Fire Eric Bruntlett

Airing of Grievances Chat Box

Today, as all you fellow Seinfeld-ians may remember, is Festivus. “The holiday for the rest of us,” as Frank Costanza famously said. Festivus is most notably remembered for its Airing of Grievances, among many other traditions. Like Frank, we here at Fire Eric Bruntlett, or at least me, anyway, are also quite bothered by how Christmas is celebrated, or rather, flaunted. There aren’t many things I can’t stand more than annoying carolers or gaudy houses decorated by bright lights that could keep you up for hours at a time better than 10 million pots of coffee. (And yes, Bruntlett is one of the things I can’t stand more.) But that’s probably because I’m Jewish, and naturally dislike Christmas.

Anyway, chief among our Festivus celebrations is the Airing of Grievances. But not necessarily ours. What bothers you about how Christmas – or Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, or Ramadan, or Festivus, even – is celebrated? What grievances do you have with Bruntlett, or with life, in general? How have your family and friends disappointed you this year? Those are the questions we pose to you this holiday season. And to help you answer those questions, we have a chat box below, where you either answer on the site directly, or via Twitter, if you follow your Tweet with the hashtag “#AiringofGrievances“.

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FIRE ERIC BRUNTLETT EXCLUSIVE REPORT: PHILLIES ACQUIRE HALLADAY, TRADE FINALIZED

According to our exclusive sources, the trade between the Phillies, Blue Jays, and Mariners has been accepted by all parties, and it’s quite on the contrary to what ESPN may have you believe. This trade appears to be unprecedented, unlike anything I’ve ever seen before in the history of sports. It spams 3 different sports, with 12 players moving to or from 8 teams. Let’s start with the Phillies’ side of things.

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Halladay Acquired? Lee Traded? Unanswered Questions Still Remain

According to ESPN’s lightning-fast sources, this here Roy Halladay/Cliff Lee trade has *officially* been *finalized.* *Allegedly,* the Phils acquire Halladay from the Blue Jays for 3 prospects – pitcher Kyle Drabek, outfielder Michael Taylor, and catcher Travis d’Arnaud. Simialarly, they’re trading Cliff Lee to Seattle for 3 prospects – pitchers Phillippe Aumont and Juan Ramirez, and outfielder Tyson Gillies. But methinks there are far too many unanswered questions surrounding these rumors.

*What’s the point of trading Clifton Phifer Lee, arguably the greatest name to grace the fields/rinks/courts of Philadelphia sports?

*Why couldn’t we just make this trade in July? Toronto is getting essentially the same players we were offering at the trade deadline.

*How did Seattle come to be a part of this? These appear to be two completely separate trades, between the Phils and Mariners, and Phils and Jays.

*What’s makes Seattle think they can have a good team in their city? They now have a great top 2 pitchers, perhaps rivaling Halladay-Hamels, in Lee and Felix Hernandez. They still have Ichiro, and just signed Chone Figgins.

*Who wins the battle between ESPN 950 and 610 WIP to get Jrue Holiday and Roy Halladay to do a commercial together, saying “Happy [Holidays/Halladays] from [ESPN 950/610 WIP]!”

*How many Cy Youngs will Halladay win in “bandbox,” so says the national media, Citizens Bank Park?

*How long are we locking him up for, and how much money will that cost? I’ve heard 3 years, $60 million, which isn’t that much of a discount from the $23 million Lee was asking for.

If you can answer any of those questions or others about Halladay/Lee/whatever about the trade, please leave those in the comments.

Beardettes: Thursday, December 10th

Because I fully excpect to get a Ross Gload post up later today (which totally means I won’t) today’s lede is on everybody’s favorite person!

You’re one sneaky sumbitch, Ed Wade. Eh, maybe it’s for the best. Perhaps you heard that former Phillies GM/hated-in-Philly current Astros GM stole Brandon Lyon right out from under us with a fnacy 3-year, $15 million deal. Ha! Joke’s on him! As FanGraphs called it, “The worst signing of the winter.”

“We’re not talking about overpaying for a premium bullpen guy. Lyon is a generic middle reliever, the kind of guy who could be replaced by a minor league free agent or a Rule 5 draftee. His career FIP is 4.23, which is below average for a relief pitcher. He doesn’t even have magical FIP-beating properties – his career ERA is 4.20.”

All very good points. Glad the Phils didn’t get him.

