For those of you that are new, one of the rules we have here at LL is that nobody cares about your fantasy teams. We don't discuss them. But that one exception to the rule is this yearly post. Talk about your leagues, teams, players, trades, drafts, ect.

Get it out of your system.

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It's that time of year again. Time for the one thread of the year were we do care about your fantasy teams. So as such, use this thread to discuss all your leagues, teams, and players.

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Everyone knows one of the long standing rules here at LL, is that we don't care about your fantasy teams. But since it is that time of the year(which caught me by surprise, thanks to johnbai for reminding me), here is your one thread where we all at least pretend to care about your fantasy teams and leagues.

Go to town!

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Earlier in the season Brett made a post asking if anybody wanted to join the LL BMO league. This is the 2nd version of this league and it's gone pretty well.

We've played over 10 seasons and in doing so, figured out some of the bugs in the program. After some discussion it was decided to restart the league with some of the improvements that we've figured out.

We've had a few people either drop out or just not pay attention. So as a result we currently have about 10-15 spots(for now) open.

Here's the forum for the league. If you wanna play, post. The url for the league and information is in this thread.

Teams are randomized and cities are equalized.

Washington is going to draft Strasburg," Bowden said, according to a transcript in the Washington Times. "The decision has already been made. It was made when I was there. That is who they are going to take. ... This is the best amateur pitcher since I was born. He is that good -- his delivery, his stuff, 100 miles an hour in the eighth inning, his makeup. He's got the entire package.

But Strasburg and his agent Scott Boras are reportedly asking for a $50 million dollar contract, which would shatter the draft record of $10.5 million given to Mark Prior in 2001. "You think they are going to sign him early? No, it's going to be Aug. 15 at 11:57 p.m.," Bowden said. "It will end at around $15 million, about under $35 million of what Scott [Boras] wants, but that is where it ends up. It will be record-breaking, and he will be pitching in the big leagues in September. He is that good."

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My turn to start one of these things. And the starting topic is going be Metallica's new album "Death Magnetic". Due out officially on Friday, here's a review for those of you who might want to acquire Metallica's latest creation, song by song.

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Though I imagine we're all pretty close to that by now, but holy crap this is a little over the edge.

The video is accompanied by an article with some guy ranting about bloggers vs mainstream media and whatever, but the video is the real gold here.

Thanks to Fark who linked to this with the headline:Wait, why are we supposed to take sports journalism seriously?

One of the worst things in the history of existence.

Speed Racer

If you have some acid laying around, take a few hits before you watch this video. I remember watching this cartoon as a kid and thinking it was weird as hell, but still awesome. The movie should be at least interesting.

Please correct the following items:

• Your FanPost must be at least 75 words long. Right now it's only 53 words long.

So I talked about this during the 2nd DBacks game of the year, when they lost to the Reds 5-3. I couldn't find it anywhere on youtube, but I did just find it on FSM. Bask in the hilarity.

75 words? Better than 300 characters.

75 words? Better than 300 characters.

75 words? Better than 300 characters.

75 words? Better than 300 characters.

75 words? Better than 300 characters.

75 words? Better than 300 characters.

A.K.A Goose's League Year 5!

Last season I hosted the first unofficial "official" LL fantasy baseball league and it ended up being(at least IMO) a success. And as such, I intend on continuing this year and hopefully beyond. This thread will just simply act as the signup thread. Stats and other things will be discussed after everybody has joined and registered.

First a little history as repeated from last year's signup thread.

This is year five of this league, and I'm hoping it'll be another great year. This league started with myself, a few of my friends, and a bunch of other kids who volunteered one day during my Cisco networking class during my senior year of highschool. The 2nd year was just a few friends and whoever else around the net that decided to sign up.

Year 3, all my friends except for one didn't have time for fantasy baseball so I came here looking for people to fill the league. I suppose technically that was the first year of the LL league. Trev was our Champion during that season.

Last season was when we started to refine the stats and other settings to where everybody was mildly happy. It was a good season that saw the league stay fairly active for the whole year. JNR ended up defeating Olympia Stubbies in the championship to become our reigning Champion.

