You have to admit that the NBA off-season is the most fun when it comes to free agency. Heck, in baseball now, the owners have become very good at ignoring most of the free agents, and in football, the salary cap makes it harder for the top players to even have many decent options.
SU cannot fault LeBron for heading out West. He gave it his all this post-season for a somewhat dysfunctional ownership situation in Cleveland. He will have fun playing in the more up-tempo Western Conference but winning in LA is no sure thing. Paul George is staying put in OKC (SU is not quite sure of his logic there but ok) and even if the Lakers can put together an attractive package for Kawi Leonard, they will either have to give up a lot or hope that Leonard’s recent injury history is not chronic. And even if they acquire Leonard, that roster is not going to compete with Golden State this year.
Meanwhile, Houston lost Trevor Ariza to the Phoenix Suns and while they have now invested $40 million a year in Chris Paul for 4 years (when he will be 37 years old – choke), as of today they are worse than last year. I know Paul is a key guy but he can’t stay healthy at 33; what makes you think he will get better with age? If nothing else, at least the Lakers can become must see tv again after having fallen off the radar for the past several years.
I thought I saw Sonny Gray’s picture on a milk carton in the supermarket yesterday. Has anyone seen this guy? He has been a major disappointment for the Yankees. You have to assume he is one of those pitchers/players who can’t perform in NY. He grips the ball too tightly, over-thinks each pitch, wants it too bad, etc. Cashman really has to pull the trigger now and will have to give up more youngsters than he would like. SU has seen Miguel Andujar’s name out there – very upsetting if that’s the case. No way does he move. Clint Frazier is more likely to go which is also too bad. SU cannot identify exactly what pitcher is being targeted. I would steer clear of Cole Hamels – too old and past his prime. Right now, Severino is top 5 in all of baseball, Tanaka has good credentials in the post-season and CC is very good with extra rest (and by the way, give him the extra rest – this is pretty obvious). SU likes the youngsters but in October, more in long relief. This will be a key move and Cashman cannot afford to mess it up while he keeps his eye on the long term.
So, sports fans, who do you see Cashman targeting in a trade?
Sports Update Intergalactic 
isn’t Happ the guy who everyone is talking about?
Frasier seems much more likely to be traded. With the improved performance of Hicks over the past few weeks, Frasier just seems more expendable. Add to that the logjam they have in the outfield (a situation that isn’t going away, even after this season) and they way Andujar has played and endeared himself to the team and fans. I can’t see them parting with him. Especially with the quality of the starters that may be available.
Now, here’s the minority opinion: I’m not sure I make any of these deals. Other than the studs on the Mets, are there any pitchers being mentioned that really get you excited? Hamels? Happ? Sure, you can do some calculus that make these guys seem like they are exactly what the Yankees need to pull away from the Red Sox. But remember, this is exactly the kind of calculation that brought us Sonny Gray in the first place. Sonny Gray was not the best pitcher last year. But he was the best the Yankees could get. Fine. But if I’m going to give up a position player who can contribute offensively, then I want to make sure I’m getting a great starting pitcher in return (especially if it’s a rental). So, I’ll pursue Hamels or Happ but not with my blue chips. And at the same time, Cashman should printing up flyers billing Frasier as the next Lenny Dykstra and handing them out to all the NY sports talk radio hosts.
Unfortunately, a good amount of LeBron James’ legacy is tied up in where he wanted to play and with whom. I guess it’s the reality of today’s game but it’s unfortunate for someone who may be the best ever to have this as such a defining aspect of his career. Are there any other top 10 players who bounced around like this? What about top 50? Certainly none have done so with this much drama and attention or this many times. He’s left more teams than Carmelo Anthony (with a key difference that his teams were never happy about it). Sure, like most of the greats, he will be primarily associated with one team (Cleveland) but the story will always be more about his arrivals and departures than about his time on any one team.
The LeBron in LA story is going to be interesting. At some point Father Time is going to win so I’m not sure how long LA’s window will be open for a title. LA probably has at least as good a roster as the Cavs had but the competition out West is definitely tougher than the East but not as formidable as it was a couple of years ago. Without one more player in the mix I’m thinking the Lakers go out in the second round.
If the Lakers could sign Klay Thompson next year in free agency they would both strengthen their team and weaken the Warriors. Of course everyone probably has that plan.
Let’s target Happ from Toronto. Can’t give up Torrez nor Andujar…. I just feel that Bird is coming around just like Stanton has already done. Having that short porch in right field while Bird can still go the opposite way… him shortening his swing is just what the doctor ordered. Though he did not get a hit yesterday he hit the ball right on the screws 3 times.
Hope Roamine gets back soon.
Yesterday was quite a power performance by the baby Bombers. Can you imagine a Sales vs Serevino matchup? Last game of season and there they both are with their teams both 103-58…. Now that’s an ending to a regular season.
J A Happ should be target. A rotation of Sev, Tanaka,, CC and Happ is sufficient to win any series. I would not give up Andujar, Gleyber or Clint for anyone out there. Just wait for a good price otherwise stand pat and use one of kids to pitch game fours in playoffs and rely on bullpen. Three man rotation (like 2009 with CC, Andy and AJ is not possible with this group so let’s not do anything stupid to rent a pitcher, there will be free agents in off season.
With the New York Knicks still quite irrelevant with no end in sight… at least for this year… again it is very hard to care what happens to the teams which are relevant.
So who has a worse approval rating Trump or Dolan?