SB Nation User Blog: 'Eaters

Strasburg pt. 2?

'Eaters — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:41:32 -0000

While perusing the Worldwide Leader (I know, I know) I noticed a link to this story about the Natinals and Strasburg being far away from a deal, so much so that the final outcome is in doubt. Obviously, this news needs to be taken with a grain of salt because it's likely just a negotiating tactic by Boras. But, there are two reasons I'm holding out hope that Stras doesn't get signed by the Aug. 17 deadline:

1. He is asking for an insane amount of money, which is accompanied by a certain amount of risk. Any time you offer a player that much money upfront, especially one who hasn't pitched in the major leagues yet, teams will hesitate. Especially financially strapped teams like the Natinals.

2. He could intentionally sabotage this process to avoid playing for the Natinals. This is suspect, and frankly more than a little stupid if you ask me, but superstar college athletes have a history of not wanting to play for a franchise they deem to be inept. Like Eli Manning. While I don't think Stras will reject all offers out of hand, I think it may make him less desperate to get a deal done––as in more likely to walk away from an offer he doesn't like so he could try again with another franchise.

Now, like I said, I'm not exactly holding my breath here, but this is something to keep an eye on. Because if Strasburg returns to the draft–and we'll know by Aug. 18–we are back in the mix. Because we suck.

Arizona	40	55	.421	21	20-30	20-25	416	463	-47	Lost 1	4-6
Kansas City	37	57	.394	23.5	22-30	15-27	371	467	-96	Lost 9	1-9
San Diego	37	58	.389	24	24-26	13-32	346	477	-131	Lost 4	2-8
Cleveland	37	58	.389	24	20-28	17-30	469	524	-55	Lost 1	4-6
Washington	28	66	.298	32.5	18-31	10-35	401	522	-121	Won 2	3-7

Obviously if/when the Natinals finish last again and pick first, they are unlikely to try their hand with Strasburg again. To fail twice would be monumentally embarrassing. That leave us in a prime position to fail it out with the Indians, Royals and Diamondbacks. This would be a tremendous splash signing for Moorad as he begins to put his fingerprints on the team. Additionally, if Strasburg returns to the 2010 draft, there will be added pressure for him to sign with the team that picks him. Returning for a third draft seems out of the question.

The point is just to keep an eye on the contract negotiations, even though real news is likely going to be scarce until right before the deadline. (And also, I want to be on the record as first to bring up this idea.)

Gwynn 8, Eckstein 4, A. Gonzalez 3, Kouzmanoff 5, Headley 7, E. Gonzalez 9, Alfonzo, 2,...

'Eaters — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 23:46:07 -0000

Gwynn 8,
Eckstein 4,
A. Gonzalez 3,
Kouzmanoff 5,
Headley 7,
E. Gonzalez 9,
Alfonzo, 2,
LeBlanc 1,
Cabrera 6

don't have the source, but got it from a very reputable FBB website.

Actually, there was something Cromartie could have said after the game, to the first reporter who...

'Eaters — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:50:44 -0000

Actually, there was something Cromartie could have said after the game, to the first reporter who approached him: "My hip is broken, and I can’t get in and out of my breaks."

Apparently Cro played nearly all of last season with a fractured hip, much worse than I think any of us were led to believe.

Code of silence seems to hurt players twice - NFL - Yahoo! Sports

Kansas City Chiefs trade Tony Gonzalez to Atlanta Falcons - ESPN

'Eaters — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:25:18 -0000

Kansas City Chiefs trade Tony Gonzalez to Atlanta Falcons - ESPN

Demetri Martin swings at 'Moneyball'

'Eaters — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:32:25 -0000

Demetri Martin swings at 'Moneyball'

Demetri Martin of Comedy Central fame has been cast to play DePo in the upcoming big-screen adaptation of 'Moneyball', according to Variety. David Justice will also be playing himself.

Tim Kurkjian: Replacing Trevor Hoffman, Heath Bell has opportunity of lifetime with San Diego Padres - ESPN

'Eaters — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:12:33 -0000

Tim Kurkjian: Replacing Trevor Hoffman, Heath Bell has opportunity of lifetime with San Diego Padres - ESPN

Cutler's house for sale

'Eaters — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 23:32:46 -0000

Cutler's house for sale

The drama continues. Bill Williamson reports that Cutler put his house on the market on Thursday night. Apparently, he still has a home in Downtown Denver, but this home now listed is close to the Donkey practice facility that players report for work at nearly every day between July and January (very early January, not mid- or late-January, and definitely not early February)

Olshansky goes to Dallas - AFC West - ESPN

'Eaters — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 00:29:36 -0000

Olshansky goes to Dallas - AFC West - ESPN

Igor Olshansky re-unites with his former defensive coordinator Wade Phillips in Dallas. The Chargers made no attempt to retain Olshansky, amid rumors that certain teammates questioned his attitude.

Jermaine Phillips re-signs with the Bucs

'Eaters — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 05:57:26 -0000

Jermaine Phillips re-signs with the Bucs

The Chargers were hoping to make a splash in free agency by trying to sign Tampa Bay safety Jermaine Phillips. He visited this week but Phillips ended up re-signing with the Buccaneers on Thursday.

"We've had plenty of Lions and Chiefs and Raiders games, too, the last couple of years, so we know...

'Eaters — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 21:36:41 -0000

"We've had plenty of Lions and Chiefs and Raiders games, too, the last couple of years, so we know how to polish up a turd pretty good. Not everybody can do the Giants and the Cowboys and the Patriots every week.''

Matty V. when asked about calling so many St. Louis Rams games this year.

Revenge, thy name is Pennington - Peter King - SI.com