Wade also is signing former Phillies, recently un-renewed free agent 3B Pedro Feliz, to a 1-year deal worth $4.5 mil. At least that’s an improvement on what they had before…

But, wait! There’s more! Eddy is acquiring more awful relievers! This time, trading minor leaguers to the Marlins (because they wouldn’t accept anyone on a major league roster) for part-time closer Matt Lindstrom. Perhaps you remember Shane Victorino’s first career grand slam in the 9th inning of an April Phils-Marlins meeting.

More on Lyon (and Halladay, and much, much more) comes from David Murphy’s High Cheese blog at philly.com.

Mets Persuing Bay? I can’t see why they would, but apparently, they are. But what I really love about thus story is that they offered him $5 million more than the contract he turned down from Boston, with no additional years. Yeah, like anyone would rather play in New York over Boston, CitiField than Fenway, the Mets, one year removed from 2009, more than the Red Sox.

Steelers Lose… Again. What?? To the Browns??? Yeah, they did. 13-6. I kid you not. The two teams combined for under 500 yards. The best part is that the defending Super Bowl winners effectively ended their season to a 1-10 team led by Eric Mangenius.

Kelly to Notre Dame Last link, because I spent so much time on Wade. Cincinnati football coach Brian Kelly is leaving the team and school, like, this second, for Notre Dame. He’s not coaching his team in a highly-touted bowl game against the University of Florida to go to NOTRE DAME. Why? Why would anyone do that, I ask you???

Beardettes: Wednesday, December 9

Fairly long Beardettes tonight, so let’s jump right in…

Eagles Extend Reid Andy Reid was extended today to a 3-year contract through 2013. Andy Reid’s a funny fella. He is usually very successful during the regular season, winning a large majority of his games until the playoffs. By that time, he decides whether he wants to lose the NFC Championship Game or the Super Bowl. Like Bruntlett, he’s amassed quite a following – on the bad side. Well, now he has 3 extra years to win them over.

Wolf, Pettitte Sign Former Phillie/fan favorite Randy Wolf was signed by the Milwaukee Brewers for 3 years and nearly $30 million. All the best to Wolf, and here’s hoping they have a Brew Crew Wolf Pack, as well.

In other MLB Pitcher Signing news, Andy Pettitte agreed to return to the Yanks for $12 mil next year. Yeah, 12. My God, he’s getting paid a lot for a 37-year-old.

Millwood Traded In other former Phillie news, one-time no-hitter pitcher Kevin Millwood was traded from the Rangers to Baltimore for reliever Chris Ray and a PTBN. By the way – and only because I love mentioning this whenever his name comes up – I actually attended that no-hitter in person. Probably the greatest sporting event I’ve ever been to. Yeah, I know, I’ve never been to a playoff game. Ever. In any sport. Thanks, it does suck.

Portis, Slaton Done For Season Two star NFL running backs drafted very highly in fantasy football leagues were both put on IR today, the Redskins’ Clinton Portis and Houston’s Steve Slaton.

Fantasy analysis for Portis: Go pick up Rock Cartwright if you need a RB. His first name may be Rock, but, hey, at least he’ll start. And as for Houston, if you can determine who you think will be more productive between Chris Brown (not the kicker or the Rihanna-hitter) and Ryan Moats (former Eagle), go pick that guy up. ‘Cause I got no freakin’ idea.

Victorino, Werth on the Trade Block? Finally, David from Phinally Philly posted an interesting idea: trading one of Victorino or Werth for either a(nother) stud starter – among the names he suggested include Roy Halladay, Josh Johnson and the like. He poked some fairly reasonable arguments in our 2-5 starters, I’ll admit, but I don’t think Ben Francisco is start-worthy everyday, nor do I think that neither Domonic Brown nor Michael Taylor are ready to come up yet. My thoughts on rookies starting on Opening Day are the same for any team, any year, any player – not on Opening Day. He may have looked good in Spring Training, but then again, so did Chan Ho Park last year, resulting in him winning the #5 starter’s job. Jason Bay, Matt Holliday, Mike Cameron, and Jermaine Dye were also suggested as possible replacements, but I don’t think we have much of a shot with any of those guys. It’s wishful thinking for this year, in my opinion, but certainly a very real possibility in the off-season of 2010-2011.

