New York Mets: 20 What If's The Mets Need to Happen in 2012

The 20 What If's The Mets Need to Occur in 2012 for a Playoff Berth

By: Marvin Gutierrez

The chances of winning the Lottery in New York are about 45,000,000 to 1. The chances of getting struck by lighting are about a 1,000,000 to 1. The chances the Mets have of winning the N.L East or making the playoffs as a wildcard fall somewhere in between those two. Not really, but Vegas does have the Mets as quite a long shot at 100 to 1. I thought it would be higher but I guess the Mets aren't worse than the Houston Astros.

So Mets fans keep your heads up, these are 20 things that need to happen for your favorite team to play baseball in October:

1. The Wilpons need to go back in time and fire Bernie Madoff.
2. Request Johan Santana see the same doctor Bartolo Colon went to.
3. Jason Bay's contract to stop reminding you of the horrible contracts the Mets dished out to Mo Vaughn and Roberto Alomar.
4. Change the team colors to black and yellow so Jason Bay thinks he's still in Pittsburgh.
5. Hope that Ruben Tejada will put up Jose Reyes' worst stats.
6. Pray David Wright can get the ball out of the infield.
7. Wish that David Wright didn't lose his swing at that home run derby in Pittsburgh (that excuse worked for Bobby Abreu remember?
8. Hope that lowering the walls and bringing them in doesn't make R.A Dickey's ERA climb 5,895 meters.
9. Imagine R.A came back from Mt. Kilamonjaro with super powers.
10. Wish that Ike Davis takes the vacant title of "Best Jewish Player Alive" left vacant due to Ryan Braun's steroid suspension.
11. Hope Lucas Duda doesn't just have a cool name.
12. Believe Andres Torres can bring the SF Giants version of "torture" instead of the torture they're going through in Queens.
13. Have Ramon Ramirez grow a long beard. He'll be the Dominican Brian Wilson. 
14. Wish Jose Reyes' hamstrings pops while running down South Beach.
15. Pray Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee develop a rift over who's the real ACE of the Phillies' staff.
16. Have wishful thoughts that Bryce Harper holds out for a record 10 year, 300 million dollar deal.
17. Place Carlos Zambrano in a scenario where he pops a blood vessel arguing with teammates over what jersey they should wear.
18. Beg the Braves to return to Milwaukee.
19. Only wear the pinstripe uniforms. They work for the other New York team.
20. Hope, wish, pray, beseech, appeal, request a million times that the Wilpons sell the franchise.

NBA Trade Rumors: Amar'e to Philly, Dwight to NY

The Orlando Magic said they're willing to trade Dwight Howard in return for some valuable pieces.  The Philadelphia 76ers have contacted New York about acquiring Amar'e Stoudemire.  New York desperately needs to puzzle together pieces for a championship team.  Do you smell what the general managers could be cooking?

The Magic obviously do not want to lose Superman to free agency, so they are looking for the best options that could give them a chance to still compete this season.  The Sixers would like to add a superstar veteran to their lineup of youngsters.  The Knicks would like someone to compliment Carmelo Anthony (they won't trade the forward because of all the assets they gave up for him). So, could the teams come to an agreement in a three way deal.  It is possible, but HIGHLY unlikely.

Orlando would gain Tyson Chandler from NY to replace the defensive toughness that Dwight brought the Magic.  Although Chandler is not Howard, he is a very good center and gives the Magic an identity in the paint.  From the Sixers, Orlando would take Evan Turner. The guard is coming off the bench for Philly and is averaging 10 points per game.  He is not a star yet, but he does have potential. Perhaps Toney Douglas would mesh in Van Gundy's system.  He is a shooter, and that is what the Magic prides themselves on, behind Howard.

Philadelphia would gain a totally new identity, which could be a bad thing considering what they have accomplished thus far this season.  They would gain the superstar they covet in Amar'e Stoudemire.  He would provide veteran leadership and be the voice of Philly.  Landry Fields would have a fresh start here in Sixer nation.  Ever since the Melo trade, Fields just has not been himself.  Philly would then gain draft picks from both New York and Orlando.

Finally, the Knicks would have Dwight Howard providing the defensive prowess they've been looking for.  In Howard, they would also get a superstar that doesn't need the ball to have an impact on the game. With Howard and Melo in NY, it opens up the opportunities of filling the roster up with role players next season.

I am a Knicks fan, and I will be the first to say this proposal is a LONG shot. Orlando would be better off shopping Dwight to New Jersey and forcing them to include a third team that would benefit them.  For Philly to want to disturb their chemistry is beyond me, but be on the lookout for all three of these teams to shop before the March 15th trade deadline.

New York Yankees: Who Will DH in Pinstripes?

The Yankees have accomplished the goal they set during the offseason—with the signing of Hiroki Kuroda and the acquisition of Michael Pineda—of building a quality starting rotation.  Now, New York has their eyes on adding a bat to the lineup, similar to the one they lost in trading away Jesus Montero.

The question I am going to pose here is which former Yankee would you rather see in pinstripes in 2012? Rumors circulated that general Brian Cashman could try to bring back either Johnny Damon or Hideki Matsui, if they price is right.

Johnny Damon was a fan favorite from the moment he stepped into Yankee Stadium.  Leaving the Red Sox made it that much sweeter for the fans.  In Damon's four years in pinstripes, he appeared in 576 games, where he had 636 hits. Out of those 636 hits, 77 of them were home runs.  The lefty also managed to drive in 296 runs.

While with Tampa last year, Damon hit .261.  Although that's not the greatest average, you can assume in Yankee Stadium that average would go up.  If Damon does not let hit pride come in the way, he could be a great fit to the Yankee lineup, and if he has a solid year, it would make sense to bring him back for another year so he could achieve the 3,000 hits mile stone in a Yankee uniform.

Bringing back the 2009 World Series MVP would be certainly touch a soft spot in the hearts of Yankee fans.  Hideki Matsui spent seven years with New York.  In a Yankee uniform, Matsui had a .292 batting average, and he hammered 140 home runs.  He suffered from an injured wrist, and the Yankees' office believed he would never be the same.

Financially, Matsui could come to New York for a bargain contract.  Last year with Oakland, Matsui batted .251 and only hit 12 home runs.  In the DH spot that he was so comfortable in during that 2009 championship run, Matsui would fill the stadium with the Godzilla fan posters, and push the Yankees to World Series win No. 28.

