Taking into context the time when they were written and shown, given either the edge, uniqueness or that certain click that the intro music, graphics, and directing/editing added to their memorableness (nice word).  The music seems to lock it in for me (cept the runner up for the 80s).

pre 60s - Rawhide, runner up Alfred Hitchcock

60s-70 - Hawaii Five-O, runner up: Star Trek (close)

70s-80 - Magnum PI (just under the wire),  runner up: Shaft

80s-90 - Star Trek the Next Generation, runner up: gotta go with Baywatch

90s-00 - I can't believe I am saying it...Friends, runner up: uh...Seinfeld

00s-08 - Alias, runner up: have to be Lost right now.

 

Man, that's harder than I thought to pick "the Best".  I dislike Friends, but that damn song stays with you and the scenery is good.  That goofy Seinfeld music sticks too.  Had to put Magnum there to get Baywatch in...not for the music..can't even remember what it sounded like....

I went with when the show debuted, but if you think its fits better later, that's cool.  Let's let the rules be more like traffic lights in New York City...guidelines ;)

 

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Interview.  From CBS actually, so maybe some have seen it already.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DF95m6Ta_E&feature=related

interesting enough, nothing earth shattering really.  Odd that he discusses throwing four pitches (2seam,4seam,slider,change). I thought he was more 4-seam/slider guy and would end up in the pen.  May still I guess.  

I think John had a post a little while back where everyone discussed him.  Some question on curve v slider.  The change he talks about could be kinda curveballish maybe, but he talks about a slider.

If he can end up refining them all, it would bode well.  But, alas, that's always the if, huh?

anyway, for your consumption.

The two regular 'seasoned vets' on the team are 31 and 30 (Byrnes and Hudson), everyone else is like 24 and younger. Young staff in general too.

That's darn young for a playoff team.  Rockies have some good youth too.  West should be pretty darn interesting over the next several years.  Giants fans...things look pretty bleak...

Anyone think of a younger team than the Dbacks that did so well in the recent past? (Brewer's count I suppose, but playoff spot and record being key along with 6-7 less than 25 year old regulars)

A favorite topic for discussion.

Looks to be Braun in the NL though a few people turned in some good performances.

Hamilton for the story and a nice year, though the injury cost him too many games.  Tulowitzki? Maybe, that's a good year at a tough position which he handled very well defensively according to the scouting reports I read (not the end all, but something). Braun's errors may hurt him some.  Chris B Young, just not enough average I think. Pence? I think just not enough, but is heating up. Lincecum? Not enough counting I think for the voters.  Left some out?

AL? Probably Daisuke.  Not a runaway, but that's a good record and ERA for that League and Division for a rookie.  May get snubbed a little on the older than normal angle.  

Delmon put up a nice year, just not enough I think unless he turns on the afterburners in the last month (which could happen).  I think Pedroia should get a nod or two, that's a pretty good season for a regular let alone a rookie.  Gordon, not enough to overcome the average and high expectations.  Okajima? Not gonna be a middle reliever no matter how good.  Wow, three "rookie" Sox (didn't realize).  Kinda stumped on this one.

Fun to project this stuff at this time.  Still enough time for someone to ride a hot streak to the trophy and upset it all.  Ok to say "This is who I think will win, and this is who I think should win."  Sometimes its fun to question the efficacy of the voting system. (and always proper form in a free society).

Poll

Who are your picks ?

57%

Braun,Dice-K

65 votes

33%

Braun, someone else AL

38 votes

3%

Someone else NL, Daisuke Matsuzaka

4 votes

1%

Someone else NL, Someone else AL

2 votes

3%

Fred

4 votes

113 votes | Poll has closed

There is something to be said for not biting the hand that feeds you, but this Loria guy is the epitome of a spoiled brat.  Do multi-millionaires actually sit around kicking and screaming for 10 minutes, stick a thumb in their mouth and whine "He wasn't nice to me...WAAAA!" ?...apparently so.

I see almost zero chance that anybody on that team gives more than about 10% effort next year.  Good luck Fredi.  Bring your chapstick, yer gonna need it.  Be amazed at 42 wins.

I hope the players all start counting the days until their service is up, the league never lets the guy off the hook and the Marlins stay put in south Florida for at least another decade and the combined win total over that span is 296.  Had some respectability in the organization, but not now.

What a shaft.  I hope the Royals pursue him aggressively and apologize to Buddy (pay out his contract, it'd be worth it, bad situation with him being ill but just don't think he was going to lead you there).  Doubt the Cubs will because this guy is class, a winner and makes other people winners.  Wherever he goes next, I'd bet money Joe ends up in Yankee Stadium after that if he wants it.  Not that it will be an easy owner situation if the Boss is still around, but at least that guy respects winners and integrity.

Girardi for Manager of the Year should be a lock.

Feel free to post as desired, but rumor or conjecture on where he lands and the implications of how he can help would be cool.

