Droopy Dog Watch

Haven't done this in a while, but read something in his insider column (subscriber only) today that epitomizes what I don't like about the guy. He has incredible inside sources, but uses his column and his nationwide respect as a pundit to protect and promote his guys. It's a symbiotic relationship, and I don't think the readers benefit at all.

Here's the passage that clearly displays this bullshit:

Incidentally, in the 2002 draft, Francoeur was considered unsignable, headed to Clemson as a safety/outfielder. Boston, which did not have a first-round pick, had a pre-draft deal cut with Francouer. Braves scouting director Roy Clark found out, did the same deal with the 23rd pick, and Red Sox scouting director David Chadd cut a deal with a left-handed pitcher named Jon Lester, who may well be in Boston's rotation next season and may be, along with Liriano, one of the best left-handed prospects in the game.

Here are the problems with this passage:
1) This wasn't incidental to anything else in the paragraph (which was supposed to be about how good Francouer was but instead was all about an unnamed scout thinking he sucks because he doesn't walk).
2) Any guess if someone in the Red Sox org slipped this in to make them look good? 22 teams missed on Frenchy. 7 teams can pull the "we had a deal with him but the Braves swooped in ahead" card no matter if it's true or not. Unfortunately, only the Sawwwwwks have Gammons' jowls resting on their inner thighs.'
3) And isn't it lovely that even though the Sox missed out on a fantastic player, they just happened to have a great lefty fall into their lap. Just providence.
4) For 4 years I've heard the same story from 3 people, two of which are very close to Francoeur. The Braves deal was in place for months. Every other team was told Clemson was the only placed he'd go. He only wanted Atlanta.

This story is either intraoffice Sox asscovering (which none of his readers give a shit about) or it's 100% pure golden sunshine blown up the legion of Sox fans collective ass. Great player on another team? The local boys would've had him, and though they missed him they got something better instead.

Next time you see him on Baseball Tonight, close your eyes and imagine some old dude repeating Red Sox press releases. Next time you read a column by him, pretend you've stumbled upon a Red Sox Fan Fiction site.