2008 MLB Season

[DG_YouKnowWhatThatMeans]

The Mariners beat the Rays 2-1 in what seems to have been a very good game. I was at Safeco, saw none of it, and left during the sixth inning.

So it goes.

[FiddySicks]

The Mariners beat the Rays 2-1 in what seems to have been a very good game. I was at Safeco, saw none of it, and left during the sixth inning.

So it goes.

I gotta wonder what the point is of paying for admission so you can talk to friends and drink $9 flat warm beers and eat $6 cold hot dogs. But thats just me I guess...

[Cujo]

Sox claimed Brian Giles off of waivers and are working on a deal now. He's not the 30+ HR guy used to be (thanks to steroid testing, maybe?) but he hits a serviceable .295 and can get on base.

I doubt we'll see Giles land in Boston. Boston is one of the teams he doesn't want to be traded to, per his contract. Also hear on WEEI, that he hates Boston for some reason.

"Marcus' brother" has blocked the waiver deal to Boston, thus choosing outhouse over penthouse.

[BigEd76]

The Marlins take 2 of 3 from the Phillies. Cant complain about that.

I can

[TFoA]

Sox claimed Brian Giles off of waivers and are working on a deal now. He's not the 30+ HR guy used to be (thanks to steroid testing, maybe?) but he hits a serviceable .295 and can get on base.

I doubt we'll see Giles land in Boston. Boston is one of the teams he doesn't want to be traded to, per his contract. Also hear on WEEI, that he hates Boston for some reason.

"Marcus' brother" has blocked the waiver deal to Boston, thus choosing outhouse over penthouse.

Must've been a Yankee fan growing up.

[Gothamite]

You don't have to be a Yankee fan to know that playing in Boston is playing under a microscope in front of very devoted and occassionally very harsh fans.

Heck, you don't have to be a Red Sox fan to know the same about New York.

[CC97]

You don't have to be a Yankee fan to know that playing in Boston is playing under a microscope in front of very devoted and occassionally very harsh fans.

Heck, you don't have to be a Red Sox fan to know the same about New York.

But if you're not a Yankee fan and you're not a Red Sox fan who could you possibly be a fan of?

[Gothamite]

One of the Los Angeles teams.

Duh.

[Brass]

When did Brian Giles initially sign his contract that he's currently in? He had about 8 teams that he could block and trade to and the only one that was a contender (at the time of the signing) was Boston. The other teams were the likes of Baltimore, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, Washington and Kansas City.

Either he doesn't like the city of Boston or he just can't handle the pressure.

[See Red]

When did Brian Giles initially sign his contract that he's currently in? He had about 8 teams that he could block and trade to and the only one that was a contender (at the time of the signing) was Boston. The other teams were the likes of Baltimore, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, Washington and Kansas City.

Either he doesn't like the city of Boston or he just can't handle the pressure.

December of 2005.

I don't know what it is but he'd have been a nice guy to add. Would've given them the option to send Ellsbury down to Triple A to get things figured out until the rosters expand.

[tp49]

Barry Bonds made an appearance last night at Pac Bell Park for the ceremony honoring 50 years of SF Giants outfielders. Came out with his Godfather Willie Mays. Giants could use his bat in the lineup but I can definitely understand why they let him go.

[infrared41]

When did Brian Giles initially sign his contract that he's currently in? He had about 8 teams that he could block and trade to and the only one that was a contender (at the time of the signing) was Boston. The other teams were the likes of Baltimore, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, Washington and Kansas City.

Either he doesn't like the city of Boston or he just can't handle the pressure.

Maybe he just wanted to stay with The Padres. Could it possibly be that he's loyal to his team? Maybe his family is on the west coast and he doesn't want to leave them. Or it could be that he's a starter in San Diego and his playing time would have been reduced in Boston. Finally, maybe he's like a lot of us around here and he hates the Red Sox.

[Lee.]

But if you're not a Yankee fan and you're not a Red Sox fan who could you possibly be a fan of?

Go Cubs.

[Jigga]

When did Brian Giles initially sign his contract that he's currently in? He had about 8 teams that he could block and trade to and the only one that was a contender (at the time of the signing) was Boston. The other teams were the likes of Baltimore, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, Washington and Kansas City.

Either he doesn't like the city of Boston or he just can't handle the pressure.

Maybe he just wanted to stay with The Padres. Could it possibly be that he's loyal to his team? Maybe his family is on the west coast and he doesn't want to leave them. Or it could be that he's a starter in San Diego and his playing time would have been reduced in Boston. Finally, maybe he's like a lot of us around here and he hates the Red Sox.

Thank you! Someone is thinking outside of the box here. All we've heard is "what's wrong with Brian Giles? Why wouldn't he go to the Red Sox? Does he like losing? San Diego sucks!" He can't handle the pressure?! that. Typical Boston fan arrogance. Giles said he is hoping the Padres pick up his option in 2009, because he wants to finish his career in San Diego. He loves where he is, he's playing in his hometown, and his career is winding down...as fans, we need to realize that for the pro athlete, this is his/her job. He doesn't want to be transferred, he likes his coworkers (even after they fired his brother...lol), his family is comfortable, and he can see retirement on the horizon.

