Get It Done

Why the Eagles can, should, and I think WILL sign Nnamdi Asomugha - In case you're unfamiliar with Nnamdi Asomugha, he plays cornerback for the Oakland Raiders, or at least he used to. This past season, in 14 games played, NFL quarterbacks only threw Asomugha's way 33 times. In other words, they don't even bother looking his way. Just 13 of those passes were completed for 205 yards, and no touchdowns. That translates to 0.9 catches allowed for 14.6 yards per game. That's just stupid good. Looking at his stats is actually comical. He only had 19 tackles and no interceptions, because again, NFL quarterbacks want no part of him. Compare his numbers to little-used Eagles rookie Trevard Lindley, and if you didn't know any better, you'd think Lindley had a better season.
[Besides Vick and Jackson's presumed contracts] there are a grand total of ZERO Eagles that will make in excess of $6 million in base salary in 2011. None. Only 2 will make over $5 million - Samuel is set to make $5,900,000 in salary. He'll make $8,400,000 in 2012 and $10,400,000 in 2012. The other highly paid Eagle, Jason Peters, will also only make $5,900,000 in salary, as his contract is also backloaded. Only SEVEN others will make as much as $2 million in salary - Leonard Weaver, Jeremy Maclin, Juqua Parker, Winston Justice, Trent Cole, Darryl Tapp, and Marlin Jackson. Marlin Jackson's chances of seeing that $2 million are somewhere between slim and none, and depending on the roster moves the Eagles make this season, it's debatable whether Justice will see the $2,700,000 that he's scheduled to earn, and if Juqua Parker will see his $3,500,000.

If you read one Nnamdi Asomugha to-the-Eagles article, make it this one. JimmyK at BleedingGreen breaks down the Eagles contract situation nicely and shows us why this deal is something the team can afford and should persue.

Asomugha/Samuel 2011!

I Love You Cliff

<3

Cole Hamels Is Our Fourth Starter

Welcome home, Clifton. Multiple reports have confirmed, Cliff Lee has agreed to a deal with the Phillies. Ruben, I take it all back. We all take it all back. We love you, so very, very much.

This is all so new, so fresh, it's hard to really believe it. However, barring some ridiculous turn of events, the Phillies now boast a rotation of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels. That doesn't even make sense.

Think about it this way: Roy Halladay, per Fangraphs.com WAR statistic, was the second most valuable pitcher in baseball last year. Number one? That would be Cliff Lee. Almost every team in baseball would kill to have Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt as their top two starters. We have them. And we have Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay too.

I'm gonna go cry myself to sleep with happiness. Cliff, glad to have you back.

Oh, and fuck the Yankees.

I'm Gonna Pretend This Is All A Lie

Sometime in life you hear something so good, so unbelievable, that you are almost forced to believe it isn't true. After reading rumor after rumor earlier today about the possiblity that the Phillies had entered the Cliff Lee bidding at the 11th hour, I come home from the bar tonight to this tweet from Joel Sherman of the NY Post:

At thsi moment, #Yankees have become extremely negative about landing Lee and believing that he is edging toward #Phillies

Besides the fact he spelled "this" wrong...well...holy shit. There isn't much else to really say right now, especially since there is really very little chance of this happening. If reports of the Yankees $150 million bid are true, Lee would probably be leaving $50 million on the table to join the Phillies. It's true that he loved it here, but that's a lot of money to "go somewhere you love." Thankfully we won't have to wait very long, as Jon Heyman reported tonight that a deal could come tomorrow.

Let's hope it's Christmas come early this year in Philadelphia.

*fingers crossed*

Jeff Francoeur Is A Douche, Please Don't Sign Him

As I'm sure you've heard by now, the Phillies have interest in Jeff Francoeur. Rubes Jr. really wants a platoon partner for Domonic Brown, somebody who can not only hit lefties but provides some good outfield defense. It would appear, on the surface, that Francoeur can do both as he hits lefties (.299 career avg.) and has a strong arm in right field.

The problem is, Jeff Francoeur is a total douche. Besides the fact that he just looks like a guy I would hate, he also seems to carry some perpetual upside that never becomes reality. Plus he was a Met, which pretty much makes him toxic. And he was obviously the reason the Rangers lost the World Series. Oh, and in case you need any more reasons to hope the Phillies don't sign this guy, here is a gem of a quote from 2005:

“If on-base percentage is so important, then why don’t they put it up on the scoreboard?”

Ugh. Last time I checked they do, pal.

This Phillies team if full of good, fun, cool players. Let's not ruin that with Frenchy, ok Rubes?

Don't let me down.

Yet Another Lebron Post: Lebrontourage

What I believe to be the core of the Lebron James argument, in a very small nutshell:

The older generation thinks the younger generation has a sense of self-entitlement. They also feel that the younger generation is lazier and less competitive than their generation.

Jordan is John McClane, Kobe is Maximus, and Lebron is Vincent Chase*. [Justin Johnson, Detroit]

I guess if Lebron is Vinnie Chase, Wade is Ari, and Bosh is E...maybe Big Z is Drama?