With that being said, who would you want to bring back to the Bronx lineup?  Would you prefer to have the former Johnny Damon, who demanded more money from New York and left unsatisfied? Would you prefer the player formally known as "Godzilla?" Would you take a different route, and explore other option?  Rumors said that Brian Cashman has contacted Raul Ibanez about filling the role.  As fans, we need answers, and we want them now!

Will New Jersey Form a "Big Three?"

      In case you haven't noticed, the current trend in the NBA is having a plethora of superstars play on the same team; they like to be referred to as "a big three."  Boston started the trend when they brought in Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to team with Paul Pierce, and when they won an NBA championship, everyone's goal was to imitate them.  Miami formed their trio of superstars when LeBron James and Chris Bosh took their talents to Dwayne Wade's patio, and Amar'e Stoudemire put the plan in motion for the New York Knicks, especially when Chris Paul made the infamous toast heard round the world at Carmelo Anthony's wedding. While Knicks' fans still wait for their triple threat to form, their could be another team lurking in the free agency aisles—the New Jersey Nets.
     New Jersey landed their first piece to the puzzle when Deron Williams arrived from Utah right before last season's trade deadline.  Then, during the lockout, Dwight Howard stated that he wanted to play with Williams, and so he demanded a trade to New Jersey.  If Howard lands in Newark before season's end, or if he arrives in Brooklyn next season, it should not be hard to lure a third superstar to the limelight.  Well, rumors flew around a month ago that one superstar prefers to stay where he is at, but if he was shipped he'd like to go to the Nets.

     Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports said that teams were contacting the Atlanta Hawks about the services about Josh Smith.  In the report Wojnarowski continued, saying, "Smith hasn't requested a trade, but has privately told league friends that the Boston Celtics, New Jersey Nets, Houston Rockets, and Orlando Magic are his preferred destinations should the Hawks decide to move him." This was huge, especially for the Nets, who have not been relevant in years.
     A triptych of Deron Williams, Dwight Howard, and Josh Smith would be a highly effective group of players.  You have the top big man paired with a top tier point guard, and you mix in a superstar of Smith's caliber and you might have a recipe unlike Boston, success for years to come.
     There are two main obstacles preventing the Nets from providing Deron with a superstar partner.  Smith is signed through the 2013 season and after trying to attain public enemy number one (Dwight Howard), New Jersey will probably lack the assets necessary to make a trade for the forward.  If somehow, the Nets manage to keep Marshon Brooks, they could use him as trade bait with the Hawks.
     Certainly the idea is very entertaining for both the fans and front office, but getting the right deals done is the problem.  We all know that New Jersey's priority is signing Superman, but after that the sky is the limit.

MLB Offseason 2012: American League Contenders

The AL Landscape Just Got a Bit Crowded; Thanks Prince.

By: Marvin Gutierrez

This has been quite an offseason for the contenders in the American League. From both teams out West, to the Old Rivals playing coy and waiting things out, now come the guys from Mo-Town making a splash on an already crowded scene in the Junior Circuit. Every team this offseason in the American League has gotten better, and a full-fledged World Series race is brewing. Who would've known that the battle between these teams wouldn't end the last day of the season on the diamond. Instead, it has carried out into January, and with a little less than a month till Spring Training, fans can't wait.  

The Rangers, Angels, Yankees, Rays, Red Sox and Tigers are the top dogs in the American League with the best chances to get to a World Series. Sorry O's, Jays, A's, M's, Royals, Twinkies, White Sox, and Indians fans but we all know who will be there fighting at the end of September to get into the postseason. Not to mention, if that second wild card team comes into play this year, there will be possibly two great teams heading home early. It's looking like we may be in for consecutive memorable finales to the regular season, but before getting ahead of ourselves, lets review these six contenders and their offseason moves. 

Texas Rangers: 

     The defending American League champions may have lost a starter in C.J. Wilson, but they gained one in Yu Darvish. Along with this acquisition, they will move their star closer Neftali Feliz to the starting rotation to go along with Word Series star Derek Holland, Colby Lewis, and Matt Harrison. They signed closer Joe Nathan to an already loaded pen. Last but not least, Texas has the same offensive core in tact that has taken them to consecutive World Series. 

     Sure, the loss of Wilson will hurt the Rangers—he put up solid numbers in a great hitters' ball park, and he handled the No. 1 spot in the rotation well in his first season as an ace. Yet, the Texas Rangers should be fine because of the depth they have. They still have Alexi Ogando as a long man or if need be a starter, and they have a bullpen bolstered with Mike Adams and Koji Uehara to fill in if Joe Nathan proves to not be the answer at the back end. 

Along with their deep pitching staff, they may arguably have the best line up in the American League. Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, Mike Napoli and Adrian Beltre may be the best middle of the line up in the league, and the speed up top with Andrus and Kinsler proves that the Rangers certainly have plans to make it back to the top of the American League and finish off a job started in 2010. 

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: 

For the past couple of seasons, the Angels have been looking up at the Texas Rangers, and it's not something they're used to. Before the recent dominance of the Western division by the Rangers, the Angels had won 3 straight division titles, and made the playoffs six out of eight years going back to their 2002 championship season. Missing out on Adrian Beltre to the Rangers last offseason, and then having their often maligned catcher Mike Napoli get traded due to his offense-first mentality come back and put up a career year for those very same Texas Rangers has left a salty taste in the Angels' mouth. They also missed out on Carl Crawford after being the front runners for the outfielder and were left with nothing last offseason. 

Well this offseason, the Angels certainly made up for their previous failures in recent Decembers. General manager Jerry Dipoto pulled the steal of the decade by signing Albert Pujols as the supposed "mystery team" to a staggering $240 million  deal over ten years. Pujols, 32, will be in halo red till the age of 42, but what matters  most to the Angels is seasons one through five, where they look to bring in another World Series crown. Rumors around were that they were done after the Pujols deal, only to find out about a move that arguably may be even more important than the Pujols deal. The Angels swooped in and took away the ace of their biggest rival, giving C.J Wilson a five year, $77.5 million deal. With those two deals, the $330 million given out in the matter of a few hours put the Angels back in the driver's seat of the AL West. 

