Eric Gagne'-A Similar Trade
As I live in Queens, a Borough of New York City, I ‘ve seen Bomb Trades by various General Managers in Major League Baseball.
It was 1997. It was the New York Mets(In the Years before XM Satellite Radio’s Rendition of “Sweet Caroline”), who wanted further bullpen help. The Mets General Manager was Steve Phillips(Now an ESPN Talking Head).
The Mets had a speedster named Lance Johnson, their 1997 All Star Game Starter. It was the trade deadline & Phillips decided to make a deal to improve pitching in the relief corps.
A deal was pulled off. Lance Johnson was traded to the Chicago Cubs for Reliever Mel Rojas & Reliever Turk Wendell(Native of Springfield, MA). Rojas, when in Montreal was lights out with his fastball. He was on that ‘94 Montreal Team, which had Baseball’s Best Record, until the Big Strike ended the Season. Rojas went to the Cubs in 1996.
The Mets had some momentum, as contenders in the 1997 Season. This changed when Rojas became the Prime Closer. Rojas was NOT up to the task as a closer, as he would blow a 3 run lead on a # of occasions. This led to the Mets falling behind the Marlins & The Marlins won that World Series.
By 1998, Rojas was gone. It turned out that Rojas had a bad shoulder & was released by the Tigers, after the Mets released him.
The Eric Gagne’ Deal, in my opinion, is where young talent was dealt for a big name, who has not been the same since shoulder surgery. Perhaps, it’s his mechanics. Then again, he might have re-injured his shoulder & isn’t talking about it. Either way, he has not been effective. Like Mel Rojas 10 Years ago, Eric may have nothing left in the Tank.
This deal could be costly. It proves that History has a pattern of Repetition.
Mike-RSN-NYC-Queens
It was 1997. It was the New York Mets(In the Years before XM Satellite Radio’s Rendition of “Sweet Caroline”), who wanted further bullpen help. The Mets General Manager was Steve Phillips(Now an ESPN Talking Head).
The Mets had a speedster named Lance Johnson, their 1997 All Star Game Starter. It was the trade deadline & Phillips decided to make a deal to improve pitching in the relief corps.
A deal was pulled off. Lance Johnson was traded to the Chicago Cubs for Reliever Mel Rojas & Reliever Turk Wendell(Native of Springfield, MA). Rojas, when in Montreal was lights out with his fastball. He was on that ‘94 Montreal Team, which had Baseball’s Best Record, until the Big Strike ended the Season. Rojas went to the Cubs in 1996.
The Mets had some momentum, as contenders in the 1997 Season. This changed when Rojas became the Prime Closer. Rojas was NOT up to the task as a closer, as he would blow a 3 run lead on a # of occasions. This led to the Mets falling behind the Marlins & The Marlins won that World Series.
By 1998, Rojas was gone. It turned out that Rojas had a bad shoulder & was released by the Tigers, after the Mets released him.
The Eric Gagne’ Deal, in my opinion, is where young talent was dealt for a big name, who has not been the same since shoulder surgery. Perhaps, it’s his mechanics. Then again, he might have re-injured his shoulder & isn’t talking about it. Either way, he has not been effective. Like Mel Rojas 10 Years ago, Eric may have nothing left in the Tank.
This deal could be costly. It proves that History has a pattern of Repetition.
Mike-RSN-NYC-Queens
posted by Michael Leggett at 2:58 PM
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