8-4-08 Ken Rosenthal, Fox Sports

Every Tuesday at this time. We talked baseball -- fox sports baseball insider joining us now on the AT&T hotline from fox sports is Ken Rosenthal -- and -- You don't grade a little less hectic for you this week than last. I I actually -- can at one point. Wednesday night from the press box at Fenway and I set in my watching Manny Ramirez's last at bat. Turned out that I wasn't back did you think that would happen.

But. I did know earlier in the week talking to other teams that they were and I'm on -- So. Even back -- and -- Diaw has done hoop jumping or. I've gently as possible game. Obviously don't know what happened with Florida and came LA. In. -- next question. Yes it is the -- ridiculously high price but. They had to do. That is around baseball it is and Red Sox people certainly. Sure there are some fans out there. Were upset by this but. Come a time when you have to expect players. Guys left in. -- have to worry about that should never have to worry about that and that's whether it worked. Right wrong in different.

Use that some fans are upset by this. I only. Yeah yeah we need to lock and WE DI dot com -- he had enough logged on last hour. We heard of her from about 45. But you know ten a lot of people have talked about Jason -- in Boston. And Manny in Los Angeles I'm still a little confused on line Manny Ramirez is not a Florida Marlins today. They asked for too much too late in the Red Sox got frustrated that the gist of what happens.

That is a better question -- but. You know I heard I heard -- But I handers well actually I don't understand because you're with the count.

There are some accounts that -- to Marlins estrogen in dollars war. In the DO conditions in or salary paid that's were slow down they also want a prospect. There's an account and icy -- people with in the game have to account. And it worked. The other version of Pirates -- too much. In the that you can argue all day long that was right was wrong. Whether. -- shifted or whatever which is a pail player the -- the -- You can make a deal happen we don't know when that happens sometimes it's. There's. Not deception to leading going on bottom line is the Dodgers came together very quickly on -- did not come together at all. Game eight ought to have at this there's no question about.

Ten let's take your premise that the Red Sox really had no choice at this point they had to do the deal. As you said that's kind of the consensus among many of the baseball people around the game. Given that. Did they do as well as they could.

I thought -- simply because they got they turn. Eighteen they're okay but what about two players that -- Craig Hansen and Brandon points are useful guys who worries. Chance to be perfect -- Lost. Probably never be regular program but a useful -- now. It's not a price that you ever want hey. But because this team that's resources. The word is that it but it. Europe a couple of I'd like this in order -- reasonable facsimile of a reasonable return. So. They did okay. They were never going to do well because of the circumstances. But I have. They did as well.

Most people are excited about the Dodgers. And and saying that they didn't give up anything well. -- tell me about these kids are these are these good kids that the Dodgers had to give up.

Yeah and the roach is. The third baseman that the Dodgers. Ultimately. Did not see as the on board Blake Dewitt can happen this year so you'd have replaced they keep -- short term. Any regular roach will be in every eight major leaguer probably has -- on base percentage. Adequate defender. From what I've forever in play. That is going to be now. He's not going to be great but can't eat the the player but a solid Major League -- of these all -- The other kid is secure with the highest upside of the war that the Pirates received. He is. Brian Morris already had a Tommy John surgery -- was helpful to get that out of the way. Any -- that has -- maybe you know to restore. So obviously a lot of the -- able right now but they just fine with it take. -- Obviously it now lot of criticism. Not getting any star players prepay it's our players for a Canadian marte. In that deal was certainly a question of a deal. But apart prospective. Teams aren't giving up those -- anymore in the Red Sox tree. Quite well -- Michael -- in not seeing anybody treat that he felt that. Do what they wanted to do at act now to get the return they did when these guys I it was highest and they did the best they could. I don't have a problem with that what -- it right now.

We don't know that the medical situation as yet we do know what we saw last night in Arlington Texas. Is it fair to say that if job but Chamberlain. Had left the mound in Arlington pointing to his right shoulder. The week before the trading deadline as opposed to the week after the Yankees live and -- looking for starting pitching. Well we're starting. What if I have or would have given up -- again it perhaps is the better question.

Maybe L but they liked the -- and it actually become really copycat the Red Sox in the way they go about it. Have become extremely protective of the players. In some ways did they over protect. So they were not going to give up would be the future for the press. In my opinion the Jarrod Washburn trait should've happened. And the Mariners -- to demand the prospect as well it on. There were going to get that -- and they get that deal about it sitting on that Jared Washburn and -- next year. But the yankees' feel that the Kennedys just out there. That. Phil Hughes -- rehab -- May be even crop on on rehab eventually contribute. So they felt that they won't chronicle worked against order that they obviously. Anytime there's a pitcher. Job as caliber. Equation changes yet might have been the story.

You think about the big boys in the AL -- The Red Sox the Yankees and now the raise. The Red Sox were active. Probably more active and they want it to be given the severity of the Niedermayer situation Yankees were active. The rays not so much is that that's say more about the race and how. How much better they are going to Red Sox or does that does that speak to their payroll concerns.

Neither is actually speaks to where at least he -- in evolution. Game. And not quite ready to -- About their arms system short term -- is just yet. They were involved in the -- discussions right to the end. They were trying to get an impact reliever like what they've basically in -- mind. It is an impact player. Okay it would but it not and it's -- reason to overpay for Weaver and I don't think many people don't do -- that in the history of relievers volatility all of that. They also like many other teams are looking internally solutions. Rocco Baldelli is a possibility. He expects to be activated -- you today. And David Price the great number one pick from last year is someone could open -- in the rotation workable and at some point so. Like eighteen radio back and -- But they feel they're pretty decent position. And it's hard to argue right now but it.