Royals, with that young core look like a perfect fit to me. Ownership gives me pause, but he won 78! games under that pathetic excuse of a dungheap of a regime in Florida.  100 wins not out of the question in KC! (ok...maybe a bit rosy). I am not sure if the upper echelon of the San Fran organization has the class for him to be a good fit.  Cubs are a hopelessly ineptly run organization.  Maybe Washington, just don't know much about them.

Thoughts?

Prior to the last 5 years I mostly reminisced about the good old days of baseball pre-70.  About 5 years ago I started following the minor leagues and it got me back interested in the present game of baseball.  

This year pretty legitimate cases can be made for around 10 AL and 15 NL ROY candidates at this point.  1/2 season does not a ROY make, but its pretty darn exciting for me anyway to see so many rooks (and other youngsters that are finally getting a legit shot at PT and producing) playing a full year (well not yet) with such success.

My hypothesis is that baseball had such a strong group of core players that had a strangle hold on their positions for so long (15 years or so), that a good deal of probably pretty good talent ended up frittering away their best years in the minors waiting for regular MLB time (never to get it).  Many of those now veterans and possible HOFers are rolling over and nearing retirement at the same time (or are already gone) whereas in the 70s, 80s and 90s I don't think there was such a massive exodus/influx all at within 5 years or so.  Free agency may be playing a part in owners being more willing to take a risk on some of the young (cheap) guys vs keeping quite as many veterans?

Looking for people's thoughts about this year's crop of such talented rookies and guys under 26 followed by what seems to be a big group of projected stars ready to come in and play within a year or two.  I may be wrong and this may just be a product of me following some of these guys so closely and not being able to see the warts, but in comparison to other eras so much of this young talent looks special and likely to hit within 3 years of each other.

Anyone else recall times in history where such a major influx of young seemingly amazingly good talent is hitting the bigs all at the same time?

Sox fans: What's Pedroia's status?  Very quiet on the Dustin front lately.  How's he doing and what's been going on with him?

In a not so related/un-related topic: What are the thoughts about Renyel Pinto?  Followed his up and down minors a little, some promise there but some questions too.  Ends up a LOOGY+?

Also Ronnie Paulino and the Pirates C situation over the next couple years?  Pretty decent work behind the plate so far.  Some promise with the bat.  Wondering a little though given minor stats and lack of power so far MLB may lead to eventual BA pull back).    Prior to the season, I would have said Walker ends up switching position with Doumit holding the job for a couple of years and Paulino as the backup.  Now its starting to get muddier.  That organization doesn't have the best track record when it comes to handling young guys.  With Doumit scuffling, is Ronnie really making a push to keep the gig full time?  A couple breaks (or less hasty moves) and the Pirates could have done a Marlinsesk rise.  Still some hope (say, more than the Royals anyway), but ownership still concerns me.  Cuban on the other hand...that could be interesting.  

There...that's 300+.  

Thoughts: Pedroia, Pinto, Paulino/Doumit & the Pirates' org?

Looking for insight.  Keeper league, if a guy's not listed he's probably not available.  

Pitcher's need to have ace potential with No.2 being the low end (not counting injury risk). ERA and IP are the keys.

Position scarcity is ok, but mostly lookng for pure high end talent 30 HR, .300 ave being a bullseye at any position.  HR or/and high average are keys in this league, everything else ends up following that pretty much.

Would be looking for guys that will be producing in 2007. My team's pretty set up for young talent for 3 years or so, so high end ceiling upside is what I want to add even if they are a little risky.  Catcher is probably weakest spot, so a 20 hr, 290 ave career catcher would be nice (for anyone).

A guy should be starting and making an impact by 2007.

No particular order

Matt Kemp
Howie Kendrick
Jarrod Saltalamacchia
Lastings Milledge
George Kottaras
Russ Martin
Brandon Wood
Jame Loney
Alex Gordon
Billy Butler
Jeff Clement
Kurt Suzuki
Michael Bourn
Nick Markakis
Andre Ethier
Mitch Einertson
Eric Duncan
Chris Young (the White Sox)

18 hitters

Fausto Carmona
Jerad Weaver
Anibal Sanchez
Chuck James
Chuck Tiffany
Thomas Diamond
John Danks
Hayden Penn
Jon Lester
Gio Gonzalez
Gaby Hernandez
Ray Liota
Glen Perkins

13 pitchers

Pretty much all the guys with much high end upside that are available.  I'm sorta set pitching wise, but flyers on potential sub 3 ERA would fit.

Thanks for any input.

Poll

Who's more likely to start begining April 06

62%

Delmon Young

36 votes

31%

Stephen Drew

18 votes

6%

Billy Butler

4 votes

58 votes | Poll has closed

Early spec for what a Manny trade might look like?  In the end I think its a mistake for the Sox to trade him.  Not sure they make the mistake, but what minor leaguers could be included and with what teams (reasonably)?  

I see maybe the Mets, Dodgers, Cubs and Giants being the biggest NL contenders with maybe the Brewers, Nats, Philies and Astros having some interest.

Maybe Texas, LAA, Seattle, Cleveland playing a little from the AL.  

