Nomar Garciaparra on the A's or Nothing?
by Tyler Bleszinski on Feb 26, 2009 11:45 PM PST
65 comments
Nomar Garciaparra is deciding between the Oakland Athletics and retirement, according to Ken Rosenthal. Nomar would be a good versatile player to sign and in a Jack Hannahan-type of role, he would actually be quite the upgrade because, as Rosenthal notes, he could be a nice insurance policy at third base and at first when the A's need to give Barton some time to think about his poolside activities.
Thing is, Rosenthal also notes this:
The signing of Garciaparra would not preclude the A's from signing Cabrera, sources say. However, the team could make higher bids for both Cabrera and Reyes if Garciaparra no longer were in the picture.
Honestly if I have to choose between having Nomar OR bringing in both Dennys Reyes and Orlando Cabrera, for me, it's a no-brainer. Let Nomar go play goalkeeper for Mia Hamm with his newly-found free time. I know, Rosenthal didn't say it was an either/or situation, but to me it sounds like it could be. In an ideal world, you sign Cabrera, dump Crosby, sign Reyes and also bring aboard Nomar as that insurance policy since you never know what's going to happen with Eric Chavez at third.
None of these players are ideal. Reyes would be a very good signing in my opinion because it would really nicely round out the A's bullpen and be a nice stroke at shortening the game for the A's young pitching staff which has clearly been a Beane directive. Nomar is a nice versatile bench player at this point, but he's not the answer to the A's prayers and Cabrera is an upgrade over Bobby Crosby but the way Crosby has played the last few seasons, that isn't saying all that much.
Still I hope that Billy and company aren't letting the Nomar signing stand in the way of them offering more for Cabrera and Reyes cause that would be plain wrong. Nomar gives the A's versatility, but Cabera would give the A's an upgrade on a daily basis at a crucial position and Reyes would help deepen the A's bullpen.
It's interesting that it suddenly doesn't feel like the A's are done with the hot stove. I guess a bad economy will keep that stove going all spring long. At least it gives us something to do in between the games that mean absolutely nothing.
0 recs |
65 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
Nomar in an A's uniform?
He’ll be injured before he can lace up his white cleats for the first time. Why not go for the whole thing and sign Nick Johnson? Is Geronimo Pena still around?
Root for the Giants? Not even if they're playing al-Qaeda!
by Monday Fan on Feb 26, 2009 11:51 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
He might actually wind up hurting himself
WHILE putting on his white cleats.
by Tyler Bleszinski on Feb 27, 2009 12:01 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't know
I think I would rather have Dennys Reyes and Nomar than add Cabrera. Crosby in our 9 hole really isn’t that bad and for a team with a small budget, I would rather save the money and keep it for when we really need it… like to sign Holliday long-term (wishful thinking).
by Pino on Feb 26, 2009 11:53 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
How does a one-year deal for Cabrera affect a long-term deal for Holliday?
by thejd44 on Feb 27, 2009 10:31 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
well, you know...a few million here, a few million there...
pretty soon you’re talking about real money.
I like important stuff just as much as the next guy, but please, for a little while, deliver us from meaning, baseball. That's your greatest glory, and we thank you for it very, very much. -- Craig Calcaterra
by JLeverenz on Feb 27, 2009 11:13 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I have kinda been on the bandwagon of if Cabrera is our option lets just keep Crosby. So on that note I really like the possibility of Nomar and Reyes signing with the A’s and seeing what happens with Crosby. Personally I dont think the A’s and Cabrera are close and I dont think he is that significant of an upgrade. He is an upgrade assuming Crosby continues to be awful but that doesnt mean he is good, but what if Crosby does ok then Cabrera isnt an upgrade. My vote goes Nomar and Reyes coming to Oakland and let Cabrera sit out there.
by yawedout21 on Feb 26, 2009 11:55 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I'm kind of worried that if O-Cab takes
what he perceives is a pay cut he might be disgruntled.. and he doesn’t necessarily have a great teammate reputation as it is…
But I’m all for Reyes and Nomar…
Ellis for President
by tosk on Feb 27, 2009 4:35 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Lord knows I'm no "team chemistry" advocate
but I agree that having a player who is grossly underpaid, knows it, and has a reputation for self-centeredness on your roster is a disaster waiting to happen. Handle with care, Billy.
I like the notion of Reyes, but the team is really overflowing at bullpen spots. Maybe they can sign him and flip Casilla for a C+ prospect?