Beardettes: Tuesday, December 8

Gammons Leaves ESPN Top story on tonight’s Beardettes is the news that Peter Gammons is leaving ESPN at the end of this week’s Winter Meetings. Here’s the article I wrote for Digital Sports Daily on it, as well as the official report from ESPN Media Zone. Soon after that story broke, the news cam out that he’s moving to the MLB Network. (So wish I had the channel right about now.) MLB Network is slowly, but surely moving ahead of ESPN for baseball coverage. Don’t worry, ESPN! Ya still got hockey!

Emery Injury Flyers goalie Ray Emery is out at least 6 weeks due to abdomnial tear. (I’m leaning towards the higher on that one.) You know what that means! Boosh is our new starting goalie!

MLB Blockbuster A major, 3-team, 7-player trade reportedly went down today between the Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, and New York Yankees. Breakdown:

Diamondbacks receive…

Ian Kennedy (New York), Edwin Jackson (Detroit)

Diamondbacks give up…

Max Scherzer and Daniel Schlereth, son of ESPN NFL guy Mark Schlereth (both to Detroit)

Detroit receives…

Scherzer, Schlereth (Arizona), Austin Jackson, Phil Coke (New York)

Detroit gives up…

E. Jackson (to Arizona), Curtis Granderson (to New York)

New York receives…

Granderson (Detroit)

New York gives up…

Clifton Endorses Tractors? Apparently, he does.

I think all else that needs to be said here is Meech’s phenomenal quote:

“Check out the deal they’re running on that Clifton ad. Now I’m no math major, but zero down, zero payments, and zero interest sounds to me like you’ve got a free tractor coming your way.

“GETCHER FREE TRACTORS!”

Beardettes: Monday, December 7

Pat the Bat Traded to Mets?!?! OH MY GOD, S&DH%HG^D$FD%FH**HF^FG!!! PAT BURRELL WAS TRADED TO THE METS!!!! THE NEW YORK [******]ING METS!! (Via the Cubs.) No, never mind. PAT BURRELL WASN’T TRADED TO THE METS!!!!! As great as it would have been to see Pat the Bat not only shagging fly balls in CitiField in that canyon they call left field, but not hitting homers out of it, too, I’m glad I don’t have to see him in those hideous blues. At least for the time being.

Donaghy’s First Interview 60 Minutes sat down with Delco’s and Villanova’s own Tim Donaghy, of course infamous for that big NBA referee betting scandal thing. He told an interesting story about how Allen Iverson (Heard about that guy recently, did ya?) really pissed off the refs one game, and they, in turn, called him for ridiculous fouls and didn’t call the obvious ones against him. Fascinating how grudges be the difference between a winner and loser. And if they did that during regular season games, what would stop them in a playoff game? Could it really decide a champion? Has this been going on in other sports?

Phils Shopping Blanton? According to FanHouse’s Ed Price, the Phils are shopping Joe Blanton. I really hope that’s preposterous, mostly because of this line: “Philadelphia would probably prefer to get a cheaper starter back for Blanton so it can keep Jamie Moyer and Kyle Kendrick as candidates for the No. 5 rotation spot rather than rely on both.” I’m going to be infinitely sad for the rest of time if either of those guys are starters for twice-defending NLF Chamions.

Where Will Wolf Sign? The list of “reported” contestants in the Randy Wolf lottery “appears” to be fairly deep. From what MLB Trade Rumors compiled, the Mariners, Mets, and Brewers have all been linked to the Wolf Pack pitcher, as well as possibly re-signing with Dodgers. I gotta admit, though, when I first saw the “Randy Wolf Signing Imminent” headline, my first thought was, “Holy crap, is he coming back, too?”

College Football Playoff Plan Yahoo!’s Dan Wetzel takes the cake for most in-depth college football playoff plan. Another part of the reason I’m linking to this is because I totally agree that Texas totally doesn’t deserve to play in the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME after that god-awful performance against Nebraska. Someone please explain to me how a second magically appears back on the game clock. The other part is because it’s so long, I want to remember to go back to it later. O/U 10,000 words, still taking the over.

Beardettes: Sunday, December 6

Awful Contracts On Big League Stew, Jeff Passan lists the 10 worst contracts of this decade, with the ’09 season firmly behind us. Winners (Losers?) Phillies fans might be interested in include Carlos Silva’s 4-year, $48 mil deal with Seattle at #9, Sarge Matthews, Jr. at #8 (5 years, $50 million with the Angels), and Chan Ho Park at #4 from his 5-year, $65 million contract in Texas.