The Angels may have the best rotation outside of Philadelphia with Jared Weaver, Dan Haren, C.J Wilson and Ervin Santana. That rotation will be vital to compete against the offenses of the Rangers, Yankees and Tigers in a short playoff series, and may be what puts the Angels over the top aside from having the Machine in the line up. 

New York Yankees: 

The New York Yankees spent most of the offseason being an uncharacteristically frugal, thrifty, penny pinching bunch. Known for almost always being the top spenders during the offseason, the Yankees were keeping quiet claiming they just didn't like anyone out there and were heading into 2012 with the same team who was eliminated in the ALDS. Brian Cashman held onto to his prized possessions in the Minor Leagues and kept stating they were going into the season with Ivan Nova as their number two, and the "terrific threesome" of Burnett, Hughes, and Garcia would round out the rotation. That was until Brian Cashman worked his magic and traded the guy who was supposed to land New York Cliff Lee a couple of years ago. In return for Jesus Montero (the second coming of Miguel Cabrera to some) the Yankees got Michael Pineda. A 23-year-old pitcher who throws gas, and measures at 6'7. Not being quite done, to go along with his offensive line of C.C and Pineda as the 1-2 starters,  Cashman signed Hiroki Kuroda to a one year deal at a "bargain" $10 million dollars.  

There is a lot to like about the Yankees offseason moves. First of all they have a younger pitcher with a lot of upside and promise under team control for the next five years or so. This is great for the Yankees due to the crippling long term contracts they have on the team. Also adding Kuroda may prove to be a great deal. A pitcher who has pitched in the NL West in a pitcher's park may make Yankee fans a bit skeptical but he is durable having pitched over 180 innings in three of the last four years. He also doesn't come with the injury problems that say Roy Oswalt comes with, so there's no need to worry about injuries plaguing him in his one year stay. 

The Yankees weakness three weeks ago has become their strength. They have incredible pitching depth, and there can never be enough pitching. To go along with their deep pen, and their murderer's row of a line up, the Yankees are prepping for a deep run into October. Yankee fans wouldn't have it any other way. With that being said the Yankees still need a left handed hitter to platoon at DH, and come off the bench. Some are speaking of a reunion with Hideki Matsui, or Johnny Damon, but regardless of whether they make a move, they are still a great bet to make it back to the postseason for the 17th time in 18 years. 

Boston Red Sox: 

Red Sox Nation has been in full blown panic mode since the end of last season. After their monumental collapse to the Rays, and the fried chicken scandal, the Nation can't wait for 2012 to begin and 2011 to be far gone in the rearview. The problem with that is that the Red Sox haven't done enough to let the fans forget about last year. They have made small moves here and there, such as trading for Andrew Bailey by sending Josh Reddick to Oakland. They also traded Jed Lowrie for Mark Melancon and then traded Marco Scutaro and his $6 million contract to the Colorado Rockies for journeyman Clay Mortensen. The Scutaro trade seems to be a salary dump for the second richest franchise in baseball and supposably is to make room in the budget to sign Roy Oswalt. I like the Andrew Bailey trade, because they are moving Daniel Bard to the starting rotation, and he proved to be an all star caliber closer. Yet the trades of your starting shortstop and his back up, don't make much sense to me. Jed Lowrie had some pop in his bat, but if you're going to trade him it would make sense to keep Scutaro. Now going into the season, the Sox have a platoon of Mike Aviles and Nick Punto at short. That may prove to be a problem, but the rest of the starting lineup has plenty of talent that they should be able to move without a beat. Besides, Scutaro had a really good year last year and at 36 you would assume a bit of a drop off. With all that being said there are more question marks with the Bo-Sox then any other AL contender. They were favored to win it all last year, maybe with all the question marks this year they will flourish, who knows? 

Tampa Bay Rays: 

The defending American League Wild Card champs are always playing with house money. They come into this season with a young, cost effective team, still expecting to compete but if not they'll trade some parts and plug in the holes with their superb farm system. With that being said, they may have the best offense they've had in Tampa in a long time, maybe ever. First basemen Carlos Pena has signed a one year deal to return to Tampa. The economical Rays also signed Luke Scott to a one year deal with an option in 2013 to be their DH. The Rays now have a whole year of Desmond Jennings and some pop at the corner positions with Pena,  Evan Longoria, Jennings, and Matt Joyce.

As always the Rays have a young top of the line rotation. With David Price at the top and James Shields coming off a career year, the Rays are set up nicely with plenty of depth at the starting rotation. They have Rookie of the Year Jeremy Hellickson looking to continue off of an impression first season, Wade Davis, Jeff Niemann, and prized possession Matt Moore, who dazzled in the playoffs last year. Matt Moore could be the X-factor as they have the option of starting the year with him. He may be what puts them over the top this year in the three team race in the AL East.  

Detroit Tigers:

That finally brings up to the Detroit Tigers. The AL Central champs came off a great season with Justin Verlander winning the MVP and the Cy Young. They came into this offseason looking to spend some bucks, but basically having the same team in tact. With MVP candidate Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez headlining the offense, the Tigers looked prime to continue their dominance in the AL Central. Yet things took a grim turn when Victor Martinez tore his ACL and was declared out for the whole season. Before the injury, the Tigers were looking at making minor moves. Rumors were the team was interested in Roy Oswalt and Yoenis Cespedes, the highly touted Cuban defector who plans on playing in the Majors this year. The loss of Martinez left a huge hole in the Tigers line up; it left the possibility of maybe a sleeper team in the AL Central (Sorry Royals). That was until the Tigers shook the baseball world by signing Prince Fielder to the fourth highest contract in the history of baseball. A nine year $214 million deal is putting the hefty first basemen in the same uniform his daddy wore back in the 90's, and it's making Detroit a scary team with the best 1-2 punch we've seen since Manny and Papi back in '04. 

The Tigers may end up regretting that contract towards the end of the deal, but like the Angels with Pujols, they are really concentrating on years one through five looking to bring home a title with a stacked line up featuring Cabrera and Fielder in the middle. Of course this move makes the Tigers the huge favorites to win the Central but there are some issues with this move even now. Miguel Cabrera has said he plans on moving to 3rd base to make room for Prince. Cabrera last played third base when he was with the Florida Marlins. I don't think it's necessarily a good idea to have a guy who hasn't played third base in nearly five years return to that position, especially when he's about 80 pounds heavier—just ask the Boston Red Sox about that. Surely it will cost them some runs on the field, yet Detroit's just thinking that Prince's big bat will make up for that. 