Many years from now, when his name's recalled
Everyone will say, "He should have passed the ball"
-- Al Stewart, "Football Hero"
by PaulThomas on Feb 27, 2009 7:59 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Agree, also. Cabrera is a guy who has been an asshat when he had no reason to complain
I can’t imagine what he’ll be like if he’s not making what he feels he deserves.
by thejd44 on Feb 27, 2009 10:32 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe...
We should sign and trade for Milton Bradley
by RuQ on Feb 27, 2009 2:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Who's already hurt, by the way.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
by Nico on Feb 27, 2009 4:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Nomar and Reyes.
Cabrera=meh…
Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox
by mrod on Feb 27, 2009 12:02 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Nomar has missed more time in recent years due to injury
than the players he’s supposed to be insurance for…
by OaklandSi on Feb 27, 2009 12:40 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Sign Nomar
As a backup. When I actually look at his stats I kinda like him. He only missed 40 games in 07 and 06, and he’s only 36, which isn’t terribly old. I really don’t want another year of Jack Hannahan filling in for 120 games if last year is any indication. I’d like Cabrera too, but every day that goes by makes me wonder more and more if it would happen. Dennys Reyes I honestly just don’t care about. If he signs, cool. If not, then our pen is ziggy/devine/casilla/brown/blevins/springer? Im fine with that.
Hell, letting Crosby and Nomar split time at SS depending on health and streakiness doesn’t even seem like that bad an idea.
rebuildingseason.blogspot.com
by Rebuilding Season on Feb 27, 2009 12:52 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Hey! I thought it was past your bedtime?
I honestly think the “whole replacing Crosby” thing has been a bluff all along. I think all of this activity surrounding the A’s attempting to replace Crosby has been somewhat of a covert operation intended to motivate Booby.
Believe me, I know many will say “nonsense” but I would not put this kind of tactic past Billy Beane.
Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox
by mrod on Feb 27, 2009 12:58 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I lied
I just didn’t want to embarrass myself any further.
rebuildingseason.blogspot.com
by Rebuilding Season on Feb 27, 2009 1:04 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
well it's my bedtime now.
“Nite all….”
Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox
by mrod on Feb 27, 2009 1:07 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
and in 2008 he missed 106 games
I remember how good he was…but injuries have really taken their toll, and the trends in his stats are not good. I suppose if the A’s can sign him cheaply, and they think he’s going to be healthier than he was in 2008 that it wouldn’t be a bad thing to have him be available on the bench. But I would expect Chavez, Crosby and Giambi (not to mention Barton) all to be available more than Nomar.
by OaklandSi on Feb 27, 2009 1:00 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I imagine he'd still be an upgrade over Hannahan though
Hannahan got his games last year, and the results were fairly terrible. Each year we go out there hoping Chavez will be fine, and then kick ourselves when he gets hurt and we have to go with the backup. At least Marco Scutaro didn’t cost us runs at the plate, but with Ellis still recovering from injury, Chavez always a question mark and the shortstop situation up in the air, I’m all in favor of someone with some upside, even if they’re just as likely to be injured. Go go super platoon?!
rebuildingseason.blogspot.com
by Rebuilding Season on Feb 27, 2009 1:09 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree that -- when actually available to play --
Nomar would be an offensive upgrade over Hannahan.
As far as I know Garciaparra doesn’t play second base…and I think his SS days are long gone. I think the A’s would only consider him to back up Chavez at third and Giambi at first. Both of those players, if healthy, are likely to be at least as productive at the plate as Garciaparra.
If Chavez needs lots and lots of backup I don’t think the A’s have a good answer, in terms of someone who can handle third plus be somewhat productive at the plate…and Nomar doesn’t seem to be able to stay healthy long enough to do that. But we’ll see…he may also retire.
by OaklandSi on Feb 27, 2009 8:35 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
nomar played more games at SS last year than at any other spot
well, besides DL that is.
More Rajai Davis & less mount Davis
by Athletics fan and runner on Feb 27, 2009 8:50 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
it would be interesting to see how many of those games
he actually started in SS, versus how many were after he came in to pinch hit for someone. in any event, even in his Boston days his defense was not considered very good, even though he was a terrific offensive player. When Boston traded him in the middle of 2004, Orlando Cabrera’s much better defense (and remember, Todd “hands of stone” Walker was the second baseman) was widely credited with helping Boston to get to and through the postseason, all the way to winning the World Series.
