Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.
In 2005 Edgar Renteria led AL shortstops in errors with 30 but 13 of those were throwing errors. You have to understand the context here. On many of those throws Renteria was throwing to the worst fielding first baseman in baseball, Kevin Millar (never mind what the stats say about Millar's fielding - he was THE worst). If he was throwing to a half decent first baseman, half of those throwing errors go away and Renteria finishes behind Russ Adams of Toronto, Angel Berroa of KC and in between Julio Lugo of the Devil Rays and Miguel Tejada as far as errors by a AL shortstop. This is another reason why I think Edgar bounces back nicely this year with the Braves... This is a great time waster. It tells you how many of your favorite beverages it would take to kill you. For example - I now know that 158 cups of coffee will kill me... JJ Redick made me a believer yesterday... I know the first commandment of betting is "thou shall not tease" but I think my best bet of the day is to tease the Patriots with the Patriots/Bills over. With risk $13 to win $10 odds you get the lines to Patriots getting 2.5 points and the over to just 29.5 points... The mayor is back! Lou Merloni signed a minor league deal with Cleveland and he may just be the missing piece to a championship team. Mayor Lou Merloni rules! Long live the mayor!... Curtis Martin may miss today's game against the Raiders. Quick go pick up Cedric Houston for your fantasy team! The Raiders are favored by 3 in this game and if Martin can't play - I'd say they are a lock (of course if Martin can't play expect the line to go up)... I thought it was a done deal that Bill Mueller would be going to the Dodgers but it looks like the Pirates have upped their offer to Mueller to a three-year deal at about $4 million per year. Good for the Pro and good for the Pirates who have been very active this off-season. The Pirates signed stud outfielder Jason Bay to a long term contract, brought home local good guy Sean Casey to play first, shored up the bullpen with Damaso Marte and now are trying to anchor third with Mueller. Don't be surprised if the Pirates also bring in Milton Bradley. If the Dodgers do lose out on Mueller - I wouldn't be surprised to see Ned Colletti make a panic move....
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Odds on Where Roger Clemens Will Pitch in 2006
Here are the odds on where Roger Clemens will pitch (if at all) in 2006:
Retired 2/1
Houston Astros 7/2
New York Yankees 7/2
Boston Red Sox 4/1
Texas Rangers 9/2
Other MLB team 5/1
And yes - the Red Sox have contacted him about playing in Boston in 2006.
Here are the odds on where Roger Clemens will pitch (if at all) in 2006:
Retired 2/1
Houston Astros 7/2
New York Yankees 7/2
Boston Red Sox 4/1
Texas Rangers 9/2
Other MLB team 5/1
And yes - the Red Sox have contacted him about playing in Boston in 2006.
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Had to Share This
Great picture from the Sports Frog. First thing I thought when I saw this was "Like a cheese cracker!" Then I thought - wouldn't it be funny if the WNBA adopted these kind of shorts? (Sorry did I just ruin your breakfast?)
Great picture from the Sports Frog. First thing I thought when I saw this was "Like a cheese cracker!" Then I thought - wouldn't it be funny if the WNBA adopted these kind of shorts? (Sorry did I just ruin your breakfast?)
OK - I'll Say It!
Miguel Tejada has said he's unhappy with the Orioles and wants to be traded. Many people immediately thought "why don't they swap the unhappy Manny Ramirez for the unhappy Miggie Tejada?" The pundits and talking heads will say that this will never happen because Baltimore would never deal with an inter-division rival (not that anyone from Boston has considered the Orioles rivals for years). This deal will not happen but its not for the above reason. This deal won't happen because Tejada is tainted goods.
Jose Canseco names Tejada as a steroids user in his book and Rafael Palmeiro said it was Tejada's B12 shots that made him flunk a test for steroids. Tejada had one more at bat in 2005 than in 2004 yet had 8 fewer HR and 52 fewer RBI. Coincidence that this drop-off happened in the first year of real drug testing? Tejada is tainted goods and as far as I'm concerned as Derek Lowe may have put it - he can suck it!
Miguel Tejada has said he's unhappy with the Orioles and wants to be traded. Many people immediately thought "why don't they swap the unhappy Manny Ramirez for the unhappy Miggie Tejada?" The pundits and talking heads will say that this will never happen because Baltimore would never deal with an inter-division rival (not that anyone from Boston has considered the Orioles rivals for years). This deal will not happen but its not for the above reason. This deal won't happen because Tejada is tainted goods.
Jose Canseco names Tejada as a steroids user in his book and Rafael Palmeiro said it was Tejada's B12 shots that made him flunk a test for steroids. Tejada had one more at bat in 2005 than in 2004 yet had 8 fewer HR and 52 fewer RBI. Coincidence that this drop-off happened in the first year of real drug testing? Tejada is tainted goods and as far as I'm concerned as Derek Lowe may have put it - he can suck it!
Friday, December 09, 2005
X-Box 360 Recall
Are the problems with the new X-Box really that bad? Some Internet Casinos are taking bets on whether Microsoft will have to publicly announce that it is recalling the X-Box 360 (all the parts) before Jan 30, 2006.
