The first. The inaugural. Mark your calenders, note the time. The world may see this as the birthday of a certain fellow, but in years from now, we'll all know it as the very birth of this glorious blog.
Let's get right to it:
And on the Third day of Christmas, MLB gave Philly:
3 decent prospects, 6 million dollars, and a pitcher not named Lee.
Not as musical as I tried, they didn't get anything in the 'Two' category, but who doesn't want six million bucks? Arguably the biggest trade of the millenia (or that's what we're supposed to think about it) sent Roy Halladay to the Phightin' Phils, three prospects, and Toronto graciously picking up the tab for six million of Doc's contract. At the same time, in a rather perplexing move, they sent away Cliff Lee to the Mariners - not that I'm against it, considering my slight allegiances to the M's - as part of the blockbuster, Michael Bay-esque trade. Which begs the question: Why?
Now, from what we understand, the main thing that held up this deal last year was that Philly was absolutely not giving up Kyle Drabek - their number one pitching uberprospect - to the Jays for Halladay. Such and such happened, and we all know what came next: Cliff Lee jumps leagues, continues the trend of AL pitching absolutely dominating NL hitting, and oingo-boingo, he's in the World Series.
The offseason rolls around, and suddenly Drabek is on the move. To Toronto. And Halladay is on his way out of Canada. What changed? The Phillies had a chance to build arguably (at least on paper) one of the strongest starting rotations of all time with 2 Cy Young winners, and a World Series MVP. Can you imagine a stronger starting rotation that Halladay, Lee, and Hamels? The back end could be Chase Utley and Ryan Howard, and that staff would still get them a 95+ win season.
It's understandable that Philadelphia would want to restock their farm system after giving up so many prospects for Lee, and then Drabek, Travis d'Arnau, and most likely some other minor leaguer, but sacrificing that talent to secure a rotation that strong - pitching to a strong defense, and sitting behind a productive offense - would practically garuntee them a playoff spot. Especially the way the NL East is shaping up to be (Hint: Bad). I think I would've tried to pull off a deal with Toronto without losing Lee. Who knows, maybe they did, and this is all just the musings of a confused, lost, man?
Of course, Lee is a free agent after this season, and has expressed his favoritism when it comes to playing for the Phillies. So, who knows what will happen? Could Philadelphia bring back Lee, and dominate the NL for the rest of eternity?
Fantasizing about Fantasies:
It's playoff time for fantasy football this year, and like so many fantasy seasons before this, I find myself staring up at first place. And who should occupy the throne? Amanda. Of course. How the stars align for her drafts is beyond me. Somewhere, somebody cursed me. On draft day, with me and her in the same room, she literally scooped up every player I'd wanted - with the pick right before mine. Needless to say, her team is a juggernaut of talent, and is currently the top seed after running away with the division for the year.
The woman is a savant when it comes to fantasy. The winner in baseball last year, and the runner up before that, every fantasy thing she's ever touched turns to gold. Next year I'm letting her draft for me.
Not that my team is too terrible. After leading the league in points for most of the year, before surrendering the lead to - yep, you guessed it - Amanda, we've secured the third seed and are awaiting the playoffs to begin.
This week:
The Sweatervests get a tough road game in the opening round against Manningham's Maulers, but I'm confident in my team's ability to win.
My nemsis' Men of Pelham (dumb name right?) should cruise through her week, setting us both on a collision course for the title. I'll keep you updated.
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