Welcome to Tuesday!!!
The trade deadline has been a great time in baseball history for some franchises, making sick deals right at the end to prepare for that playoff run. While other franchises, it's a way to sell away young talent for underachieving bloated contracts. It works this way both in fantasy baseball and in real baseball. I can't tell you how many times I was either a seller or buyer heading into the fantasy baseball trade deadline (which varies based on the league) and seemingly always found the short end of the deal. BUT I guess that is what comes from looking at baseball talent/transactions from the angle of a Mets fan. It's funny, it's not fun (Howard Stern Show reference for those interested). But what I have been thinking about more frequently this time around the deadline is what if the rest of us non-professional sports playing folk were to be subjected to a trade deadline. Who's a seller and who's a buyer? I for one am I buyer. Just hear me out....
Ok, so you have been working at the same company for a couple of years, doing your thing...kicking butt, taking names...making moves. Rising through the ranks and honestly probably posing threats to upper management. You sign a deal like this - X number of years for Y number of clams. You're locked in for say 4 years...fine no big deal. You like working there, you are pretty cool with the group working there and the chick who works the coffee shop around the corner kinda knows your name and doesn't charge you the full amount for a 20 oz coffee every time you walk in at 7AM...which is nice.
You're in year 2 of the 4 year deal, and let's just say Evil Bank, Globo Gym or wherever it is that work starts to well come undone at the seams. The managers above and below you start getting itchy about golden parachutes and are constantly checking their 401Ks on Vanguard.com. You realize this is not going to end well. You call in your agent who (which this is how life should really work) sits done with your immediate manager and has a real heart-to-heart (I think that's how it's spelled) about your future, the way in which you'll be compensated in the future, blah blah blah. This guy is a shark, and honestly he doesn't give a (insert expletive statement here) about Company XYZ. He is there to cut them to pieces, get you the most money you can and subsequently he can and move on to sushi, sake and a good laugh. *about those jerks*
Basically, the immediate manager at Company XYZ says, ok Larry (let's call the agent Larry, I kinda like a Larry. Short for Lawrence (very regal) but chooses Larry...He is trying to get it done)) we are not able to continue paying your client (insert you here) and we think it's best that we trade him to Company ABC for a pair of interns and a copy room guy to be named later. If your client (you) proves his contract is worth it they can pick up the team option for 2016 and 2017...if not you're on your own. How does that sound? Your agent says that's fine...under two conditions - the rest of season's salary will be paid up front (the dollars are worth more today than they will be tomorrow) and schedule 3 bobble head days centered on me, and not those crappy minor league level ones.
You shake hands, you are moving on with contract in tack, the rest of the year's worth of salary paid up front and you still get to get physical at your new team (company) where of course you will kill it and get a new big contract...Obviously. Sick bobble heads and hazing the new interns before you leave is an added bonus. Doesn't that make more sense than, your company goes semi-under, your skills are deemed worthless in the eyes of a worthless management crew and you are now left scrambling for a team to contribute to? This is the MLB trade deadline and how things work...we should apply this to all aspects of life.
Whew, that was far too long winded but I felt like it was relevant given the time in sports.
Let's now look at the current trade deadline rumors -
1. Matt Kemp for Jon Lester straight (the what?) up...I don't get it. Kemp has not been the same and Lester has beaten cancer and is a 3 time All-Star, 2 time WS winner and owns 1 career no-hitter. Kemp is not bad but I think injuries and a lackluster few years outside of his monster 2011, he has been good but not great. They are just about the same age Lester (30) and Kemp (29), but I think Lester provides more value overall. 20-20 outfielders are around, aces are not. Thoughts?
2. AJ Burnett to the Pirates for random schmo and how much the Phillies get to pay of AJ's salary. I think AJ Burnett is awesome. He really has done a great job of pitching in the majors the last bunch of years...as long as it's not in New York. His strikeout rate is solid, he throws strikes and really cuts down NL lineups. The Pirates were smart to not over pay for him in this past off-season and honestly, if they get him for the right price, it's a big win. Phillies management must be kicking themselves this year...and last and the year before than...and next year...
3. David Price goes no where. I would put $50 on it. He goes no where. Would love to be proven wrong and he goes to the Mets, but I doubt it. Bank on that my friends! Don't do this -
4. I really don't know. There are usually a number of odd salary dump deals and random veteran deals (AKA the Marlon Byrd deal last year to the Pirates) that kinda make sense but no one really cares about...well not that many people.
Happy Watching!
-Shaun
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