Manny Ramirez and Brett Favre Trade Talks

I'm really super tired after a day at the lake and so I simply offer up some breaking news and links for you readers tonight and you can most likely expect some posting on these topics in the very near future!

• Manny Ramirez for Favre Straight Up!?
• Manny Ramirez to be a Marlin
• Packers offer Favre something...
• Brett vs. Manny Quiz
• Manny Being Manny for 3 and a Half Minutes

While I'd love to chime in with my thoughts on each of these matters I think we're all sick of hearing about them so I'll leave my opinions on hold for now. I'm going to bed. Be back tomorrow.

Teixeira Makes Angels World Series Contenders

Wow. The Angels made a rare deal tuesday to show that they are serious about this whole playoffs, world series thing. Monday the Angels traded Casey Kotchman and a minor league pitcher to the Braves for the switch-hitting slugger Teixeira.

The Angels already had the best record in baseball and a top-flight rotation and now they have a top-flight lineup to go with it. Since their 2002 World Series championship, the Angels have won three division titles but just a single playoff series. Twice they were swept in the division series, including last October by the Red Sox. The problem has been with the offense, and in finding a hitter dangerous enough to bat effectively behind Guerrero. The Angels give up a bit of tomorrow for some runs today and the problem is more than solved!

Teixeira gives the team great power and run-production. He is also going to help out Vlad Guerrero a lot. Oh and did I mention he plays great defense? I know a lot of people in Haloland loved Casey Kotchman and the way he played but they both play great defense and Teixeira is going to produce quite a bit more at the plate (from both sides at that!). Plus, if they can win a world series this year maybe they can resign Teixeira too!

I'm liking this trade a lot for the Angels. I think the entire AL better watch out. My prediction is that if everyone can stay healthy this team is going to roll over everyone on their way to an AL West crown (already leading the division by 11.5 games) and all the way to the World Series.

This team was dangerous before but this solidifies it in my mind. The Angels are built to win a championship this year. I believe that the Angels are going to the World Series (notice how in saying Angels I did not say Yankees or Red Sox!). With Mark Teixeira behind Vladimir Guerrero in their lineup and ahead of Torii Hunter and Juan Riviera the Angels are World Series-bound in my opinion.

C.C. Sabathia Headed to Beertown!

I am utterly exhausted after a weekend of the lake, a day of travel and moving, and co-ed softball. But when your favorite team draws first blood in the MLB free-agency period it gets you excited!

For anyone who hasn't heard yet C.C. Sabathia is heading to Milwaukee in return for star prospect Matthew LaPorta (20 HR and 66 RBIs in AA) and 3 other prospects. Two of these prospects have been "confirmed" as P Zach Jackson and P Rob Bryson. The third is to be named later.

Obviously I am completely stoked about this deal! I absolutely love that my favorite "smaller market" wins the battle for C.C. Sabathia. Granted, they're giving up a great young power-hitting outfielder but I think it's a good move. The Brewers have a pretty good group of young outfield talent with Ryan Braun, Corey Hart, and Tony Gwynn Jr so I think this is a risk worth taking. it's also a granted that the Brewers are most likely using C.C as a "rentaplayer" as I really doubt they will be resigning him for the ridiculous money he will want at the end of the season. But fans, players, and management know that. This deal is about this season. The Brewers are in good position right now to make a run at not only the wildcard but also the NL Central.

I think the bottom line here is that the Brewers now have arguably the best 1-2 punch in the NL (possibly all the Majors) with Ben Sheets and C.C. Sabathia. If they can both stay healthy the Brewers will make the playoffs.

I have no doubts about the team's offense and now their starting rotation looks dominant. My only question mark for the team is their bullpen, which still bothers me a bit. However, for now I am saying the Brewers will be going to the playoffs for the first time in 26 years and I couldn't be more excited!