This is from today’s Toronto Sun, in a classy move from ex-Blue Jay Roy Halladay.

And really, it’s Toronto that has a lot to be thankful for. Not for the overall performance of the Jays, of course, but for Halladay’s effort and consistency over the majority of 12 years with the team. At least the fans had a reason to watch the Blue Jays play, at least with Roy on the mound. And there was always a special buzz in the often-quiet Dome when Halladay pitched, regardless of Toronto’s (likely low) spot in the standings or (non-existent) place in the playoff picture.

When Roy was on the mound, you were in for a clinic. He always knew what pitch to throw and constantly carved up the league’s best hitters. Patience got them nothing but 1-2 counts, while aggressive swingers were in for an easy ground out. Innings were quick and the bullpen had a nice view of the action. That’s because they generally had the night off, save perhaps for the closer. Complete games were ordinary, with others crossing into unbelievable – take Halladay’s 1-0, 10-inning win over Detroit a couple years ago.

So while one of Toronto’s most storied athletes moves on, Blue Jays fans should be thanking him. Yes, we’re screwed, but he did his best. The incoming prospects have a chance to legitimately improve this team, but the trade will linger over the Jays. Fans will cringe while this young team rebuilds, while cheering on Halladay as he pitches Philadelphia into the World Series.

At least I hope they do.

If so, Toronto will have a big-time sports star (no, not Mo Peterson) leave on good terms for the first time in a long time. We all know how Vince Carter worked out, while even Mats Sundin was booed by a portion of Leaf nation who felt his no-trade clause hurt the franchise. If Chris Bosh leaves, many will resent him… and so on.

So it’ll be nice to have a guy in Halladay who goes on to be successful, while remaining attached to the Blue Jays organization. When he comes to town, half the Dome will probably cheer for the Phillies, and when he goes into the Hall, Toronto will share in the moment.

But it still won’t be easy to stomach this for the next while…

According to media reports, including the Toronto Sun’s Bob Elliott, one of the players involved in the Roy Halladay deal has failed their physical.

Initially, it was thought to be Canadian pitcher Phillippe Aumont, who is heading to Philly from Seattle. Now reports say that it’s outfielder Michael Taylor, who will be heading to Oakland via Toronto. The thinking here is the deal gets done anyway, unless the problem is serious. And if top prospect Kyle Drabek is the guy with the problem, it’s possible the whole thing falls apart.

Still, Philadelphia’s GM Ruben Amaro Jr. is in love with Roy and he’ll do everything in his power to see this deal through. Likewise, the Jays will be out of options if this trade turns sour.

There’s simply too much at stake to kill this deal, but things don’t look as clear as they did this morning.

Law will be discussing the 3-way Roy Halladay deal with Seattle and Philly, along with Toronto’s rumoured follow-up deal with Oakland to land Brett Wallace.

He’s the guy I trust most to give an informed opinion, and this is a must-listen for anyone looking for the latest on this situation.

Have you seen this?? Pretty unbelievable footage from a women’s college soccer game.

That’s as dirty as it gets… How in the world were there no red cards shown?

From the Toronto Sun’s Mike Ganter:

“As part of the club’s 15th anniversary celebrations, the Raptors are hoping to honour, of all people, Vince Carter on Nov. 22 when Orlando returns.

”Everybody wants to know how we can do it, but Vince is part of the history here,” GM Bryan Colangelo told the Orlando Sentinel. “Most of the people that he had problems with here are gone.”

Fans who love to bash Vinsanity may differ.”

Personally, I think they should do something, but I’m not certain the fans will really allow it. But seriously, people, can we really not celebrate the best player (by far) in our franchise history? At some point, just let it go. The majority of my best basketball memories involve Vince, and he took the team farther than it’s ever gone.

If it happens, people will boo… But should they?

What’s the right thing to do here?

And will you boo? Or cheer?

-DL

Are you serious?

That was my reaction upon reading Bob Elliott’s Vernon Wells-for-Milton Bradley story this weekend. In case you missed it:

“The Chicago Cubs would like to — have to — deal disgruntled outfielder Milton Bradley. And one player they are eyeing as a target destination is the Blue Jays, with centre fielder Vernon Wells going to the Cubs in return.

“It’s early on, but we think this one has some legs,” said one Cubs official. “But they aren’t the only team we are talking with.”

Bradley, 31, who was suspended for the remainder of the season by the Cubs on Sept. 20, has two years and $21 million US remaining on his contract.

Wells has six years left on his contract extension, $107 million remaining, including the $8.5-million final instalment of his signing bonus, which is due in March. Team president Paul Godfrey and former general manager J.P. Ricciardi signed Wells to the contract extension.

The Cubs suspended Bradley a day after he criticized the team in a newspaper interview, knocking the organization and saying: “You understand why they haven’t won here in 100 years.”