With the number of teams who were at least theoretically still in the playoff race. I wonder if it's going to make getting guys through waivers that annual task the team's undertake in the month of August. More difficult I mean it's hard for me to imagine that there isn't going to be more blocking than ever this year.

There'll be a lot of luck you know you're right in all of these relievers. Well certainly -- But you'll -- high salary guys capable. -- Paul Burke Richard who's tight. He may managers claim as well by. Except for two years ago there's big -- In this period even Welch on green. Generally speaking. It's a lesser group -- straight year and that should be what we see again. I don't expect Adam Dunn it traded I don't expect you Jarrod Washburn traded if these guys were -- traded it would have been traded.

How do you feel about the the fight last night and I since it was a -- the incident. Last night between outfielder and our.

What I hear teams say goddesses of that happens all the time I ever really short time. Intrepid. Reporters and fans will see everything and these two -- club now -- count. But if you watch that. Prince Fielder when after any. Part. It would have to like. Second and kind of -- them in the face. And utility that's normal which is with -- in the world. Well that's an abnormal or if you ask me so. -- have to get -- this thing all the time but. He would say all of -- pitcher you have a vote on you guys just don't see it. Catcher but that didn't look too.

the feeling that the pressure's getting to the brewers a little bit.

the last year and a and it goes is subject -- target of much criticism in -- you guys would be stock. The people there then there are always on. And this is the kind of thing. That does not reflect well on him to -- because it is seen to be seen it kind of while tight. Even though they've got a group of young guys really gauging relax.

Good to be around here ever any -- it on. This they're. Interest in group a diet and I have very good group he. But things do battle and and -- the fair question.

You think they'll bounce back immediate back to see them in the playoffs.

That's a great question to Michael. I would say yet they still expected to be there but that comment. It's more. A reflection of my lack of a you know -- Strong faith in the central and now it is well given any boost in the Dodgers like this. Who knows. Maybe. Just maybe the wild card will come out of out of the west these two teams get hot. From physical point of view. World record points you -- look like that can happen Arizona's division leaders 5854. Austrian camp on oil. Arizona story to play better the Dodgers are going to play better change. We -- taken out of there or we meet some or all because this team should not be discounted. They got basically all rotation. Last couple we. Just Johnson and Anibal Sanchez can studio. Is repeat their top prospect principles that. Their starting pitching right now might be the best team.

There's a story percolating around Major League Baseball I think we're just seen the tip of the iceberg. It has even involve the Red Sox because they have fired. Their Dominican scouting supervisor Pablo line -- Major League Baseball is investigating reportedly the FBI has begun investigating. The possibility that employees. Scouting employees of some Major League teams. Have extorted for lack of a better term parts of the signing bonuses for youngsters that organizations are signing. Is this going to become a huge deal and -- in Major League Baseball.

Can't say they'll simply because not all were better men and -- equipment. But. When you. See we've seen so for order and you'd think you'd do yet. My guess would be as albeit very -- story. Gained. Involved not just chaotic. In general that'll light a fire. There executives involved to. Being. Obviously it is kind of more distinct the people should equate. Pollard get it basically you'd taken money or -- And.

You know you're stealing is what you do just exactly right and but still -- the dispute these kids who have not.

asked about the dodgers' kids. But the Pirates for a second and as part of the three team trade. I'm Neal Huntington has been making some moves moving. Jason Bay moving Xavier Nady. Marte. Is he getting a good -- back commend you expect the Pirates to be. The brewers in 2010. Or even 2009.

Now. The brewers have done. With the -- essentially. -- actually number -- well brought already. Fielder. Order of the QB -- about -- Payroll number one. You know regard it was -- two of these are all the awards news or use them to lose well. That's -- they've done the Pirates. Potentially have these trades for players that. Did you think debate for the trade that may be getting criticized -- asking too much and then when they make betrayed -- criticized for not getting. Now it's possible that both statements were accurate but. As explained they feel that they did the best they. Pain. In their mind they get out of the -- Couple of Major League stars maybe. Probably launch this solid impact player at a spot. The gate that they got the Dodgers starting pitchers and on. The contributors. To -- So it remains to be. A lot of deadlines trade with involving prospects that we judged one way or the other and they happen. Turn out the other way but don't. Look bad beginning and I'll bet but I only two point Eric got in last. But but it great -- right and then we result that they are done pretty well. And in the kid down below it like. -- Great player but -- So. I think people should be little or -- iris does return. Open down eight at -- being aggressive -- deployed. In the game. Trade there are involved here and that's progress that they were like that.

Final question before we -- ago it is my opinion the two playoff teams in the American League will come from the AL east. If you agree with that opinion which --

Tampa and Boston. And I said that even before Chamberlain. Went down -- that is. To say that activated happy okay but I still think the Yankees well. That. There are two issues the pitching. There's going to have to often -- Lara now in season. It in the ages two teams are but it I could be wrong deter happily at least that Yankee Red -- but. Epic to discount weight off we -- maybe they can accurately or whether -- August period or. Promotional rights to. And that would do it for them to just believe that there would be.

We always appreciate time we'll talk to next week. -- Ken Rosenthal brought to you by eighteen tee with more bars in more places switched to the wireless network with the best global coverage eighteen -- Your world delivered.