Baseball trades this season were underwhelming
Manhattan: Re “Amazin’s say buy with their bats” (July 30): Since the Blue Jays didn’t move Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at the last minute, it’s safe to say the 2024 trade deadline was a letdown. Don’t get me wrong: Jazz Chisholm started off strong for the Yankees and Jesse Winker (photo) fills a need for the Mets. Randy Arozarena to the Mariners came at the right time. But with few blockbuster deals, the deadline went out with a whimper.
It’s far too easy to conclude that league parity is the reason; with the vast majority of teams within striking distance of a playoff spot — five games or so — they’re less likely to trade stars and rebuild. But it’s more likely due to increased opportunity. The expanded number of wild card teams, and getting rid of the one-and-done elimination once a team gets there, has changed the way organizations treat the trade deadline. Better odds, more motivation.
Major League Baseball has also been a victim of its offseason musical chairs success. With Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto and Corbin Burnes joining with new teams, for example, and pitchers like Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shota Imanaga coming over from Japan, there was no way to top that.
When you look at the talent on the Orioles, Yankees, Phillies and Dodgers (and how the Mets could flip the script back in June), it’s hard to credibly argue that the majority of other teams are on the same level. Then again, judging by the lousy batting across the league in 2024, any team is a few key swings away from a hot streak. Or one Vlad Guerrero Jr. away. Adam Silbert
New star
Sunnyside: The incredible saga of Jazz Chisholm, a major leaguer from the Bahamas — that’s right, the Bahamas — who has beat the odds twice. Jazz is the 10th player ever from the Bahamas, and he became the first player in N.Y. Yankees history to hit four home runs in his first three games. Congratulations, Jazz, and welcome to NYC. Glenn J. McManus
Uninformed outrage
Manhattan: To all the so-called Christians who obviously have no understanding of or education in art: The opening ceremony in Paris was depicting a French painting of Greek mythology and not the Last Supper. Please stop proving Trump right that you are as “poorly educated” as he says you are. Frank Teti
Citizens’ arrests
Sunnyside: We all owe a debt of gratitude to the Venezuelan migrant who came to the aid of the woman who was being stabbed on the subway (“Heroes grab stabber,” July 30). His heroic act definitely serves as a great response to the xenophobes who try to portray all migrants as criminals. However, people shouldn’t have to rely on ordinary citizens to protect them. This latest incident serves as a perfect example of why we need to hire a lot more police officers. It’s particularly ironic that Brad Lander announced his run for mayor only two days after this horrible incident happened because he has been one of the most vocal of the “defund the police” maniacs. If Lander and his cohorts keep calling for more cuts in hiring officers, criminals and violently mentally ill individuals will become even more powerful. John Francis Fox
Social with socialists?
Clark, N.J.: “Woman dead, 2 wounded in shooting near NYC Randalls Island migrant shelter” (July 30) notes that the shootings took place “during a party celebrating the reelection of Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro.” But how can President Biden and Kamala Harris be bringing supporters of a socialist dictator into the United States? How can these socialist migrants be seeking asylum from a socialist president they support? Why are they here? There are a number of Latin American countries between the U.S. and Venezuela. So, why are they here? Worse yet, why did Biden and Harris support a socialist dictator by buying high-tar crude oil from him instead of drilling for oil in the U.S.? William T. Fidurski
Messaging pivot
Medford, L.I.: In a text message from the Trump campaign, it appears Trump is panicking that Kamala Harris has raised a staggering $250 million in less than two weeks. In the same hour, an email from the Trump campaign is telling me that Trump is selling his classic MAGA hat that’s been around for nine years, which every Trump voter already has at least two of. How does the consummate businessman not see that he’s sitting on a fundraising gold mine? Trump needs a new slogan to market to his rabid base. What’s the one unifying message that came out of his wildly successful convention last month? Survival. Americans have been demoralized by three and a half years of Biden’s soul-crushing inflation, high interest rates and illegal immigration. Given Trump just survived a near-death experience, what better slogan to illustrate solidarity between him and his beleaguered voters? Eugene R. Dunn
Act right
Brooklyn: Just a quick reminder for Kamala Harris and Donald Trump: You are fighting for leadership of the highest office in the country. Men and women made the ultimate sacrifice so you can be where you are today. Our veterans who fought and made it back and those who continue to fight each and every day for our country would appreciate, like the rest of us, if you show some class. We are being laughed at by the rest of the world because you two are acting like 5-year-olds. Stick to the issues and stop the name-calling. It’s disgraceful. I know it’s hard for both of you, but try being professional. John De Angelo
No furry friends
Manhattan: Does anyone recall ever seeing Trump with any pets, talking about having pets or about liking animals? Rack my brain as I might, I can’t recall him saying anything about pets or animals, and this is another reason I dislike him. I don’t trust anyone who doesn’t like animals, especially anyone who hunts them. Lynne A. Henderson
Affront to faith
Brooklyn: According to Donald Trump, second gentleman Doug Emhoff is “a crappy Jew, a horrible Jew” (“Don: Kamala ‘doesn’t like’ Jews, is anti-Israel,” July 31). So now Trump, a man who has broken every commandment countless times, is the arbiter of who is a good Jew. I’m not a big Harris fan, but now I will make a donation to her campaign. Trump is a disgrace to Christianity. Barbara Barran
Correct call-out
Edison, N.J.: I am 100% Jewish. Over seven decades, I have had intimate, detailed, personal interactions with hundreds of people who were crappy Jews. Donald J. Trump is 100% correct again. Ross Perlman
Drops in the bucket
Bronx: In the op-ed “N.Y. is way behind on its climate law” (July 30), the author bemoans the fact that N.Y. seems to be backtracking on its climate/green energy goals. The reason should be clear. Progressive policies, whether it be climate change, criminal justice/bail reform or sanctuary cities, do not work in real life. Subjecting New Yorkers to mandates that have zero effect on global carbon emissions while saddling them with higher-cost, less reliable energy is ridiculous, and political suicide. Chuck Shannon
Not on par
Bronx: How dare Mayor Adams compare himself to David Dinkins? Dinkins was an honorable man, Adams is a lowlife. W. Twirley
Financial transparency
Long Beach, L.I.: What is going on with the Daily News subscription prices? Back in March, my four-week price was $90. In April, it went up to $110. I didn’t give it much thought (the cost of doing business). Imagine my surprise when my subscription was again raised, to $136 — a $46 increase since March. I called to ask why and got a lame excuse. I requested to be brought back to $90, which was accepted. I then asked for a credit and was told they don’t give refunds. So I am stuck paying the $136 for four weeks and then it will resume at $90 for no specified amount of time and could change again without notice. It would be nice to notify your loyal customers of more than 25 years of an increase before it happens. Next increase I will dispute the charge and cancel my subscription. Lisa Tutino
