One more day, and it is over.
I hate the All-Star break not because players get three days off and Roto comes to a halt, but because I can't stand reading obsequious articles about the game.
It sucks. The best part of the All-Star break was the Futures game, but Selig & Co. moved it to Sunday. I guess it took away from the All-Star festivity stupidity of the HR contest.
Why in all Hell would Jason Stark write about that?!?!? In this case, I am glad for the Insider wall that prevents its perusal.
What I like about the Futures game is it is a chamce for independently-selected minor leaguers to be seen on national TV. By "independently-selected" I mean the manager of the AL team or NL team doesn't get to lard-up his roster with his own players a la Joe Torre.
The ones who select the teams have vested interest in picking the right future stars. MLB managers only need to placate their own players.
A couple thoughts from the futures game:
1. Joal Zumaya threw gas. I should have drafted him this past season.
2. Chris Young was effortless fielding. I'm glad I drafted him this past season.
3. Y. Betancourt of Seattle flashed serious leather. Michale Morse had better not get used to SS in Seattle. I'll draft him next year.
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
ESPN Insider
Peter Gammons' article was available only to the fools who pay ESPN $39.95 a year to access their increasingly-worthless content.
I despise ESPN as a site for its annoying pop-ups and various other ads that cause the page to slowly come-up. And making its content subscriber-only makes the ads even more annoying.
It is time to block the site, and, Gammons will go the way of Rob Neyer - unread.
I despise ESPN as a site for its annoying pop-ups and various other ads that cause the page to slowly come-up. And making its content subscriber-only makes the ads even more annoying.
It is time to block the site, and, Gammons will go the way of Rob Neyer - unread.
Friday, July 08, 2005
Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Nationals to trade for Rockies OF Wilson
Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Nationals to trade for Rockies OF Wilson
At first glance, this looks like another example of Jim Bowden's outfielder-philia, but a closer look reveals a dumping of Zach Day as much as acquiring P-Dubya.
It is a great trade for the Rockies as they get a decent SP albeit one who should be avoided at all costs now, and an OF body albeit one that has never shown to be more than a AAAA. However, Colorado could make JJ a decent 13th, 14th or 15th player on a Roto offense.
A loser in this is Marlon Byrd. I'd rank it as much a loser for him as the decrease in his power! (28 HR in AA Reading in 2001 to zero in 2005)
If you have a stocked roster with Byrd occupying a slot and nowhere to activate Jeff Francouer, go ahead and cut Byrd.
At first glance, this looks like another example of Jim Bowden's outfielder-philia, but a closer look reveals a dumping of Zach Day as much as acquiring P-Dubya.
It is a great trade for the Rockies as they get a decent SP albeit one who should be avoided at all costs now, and an OF body albeit one that has never shown to be more than a AAAA. However, Colorado could make JJ a decent 13th, 14th or 15th player on a Roto offense.
A loser in this is Marlon Byrd. I'd rank it as much a loser for him as the decrease in his power! (28 HR in AA Reading in 2001 to zero in 2005)
If you have a stocked roster with Byrd occupying a slot and nowhere to activate Jeff Francouer, go ahead and cut Byrd.
Corey Patterson
Wow. From 30/30 candidate to AAA, the fall has been precipitous.
If Patterson had a friendly salary, then try to acquire him. If he was fully-priced, then he is likely to be cheaper next draft and would then be unworthy of the effort.
The gamble is whether or not he returns to Chicago (or another NL team via trade) quickly. If he does not, then what you pay for him would likely be too much. If he does, and he returns to form, then what you paid would likely make you the winner in the transaction.
Personally, I dealt Patterson for Brett Myers, and until yesterday, had generally been dissatisfied with the deal as Myers has been mediocre since my acquistion.
Right now, the player to own is Jerry Hairston. On another personal note, I had acquired him in a bail trade a few weeks ago in hopes he would be dealt to Colorado in a Preston Wilson deal. I was correct that Hairston would see an increase in value but incorrect in where that increase would occur.