The current odds are:
Yes (Microsoft will issue a recall) +$165 (meaning you would risk $100 to win $165)
No (Microsoft will not issue a recall) -$240 (meaning you would risk $240 to win $100)
Are the problems with the new X-Box really that bad? Some Internet Casinos are taking bets on whether Microsoft will have to publicly announce that it is recalling the X-Box 360 (all the parts) before Jan 30, 2006.
The current odds are:
Yes (Microsoft will issue a recall) +$165 (meaning you would risk $100 to win $165)
No (Microsoft will not issue a recall) -$240 (meaning you would risk $240 to win $100)
Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.
Jason Stark has a recap of the winners and losers of the baseball winter meetings. When he talked about Toronto being a winner - he should have mentioned that JP Riccardi also got a 3-year contract extension during the week. Ryne Sandberg also had a similar winners and losers column (which I won't even bother to link to). Comparing the two efforts is educational on the work done by a professional (Stark) vs that from a former jock (Sandberg). From beyond the grave Howard Cosell can be heard shouting "I told you so"... Am I the only one who read that the Mets had signed the ageless Franco and thought they had brought back reliever John Franco instead of 1st baseman Julio?... Don Banks talks about Leinart vs Bush in terms of the NFL draft. Not sure if he sees the irony in him writing about how which of the two should go first in the draft is a media driven controversy. Banks then goes on to discuss the merits of both players... Word has it that Bill Mueller will be signed by the Dodgers. Mueller's nickname in Boston was "the Pro" because everything about him was professional. He came to play every day. His hustle, grit and the fact that over the past three years he hit .308 with RISP and a blistering .367 with the bases loaded proved he was a money player and made him a player every Boston fan rooted for. Bill Mueller's simply a good guy... SI's John Donovan also has a winter meeting winners and losers column From the column:
Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.
Jason Stark has a recap of the winners and losers of the baseball winter meetings. When he talked about Toronto being a winner - he should have mentioned that JP Riccardi also got a 3-year contract extension during the week. Ryne Sandberg also had a similar winners and losers column (which I won't even bother to link to). Comparing the two efforts is educational on the work done by a professional (Stark) vs that from a former jock (Sandberg). From beyond the grave Howard Cosell can be heard shouting "I told you so"... Am I the only one who read that the Mets had signed the ageless Franco and thought they had brought back reliever John Franco instead of 1st baseman Julio?... Don Banks talks about Leinart vs Bush in terms of the NFL draft. Not sure if he sees the irony in him writing about how which of the two should go first in the draft is a media driven controversy. Banks then goes on to discuss the merits of both players... Word has it that Bill Mueller will be signed by the Dodgers. Mueller's nickname in Boston was "the Pro" because everything about him was professional. He came to play every day. His hustle, grit and the fact that over the past three years he hit .308 with RISP and a blistering .367 with the bases loaded proved he was a money player and made him a player every Boston fan rooted for. Bill Mueller's simply a good guy... SI's John Donovan also has a winter meeting winners and losers column From the column:
"It's not the anxiety of not knowing who's on your team. The anxiety is I don't have my wife a Christmas present right now. A lot of anxiety about that. I'm open to suggestions. I did the microwave one Christmas. [Here, Showalter shook his head slowly.] Don't do the appliances, I'm going to tell y'all right now." - Rangers Manager Buck ShowalterExcellent advice Buck [learned firsthand after my wife unwrapped a vacuum cleaner one Christmas morning]... Howard Dean hits bottom - keeps digging... I don't root for many Yankees but I'm happy that Bernie Williams may have a deal in place to bring him back to the Bronx for one more year. Williams is a good guy just like Bill Mueller (but with better guitar skills)... Ladies and gentlemen - I present to you one of the seven wonders of the world - Jessica Alba's ass....
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Renteria to Braves; Marte to Red Sox
The question of "Theo who?" continues to be asked in Red Sox Nation as the Phantom GM trades Edgar Renteria to the Braves for super prospect Andy Marte. Here are my observations on this trade:
1. I think this is a trade that really helps both teams. The Braves lost Rafael Furcal to the Dodgers and now the Braves get a veteran shortstop to fill that void. Plus if Ken Rosenthal and Ronald Blum are to be believed - the Red Sox kicked in up to $11 million in this deal which means the Braves will be paying Renteria less than half of what Furcal will be making with the Dodgers over the next three years. With the Sox money - Renteria will cost the Braves about $6 million per year while Furcal is on the Dodger books for $13 million per season. In exchange the Red Sox get a prospect rated higher than Hanley Ramirez.
2. Let me take this opportunity to point out that Edgar Renteria is better than he showed this year. Playing for the Red Sox comes with a pressure that is hard to adjust to for some players and Edgar was one of those players. His big contract came with big expectations and Edgar may have been pressing too much in Boston. Its similar to an ace pitcher going to the Yankees. Look at Randy Johnson this year. Hell Roger Clemens was just 14-10 in his first year with the Pinstripes. Reneria will thrive in Atlanta (I'd be willing to say that he'll out produce Furcal over the next three years).
