s no question that Sanchez is a dramatic upgrade over the players that San Fran has tried at second base this year, which include Emmanuel Burriss, Kevin Frandsen, Juan Uribe, Matt Downs and Eugenio Velez. And there’s no question that the Giants are better today than they were yesterday, just based on the fact that Sanchez will actually take pitches (something Giants hitters avoid at all cost), drive gaps and get on base.

      But make no mistake: Brian Sabean still overpaid.

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      MLB

      Edwards reports to camp late, fails physical

      July 29, 2009 /

      The Cleveland Plain Dealer is reporting that Browns’ receiver Braylon Edwards reported to training camp a day late and when he did arrive, failed a team physical.

      Because Edwards missed practice time at the team’s mandatory minicamp in June with an undisclosed injury, he was notified by coach Eric Mangini to report to training camp on Monday — four days earlier than non-injured veterans.

      When Edwards did not show up, the Browns placed him on the “reserve/did not report” list. Edwards could be fined as much as $17,000 for reporting one day late. Edwards arrived on Tuesday and after failing his physical was transferred to the “active/non-football injury” list.

      A couple of months ago when Edwards showed up for OTAs it appeared that he and the Browns were moving in the right direction, at least in terms of him playing out the final year of his contract in Cleveland. Not that this news means that he’ll get traded now, but this certainly isn’t something that the Browns want to deal with a couple days before training camp opens.

      I don’t understand why Edwards would report to camp on Tuesday knowing that his coach wanted him there on Monday. One could suggest that he’s rebelling after the Browns tried to trade him this past offseason but again, he showed up to OTAs and was a professional about the situation. So I wonder why he showed up late and thus, risked receiving a fine.

      NFL

      2009 NBA Free Agency: Who’s left?

      July 29, 2009 /

      Aside from Lamar Odom and his ongoing saga with the Lakers and Heat, all of the big-name unrestricted free agents are off the market.

      Restricted free agency is a completely different animal. Since a team still holds a player’s rights for another season, there is no huge rush to get a deal done, especially if the team and the player’s camp are far apart in terms of the player’s value. The deeper into the summer negotiations go, the more likely it is that the player will play out the final year of his rookie deal for the qualifying offer and enter unrestricted free agency in 2010. Here’s an update on the top remaining names on the restricted free agency market.

      David Lee
      Lee and the Knicks are still at an impasse. The Knicks look to be willing to match any offer up to about $8 million per season, while Lee’s camp is looking for a deal averaging in the $10-$12 million range. There was some talk that the potential one-year deal for Nate Robinson might prompt the Knicks to get moving on a long-term contract for Lee, but even that Robinson deal is just a rumor. Like many restricted free agent negotiations, this looks like a case of the two sides being far apart on the player’s value and given the Knicks’ apparent unwillingness to work out a sign-and-trade, all signs point to Lee playing out the final year of his deal and entering unrestricted free agency next year. Lee is frustrated in no small part because his qualifying offer ($2.3 million) is well below his market value.

      Ramon Sessions
      The Knicks, Clippers and even the Sixers may be interested, but no one has signed Sessions to an offer sheet yet. The Bucks are likely to match most offers up to the mid-level, but there is still enough uncertainty about Sessions that teams seem unwilling to sign him to a full mid-level deal (five years, $34 million). Based on what I’ve read from Sessions’ agent, Jimmy “Chubby” Wells, he’s not sure what the Bucks are doing. It seems like a four-year deal in the $12-$15 million range would do the trick. That way, Sessions would get some long-term security and would be able to negotiate another contract when he’s 27. On the flip side, the Bucks would get a backup plan if Brandon Jennings doesn’t pan out. But what do I know? I’m just a blogger.

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      NBA, News, Rumors & Gossip

      Phillies acquire ace Cliff Lee from Indians

      July 29, 2009 /

      Jayson Stark is reporting that the Phillies have officially acquired Indians’ ace Cliff Lee and outfielder Ben Francisco for four minor leaguers.

      Triple-A right-hander Carlos Carrasco, Single-A righty Jason Knapp, catcher Lou Marson — the likely heir apparent to Victor Martinez — and shortstop Jason Donald will be sent to Cleveland.
      The trade is pending physical exams.

      The Phillies weren’t required to give up pitcher J.A. Happ or the three prospects they balked at trading for Roy Halladay — outfielders Dominic Brown and Michael Taylor, and pitcher Kyle Drabek.

      The Phillies get an ace (and a former Cy Young winner) and don’t have to give up prospects Kyle Drabek or Dominic Brown? Or J.A. Happ? Wow. Complete victory. That’s not to say that the Indians were losers in this deal because they are trying to acquire more young talent to restock their farm system. But it’s amazing that Philly was able to get the second best arm on the trade market without giving up their best prospect.

      The Phillies are now set for another World Series run with a rotation that now features Lee, Happ, Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton and Jamie Moyer. The Dodgers still have the best record in baseball, but this move might put Philadelphia in the driver’s seat in the NL.

      As for the Indians, fans have come to trust GM Mark Shaprio’s judgment when it comes to trades, but they must be a little disappointed that they didn’t get Drabek or another young arm (i.e. the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw). But the reality is that one good season doesn’t mean that a team can get a haul for a specific player. Lee was outstanding last year and is an excellent pitcher, but he isn’t Roy Halladay and therefore the Tribe still did well to get Carrasco and Knapp, even if they couldn’t land Drabek.

      MLB

      Ravens to revisit trade for Marshall?

      July 29, 2009 /

      A Yahoo Sports report suggests that the Ravens may revisit the idea of trading for Broncos’ disgruntled wide receiver Brandon Marshall.

      This comes after the Ravens were unsuccessful in getting veteran Drew Bennett(notes) to return. Bennett passed a physical last week, but then complained about an old knee injury before deciding to not play.

      Bennett’s decision and Mason’s retirement earlier this month have left the Ravens in a lurch at wide receiver. The Ravens think Mason’s retirement was partly a ploy to help get more money from the team. (Mason had asked to renegotiate his deal earlier in the offseason.)

      The Ravens have declined to comment. However, team history would indicate they aren’t likely to make the deal. General manager Ozzie Newsome doesn’t like to give up high draft picks, could be concerned about Marshall’s history of off-field problems and likely wouldn’t want to pay the large contract Marshall is seeking.

      I have a hard time envisioning Newsome pulling the trigger on a trade for Marshall, but considering how thin the Ravens are at receiver I certainly wouldn’t rule the idea out.

      Even after losing defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, productive linebacker Bart Scott and safety Jim Leonhard to the Jets this offseason, Baltimore still has the makings of one of the better defenses in the league. They also have a solid running game and assuming he doesn’t fall victim to the dreaded sophomore slump, Joe Flacco should only improve in his second year as well.

      So with all of that in mind, Newsome may feel as though his team is only one missing piece away from making another run at the Super Bowl. Receiver is the obvious need and Marshall is a dynamic playmaker. But whether or not he’s worth the risk of acquiring (especially in exchange for high round draft picks) is a decision I don’t envy Newsome for having to make.

      NFL

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