Con Man Loria Deals Away Another Contract

"Don't get too comfortable here."

When it comes to dirty dealings that are baseball related, it's hard to find anyone lower than Jeffrey "pond scum" Loria. The soon-to-be 72-year old was estimated to be worth a half-billion dollars two years ago, but like most owners of teams, it's never enough.

Loria ditched more salary today when he traded closer/free agent flop Heath Bell, who signed a three year, $27MM deal  prior to the '12 season, to Arizona for infielder Yordy Cabrera.  It further showed the Marlins (few) fans and voters that now that he has his stadium, Loria really doesn't care what product he puts out there.

Of course, Loria was counting on the team to succeed which (he thought) would draw fans. The end game would be to sell the team at an exorbitant price to continue the con. But let's see how it all started.

First, Loria was part of the triumvirate con run by Major League Baseball (check with Sawyer from Lost as to whether this qualifies as a short or long con) that had Florida Marlins owner John Henry take over the Boston Red Sox, while Loria, then owner of the Montreal Expos took over the fish. MLB, under the auspices of used car dealer/Milwaukee stadium con artist Bud Selig (I would trust Larry "Bud" Melman more), then took over the Expos.

The league did nothing with the Expos except eventually move them to Washington, D.C. There they still did nothing until finding a buyer in Ted Lerner (who showed some class the other day by putting a big ad in The Washington Post thanking the fans for a great season).

Henry, meanwhile has enjoyed the fruits of his money up in Boston, while Loria conned the citizens of Florida into building a new ball park in Miami. (Thinking of the way Floridians have handled things the last decade or so makes me think that maybe they deserved it...apologies to all relatives and friends). I'm not going to get into the details again, but you can at least get a recap from Wikipedia.

Most teams get a big bump when a ball park opens, but the Marlins were the exception to the rule. They drew 27,401 per game, which landed them 18th out of 30 teams. It was still an improvement from last season's 19494 per game, which was dead last in the National League/ Most of the time it looked like there were 100 people in attendance.

Prior to the season the Marlins fans must have been thinking, finally we're getting a team with some valuable veterans.  Jose Reyes came over from the Mets on a six year, $106MM  free agent deal. There was Bell of course and pitcher Mark Buehrle, who departed the Chicago White Sox for four years and $58MM.

The Marlins were said to be in negotiations with Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson as well before both signed with the LA Angels.

This past season was barely halfway through when Loria started the latest fire sale of Marlins players (Former con man owner of the Marlins, Wayne Huizenga paved the way years before after the Marlins captured the '97 World Series.). Pitcher, and free agent after the season, Anibal Sanchez was the first to go, along with infielder Omar Infante, to the Detroit Tigers. Those two must be doing cartwheels right about now. Next was Hanley Ramirez, owed $31.5MM for 2013-2014, who was sent to the LA Dodgers.

Loria entertained offers for Josh Johnson, but held off. That will likely change before or during the season. Johnson will be in the final year of his deal in 2013 and is owed $13.75MM. Reyes and Buehrle could both be dealt as well, esp. Buehrle since he has the shorter, cheaper deal of the two.

All of this dumping, makes the rumored/gossip/joking deal for Alex Rodriguez seem highly improbable (what? A-Rod will bring in maybe another 500 people per game?). Pretty soon the Marlins will be back to over the hill veterans and young prospects that don't belong in the majors yet. And before you know it Giancarlo Stanton will get shipped out of town too.

That's how the con works.

Aceves Latest to Lose Battle With Valentine

Who's pitching the 9th?

Adrian Gonzalez was front and center of a mini-revolution in Boston a week ago. Reportedly, 17 players wanted manager Bobby Valentine fired and Gonzalez was one of the players pushed to the forefront to approach owner John Henry. The Sox principle owner told the players that Valentine's his man and a week later Gonzalez was shipped to the LA Dodgers as part of a blockbuster deal. Victory to Valentine.

Though his job could still be in jeopardy, the team backed Valentine again yesterday when reliever Al Aceves was suspended three games for conduct detrimental to the team.

What reportedly set Aceves off was Valentine's decision to let Andrew Bailey close out Friday night's game. Bailey had entered the game in the 8th inning to record the final out of the frame and remained in the game to record his first save of the season.

