I am writing a pseudo-research paper for my Senior English class, and I need some help.  We were supposed to choose a five year period and be a fictional character and keep a journal for those five years of his life.  I decided to be an understudy to Billy Beane.  I chose this because at the time I was reading Moneyball for the billionth time.  I thought that a couple of libraries in my area would have some books on the A's, but alas, I had no luck.  So, if you guys could suggest some books that I could pick up, whether it be on the Internet or if I would have to go to a book store to get them that would be great.

I won't be able to check this today, so if you have any questions that are vital to you answering my questions, I'll try to answer those tomorrow or later tonight.

Wow, the Red Sox are supposed to be getting Javy Lopez.  Lopez is supposed to start until the Varitek gets back.  I say wow because I wonder what they are gonna do with him after 'Tek gets back.  If he was unhappy in Baltimore, I doubt he'll be any better there.

He is hitting .265/.314/.412(avg,obp,slg), 8 HR and 36 RBI in 76 games.

Varitek was hitting .241/.331/.411, 11 HR and 50 RBIs in 85 games.

Oh, before I forget, how am I doing, just outta curiosity?

Sorry for lack of posts today, I decided instead of posting a lot I would just sum it all up in one post, or at least try.  Also, these are in order from MLB.com, bottom to top.

Rangers get: DH/1B/OF Matt Stairs
Royals get: RHP Joselo Diaz
Guess this was a give-a-little-get-a-little trade. I don't see this helping either club much, but then again I don't know much about Diaz other than he is a right handed pitcher

Rangers get: RHP Kip Wells
Pirates get: RHP Jesse Chavez
See above.  Don't know much about Chavez and Wells hasn't pitched well(no pun intended,really).

Padres get: INF Todd Walker
Cubs get: RHP Jose Creda
Maybe Walker will play third, Maybe he will play first, I don't think he will play second.  He will probably play third, I forgot about Adrian Gonzalez. Once again don't know much about the prospect in question.

Tigers get: 1B Sean Casey
Pirates get: RHP Brian Rogers
The Tigers sent down Chris Shelton to make room for Casey.  Casey should be an upgrade defensively and offensivly, Shelton had two good weeks, thats all.  Don't know anything about this prospect either

Mets get: LHP Oliver Perez, RHP Roberto Hernandez
Pirates get: OF/1B Xaiver Nady
Not bad for the Mets, actually pretty good.  Hernandez was playing for them last year and did good, and Perez was great in 04.  The only thing I don't understand is why the Pirates didn't ask for more.

Yankees get: 1B/OF Craig Wilson
Pirates get: RHP Shawn Chacon
Wilson has pop and can also play catcher.  Chacon hasn't been his 05 form.  Once again why didn't the Pirates ask for more, or something different at least.

Cardinals get: RHP Jorge Sosa
Braves get: RHP Rich Scalamandre
As a Cardinal fan, I'm not that excited.  I haven't heard of Scalamandre and I can't think that Sosa is anything more than Jason Marquis, except Sosa comes from the bullpen, and we will see more of him than we will of Marquis.

Philles get: RHP Justin Germano
Reds get: LHP Rheal Cormier
Cormier has been very good this year and will help the Reds immensely.

Twins get: Zach Ward
Reds get: Kyle Lohse
Lohse hasn't been good this year.  Hes been bad, some might even say terrible, so I don't really like this trade for the Reds.

Royals get: 1B/DH Ryan Shealy, RHP Scott Dohmann
Rockies get: LHP Jeremy Affeldt, RHP Denny Bautista
Gets the Rockies some more pithcers and the Royals get some prospects, kinda have to wonder if the Rockies can/will make a serious run at the NL West.

Dodgers get: RHP Greg Maddux
Cubs get: INF Cesar Izturis
Wow, I really didn't think Maddux would be traded.  Izturis is probably playing shortstop with Ronny Cedeno moving to second.

Dodgers get: Julio Lugo
Devil Rays get: INF Joel Guzman, OF Sergio Pedroza
I think the trade will work well for both teams, I just don't see where the Dodgers will play Lugo.

I think I got it all, if I missed something tell me please.

The Cardinals traded Utility-Man Hector Luna to the Indians for Second-Baseman Ronnie Belliard.  Not much to say other than the Cardinals get a big upgrade at second and the Indians get a young player in return.  Belliard will probably bat 2nd or 7th in the Cardinal lineup.

Yep just as everyone knew would happen.  I expect Lidle to take Sidney Ponson's spot.  Abreu will probably bat 5th till everyone(Matsui and Sheffield) returns.

The Yanks gave up former first round pick C.J. Henry and 27-year-old Matt Smith. Update [2006-7-30 16:39:42 by rg scorch]: The Yankees also gave up catcher Jesus Sanchez and Carlos Monasterios, a right-handed pitcher. Overall, I think this is a good trade for the Yankees.

Bobby Abreu is rumored to be close to going to the Yankees for 20-year-old C.J. Henry and 25-year-old Steven White.  If the Phillies do make the trade the Yankees are supposidly eating the whole contract.  Cory Lidle could also be in the deal.  If the deal does go down I could see Abreu batting 3rd, 6th,or even 9th.  Third and Ninth both let the Yanks have potentially 3 "Table Setters".  Any way look for Abreu to score more and drive in more.

The Rangers have their eyes on Miguel Tejada and Jon Lieber.  I believe that neither of these deals will happen and you have nothing to worry about.  I don't think Tejada or Lieber will be moved.

Zito will not be moved, may not be breaking news, but thats just what I think.  It would throw the A's out of the race, IMO.

No clue what will happen with Soriano, but for kicks I'll say Angels.

Before I leave MLB Trade Rumors says Lidge for Blalock.  I don't think this works for anyone because that gives the Astros too many 3rdbasemen and the Rangers get another declining closer.

My testing post.  Since Eric stole the story(alright fine, maybe I just need to wake up before 11), I'll tell you alittle about me.  I'm gonna be a sophomore in high school.  My favorite teams in the three major sports are the St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinati Bengals, and the Indiana Pacers.  I'm in four fantasy leagues, three Yahoo! leagues and a MLB.com league.  Some sites I check daily, aside from this one, are Viva El Birdos, Cincy Jungle, MLB Trade Rumors, The Hardball Times, and Aaron Gleeman's site.  And in my leagues I'm 3/10, 7/12, 1/6, and the other is a roto league I don't quite understand, I like the head-to-head leagues better.  I look forward to blogging for Eric and maybe starting my own sometime in the future.