I'm kinda cutting down on the fantasy baseball this year, so this league will likely be the only one I'm in. So hopefully I'll do a little better than 16th(in previous year's I've been 3rd,1st, and 12th).

The only setting I can tell you for sure at this moment is that it will NOT be a Roto league. I've played in 4 roto leagues(and won 1 of them) and don't really like them at all. And there will once again be 20 teams.

Right now I'm going to have the players from last year(I'll have a list shortly) have first shot at the open spots. After that, it's first come first serve.

And of course, since this is the LL league, I'm extending an invitation to our gracious leader Jeff. There's a spot there if you want it.

So post here if you want to return for another year of smack talking and ass kicking!

So much for him retiring after 2009.

"SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Bud Selig was given a three-year extension as baseball commissioner through the 2012 season.

The unanimous decision made at Thursday's owners' meeting came two days after Selig and union head Donald Fehr testified before a congressional committee that both criticized baseball for its steroids problem and praised the sport for strides made during the past three years.

Selig will become baseball's second-longest-serving leader behind Kenesaw Mountain Landis, who was the first commissioner from 1920-44. Selig had said repeatedly since December 2006 that he intended to retire after the 2009 season, but many in baseball didn't believe him."

Link

Anybody else watching this? Not bad so far. I used to watch this all the time as a kid, so I've really been looking forward to it.

So far:

Good-Powerball, hard hitting action, referree shouting "Gladiators reeeeeeeaaaadddddyyyyyyyy!", Hogan not using the opportunity to pimp Hulkamania, Joust and Hangtough were good.

Bad-No Gladiators theme song, retarded sad backstories for the competitors, and there's a gladiator named Helga that looks like a manbeast. Oh and no mullets.

This is either gonna be really awesome, or it's really really gonna suck. All I know is if they don't have Assault, I'm never watching another episode. Edit: And we have a mullet sighting!

Are up.

1. Adam Jones, OF, Grade B+
   
2. Jeff Clement, C, Grade B+
   
3. Carlos Triunfel, SS, Grade B+
   
4. Chris Tillman, RHP, Grade B+
   
5. Wladimir Balentien, OF, Grade B+ (maybe Grade B?)
   
6. Tony Butler, LHP, Grade B-
   
7. Phillippe Aumont, RHP, Grade B-
   
8. Juan Ramirez, RHP, Grade C+
   
9. Greg Halman, OF, Grade C+ (tremendous tools, but huge strikeout problems)
   
10. Nick Hill, LHP, Grade C+
    
11. Adam Moore, C, Grade C+  (interesting sleeper prospect)
    
12. Kuo Hui Lo, OF, Grade C+ (sleeper I like a lot)
    
13. Matt Mangini, 3B, Grade C+
    
14. Carlos Peguero, OF, Grade C+ (great power, but strikeouts galore!)
    
15. Michael Saunders, OF, Grade C+
    
16. Robert Rohrbaugh, LHP, Grade C+
    
17. Young Chi Chen, 2B, Grade C+
    
18. Austin Bibens Dirkx, RHP, Grade C
    
19. Ryan Rowland-Smith, LHP, Grade C (good LOOGY)
    
20. Mark(sic) Tuiasosopo, 3B, Grade C

From Rotoworld:

"The Rangers and Reds have agreed to a Josh Hamilton trade, with Edinson Volquez and a minor league pitcher going to Cincinnati.
It's expected to be announced later today. Hamilton couldn't fetch a more established pitcher as hoped, so the Reds instead will gamble on an arm with big-time upside in Volquez. Hamilton becomes the Rangers' primary center fielder for now. A move to right might be necessary in a year or two, but the Rangers have little to lose by keeping him in the middle now. Marlon Byrd is the favorite to start in right over David Murphy, Nelson Cruz and Jason Botts. Ideally, one of the younger players will eventually overtake him. The Reds could pursue Mike Cameron as a replacement for Hamilton. "

Link

Interesting.

