All the Sports that's Written by Twit

So you think you get something better in a sports section of a paper if you're reading the New York Times? Well, think again. Today Ben Shpigel writes:

The Phillies are set at second base with Utley, so they would be interested in Soriano as a corner outfielder and only, perhaps, if they can free up some salary by persuading Pat Burrell to waive his no-trade clause.

The underperforming Burrell, who is owed $27 million over the next two seasons, has not succeeded in protecting Howard, and Soriano may be the best option to fulfill that responsibility.

Poor Ryan Howard. With Pat the Bat in the line-up behind him, he managed to hit only .313/.425/.659 with 58 homers and 149 RBI. I mean, if teams didn't pitch around him to get to Burrell, he would have had 257 ribbies.

Bill James refuted the "protection in the line-up" issue way back when Bob Horner was playing. Don't sportswriters read?