Carl Everett - Surprising No One

Boston.com:  Former major league outfielder Carl Everett, who played for the Red Sox in 2000-01, was in a Tampa jail on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after putting a handgun to his wife’s head, according to police records. Everett, 39, was arrested Monday night at his home in the Tampa suburb of Lutz. Everett played for 14 seasons. He began with the Marlins and also played for the Mets, Astros, Rangers, White Sox, Expos, and Mariners

As serious as the above report is, should it really surprise anyone?  I mean, didn't we all know this was bound to happen sooner rather than later?  Everett is/was Major League Baseball's version of Ron Artest, except even more insane.

I mean, the man head butts umpires, doesn't believe in dinosaurs, thinks that landing on the Moon was fake, "doesn't believe in being gay", the list goes on...

For those in need of his direct quote on dinosaurs: 

"God created the sun, the stars, the heavens and the earth, and then made Adam and Eve. The Bible never says anything about dinosaurs. You can't say there were dinosaurs when you never saw them. Somebody actually saw Adam and Eve. No one ever saw a Tyrannosaurus rex."

I believe Everett and Manny played together on the Sox during the 2001 season....how did the world not end at that point?

ITM note:  blogging about this was way easier than discussing the Sox loss last night, easy sell there.

Eric Hinske, some guys have all the luck

In case you missed it, the Pirates moved Eric Hinske to the Yankees yesterday. The man just seems to be a magnet for winning teams. After filling in on outfield and occasional first base duties for the Sox in 2007, Hinske picked up a slightly more regular role for the Rays in 2008, getting 381 at bats, and putting up some decent power numbers: 20 HRs and .465 SLG. In 2009, Hinske wore out his welcome with the Pirates, hitting .255 with only 1 HR and .368 SLG. But the man seems to stumble into good situations.

Given the "cash considerations" included in the deal, the Pirates will essentially pay Hinske's salary for the remainder of the year (approx. $800,000). (You read that right, by the way. The Pirates utility backup will be payed by the Pittsburgh Pirates for the second half of the season.)

In return, the Yankees send to the Pirates a couple of minor leaguers: Casey Erickson (right handed pitcher) and Eric Fryer (outfielder/catcher). Neither is considered a prospect in the Yankees system, though Erickson is said to have some potential.

What does this mean for the Yanks? Mostly, it's an acknowledgement that more likely than not, Xavier Nady will never suit up in pinstripes again. Not long ago the Yanks starting righfielder, star 2008 acquisition, and all-around fan favorite (also acquired from the Pirates), announced over the weekend that he would elect for Tommy John surgery, effectively ending his season. Nady was on rehab in Newark when something happened during a weekend start (reports are unspecific) that told him surgery was the only option.

The Yanks were also dealing with the realization that Ramiro Pena was not a backup option they wanted to go to down the stretch. The 23 year old utility man was hitting .267 in 86 at bats, with a paltry .308 OBP. The Yankees sent him down to Scranton and plan on getting him time in the outfield, hoping that may make a late-season call-up more practical.

So, from what we can piece together, the Yankees are going to be looking to Eric Hinske as a principal utility backup. Word is they think he might see some time at third, first, and right field. Personally, I'd be pretty surprised if they put him in the hot corner, but with the new plan to give A-Rod a day off every week, you never know. But they want to get him at bats, and every time you think Nick Swisher might cool off, he starts to get hot again and force the issue in right.

All in all, a smart move for a contender. I don't think Hinske will do much for them in the infield, but I'll bet he gets at least a couple big hits against the Sox or the Rays. He just seems to be that type of guy.