Monday, March 20, 2006
BACK STABBER
"We're disappointed, as is Bronson, that our prediction has come true,'' said Arroyo's agent, Gregg Clifton. "After taking a discounted deal to remain with the Red Sox, he will not throw one pitch under that deal as a member of the Red Sox. We certainly respect the Red Sox's right to run their business. I understand their desire to always improve their team.''Epstein said the club told Arroyo it couldn't guarantee he wouldn't be traded.
"I don't think it was a huge factor'' in Cincinnati's decision to make the trade, Epstein said, "because if he was on just a one-year contract, which really would have been the alternative in a negotiation, then he still would have been under the club control for three years.''
One would think that following the unceremonious ousting and ripping of stars like Nomar, Pedro, Lowe, and Damon, and the ungrateful dumping of team chemistry guys like Bill Mueller and Kevin Millar, that players would have learned not to trust Larry Lawyer, The Hollywood Fake, and Hedge Fund Fool. This group better not even suggest that a player take anything less than market value in the future-and a no trade clause if sufficient leverage exists.
On the bright side, for an overrated and low ceiling Bronson Arroyo, the Sox do replace Andy Marte's future with Monstah Wiley Mo's upside, and save some cash that could go to...I don't know...some future Hall Of Fame right hander from Texas...