How does it not make sense that Giles didn't want to go? Oh, that's right, Boston is the sports Mecca and everyone is supposed to have the, "God. I'd give my left nut to play there" mentality. Again, that.

[DEAD!]

When did Brian Giles initially sign his contract that he's currently in? He had about 8 teams that he could block and trade to and the only one that was a contender (at the time of the signing) was Boston. The other teams were the likes of Baltimore, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, Washington and Kansas City.

Either he doesn't like the city of Boston or he just can't handle the pressure.

Maybe he just wanted to stay with The Padres. Could it possibly be that he's loyal to his team? Maybe his family is on the west coast and he doesn't want to leave them. Or it could be that he's a starter in San Diego and his playing time would have been reduced in Boston. Finally, maybe he's like a lot of us around here and he hates the Red Sox.

Thank you! Someone is thinking outside of the box here. All we've heard is "what's wrong with Brian Giles? Why wouldn't he go to the Red Sox? Does he like losing? San Diego sucks!" He can't handle the pressure?! that. Typical Boston fan arrogance. Giles said he is hoping the Padres pick up his option in 2009, because he wants to finish his career in San Diego. He loves where he is, he's playing in his hometown, and his career is winding down...as fans, we need to realize that for the pro athlete, this is his/her job. He doesn't want to be transferred, he likes his coworkers (even after they fired his brother...lol), his family is comfortable, and he can see retirement on the horizon.

How does it not make sense that Giles didn't want to go? Oh, that's right, Boston is the sports Mecca and everyone is supposed to have the, "God. I'd give my left nut to play there" mentality. Again, that.

Yeah, I was watch a Red Sox - White Sox pregame via NESN and that was all I heard, "what's wrong with Giles", "If I was him, I would go and have a chance to win" ... it's the same people who were bashing Manny after the trade (I was in Boston last weekend, "Manny Who?")

[gingerbreadmann]

Come on, you can't seriously turn a question like that into "typical Boston sports arrogance." Now I realize I'm immediately probably going to not be taken seriously because you probably place me under the Boston sports arrogant hooligan who automatically spews ignorant homer-ish bulls**t category, but it is a fair question, not one you need to use as yet another ridiculous Boston bashing platform. Obviously location and moving his family, comfortableness, etc. all factors in, but it's fair to wonder the specific reasoning. I'd ask the same thing if this was a trade to the Angels, Rays, Cubs, Mets, Yankees, Twins, etc. And I don't even want him here. Giles has basically played his whole career for perennial last-place contenders Pittsburgh and San Diego. In '97 he was on a World Series-contending team in the Indians but they lost, he wasn't even a regular, and that was 11 years ago. The following year they were swept by the Yankees in the ALCS, and since then he has been in the postseason twice, both times getting demolished by the Cardinals in the NLDS, in 2005 and '06.

So maybe he does hate Boston or the Red Sox. After all, they are one of the teams he can block a trade to, when other East Coast teams are not. But is it really irrational to ask why? Oh yeah, I/we are Red Sox fans, so it is. What if a Twins or Astros fan asked that? Does he hate the Sox because they have been winning a lot recently, like the rest of you? At 37, wouldn't one assume, at or near the end of his career, that he would want the chance to be a contributor for a contending team, one that has had proven success in recent years, down the stretch and possibly into the playoffs? One would most likely assume that provided he realizes the Padres are going nowhere this year, he would want a chance to finally win that elusive ring that he came so close to 11 years earlier. It wouldn't even have to be the end of his career, the Sox won't pick up his option and he can re-sign back with the Padres for a year or so if he wants, to end his career there like he supposedly wants. Wouldn't 3 months away from home not be worth the chance of a lifetime, the closure to his career? I certainly don't see a reason why these questions are so arrogant, myself. If I were him, I'd snap at a chance like this, to any real contending team, not just the Red Sox, because what more could you want in the final part of your career that a legitimate chance to win your first World Series and then go back home and be happy? It very well may be the factors you talked about, hometown, happiness in SD, settling down, personal preference, gut feeling, etc., but again, he wouldn't be away for very long.

So please, if you will, try not to jump to stupid accusations like that, and tell me why one final shot to win the WS isn't worth 3 months of his life, especially when he can just go back home afterward and retire happy like he wanted to all along. And why it's so arrogant to wonder these things. And I don't even want him here.

/rant

[Jigga]

Come on, you can't seriously turn a question like that into "typical Boston sports arrogance." Now I realize I'm immediately probably going to not be taken seriously because you probably place me under the Boston sports arrogant hooligan who automatically spews ignorant homer-ish bulls**t category, but it is a fair question, not one you need to use as yet another ridiculous Boston bashing platform. Obviously location and moving his family, comfortableness, etc. all factors in, but it's fair to wonder the specific reasoning. I'd ask the same thing if this was a trade to the Angels, Rays, Cubs, Mets, Yankees, Twins, etc. And I don't even want him here. Giles has basically played his whole career for perennial last-place contenders Pittsburgh and San Diego. In '97 he was on a World Series-contending team in the Indians but they lost, he wasn't even a regular, and that was 11 years ago. The following year they were swept by the Yankees in the ALCS, and since then he has been in the postseason twice, both times getting demolished by the Cardinals in the NLDS, in 2005 and '06.

