That new baseball labor deal is causing some odd things to happen. The Yankees and Braves are looking to cut payroll, while the Phillies, normally considered a small market team despite playing in a large metro area, are making a big-money pitch to three high profile free agents (Jim Thome, Tom Glavine, and David Bell). If they succeed in getting all three to grab the money they're throwing at them, it will be interesting to see if people suddenly start referring to the Phils as a large-market team, as they did to the Rangers after Tom Hicks signed A-Rod. Not that it much matters any more, with labor strife out of the way for now and the Payroll Isn't Destiny playoffs showing us all a different way. I'll still be on the lookout, just in case.
Posted by Charles Kuffner on November 13, 2002 to Baseball | TrackBackI'm so into football season right now that I must admit, I haven't been paying much attention to the Astros. Are you seeing any good rumors on free agents or trades they're thinking about? I suspect I know the answer to that question, but thought I'd ask. :)
Posted by: Kevin Whited on November 13, 2002 1:28 PMThere's been some speculation about Mike Hampton, whom the Rockies would dearly love to part with, but there's no way the Stros will take on his salary. Haven't heard anything beyond that as yet.
Posted by: Charles Kuffner on November 13, 2002 1:50 PMThe Mets are allegedly trying to lose payroll too. I don't mind that they're apparently shopping Rey Ordonez around, but I cannot believe that they're contemplating letting Edgardo Alfonzo go. He's only the best position player to come from the Mets farm system since, I dunno, Strawberry perhaps? And he held back the collapse nearly singlehandedly to as late as August. I love this guy and will be very upset if he goes away -- unless the Yankees pick him up, which might be enough to shift my primary allegiance. But the Yanks are trying to trim too, so I don't know the likelihood of that.
Posted by: Chris Quinones on November 14, 2002 1:09 PM