3. Now is when we wait for the next shoe to drop. There are two teams out there who need a productive, low-cost 3rd baseman and now with super prospect Andy Marte in the fold - Kevin Youkilis becomes available to trade to either the Twins or the Phillies. If Johnny Damon re-signs with the Sox then I would look for the Sox to offer a package of Youkilis, Trot Nixon and Matt Clement for Bobby Abreu and a prospect. If Damon signs elsewhere - something I doubt will happen especially now that the Sox have a significant part of Renteria's contract off the books - I would look for the Sox to offer Youkilis and Bronson Arroyo to the Twins for Torii Hunter. (I think Bill Mueller would be a good option at 3rd for the Twins but his knees on the fake grass would have to be a concern plus I think Mueller signs with the Dodgers because they need a 3rd baseman and Ned Colletti knows Mueller form his days in San Fran.) Of course the Red Sox could also keep Youkilis and Marte (with Youkilis at 1st and Marte at Pawtucket as protection against Mike Lowell falling apart). Do the Sox trade for a veteran shortstop? Or do they go with Pedroia / Cora at short? Waiting for the other shoe to drop can suck because I'm part of fast food nation as well as Red Sox Nation.
4. How do you properly value a prospect? Marte is rated higher than Hanley Ramirez and he was rated the top prospect in the Braves farm system. Yet those familiar with the Red Sox system would argue that Hanley Ramirez may have been the 3rd or 4th best prospect (behind Dustin Pedroia, Craig Hansen and Jon Papelbon). Who is to say that Marte truly was the Brave's best prospect? Some people have compared Marte to David Wright but by the same token Sean Burroughs was once the top prospect in baseball. How do you properly value a prospect? Let me say that I like the fact that Marte is an uppercut swinger because balls lofted at Fenway tend to wind up as doubles off the Monster. I also like that he's a Dominican (maybe Manny stays so he can mentor this youngster?).
5. Let the "Red Sox to re-sign Nomar" talk begin! I'm of two minds regarding reacquiring Nomar. Yes I think his bat and his familiarity with Fenway would pay big dividends. He could play short, third (if Lowell falters) or left (if Manny is traded). The other (more practical) part of my brain says its time to move on. Nomar had a great run in Boston but its time to move on. Let Dustin Pedroia play short backed up by the sure handed Alex Cora. The Red Sox can easily bury a player like Pedroia in the 9th hole without hurting the offense (and his defense has to be better than Renteria's 30 errors last year).
6. Dueling reports. Peter Gammons is reporting that the Red Sox plan to "flip" Marte in another trade while Ken Rosenthal and Gordon Edes report that the Sox will be keeping Marte. FWIW - I think Rosenthal and Edes are right much more often than "throw it against the wall" Gammons.
7. Put me in the camp that would much prefer to hold on to Marte and put Pedroia / Cora at short this year instead of signing Alex Gonzalez. Please do not sign Alex Gonzalez!
The question of "Theo who?" continues to be asked in Red Sox Nation as the Phantom GM trades Edgar Renteria to the Braves for super prospect Andy Marte. Here are my observations on this trade:
1. I think this is a trade that really helps both teams. The Braves lost Rafael Furcal to the Dodgers and now the Braves get a veteran shortstop to fill that void. Plus if Ken Rosenthal and Ronald Blum are to be believed - the Red Sox kicked in up to $11 million in this deal which means the Braves will be paying Renteria less than half of what Furcal will be making with the Dodgers over the next three years. With the Sox money - Renteria will cost the Braves about $6 million per year while Furcal is on the Dodger books for $13 million per season. In exchange the Red Sox get a prospect rated higher than Hanley Ramirez.
2. Let me take this opportunity to point out that Edgar Renteria is better than he showed this year. Playing for the Red Sox comes with a pressure that is hard to adjust to for some players and Edgar was one of those players. His big contract came with big expectations and Edgar may have been pressing too much in Boston. Its similar to an ace pitcher going to the Yankees. Look at Randy Johnson this year. Hell Roger Clemens was just 14-10 in his first year with the Pinstripes. Reneria will thrive in Atlanta (I'd be willing to say that he'll out produce Furcal over the next three years).
3. Now is when we wait for the next shoe to drop. There are two teams out there who need a productive, low-cost 3rd baseman and now with super prospect Andy Marte in the fold - Kevin Youkilis becomes available to trade to either the Twins or the Phillies. If Johnny Damon re-signs with the Sox then I would look for the Sox to offer a package of Youkilis, Trot Nixon and Matt Clement for Bobby Abreu and a prospect. If Damon signs elsewhere - something I doubt will happen especially now that the Sox have a significant part of Renteria's contract off the books - I would look for the Sox to offer Youkilis and Bronson Arroyo to the Twins for Torii Hunter. (I think Bill Mueller would be a good option at 3rd for the Twins but his knees on the fake grass would have to be a concern plus I think Mueller signs with the Dodgers because they need a 3rd baseman and Ned Colletti knows Mueller form his days in San Fran.) Of course the Red Sox could also keep Youkilis and Marte (with Youkilis at 1st and Marte at Pawtucket as protection against Mike Lowell falling apart). Do the Sox trade for a veteran shortstop? Or do they go with Pedroia / Cora at short? Waiting for the other shoe to drop can suck because I'm part of fast food nation as well as Red Sox Nation.