If Patterson had a friendly salary, then try to acquire him. If he was fully-priced, then he is likely to be cheaper next draft and would then be unworthy of the effort.
The gamble is whether or not he returns to Chicago (or another NL team via trade) quickly. If he does not, then what you pay for him would likely be too much. If he does, and he returns to form, then what you paid would likely make you the winner in the transaction.
Personally, I dealt Patterson for Brett Myers, and until yesterday, had generally been dissatisfied with the deal as Myers has been mediocre since my acquistion.
Right now, the player to own is Jerry Hairston. On another personal note, I had acquired him in a bail trade a few weeks ago in hopes he would be dealt to Colorado in a Preston Wilson deal. I was correct that Hairston would see an increase in value but incorrect in where that increase would occur.
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Melky Cabrera
Trenton Thunder?- PressReleases
Wow! From AA to the bigs in half a season.
Grab him for 2006 at a minimum. Got an open spot, grab him. What do you have to lose?
Wow! From AA to the bigs in half a season.
Grab him for 2006 at a minimum. Got an open spot, grab him. What do you have to lose?
Schilling
As the closer? There is something wrong that we are not being told.
My guess is the ankle still bothers him.
If he can close like Smoltz then he will be a plus this year. Unfortunately, a 100 innings with great ratios and Ws would have been better.
And what is with Johnny Damon spouting off in the press about how bad this move is?
My guess is the ankle still bothers him.
If he can close like Smoltz then he will be a plus this year. Unfortunately, a 100 innings with great ratios and Ws would have been better.
And what is with Johnny Damon spouting off in the press about how bad this move is?
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Jeff Salazaar
The Rockies promoted AA CF Jeff Salazaar to AAA.
I take this as a signal that Preston Wilson will be traded (no genius insight there), but more importantly, that the Piedra/Sullivan/Mohr monster in CF will not last beyond the next few weeks.
Salazaar had an OBP near .400 in AA with less than two handfuls of HRs and just over 10 SB. Those are not necessicarily promotable numbers. That is why I conclude the current CF monster in Colorado is not long for the job.
I take this as a signal that Preston Wilson will be traded (no genius insight there), but more importantly, that the Piedra/Sullivan/Mohr monster in CF will not last beyond the next few weeks.
Salazaar had an OBP near .400 in AA with less than two handfuls of HRs and just over 10 SB. Those are not necessicarily promotable numbers. That is why I conclude the current CF monster in Colorado is not long for the job.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Pavano and Womack
In one league I am in, the Southington CT $10 million dollar man went for $29. Tony Womack went for $27.
Giambi went for $15.
Half way through the season and the best value is Giambi although Womack holds out hope for a trade to the NL so his owner can recoup $27 FAAB, and Pavano can always be cut to make room under the cap.
So their owners got that going for them.
Giambi went for $15.
Half way through the season and the best value is Giambi although Womack holds out hope for a trade to the NL so his owner can recoup $27 FAAB, and Pavano can always be cut to make room under the cap.
So their owners got that going for them.
Adam Dunn : Rotoworld.com - Adam Dunn Biography from Rotoworld.com
If the Astros are so stupid as to pass on this because Astacio and Bucholtz happen to be ranked in the top four of the Astros pitching prospects, then they deserve to stink.
Heck, if the Reds dealt Dunn for those three pitching prospects, they deserve to stink!
Heck, if the Reds dealt Dunn for those three pitching prospects, they deserve to stink!
Jim Thome Career Statistics
Jim Thome Career Statistics
Speaking of Thome, look at his minor league numbers and the jump in HR from 1992 to 1993.
1989: 0 HR 186 ABs GCL
1990: 16 HR 235 ABs A
1991: 8 HR 543 ABs AA
1992: 5 HR 272 ABs AA/AAA/MLB
1993 32 HR 564 ABs AAA/MLB
Speaking of Thome, look at his minor league numbers and the jump in HR from 1992 to 1993.