Bailey had been acquired in the off-season to be the Red Sox closer, but injured his thumb in spring training, underwent surgery, and didn't return to the team until recently. After a shaky start, Aceves established himself as the team's 9th inning guy and saved 25 games in 32 attempts. His most recent appearance was Thursday night when he allowed five runs in an inning of work (plus two batters faced in the 10th) and took the loss.

Aceves got into a heated argument with Valentine in the manager's office and stormed away. No word on whether or not Valentine has decided to use Bailey going forward or if it was just a one shot deal for the time being.

Bigger question...how did Al Aceves go from throwing 90-91 mph as a Yankee from 2008-2010, to suddenly throwing his fastball from 95-96 mph. Fueled by anger?

Sox: We're not Competing on Tex

Whether he's to be believed or not, Red Sox CEO John Henry said that if it comes down to money, his team will not be able to compete for free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira. After meeting with Teixeira and his agent Scott Boras last night, Henry said, "We met with Mr. Teixeira and were very much impressed with him. After hearing about his other offers, however, it seems clear that we are not going to be a factor."

Of course you can't believe everything you hear/say, especially from a team owner. The Angels, Nationals, and Orioles are all ready to pony up big money, so don't feel too bad for Tex if the Sox don't come through.

Sox: We're not Competing on Tex

Whether he's to be believed or not, Red Sox CEO John Henry said that if it comes down to money, his team will not be able to compete for free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira. After meeting with Teixeira and his agent Scott Boras last night, Henry said, "We met with Mr. Teixeira and were very much impressed with him. After hearing about his other offers, however, it seems clear that we are not going to be a factor."

Of course you can't believe everything you hear/say, especially from a team owner. The Angels, Nationals, and Orioles are all ready to pony up big money, so don't feel too bad for Tex if the Sox don't come through.

Manny Being...an Ex-Red Sox?

The Boston Red Sox have put up with a lot of Manny Ramirez being himself over the years, but no matter how many home runs he hits or how many runs he drives in, his latest exploits may drive him right out of Boston.

Last month Man-child shoved travelling secretary Jack McCormick to the ground in a dispute over tickets. There was the in-dugout dispute with Kevin Youkilis and now Manny has taken a shot at the Red Sox ownership over contract negotiations. The Red Sox hold $20 million options on Ramirez for 2009 and 2010, but they prefer to sign their professional hitter to a new deal and forget about those high priced options. Apparently Manny has not liked the way things have gone so far and let the Boston Herald know it.

"I want no more [expletive] where they tell you one thing and behind your back they do another thing," Ramirez told the newspaper in regards to his future contract status. "I think I've earned that respect, for a team to sit down with me and tell me this is what we want, this is what we want to do."

Owner John Henry is not amused.

"I find remarks that we have been anything other than completely straightforward to be personally offensive," Henry said. "Manny has been a crucial part of two world championships. I do not believe we would have won either without him. He has never played a more important role than he has thus far this year."

What's the old saying? "Don't shit where you eat". Someone should tell Manny.

Manny Being...an Ex-Red Sox?

The Boston Red Sox have put up with a lot of Manny Ramirez being himself over the years, but no matter how many home runs he hits or how many runs he drives in, his latest exploits may drive him right out of Boston.

Last month Man-child shoved travelling secretary Jack McCormick to the ground in a dispute over tickets. There was the in-dugout dispute with Kevin Youkilis and now Manny has taken a shot at the Red Sox ownership over contract negotiations. The Red Sox hold $20 million options on Ramirez for 2009 and 2010, but they prefer to sign their professional hitter to a new deal and forget about those high priced options. Apparently Manny has not liked the way things have gone so far and let the Boston Herald know it.

"I want no more [expletive] where they tell you one thing and behind your back they do another thing," Ramirez told the newspaper in regards to his future contract status. "I think I've earned that respect, for a team to sit down with me and tell me this is what we want, this is what we want to do."

Owner John Henry is not amused.

"I find remarks that we have been anything other than completely straightforward to be personally offensive," Henry said. "Manny has been a crucial part of two world championships. I do not believe we would have won either without him. He has never played a more important role than he has thus far this year."

