From this weekend’s Patriots/Bills game, for those of you who didn’t see the game, the wind was swirling, at times up to 50+ MPH affecting the kicking game drastically. Check out this field goal attempt by the Bills where even with compensating for the wind there really is no chance.
Archive for December 30th, 2008
30
Dec
08
Wide Right!
30
Dec
08
Bring Hanley Back
It seems like it’s a moot point, but I like the aggressiveness of the Red Sox brass in checking in on former farmhand Hanley Ramirez’ availability in the aftermath of the Teixeira signing. That said, the reported starting price of Clay Buchholz and Jacoby Ellsbury seem pretty high. Even still, I’m not sure it’s not worth it to get Hanley, with the condition that Ramirez comes as a center fielder and not as a shortstop. I didn’t want to give up Jacoby and Buchholz for Johan Santana but for Hanley I think it is not necessarily too much. All of 25 years old, Ramirez has averaged 27 HRs and 36 steals per season with a career OPS+ so far of 135!
Sure, would giving up on Buchholz and Ellsbury hurt? You bet it would, just as the initial trading away of Hanley did, but just like that trade, the reward would, I believe, ultimately outweigh that cost. Adding Hanley as a center fielder would add that power bat to the lineup that the Sox need, his speed matches Jacoby’s, keeping that new element in the Sox’ game and his star is rising, every year Hanley is getting better and better. If he can be moved off shortstop where he is a butcher getting by on sheer athleticism I think there is no reason he isn’t one of the most dominant players in the game for the next 10 years.
On the other hand, for the Marlins, even getting back two STUD prospects might not be enough for Hanley. That franchise has no one else to market their team around otherwise. I mean, Dan Uggla does not park fans in the seats. Then again, nobody on the Marlins seems to bring fans to the stadium…
The Slanch Report 
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