It is definitely going to be a hell of a season. I personally can't wait for it. Having checked out of football season a couple weeks ago, April can't get here soon enough. With that being said, with all the surprises that have happened this offseason, there is still about a month left in it and there may be more to come. 

Article Written By Marvin Gutierrez

Superman Headed to Gotham? Magic Contact Knicks

     What if I told you there was a blockbuster trade on the table that could surpass the Carmelo Anthony trade last season?  Of course the trade would be headlined by Dwight Howard.  Where would he land you may ask? THE NEW YORK KNICKS!

     ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith says that the Magic front office has reached out to New York about a trade that would send Superman to the Knicks in exchange for Amar'e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler.
According to the website IamaGM.com, Smith told those listening:

The Orland Magic, I will preface my statement by telling you that they have categorically denied this, but my sources tell me that they have inquired about Tyson Chandler and Amar'e Stoudemire going to Orlando for Dwight Howard.

Those are words from a highly credible Stephen A. Smith. The man has been around for a while now, so I am sure he has developed relationships with numerous sources. Now can we trust that this particular source is credible?
     The trade does make sense for both teams, especially at the moment.  Orlando knows that the reward for trading Howard is much greater than the risk of losing him for nothing.  The Magic also know that New York may be desperate at the moment with their 6-10 record.  They are vulnerable and might take the chance at Dwight, even at the risks of Stoudemire and Chandler.
      Amar'e has been struggling lately, and it is clear that he isn't the player that the Knicks were committed to signing last season.  It is also very clear that he cannot coexist on a team with Carmelo Anthony, evidenced by the benching of one of the superstars so the other can get more touches.  Amar'e makes sense for Orlando because he is a superstar that will fill in the seats, especially in his hometown.
     The reports suggest that Magic owner Rich DeVos is nagging general manager Otis Smith to gain a valuable return.  A valuable return that can compete this year. At 85 years old, DeVos knows that the time is now for his Magic.  With an exchange of one big man for two, Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy would have the opportunity to utilize half court plays.
      Personally, I think Dwight Howard would be able to successfully coexist with Carmelo Anthony.  He is a scorer down low, where as Melo would be able to set and shoot, or even drive if he chooses.  Dwight Howard automatically brings in defense, arguably more than Chandler and Stoudemire combined.  Dwight does not need the ball to be successful, whereas Amar'e does.  Not only would you have to worry about Anthony's lethal shooting, but on the occasions that he misses you have Dwight under grabbing the offensive rebound and scoring.
     Looking further into the situation, if the Knicks would agree to this deal, cap space is available to bring in the point guard they so desperately need.  Can any of you say Deron Williams? I know I have my hopes up but imagine Deron running the pick and roll with Dwight in Madison Square Garden? A trio of Williams, Anthony, and Howard is looking REALLY GOOD to me.
     

Lawrence Tynes Boots 49ers in NFC Championship

     The Giants have done it again. They went into Green Bay last week and came out victorious. Today Eli led his troops into the rainy city of San Francisco and the end result was identical. Now New York will head to Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI where they will face the New England Patriots.
     Eli Manning put on another show for his supporters. He completed 32 of his 58 passes and managed to gain 316 yards through the air. Eli threw to two unlikely candidates for touchdowns: Mario Manningham and Bear Pascoe. Add in the threat of Victor Cruz and you have the recipe for the 49ers' downfall.

     Sloppy play during crucial moments ended the 49ers season. It was a Kyle Williams fumble that put the Giants in excellent position to end the game. Lawrence Tynes kicked a 31 yard field goal to give the Giants the win and send them to Lucas Oil Stadium. After the game Tynes had this to say,

"I had dreams about this last night. It was from 42, not 31, but I was so nervous today before the game just anticipating this kind of game. I'm usually pretty cool, but there was something about tonight where I knew I was going to have to make a kick. Hats off to Eli, offense, defense. Great win."

The NFC champion Giants will take on the AFC champion Patriots, an fans are expecting a great matchup similar to when the two teams met in 2008 for Super Bowl XLII. The Super Bowl will be played in two weeks, on February 5, 2012.

Deron Williams: Where Will He Play Next Season?

So Deron Williams has joined the A list celebrity squad, and has a list of preferred destinations for him to be shipped to.  Williams said that he would love to stay with the Nets, but if need be he'd like to go to the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, or New York Knicks.  Correct me if I am wrong, but wasn't the purpose of the lockout resolution to keep players from demanding where they should be traded?

First and foremost, Knicks's fans don't even think about it.  There is absolutely no way Williams ends up in a Knicks jersey.  New York does not possess the right assets to set up a trade, nor do they have the money to offer him a superstar contract.  They say nothing is impossible, so with that I'll explore one option.  You send either Amar'e Stoudemire or Carmelo Anthony over to Brooklyn for Deron Williams.  I don't see Melo being moved considering the time and effort that went into acquiring him, nor do I see Amar'e being moved because you need him to properly execute with a point guard.  In all honesty, the chances of Deron Williams calling MSG home is very unlikely.

With the Nets moving from New Jersey to Brooklyn next season, Deron Williams is the type of energetic player owner Mikhail Prokhorov needs to fill the seats.  If he doesn't execute a trade for Dwight Howard, I guarantee Deron Williams won't be playing at the Barclays Center.  A trade surrounding Brook Lopez shouldn't be hard to compose, considering the explosion of Marshon Brooks and Anthony Morrow. But such a deal would more than likely put the Nets in a similar situation as their cross town rivals, the Knicks.  Deron's future lays in the hands of Dwight Howard's outcome.

Dallas is the place I see Deron playing for next season if he becomes a free agent. Williams is a native of Texas, where he attended The Colony for high school. Positioned alongside Dirk Nowitzki, Deron Williams would thrive and easily average a double double. Since the Mavs do not have the pieces to pull a trade together, owner Mark Cuban can only hope that Williams hits the open market.  With many expiring contracts at the end of this season, Dallas can offer max contract money to the current Nets' superstar. 

