Bullet style today-
- The Knicks picked up some new players before the trading deadline. Malik Rose (or more specifically his expiring contract) was moved to Phoenix for Chris Wilcox. Not much of an impact expected from that move. Then, the Knicks moved Tim Thomas and seldom-used Anthony Roberson to Chicago for Larry Hughes. Hughes didn’t get much run with the Bulls, and will need to get his legs back, especially in D’Antoni’s system. However, he is expected to become the Knicks starting 2-guard. The Knicks gave up players who didn’t do much for them, and got back a big-banger and a a guy who hs a chance to fit in well. The most important part of these deals though was the re-emphasis of the disparity between old GM Isiah Thomas and new GM Donnie Walsh. The commitment to cap space is admirable, and a pleasant change from the old days of dumping our tradeable contracts for overpaid guys who didn’t fit. One scary part about the fiscal focus of the Knicks is illuminated in this article.
- Spring training games have begun, and the Mets and Yankees are getting busy. Two early sources of concern have emerged (aside from, you know, that whole A-Rod thing). Jorge Posada, who has been playing largely as a DH, has missed the last two games with some soreness in his surgically repaired shoulder. Posada had been hitting well, and the Yankees are looking for a return to form from their anticipated everyday backstop. On the other side of town (or the other side of Florida currently) Met fans can’t be happy with the trouble that ace Johan Santana has been showing. Reports of soreness in his elbow have to be more troubling than Posada’s injury, for several reasons. 1) Santana is also coming off surgery, but his knee is not what is bothering him. An elbow injury is always a huge red flag for a pitcher. 2) The Mets are highly dependent on Santana repeating or exceeding his 2008 performance. He has to be good-to-great for the Mets to entertain thoughts of the playoffs. Last year the bullpen of the Mets squandered mny games that Santana probably deserved to win. Without a healthy Santana, all the Putzs and K-Rods in the world won’t help the Mets replace his production.
- Angel Presinal aka “Mau”, has extensively trained just about every major Dominican star over the past 10+ years. Pedro, Vlad, Papi…etc. Let’s turn the microscope on them, right? His association with A-Rod is mutually damning according to many.
- The Jets picked up free agent Bart Scott, formerly of the Ravens, and disciple of new Jet head coach Rex Ryan. Good pick-up of a guy who doesn’t mug like Ray Lewis and Terrel Suggs, but gets the job done. The Jets also made a trade for Eagles CB Lito Sheppard, who is expected to slot in opposite Darelle Revis in the starting lineup. Ryan is known as a defensive specialist, and the Jets appear to be conducting a strong defensive team. On the offensive side of the ball, guard Brandon Moore, who was released earlier this week signed back up with the team. His signing means that the Jets will return their entire offensive line from last year, and it is worth noting that running back Thomas Jones led the AFC in rushing behind that line, and Leon Washington hit many homeruns.
More tomorrow.
March 2, 2009 at 7:21 pm |
While all of the knicks’ trades have been admirable in that they were made with the “big picture” in my mind, they would easily have made the playoffs had they kept the roster in tact as it was on opening day. Kind of frustrating in that whenever they seem to be getting it together, there is a trade and they are left starting from scratch again. But at least they have a competent GM for the first time in a decade and a plan for teh future.
My take on Presinal is that he was not a supplier per se like a Greg Anderson, but more like a Brian Macamee (sp?). A serious trainer who was willing to train players clean or dirty depending upon the client’s wants. Arod’s association with him is disturbing in that: (a) Presinal traveled and roomed with with arod’s cousin who arod has identified as supplier during the entire 2007 season when arod had the best year of his career and was preparing to opt-out of his contract; (b) arod has proven himself to be a dirty player; and (c) Presinal has proven himself to be someone willing to train dirty players and help them get steroids. In light of Persinal’s traveling with arod and rooming with his cousin during the 2007 season, I have to consider arod’s great season of 2007 tainted.
How about the Giants and Jerry Reese. Re-signed Jacobs cheap and made three great signings to bolster the front seven, although I don’t understand the need for both Chris Canty and Rocky Bernard. But I am confident that Reese has a plan. Just hope that plan includes a big WR to pair with Steve Smith. We should have 11 picks in the draft (extra 2 and 5 from Saints and 2 potential compensation picks for losing Wilson, Mitchell and Torbor last year). Would love to see them trade up for a WR or package some picks for a Braylon Edwards (assuming Boldin is not available) and draft some depth on the OL and at LB’er.
March 2, 2009 at 8:41 pm |
the Giants were coming next, I like the D line a ton. I think Osi is flying under the radar right now. People forget he was Tuck before Tuck. studs all around.
Whats ur take on Johan?
March 3, 2009 at 10:40 am |
Who knows about Johan. Too early for panic mode. And I am encouraged by the initial “diagnosis” of irritated triceps tendon. When initial reports are forearm strain, then you know that you are on the path to Tommy John. But not so much with triceps pain.
As for the “feud” b/w Johan and the pitching coach, sounds like a bunch of BS fabricated by the media looking for a story.