Junk

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Wed Jan 26, 2011 5:03 am

I thought the Yankees were having a bad off season. No, not just bad, 2010 AJ Burnett Bad. And they are, but, now they have been out-AJ'ed.

The angels traded for Vernon Wells alnog with 80 million dollars worth of contract. In exchange, they rid themselves of perennial Sciosia doghouse inmates, Mike Napoli and Juan Rivera.

Toronto is on the back side of binging and purging. They've thrown up two contracts, in Rios and Wells, that most said would be impossible to rid. Accolades for Blue Jay Management.

Wells is an ok center fielder and a good hitter, but, his contract is similar to us buying a McRib for $500. The Blue Jays found that one customer in a million that would pay that much for the McRib. Unlike the meat in the McRib itself, the Angels know what they're getting.

Wells is also a 'Cadillacer'. He does the least with the most. Maybe it's his contract. Or his nature. But, whatever it is, it makes him less of a complete player.

After the Angels lost out on what was sure to be a sure thing in signing Adrian Beltre and even seeing him signed by a divisional rival, the Wells move looks like an act of desperation.

Sciosia, most likely, embraces the move. Napoli has always been a headache for him. He despised both his work ethic and willingness to improve his defense. But, he can hit for power. And power is sorely missing in Anaheim.

Rivera was a slug, a base clogger, something else that is merely tolerated by Sciosia.

In fact, for Sciosia, it's a win-win, losing both Napoli and Rivera, and gaining some speed and lineup versatility in Wells. But, for Angels Management, it's a lose-lose. They've lost their leading home run hitter and take on 80 million dollars of cadillac over the next four years.

Before thinking of signing a player like Adrian Beltre for the next four years, the Angels will look at Wells contract, and politely bow out.

Six feet under earth somewhere, PT Barnum just chuckled.

Enjoy that McRib, Angels.

And take solace.

At least you beat the Yankees, at something.

[ January 26, 2011, 11:33 AM: Message edited by: DOUGHBOYS ]

Raskol · Post by **Raskol** » Wed Jan 26, 2011 5:30 am

Thanks for breathing some life into these boards, Dan. It's been quieter than a....well, not sure where I was going with that.

Harry Truman famously said "never kick a turd on a hot day" and that's exactly what Toronto has done this off season. In the midst of a brutally cold winter, they've shed Vernon "Turd" Wells and sent him packing to warmer parts of the world. Now Mike Scioscia can deal with him. And it's never cold in Anaheim, so good luck kicking that one Mike.

I'm still not sold on the Marcum trade, but in all other aspects Toronto has had a masterful off season. Their bullpen is much stronger and they have the parts offensively to compete in a very tough division. It will all boil down to pitching of course but at least they don't have AJ Burnett on their team. He alone might give Bautista another shot at 50 HRs next year.

LONG GONE · Post by **LONG GONE** » Wed Jan 26, 2011 9:29 am

The Blue Jays bullpen will be up for sale come the August 1 trade deadline. It will be more desirable then ants attacking a half eaten ham sandwich left on a park bench.

Winston's Empire · Post by **Winston's Empire** » Wed Jan 26, 2011 5:19 pm

Good Stuff Dough! The McRib

The boards have been quite, this was a funny and true read.