Sports July 31, 2011

Is it just me, or every year do people always talk about how so many teams are competing and how not very many players will be traded? And then, when the deadline does roll around, a bunch of players that can potentially change some races are dealt. If Carlos Beltran can give the Giants any offensive production at all, they could end up running away with the NL West. However, he will have his work cut out for him as he will need base runners to drive in runs, something the Giants lack. Hunter Pence, who the Phillies acquired from Houston in response to the Giants acquisition, could be the right handed bat need to put the Braves away in the NL East. I think Pence is better than Beltran, as he is much younger and still has good legs. Pence, in my opinion, will do a better job than Beltran because of the offense around him, the ball park he will play in, and his age. Ubaldo Jimenez, going to Cleveland, can make an impact in the AL Central. The Indians aren't the best team on paper, but Ubaldo does give them star power, has pitched in a postseason game, and, if he is on top is game, is an ace on almost any pitching staff. And after all of that, you still want to tell me no one got moved?

What about Verlander vs. Weaver? I think they are the two best pitchers in the AL, and are definitely going to finish 1 and 2 in the Cy Young voting. The question is who? When they went toe to toe today, I think the question was answered. Justin Verlander threw 7 and 2/3 no hit innings on his way to victory, while Weaver, who pitched well, was ejected. Even though statistics can indicate a lot of things, there is also the big game aspect to a player. It may only be July, but against another pitcher of his caliber, Verlander shined. At this point, unless there is a massive turnaround, Justin Verlander is in line for the Cy Young award. Before this matchup, I had thought the pick should be Jered Weaver, who started the All Star game for the AL and has been dominant all year long. But head to head, Verlander won straight out.

The Eagles have been busy in free agency and trades and have acquired several good defensive players. Maybe its because I'm a Giants fan, but I somehow don't see all these moves paying off for the Eagles. I do think the Eagles will be a factor in the NFC, they will compete for the Super Bowl, but I think they will fall short. After all, acquiring big names in free agency doesn't always translate to winning a Super Bowl; if it did, the Redskins would have won the last five Super Bowls. Instead, the Redskins, despite all their big name acquisitions, have suffered through years where they did not have the draft picks to acquire new talent. The other reason I believe the Eagles will fall short is depth. When looking at all the great defenses in recent memory, like that of the Steelers, Ravens, Patriots, the Giants team that won the Super Bowl, and even last year's Packers, they all had depth. True, all those teams did have Pro Bowl playmakers, but they also had depth. When their starters went down (which will invariably happen) or were subbed out, there was always another guy who could take his place, and the team wouldn't miss a beat. Last year's Packers are a prime example. Several of the Packer's starters went down last season, yet they simply put another guy in, and the team still clicked. Several undrafted rookies came in and did an outstanding job for the Packers. The Eagles may have that depth, and may still acquire it, but 5 players don't make up a defense.