It was announced Friday by NL All Star team manager Clint Hurdle, also the manager of the Colorado Rockies, that New York Mets third baseman David Wright has been named to the all star team as a replacement for injured Cubs’ outfielder Alfonso Soriano. This year’s MLB All Star Game is being held at Yankee Stadium in New York, the same city in which Wright’s Mets play. hmm….
David Wright in no way deserves to be named as an all star. Wright currently ranks 18th in the NL in home runs with 17, tied for third in the league in RBIs with 70, and 26th in the league with a .288 average.
Those numbers are fairly impressive, sure, especially his RBIs. But lets take a moment to look at who is ahead of him. Ahead of Wright in RBIs are Ryan Howard (83) and Carlos Lee (72). Howard (27) and Lee (21) are also both ahead of Wright in home runs, as is Pat Burrell with 22. Lee …
July 11, 2008
David Montgomery, General Partner, President and Chief Executive Officer
Pat Gillick, Senior Vice President & General Manager
Philadelphia Phillies
Citizens Bank Park
One Citizens Bank Way
Philadelphia, PA 19148-5249
Dear Messers Montgomery and Gillick,
I am writing to you today to ask that you please sign Barry Bonds for the second half of the 2008 baseball season. Mr. Bonds is offering his services at the league minimum salary of $390,000, which would be prorated to less than $190,000.
That means the Phillies could get 762 home runs (most all time), 1996 RBIs, .444 on base percentage, and a .607 slugging percentage for less money than it costs every time Ryan Howard strikes out.
I understand that the teams around the majors are reluctant to sign Mr. Bonds due to the media frenzy and the tarnished image that he carries around with him. I counter that by reminding you that this …
The trade rumors continue. SI.com writer Jon Heyman has reported the Phillies are in trade talks with the Toronto Blue Jays for starter A.J. Burnett. While it’s unknown how far talks have gone, Blue Jays executive Tony LaCava was in Reading this week, scouting the likes of Greg Golson, Lou Marson, and Jason Donald.
Burnett, 9-8, 5.33 ERA has was linked to past trade rumors with the Cubs prior to their acquisition of Rich Harden and reports are the Dodgers are also looking at the right-hander. Hopefully the Dodgers make a push.
Trading for Burnett is a bad idea. Burnett’s contract is terrible. He has an opt-out clause after the 2008 season, so if he puts up a strong second half he could walk. Should he go down with an injury or struggle in the second half, the Phillies could have him under contract for the next two seasons for a mere $24 million.
Speaking of injuries, AJ is no stranger to the disabled list. Burnett has …
