Sez Me …
Memo to new Padres owners José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones:
Buyer beware.
You are aware of the following, of course, but so am I. So are many people. Of this:
Manny Machado: 11 years, $350 million.
Fernando Tatis Jr.: 14 years, $340 million.
Xander Bogaerts: 11 years, $280 million.
Jackson Merrill: 10 years, $156 million.
Jake Cronenworth: seven years, $80 million.
This (close enough) is what the Padres are paying their best position players.
You should get some money back. That would bring your purchase down, maybe by a billion or so. But who’s counting? (Well, I am.)
Right now, you’re paying for a good group of sacrifice bunters making Ruthian wages.
More? Consider these starting pitchers:
Yu Darvish: $108 million, six years — out; probably never coming back.
Joe Musgrove: $100 million, five years — out; immediate future uncertain.
Nick Pivetta: $55 million, four years — on 60-day disabled list with an elbow. Started four games. Future uncertain.
That’s another $263 million for three maybes.
And, as you well know, José and Kwanza, all of baseball contracts are guaranteed.
What to do with your new toy, a toy that has had serious batting trouble with its stars, with severe problems driving in runs, and pitching hanging by a torn ligament?
Well, my guess? Not much.
As the MLB trade deadline approaches, Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller has plowed the farm system, once close to the best. But he’s a victim of friendly fire. He made his own bed. Now there isn’t much he can do but toss and turn and pray.
His star players, with the exception of Bogaerts, have done very little, as you know. How tradeable are they, given their salaries and the way they’ve been performing?
Some blame the manager? As Don Coryell reminded me, he can only play the people he’s got.
Some blame the hitting coach? Steven Souza Jr. is the 14th Padres batting coach since Petco Park opened. Have they all stunk?
I don’t know how you’re going to fix this, but ask yourself this:
How can a team be good enough to make the playoffs if it’s forced to play the best right fielder in the business at second base? …
I don’t know squat, Fernando, but I know you don’t run yourself out of an inning. ,,,
The line between aggressive and stupid is thick, not fine. Stupid gets you criticized, such as this.
Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson has been arrested for — oh, you guessed it — domestic violence. The NFL will really give a damn when gamblers do. …
Meanwhile, recently busted on domestic violence charges, Broncos linebacker Jonathan Cooper has been arrested again, this time for violating protection orders and harassment, etc. I’m guessing his penal history will be like a broken watch. No time. …
The Chiefs are adding two years to quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ contract, making it worth $504 million guaranteed. That doesn’t leave them much room for the remainder of their roster — plus bail money. …
If you thought the NCAA has lost its figs, consider Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby, who has admitted to placing thousands of bets on games. The NCAA suspended him. A Texas judge granted an injunction allowing the highly regarded Sorsby to play this fall. A terrible precedent — well, unprecedented — when wagering is involved. …
Word is that several Big 12 schools are considering a boycott, not playing Tech. Not saying it’s a pot-kettle thing, but there aren’t many innocents out there. …
A boycott would create a collegiate nuclear explosion. Ain’t happening. …
Does Texas Tech care? College sports has become the wild west and there is no Wyatt Earp with Doc Holliday as backup. …
Tech president Lawrence Schovanec, who doubles as president of the Sorsby Fan Club, has a doctorate in no shame. …
Ditto, Tech AD Kirby Hocutt, who insists integrity matters in sports. No, winning matters in sports, Kirby. Winning means more money for everybody. …
Bob Uecker seats for the NBA Finals in Madison Square Garden were going for around $7,000. That’s about $6,500 more than in 1999, when basketball didn’t require running backs. …
“I’m not a bit anxious to prove what I can do against that guy.” — Wilt Chamberlain, on Bill Russell. …
“The gap between Wilt and the next strongest player is a big one.” — Walt Bellamy. …
Tickets for Game 5 of the NBA Finals were restricted (last minute) to those living 150 miles or less from the Spurs’ arena. Damn. I live 151 miles away. …
LeBron says, “I’m not taking nobody over me,” when asked to name the greatest basketball player. Well, with his acting chops, he might have been the greatest soccer player. …
Not even an NBA team should blow a 29-point lead. …
As a genial World Cup host, the U.S. is proving to be as amiable as Poe’s Prince Prospero. Honestly, we would frisk the pope. …
Italy is not a part of this World Cup, which is incredible. But who cares, as long as gnocchi and cannoli remain? …
The octopus has three hearts. Why is that important? They can never be politicians. …
Bo Belinsky on his potential and talent: “I just didn’t have as much as people thought.” …
Maybe the Army-Navy game. Other than that, Commanders-in-Chief should stay clear of major sports events. They’re chaotic enough as it is. …
Why is Usain Bolt stumping for kidney disease medicine when he doesn’t have the disease? His estimated worth is $90 million, which can buy you a few bushels of yams in Jamaica. …
Charles Barkley and I disagree, which isn’t often. He tells Dan Patrick: “I’m not gonna lie … I hope they fire me,” that he has six or seven years left on his contract and knows he won’t be working that long. He is so much better than the NBA game he covers. …
Barkley called the Spurs “the dumbest basketball team in the history of civilization.” Didn’t have to stretch for that one. …
Did you see Charles play in the Olympics? The world has not known a better international player. …
Barkley was the only Dream Teamer who left his hotel at night. As one who covered each of those joke games, I will forever be in his debt. He was hilarious. Essential. …
Happy birthday, Judy Garland. Fred Astaire called her “the greatest entertainer who ever lived,” and if he was wrong, she was leaning at the tape. …
Has a soccer team ever been a double-digit favorite? …
Before the U.S. men’s soccer team severely demolished Paraguay 4-1, I’d seen three total goals in my career. …
Cavs guard James Harden has been arrested in Houston on a weapons charge. What the hell do you have to do in Texas to get busted for carrying? Babies are handed six-shooters before the butt slap. …
Yogi Berra won 10 World Series with the Yankees. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, he was a Navy gunner on a rocket boat roaming back and forth just off Omaha Beach, and was wounded in the hand. Yogi was awarded a Purple Heart, which he never accepted. Didn’t want his mom to worry. Heroes. …
Do not say we weren’t different then. For the better.