Here in Philly, the papers are reporting it is Michaels for Rhodes and it is a done deal, pending physicals. I'm not impressed. As I wrote today, I am convinced Ed Wade, in a Pat Gillick suit, is still running the team.

Can someone explain the lust over cop-punching nitwit Jason Michaels? If you read the Sons of Sam Horn you'd think he was the second coming. Sounds like just another reprobate more likely to be pumping gas on the Jersey Turnpike than starting at CF for a major league club to me.

I'm a little confused as to what the Indians are trying to accomplish. I know Crisp isn't a great player and Marte is a great prospect but now that the Indians are ready to contend why trade a solid young cheap improving player for a more expensive less talented version? Just to add Marte? Maybe I'm underestimating Michaels.

Crisp might be better defensively in CF than Damon but I doubt he can replace him hitting leadoff. Maybe the next time the Red Sox are saying how great it is that Theo is back and how great things were when he was gone they can figure out why they let Damon go and don't have a SS.

'05 Crisps numbers are all comparable than '05 Damon's with the exception of OBP & SO's. That is not to say he's better than Damon offensively, but for $365k (read: 12.635mil/year less than Damon), he could be quite lucrative.

So as long as Crisp doesn't get miscast as leadoff man for the start of '06, I think the Sox are displaying some possible wisdom and foresight acquiring him for his prime years (26-29).

Of course, Andy Marte could now become Jeff Bagwell: The Sequel. But that will be an afterthought if the Sox can save some cash, resign Papi, Beckett, etc, and perhaps land a guy like Teixeira in the next couple years.

"Crisp, who made $365,000 last season, is likely to land in the neighborhood of $3 million this coming year, either in arbitration or through negotiation, and is set up to earn about $20 million over the next four seasons if he performs as he has."

Okay, nevermind about the $365/year assumption I made above. $20 mil is still well below 50% of what Damon will be overpaid. And Crisp will certainly put up at least 75% of Damon's offensive production, with a 80000000% upgrade defensively.

Nat, you need to do your research on Crisp's defense before siting a 80000000% upgrade. Crisp's career CF Rate2 (which measures defense) is in the low 90's (I thin it's 93). Average is 100. While he has played well in LF, his CF defense has been horrible.

Crisp isn't an especially good CF. I think he can be average in Fenway, but if the Sox are really playing Manny/Crisp/Trot, their OF defense is going to be extremely poor.

Michaels has been extremely productive in limited time for the Phils. A guy with a lifetime obp of .380 (808 at bats) is unlikely to be "pumping gas on the NJ tp" and there are far worse citizens earning much more money than J-Mike. He also cut his strikeouts by 35 last season, he's too old to be considered any kind of prospect but should be worth more than Arthur Lee Rhodes.

Ken Rosenthal says physicals may be an issue in this deal.