I would prefer Pennington and Petit as defensive backups for Crosby.
by OaklandSi on Feb 27, 2009 10:00 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
But if Chavez is healthy, or at least doing pretty well
does he actually lose playing time to Nomar? Maybe in late innings, but the way the A’s are with platoons I wouldn’t be surprised to see Chavez in the lineup against lefties a lot of the time. Then Nomar isn’t doing much anyway.
OTOH, If Chavvy is on the DL, or limping around and saying he’s good enough to play (har har…we know he’s fudged on this a few times), then you’ve got Nomar in a lot, or BB hunting for a more reliable replacement, back to square one.
I guess it boils down to how much Geren/BB would really be willing to platoon a healthy or near-healthy Chavez. I think not much…
by Mark H on Feb 27, 2009 9:10 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
if Chavvy is on the DL you'd have Nomar if he wasn't on the DL
back to Hannahan, I’m afraid…
by OaklandSi on Feb 27, 2009 10:01 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
So you should never sign players because if all of them get hurt, bad players will eventually play?
Aren’t the A’s better off even if Nomar takes just 200 PA away from Hannahan?
by thejd44 on Feb 27, 2009 10:34 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm saying that signing a 35 year old player who wasn't healthy enough
to even get 200 at bats the previous season - and who hasn’t really been healthy for some time now - is not a good bet to back up players.
but hey, it’s not my money.
by OaklandSi on Feb 27, 2009 10:39 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
What do you mean by "the way A's are with platoons"?
The A’s platoon as much, if not more than, any team.
by thejd44 on Feb 27, 2009 10:34 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Amazingly we could still sign 5 FAs
Nomar, Reyes, Cabrera, Mulder and Sisco have been rumored to be connected to the A’s and no one else (now that the Phils are out of the picture). And if OCab would sign for 2-3 million I wouldn’t be that surprised to see the A’s sign all five. When’s the last time you could say that?
As for Nomar not being as much an upgrade as Cabrera, I’m not so sure. To call Cabrera much of an upgrade on Crosby is to put a lot of faith in UZR over other defensive stats. UZR is probably the best defensive stat out there but isn’t end all and be all. Cabrera will probably be better (and almost certainly healthier) than BoCro but BoCro has more upside (and more downside). I still am not really leaning toward either camp, but I would definitely sign OCab for 2-3 million to at least be insurance. Nomar on the other hand is certainly an upgrade over Hannahan. The question is just how healthy he will stay. He also is really nice platoon bat for Chavez. I would have loved for the A’s to trade for a guy like Mark DeRosa this offseason where he’s a RHB who can play 2b, 3b, Rf, and even possibly SS and be a platoon partner with all of our lefties when they’re healthy and adequate fill-in when they’re not. With Chavez, Ellis, Giambi, Sweeney, and Buck, that backup position would get a lot of playing time. Having a good replacement like DeRosa or Nomar makes a lot of sense.
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton
by vignette17 on Feb 27, 2009 1:33 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Don't think
They’ll sign both Reyes and Sisco. To me it sounds like they haven’t liked what they’ve seen from Sisco’s workouts and have decided to push for Reyes first and foremost.
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Feb 27, 2009 4:30 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe Sisco's workouts were a lot like his actual pitching
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
by Nico on Feb 27, 2009 7:01 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Sisco would be the perfect compliment to Giambi
(Insert thong joke here)
Bob Geren and Ken Macha both enjoy jai lai.
by CarGon's Jock on Feb 27, 2009 11:27 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
not at ll, doubt both are related
sisco would likely be on a minor league deal, to stash in AAA for later on
reyes was one of the best lefty relievers in mlb and may cost a mill or so
both moves if they wanted, can be made
by Asfan4ever723 on Feb 27, 2009 9:58 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
OK I may be crazy
Am I the only one who actually believes in the fact that because BoCroz worked out with Big Mac and changed his swing, that he is going to put up better numbers than Cabrera this year?
My religion is A'slamic.
by WhoNeedsReligionWhenYaGotBaseball on Feb 27, 2009 9:05 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
You still might be crazy in other ways
But I’m optimistic about BoCro too. I think he could break .300 OBP, and maybe .400 SLG, but…um…that’s still not great. If they have him steal 15-20 bases in addition, that’s a pretty decent 9th hitter.
