PORT JEFF, NY – Well, that didn’t take long. And I’m not talking about the Mets imploding. No. Instead, we’re talkin’ soccer football futbol here in terms of the staying power of the Kushner/Trump FIFA takeover. But we’re also talkin’ staying power in Major League Baseball, sort of, as the MLB Trade Deadline looms. Thus today’s headline topics: FIFA Goes Limp, MLB Trade Deadline Moves
FIFA Goes Limp
FIFA’s latest bright idea – to carve off a chunk of the World Cup into a $20 billion commercial venture backed by [alleged] Donald Trump proxy Joshua Kushner’s investment group -lasted about as long as free beer at a rugby party. After a worldwide backlash from UEFA, CONCACAF, Asian federations and even some of FIFA’s own insiders, Gianni Infantino – who looks like the new Bond villain – suddenly discovered that maybe, just maybe, the World Cup isn’t something you slap a For Sale sign on.
Amazin’ Amazing how that works.
The proposal was marketed as a way to generate billions for developing the game. Noble enough. But when the same organization that has treated transparency like it’s an optional rule, starts talking about private equity, people tend to check where their wallets are. FIFA executives have spent decades proving that “trust us” isn’t exactly their strongest slogan.
For once, the soccer establishment – which I don’t know a thing about because I don’t give two shiths about a game constantly interrupted by players acting as though they’ve been murdered by machete – actually agreed on something. European clubs threatened to walk, other confederations piled on, and the entire scheme collapsed faster than David Stearns‘ 2026 Mets. The dicey deal is dead—for now. Whether it’s gone forever or merely waiting for a new coat of paint is another question entirely.
Meanwhile, baseball’s annual version of speed dating is approaching.
The MLB Trade Deadline is just days away, and every front office is pretending it has all the leverage while every insider swears his sources are “hearing something.” Translation: We’ve got more clickbait for you! And we do!
The biggest names still swirling include Tarik Skubal, Mason Miller, C.J. Abrams and Sandy “Beach”(TM) Alcantara, while contenders like the Yankees, Dodgers, Cubs, Phillies and Astros continue to kick the tires on anything with a live arm and a reasonable contract.
Meanwhile, my Metsies have seemingly accepted reality. AJ Minter is now a Twin – who also made a trade with Baltimore for RHP Dean Kremer – not to be confused with Dean Wormer. Minter was seen [allegedly] flipping the bird to Luis Robert, Jr. and Jorge Polanco exiting the clubhouse for a cold weather team without a dome. Relievers just love the cold. #NOT
But there should be more coming with mediocre-to-poop veterans Freddy Peralta, Clay Holmes, and Tyrone Taylor all generating varying degrees of trade buzz.
Of course, by the time you read this, half those rumors will have evaporated, three unexpected blockbusters will have happened, and one general manager will insist he “likes the club we have.” You hear that, Brian Cashman?
Every July, hope is sold by the prospect and the rented veteran. Just remember this annoying tidbit: 90% of prospects bomb and your team will have to fill all of the holes left by traded away veterans.
Unlike #FIFA, at least baseball waits until the paperwork is signed before pretending everyone wins.
That’s it for me. Time to walk the doggie.
Soccer sucks. Let’s go Mets!
