Salary Showdown: Snooki Punch

Welcome to the blog's new feature, the Salary Showcase. Here, you will get a brief but informative breakdown of each team's salary.

Now, we get to see who is overachieving, underachieving, and who is getting the most bang for their buck. Unsuccessful managers with a high salary team are sure to be feeling the heat from their fan base.

I am going based off the current roster, not the drafted roster. Big ups to Chris for the idea and Shea for the headline.


Snooki Punch
Manager: Andy
2010 salary: $153,963,000
Hitting salary: $102,510,000
Pitching salary: $51,453,000
Highest-paid hitter: Carlos Beltran ($19,400,000)
Highest-paid pitcher: Mark Buehrle ($14,000,000)
Lowest-paid hitter: Jason Heyward ($400,000)
Lowest-paid pitcher: Dallas Braden ($420,000)
Read more!

Big acquisitions for naught

The league went into crisis mode about two months ago when three trades involving playoff-potential teams were made involving non-playoff teams.

Verbal barbs were flying, arguments were starting, and hell was breaking loose. It will lead to offseason discussion about how to handle keeper trades in the future.

Howeva! (in our best Stephen A. Smith voice), I will be quick to point out that the three teams who made the trades (Andy, Chris, Ken) are out. Three flame-outs. Three busted trades. So, maybe the midseason crucifixion of trading was overblown.


A refresher: Ken sent Beltran to Mike for Abreu; Andy sent Lincecum, Quentin and Scott to Mike for Lester, Morales and Markakis; Chris sent Rodriguez to Shea for Kershaw, Guerrero and Tejada.

I spoke to all three managers who made the trades. Chris regretted it, Andy was on the fence and Ken did not. Chris did not make the playoffs, and Andy and Ken lost in the first round.

"Nah, I don't because I needed (Abreu) to make it into the playoffs," Ken said. "I didn't want to keep Beltran because I didn't want two Met keepers. But now I have a tough choice to make about keepers."

"Yes, (Rodriguez) will be missed in the lineup next year," Chris said. "However, this clears up room for younger stars to come in and show what they have to offer."

"I'm not sure," Andy said. "I dont think i woulda made the playoffs without it, but now I'm picking up pitchers just to try and give myself options for next year. It's pretty bad."

So, as you can see, three different viewpoints, but the one thing in common: all three managers are very concerned about their keeper situation for next year.

"The part that gets me the most and I absolutely hate," Chris said, "is that A-Rod is a Yankee. So I want him to do well next year, but i want Shea's team to fail miserably and all his keepers to get hurt for long durations."
Read more!

Analyzing the Abreu-for-Beltran swap

As first reported here on the blog, Mike and Ken swapped outfielders yesterday.

Ken sent first-round draft pick Carlos Beltran to Mike in exchange for Bobby Abreu.

The deal clearly indicates two teams heading in opposite directions, and we will have to wait long term to see who ends up getting the better of it.

"Unless my whole team turns into my best hitter, I don't see how Abreu can help me make playoffs with six weeks left," Mike said.

More analysis after the jump.


Ken picked up one of fantasy baseball's best players this year. Abreu gives him hits, runs, walks, average and stolen bases. But the biggest thing it might do is force the other top contenders in the Tug McGraw division to respond with a trade of their own. Specifically Andy and Joe.

Mike picks up a likely keeper for next year and beyond. He had been down on Ian Kinsler and his .240 average and wasn't thrilled about having him as the centerpiece of his team for another season.

So he made the deal for the injured Beltran, who may or may not return this season.

"To me at this point they are being careful with his injury with no reason to rush him back," Mike said. "His doctors told me he will definitely be 100 percent to go next year."

If Beltran returns this year, specifically in late August/early September around playoff time, Ken may regret making the deal.

"I needed someone to fill the void left by Beltran," Ken said. "The Mets handle injuries horribly, and I know we won't see Beltran again this year."

The one oddity about the trade is why it happened yesterday instead of the day of the trade deadline, Sunday, Aug. 9. Mike (7-9) could have used the next two weeks to see if he is gets back to .500 for a last run at a playoff spot.

Clearly, Ken (11-5) would have done the deal two weeks from now, as well.

But sources tell me Mike wanted to get the trade done because he is still working the phones trying to improve his team for next year.

Check back as we get closer to the trade deadline for more on rumors and trade musings. Remember, the blog is your No. 1 source for up-to-the-minute happenings!
Read more!

Sources: Beltran trade imminent

A trade involving superstar Carlos Beltran is nearing completion, a source close to the negotiations has told the blog.

The source spoke on a condition of anonymity because the deal is not complete.

In the deal, Ken would receive either Bobby Abreu or Brad Hawpe from Mike for Carlos Beltran. Ken is deciding between the two, the source said.

"The accept button is coming soon," the source said.


When asked, Mike refused to acknowledge he was making the trade for the potential keeper.

"There is some substance to these rumors, nothing is definite yet," he said. "But there is a deal being discussed."

Mike would receive a definite keeper in his weak lineup, albeit it would signify the end of this season for him, as it would indicate him throwing in the towel.

Ken gets a .300 hitter as he continues his chase for a division title.

The source said both teams were wary of the deal being voted against in a veto-happy league, but thought it would go through because it involved a likely offseason keeper.
Read more!