I think there’s been debate about whether a guy can really change his bad habits after all these years. Will he be able to stick with the new routine? Is Big Mac or Holliday going to monitor him and give him feedback if/when he reverts to his old ways? Where are the coaches in all this?
by Mark H on Feb 27, 2009 9:21 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes.
…
Okay, maybe some of us hope that, and consider that a possibility, but Bobby has sucked so hard for so long, always refusing to actually change anything about his clearly horrible even to the untrained eye swing/stance/approach for more than a few days… I wouldn’t bet on anything better.
But I also don’t want Cabrera, so hope it is.
by HigherPie on Feb 27, 2009 9:23 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I think Crosby might put up better numbers because he wasn't that far off last year
When Cabrera was playing in a hitters’ park and didn’t have one more year into his decline.
Cabrera and a .650 OPS in Oakland isn’t a stretch by any means. I just don’t think the guy is very good.
by thejd44 on Feb 27, 2009 10:36 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
O-Cab is a cancer...
Avoid him… I can’t believe I’m posting this; however, give BoCro another chance and if it fails, use Pennington/Petit/or Trade for a blocked AAA guy like Hu.
The Stockton Ports pitching staff is better than the Orioles.
by gdub171 on Feb 27, 2009 9:40 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
I'd really like to know where this "Cabrera as cancer" reallly comes from
Boston wanted to re-sign him after 2004, but Cabrera signed with the Angels, and seemed to get along just fine for three seasons. He was traded to the White Sox for a starting pitcher. Obviously he had problems in Chicago, though I had read that it was mostly with Ozzie Guillen. Cabrera was Swisher’s partner in the Cap’n Morgan home run dance — it appeared that the two were practically the only players on in the dugout who tried to loosen things up a bit. Swish also was not particularly liked by Ozzie, but nobody has accused him of being a clubhouse cancer.
If there is more evidence that he was considered a cancer in Montreal, Boston and Anaheim, I’d love to see it. Otherwise I think it’s more a case of not getting along with management in Chicago.
by OaklandSi on Feb 27, 2009 10:07 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I think it's because O-Cab likes Fidel and reads Garcia Marquez
While I have no evidence that those have anything to do with rumors of his cancerous reputation, he certainly wouldn’t be the first to discover that the locker room isn’t exactly the most intellectually welcoming place.
"There is a sense of tragic destiny associated with people who have large noses." --Bucky Wunderlick
by FreeSeatUpgrade on Feb 27, 2009 10:39 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Cabrera has also consistently been on successful teams,
so whatever negatives he is bringing, they don’t seem to stop his teams from winning lots of games.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
by Nico on Feb 27, 2009 11:21 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
that makes no sense
no one can say how many games those teams would have won with a SS of comparable talent but a different personality.
would cabrera have consistently been on successful teams if he had spent his entire career with the pirates and royals?
of course, there’s also nothing to suggest it has anything to do with his reading habits. did rumors about cabrera character start only after he read a biography on fidel? is he always reading books on fidel or by marquez? different books or is he just a really slow reader who takes half a decade to get through a fidel bio? is he reading these books in the clubhouse? is he constantly talking to teammates about fidel or marquez in the clubhouse? is there ANY evidence that suggests the two are related?
A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05
by xbhaskarx on Feb 27, 2009 12:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not saying there's any correlation between Cabrera and team success,
just that there isn’t any correlation between Cabrera and team failure.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
by Nico on Feb 27, 2009 4:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Well, all the teams they are desperate to trade him
Just google “Orlando Cabrera cancer” and you’ll find plenty. A lot of the stories are based on rumor, but even rumors add to a guy’s reputation. I find it highly unlikely that all these rumors exist and all teammates love him. Don’t you think at some point the “Orlando Cabrera is a great guy” stories would all come out?
by thejd44 on Feb 27, 2009 10:39 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Boston was not desperate to get rid of him
and he was in Anaheim for three years before they traded him. Only in Chicago did there appear to be a problem.
I have read plenty of accounts by players that praised him…I was also quite impressed with a pretty extensive interview he did during the offseason of 2004-05 (TV interview in Spanish).
That said, I’m sure many ballplayers have others that they don’t like. that by itself doesn’t make a player a “cancer”. A player who is good and helps his team win, rather than costing his team wins — is always welcome regardless of his personality.
