While We’re Waiting… Trade warriors

While 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.

“The final chapter was still filled with euphoric moments, though. Victories over Michigan will never be diminished around these parts. But two more wins during the 2012 season would have made it far more memorable. Still, less than two years after the sun was blocked out from Ohio State’s proud football program by a dark black sky, all’s now well in Buckeyeland.

Those NCAA sanctions were viewed as too harsh and unjust by an overwhelming segment of Ohio State fans, but what was thought to be a speed bump in Ohio State’s return to prominence has instead been nothing but smooth, open road.” [Rowland/Eleven Warriors]

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The top 20 grossing college football programs. Bet you’ll be surprised where Ohio State ranks here. [Forbes]

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“A few weeks after he was acquired, Cole made his first career starts in a day-night doubleheader against the New York Yankees. The Indians lost both games, and although Cole went 0-4 in the first game, he responded by going 3-4 in the second. Cole would play another 61 games that year, finishing with a .300 batting average and a ninth place finish in the AL Rookie of the Year voting (teammate Sandy Alomar Jr. won). However, he only had 13 RBI and didn’t hit a single home run. He set a team record by stealing five bases in a game. The Indians were so excited with their newfound tool, they moved back the fences and tailored Municipal Stadium to his strengths; his speed. For a summer, wearing rec-spec’s in Cleveland looked cool. ” [Petrila/DTTWLN]

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And there goes that idea- “Late Wednesday afternoon we learned of an interesting and rare deal between two American League West rivals. The Los Angeles Angels, who added even more elite depth to their lineup by signing Josh Hamilton last week, have traded first baseman/designated hitter Kendrys Morales to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for talented left-handed starter Jason Vargas.” [Townsend/Big League Stew]

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Your trade machine move of the day– “Houston – Rockets send Chandler Parsons and Terrence Jones and an unprotected 2015 first round draft pick to Cleveland for Anderson Varejao.

Why it works for Houston – They have their star in Harden, and another pick and roll guy in Jeremy Lin. Adding a credible guy to finish inside would be incredibly helpful for their offense. They still have cap space over the next two offseasons adding Andy, and they can build on a core of Lin, Harden, Varejao, and Asik. Carlos Delfino would slide into their starting SF spot, where he hasn’t been terrible. They owe their first round pick this year to Atlanta, but its first round protected. In other words, they don’t really want to start winning until next year. Adding a lottery pick to that core, with their cap space, is pretty intriguing.

Why it works for the Cavaliers – Houston doesn’t really have a 1st Round pick to give up for awhile, so that is less fun for Cavaliers fans, but they would be adding two young players on excellent contracts who could end up being pretty darn good players. Parsons is on a 3 year deal that pays him less than a million dollars a season and would represent a major upgrade over Alonzo Gee. He isn’t a great shooter, but he has improved tremendously in a short time, and he projects as a good defender as well. He is a great rebounder at SF.

Ultimate verdict: Cavs fans probably won’t think this is enough, but I would strongly consider it. A possible fix at SF, and I am pretty high on Terrence Jones as well.” [Zavac/Fear the Sword]