The Cubs’ idea is to split the difference on monies owed — Wells’ $107 million and Bradley’s $21 million for a difference of $86 million. Each team absorbs $43 million.”

Of course, the Cubs later denied the rumours. Makes sense, considering it would be utter stupidity to trade for Wells. I don’t think I can properly describe the level of desperation needed to make the deal… let’s go over some of the reasons:

1. Wells has the worst contract in Major League Baseball. As outlined above, he’s owed over $100 million dollars. For six years. For a declining player. Wow. Wells has one of the largest contracts in baseball history, up there with Alex Rodriguez, etc… I get a little sick just thinking about it.
2. Wells was absolutely terrible at the plate this season, but I think most fans still don’t realize just how bad he was. Of ALL qualified outfielders in Major League Baseball, Wells was fourth from the bottom in OPS (On-base plus Slugging), ahead of only Garret Anderson, B.J. Upton and Randy Winn. The good news? He wasn’t dead last.
3. Shockingly, Wells was EVEN WORSE in the field. Casual fans assume that Vernon is still above average in centre field, but he’s actually the worst everyday CF in Major League Baseball. Digest that for a minute… Yes, defensively, Vernon Wells is the worst at his position. I could demonstrate this with pretty much any of today’s advanced metrics, and I’ve chosen to go with UZR (Ultimate Zone Rating), which has proven to be very accurate. In 2009, Wells finished dead last in UZR… yes, a shocking decline for a former gold glove CF.
4. Unfortunately for Wells, other advanced metrics are just as harsh. RAR (Runs above Replacement) and WAR (Wins above Replacement) can be used to demonstrate a player’s overall value to their team, using both offense and defense. The 2009 statistics show that Vernon Wells was THE FOURTH-WORST PLAYER IN BASEBALL THIS SEASON. Seriously, only Aubrey Huff, Jermaine Dye and Yuniesky Betancourt hurt their teams more. Even funnier (or sad), those four players (Vernon included) were the ONLY four to have NEGATIVE ratings in WAR and RAR. Literally, every other player in baseball had a better season, and that’s absolutely insane. Technically, Wells should have to pay the Jays to let him play, since he sure isn’t contributing to wins. Oh, who was fifth-last on that list? Alex Rios. You can’t make this stuff up.

So, assuming that professional General Managers aren’t complete idiots, it’s safe to say that Vernon Wells cannot be moved. How could anyone justify taking a negative contributor who happens to make more money than almost anyone else? It’s mind-boggling to realize how far Wells has fallen, and I’d like to hope GMs understand the data I’ve just laid out.

That being said, I hope they don’t. Actually, forget everything I just wrote – Please, Cubbies, take Vernon. That Milton Bradley trade would be an early Christmas present… WHO CARES if Bradley’s a headcase. He hit better than Wells last year, and makes half the salary. But really, this isn’t about Bradley. It’s about Vernon Wells, and the fact that he’s untradeable. Yes, even for someone else’s garbage. Sorry, Jays fans, but it’s the truth.

-DL

I was a Cleveland Cavaliers fan last night, and not just because I hate the Celtics.

It also had a lot to do with tonight’s season opener, when the new-look Raptors will try to knock off LeBron James and the Cavs. The Raps have always been powerless to stop superstars, let alone angry superstars. And you can bet LeBron and Shaq will come out swinging after a tough 95-89 loss at home. I figured we might see a somewhat complacent opponent if Cleveland had won, but it’ll be just the opposite. Now, nothing will surprise me… LeBron scoring 50? Shaq going 30 and 15? Honestly, both could happen and I wouldn’t bat an eye.

Like I said, I really wish the Cavs had won.

They didn’t, though, and the Raptors still have a chance. Maybe opening night provides an extra boost of adrenaline, and perhaps this team gels for the first time. It’s difficult to predict the kind of game we’ll see from Toronto, considering any solid effort would be radically different from the performance we saw in Minnesota last week. If the team plays anything like they did during the preseason, it’ll be a long night. I think we’ll find out very early whether the Raps can compete – Yes, tonight the first quarter will be telling.

Let’s break down the matchup:

Point Guard

If the Raptors hope to make any noise this season, they need Jose Calderon to play well on a nightly basis. He looked terrible early in the preseason, but rounded into form towards the end. Ideally, Calderon will look to turn the corner on the high screen-and-roll, and spot up for 3’s when Hedo runs the point. On the other side, Mo Williams is probably too quick for Jose to contain, but he played 35 minutes against the Celtics. Hopefully, a healthy Calderon can take advantage and make Williams work on the defensive end. Two years ago, it’s advantage Jose. Last year, advantage Mo. Who plays better tonight will go a long way towards determining the outcome.

