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It took a full year for the Yankees to accept what J.P. Ricciardi knew almost immediately. What's surprising is, they found another sucker. Raul Mondesi was banished to the desert yesterday. According to Anthony McCarron in the NY Daily News, it wasn't just that he publicly ripped his manager last week, or bolted on his team during a game:

The Yanks were concerned about the influence Mondesi was having on their other Latin players, particularly Alfonso Soriano, who has struggled recently.

Gee, what a surprise. He taught Felipe Lopez so much in Toronto. This isn't as obvious or significant an improvement as adding Scott Williamson was for the Red Sox, but the Yankees are much better off without Mondesi. Raul, as he always does, will try to make a good first impression, but his behaviour will infect the Arizona clubhouse before long.
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_Lurch - Wednesday, July 30 2003 @ 09:07 AM EDT (#95948) #
Boy was I glad when he left.

And damn that Theo, he's going to make getting to the playoffs very hard over the next few years.
_Jabonoso - Wednesday, July 30 2003 @ 11:53 AM EDT (#95949) #
What surprises me migthly is how much the Snakes paid for Mondi. Wow
Gitz - Wednesday, July 30 2003 @ 12:38 PM EDT (#95950) #
Theo Epstein identified Scott Williamson as a valuable pitcher? Wow! What a genius!

He deserves credit for turning an effective spare part -- Shea Hillenbrand -- into Byung-Hyun Kim, but we shouldn't get too effusive because he picked up Williamson.
_Spicol - Wednesday, July 30 2003 @ 01:06 PM EDT (#95951) #
we shouldn't get too effusive because he picked up Williamson.

Agreed. Having access to $100 million plus dollars each year takes some of the shine off of his genius.
_Lurch - Wednesday, July 30 2003 @ 01:34 PM EDT (#95952) #
He's not a genius, but Red Sox are going to have a better shot at the playoffs than either the Jays or A's for the next few years unless Pedro dies.
_Dr B - Wednesday, July 30 2003 @ 06:06 PM EDT (#95953) #
He did pick up Williamson for not very much talent. It's not the swindle of Byung-Hyun Kim but it's still a good move. Genius, no. Great job, yes.
_Dr B - Wednesday, July 30 2003 @ 08:22 PM EDT (#95954) #
Hold it folks, we're all wrong. The Mondesi trade is actually high impact according to Tim Kurkijan (Genius, no).
_Spicol - Wednesday, July 30 2003 @ 08:51 PM EDT (#95955) #
I'm not comparing the players, but watching Lidle pitch fills me with the same ugly sense of dread that I'd feel with Steve Parris on the mound. Prior to Parris it was Joey Hamilton that did that to me. Prior to Joey Hamilton, it was Erik Hanson.

I hate being reminded of Erik Hanson.
_Spicol - Wednesday, July 30 2003 @ 08:54 PM EDT (#95956) #
Whoops. Wrong thread.

Back on topic: How did Tim Kurkjian get his job anyway? He's not a former player and he's not a gifted writer. What is he?
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