So I've just spent 3 days going through a fucking hurricane here in Aberdeen and then the last 2+ days recovering from it. Lots of fucking fun, let me tell yeah.

At one point I'm going to put a huge recap detailing the whole thing, because the last week has been insane.

And I've got alot of catching up to do. Jeez.

Anyways I'm alive for the most part. Still waiting for power to come back on at my place in what is now day 6 since the storm from hell kicked our asses.

So what have I missed?

With an option for a 5th year.

Link

Yeah, because the Reds really need a shutdown closer. From Rotoworld:

"If Rosenthal is correct, then $1 million per year is all it took to lure Cordero from a team set up to contend annually for the next several years to one that simply isn't. That the Reds spent this much on a guy who only figures to throw 70 innings per year shows precisely why they're going nowhere fast. Cordero is a fine pitcher, but he blew one more save than David Weathers did last season. He's only going to make so much of a difference."

Link

"Major league pitcher Joe Kennedy died early Friday morning while at home with his family in Florida, agent Damon Lapa confirmed to ESPN.com.

The cause of Kennedy's death could not immediately be determined, Lapa said.

Kennedy, 28, compiled a 43-61 record in seven major league seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays, Colorado Rockies, Oakland Athletics, Arizona Diamondbacks and Toronto Blue Jays.

A left-hander, Kennedy broke into the majors in 2001 with the Devil Rays. In three full seasons with Tampa Bay he made 72 starts, compiling an 18-31 record."

Woa.

And we're off!

From Rotoworld:

"Tigers acquired shortstop Edgar Renteria from the Braves for RHP Jair Jurrjens and outfielder Gorkys Hernandez.
That was remarkably quick. That Renteria is being dealt is no surprise, and it figured that the Tigers would be high on the list of suitors. However, we don't see wht the Braves felt they had to make the move today when better offers could have come later. This simply isn't a great return for a player who was one of the best in the NL last season. Renteria hit .332/.390/.470 in 2007, and he's under control for a very reasonable $20 million over two years (the second year is at Detroit's option). The Tigers did quite well to get him now. It'll certainly head off any Alex Rodriguez speculation."

So says Hickey

"It is appearing more likely Jose Guillen will opt out of his contract with the Mariners for the 2008 season and become a free agent.

No decision has to be made until after the World Series, but talks between the Mariners and Guillen's agent, Adam Katz, don't seem to be going anywhere. Guillen wants a multiyear contract. The Mariners are hesitant to give him one. Tuesday, general manager Bill Bavasi would say only, "When we have something, we'll announce it."

Katz said late last week that the chances of Guillen returning to Seattle didn't look good. The Mariners don't comment on contract negotiations, but one inside source said, "At this point, at least, I don't see him coming back."

Sweet.

Guillen hit .290/.353/.460 with 23 bombs, 99 RBI, and a 116OPS+ in what looks to be his only year as a Mariner. I personally thought Guillen kicked ass this year, despite the no show against the Angels. Good luck to yeah Jose and here's to you finding a way to destroy the Angels.

vs (Beckett vs Sabathia, now)

It's on Fox, so you know what the means, Tim McCarver and Joe Buck! Prepare your mute buttons as the entire media openly roots for the Red Sox.

Let's go Indians!

vs (Davis vs Jimenez, 7:00 PM PST on TBS)

Rockies lead the series 1-0. You all know who I'm rooting for. TBS is rooting for this series to be canceled.

Game 2's for both ALDS's today. Indians and Sox up 1-0 in their respective series.

Yankees and Indians are already in the 2nd with no score.

vs. (Carmona and Pettite, now)

vs. (Matsuzaka and Escobar, 5:30 PDT)

Go Indians and go Red Sox....I guess.

Because all the cool kids are doing it, so we should to.

Let's hear them.

Mine:

ALDS:
Indians over Yanks in 4
Red Sox over Angels in 5

NLDS:
D-Backs over Cubs in 4
Phillies over Rockies in 5

ALCS:
Indians over Red Sox in 6

NLCS:
Phillies over D-Backs in 6

WS:
Indians over Phillies in 5.