Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting and thought I'd share.

Very interesting address by Neil Gaiman. Excellent advice.

This was awesome. Kyrie Irving disguised as old man schools street ballers.

Nice look at Derek Lowe's season and Lowe's perspective on it.

Interesting insight into why Adam Lind may have been placed on waivers.

Triple Crown Odds - I'll Have Another has 39% chance to make history.

Medicine for the Dead - an interesting new blog.

Thoughts on the AL All-Star Team

You can find the full roster here.

In my opinion - Ian Kinsler definitely got jobbed by the selections. He should be the starting 2nd baseman. I'm a Red Sox fan but Dustin Pedroia doesn't deserve it this year. Kinsler was more deserving than his teammate Michael Young but Young got the nod probably because the team needed another 3rd baseman (which in turn jobbed Chone Figgins of the Angels).

Does Josh Hamilton deserve the starting position given all the time he missed? Did Curtis Granderson get the nod over teammate Miguel Cabrera because he was more likable? Or because the team had too many 1st basemen? There is also no way Granderson should have made the team over Adam Lind. Hamilton should use his health as an excuse to let either Kinsler or Lind take his spot.

Excellent arguments could also be made for Kevin Millwood of the Rangers (where would they be without him this season) and Russell Branyan of the Mariners.

Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays today fired manager John Gibbons. They replaced Gibbons with Cito Gaston. A few thoughts on this situation:

1. The Blue Jays are a better team than their record. The pitching has held up their end of the bargain with a 3.64 ERA but the team just hasn't been able to hit. Vernon Wells being hurt hasn't helped. Alex Rios having an OPS over 150 points below his production the past two years is also a big part of the problem.

2. Cito Gaston is there to kick guys in the ass. Make no mistake. He has nothing to lose. If he gets the team to perform - he gets a big league managing job. If not he fades back to obscurity.

3. The team needs a big bat and JP Riccardi is on the hot seat. That spells TRADE. Look for the Blue Jays to be active in emptying the minor league cupboards in trying to win now. Maybe a play for Jason Bay is in the cards. My guess is that Adam Dunn won't be high on the list though. Of course Riccardi does have a contract until 2010 so its not like he's got a gun to his head.

4. Look for outfielder Adam Lind to be recalled from the Syracuse Chiefs. He's the only minor league bat who could help the offense right now. This is of course unless Lind is traded for a veteran (see above).

5. Maybe instead of firing more people or trading anyone - Toronto should change the team name to just the "Jays". Hey it worked for Tampa Bay.

Frank Thomas Released

I can't say that I'm surprised by this move. Do I think that Frank Thomas' contract situation played a role? Of course. The Blue Jays don't want to be on the hook for $10 million to a guy who may be falling off a cliff talent wise. Do I think the benching of Thomas was also a move to improve the offense for the Blue Jays? Again - yes. There are many facets at play here. Such as:

- Matt Stairs probably does bring more to the plate than Frank Thomas at this point. I know it must hurt Thomas' ego that a Hall of Fame player like himself could be equaled or bettered in production by a career scrub player like Matt Stairs.

- Both Stairs and Thomas have posted OBP of about .370 the past two seasons. While Thomas has averaged a HR every 20.4 AB in his time in Toronto. Matt Stairs has averaged a HR every 18.1 AB during that same time frame.

- Frank Thomas comes off as surly and self-centered. Matt Stairs comes off as scrappy and blue-collar. Plus Stairs is Canadian.

- Some people will speculate that this will open the way for the Blue Jays to sign Barry Bonds. That's not going to happen. It is much more likely that it opens the door for top prospect Adam Lind.

- Will anyone be surprised if nobody picks up Frank Thomas? Thomas is a Hall of Fame player but his career could be over.