4. How do you properly value a prospect? Marte is rated higher than Hanley Ramirez and he was rated the top prospect in the Braves farm system. Yet those familiar with the Red Sox system would argue that Hanley Ramirez may have been the 3rd or 4th best prospect (behind Dustin Pedroia, Craig Hansen and Jon Papelbon). Who is to say that Marte truly was the Brave's best prospect? Some people have compared Marte to David Wright but by the same token Sean Burroughs was once the top prospect in baseball. How do you properly value a prospect? Let me say that I like the fact that Marte is an uppercut swinger because balls lofted at Fenway tend to wind up as doubles off the Monster. I also like that he's a Dominican (maybe Manny stays so he can mentor this youngster?).
5. Let the "Red Sox to re-sign Nomar" talk begin! I'm of two minds regarding reacquiring Nomar. Yes I think his bat and his familiarity with Fenway would pay big dividends. He could play short, third (if Lowell falters) or left (if Manny is traded). The other (more practical) part of my brain says its time to move on. Nomar had a great run in Boston but its time to move on. Let Dustin Pedroia play short backed up by the sure handed Alex Cora. The Red Sox can easily bury a player like Pedroia in the 9th hole without hurting the offense (and his defense has to be better than Renteria's 30 errors last year).
6. Dueling reports. Peter Gammons is reporting that the Red Sox plan to "flip" Marte in another trade while Ken Rosenthal and Gordon Edes report that the Sox will be keeping Marte. FWIW - I think Rosenthal and Edes are right much more often than "throw it against the wall" Gammons.
7. Put me in the camp that would much prefer to hold on to Marte and put Pedroia / Cora at short this year instead of signing Alex Gonzalez. Please do not sign Alex Gonzalez!
Red Sox Get Mark Loretta
The Red Sox traded back-up catcher Doug Mirabelli to the Padres for second baseman Mark Loretta. Here are my observations on this trade:
1. This was mainly a money move on the part of the Padres. They need a catcher and they needed the cash to re-sign closer Trevor Hoffman. That's why they did this deal. Loretta will make $3.75 million in 2006 vs Mirabelli's $1.5 million. It was no coincidence that the re-signing of Trevor Hoffman was announced almost simultaneously with this deal. The Padres hope that low-paid rookie Josh Barfield will be able to take Loretta's second base spot.
2. I found it interesting that the Red Sox kept Tim Wakefield in the loop as far as this trade is concerned. That's commendable. It also shows that they were aware of the extreme splits in ERA Wakefield had last year when Mirabelli caught vs. when Varitek caught him. I hope Kelly Shoppach spends as much time as possible practicing catching knuckleballs. Wakefield's knuckler is so good that I could see it destroying any confidence Stoppach has in his defensive abilities. The Red Sox may pick up a veteran back-up just to catch Wakefield.
3. Doug Mirabelli is a good player. The plan is probably to platoon Mirabelli with Miguel Olivo with Mirabelli playing against righties (career .698 OPS vs. a .889 OPS against lefties) and Olivo against lefties (.910 career OPS vs. lefties but just .569 against righties) . The Padres are praying that Ramon Hernandez doesn't accept arbitration. They dearly want to tell him to kiss off at this point. The Padre fans should also know they are getting a truly good guy in Mirabelli. If Hernandez acted sour or bitter in his time in San Diego - Mirabelli will be sunny and funny and an instant favorite with fans, sportswriters and radio guys.
4. Mark Loretta was a big fan favorite in San Diego and a top player. People point to 2004 (and it was a great year) but Loretta also has a career .301 batting average in 11-seasons. He only spent two seasons in San Diego but he made a big impact on the fans with his demeanor and professionalism. I happened to be in Los Angeles yesterday and I was listening to San Diego sports radio. The radio guys were both saying that Loretta was the only thing in the world that could turn them into Red Sox fans. And the folks who sponsor Loretta's Baseball-Reference.com page (I'm assuming they're Padres fans) are already wishing him luck in Boston.
5. In a strange way - they Red Sox actually saved cash in this deal. Sure Mirabelli was only to be paid $1.5 million against Loretta's $3.75 million but the Red Sox opening day 2nd baseman, Mark Bellhorn, made $2.75 million. Thus the opening day back-up catcher / second baseman combo will cost less in 2006 than in 2005. Plus (and this is the big plus) - the rumors are Dustin Pedroia moving to short (with Alex Cora the back-up) and Edgar Renteria and his $10 million salary heading out of town.
