more bye week analysis

OK, so almost immediately after posting my thoughts on the sports world...several things happened that I had to express my feelings on.

Edgar Renteria traded for Jair Jurjjens and Gorkys Hernandez.

This is one of those few trades where I really don't see a winning side...at least not immediately. Renty played a bit above his head in 2007, but is still quite a bargain for his price. But it's pretty clear he was the one to go amongst the extremely crowded middle infield in the Braves System.

The tigers got exactly what they needed...a shortstop that can play defense (wait...are we still talking about Renteria?) allowing Guillen to move to first.

The Braves also got exactly what they needed (besides restocking on minor leaguers with ridiculous names). We got pitcher who can immediately jump into the rotation and pitch (average?) innings. He is a youngster with middle of the rotation potential.

The part of the trade I do not understand is Hernandez. Don't get me wrong, it's great to have a great young CF prospect in our organization (drawing Elvis Andrus comparisons in age and ability) but the problem is our outfield is too crowded. We are developing the same problem in the outfield that we had recently at shortstop. Jordan Schafer looks to be the best we have among OF prospects but we also have Gregor Blanco who is as major league ready as he'll probably ever be, Brandon Jones saw time with the Big club at the end of 2007, Cody Johnson, newly acquired Heyward, possibly even Lillibrige getting time in CF. It's getting kind crowded!

Although new GM Frank Wren denies it...I don't see how Gorkys is anything but trade bait.

Dallas cowboys resigned Tony Romo to a 6 year/67.5 million contract
I knew he was auditioning for the part of "franchise quarterback" played most recently by Troy Aikman, Roger Staubach and has also had other familiar names. What I didn't expect was that the audition would be so short. Makes me nervous that they signed him after seeing him play half a season against below average defenses (two teams excluded) expecially after his late season decline last year.

The good news is that half of that contract is based on performance...only guaranteeing him 30 million. I like the idea of paying players based on performance...something I wish I'd see more of. But the idea that he is still guaranteed 30 million still makes it interesting.

By comparing this 30 mill with other QBs, I notice two things. One makes me smile...the other frown.

Comparison #1...his contract guarantees him a just a little more than Jamarcus Russell will receive.

That makes me smile, although it's pretty clear JayRuss is overpaid. Knowing that Romo will got just a hair more than Russell, even though russell has hardly proven himself, seems to me like the Cowboys did they're HW.

Comparison #2...his contract guarantees him just a little LESS than Peyton Manning.

OK, this one makes me frown. Romo is good, but he's no Manning. Looking at it this way makes it seem like way, way overpayment.


So, is this a good deal or not? My answer -- depends on how many rings he can bring to Big D.