And finally, we've come to the LA Lakers.  Although Kobe Bryant is aging, he still has gas left in his tank. If you don't think so watch any of te four games where he recently dropped 40+ points.  With help from Deron at the point, the Lakers might actually have something going for them.  Now that the triangle offense has been obliterated, the Lakers need someone to run the offense whose name isn't Kobe.  To pull a trade together, the Lakers would almost certainly have to shop around for a third team to be included.  The likely hood of that happening? Who knows whats possible after that whole Chris Paul attempt. 

It is certain that Deron Williams will be running someone's offense next season, and my only guarantee is that it won't be the Beşiktaş Milangaz. 

National League East: Pitching Aces Aren't Scarce Here

     We all know that the American League East is probably the most dominant and competitive division in all of Major League Baseball.  But this season, a lot of focus will be on the National League East.  With the Florida Marlins moving to Miami, and signing many big market names the spotlight has been on them. Lets factor in the starting rotation of the Philadelphia Phillies, and the Washington Nationals assembling a one-two punch of their own with Stephen Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez, and we just might not have a lopsided division leader in the NL East.

     The season concluded with the Phillies on top of their division, followed by the Atlanta Braves.  Finishing in third was the Nationals.  The bottom two spots were filled by the New York Mets and the Florida Marlins.  I have a strong feeling that this league has the potential of becoming similar battlefield to the American League.  Starting pitching is the key to success.  With an ace pitcher at the helm, you can feel relieved going into a game against a less competitive team.  So let's take a look at the projected aces of the National League East, and see which team has the best shot at playing in the playoffs, remembering that their is now two wildcard teams.
     The aces of the National League East are Roy Halladay, Tim Hudson, Gio Gonzalez, Johan Santana, and Mark Buehrle.  All of these pitchers have Cy Young type stuff, but they need the help of their team's at bats, and I feel like not all of them will get that help night after night.

• Roy Halladay: Last year he was a phenomenon.  Halladay went 19-6 with 2.35 ERA.  He struck out a career high 220 batters.  Simply put, Halladay was the man. 
• Tim Hudson: Hudson posted a 3.22 ERA in 215 innings pitched.  He led the Braves with a 16-10 record.  
• Gio Gonzalez: In Oakland, Gonzalez was sought out by many teams.  At 25 years old, he has the potential to blow up and save a Washington franchise.  He posted a 3.12 ERA and struck out 197 batters, but he also walked 91.  
• Johan Santana: Santana is coming back to the Mets after missing all of last season with an injured shoulder.  In 2010, he had a 2.98 ERA in 199 innings.  It will be interesting to see if Santana can return to his ace form.
• Mark Buehrle:  The free agent signed with the Miami Marlins after spending his 12 year career with the Chicago White Sox. The 32 year old managed to go 13-9 last year, and had a 3.59 ERA. He is not a strike out pitcher, so I wonder what will see see in the Miami ballpark.

The National League is shaping up and taking form. In fact, it almost looks like the American League in comparison to starting aces.  I understand that baseball is a team sport, but depending on how many times these guys get the ball, and if their performance is up to par, fans might get a race.  Each of these pitchers can be 15-20 win guys.  Will Philadelphia break 100 wins again? Can Atlanta muster up the runs to support their pitching? Will Washington finally show the world that they are a force to be reckoned with? Will the Mets be able to restore their franchise? Will Miami live up to the hype (we've heard that one before)? Pitchers and catchers report in a month.

New York Knicks: Is It Time For a Refund?

     I've read the surveys and I've seen that Kris Humphries is public enemy number one, but if you're a Knicks fan I think we have a new representative for that political party. Carmelo Anthony is beginning to irritate all those New Yorkers that thought, "Maybe, just maybe this is going to be our year." Aren't we a bit far from the truth there? 
     Since Melo dawned upon us in his No. 7 Knicks jersey, New York is 20-23 during the regular season. If that doesn't say enough about the Knicks' team, the Nuggets, after acquiring everything but Spike Lee last season, are 29-13. Does anybody else see the problem here? 

     Why is it that we have a person of superstar caliber, combined with another superstar in Amar'e Stoudemire, but can't compete night in and night out? That's right because all we have left is Spike Lee and Madison Square Garden. Our bench has depleted over the last year. You don't need a great bench to win games, just ask the Houston Rockets, but you need players that can score and play defense! So we give up defense in Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler, and Danilo Gallinari for another scorer in Anthony? Someone read the book on successful franchises wrong. 
     Now the Knicks are in a deep, dark hole that I'm not sure if they'll climb out of. We desperately need a point guard to run the pick and roll with Amar'e. Raymond Felton and Stat perfected this in their short time together. Wilson Chandler was a solid sixth man coming off the bench and filling a void. He could shoot or drive. Now our sixth man is Toney Douglas. Did Bernie Madoff hit the Knicks too? Finally, we had a forward in Danilo Gallinari that perfected perimeter shooting. Put all that together and we had a supportive cast, a team! 
      Although I am a Carmelo Anthony fan, it is frustrating watching the Knicks come home and still manage to get beaten. The Milwaukee Bucks didn't just beat the Knicks, they embarrassed them. How did they do it? With Brandon Jennings, a true point guard. The media coverage and social networking sites portray the Knicks as Carmelo's team, but let's not forget Amar'e made the jump with no guarantees for success, and he made it happen until Anthony joined prior to the trade deadline. It might be time for Stoudemire to step up and take control because at the rate New York is going, they are destined for doom. 
     Did Carmelo Anthony cost the Knicks too much? Well not necessarily. As I mentioned, we managed to keep Madison Square Garden, Spike Lee, and Mike D'Antoni (see my sarcasm here?). The latter part might be gone soon, especially if he can't get his team above .500. Not only did Melo cost too much, but he might cost D'Antoni his job.

New York Rangers Looking for Some '94 Magic

     The New York Rangers are letting it be known: they are the team to beat this season in the NHL. The team has 29 wins in 44 games played. In those 44 games, New York has a league leading 62 points. 