6. Tom Verducci says this trade will be hard to top as the worst trade of the winter (from the Padres point of view). How quickly people forget the Vinnie Castilla trade (maybe Verducci considers that a "late fall" trade?). I do agree that this is another trade that makes Kevin Towers look like a dunce. Basically he had to trade one of the most popular players on the team because Towers made bad moves. Loretta had to be traded because Towers handed out no-trade clauses like candy and now Ryan Klesko and his $10 million contract and Matt Stairs prouction refuse to be traded away from the beach. Towers is the guy who traded FOR Chan Ho Park and his $13 million 2006 contract when Park was radioactive to everyone else. This trade may be bad from the Padres perspective but its not even in the top 10 of bad moves by Kevin Towers.
The Red Sox traded back-up catcher Doug Mirabelli to the Padres for second baseman Mark Loretta. Here are my observations on this trade:
1. This was mainly a money move on the part of the Padres. They need a catcher and they needed the cash to re-sign closer Trevor Hoffman. That's why they did this deal. Loretta will make $3.75 million in 2006 vs Mirabelli's $1.5 million. It was no coincidence that the re-signing of Trevor Hoffman was announced almost simultaneously with this deal. The Padres hope that low-paid rookie Josh Barfield will be able to take Loretta's second base spot.
2. I found it interesting that the Red Sox kept Tim Wakefield in the loop as far as this trade is concerned. That's commendable. It also shows that they were aware of the extreme splits in ERA Wakefield had last year when Mirabelli caught vs. when Varitek caught him. I hope Kelly Shoppach spends as much time as possible practicing catching knuckleballs. Wakefield's knuckler is so good that I could see it destroying any confidence Stoppach has in his defensive abilities. The Red Sox may pick up a veteran back-up just to catch Wakefield.
3. Doug Mirabelli is a good player. The plan is probably to platoon Mirabelli with Miguel Olivo with Mirabelli playing against righties (career .698 OPS vs. a .889 OPS against lefties) and Olivo against lefties (.910 career OPS vs. lefties but just .569 against righties) . The Padres are praying that Ramon Hernandez doesn't accept arbitration. They dearly want to tell him to kiss off at this point. The Padre fans should also know they are getting a truly good guy in Mirabelli. If Hernandez acted sour or bitter in his time in San Diego - Mirabelli will be sunny and funny and an instant favorite with fans, sportswriters and radio guys.
4. Mark Loretta was a big fan favorite in San Diego and a top player. People point to 2004 (and it was a great year) but Loretta also has a career .301 batting average in 11-seasons. He only spent two seasons in San Diego but he made a big impact on the fans with his demeanor and professionalism. I happened to be in Los Angeles yesterday and I was listening to San Diego sports radio. The radio guys were both saying that Loretta was the only thing in the world that could turn them into Red Sox fans. And the folks who sponsor Loretta's Baseball-Reference.com page (I'm assuming they're Padres fans) are already wishing him luck in Boston.
5. In a strange way - they Red Sox actually saved cash in this deal. Sure Mirabelli was only to be paid $1.5 million against Loretta's $3.75 million but the Red Sox opening day 2nd baseman, Mark Bellhorn, made $2.75 million. Thus the opening day back-up catcher / second baseman combo will cost less in 2006 than in 2005. Plus (and this is the big plus) - the rumors are Dustin Pedroia moving to short (with Alex Cora the back-up) and Edgar Renteria and his $10 million salary heading out of town.
6. Tom Verducci says this trade will be hard to top as the worst trade of the winter (from the Padres point of view). How quickly people forget the Vinnie Castilla trade (maybe Verducci considers that a "late fall" trade?). I do agree that this is another trade that makes Kevin Towers look like a dunce. Basically he had to trade one of the most popular players on the team because Towers made bad moves. Loretta had to be traded because Towers handed out no-trade clauses like candy and now Ryan Klesko and his $10 million contract and Matt Stairs prouction refuse to be traded away from the beach. Towers is the guy who traded FOR Chan Ho Park and his $13 million 2006 contract when Park was radioactive to everyone else. This trade may be bad from the Padres perspective but its not even in the top 10 of bad moves by Kevin Towers.
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
New Impromptus
Jay Nordlinger has a new Impromptus up. Its starts out strong with this bit about Howard Dean and just keeps getting better and better:
Jay Nordlinger has a new Impromptus up. Its starts out strong with this bit about Howard Dean and just keeps getting better and better:
I know it's easy to jump on Dem chair Howard Dean, but sometimes he has to be jumped on. He says, "... the idea that we're going to win the war in Iraq is an idea which is just plain wrong." That's just plain lousy, isn't it? Even if you thought it true, I believe a sense of caution or humility would keep you from saying it, if you were chairman of one of America's two major parties.
I guess I stopped being amazed at the behavior of Democrats in this war when Jimmy Carter invited Michael Moore to join him in his box at the 2004 Democratic convention. Or was it when all those Democratic leaders turned up at the premiere of Moore's movie, and hailed it? I can't remember.
Anyway, Howard Dean — pretty lousy.
Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous thoughts and observations from out in Los Angeles.