Shooting Guard

This will be a lot of fun, as we’ll get to see rookie DeMar DeRozan up against former Raptor and fan-favourite Anthony Parker. It’s actually a great first matchup for Toronto’s rookie, sparing him the task of guarding say, Ray Allen. Parker played a surprising 40 minutes last night, meaning the onus is on DeRozan to make him work. We saw plenty of this in the preseason – It’s clear that his strength is running the floor and getting to the line. On the defensive side, DeRozan has to be aware of Parker’s preference to shoot corner 3’s, while staying focused on chasing him around screens. AP wasn’t particularly effective against Boston and DeRozan certainly has the tools to make it tough on him tonight. Once Parker gets in a rhythm, he’s tough, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see that against Toronto’s perimeter D.

Small Foward

LeBron is a beast who can’t be stopped, just contained – force him to take outside jumpers and hope for the best. Hedo Turkoglu can’t be expected to defend James by himself, and it’s a situation that needs to be a total team effort. Expect a few blown assignments leading to huge dunks, but hopefully they’ll make James work hard. It’s the only way to guard him, and it’s never pretty. On the offensive end, look for Turkoglu to drive the lane and get teammates involved, allowing Calderon to spot up and shoot more often. If the atrocious preseason shooting numbers improve, so will Hedo’s effectiveness.

Power Forward

Alright, Chris Bosh, show us what you got. Against Anderson Varejao, Bosh is clearly the superior player, but probably can’t match the hustle. We’ve seen this too many times – Bosh struggles against energy players and eventually settles for too many jumpers. Will that change tonight? Let’s hope so. Numbers-wise, this matchup won’t be close, but their play will dictate how the Raptors run the offense. It’s also Game 1 of Bosh’s contract year, so let’s hope that translates to even better play. He’s the leader of this team and it’s time to show it.

Center

Andrea Bargnani vs Shaq is a battle of complete opposites. Neither can guard the other, as Bargnani likes to go outside, while Shaq clogs the lane. There will be pressure on Andrea to box out and grab rebounds, while there’s no question that Shaq will find it difficult to guard Bargnani away from the basket. O’Neal looked gassed in the second half last night and Bargs should have the advantage, but it’s easier said than done. Expect open 3’s for our big man, that he absolutely has to knock down.

Bench

I have to admit, I giggled watching Jamario Moon launch a three-pointer in transition last night. Get used to that, Cleveland. Overall, I was shocked by the lack of talent on the Cavs bench, but I suppose much of that is due to Delonte West’s issues. Still, Boobie Gibson, Big Z and Jamario don’t scare me, and I certainly prefer Jarrett Jack, Amir Johnson, Rasho Nesterovic and Antoine Wright. If Toronto’s starters get the job done, the bench won’t let them down.

Final Thoughts

The Cavs will be pissed, and THAT scares me. Really, though, LeBron is the story. The Raps need to somehow contain him and play better team defense than we’ve seen in the preseason. On offense, Toronto needs to shoot much better and spread the floor. Finally, rebounding is key, and they need everyone active against a powerful Cleveland frontcourt. I’m more confident than I was last night, but I also never count out an angry LeBron. It’s great to have basketball back, and this should be fun.

-DL

There’s a lot going on right now – Hockey season’s in full swing, with basketball just around the corner. Meanwhile, we’re starting to get a clearer look at the NFL picture, while just two teams remain in Major League Baseball. Locally, things aren’t pretty, but there’s plenty to talk about.