     There is no "i" in team, but there is an "i" in Lundqvist. The Rangers' goalie is having a spectacular season and he is a serious contender for the NHL MVP award. His goals against average is a 1.90, and he is the favorite for the Hart Trophy. In comparison to last season, Henrik Lundqvist is looking a lot more comfortable.
     Lundqvist has his fair share of help on the ice. The Rangers' defense is solid, and they are stopping opponents before they even cross center ice. Forwards Marian Gaborik, Ryan Callahan, and Brad Richards are all playing some of the best hockey of their careers. Gaborik is leading the team with 23 goals. The trio is leading New York into battle offensively and have not disappointed. 
     While we are just a few games passed the midway point, the Rangers are looking like a team skating their way to the Stanley Cup. The team has not won the cup since the 1994 season, and it would sure be nice to drape another banner at Madison Square Garden.

Mayor Bloomberg a Betting Man, Takes Giants

Mayor Bloomberg Counting On Giants

     New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg isn't going to Aqueduct Race Track to place his bet. He is engaged in a friendly bet with a cross-country "rival."  San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee has agreed that if the Giants win Sunday's NFC Championship Game, he will drape Giants' flags on a cable car for the day and send sourdough bread, the city's classic.  However, if the 49ers win, Mayor Bloomberg will rename 49th Street to "49ers Street", and he would send over a dozen bagels from Queens' Bagel Oasis.  
     Bloomberg stated, "After Sunday, Niners fans will be left with a taste as sour as their famous bread."  Mayor Lee replied with, "Giants will have to leave their hearts and their Super Bowl hopes in San Francisco."
    

O.J. Mayo, Nets Talk Heat Up; Win Against Warriors

     The New Jersey Nets seem to have found a recipe for success.  The recipe calls for 20 points from Deron Williams and another 20 from Marshon Brooks. The Nets are now 4-11 and all four wins have come when both players had 20 points. In last night's game, Deron Williams had a near triple double; he scored 24 points, 10 assists, and 8 rebounds.  Marshon Brooks added 22 points of his own, a career high.

     Breaking the losing streak was not as easy as it seemed, especially against an offense lead by Monta Ellis.  After losing in Los Angeles to the Clippers on Monday, New Jersey had an off day Tuesday that they desperately needed.  The day off seemed to charge the batteries of the Nets, especially the two guards.  Kris Humphries is adapting to being the number one hated athlete as well; he scored 18 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. Things may be coming together for the team destined to hit Brooklyn next season, but it will take time.  
      Lets not be fooled. The Nets still need help if they really want to be taken seriously. Somebody's been telling the management's plan.  According to SportsIllustrated.com, New Jersey offered the Memphis Grizzlies two possible trade scenarios that would land O.J. Mayo in Newark, New Jersey.  A straight up trade swapping Mayo for Nets' Anthony Marrow was one possibility.  The other was Nets' guard Jordan Farmar and a draft pick in exchange for Mayo, the 3rd overall pick in the 2008 draft.  Although the offense showed up last night, the Nets are still in need for a rugged, scoring, power forward, and with Mayo's role being reduced to a bench player, a deal could very well happen.


Golden State Warriors: 100
New Jersey Nets: 107
   

Nash a Possibility for D'Antoni, Knicks

     The Knicks need help at the point guard position.  Clearly a scoring one guard is not the key to a successful D'Antoni offense.  Evident in tonight's loss to the Phoenix Suns, the head coach is in need of a true point guard, someone like Steve Nash.  No coincidence here that Steve Nash would fit the Knicks' offense because its the same offense that D'Antoni ran in Phoenix four years ago.
     Well get back to New York's point guard necessities in a minute, but right now I wanna talk about the loss to Phoenix.  Iman Shumpert ran the offense, and he scored 20 points and dished out a mere two assists; however, defensively, Iman pressured the opposing ball handlers and managed to swipe four steals.  Landry Fields had a good game as well.  He had 17 points, six rebounds, and four assists.  Carmelo Anthony really was not a factor in this game.  He had 12 points and went 5-22 from the field.  That's not the Carmelo that New York traded for last season, so clearly something is bothering the forward.
     Overall, Phoenix was more prepared and played a full four quarters.  The Suns shot 46% from the field, and they held the Knicks to 37%. The Knicks three ball was not there at all today.  They made four shots, but took 15 total.  On the contrary, Phoenix was hot from beyond the arc; the team combined for 58% going 7-12. With this loss, the Knicks added another one to the left column, making them 6-8 for the season.

     The spotlight was on Phoenix's point guard, 37 year old Steve Nash.  Not only was he the Sun's top performer, but the rumor mill has Knicks' management targeting Nash to come to the Big Apple.  In last night's game at Madison Square Garden, Nash scored 26 points and 11 assists.  Imagine if Nash's permanent playing field was in New York? Sounds like a recipe for a title, and considering that Nash's age is getting to be a concern, a team where he does not have to be the leading scorer could very much be what the point guard needs to get that ring on his finger.  We already know that he can facilitate the ball well, especially with Amar'e running the pick and roll.  Throw in Melo's offensive abilities and Tyson Chandler's defensive demeanor, and you just might be hoisting the O'Brian trophy at the Garden.


Phoenix Suns: 91
New York Knicks: 88

DH Possibilities for the Bronx Bombers

     It seems like the rumors are just going to continue pouring in before the MLB preseason even begins.  With the Yankees' rotation and bullpen appearing to be in good shape for the 2012 season, Brian Cashman is still looking for a designated hitter that could come up big in tight situations.

     Option number one on the general manager's list is  free agent 1st basemen Carlos Pena.  The 33 year old lefty hammered 28 home runs for Chicago, and he drove in 80 runs.  Sounds like a potential threat, especially in Yankee Stadium.  It would be a match made in heaven, EXCEPT Pena had 161 strike outs in his 493 at bats.  With those numbers, the 1st basemen struck out 33% of the time he was up to bat.  He managed to pull a .225 batting average with the Chicago Cubs. Pena has gone on record to say that he still wants to play the field a little, but with Mark Teixeira, his fielding will be minimal. He would also have to take a significant pay cut because New York cannot come close to the $10 million he made last season.  If I was Carlos, I would do anything to be on a contending team with Yankee caliber.
     The second option the Yankees have spoken about is bringing back a familiar face.  Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reported that the Yankees have spoken to Johnny Damon.  When he was with New York, he was a fan favorite, similar to the way Nick Swisher is viewed right now.  During his four seasons with the Yankees, Damon batted .285 and hit 77 home runs. In his most recent year, he was mainly the Tampa Bay Rays DH.  Here, he batted .261 with an on base percentage of .326.  Remembering that this is a business, it might make sense to sign Damon.  He is 277 hits shy of 3,000, and we all know that Yankees enjoy seeing milestones achieved in pinstripes.  At 38 years old, Damon should come at a bargain price, and surely won't commend the $5 million he received last year.