Jennifer Anniston topless sunbathing pics! (I'm really amused that these photos are on a site called "Save Manny")... I went to the Patriots game on Sunday and I'm still trying to figure out how the refs could call intentional grounding and roughing the passer on the same play... John Olerud has decided to retire. I'm happy for Olerud. He's long said he wanted to spend more time with his family and now he gets the chance. The two words that define Olerud are "nice" and "class". If he was also defined by the words "power hitter" - he'd be a Hall of Famer. I'm feeling guilty about my feelings about Olerud retiring because I'm also happy that his retiring takes away the possibility that the Red Sox would bring him back for 2006... I don't think Vince Young deserves the Heisman mainly because of his 10 interceptions. His passing doesn't measure up to Brady Quinn and if the cost of his running ability is so many turnovers - then that has to be considered. I'd like to see Reggie Bush or Brady Quinn win the Heisman (although you'd have to be on crack to think it will be someone other than Bush or Young that gets the award)... I never realized that Joe DiMaggio's number his rookie year was 9... Juan Pierre going to the Cubs means that the only real potential landing sites for Johnny Damon are the Yankees and Red Sox (because of need and contract size). For some reason - I think Steinbrenner is very anti-Damon and I think the feeling is mutual on Damon's part. This has the makings of the Red Sox bidding against themselves just like last year with Jason Varitek... This morning on ESPN, I heard a rumor of a three way trade between the Braves, Red Sox and Devil Rays where the Braves would be trading for Edgar Renteria. Why would the Braves give up a major prospect and take on Renteria's contract when they could sign Nomar Garciappara for less money and cost them just a draft pick? Some of these rumors make no sense... Tom Zbikowski of Notre Dame should have at east made the second team All-America squad at DB in SI's picks...
Miscellaneous thoughts and observations from out in Los Angeles.
Jennifer Anniston topless sunbathing pics! (I'm really amused that these photos are on a site called "Save Manny")... I went to the Patriots game on Sunday and I'm still trying to figure out how the refs could call intentional grounding and roughing the passer on the same play... John Olerud has decided to retire. I'm happy for Olerud. He's long said he wanted to spend more time with his family and now he gets the chance. The two words that define Olerud are "nice" and "class". If he was also defined by the words "power hitter" - he'd be a Hall of Famer. I'm feeling guilty about my feelings about Olerud retiring because I'm also happy that his retiring takes away the possibility that the Red Sox would bring him back for 2006... I don't think Vince Young deserves the Heisman mainly because of his 10 interceptions. His passing doesn't measure up to Brady Quinn and if the cost of his running ability is so many turnovers - then that has to be considered. I'd like to see Reggie Bush or Brady Quinn win the Heisman (although you'd have to be on crack to think it will be someone other than Bush or Young that gets the award)... I never realized that Joe DiMaggio's number his rookie year was 9... Juan Pierre going to the Cubs means that the only real potential landing sites for Johnny Damon are the Yankees and Red Sox (because of need and contract size). For some reason - I think Steinbrenner is very anti-Damon and I think the feeling is mutual on Damon's part. This has the makings of the Red Sox bidding against themselves just like last year with Jason Varitek... This morning on ESPN, I heard a rumor of a three way trade between the Braves, Red Sox and Devil Rays where the Braves would be trading for Edgar Renteria. Why would the Braves give up a major prospect and take on Renteria's contract when they could sign Nomar Garciappara for less money and cost them just a draft pick? Some of these rumors make no sense... Tom Zbikowski of Notre Dame should have at east made the second team All-America squad at DB in SI's picks...
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Five Moves for the Red Sox
Here are five moves I'd like to see the Red Sox make.
1. Re-sign Johnny Damon. I think 4-years $40-44 million should do it. Give a club option 5th year if need be. If the Red Sox don't re-sign Damon - then the best plan B would be to trade with the Twins for Torii Hunter. However, plan B has some issues; Hunter is coming off a serious injury, he's making the same sort of money Damon wants for 2-years ($25 million for 2006 and 2007 IIRC) and he'll take a Bronson Arroyo and Kevin Youkilis to acquire. That's a bigger pricetag than what it would take to sign Damon.
2. Trade Manny Ramirez to the Mets for Lastings Milledge, Aaron Heilman and Xavier Nady. Put Milledge at Pawtucket for the year (preserving his rights for another year), Heilman goes into the bullpen as a long reliever and spot starter and Xavier Nady becomes the 4th outfielder and rightfield starter against lefties.
3. Trade David Wells to the Diamondbacks for Javier Vazquez. This move works very well financially for the Diamondbacks and gives them a front line starting rotation of Davis Wells, Brandon Webb, Brad Halsey and Russ Ortiz (the "WWHO are you trying to hit" rotation). That plus the big bats give Arizona a good shot at the NL West. Vazquez gives the Sox another power pitcher. When Vazquez is on - he's very good. Sox rotation of a healthy Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett, Javier Vazquez, Matt Clement and Tim Wakefield could be the best in the AL.
4. Trade Bronson Arroyo to the Nationals for Brad Wilkerson. The Nationals need a starter and the Sox need a left fielder (assuming Manny is traded). I would also be happy with a trade with Cincinnati for Adam Dunn if all it cost was an Arroyo or Matt Clement.
