The B'more/Diego Trade fiasco

[Artpunchehorse]

Several things so wrong with this situation.

1) Nevin had B'More listed as one of the eight teams that he wouldn't go to. Do you think it would be smart to see if he would waive that before you even talked to the O's

2) I don't know what team leaked the trade, but that is something that should have been kept pretty secure

3) Don't follow SD, but does this affect the Randa trade knowing now that Nevin is staying?

4) How can Ponson pitch in B'More again knowing that the team wants him out.

5) Think it is funny that this is the second time Nevin has done this. We are talking about Phil Nevin here!

6) I do think Nevin is smart, SD has hotter chicks and better weather than the armpit that is Baltimore

[sabos_glasses]

I give Nevin credit for sticking to his principles, although it sounds like he may not play as much.

[The Sheck]

Do the O's need another bat in that lineup, really?

[Artpunchehorse]

Do the O's need another bat in that lineup, really?

They def. don't need a washed up bat in the lineup

[The Sheck]

They def. don't need a washed up bat in the lineup

It seems to me starting pitching is worth tons more than hitting these days. The Reds offered Joe Randa to the Twins for one of their prize prospects, Scott Baker, straight-up and the Twins turned them down.

[Handy Smurf]

Ponson is an asshat

[the happy prole]

Nevin-Ponson: Nevin is an overrated, washed-up sack of crap with personality issues who cannot help a team. Ponson is an overrated, washed-up sack of crap with personality issues who cannot help a team. Nevin's contract: 9.5 million. Ponson's contract 8.5 million. San Diego would have been the winners.

Randa-Chick/Germano: Yes, Chick was highly drafted by SD and is their best pitching prospect. Guess what? San Diego's farm system sucks. There are a lot of players who can toss 94 in AA and many of them have ERA's UNDER 4.500. I dunno. Trading Randa frees up a spot for Encarnacion, and Randa was of no use to the Reds. On the surface, it's not a bad deal, but I think they could have gotten more for a solid vet and a moderate contract.

Btw, did you guys read about Craig Breslow?

Breslow was in Jackson, Miss., Friday night with the Padres' Double-A Mobile club when an emergency call went out from Bochy for relief help. Already without relievers Rudy Seanez (shoulder tendinitis) and Chris Hammond (pinched nerve in his neck), the Padres had used up their bullpen with their second 11-run game in four days.

It just so happened that Padres General Manager Kevin Towers was also with the Mobile team when he received the call.

"We didn't have time to get a relief pitcher in from Portland and the West Coast," said Towers. "So I asked (Mobile pitching coach Mike) Harkey, 'Who is the freshest arm you have? Preferably a left-hander who throws strikes.' "

The answer was Breslow, whom the Padres had signed in February for $1 out of a tryout camp at Peoria, Ariz. A 24-year-old with a degree in biochemistry out of Yale, Breslow had been released from the Milwaukee organization on July 4, 2004.

Before yesterday, Breslow had never pitched higher than Double-A. He had appeared in 39 games with Mobile with a 2-1 record and a 2.79 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 51 2/3 innings.

He boarded a predawn flight in Jackson yesterday and reached Philadelphia around 10:45 a.m. after a stop in Atlanta.

Seven hours later, he had not only made his first major league appearance but he had been optioned back to Mobile to make room for Randa.

[Jonathan]

Just goes to show that making the big leagues is sometimes about being at the right place at the right time.

Maybe Breslow will end up becoming the Moonlight Graham of our generation.