Talkin Baseball: The Hot Corner 4-12-11

Here is last nights Talkin Baseball episode. We had three callers, all three wanted to talk Yankees. But other then that we talked aboutb the Yankees bullpen, starting rotation issues, Derek Jeter and his slump on the bomber side of things. We also talked Manny Ramirez, Mets bullpen issues and much more so take a listen for yourself.

Note: Their is no Frank Catalonotto interview in this episode, but the interview can be heard here.



If you would like to listen live and call up and discuss anything feel free. We broadcast live every Tuesday night from 7-9pm EST on WCWPSports.org. so call us up 516-299-2790.

Rays get Manny and Damon, Blue Jay dump Wells. What move effects the bombers more?

Manny: Its OK Johnny we will be teammates
 again in 2011

It wasn't long ago that Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon were causing destruction at Yankee Stadium, actually it may have been longer then I have realized. It will have been 6 years since Damon and Manny were Red Sox teammates, that ended when Damon jumped to the right side of the rivalry and became a Yankee. But the pair of 2004 World Champions, will be reunited this season with the Tampa Bay Rays. Damon was able to squeeze $5.25 Million from the Rays while Manny will take just $2 million, a far cry from his $18+ Million salary last season.

While the Rays were adding offense in Damon and Manny, the Blue Jays were trading away 31 home runs and 88 RBI's. At first though I was surprised at how the Jays would want to trade away that offense, especially since trading Shaun Marcum arguably there second best pitcher has hurt the rotation. But when you look at the fact that the Jays were able to receive Mike Napoli and Juan Rivera in return and didn't have to pay a penny of the $86 million remaining of Wells deal. This is a move that may not come to hurt the Yankees at the moment, in fact it may help the Yankees since losing Wells is a big hit to the Jays offense, but this deal will be freeing up alot of cash for the Jays. Juan Rivera will be in the final season of his contract, so his numbers come of the books after the year, and Mike Napoli fits the need at catcher. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Jays add a big free agent next winter.

So long Jorge, sorry for hitting .307/28/104 against you
guys, over the course of my career (161 games against).

Ramirez and Damon only had a combined 18 home runs and 93 RBI last season, a decent number for a single player, but not two combined. The Rays are looking for offense, having lost Carlos Pena and Carl Crawford this off season (along with practically the entire bullpen). Manny and Damon will help the Rays on offense but both are over 37 years old  and a shell of what they use to be. Also take into account the fact that neither can play defense anymore, makes them a pair of DH's or liabilities in the field. So while the Rays newest members may be Yankee killers in the past, the move doesn't really hurt the Yankees, since facing Damon/Ramirez in 2011 is better then facing Crawford/Pena in 2011. On the other hand the Jays trading away Vernon Wells weakens them in the short run, but may hurt the entire AL East in the long run, as their pitchers begin to mature they will have lots of $ to spend during free agency to improve the team.