Cabrera’s biggest problem this off season is that he’s still looking at that ridiculous overpayment that the Giants made for Rentería. The Giants might well have made that offer to Cabrera had Cabrera not been offered arby by the White Sox.
by OaklandSi on Feb 27, 2009 10:48 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
by the way, I did google "Orlando Cabrera cancer"
Apparently most of it is directly traced to Chicago Sun Times’ beat writer Joe Crowley, who didn’t like him. Nothing even appears to come from a player.
by OaklandSi on Feb 27, 2009 10:54 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
You didn't look hard enough. It's not all Joe Cowley (not the former major league pitcher, btw).
I can find comments on message boards about his days in Boston (the more you look, the more there is about him in Boston), a comment from Murray Chass (who is kind of a dope, but I doubt he’d make this up). There’s a lot of smoke, much more than with most other players.
by thejd44 on Feb 27, 2009 11:09 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I should add that this isn't the only - or even the main - reason I don't want the A's to sign Cabrera
It’s just icing on the cake. I mostly just think he’s not a very good baseball player.
by thejd44 on Feb 27, 2009 11:10 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't support signing him either
but that’s mainly because at this point in his career I don’t see him as being enough of an upgrade to justify the kind of money he’s asking for.
I made clear that Cowley is the beat writer for the Sun Times…. and i looked at the rest of what came up. It still looks like lots of third hand rumor mostly citing other blogs and Cowley.
In any event: even if he is really known as a "clubhouse cancer’ (which isn’t borne out by his career, since Boston wanted to keep him and the Angels kept him for three years) — if he was considered a good player for the money he’d accept (and especially if he didn’t cost a first round draft pick) he’d have been signed by now.
by OaklandSi on Feb 27, 2009 11:26 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
The little-known rest of the story
Turns out Nomar uses the same agent as Rafael Furcal. So I expect Nomar to spurn the A’s and flirt with retirement, only to sign a last-second deal with a suitor not currently believed to be in the running: the St. Louis Browns.
"There is a sense of tragic destiny associated with people who have large noses." --Bucky Wunderlick
by FreeSeatUpgrade on Feb 27, 2009 10:42 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
I'm guessing there's a "mystery retirement" in the mix
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
by Nico on Feb 27, 2009 11:23 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Nomar
Is also a good lifegaurd who saved two women from drowning in Boston which is key for any team with Barton on the payroll.
RIVER CATS: AAA CHAMPS!
by niallmack on Feb 27, 2009 10:44 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
Nomar once drank three gallons
of pure grain alcohol, killed a grizzly with his bare hands, then made bear sandwiches for the entire village of Putrajaya.
Can monkey care be a positive experience? Yes, but only if you are committed, well-prepared, and well-informed ahead of time. To what degree is this possible? What if monkey care is harder than you thought it would be? --Pet Monkey: A Reality Check
by Leopold Bloom on Feb 27, 2009 11:17 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
wait. nomar is THE MOST INTERESTING MAN IN THE WORLD?
i guess i didn’t recognize him with the beard.
by greendatitiz on Feb 27, 2009 5:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I like our team
doesn’t anyone else?
do we really need OCab and Nomahhh? We have great defenders all around the diamond already and none of these guys represent any type of improvement. Barton, Ellis, Crosby, and Chavez is one of the best defensive infields in all of baseball. Giambi and Cust are liabilities but we’re not going to be taking that many at bats away from them. If this team is good, then these guys will spend time wasting on the bench and causing clubhouse issues.
moreover, shouldn’t we save some of this money the A’s apparently have. If these pitchers develop as quickly as some expect we’ll want to have some cash to throw at them and other big bats in the future, we don’t want it tied up in someone like Orlando Cabrera. again, I know you all hate Crosby, but Cabrera is worse defensively and has less upside offensively, though his track record is better
MJP - Go A's - give Bobby one more year
by IBSlater on Feb 27, 2009 12:09 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I agree, I think it's better to wait
and perhaps see who might be available in a couple of months if the A’s are doing well. The A’s will have some good trading chips, and better players will likely be available than Cabrera, Nomar, and Reyes.
by OaklandSi on Feb 27, 2009 12:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
do we really need OCab and Nomahhh?
do we really want pennington and hannahan?
A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05
by xbhaskarx on Feb 27, 2009 12:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
my only question is, can cabrera move over to 2b when ellis needs a day off?
if so, it’s a no-brainer if it’s for one year and under $4 million.
A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05
by xbhaskarx on Feb 27, 2009 12:45 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Athletics Nation
Related FanShots on Athletics Nation
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
