Mets 5 Nationals 2 in the First Game after the Scherzer Trade

Steve Cohen likes to burn money as he will be paying $58 Million of Max Scherzer's salary in 2023-24 salary when he pitches for the Texas Rangers.  As of this writing, the Mets have traded their best starting and relief pitchers.  Other trades could be coming as the trading deadline is about 48 hours away.  I don't like these trades as they weaken sellers like the Mets this season.  They have an obligation to their fans to be competitive until the end of the season.

In today's game, Francisco Lindor hit a home run and went 3 for 4 to give starting pitcher Justin Verlander, who could be the next player traded, his 250th career victory.  Brooks Raley, the apparent new closer, pitched the ninth inning for the save.

Game Recap

Mets GM Billy Eppler: 'This is not a rebuild, or fire sale or liquidation, it's a repurposing'

The Mets Have Thrown in the Towel for This Season

 

After reading about speculations about trades, I just heard about one that was actually made.  The Met traded closer David Robertson to the Miami Marlins for infielder Marco Vargas and catcher Ronald Hernandez.  These two players are now at the rookie level in the minor leagues and are at least three years away from the majors.  Several issues are wrong about this trade:

• Why trade Robertson to a team in the division?
• They could have gotten prospects at the AAA level had they waited until the day before the trading deadline.
• Who is going to be the closer? It would have to be Brooks Raley or Adam Ottavino

At least the Marlins will be paying Robertson's salary for the rest of the season.

It is always possible that the Mets would sign Robertson in the off-season for 2024.  He would be a good set-up man for Edwin Diaz.

I think that Billy Eppler is a terrible general manager as he has made many bad trades.  It is safe to say that the Mets have thrown in the towel for this season.  I hope no further stupid trades will be made before the deadline as the Mets have an obligation to be competitive for the rest of the season.

The Sinead O'Connor - Bob Dylan Connection

 Yesterday, it was announced that Sinead O'Connor passed away at age 56.  As of now, no cause of death was stated.  Sinead was invited to appear at the 30th Anniversary concert honoring Bob Dylan in 1992.  She was supposed to sing I Believe in You but sang Bob Marley's War.  This raised some controversy.

Sinead wrote a letter to Bob on his 70th birthday in 2011

Random Thoughts of the Day

 

• I am tired of reading articles in The Athletic and other online publications speculating on trades that will be made before the MLB trading deadline on August 1. If the Mets trade anyone, the new team should pick up the entire salary of the traded player.  Steve Cohen is paying most of the salaries of Edgardo Escobar and James McCann whom they traded.
• I still have crazy dreams about libraries.  I had two last night:
• I was applying for a part-time kob at St.John's University where I worked from 1990-92.  Since I have a good pension, I don't need a part-time job.
• I returned to the NYPL Research Library where I worked from 1983-90.  I encountered two authors of books about Bob Dylan.
• I make donations to several charities regularly.  I constantly receive emails and snail mail from these organizations asking for more donations.  This just adds to their overhead.

Defensive Driving Course

Last week I received an email from my insurance agent suggesting I take a defensive driving course.  I took it about 4 years ago but found it must be repeated after 3 years.  Upon completion my insurance rate can be decreased by 10%.  Fortunately, it can be taken online, which takes about 6 hours to complete.  Pre-internet days, one would have to go to an office and sit through the course for 6 hours.  Some of the topics are:

• Driver Attitude
• Defensive Driving
• Signs, Signals, and Road Markings
• Right of Way
• Stopping Distance

Most of what is covered is common sense, but it is worth the decrease in my auto insurance.  I could understand that it should be required by new drivers, but experienced drivers know what is covered.

 

Bob Dylan Pays Tribute to Tony Bennett

  

Bob Dylan sang "Once Upon a Time" at a tribute to Tony Bennett on his 90th birthday.

RIP Tony

Mets 5 White Sox 1 in a Bonus Game for Us

 

Since the starting time of the Mets-Dodgers game on Sunday, July 20th was moved from 1:40 PM until 5:30 PM, the Mets management stated that all ticketholders can get tickets for any game from Monday - Thursday.  I decided to come to Wednesday night's game against the White Sox.

The highlights of the game were:

 

• 8 innings pitched by veteran Justin Verlander who allowed only 1 run and 3 hits
• A third-inning home run by Bret Baty
• A 4-run fourth inning.

Although the Mets had a 5-run lead I was a little nervous since on Monday night an 11-4 lead was reduced to 11-10 with the go-ahead run on base in the 9th inning. A solo home run by Luis Robert was the only score for the White Sox last night.