MLB hot stove heating up early
By Punch N. Judy
BaseballBigMouth.com baseball news
Back in the mid-seventies, Oakland A’s owner Charles O. Finley decided to conduct what would now be termed in popular sports jargon, a fire sale. Afraid that his star players from the World Champion years would opt for free agency like Catfish Hunter did in 75,’ Finley began shopping his disgruntled troops to the highest bidders – namely the Yankees and Red Sox.
Two of the splashier moves made by Finley involved cash transactions that sent Rollie Fingers and Joe Rudi to the Sox, and Vida Blue over to the Bronx. In the case of Fingers and Rudi, having arrived late to their Fenway debut, Sox skipper Darryl Johnston decided to give the new guys their first day off. The move proved fatal as commissioner Bowie Kuhn invoked a “best interest of the game,” clause that ruled both trades invalid. Further salt was rubbed into Red Sox Nation’s wounds when pictures taken that day showed a smiling Rudi and Fingers decked out in their flashy new home double knits. Were I older than five at the time I know I would have cried bloody murder.
Well, 20 years later I gotta admit I wish Bud Selig would invoke this clause again as Boston apparently just threw $51 million at Daisuke Matsusaka’s Japanese League team for the right to negotiate a deal that would see the World Baseball Classic MVP in the majors this spring. Why is it that these heralded imports are not subject to the draft? Yeah I know Japan has professional baseball. What about Cuba though? In this blogger’s opinion a new provision must be made for these imports as the game becomes more international by the year.
Punch Lines
The Tigers signing of Gary Sheffield was further proof of Mike Ilitch’s commitment of bringing a championship back to Motown. The more important move however maybe the re-upping David Dombrowski to an extension that will see the Tiger GM sticking around until at least 2011. Whew . . . Speaking of Dombrowski, how on Earth did Terry Ryan of the Twins win Exec of the Year? . . . It’s funny how fleeting success can sometimes be. Two years ago Theo Epstein was hailed as a savior. The man who broke the “curse” was years ahead of his time and sure to keep the Red Sox strong for years to come. Fast-forward to the present and all I see is a lucky punk who got way to full of himself after he landed in the right spot at the right time. Remember folks this guy tried and (luckily) failed to land A-Rod, put Manny on waivers prior to 04,’ placed David Ortiz lower on the depth chart than Jeremy Giambi – only an injury to GH Jr. kept him out of an everyday job – and last but not least traded the organization’s best two prospects for Josh Beckett who’s legacy may end up being that of a modern day Don Larsen. Amazing how one lights-out night against the Yankees can make a man so much money. Just ask fellow 03’ Marlin Carl Pavano. Annibal Sanchez’s no-hitter must have stung enough, but how does the Nation feel about Hanley Ramirez winning the NL ROTY while their prospects at shortstop consist of a Mendoza Line – hitting status quo, ( incumbent Alex Gonzales) or Julio Lugo who let’s not forget was a utility player in 06’ for the Dodgers?