1989: 0 HR 186 ABs GCL
1990: 16 HR 235 ABs A
1991: 8 HR 543 ABs AA
1992: 5 HR 272 ABs AA/AAA/MLB
1993 32 HR 564 ABs AAA/MLB
Ryan Howard
Ryan Howard : Rotoworld.com - Ryan Howard Biography from Rotoworld.com
Can the national sportswriters put to rest the false meme that Howard failed in his previous stint in the majors?
Jeez, he goes 4-8 with a HR this weekend, and he looks like he is doing well on the season - .275 with 2 HR.
Needless to say, the Phils got themselves a $60million problem.
Can the national sportswriters put to rest the false meme that Howard failed in his previous stint in the majors?
Jeez, he goes 4-8 with a HR this weekend, and he looks like he is doing well on the season - .275 with 2 HR.
Needless to say, the Phils got themselves a $60million problem.
Jason Giambi
Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Box Score
He hit his 3rd HR in two days. Is he back? If you think not, then he may not have much more value than right now as other teams will have higher hopes.
He hit his 3rd HR in two days. Is he back? If you think not, then he may not have much more value than right now as other teams will have higher hopes.
Salary Caps
This is one of the more overlooked factors in a bail trade.
When you receive a $35 Richie Sexson for a $3 Emil Brown, you should consider the fact you will be stopped from adding any other big pieces. Is Sexson enough of an upgrade over Brown to preclude you from going after any of the other highest-priced players in your league?
Will Brown continue to out-AVG Sexson? If he does, is the $32 additional cap lost opportunity worth it for the 5-10 HR difference?
Will the extra 5-10 HR Sexson will yield worth the easy $3 keeper that Brown will be next draft?
When you receive a $35 Richie Sexson for a $3 Emil Brown, you should consider the fact you will be stopped from adding any other big pieces. Is Sexson enough of an upgrade over Brown to preclude you from going after any of the other highest-priced players in your league?
Will Brown continue to out-AVG Sexson? If he does, is the $32 additional cap lost opportunity worth it for the 5-10 HR difference?
Will the extra 5-10 HR Sexson will yield worth the easy $3 keeper that Brown will be next draft?
Friday, July 01, 2005
Joe Torre
Goes to bat for his players. His defense of Giambi is admirable as Giambi deserves creidt for not perjuring himself or insinuating he'd quit on any team that acquired him.
But Torre needs to back-off. He has done his duty to his players.
Maybe the beatwriters need to think of some original questions?
But Torre needs to back-off. He has done his duty to his players.
Maybe the beatwriters need to think of some original questions?
More Thome
He's battled injuries but has anyone else noticed how similar Thome and Giambi have been this season?
Jim Thome
UNIVERSAL BASEBALL ASSOCIATION (NL) - Player News
Where did this injury come form?
Needless to say, grab Howard. The buffoons who claimed he failed in his brief appearance earlier checked out after his 1st 18 Abs. He was 5-10 with a tater after that, but as I have said earlier, sportswriters are lazy and cut as many corners as possible then use each others reports to support their own.
Where did this injury come form?
Needless to say, grab Howard. The buffoons who claimed he failed in his brief appearance earlier checked out after his 1st 18 Abs. He was 5-10 with a tater after that, but as I have said earlier, sportswriters are lazy and cut as many corners as possible then use each others reports to support their own.
Mark Kotsay
Mark Kotsay Career Statistics
I don't get all the hoopla surrounding Mark Kotsay. To read the press reports, he's a great player. To read reports that he can't be had in a trade without paying the most outrageous of demands i.e Robinson Cano, Melky Cabrera and Phillip Hughes, I am left baffled.