5. Trade flotsam and jetsam to the Tigers for Carlos Pena and have him platoon with Kevin Youkilis at first base. The Tigers probably won't offer Pena arbitration - so he should be had very cheap. Pena has a career .811 OPS vs righties (and a .925 OPS at Fenway in general) - while Youkilis has an .841 OPS vs lefties. That makes for a pretty potent platoon.
Here are five moves I'd like to see the Red Sox make.
1. Re-sign Johnny Damon. I think 4-years $40-44 million should do it. Give a club option 5th year if need be. If the Red Sox don't re-sign Damon - then the best plan B would be to trade with the Twins for Torii Hunter. However, plan B has some issues; Hunter is coming off a serious injury, he's making the same sort of money Damon wants for 2-years ($25 million for 2006 and 2007 IIRC) and he'll take a Bronson Arroyo and Kevin Youkilis to acquire. That's a bigger pricetag than what it would take to sign Damon.
2. Trade Manny Ramirez to the Mets for Lastings Milledge, Aaron Heilman and Xavier Nady. Put Milledge at Pawtucket for the year (preserving his rights for another year), Heilman goes into the bullpen as a long reliever and spot starter and Xavier Nady becomes the 4th outfielder and rightfield starter against lefties.
3. Trade David Wells to the Diamondbacks for Javier Vazquez. This move works very well financially for the Diamondbacks and gives them a front line starting rotation of Davis Wells, Brandon Webb, Brad Halsey and Russ Ortiz (the "WWHO are you trying to hit" rotation). That plus the big bats give Arizona a good shot at the NL West. Vazquez gives the Sox another power pitcher. When Vazquez is on - he's very good. Sox rotation of a healthy Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett, Javier Vazquez, Matt Clement and Tim Wakefield could be the best in the AL.
4. Trade Bronson Arroyo to the Nationals for Brad Wilkerson. The Nationals need a starter and the Sox need a left fielder (assuming Manny is traded). I would also be happy with a trade with Cincinnati for Adam Dunn if all it cost was an Arroyo or Matt Clement.
5. Trade flotsam and jetsam to the Tigers for Carlos Pena and have him platoon with Kevin Youkilis at first base. The Tigers probably won't offer Pena arbitration - so he should be had very cheap. Pena has a career .811 OPS vs righties (and a .925 OPS at Fenway in general) - while Youkilis has an .841 OPS vs lefties. That makes for a pretty potent platoon.
Monday, December 05, 2005
LoDuca to Mets
When I heard of this deal - my first thought was about how happy this news must have made Bengie Molina and Ramon Hernandez [sarcasm off]. Seriously - where are those two going to find a big contract now? Best bet is probably for them to re-sign with their current clubs (although Hernandez has been trying to burn his bridges with San Diego).
My second thought on this deal was that Omar Minaya just saved a good chunk of cash by trading for a catcher instead of signing a free-agent. Will he used the money saved to sweeten the pot to get Manny Ramirez?
When I heard of this deal - my first thought was about how happy this news must have made Bengie Molina and Ramon Hernandez [sarcasm off]. Seriously - where are those two going to find a big contract now? Best bet is probably for them to re-sign with their current clubs (although Hernandez has been trying to burn his bridges with San Diego).
My second thought on this deal was that Omar Minaya just saved a good chunk of cash by trading for a catcher instead of signing a free-agent. Will he used the money saved to sweeten the pot to get Manny Ramirez?
Anna Benson
I guess you can take the girl out of the trailer park but you can't take the trailer park out of the girl. Let's take a look at some of Miss Einstein's quotes:
I guess you can take the girl out of the trailer park but you can't take the trailer park out of the girl. Let's take a look at some of Miss Einstein's quotes:
"We would never, ever have signed with New York if they had said they were going to trade us," said Anna Benson, 29. "I was Miss [Politically Correct] for the Mets the entire time I was there."First your husband signed with the Mets because they gave him a contract way bigger than anyone else was offering (he was last year's BJ Ryan). And you politically correct? Aren't you the one quoted as saying you'd sleep with the entire team if you caught your husband cheating?
"How are they going to sit there and say it's so controversial when they sign someone like Delgado, who turns his back on our flag?" Anna Benson said.Its not his flag - he's not an American. He also said it won't be an issue this year (Toronto did not have a rule saying you had to stand for God Bless America).
"Playboy is all-American. Everyone from Marilyn Monroe to Cindy Crawford has posed," fumed Benson, who once posed topless for Penthouse. "They didn't turn their back on the flag."I'm going to leave this one alone because honestly I do want to see her naked.
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Patriots Game
I'm off to the Patriots game where I'm sure the cheerleaders will be all bundled up (we're getting 3 inches of snow - or as LargeBill measures "things" - 18 inches of snow). Feel free to use the comments here to discuss amongst yourself or use the comments to ask me questions that I'll answer when I come home drunk tonight.
I'm off to the Patriots game where I'm sure the cheerleaders will be all bundled up (we're getting 3 inches of snow - or as LargeBill measures "things" - 18 inches of snow). Feel free to use the comments here to discuss amongst yourself or use the comments to ask me questions that I'll answer when I come home drunk tonight.
