Box Score: Indians 3, Tigers 5
July 25, 2012Cavaliers Have Paid 6th Highest Amount in Luxury Taxes
July 26, 2012While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email at tips@waitingfornextyear.com.
A little snark for your morning coffee- “While London has had problems rounding up enough workers to staff the events, think of all the millions of unemployed Americans who would drop whatever they’re not doing to contribute to the Olympic effort. Three days is a tight window for getting things ready, but we could pull it off. This is America, after all.
At this point, you’re probably thinking that this is pretty stupid, that this whole article has been an irredeemable waste of time. But people probably thought the same things about the first Olympics when some guy was like, “Hey, let’s get naked and wrestle for Zeus and maybe he won’t strike down our children with lightning.” And now look at what the Olympics have become.
Just saying, amazing things can come from seemingly dumb ideas. And we think the Olympics in Cleveland could prove that.” [Etheridge/ESPN Playbook]
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The new way to build under the CBA?– “Is it better? It’s just different,” Cuban said. “The rules are the rules. Look at Chicago — they got rid of three really good rotation players because of the new CBA. Look at New York — they weren’t able to match on Jeremy Lin. Under the old CBA, it would’ve been a no-brainer. And that’s before the trade limitations and different team-building impacts come into play, and those don’t start until next year. There’s some teams that just are oblivious to them that I think it’s going to hurt, but we’ll see. Maybe I’m wrong.” [Berger/CBS Sports]
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Bwahahahahahaha– “Tomlin, who signed a three-year contract extension on Tuesday that will keep him in Pittsburgh through the 2016 season, was not amused. “Obviously Mike Wallace was not here today,” he said. “I don’t know when he’s going to be here. Obviously we have a desire for him to be here. We want him to be a part of this thing both short term and long term. We’ve been in negotiations with him. He’s not here today. It’s unfortunate for him. One thing that experience has taught me is that this is bigger than all of us. It’s bigger than Mike, it’s bigger than me, so I mean that when I say it’s unfortunate for him that he’s not here.” [Farrar/Shutdown Corner]
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Amico’s off season grades– “Cavaliers: Perhaps no team has made more offseason headlines without really doing anything. The Cavs’ top draft choice, Dion Waiters, flashed some promise — but only after showing up to summer league out of shape and in desperate need of a perimeter shot. Their second draft-day acquisition, Tyler Zeller, was better. But despite all the assets and salary-cap space, the Cavs have yet to make anything close to a splash. Grade: C-” [Amico/FSO]
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Finally, my favorite tweet of yesterday– “#Marlins: “We’re willing to give up Hanley Ramirez. Just looking for a jar of farts.” #Indians: “Pass.” #Dodgers: “In!” [Ten Cent Beers]
19 Comments
So glad that I’m #ESPNFree since July 8, 2010…
I think Tomlin’s “greatness” as a coach will be exposed when Dick Lebeau retires.
Amico is about right with the Cavs at this point, but some of his other “grades” are pretty non-sensical.
Celtics replace Ray Allen with Terry and Lee = A?
Pacers replace Collison with Augustin = A?
Wizards get rid of Rashard for 2 guys that Amico expects will help change the culture (along with getting rid of Blatche – part of the problem). Oh, and they got a SG (Beal) who he expects will light it up his rookie year – so, only a B+ obviously.
great read with Cuban above. really interested to see what happens when the trade-provisions kick-in next offseason.
Agree with Amico and I bet the Miami Marlins contend faster then the Cleveland Indians again despite another salary purge.
I think the Marlins situation depends on if they are really salary-purging or if they just wanted to get rid of a bad contract. Hanley was not living up to his contract and the Dodgers were willing to take it on (on the gamble that he re-awakens in a new environment).
I liked Anibal, but he was an impending FA and they may have decided against re-signing him (so, w/o the playoffs might as well get something for him now – Infante was a throw-in).
So, it depends. If they are purging salary, then they will likely trade Josh Johnson and Mark Buerle next. If they are re-loading, then they will utilize the savings in trades or the FA market this winter to replace what they lost.
It’s a purge they’d love to unload Bell too and can’t say that I blame him eventhough they are the ones who completely overpaid for the guy.
I like going from Allen to Terry the Jet can create off the dribble something Ray Ray barely did anymore. I’m eager to see him and the new Celts. Agree with you on the Pacers.
It also sounded like the owners are angling for a hard cap in 2017.
we have different definitions I guess. I consider a purge in baseball when useful guys are the ones being traded. Hanley and Bell are paid like useful guys, but have not been. Ridding their contracts is just good business.
I see how that can be appealing, but w/ Rondo on the floor, if Terry is the one creating, then he gets auto-doubled (as Rondo isn’t a threat as a spot-up guy). Ray and Rondo complemented their weaknesses well.
Yea I’d hardly label Hanley Ramirez a “useful” guy if he is what does that make a majority of the Indians starting with your hero Travis Hafner? Hanely sure looked useful last night in his Dodgers debut.
You are assuming Terry would pass and that if he did it would be to Rondo but two guys who can create are always better then one it should be a seemless transition one I can’t wait to see, hopefully.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ramirha01.shtml
2011 & 2012 – 760 ABs – Matt LaPorta #’s (97 OPS+)
and w/ near top-hitter $$$ ($16mil/year)
I agree he might rebound w/ a new situation, but small market teams cannot take that gamble.
i’m saying that whoever is defending Rondo when Terry starts initiating can run over to help defend Terry. So, Terry has 1 more defender guarding him on the play.
Quite frankly, it’s my biggest worry about the Irving/Waiters pairing as well (if Waiters doesn’t develop a better outside shot).
Huh, what one year out of how many is what you choose as a comparison? I guess 4 years of 101+ runs scored, 8 years of 10+ homeruns, 1 year 106 RBI and 8 years of 14+ SB don’t differentiate Ramirez from LaPorta for you but they sure as heck do for me.
If Miami couldn’t afford him (which I seriously doubt is the case) then they should have done what they did. I said it before and I’ll say it again the meek shall not inherit baseball!
When Terry penetrates he’s looking to score not pass the fact he played with Kidd all those years and made it work leaves little doubt he can do the same with Rondo. Kidd wasn’t exactly a marksman when it came to shooting the ball although he was much better then when he first came into the league and could barely shoot at all.
or Jason Kidd re-invented himself in Dallas and shot over 40% from 3pt in each of the 3 seasons he has played for the Mavs.
I chose his last 760 ABs over the last 2 seasons. I thought perhaps his most recent ABs would be the most important as to what level he is currently playing.
as I said, he could rebound back to the player he was. but, he currently is hitting like Matt LaPorta and costing $16mil/year. a small market team cannot afford that gamble.
I’ll still take Hanley you can have LaPorta.