The Untouchables

Back when I was a kid they used to run this old show late at night called "The Untouchables" on WPIX. I don't really recall what it was all about, but I think it was about cops who could do what they want, when they wanted because they were the only ones that got results in the war against crime.  Well in Major League Baseball, every year around this time the trade rumors start to swirl about whose moving and whose staying; whose buying and whose selling.  So while I was listening to ESPN Radio last night (you know I have a strong hatred for ESPN, but "All Night w/ Jason Smith" is a good show, and Amy Lawrence was on a she's good too) she threw out this idea to name two players from each team that are "untouchable" during this time before the trade deadline on July 31st. So I think I will do the same.  It's very rare that ESPN comes up with anything good these days so let me jump at the chance to give Amy Lawrence credit; this was a good topic and got me thinking. We'll take this each day a new division. Today:

AL East
New York Yankees - With a team as stacked as the Yanks it's hard to really say that anyone is better than another, but upon further review there are two guys that are very untouchable on this squad.
*Derek Jeter - Not because he makes them better (I've now said that twice this week) but because that 3,000th hit is the crown jewel of not only the 2011 season, but the coronation of the newest Yankee legend.  Jeter's legend has been growing for 15 years now, but this will put an end to the "is Jeter overrated" debate once and for all.  3,000 hits is the only hitting number worth it's weight anymore, and the Yankees know it.

*C.C. Sabathia - The only legitimate, healthy starter the Yanks have.  When Phil Hughes comes back that will make it two, but he's light years away from being the ace C.C. is.  With 3, 4 and 5 in the rotation being Freddy Garcia, Bartolo Colon and a dude named Nova (which is a badass name), C.C.'s value is infinite.

Red Sox - Another team with a potential all-star at most positions, I would say that it's harder to narrow down two untouchables on this squad. I think any one of these guys could disappear and someone else would pick up the slack, but here's a swing anyway.

*Jonathon Papelbon - You need a top notch closer to compete in the AL east.  With Mariano still around, it's necessary to shorten the game as much as possible.  With the Yanks still having the ability to shorten the game to 7 innings, you need to be able to do the same. Papelbon has been somewhat of a head case of late, but still reliable and solid.

*David "Big Papi" Ortiz - "Papi" is having another stellar season after a few down ones. He's found new life behind Adrian Gonzalez who I was debating was an untouchable and he probably is, but "Papi's" worth goes beyond the field of play.  Ortiz has been a staple on this "Sawk" team for 9 seasons now and he is a crucial piece of this clubs identity. He has been the only constant through 2 World Series runs and countless playoff runs. And the Red Sox fans adore "Big Papi" like they did the "Splendid Splinter;" he's going nowhere.

Toronto Blue Jays - Another .500 season for the unfortunate team from Toronto who has to contend with not only the two financial powerhouses of the MLB, but the newest kid on the block who figured out how to build a team without money, The Rays. I believe that the Jays have been doing this all wrong.  they've always tried to contend with the Yanks and "Sawk" by matching their offensive output, when what they need to do is follow the Rays and the Giants lead, PITCHING.  With that in mind I'm going to generalize the Jays untouchables. 

*Jose Bautista - After 6 seasons of 15 homer power, Bautista has turned it on over the past two by slugging 54 homers last year and 27 already this year.  I know the performance enhancing drug rumors are swirling, as they should, but it also could be a product of playing in Toronto.  See Vernon Wells's production since leaving the Great White North to see the effect toronto tends to have on hitters. But PED's or not, Bautista is the only legitimate bat in that line-up other than Adam Lind (who?); exactly.

*Young Pitchers - As I said earlier, I believe the jays have gone the wrong way on this.  I don't know much about the Jays management or if the economy of Canada has played it's part in the Jays being the best .500 baseball franchise in the history of Major League Baseball, but I think they need to stock up on young pitching.  Look at the teams from smaller markets that have won over the past 10 years; 2003 Marlins, 2010 Giants.  Those two teams had one thing in common, PITCHING. Add in World Series participants Tampa Bay Rays who had a decent line-up but survived on pitching, and you have a blue print to at least give you a shot against the big money teams.

 Tampa Bay Rays - This team actually lost the two guys I would have said last year were untouchable but looky here, only 4 games back of the juggernaut Yanks without them.  This team is about management and just playing the game the right way.  they have strong pitchers, and good hitters.  Not tremendous hitters and amazing, lights out pitchers.  They are just a good team.  I think that starts with manager Joe Maddon who has done an amazing job with a team whose payroll ranks 29th in the league.  So I don't think they have an "untouchable" player.  Maybe James Shields who has acted as the ace of this staff, with an 8-5 record and a mid 2 ERA, he's played the role adequately.  David Price who has really been reluctant to grab the "ace" role on this team has been solid as well.  The Rays are embody every bit of the word "team" and that is why finding an "untouchable" could be hard.

Baltimore Orioles - Another team that has a hard time pinning down a star or two because they are just so young for the most part.  They players who will make the difference on this squad will be Jake Arrietta, Zach Britton, Mark Reynolds and Adam Jones; not Vlad Guerrero and Derrek Lee. Those players are perfect to have around to teach these young players to be stars and clutch hitters. So maybe Vlad and Lee are the untouchable teachers of this young squad.

Hey, throw me an email if you are a fan of any of these teams and you have a different take on who's untouchable and who's ready to be unloaded at thesportsriot@yahoo.com.  Check back tomorrow for the NL East; the Mets division, it ought to be something special.