The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Before we get to the trading deadline news, another task is at hand. Today marks the first day in the odyssey known as The Colin Cowherd Project. Per my Friday post, the criterion have been set to analyze each of Mr. Cowherd's morning egocentric rants. Monday's proceedings played out as such:

The premise of his opening monologue was the Bobby Abreu trade to the Yankees, and how he felt he was in the minority, believing that the outfielder would not provide the adequate boost for a World Series victory. While most analysts across the country are gushing at Brian Cashman's latest acquisition, Colin argued that Abreu was past his prime, temperamental, was under-performing this season, and would only bring strife to the clubhouse. I must honestly say that I agreed with Colin's premise. He went on to explain how he's tired of the Yankees overpaying for aging veterans, and how the media sucks up each one and tells us that the Yankees are the perennial "team to beat". Bodies breaking down and the pressure of performing in New York have been the end result. Just look at Randy Johnson, Carl Pavano, Jaret Wright, Jason Giambi, Kyle Farnsworth. Now, to the scoring...

Was his topic/view informative?
Informative in the sense that he took the opposite side of the story and made a logical argument, yes.
Did he dig a little deeper than just re-hashing the top story?
No, he rehashed the top story, but I won't dock him since he made a valid argument.
Did he give credence to the other side of the story?
No, he kept repeating how bad the move was, and didn't necessarily say why the Yankees felt it was the best move to make. -1
Did he use a fake voice?
Yes, somehow he worked in a voice of a person in a broadway musical. I can't even explain this one. -1
Did he repeat one thought/idea/analogy incessantly?
He used a terrible analogy, comparing the Yankees moves to how alcohol is a truth serum. He lost me on that one, so while he didn't repeat it incessantly, I'm docking him for a terrible analogy. -1
Did he make an assumption or exaggerate to help prove his point?
No exaggerations, just a good criticism of the Yankee moves in recent years.
Did he contradict an earlier stance without saying he changed his mind?
Yes, this guy has railed on statistics in so many ways that he deserves to be bashed any time he mentions the word. So yes, in his criticism of the Abreu trade, he said something to the effect of "his career is on a decline, just look at the stats". This prompted me to laugh and spill coffee on my shirt. -1
Did he alienate a good portion of his listening audience (like presumably over 30%)
Probably not, although Yankee fans aren't going to be pleased with what he's said, and we unfortunately know their numbers.

Final Score: 4 (out of a possible 8) This was one of his best arguments I've heard in quite a while, but he still only scored a 4. Tough times ahead indeed.

Now to change the subject. For many of us, today is the 2nd most fabulous day of the year (the 1st of course being Christmas. Unless you're Mel Gibson. Then it goes Christmas, Easter, Epiphany, anything else Jesus-related, then MLB's trading deadline). The big deal so far, of course, was the Abreu trade. But what may be more beneficial to the Yankees in that deal was the inclusion of Cory Lidle. Adding Lidle greatly shores up the Yankee starting rotation, and allows Sidney Ponson to go back to Aruba and eat with no repercussions.

Among the other verified trades from Sunday and Monday: The Cardinals sent Hector Luna packing to Cleveland for Ronnie Beliard, completing a swap of mediocre infielders. The latest deal as of noon EST involved Sean Casey moving from the Pirates to the Tigers for a minor league pitcher. This promptly ends the disappointing reign of Chris Shelton in the Majors. After a thunderous April, Shelton has been broken and battered, and will look to right the ship at AAA.

Those players who are still awaiting word on their futures include Alfonso Soriano, Jason Schmidt, Greg Maddux, and Barry Zito, with surprise question marks around Roy Oswalt. Miguel Tejada is sure to stay put, while Julio Lugo is sure to be leaving Tampa Bay, probably heading to Boston. Be assured that there will more wheeling and dealing over the next four hours. We'll make a valiant attempt at bringing all the news to you live here at Thunder Matt.