*Jay-Z looks like a blind gay Denzel Washington

The Not Really Live, Live Blog

8:30

I just sat down to LeBronapalooza and the first thing I see on ESPN is a rundown of terrible Cleveland sports moments.

(First tangent – there is other sports news to discuss right now. There were five MLB games today, other NBA deals were finalized today and the World Cup final is less than two days away. But Sportscenter isn’t even going to mention those things. LeBron owns the world right now, I’ve never seen anything like this.) I honestly feel terrible for Cleveland fans right now. I really have no idea how I’d feel if this was a Philadelphia player holding the entire fan base’s emotions hostage. Let’s hope this never happens.

The Most Ridiculous Headline of All-Time:

This is a screen-grab of an article I saw on Yahoo this afternoon.  You can see it in its entirety HERE.  You can also see that it's completely retarded. 

I don't know what's worse - the Knicks 'source', or the SportingNews for quoting something from 'zagsblog.com'.

How anyone thought this was legit news is beyond me.  Doesn't common sense kick in at some point?  Shouldn't someone have said "Wait... this 'source' is full of shit.  That didn't happen." 
The best part is when the source continues to try and rationalize the reasoning:

“I don’t care what most people think. I’m not saying that LeBron is not a good player but other stuff comes with it. LeBron’s friends want jobs. You’re gonna lose running your organization. As time goes on you gotta hire this guy, you gotta hire that guy.”

The Source then asked everyone to "move their feet" as he had to "mop the rest of this shit up." Sigh...you poor delusional bastard. 

The Source went on: "I'm not saying the iPhone 4 isn't a fantastic device, but a pink RAZR with rhinestones on it is what we wanted all along."

Alright commenters, your turn.  Come with your best.

Marlin Jackson Conversation: A Transcript

[Scene: Philadelphia Eagles NovaCare Complex, Philadelphia.]

6:15 AM. Random day about a week ago.

Enter GM Howie Roseman. Roseman enters Head Coach Andy Reid's office. Andy is enjoying a double bacon triple cheeseburger w/ a diet coke. Roseman, revolted, hands Reid a sheet of paper.

Darren Sproles = Championship

Joe Banner, please go sign Darren Sproles.

When the Chargers annouced last week they were going to let Sproles test free agency, I was rather shocked. I mean, with LT finished, who the hell are the Chargers going to give the ball to this year? You had to assume they would keep Sproles, especially in an uncapped year (his tender would have cost them $7.5 million this year). (Yes, there is a chance they bring him back, but let's not worry about that here, ok?)

But, alas, the Chargers loss is the Eagles gain. While Sproles is certainly not an every down back (and I doubt there is an NFL team that sees him as one) he IS a dynamic weapon that would thrive in the Eagles offense. You're talking about a guy who had 45 receptions for 497 yards (11.0 avg.) and four touchdowns part-time player. He is incredible in the screen game and has the ability to score from any point on the field. Oh, and he's a pretty awesome kick returner too. You have to think that Andy Reid would break out the o-face thinking of all the ways to he could get Sproles the ball.

Listen, I know that Darren Sproles doesn't play linebacker or defensive end or safety and that those are the postions the Eagles really need help at. But with LeSean McCoy, Leonard Weaver (soon to be resigned) and Darren Sproles the Eagles would have a pretty dynamic, well-rounded group of RBs. Plus, I'd rather them spend some good money on a 26 year-old playmaking running back than a 30-year old defensive end who may or may not play hard.

Enjoy.

Say Hello To The Brad Lidge Contingency Plan

The Phillies announced this afternoon that they have agreed to terms with relief pitcher Danys Baez on a two-year contract worth a reported $5.25 million.

Unless you're a hardcore baseball fan, or play fantasy baseball, odds are, you may not have ever heard of Baez. And that's okay, here is your background info - Baez pitched last season for the Orioles in strictly a middle-relief role. He has however, been a closer in the past (nothing full-time since 2005). Now certainly, nobody is going to confuse Baez with an All Star, but he's not terrible either.

Ross Gload Face

The Phillies filled out their bench today by signing Ross Gload to a two-year deal (pending a physical). Terms have yet to be released but who cares, it's Ross Gload. He basically takes the place of Matt Stairs and probably will only be used as a lefty pinch hitter with an occasional start here or there.

Yea, that's it. For an in-depth breakdown of this move, well, why the hell do you need an in-depth breakdown of this move?

Who's On Third? Placido Polanco!

Yes, his head is incredibly bulbous and, no, I don't know why. But Placido Polanco is your new third baseman whether you like it or not.

Placido Polanco: Really?!?!?!?

Why the fuck is his head so big?

It appears, that pending a physical, the Phillies will be signing Placido Polanco to a three-year, $18 million contract. He would be taking over third base duties for the Phillies. I can't say that I'm thrilled, but I will save my review of the deal until it's actually been signed.

Until then, the question remains...Why the fuck is his head so big?

Aww Shucks

After refusing a minor league assignment from the Phillies, Eric Bruntlett has become a free agent.

Darn!

Offseason Wish List

It's the most wonderful time of the year, baseball's offseason! It's like an extra Christmas, where instead of getting awesome presents like pogs, Pokemon cards and TurboGrafx-16, we get great baseball players!