In California, Todd Harmonson wrote even though it is assumed the MLBPA and the Angels "care about" LF Josh Hamilton "the human being, money was at the heart of a dispute" when an independent arbitrator on Friday decided not to suspend him for substance abuse issues. The Angels "would have welcomed some salary relief in the form of a lengthy suspension for an unproductive player whose injury will keep him off the field or, quite possibly, the bench" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 4/4). YAHOO SPORTS' Mark Townsend wrote from a "business perspective," the Angels' "frustration is somewhat understandable." However, as human beings, "sometimes it's necessary to put what's best for business on the back-burner and focus on what truly matters, another human being who's fighting a difficult battle" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 4/5).
LOOKING AT THE LONG-RUN: MLB.com's Dan O'Dowd noted the Padres yesterday acquired P Craig Kimbrel and CF Melvin Upton Jr. from the Braves for a package that includes CF Cameron Maybin and RF Carlos Quentin, which is "exactly the kind of trade a rebuilding team" like the Braves with a "limited payroll needs to make." Kimbrel is guaranteed $34M through '17, while Upton is due more than $46M "in that same time frame." The Braves will take on just $23M in "guaranteed money over the next two years via Maybin and Quentin, the latter of whom they are reportedly going to designate for assignment." That is almost $60M "worth of savings for a rebuilding Braves team" (MLB.com, 4/5).
ALEXANDER THE GREAT: In Toronto, Bruce Arthur writes the Blue Jays "seem to have arrived at a crossroads," and Senior VP/Baseball Operations & GM Alex Anthopoulos "is in the middle of the road." It "appears to be an article of faith" that the Jays and their GM are "facing that simple, short-sighted task: playoffs or bust." Anthopoulos said, "I’m 37 years old, and I still think I’m young in my career, and I never sit down and look at my status or my career. I guess I feel it’s like a jumping-off point -- jumping off in a good way, moving upwards. Because the nucleus we have in place has a chance to be together for a long time. And I think we can continue to add because we’ll have even more financial flexibility a year from now" (TORONTO STAR, 4/6).
MORE OF THE SAME? In St. Paul, Tom Powers writes Twins fans are "about to embark on Year 5" of a rebuilding plan, and this "certainly appears to be another aimless season of gloom." The "bottom line is that the Twins, already a mess, are more of a mess." The "saddest part is that the locals want to go to the ballpark," but the Twins "are pushing them away." Powers: "How long can any franchise sell hope without substance?" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 4/6).