• Are the Toronto Maple Leafs awful, unlucky, or both? It’s a little confusing when you watch them play, but that third period on Saturday night summed up their season nicely. Even when the effort is there, and it was, there simply aren’t enough finishers up front. Sure, Ron Wilson, blame Luongo’s stellar play… Have you noticed that most goalies seem to be on their “A” game against Toronto? Reminds me of Raptors fans justifying the outside shooting of an opponent – “Come on, Shane Battier will never go 7/8 from three-point land again”… If something happens enough, it’s time to look in the mirror.
• That being said, Phil Kessel will help. The cynic will say there’s nobody to get him the puck, but the guy can score. Toronto had plenty of chances to even the score on Saturday, but lack a sniper to get the job done. Speaking of Kessel, let’s talk about the No. 1 pick fiasco. The trade looks horrible right now, but is it? Yes, the Leafs may end up with the first pick in next year’s draft, but it’s still quite possible to move up. In any case, there’s absolutely no guarantee Burke lands a young player with as much potential as Kessel. And really, that’s all the draft is. That first round pick is an imaginary player – If Burke still had the pick and used it on this year’s Phil Kessel, what’s the difference? He’s young, great, and locked up. The GM was certainly banking on a better season from his team, but it’s still possible to view the trade with the glass half full.
• Who wins first – The Leafs or the Raptors? I’ll say the Raps win on Friday in Memphis, so it’ll be tight.
• Speaking of the Toronto Raptors, their first month could be pretty miserable. Games against Cleveland, Orlando, Detroit, New Orleans, San Antonio, Chicago, Dallas, Phoenix, Denver and Utah would be tough for anybody, and especially a team that still hasn’t gelled whatsoever. I’m not saying it’s time to panic – Quite the contrary, actually… But reasonable fans should expect to get killed in at least a few of the early contests. Toronto showed very few signs of improvement throughout the preseason, and going 5-10 out of the gate shouldn’t surprise anyone. The playoffs are still attainable, but the start will be rough. If the team improves, there will be plenty of time to right the ship.
• Despite Frank Zicarelli’s objection, it’s the right call to start DeMar DeRozan. I really think Frank has it completely wrong on this one – He talks about hiding rookies, but the second unit is no place for this. The Raptors backups are having enough trouble scoring and it makes no sense to give DeRozan that responsibility. Instead, let the kid do what he’s been doing – filling the lane, cutting to the hoop, and getting to the line. The starting unit is filled with scoring, meaning DeRozan will get his without having plays run for him. It’s the perfect spot to get him minutes, and it’s not like anybody else has earned them. Antoine Wright? Please, you don’t earn minutes by sitting on the bench, especially when you’ve accomplished next to nothing in this league.
• More important than the starting lineup is the finishing lineup. Right now, I’d say the Raps end games with a lineup of Jose Calderon, Jarrett Jack, Hedo Turkoglu, Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani. Obviously, it’s somewhat dependant on the situation.
• Vince Carter is going to have a huge year for the Orlando Magic. Huge.
• What happened to the Miami Dolphins yesterday? As well as New Orleans played in the second half, it was perplexing to watch Miami abandon their game plan. This team is built on running, but insisted on throwing with a huge lead. It made absolutely no sense, and ended in disaster. On the other side of the ball, the Saints continued to prove they are among football’s elite.
• On the other hand, the New York Giants had every opportunity to beat Arizona, but insisted on handing the game to the Cardinals. Last week, it was the defense. This week, it was the offense. Tom Coughlin has to get them ready for a tough Eagles squad before the wheels completely fall off.
• I hate the Dallas Cowboys, but Tony Romo is a very good quarterback. It’s ridiculous what people say about him, despite the way he carries that offense. Nobody is a “winner” until they win. Peyton couldn’t win in the playoffs, until he did. Same goes for Eli. One of these years, a whole lot of people will be eating crow with regards to Romo.
• Troy Polamalu completely changes the Steelers defense. They were average in his absence, and beastly in his return.
• How depressing is this world series matchup for Cleveland Indians fans? The starting pitchers for Game 1 – CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee – both played for the Indians last season. At least they still have LeBron James… for now.
• As for Philadelphia vs New York, it’s too close to call. Two powerful lineups, two good pitching staffs. The series goes six or seven.
• My “wows” for the week go to Anze Kopitar, Vernon Davis, Alex Rodriguez and Ryan Howard.

-DL

In the aftermath of another dramatic playoff game, we have some controversy. The Los Angeles Angels beat the Yankees 5-4 in extras last night, but the story today is whether or not Mariano Rivera cheated during Game 3. Halos Heaven, an Angels blog, has a collection of photos and video that may or may not show Rivera spitting on the ball during the 10th inning. Personally, I’d be shocked and angry, if it’s true. I hate the Yankees, but I have always respected Rivera, who should be considered the greatest closer of all time. He’s the last guy I’d expect to cheat, and it would be another black mark on baseball.

BUT… I don’t think he did it.

I have watched the video (below) a few times, and have several thoughts on the incident.

• Would anybody, especially a seasoned veteran, be stupid enough to spit on the ball during the 10th inning of a playoff game? With cameras and people everywhere?? No way. It wasn’t like Rivera was subtle about it, either. With spitballs, pitchers usually lick their fingers, before applying saliva to the ball. Rivera just spat, and made it obvious. There’s no way he’s that dumb, right?
• The spit doesn’t appear to hit the ball. Instead, it looks like it misses. But, it’s close.
• I know reputations shouldn’t matter, but it does. After all these years, Rivera’s cheating now? He’s a classy guy, and that’s a fact.

If Rivera’s cheating, he’s probably been cheating for a long time. Personally, I don’t think it’s the case, but I know many disagree.

From Halos Heaven:

• The Yankees bring in Rivera during the 10th inning.
• After warming up, he has his back to home plate so the home plate ump can’t see.
• He looks down at the ball, then up to see if the 2nd base ump is watching.
• He then looks back at the ball and appears to spit on it.
• And when he tests clean for steroids they say he is not a cheater.

Here is the video:

So, what happened? Did he spit?

And another question to ponder: Where do spitballs fit into the realm of cheating in baseball? As bad as steroids? Corking your bat? Is it all the same?

And finally, if it’s true, should Rivera be punished?

-DL