9-16-08 Ken Rosenthal, Fox Sports

Every Tuesday at this time we talk baseball with -- fox baseball insider joining us on the AT&T hotline. From fox sports is Ken Rosenthal they -- I don't. Know very well thank you. Can we want to know what happened Ned yells why did he get fired. With a few games left in the regular season.

Because the team was -- for the second straight year Michael and it was almost. Any act VP of what happened these. And while this move certainly than usual it is certainly impressive. It actually might be the right. Because this team going nowhere yeah. They had nothing to lose -- skiing. And I would bet that they come -- Chicago it is. A lot or -- it goes right the players play in just not a good -- That's -- the -- occurred. I thought that have been made the playoffs that occurred. They just accelerated the process that.

Well -- is said the team was going nowhere with yells. There. Stolen and wildcard contention and you say they have not going to lose yeah they can lose a wild card spot so -- it.

Real evidence yet happened. 27. And at that point going to September at a five and a half games while. And they started. Change history -- it was awful. We're straight losses in the lead before. -- series that's what that's wild card high. Gained. It goes in the -- so. That among successful match winning. Winning. He was wildly. Popular by now. With his -- And I'm sure are Stoney because well most critical. But the people of Milwaukee were pretty out. Gained. There were reasons for and they were problems that start at last the so. It'd desperation ploy absolutely desperation ploy but as I said it's the right.

People know much better than my doing and you're included among those tell me that there might not be less likely person him to pull this move than Doug Melvin. They they cite his loyalty. The way he operates an -- in the it's an indicator for some of those people just how desperate straits are in Milwaukee.

Yes and there -- speculation about the owner report the trigger and basically forcing -- to. Used it but. -- it was collaborative dale and I believe. I believe that over the lead in Marquette -- the only set to -- what are we doing here what's on how we need is better. I analyze it and went into this game you know not that ultimately was the one make that there's. So it is out of character. And he was extremely well that you liked the area. But at this point I'm a lot invested. Like the Red Sox talent and the having money and Jewish at least he's. That is -- agent -- is going to leave agent. They likely will not be in this position next year in May -- enough for several years so when you combine all of these factors. That's why there's -- win now mode. -- window is right now period.

The Red Sox and rays have two games left in this series at the trop. Both teams obviously want to come out on top of AL east. I'm wondering can what you think of the matchups let's say. The Red Sox don't win the division and they have to play the Angels or the rays are the wild -- they have to play the Angels who has the better matchup there.

Well I had the last first ball in the glow in the Florida was a good friend and Wellemeyer. Or something like. Gotta give the Red Sox credit for -- first place. No they don't want first place and they should want to play the AL central champ rather Angel is common sense. But as for who have a better chance in the Angels. I would have to separate. It was because they're probably the better team. Cain also the experience. Going -- these. All of their players have been through before they'd be no exception and masters. So. And the Angels well over the years as you know in the while. I'm --

I don't know how much of the game if any gutsy last night but I I I gotta tell you can. If I word Joe Madden I'd be very worried about Scott Kazmir when he looked like he didn't want to be their last.

It was really -- Can't predict I'll win badly if someone -- cases someone would be streak -- We think you always wonder about where he is physically because he's had an issue. Any basically at this point -- felt like it jet lag. So who knows maybe it was just what is night out. In the first inning it would he'll only did it's horrible because he is. If not various one -- Change it was not a great start this series but the same time. You guys -- baseball momentum is the next day's starting pitcher Beckett versus. I --

we've asked this before. Oh do you have winning the NL least right now I mean this is if the perfect time to ask you -- it's tied. Percentage points separate these teams who do you like.

Well Michael after the victory last week in Austin -- went to camp day. I would they've bought. Because the moment. To be there. Seemed like -- applying veterans finishing kick. And the rays haven't been difficult though. At this moment. It's a request. I cancer in the -- when the Red Sox are playing as well. Will -- it right -- really interest in game because obviously last -- beat around pretty good game. Things psychologically about last we. -- One of -- in the -- in the one night that was tonight of course -- such report the first place. And I do believe for a team like rate that would be psychologically when it with the need to do is realize that there are practically in the post these. And just go to which humans -- only player got out but. Clearly there's a lot of state their players and start.

NN interview that was taped for up a segment on the yes network on Monday. Yankees catcher Jorge Posada said some interesting things when talking to Michael -- At the end of the interview they -- a word association little game Michael -- said Joba Chamberlain. Jorge Posada said quote leave him in the bullpen if you start of any pitches 200 innings he won't be able the last. You're going to lose him he's going to get hurt I don't see him as a starter I'd leave him in the bullpen on -- And how much sway Jorge Posada has in the Yankees organization but I found it interesting he was that blunt about it.

I was -- comment L and about it not a guy you'd need any kind of wait. But. Clearly. Your feelings by hand and others that starting job of the Yankees of course perceive their decade long term. Is something that we've been ish. Scouts have been quite. Rival executive. Hank Steinbrenner doesn't. Which course what -- sway. But. They do need to read blow up in the best way to get the most out of the question of eight wow started Stewart inning reliever seventy. If you can't get those two could. Only get the that in the cheers her up.

What do you think is that it -- immediate that he was speaking for somebody else and by somebody else I mean Brian Cashman you think Cashman has. Expressed some frustration and posada knowing that is his words will be. I'll listen to more carefully in the general managers -- that -- now.