Furcal to Dodgers
Sources say Rafeal Furcal has agreed to a 3-year, $40 million deal to play for the Dodgers. The $13 million plus per year was surprising but what I really found interesting from the story was these three tidbits:
Sources say Rafeal Furcal has agreed to a 3-year, $40 million deal to play for the Dodgers. The $13 million plus per year was surprising but what I really found interesting from the story was these three tidbits:
Dodgers Gold Glove-winning shortstop Cesar Izturis is recovering from Tommy John surgery and is not expected to play until July. In that scenario, according to The Times, Furcal's signing would move Izturis to second base and Jeff Kent would play first base.Does that mean that Jason Phillips will be trade bait? What about Hee-Seop Choi? His lefty bat would be a nice platoon at first for the Red Sox with Kevin Youkilis.
Colletti has said his top roster focus was in the outfield. But he made clear his interest in Furcal, a slick fielder as well as an offensive threat and standout leadoff hitter.Does this mean that Colletti would be interested in either Manny Ramirez or Johnny Damon? Furcal is a leadoff hitter - so that diminishes Johnny Damon's value to the Dodgers and what the Dodgers really lacked last season was some pop in the lineup. My suggestion that the Dodgers would be a trade partner for the Sox for Manny is starting to take shape.
Bradley is eligible for salary arbitration. The Dodgers must decide by Dec. 20 whether to offer a contract.Of all the salary arbitration cases - this might be the most tricky. The Dodgers really don't want him back - so if they offer Bradley arbitration they run the risk he'll accept. Other teams may be interested in taking a chance on Bradley but not if it will cost them a draft pick. This will be interesting to watch.
Rockefeller's Treachery
Excellent column today by Joan Swirsky on the treachery (maybe a harsh word but it works as well as criminal negligence) of Senator Jay Rockefeller. Swirsky starts with Rockerfeller's own words:
Excellent column today by Joan Swirsky on the treachery (maybe a harsh word but it works as well as criminal negligence) of Senator Jay Rockefeller. Swirsky starts with Rockerfeller's own words:
"I took a trip by myself in January of 2002 to Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Syria, and I told each of the heads of state that it was my view that George Bush had already made up his mind to go to war against Iraq – that that was a predetermined set course which had taken shape shortly after 9/11."What Rockerfeller did is akin to a cop going to three members of a gang and telling them that the District Attorney is drawing up charges against the head of the gang. This warning would give the head of the gang time to get rid of any incriminating evidence. And get rid of the incriminating evidence seems to be exactly what Saddam Hussein did with the warning that Rockerfeller gave to Syria and the others.
So spoke Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) on "Fox Sunday" on November 14, 2005, who at the time of his trip was chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and is now its vice chairman.
For the past two years, international security experts like John Loftus have been saying that because the U.N. and French obstructionists delayed the United States entrance into the Iraq war for over a year, Saddam Hussein — having been forewarned by Sen. Rockefeller’s solo mission to the Arab world — was busy ferreting his WMD out of Iraq.Everyone agreed that Saddam had WMD and it has always bothered me that some would rather now pretend that they never existed than try to establish where these dangerous materials are. If the Syria story proves true - then Senator Rckerfeller has some serious questions to answer. However, I won't hold my breath that the main stream media will ever put these questions to him. Senator Rockerfeller is a disgrace to his country. Don't ever forget that.
Loftus, an attorney and former Justice Department prosecutor, once held some of the highest security clearances in the world, with special access to NATO Cosmic, CIA codeword, and Top Secret Nuclear files.
As early as January 2003, Loftus said, U.S. intelligence had identified a stream of tractor-trailer trucks moving from Iraq to Syria to Lebanon, but that "the significance of this sighting did not register on the CIA at the time." U.S. intelligence sources, Loftus continued, "believe the area contains extended-range Scud-based missiles and parts for chemical and biological warheads."
In August 2003, Loftus reported that U.S. intelligence suspected they had located the WMD, but "getting to them will be nearly impossible for the U.S. and its allies because the containers with the strategic materials… are located in Lebanon's heavily fortified Bekaa Valley, swarming with Iranian and Syrian forces, and Hizbullah and ex-Iraqi agents."
And according to DEBKA files: "The relocation of Iraq’s WMD systems took place between January 10 and March 10 (2003) and was completed just 10 days before the US-led offensive was launched against Iraq. The banned arsenal, hauled in giant tankers from Iraq to Syria and from there to the Bekaa Valley under Syrian special forces and military intelligence escort, was discharged into pits 6-8 meters across and 25-35 meters deep dug by Syrian army engineers. They were sealed and planted over with new seedlings. Nonetheless, their location is known and detectable with the right instruments."
Last year, columnist Larry Elder reported that a Syrian journalist who defected to Paris reported that his friends in Syrian intelligence told him "exactly where the stuff is buried." He named three sites in Syria, which the Israelis confirmed. They know where the stuff is [and] we know from Israeli and defectors' intelligence that the son of the Syrian defense minister was paid 50 million bucks to bring the stuff across the border and bury it."
Saturday, December 03, 2005
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