What's the old saying? "Don't shit where you eat". Someone should tell Manny.

Catching Up

So here's some of what what went on since last Thursday, which we probably slept through at the time.

Don't speak out of line, punk

Hank Steinbrenner and John Henry had their little goofy slap fight last week, which for the most part was in good fun. Then one of the Red Sox resident goons (we don't mean like hockey goon, but have you seen this guy's face?), Jon Papelbon had to open his big mouth.

I don't know if he's trying to stir things up or not. I sure as hell don't care, because he sure as hell hasn't stepped foot on a baseball field. He needs to just stick to pencil-pushing, I guess."

Well Hank couldn't let the little pissant off without a shot back of course (can you tell yet how much we don't like Papelbon?)

"Being insulted by Papelbon is like being attacked by a mouse."

"John Henry and I traded a couple of jabs good-naturedly," Steinbrenner told the Post. "So now, all of a sudden, this player, this 20-something kid who really doesn't know his way in the world, comes out with a personal insult. There's no excuse for that.

"It was nothing personal against John [Henry], nothing personal against Larry [Lucchino], nothing personal against [Terry] Francona, nothing personal against the team or the fans. It was just a general comment that is the truth. I respect the Red Sox and their fans, but the Yankees are the most popular team in American sports. Ask Jerry Jones in Dallas, he'll tell you that. That's why they want to do business with us. So it's just a fact."

Okay, maybe not Hank's best work, but not bad. Papelbon tried to let it go, but couldn't resist.

"Whatever, dude," Papelbon said. "Obviously by that comment he's trying to start something. I'm not gonna get into it back and forth. I mean, I said that because I honestly believe it. People nowadays, whether it be reporters, ESPN analysts, guys that don't play the game, don't understand what it's about. What the grind is about, what the clubhouse is like.

"I don't know why he would take it that way. I'm saying, guys that have never been on the field don't have the right to speak their mind about things that they don't know about. I'm not insulted by what he said."

Whatever, dude.

By the way, that's just about the exact face Yogi made when he grumbled at us at his museum. He really did.

Source: Hartford Courant

Catching Up

So here's some of what what went on since last Thursday, which we probably slept through at the time.

Don't speak out of line, punk

Hank Steinbrenner and John Henry had their little goofy slap fight last week, which for the most part was in good fun. Then one of the Red Sox resident goons (we don't mean like hockey goon, but have you seen this guy's face?), Jon Papelbon had to open his big mouth.

I don't know if he's trying to stir things up or not. I sure as hell don't care, because he sure as hell hasn't stepped foot on a baseball field. He needs to just stick to pencil-pushing, I guess."

Well Hank couldn't let the little pissant off without a shot back of course (can you tell yet how much we don't like Papelbon?)

"Being insulted by Papelbon is like being attacked by a mouse."

"John Henry and I traded a couple of jabs good-naturedly," Steinbrenner told the Post. "So now, all of a sudden, this player, this 20-something kid who really doesn't know his way in the world, comes out with a personal insult. There's no excuse for that.

"It was nothing personal against John [Henry], nothing personal against Larry [Lucchino], nothing personal against [Terry] Francona, nothing personal against the team or the fans. It was just a general comment that is the truth. I respect the Red Sox and their fans, but the Yankees are the most popular team in American sports. Ask Jerry Jones in Dallas, he'll tell you that. That's why they want to do business with us. So it's just a fact."

Okay, maybe not Hank's best work, but not bad. Papelbon tried to let it go, but couldn't resist.

"Whatever, dude," Papelbon said. "Obviously by that comment he's trying to start something. I'm not gonna get into it back and forth. I mean, I said that because I honestly believe it. People nowadays, whether it be reporters, ESPN analysts, guys that don't play the game, don't understand what it's about. What the grind is about, what the clubhouse is like.

"I don't know why he would take it that way. I'm saying, guys that have never been on the field don't have the right to speak their mind about things that they don't know about. I'm not insulted by what he said."

Whatever, dude.

By the way, that's just about the exact face Yogi made when he grumbled at us at his museum. He really did.