     I am sure that this next option is the one Yankee fans are hoping happens.  Because Jorge Posada has not officially announced his retirement, Cashman has said that although it is unlikely, it is still possible to bring Posada back for one year.  New York is sure that no other MLB team will need Posada's services, and he could come at a cheap price.  After splurging on pitching, the Yankees have no more money for extreme spending and are trying to budget.  After an abysmal season last year, fans knew it would be Posada's last season in pinstripes.  He was 39 years old and his age was getting the best of him.  He hit a disappointing .235 in 387 plate appearances.  With Russell Martin claiming the starting catcher job, Posada was left to ride the pine.  He was not happy and management knew it, so it would probably take a miracle for him to return in 2012.

     The last option is a minor leaguer by the name of Jorge Vazquez.  With Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees, Vazquez has played mostly first base, but also played a bit of third base.  Last season, the 29 year old had 119 hits with a batting average of .262. He managed to get the ball out of the ball park 32 times while batting in 93 runners.  Giving him some at bats in the big leagues would give Vazquez the opportunity to prove that he is no fluke.  His power hitting cannot be compared to Jesus Montero, but he could fill the hole nicely.  The big deal here is he meets the Yankee criteria as a hitter, and a cheap option to keep the Steinbrenner's wallets full.
     With the four options I presented, which do you see the Yankees pursuing? Who will be the designated hitter of the Bronx? Time is running out, and Brian Cashman is well aware.

Giants Do The Unthinkable

     On Sunday night, the New York Giants came into Lambeau Field with a 9-7 regular season record.  They also proved that records do not matter because they came into Green Bay to play 60 minutes of football, and they did the unthinkable; they knocked out the 15-1, defending Super Bowl champion, Green Bay Packers.  Everyone counted the Giants out before the game even began, and quarterback Eli Manning used that to his advantage as he had a great game.
     Eli threw for 330 yards with 3 passing touchdowns.  You have to give credit to his offensive line as they gave him as much time as he needed to complete accurate passes.  One of those passes that deserves to be mentioned came as the 2nd quarter was coming to an end.  Eli threw a Hail Mary pass to Hakeem Nicks for a 37 yard touchdown to close the quarter.  It should also be mentioned that there was about three Packer defenders around him.
     The run game for New York really was not present.  Between Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw, the two combined for 85 yards.  However, a 24 yard run from Bradshaw set up play action opportunities for Eli and the Giants.
     Let's not forget to give credit to New York's defense.  They told ESPN reporters that their goal was to pressure Aaron Rodgers and not allow him to be comfortable, and that was evident from the time the Packers's offense took the field.  The Giants were able to sack Rodgers four times, two of those sacks came from defensive end Osi Umenyiora.  Deon Grant also was able to intercept Rodgers, which revealed just how uncomfortable the Packers' QB was.
     Rewinding back to 2007, Eli and the Giants did the same thing to a Packer offense lead by a familiar name, Brett Favre.  Now that Eli has eliminated Favre's successor, the Giant's are marching into San Francisco for the NFC championship.  They are just one win away from another Super Bowl appearance.  With a win against the 49ers, the Giants will be pitted against a Ray Lewis lead defense, or a Tom Brady lead offense.  Could it be Deja Blue all over again?

Phillies, Cubs Contact Yankees About Phil Hughes

     Just when we thought we've heard enough about the Yankees in 24 hours, rumors are pouring in like the dollars at Yankee Stadium. Several people are saying that two teams have contacted New York in regards to starting pitcher Phil Hughes. Both the Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs are interested in making a trade for the right hander. Although it is not clear what the two clubs are willing to give up for Hughes, we know that he won't come cheap. Hughes has a career ERA of 4.46. In a total of five seasons, he has pitched 443 innings and struck out 370 batters. It will be interesting to see which ball club wants the righty more, and who is willing to give in to the Yankees' desires. 

Yankees Rotation "Stacked"

     With the acquisitions of Michael Pineda and Huroki Kurdoa, the Yankees might have one of the best starting rotations in the American League.  On paper, the new look Yankees are a dream team.  However, fans must hope that injury does not plague the starters, and healthy arms will lead them to a World Series run.

     The Yankees have one of the top pitching aces in the history of baseball.  C.C. Sabathia is a work horse.  In his three seasons with the Yankees, he has thrown 705 innings, and he has won 59 games. His ERA with the team is a 3.18.  Sabathia has single handedly carried the team on his back, especially last season when pitching was a major issue.  With a supporting cast, C.C. can still dominate, but also know that he will have help in a seven game playoff series.
     The number two spot would probably belong to the newly acquired Michael Pineda.  At 22 years old, he has a lot of years ahead of him, and with a team like the Yankees, he can accomplish tons.  In his rookie season last year with the Mariners, Pineda went 9-10 with a 3.74 ERA. He had an impressive 173 strike outs in 171 innings pitched.  With a salary of $414,000, the righty is a bargain number two. He must prove that he can handle the pressure of being in pinstripes, but with run support from Robbie Cano and Mark Teixeira, that shouldn't be a problem if he remains healthy.
     One would have to assume that Huroki Kuroda would fill the number three hole in the rotation.  At 36 years old, Kuroda achieved a 3.07 ERA in 32 games.  Although he gives up about nine hits per nine innings, Kuroda has the stuff to punch out batters.  He has 523 strikeouts in his four seasons.  The only major concern is he has only pitched in the National League with the Dodgers, and we all know things are different in the AL.  Balls tend to fly out of the ballpark often, especially in Yankee Stadium, but if Kuroda can maintain his velocity, pinpoint his fastball, and follow up with his change up, the Yankees $10 million dollar man shouldn't disappoint.
     Ivan Nova is going from the number two to number four spot where he will not have the pressure of all of New York on his shoulders.  Last season, 24 year old Ivan Nova shined in pinstripes.  He was considered a rookie, and proved to be a sure candidate for Rookie of the Year.  Nova went 16-4 in 28 games.  His ERA was 3.70, and he was one of the top pitchers in getting ground ball outs. Given the past two seasons, we know that Nova is durable; it will be  to see just how high of a pinnacle he reaches in his sophomore season.
      This is where things begin to get entertaining.  There is one spot left in the rotation, and three possible candidates for that spot.  Freddy Garcia was signed during the offseason to a one year contract.  Last year he proved everybody wrong who counted him out.  With the Yankees, Garcia went 12-8 with a 3.62 ERA.  At 34 years old, nobody believed Freddy Garcia was worth given the opportunity.  He seized the moment with the Yankees and was their number three starter during the playoffs.  He has the veteran mentality, and with number three stuff pitching in the number five spot, he should succeed, but if he doesn't the Yankees have another option.  Phil Hughes is 25 years old and is coming off a rough season.  He was plagued with injuries and has yet to reach the point where we thought he would.  He had a disappointing 5.79 ERA, and whenever he pitched Yankee fans hid behind their hands.  If Hughes can come back healthy, he should be able to compete for the spot.  Finally, A.J. Burnett might have one last chance to prove that he belongs in pinstripes.  When placed in a pressure situation last season, Burnett shined and gave the Yankees another shot at advancing.  Expect Burnett to fight for his spot, and earn those millions that New York has ever-so-willingly overpaid him.
     Yankee fans are hoping that with the recent additions they finally have a competitive starting rotation.  We know that the American League is one of the most difficult to compete with, and the Yankees are hoping that their starters will shut out both Boston and Tampa.  Spring Training is only 49 days away, but more importantly, the World Series is nine months away.

