Let's Pour Out a Little Liquor for Barbaro

Yes the day that we all dreaded came yesterday when the valiant warrior Barbaro was euthanized yesterday after a long battle with a broken leg. Its too bad they dont have horse wheel chairs, than Barbaro could have just been a crippled horse who wheeled himself around to get his carrots or exercise. He could have been the FDR of equines. Yet what worried me over the last few months was the distinct possibility that after 7 months of surgeries and lingering pain, that Barbaro might become addicted to pain killers, and I really don't think his owner and trainers would have wanted him to live out his life as a junkie (possibly dealing horse steroids on the side to Barry Bonds). Maybe euthanasia was the best end for him.

I wonder though, it's too bad, there were so many post-racing opportunities for Barbaro after his retirement, I widdled it down to 5:

1. Possibly the best option for Barbaro is to put him out to stud. I think we can all say we would be jealous of the life he would lead. His day would involve sleeping, eating, having sex (repeat). Sitting at work staring at this computer screen, I swear to myself WHY WASNT I BORN A HORSE.

2. It seems like with Seabiscuit, Black Beauty and the release of the new movie Zoo, there is a national love affair with horses (sometimes literally). Barbaro could have capitalized on this, by casting him as the modern "Mr. Ed." maybe with Matt Dillon as Wilbur. He would bring instant star power to the role, and we could see constant advertisements for it on FOX during telecasts of baseball and football. "We all knew he could run, but a devastating injury ends his career, now a small town lawyer will find out there is more to Ed than meets the eye". Good punch line, huh?

3. Five Words: Barbaro, International Action Movie Star.

4. I believe that Barbaro would have been an excellent spokes-horse for a new government organization that lobbies for other injured animals. Having him limp in with his leg all wrapped up, looking up at a Senator with those big black beady eyes, I can't envision anything being more heart wrenching. He would make sure that there are ramps on all stables, accessible troughs, and proper masseuses and chiropractor coverage for all race horses.

5. Denver Broncos- Offical Team Mascot. No costumes needed, just bad ass Barbaro attitude, that should be enough to intimidate any other teams mascot.

But unfortunately horses unlike people can't live after breaking a leg, and the vets had to put him under. I also feel really bad for the owner of the horse, who must be really upset that now that Barbaro is gone, he can FINALLY cash in his 20 million dollar insurance policy on the horse.
Poor poor Barbaro, you ran really fast while you were alive, now your up in Heaven, I hope they give an extra sweet oat bag up there.

Helton, a Welcome Addition

A possible trade of Todd Helton to the Red Sox is being thrown around all over the internet, tv and radio.The 33 year old, two time gold glove, and .330 career hitter is being shopped by Colorado and it looks like Boston will be the most likely destination (Atlanta & St. Louis are the two other teams that he would waive his no trade clause). The Rockies paid an arm and a leg to lock him up through the 2012 season, still owing him a remarkable 90 million dollars. There are a few snags that could hold up the deal, the Sox are offering Julian Tavarez and Mike Lowell, while the Rox want a top tier prospect (Craig Hansen, Manny Delcarmen, Clay Buchholz, Daniel Bard, or Jacoby Ellsbury).

If one of these prospects is all it takes to get this deal complete, the Sox have to pull the trigger here. The Sox have a plethora of pitching, and while we should take heed to the lessons we learned from the Josh Beckett for Hanley Ramirez and Anibal Sanchez trade, sometimes as a general manager you have to take that gamble. For every prospect that pans out, there are the Brian Rose's and Robinson Checo's that completely fall on their face. Helton is a future Hall of Famer who fits the Sox's batting philosophy perfectly, he is patient takes alot of pitches and makes the opposition work hard to get him out. If Helton was traded here, the Sox would have a lineup that is strong from top to bottom (though Dustin Pedroia needs to prove his abilities at the plate). Look at the key differences from last year:

Alex Gonzalez .299 OBP -------> Lugo .341 OBP
Trot Nixon/ Wily Mo .373 OBP/ .349 OBP --------> Drew .393 OBP
Lowell .339 OBP ---------> Helton .404 OBP


Those are three huge additions to a lineup that struggled through the second half of last season. I have no idea why the Rockies would pull this deal unless there was a significant physical defect with Helton. From what I've heard from Colorado folks, there is NOTHING wrong with him right now, and that this might simply be a salary dump (which in the end would be a net saving of 6 million a year). I am salivating at this deal, and I would pack the Sox prospects bag if it brings him here.

The hole has been dug for the Dirtdog

LOOK AT THAT HUSTLE!

Trot is gone, and it looks like it will take a long time for Red Sox Nation to get over it.

The goatee'd pine tar covered, 90 MPH hustler is going to the Indians to live in obscurity as a platoon partner with Casey Blake. Honestly, good riddance. I have always been a fan of Trot's but I am a slave to statistics . Looking at Nixon's numbers and health, they have declined so steeply over the past year that JD Drew will be a vast improvement over the Dirt Dog.

Lets look at some numbers:
From 2004-2006

Nixon: 27 HR's 142 RBI, SLG . .425 (.394 LAST YEAR!)
Drew : 66 HR's 229 RBI, SLG .520

But than again Trot gets his uniform dirty, has "heart", hustles all the time and gets into brawls for his teammates. Why aren't these statistics quantifiable? Because if they were Trot's hustle rating would fall in the top 1%. But Bill James still hasn't figure out how to create a statistic for any of the characteristics that makes Nixon "appealing".

Now Trot is gone, joining the parade of World Series heros forced out of town by the tyrannical Theo & Larry. Unfortunately ''heart" couldn't protect Trot from looking silly against left hand pitchers, and "hustle" couldn't keep Trot off the disabled list, and those fights didn't prevent Trot's power numbers from tumbling. Sorry Trot, but your jersey is going in a box under my bed along with my Pokey & Johnny Damon throwbacks.

Just think:

Ortiz, Manny, Drew - the meat of your lineup, this is going to cause headaches for pitching all year (that makes me totally forget the Pats/Indy game) ........((well almost))