Source: Hartford Courant

One Nation, not Under Red Sox

Hank Steinbrenner backed off his statements that were released the other day concerning Red Sox Nation. Hammerin' Hank said the whole thing was in good fun (we chose to believe it wasn't and wish he had stuck to his guns) concerning both ESPN and the Red Sox. We all know how the Peter Gammons led influence most certainly did build up the 3rd world power.

Sox owner John Henry, played the whole thing off humorously, voluntarily signing up the Jr. Boss as an official card carrying member of said nation. (We still haven't gotten over the MLB conspiracy that lead to Henry owning the Red Sox and the league running the Expos/Nationals). Hank respectfully declined Henry's invitation (you let us down Hank; should have told him to stick it) and told of the Steinbrenner's respect and admiration for their fellow owner. (Damn you all to Hell!)

"John used to be an owner of the Yankees and he's a great guy. My dad always loved the guy. I love him. Hal loves him. And he's done a tremendous job with the Red Sox. My only point was simple and that is that the Yankees brand is the biggest in the country. And everybody knows that. Obviously it's Yankees Nation. That's not meant as a cut to the Red Sox. In truth. I'm just not saying that to be nice - but John Henry has done an unbelievable job with the Red Sox brand.

Hank then hinted that the ownership of the two teams could be doing a business deal down the road. SAY WHAT? The new boss wouldn't specify what the business venture would be, but did rule out a super TV network (The "Empire" Network").

"Every Red Sox fan is and Yankee fan is. I can tell you this, we've got a lot in common, too. The Yankees ownership and Red Sox ownership have a lot in common and have a lot of common interests. God, I hate to scare Red Sox or Yankee fans, but you never know we might end up being partners in the future outside of baseball. We have a lot in common. We have a lot in common. In baseball and outside of baseball. Even though the rivalry will always be the greatest rivalry in American sports, you can say that the Yankees and Red sox ownerships are definitely friends. No question."

Just when we were totally feeling queasy, Hank brought us back to life like a glass of cool water.

Steinbrenner reiterated, "I'm not gonna join Red Sox Nation - honorary or not. I'll respond to that later. Trust me, I'm never gonna join Red Sox Nation."

That's more like it!

One Nation, not Under Red Sox

Hank Steinbrenner backed off his statements that were released the other day concerning Red Sox Nation. Hammerin' Hank said the whole thing was in good fun (we chose to believe it wasn't and wish he had stuck to his guns) concerning both ESPN and the Red Sox. We all know how the Peter Gammons led influence most certainly did build up the 3rd world power.

Sox owner John Henry, played the whole thing off humorously, voluntarily signing up the Jr. Boss as an official card carrying member of said nation. (We still haven't gotten over the MLB conspiracy that lead to Henry owning the Red Sox and the league running the Expos/Nationals). Hank respectfully declined Henry's invitation (you let us down Hank; should have told him to stick it) and told of the Steinbrenner's respect and admiration for their fellow owner. (Damn you all to Hell!)

"John used to be an owner of the Yankees and he's a great guy. My dad always loved the guy. I love him. Hal loves him. And he's done a tremendous job with the Red Sox. My only point was simple and that is that the Yankees brand is the biggest in the country. And everybody knows that. Obviously it's Yankees Nation. That's not meant as a cut to the Red Sox. In truth. I'm just not saying that to be nice - but John Henry has done an unbelievable job with the Red Sox brand.

Hank then hinted that the ownership of the two teams could be doing a business deal down the road. SAY WHAT? The new boss wouldn't specify what the business venture would be, but did rule out a super TV network (The "Empire" Network").

"Every Red Sox fan is and Yankee fan is. I can tell you this, we've got a lot in common, too. The Yankees ownership and Red Sox ownership have a lot in common and have a lot of common interests. God, I hate to scare Red Sox or Yankee fans, but you never know we might end up being partners in the future outside of baseball. We have a lot in common. We have a lot in common. In baseball and outside of baseball. Even though the rivalry will always be the greatest rivalry in American sports, you can say that the Yankees and Red sox ownerships are definitely friends. No question."

Just when we were totally feeling queasy, Hank brought us back to life like a glass of cool water.

Steinbrenner reiterated, "I'm not gonna join Red Sox Nation - honorary or not. I'll respond to that later. Trust me, I'm never gonna join Red Sox Nation."

That's more like it!