So maybe he does hate Boston or the Red Sox. After all, they are one of the teams he can block a trade to, when other East Coast teams are not. But is it really irrational to ask why? Oh yeah, I/we are Red Sox fans, so it is. What if a Twins or Astros fan asked that? Does he hate the Sox because they have been winning a lot recently, like the rest of you? At 37, wouldn't one assume, at or near the end of his career, that he would want the chance to be a contributor for a contending team, one that has had proven success in recent years, down the stretch and possibly into the playoffs? One would most likely assume that provided he realizes the Padres are going nowhere this year, he would want a chance to finally win that elusive ring that he came so close to 11 years earlier. It wouldn't even have to be the end of his career, the Sox won't pick up his option and he can re-sign back with the Padres for a year or so if he wants, to end his career there like he supposedly wants. Wouldn't 3 months away from home not be worth the chance of a lifetime, the closure to his career? I certainly don't see a reason why these questions are so arrogant, myself. If I were him, I'd snap at a chance like this, to any real contending team, not just the Red Sox, because what more could you want in the final part of your career that a legitimate chance to win your first World Series and then go back home and be happy? It very well may be the factors you talked about, hometown, happiness in SD, settling down, etc., but again, he wouldn't be away for very long.

So please, if you will, try not to jump to stupid accusations like that, and tell me why one final shot to win the WS isn't worth 3 months of his life, especially when he can just go back home afterward and retire happy like he wanted to all along. And why it's so arrogant to wonder these things. And I don't even want him here.

/rant

Just read the post above yours, and put down the homer hanky for a second, okay?

[gingerbreadmann]

Just read the post above yours, and put down the homer hanky for a second, okay?

Yeah I saw it, though I don't exactly understand how you feel it relates to or answers me or what I said, but okay. I'm sure it's something having to do with NESN obviously showing how stupid and arrogant I am

[Brass]

When did Brian Giles initially sign his contract that he's currently in? He had about 8 teams that he could block and trade to and the only one that was a contender (at the time of the signing) was Boston. The other teams were the likes of Baltimore, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, Washington and Kansas City.

Either he doesn't like the city of Boston or he just can't handle the pressure.

Maybe he just wanted to stay with The Padres. Could it possibly be that he's loyal to his team? Maybe his family is on the west coast and he doesn't want to leave them. Or it could be that he's a starter in San Diego and his playing time would have been reduced in Boston. Finally, maybe he's like a lot of us around here and he hates the Red Sox.

I think I could believe your post if he had an entire trade clause. His family is on the west coast and he wants to stay with them, but great. So if he gets traded to a team like Chicago or Cleveland, he doesn't get the chance to veto it. When he signed his contract in 2005, all of the teams were bottom-feeders, except Boston. So perhaps he doesn't like city OR he can't handle the pressure of the fans. Neither you or I know for sure.

Rumor was also that the deal would be Brian Giles in exchange for a player to be named later. In the offseason, Theo would of given Giles back to the Padres, as the player to be named later.

[infrared41]

When did Brian Giles initially sign his contract that he's currently in? He had about 8 teams that he could block and trade to and the only one that was a contender (at the time of the signing) was Boston. The other teams were the likes of Baltimore, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, Washington and Kansas City.

Either he doesn't like the city of Boston or he just can't handle the pressure.

Maybe he just wanted to stay with The Padres. Could it possibly be that he's loyal to his team? Maybe his family is on the west coast and he doesn't want to leave them. Or it could be that he's a starter in San Diego and his playing time would have been reduced in Boston. Finally, maybe he's like a lot of us around here and he hates the Red Sox.

I think I could believe your post if he had an entire trade clause. His family is on the west coast and he wants to stay with them, but great. So if he gets traded to a team like Chicago or Cleveland, he doesn't get the chance to veto it. When he signed his contract in 2005, all of the teams were bottom-feeders, except Boston. So perhaps he doesn't like city OR he can't handle the pressure of the fans. Neither you or I know for sure.

Rumor was also that the deal would be Brian Giles in exchange for a player to be named later. In the offseason, Theo would of given Giles back to the Padres, as the player to be named later.

I gave a lot of reasons. Pick the one you like. Personally, I think he just hates Boston and doesn't want to play there. I bet if you did a survey of players a lot of them would say they don't want to play in Boston. Pressure is pressure. Are you telling me that being up with 2 outs in a clutch situation is somehow tougher in Boston than it is in Houston? Screw the media pressure. If that's a problem you just tell them you aren't talking. Steve Carlton went to the HOF and he never said to the Philly media. Who knows why he vetoed the trade? But better yet, who cares? It's not like Brian Giles was the missing piece that would have put Boston back in the World Series.