The State of Sports Nov. 22nd

-Baseball

-The Josh Beckett Trade: winners and loosers
The trade that hasnt gone through yet and might not go through because of money issues or failed physicals. Fact is, I wish to mention who really hit the jackpot, and who failed to collect. I think its important because I really like this trade, and its important for some, not important for others.

Big Winner- Florida
-They got Anibal Sanchez, Hanley Ramirez and a pitcher to be named later and got a whole lot of trouble off their hands. Beckett has a one year contract for 2.4 million dollars. The Marlins are moving him right now, so they dont have to pay him any more money and worry about arbitration. This is a great move for them, meaning they can use the money elsewhere in their payroll. As for Mike Lowell, they got rid of a 18 million dollar hole in the pocket. Yes, they will have to have to absorb some of the salary. But, they got rid of a hole that would drive them nuts if he had a bad 2006 season. Plus they got a possible proven prospect they can work with in Hanley Ramirez, and Anibal Sanchez who is going to post numbers in AA next year. According to Gordan Edes, Hanley will get the opportunity to maybe start within the next year, with Alex Gonzalez as a free agent.

Winner- Boston
-They finally traded their top prospect, and Sanchez who I think they were planning on trading anyway, its just they needed the right opportunity. Gammons makes the point that with Papelbon and Lester, and Beckett, this could be a good move 4-5-6 years down the road.
-Mike Lowell fills a gap where the best free agent on the market was Bill Mueller. They really needed to trade for a third baseman if they didnt want to sign a first baseman, and move Youklis over. Lowell is a question mark with the bat, but should pick up slack in range that Renteria has lost. This should be a welcome addition to the Red Sox, who filled third base, power hitting threat (threat is the key word), and glove on the corner gaps that needed to be adressed. even before any free agents have been signed.
-With Josh Beckett, they got a little younger with the pitching staff, which is really a future concern, and they can sign him long term and make him happy. I dont think he was going to be happier making 3 million, with his kind of arm, for a management that ran Burnett (who was in the last year of his contract, last year) out of town.
-Youlkis will play first base. That is a guarentee, Gammons mentioned it in his Nov 21st. column.

Looser- Texas
-They could have traded away Blalock and their top pitching prospects leftie John Danks or righty Thomas Diamond. The Marlins would have replaced their third baseman right away, and would have gotten a bargain. Blalock is owed 3 million next year, 4.75 million in '07, and 5.95 million in '08. For the age (25) and his average numbers for the last three years have been a .280 avg, with 29 HR's, and 97 RBI's. This is one of the best bargains in baseball. But the Marlins were thinking of moving Miguel Cabrera over to third base (according to Buster Olney), where I think its a much better position, than in the outfield. The pitching prospects, just weren't enough to convince the Marlins either I guess. Although the names mentioned by the press, they both were the teams #1 draft picks in the 2003 and 2004 drafts.
-Fact is the biggest negative for the Rangers, is they miss out on yet another young pitcher which they so desperatley need. And they miss out on a some defense in the middle infield, offense to have one of the best infields in the majors, and more money to add to their payroll. The Rangers would have gotten screwed paying thru the nose with Lowells contract, and Beckett's future price tag.

Big Looser- Yankees
-I dont see thier pitching staff getting younger. Its a moot point, but they lost out because now they have to go after a good pitcher, which they need for their pretty mediocre starting pitching rotation. Their division rivals now potentially have someone who can matchup well with whatever 3-5 starter is thrown at him. Beckett potentially is a #2 starter that is a power pitching right handed pitcher. Yes, hes transfering leagues, hes young (25), and unproven in the DH hitting American League. Another big red flag with Beckett, is that hes never started 30 games in one season, because of injuries. My argument for this one is hes young and given some time, should pay out dividends for the Sox in the next couple of years.
-This is bad for the Yankees, because it too will force them to sign someone to fill a desperate gap that is the top priority, after adressing the center field concern.