Santana! to the Mets for a bunch of blue-chip prospects. (A better breakdown of the trade is here). I don't really care that the Twins might not have gotten the best deal possible in trying to maximize the value of the best pitcher of this decade.What I do know is that the Sox now have 4-5 less guaranteed losses (I mean, they can still lose even with they don't face Johan) every time he pitched against the Pale Hose. It's bad enough that the best pitcher in baseball lives in your division, but it's something else when said pitcher's best career numbers come against your team. How good? Since 2003, when was put in the starting rotation:
13-4, 141.3 innings, 155 Ks, 0.94 WHIP, 2.42 ERA
Welcome to the National League, Johan, home of no-DH. I will be very pleased to watch Cub hitters flail away helplessly at this. Also, he makes the Mets the instant offseason frontrunner for the NL pennant, thus an easier path to the World Series, where each playoff opponent will definitely face him twice in a series. I have no problem with the best pitcher in the game having a better shot at getting to and winning the Series.
Despite the departure of the Isildur's Bane of my team, at most, it makes the Sox an 81 win team to an 85 win team (because it doesn't make Nick Swisher any better in centerfield, or Ozzie any less offensively inept, or help Jerry Owens hit, or... let's just move on). So, in anticipation of the suckitude, I am currently accepting applications for another baseball team to follow for the 2008 season. I'll still keep a tab on the Sox, but they won't be doing anything, and I want to watch meaningful baseball at some point. The leading contenders:
- Philadelphia Phillies
Good: The Wall Crashing Messiah left for the Giants, but there's still plenty of ex-Sox guys here with Sweaty Freddy and the Gooch. Also, I have an unhealthy fantasy baseball crush on Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and Cole Hamels, so there is an interest here. Also, since they had a play-in game against the Rockies last year at the end of the season, so they were knocking on the door.
Bad: The Johan just moved into their division. Sucks. - New York Mets
Good: A dumber, just as rich, but not as successful version of the Yankees. Natural rival of the Yanks and the Cubs. Now owner of the Johan, who I genuinely like, and they'll be on TV a lot because of the New York bias and front line talent like Reyes, Beltran, and fantasy baseball mancrush David Wright. Can you imagine playing the Mets and having to face Santana! and Pedro on consecutive nights? To paraphrase from before: Sucks.
Bad: Who wants to root for a frontrunner? They have too much of the aroma of failure too. I don't need any more heartache. - Tottenham Hotspur
Good: Screw baseball, I can watch the "beautiful game" and boycott my sucky team! Tottenham started off slow this season, but Spurs have fought up to mid-table of the Premiership, and have looked good with new manager Juande Ramos and a slew of defensive help coming in during the transfer window (Jonathan Woodgate, you are my new friend). They could still crawl back in to UEFA Cup qualification at the end of the season and they just thumped Arsenal 5-1 in the League Cup. Good times! Since I don't watch TV, I just watch soccer highlights on the internets.
Bad: The Premier League season (and those of most major European leagues) end in June. So that still leaves the whole summer uncovered. Don't even mention Major League Soccer, the WNBA of the professional soccer world. - St. Louis Cardinals
Good: Albert Pujols. Like, really stinking good. Also, my bros Greg and Mike have chosen the Cardinals as their alternative team for the summer, so it'd be fun to go watch a game with them. Natural rivals of the Cubs.
Bad: This is a terrible, aging, mediocre team. They might win the same amount of games as the Sox. I just looked at their roster, and didn't realize how terrible they are. - Milwaukee Brewers
Good: Natural rival of the Chubs. Great ballpark with good, cheap food and drink. Close enough to drive to and catch a game, and there isn't a problem getting in. Up and coming talent like Prince Fielder (who I saw hit a ball like a thousand feet with my own two eyes), Ryan Braun, and Yovani Gallardo will be lots of fun to watch. They are the current frontrunner for alternative team of 2008.
Bad: They did falter down the stretch last year, and seem to be counting on the health of Ben Sheets to get them over the hump, instead of signing anybody new. A problematic strategy, at best.
Snow day tomorrow? (Please, Lord, please). Feast of the Presentation on Saturday, and then Super Bowl Sunday is here! Who's the winner? Me! Because I'm going to get Buffalo wings!