He is a 10-15 HR 31-year-old being paid $7 million. Am I missing something or is a $300,000 23-year-old 2B with the same current power worth more? A lot more?
My guess (and casting dispersions will never stop me) is the national writers, specifically Peter Gammons, are so thick with Billy Beane that they willing participate as usefull idiots for his trade negotiating.
And given the laziness that seems to be a major qualification for being a sports reporter, other ones pick-up the cue from the national reporters and further spread the disinformation.
As Kotsay does not have the career to back-up the hype, this is the simplest explanation.
I don't get all the hoopla surrounding Mark Kotsay. To read the press reports, he's a great player. To read reports that he can't be had in a trade without paying the most outrageous of demands i.e Robinson Cano, Melky Cabrera and Phillip Hughes, I am left baffled.
He is a 10-15 HR 31-year-old being paid $7 million. Am I missing something or is a $300,000 23-year-old 2B with the same current power worth more? A lot more?
My guess (and casting dispersions will never stop me) is the national writers, specifically Peter Gammons, are so thick with Billy Beane that they willing participate as usefull idiots for his trade negotiating.
And given the laziness that seems to be a major qualification for being a sports reporter, other ones pick-up the cue from the national reporters and further spread the disinformation.
As Kotsay does not have the career to back-up the hype, this is the simplest explanation.
Moneyball Still Might Be a Factor
Moneyball Still Might Be a Factor or Why We Hate DePodesta
Scroll to the bottom of the article where DePodesta's 2005 acquistions are listed. Is it really fair to include Scott Erickson? Doesn't every team sign journeyman bums?
As for acquiring Adam Dunn, the Dodgers have the minor league talent to do it. It would be a great trade.
My only concern is whether Jim Tracy would play a big, powerful lefty-hitting 1B who takes a lot of walks but hits sub-.250.
Scroll to the bottom of the article where DePodesta's 2005 acquistions are listed. Is it really fair to include Scott Erickson? Doesn't every team sign journeyman bums?
As for acquiring Adam Dunn, the Dodgers have the minor league talent to do it. It would be a great trade.
My only concern is whether Jim Tracy would play a big, powerful lefty-hitting 1B who takes a lot of walks but hits sub-.250.
Yanks Feed NY Media Disinformation To Excuse Them from Failing to Improve Team
That not the real headline, but it is the way trade rumors should be viewed.
The whopper in this one are Oakland asking for Cano, Cabrera and Hughes for $7MM 10-HR OF Mark Kotsay.
A couple of other nuggets do arise though. The first is Texas asked for Wang and Cano and offered Soriano. If true, then Soriano could be the involved innthe blockbuster trade of the summer. There hasn't been any talk since the Spring of Soriano changing uniforms, but the Rangers do have Ian Kinsler at AAA. There is also little chance the Rangers would committ to the $12+ million per year he would want in free agency especially with Blalock and Texeria becoming free agents within the length of the contract.
The other interesting nugget is the Big Stein is asking why melky Cabrera could not get a shot 2005 shot at playing CF. I guess when you have men's league level defense in the OF, anyone professional OF is , at minimum, a lateral move.
That not the real headline, but it is the way trade rumors should be viewed.
The whopper in this one are Oakland asking for Cano, Cabrera and Hughes for $7MM 10-HR OF Mark Kotsay.
A couple of other nuggets do arise though. The first is Texas asked for Wang and Cano and offered Soriano. If true, then Soriano could be the involved innthe blockbuster trade of the summer. There hasn't been any talk since the Spring of Soriano changing uniforms, but the Rangers do have Ian Kinsler at AAA. There is also little chance the Rangers would committ to the $12+ million per year he would want in free agency especially with Blalock and Texeria becoming free agents within the length of the contract.
The other interesting nugget is the Big Stein is asking why melky Cabrera could not get a shot 2005 shot at playing CF. I guess when you have men's league level defense in the OF, anyone professional OF is , at minimum, a lateral move.
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