• Breaking: Yankees Cut Richie Sexson, Demote Melky Cabrera

    August 15th, 2008 | By InGameNow Posted in MLB

    No way to read these two moves by the New York Yankees as anything but giving up hopes on the 2008 season… right?! The strange part is that just a few weeks ago, Steinbrenner et al were confident enough in the AL East standings and their team to chase down Richie Sexson, grab Ivan Rodriguez (who isn’t exactly free) and steal Nady from the Pirates.

    But those experiments apparently are all but over as today the Yankees cut Richie Sexson (no surprise there… he sucks and sucked just as badly while playing for the Mariners) and demoted Melky Cabrera.

    The two moves will make room for callups Brett Gardner and Cody Ransom.

    Seeing the Yankees give up is something no one is familiar with… normally they just throw more money at the problem - which is the only reason that I am left unconvinced that this is actually the Yankees waving the white flag or sending a signal to their veterans… regardless, it’s a testament that Richie Sexson is done.

  • Dodgers Crowded Outfield: Manny Ramirez, Andruw Jones, Juan Pierre, Andre Ethier, and Matt Kemp

    July 31st, 2008 | By InGameNow Posted in MLB

    Manny Ramirez, Andruw Jones, Juan Pierre, Andre Ethier, and Matt Kemp will now have to share an uncomfortable outfield… which should make for great, whiny television. Good thing they sunk so much money into Andruw and Juan.

    In the end, it makes total sense for the Pirates, who are planning for next year and beyond, and the Sox, who make, at worst, a lateral move today, and take a huge leap forward for the future. But the Dodgers are now in the weird position of having three outfielders who deserve to play and two who will feel entitled to play but who suck.
    - Deadspin

  • Manny Ramirez Traded to Dodgers, Jason Bay to Red Sox, Brandon Moss to Pirates

    July 31st, 2008 | By InGameNow Posted in MLB

    Manny Ramirez is officially out of Boston and will never don a Red Sox uniform again… here is what this means for the three teams that finalized this monstrous deal seconds before the deadline closed:

    - Pittsburgh Pirates: they unload Jason Bay and pick up a collection of talented prospects: LaRoche and Morris from the Dodgers; Craig Hansen and Brandon Moss from the Red Sox. For the Pirates this is a huge steal.

    - The Red Sox: Boston unloaded the hot-headed Manny Ramirez and picked up a downgraded bat but at a slim salary ($7.5m next year) and plenty of talent. There was no way they could bring Manny back to the clubhouse.

    - The Los Angeles Dodgers: they are fighting head on with the Arizona Diamondbacks and have no offensive power… until now. Manny will play hard for Joe Torre and realizes he is auditioning for his next contract.

    And with that: a win-win-win trade.

    Manny Ramirez Marlins

  • Manny Ramirez Trade All But Final: Red Sox Get Jason Bay, John Grabow

    July 31st, 2008 | By InGameNow Posted in MLB

    Reports are that the Manny Ramirez trade is in the final stages and a tenative, verbal agreement has been reached between the three teams: the Florida Marlins, the Boston Red Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates.

    Here are the various pieces:

    Boston Red Sox get: Jason Bay, John Grabow
    Florida Marlins get: Manny Ramirez, cash, prospect from Red Sox
    Pittsburgh Pirates get: Ryan Tucker, Jeremy Hermida, one prospect from Red Sox

    In all honesty - it seems to be a win for each party. The Red Sox get a cheap stud in Jason Bay and relief help in John Grabow. The Marlins pick up a monster bat at a fraction of the cost (the Sox will be paying much of the remaining money). And the Pirates get a collection of prospects including Jeremy Hermida… who is highly sought after.

    Manny Ramirez Marlins

  • Manny Ramirez Trade Update: Jason Bay to Join Red Sox?

    July 30th, 2008 | By InGameNow Posted in MLB

    Fresh off the news that Manny Ramirez is likely out of Boston and headed to Florida… it seems that OF Jason Bay will be wearing a Red Sox uniform and replace the gaping void in the Sox outfield. If you are watching the Red Sox broadcast - they keep showing Manny’s face and he really looks pathetic. He knows this is his last home game at Fenway and Remy keeps noting that:

    “This is likely the last time you’ll see Manny in a Red Sox uniform.”

    Wild day. Follow the Red Sox rumors and Manny Ramirez rumors in real time.