Shanoff's Wake-Up Call: Manny Heads West

Today's Calls: Manny Ramirez vs. Jason Bay, Ron Gardenhire vs. Ozzie Guillen, Brandon Webb vs. Anibal Sanchez, Brett Favre vs. Jeff Garcia, Georgia vs. USC-Ohio State winner, Ron-Ron vs. Yao and More.

The Opening Pitch: Manny in L.A.? It's like a terrible sitcom spin-off, "Joey" to the Red Sox's "Friends."

But it certainly shakes things up: While other top NL contenders like the Cubs and Brewers went for topline pitchers, the Dodgers acquired one of the best hitters of this generation.

Best of all, Manny's flakiness — never fully appreciated in Boston — will flourish in the hothouse of flakes that is Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox get Jason Bay: And, at least on paper, there isn't much of a drop-off on offense from Ramirez to Bay.

I know the SABR-metrics indicate it's mostly a wash, but I suspect Red Sox Nation will regret the exile of their biggest bat. (Watch for all-star rationalization from RSN as they dutifully follow their media overlords and attempt to spin the move as a great one.)

With Manny heading West, not South, the trade deadline provided a final twist worthy of the super-duper-star name that made it so intriguing.

As for the Pirates, most experts are very bullish on the productive gains for the roster -- all contributors, if not contenders.

Rays stand pat: Should Tampa Bay have given up on a couple top prospects to land Jason Bay for a "win-now" push?

While it would be too bad to see this season's Cinderella effort not yield a trip to the playoffs, they got here by protecting their young.

White Sox trade for Ken Griffey: With the resounding reaction being, "And just where are they thinking he'll play?" (Meanwhile, Ron Gardenhire should be suspended for inciting Twins fans to revolt against the umps during the Twins' 10-6 win Thursday vs. the W-Sox. The flailingly outraged manager routine is funny, but entirely unprofessional.) Cubs sweep Brewers: Like the Angels sweeping the Red Sox at Fenway in late July, this was the "statement series" of the season in its league. Meanwhile, the Angels keep steamrolling their would-be competitors from the AL East, clobbering the Yankees at the Stadium.

More: Sabathia? Harden? Bah: Brandon Webb tops MLB with his 15th W. ... Is Anibal Sanchez the equivalent of a trade-deadline acquisition for the Marlins? ... Not just trading, the Nats simply released players, including Paul Lo Duca. ... Got to love the knuckleball.

Favre Watch: Six latest twists ...

* What about this intellectually insulting Packers offer that Favre stay retired for a $20-million payoff? Would Favre actually accept it?

* Is Favre ready to go to New York? He may not have a choice; today, the Jets seem to be the only team hot for him. Deal imminent?

* Wait, wait: Does Jeff Garcia's mild calf injury open the door for the Bucs to be a late-breaking suitor?

* Still no word from Roger Goodell on reinstatement. It's almost like he is pulling a Brett Favre ... on Brett Favre. How meta of him.

* Amusingly, the Packers are now getting advice from a former White House spin specialist. The Pack’s new strategy is insisting Favre has WMDs.

* Perhaps Ari Fleischer can remind the Packers that trading Favre to the Vikings or Bears WOULD BE UTTERLY INSANE.

Pro Football HOF 2008: With apologies to Dean, Green, Tippett, Zimmerman and especially Thomas (voted in by the Vets), this has been a long time coming for Art Monk. I grew up on the Fun Bunch; steady, quiet performance should matter.

CFB Coaches rank Georgia No. 1. Don't be fooled: Preseason polls matter; just ask any "surprise" team that has to wade from the back of the rankings pack into "at-large" BCS contention.

Worth noting: While UGA had 22 1st-place votes, No. 2 USC and No. 3 Ohio State had 28 between them, indicating that the winner of their September 13 showdown will leapfrog into the No. 1 spot -- and pole position for one of two BCS spots, no matter what Georgia does.

NBA: With Manny off the radar, it's all about Ron-Ron being Ron-Ron. And Artest's "I'm still ghetto" reply to Yao's modest criticism of Artest's past behavior puts Ron back in the spotlight.

USA Oops thumps Turkey: Let's not read too much into it. They have set up these exhibitions to build confidence, not challenge themselves. Again: I'll believe the gold when I see it.

Wie Watch: First-round 73 playing with the guys at Reno. She likely won't make the cut; she should keep at this "men's" game.

The Last Word: Possible hoops recruiting violation at Memphis? I'm shocked, just shocked.

Dan Shanoff writes The Wake-Up Call every weekday morning for SportingNews.com and blogs daily at DanShanoff.com. Got any comments, questions or feedback? Email Dan at shanofftsn-[at]-gmail-[dot]-com.

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