New York Agrees to Terms With Huroki Kurdoa

     The Yankees have made a trade for one starting pitcher, and now they have agreed to terms, pending a physical, for free agent Huroki Kurdoa. The deal is reported to be around $10 million. With the Dodgers, he pitched 202 innings and went 13-16 with a 3.07 ERA. Looks like the Yankees have decided to make some noise this offseason.

Yankees trade Jesus Montero for Michael Pineda

     The Yankees have dealt their top catching prospect Jesus Montero to the Seattle Mariners for sophomore starting pitcher Michael Pineda. In addition to Montero, the M's will receive Hector Noesi, while New York will also get Jose Campos. 
     Michael Pineda is 23 years old and is coming off a 9-10 rookie season with a 3.74 ERA. It shocks me that Brian Cashman dealt Montero in this trade, when he could've gotten Cliff Lee in 2010 for a similar package. The situation shows just how desperate New York was for a starter, and obviously their reluctance in signing Edwin Jackson. 
     With Pineda taking the number two spot in the starting rotation, behind ace C.C. Sabathia, the Yankees have a legit starting three. Following Pineda would be Ivan Nova and then a fight for the fourth and fifth spots between A.J. Burnett, Phil Hughes, and Freddy Garcia.

Nets, Grizzlies in Trade Talks

     New Jersey Nets are exploring options not named Dwight Howard as an attempt to satisfy point guard Deron Williams. Rumor has it that New Jersey is currently in talks with the Memphis Grizzlies about one of their current big men. 
     Yahoo! Sports claimed that the Nets have offered Anthony Morrow to the Grizzlies in exchanged for small forward O.J. Mayo. However, New Jersey is reluctant to add a first round draft pick to satisfy Memphis. This could be the deal breaker. 
     O.J. has been reduced to bench play and is looking for a change of scenery where he can get a fresh slate and a chance to start. Although Mayo would automatically increase productivity and scoring for the Nets, is he really an answer to keep Deron Williams long term? I could easily see the point guard and small forward running a back door pick and roll, but could a tandem of Williams and Mayo entice Howard to jump ship?

Carmelo Injury A Cause For Concern

     The New York Knicks finally had a game that Time Warner customers could watch. Because the MSG network and Time Warner could not come to an agreement, customers have been blacked out, and restricted from watching their team. About five minutes in, fans watched in horror as Carmelo Anthony appeared to be injured.

     Early in the first, Carmelo appeared to injure his left wrist. He winced in pain but stayed in the game. Moments later he nailed back to back baskets and appeared to be able to deal with the pain. Two quarters later is when the serious blow came in. During the third quarter, Anthony rolled his ankle chasing a loose ball. He then began to hobble around. Officials took a look at him and determined that the ankle was sprained. Fans were told that he would not return to the game and undergo X-rays. The results came back negative, which is a good thing for the Knicks; however, we received word that Melo will not be available fortomorrow night's game against Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder. 
     With Carmelo out, Amar'e is going to have to put New York on his back and show why he was so dominant the first half of last season. Melo is the team's leading scorer averaging about 25 points per game, so it is relatively easy to see what NY will be missing as he nurses that ankle. As a fan, I just hope he heals quickly because without him this will be a long shortened season.

Can Giants Beat Packers at Lambeau?

     The New York Giants are just three days away from the big game against the Green Bay Packers.  The media has been covering them aggressively the last few days.  When the two teams met Week 13, it was a nail biter.  Do the Giants have it in them to keep this one close, and then edge out the Packers?  Well according to many players, they do.  The defense is expected to pressure Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and his discount double check won't help here.

    The Giants lost that Week 13 game by a field goal, and they are not looking to repeat that.  They could only force one turnover that day, and they allowed the Packers to hold the ball for six more minutes.  This was the same day that Giants defense gave up 449 yards.  To capitalize Sunday, New York is going to have to be on their A game. That means they are going to have to hold Rodgers and his arsenal to under 300 yards.  If they cannot do that then Big Blue is going to have a long day.
     The Giants are also going to need Eli Manning to play as if he truly is in the category of elite QBs.  During their last meeting, Manning threw for 347 yards.  We cannot just throw everything on Eli though;  Running backs Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw are going to have to pound through Green Bay's defensive line.  During the Week 13 loss, the two backs combined for 19 rushing attempts and only achieved 97 yards.  That's right! The two did not even break 100 yards combined.  We know that Brandon Jacobs is highly capable of getting to that number on his own on a good day, but he is up against the defending Super Bowl champions, so he will need some help.
     Bottom line is that New York has to get to Aaron Rodgers and put him on his back a number of times.  If they can achieve that, then leave it to Eli Manning to show the crowd at Lambeau Field just why he is elite, and not insured by State Farm.