Owls in BCS Bowl Game The Temple Owls football team (Yes, they have a football team.) made it to a BCS bowl game, after a tremendous season featuring an 8-game win streak. Depending on next Saturday’s Army-Navy game will decide whether they play UCLA or Army. (NOTE FROM STEVE: Hey, no more cheap Temple jokes! They had a great year!)

Vick’s Breakout Eagles Game in Atlanta Michael Vick returned to Atlanta for a surprisingly good game, running for and throwing a touchdown. No dogs were harmed in this Eagles win.

Favre falls to Arizona on SNF That old young gunslingin’ sonuvagun Brett Favre didn’t have enough magic in him to beat the Arizona Cardinals. John Madden cried into a turducken.

Carcillo suspended for 4 games Philadelphia Flyers’ goon Dan Carcillo was suspended 4 games for this beauty. The Capitals got a 9 minute power play that basically ended the game as a result. I still think it was worth it.

Beardettes: Saturday, December 5

Beardettes is a new daily feature here on Fire Eric Bruntlett, our link post. A typical Beardettes post will usually include about 5 links/embeddings from anywhere on the Internet, on any topic we deem worthy. Maybe Phillies, but usually not. I mean, we talk about them all freakin’ day here, you could give us one post to write about whatever we want! We call each link a Beardette because it wasn’t quite enough for a full post, but was still worthy of mention.

Pedro Open to Return Our first ever Beardette comes from Scott Lauber, the beat reporter from the Delaware News Journal, who writes about how there is still a chance of Pedro Martinez returning for a second year in 2010. The Phillies “treated me very well and they were very professional. They will always have the door open,” Pedro said at David Ortiz’s charity golf tournament in the Dominican Republic. Personally, I would love to have Pedro back.

Phillies pitcher Jaime "Old Man" Moyer

His first 7 starts in a Phillies uniform consisted of him going 5-0 with a 2.87 ERA and 34 Ks in 27.2 IP. Plus, we’ll need an veteran in the rotation, assuming it won’t be Old Man Moyer.

Phils Considering Lyon For Late-Inning Role According to Jayson Stark, the Phils are considering another Detroit Tiger, this one being reliever Brandon Lyon to fill in the late-inning role. Personally, I’d take him in a heartbeat over J.J. “The Putz” or John Smoltz. However, David Murphy does warn that Lyon has pitched in significantly larger ballparks than CBP throughout most of his career.

Iverson’s Back So, the Sixers seem to have found the answer for curing their losing streak woes, huh? He’s playing his first game of his second stint in a Sixers uniform at home on Monday against his old team, you say? You’re going to the game but can’t get an A.I. jersey in time? Philly Phaithful (known for their awesome Philly sports t-shirts, particularly “Thanks, Cleveland!”) has the solution for you. A.I.: THE REMIX. Only the strong survive.

Iverson’s Sneakers Re-released From SLAM ONLINE, Reebok is re-releasing The Question, Iverson’s original shoe, which he wore as a rookie in’96, in honor of The Answer’s return, and will be worn by Iverson Monday night. I envy you if you’re going to the game in that t-shirt and these sneakers.

Monk Series Finale And finally, in something that has almost absolutely nothing to do with Philadelphia or sports, period, the series finale of Monk aired Friday night. A show that changed the face of network television forever, as the rare cable program to air on a broadcast channel, and affected the way networks like TNT, A&E, and FX programmed their schedules. So, basically, you can thank Monk for It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Yo, Adrian. I think I’m gonna miss you when you’re gone.

The Return of Placido Polanco: The Good and The Bad

This is a piece that I originally wrote for Digital Sports Daily, as part of our journey to becoming self-hosted. The editor of that site is a good friend of mine, and he agreed to help get us self-hosted if I wrote a few articles per week for his site. I also thought that this would be a good intro for my 2nd post on Polanco’s return, which you will find over here later on today…

The Philadelphia Phillies again signed free agent infielder Placido Polanco Friday, except this time, he’s coming to man the hot corner. You may remember Polanco’s last stay in Philly, as the second baseman from mid-2002 to mid-2005, which ended when Chase Utley was coming up, and Polanco refused to move to third. Although Polanco started 89 games at third as a Phillie (230 at second) he has not started a game there since leaving Philadelphia for Detroit Tigers. Read more…