Like that's a great question and I don't act on the aptitude. I don't. Believe it he would be carrying cash in order that's not. What it -- it would. -- Chamberlain. Delivery and knows him. Really baseball and as well any. I don't think it was an agenda. I think you're the only candidate Ortiz was what's the best way for Chamberlain helpless.

There are times when real world has to intervene -- you know and in our little sandbox that we played here. And I think Major League Baseball missed an opportunity to. To let the real world intervene here I don't think the Houston Astros should have been playing in Milwaukee I don't think they should have been playing at all. And if it meant having to play a doubleheader the Monday after the season ends or something like data maybe not playing them at all they're not needed that's what Major League Baseball should have done what do you think.

I haven't read it that they L but I appreciate what you're saying. In. There's certainly -- question of wanted to but these -- start. Later the couple days just gathers -- Picture okay. That is in an ideal world which would do but. He goes on and for a lot of reasons short baseball did not want that scenario. It part if you think about it if they did that in the cup -- clinched recruit to cut back. Would not be fair because that the Byrd pitching for the playoffs. -- if the Cubs were already in the -- it would not be a as legitimate opponent. So. I totally agree with you it is not fair. It was not here when I've that the people mention is okay what was the better solution. That's where all of us seemed to stumble because there was no bettors -- Treatment claim one of those games -- we and it -- Pollution or not but it was chance. I'm also holes that the Astros players I want to be used in one attribute their picture okay. So when he decided that they weren't going to play -- we. Well that left and -- the in the Astros. With or limited options. Perhaps they could've played. And that would have been one solution but that ballpark was a -- Monday. That it Sunday. There worried about rain issues. Ultimately came out all the -- It was occupied. Minnesota. Currently able to -- In Milwaukee needs just to move. He makes sense. Because of the proximity Chicago. But. I don't know quote -- mediate two days ago only ED yesterday it would -- any different where they were shame. Had this hurricane not -- just baseball. Hurricane. Occur anywhere horrible thing but -- baseball and the way it lined up. Open victory at home last Friday night against -- I'm. Fourteen. On an absolute rule that the change.

I heard Doug Brocail on a cell phone interview on ESPN. After the game last night. And he said he said you know my wife is home right now tried to deal with cleaning up our you know our property in getting things -- there he said. I'm on a bus heading for a hotel in Milwaukee Wisconsin. See that's where that's where I can and I agree with you. That I don't care about the Milwaukee part as much advantage as I thought that gave the Cubs nation have been playing at all.

Okay -- expand the discussion. At what point do you play those issues that that propelled -- in the other players wives eight but not going to go way. But -- And we faces after 9/11 to obviously -- circumstances but apparently. It was reasoned -- do -- to play in people wanted to play so. It's just not as simple equation and it. Opinions about it any other maybe even more about it but. I did believe that they had to get back playing in the question out about.

You know when you're small market team and you have outstanding performer. Such as the cases it in Milwaukee -- Ben Sheets and CC sabathia people always asking you for these guys can keep on. Well -- wondered the same thing about Cliff Lee who was going to run away with the cy young. Can the Indians afford to keep him.

Well it's a little bit of a different circumstance because of the unlike. That it sheets right is not a free. So what you're saying is okay long term. We're just quit the it and to right now 92009. With the option to. They have him two years. Accurate as -- went seven I the year after is eight. Those numbers could increase if he went idea this year which is certainly possible but they're very affordable. And that's two more years can they keep and after that I don't know if we ever -- and you'll like -- I sorted out. Not to take anything away from what he's accomplished its historic. But. From the -- I want to see. It'd be some level or I would go out and.

I'm wondering how you come down on what has been an interesting debate here of late. About the possibilities of CC sabathia winning a National League cy young Award or Manny Ramirez winning a National League MVP Award despite the fact that. MM of their teams very long.

Or even CC sabathia. Yeah you won the MVP is well yeah.

It's very unconventional. You'd think -- line. I don't mind them being in discussion. There worthy of being in the discussion and I had a nice. If they -- Close friend of -- And he was painting need you to tell me what players actually is more by Abel his. And it it look -- look at it that way probably only Manny is in the main discussion because. What Manny is not as if we -- a player as opposed to see he pitched. Where I believe that argument falls apart is when you have a player like Poole. Was and start to finish. Well if possible certainly contender. The Cardinals and so about a week ago were contenders. Pulled numbers are outrageously. I don't know what ward and -- of player in the PK. This -- everyday. Vote -- out of these kept order 27. -- and had better percentages average on base like in Delgado even during at. So can be here's a real MVP excited them all year. That should take precedent of course back in here.

Who's your vote this week for American League MVP.

It's really close right now if I had devote at this moment I would have a hard time -- all you know. When -- is more slugger obviously. Victoria is a good little player which was carries weight. But. In terms of most viable -- the it's no in my head. But it's the twins don't win in the Red Sox obviously and it's well. It becomes more complicated so I guess the Internet. At 28.

Well now you said you prefer here MVPs that come from. Winning -- is it teams with a winning record torque or teams in the playoffs how do you.

I would -- Michael. Ideally a playoff team a guy to. Certainly need a contending. -- doing well and I was that went well yeah they all like here's where I draw a distinction. When a guy like Josh -- hot. Out. Well -- in this discussion well the Texas Rangers made about and meaningful games all year. At exaggerating we you don't. And no Pedroia at all the others are playing games every day there is different intensity.

We always appreciate the time in the baseball tucked in next week at stake and -- Ken Ken Rosenthal brought to you by AT&T with more bars in more places. Switch to the wireless network with a best global coverage AT&T. Or world delivered.