Texas has some interesting guys to through in the mix (Gonzalez, Soriano even if he is way out of the head office ideal, Danks-Diamond-Volquez).  They have good esprit de corps going with the young guys, but I see them being interested for some reason. Cleveland does have some young pitchers to include, but cash crunch issues maybe. Not sure anyone else really fits.

Bear in mind that this is a hall of famer who will likely hit over 700 home runs.  Straight up trades of Edwin Jackson are not reasonable.  

Do the Mets make the biggest play with the Dodgers probably having the best farm system to use? What a clubhouse the Giants would have!

The talk about Jim Tracy sparked my interest a little in Chad Tracy.

Only 25, he's now been in the league 2 years.  In the minors, he showed the ability to hit for great average, good eye-OBP-bb/k rate.  Little raw power but good doubles.  His year this year is nice with 27 homers (911 OPS).

What's the prognosis for the future?  I'd have to go with maybe a few good years at 35 homers with a pretty steady 25-28 with 33 doubles with around 300 average and 870-900 OPS, some spikes at a little over 900 (similar to this year).  That'd be pretty good.  Not awesome for a non-great defense 1b.  On a team where he could fill in for the rare OF or 3b, a good addition.  Maybe with the White Sox or Seattle (though the numbers would drop) at some point?

Too optimistic or not optimistic enough?  Maybe a CB or prospect retro candidate.

How good will he be? How long until he reaches?  Are we looking at Cabrera II or the vast sea of hopefuls.

Not really looking to start the HOF/burnout discussions.  However, now that he's signed and will be playing next year for sure rather than sitting out, am looking for insight from anyone that's seen him play or knows much.  

6-3 200 lbs with a pretty good arm and decent to good range.  That's about all I have.

So, what's the (consensus?) guess for Jhonny's future?

Will he be an inductee into a the next great SS trifecta (whomever they will be) or will he not be able to sustain quite this level?  

Some numbers in the minors are not great, but he's been young at each level.  Most scouting reports I saw tended to like his tools, but I don't remember seing many that tagged him for 'superstar' tools. Looking for input and insight folks.  

Now that he has been up awhile (albeit jerked about a bit pinch hitting), looking for feedback.

How good will he really be and what's his true future position?  Is he Craig Wilson II (not so bad if that's it)?  

Do like the minor numbers and think this season is mostly a learning process.   Seemed like a good approach in the two games I saw (0-4 in one worked the count some, 1-2 in the other).  Seemed to be mostly getting fooled by quality breaking and off speed stuff like any other young hitter.  Think he'll adjust?

Two AL teams it seems.  One team that is being shopped is apparently the Orioles.  Haven't seen who the other one is yet. Maybe BoSox so Florida can play the two teams off each other?  Maybe Rangers?  All three of those teams could use the help and have intriguing prospects to put in to the trade. Not sure what's up with this rumor.  Is it FL just getting out in front in case they slide in July?  Maybe they stand pat if they have a good July and retain Burnett to make a push.

1. Who would you see moving if you were the Orioles (be reasonable and assume FL is going to want something) and who would you like to see come back if you were the Marlins?

I'd offer Bedard and Maine+ an outfield prospect.  Florida may not bite on that due to the Bedard injury, but close to same upside with extra depth thrown in.  Not sure the Orioles would do it, but it would give them the help they need now rather than awaiting Bedard's return.

2. Same question for the Sox?

I'd say Papelbon would have to be included.  Maybe they offer Youkilis if a Lowell trade gets any feet (not looking good right now).  I think FL could use some young 2B or SS depth, but doubt Hanley could be pried free with either Lester or Papelbon (which I am sure FL would want included). Not sure who the add-ins would be if Hanley is out of the equation.

3. Same question for the Rangers?

Danks+Arias+a throw-in doesn't seem like enough upside vs. risk for FL, but I could see something like that possibly happening if the throw-in is good enough.  Diamond instead of Danks may be too much to give up for the Rangers, but I would definitely see FL taking it and it would be just fine for the Rangers IF Burnett stayed healthy for two years.

Any thoughts?

I would like some help weighing options.  Pretty deep dynasty type league in general and high upside prospects tend to go a few years before they hit the general populace radar (guys like Mauer drafted 3 years ago, Upton signed mid-season two years ago).  Since all you guys are prospect oriented, your input would be appreciated.

This league is more performance based verses standard fantasy categories. Weekly head to head format scored similar to the Bill James analysis for runs produced (H,2b,3b,hr,sb-cs count towards runs produced, ER from pitchers).  Ks and wins, runs and RBI don't count at all for a game itself. In a nutshell IP and ER are most important for SP while OPS is probably the best indicator for hitters (good BA with steals doesn't trump a power hitter, but competes maybe to 80%). Ichiro at .330=Glaus at .255 w/38 HR.  I subscribe to the theory about K/IP being pretty important for long term ERA success and WHIP being a better factor to look at rather than an anomalous very high or very low single season ERA.  Gravitate towards sinkerballers more than flyball guys. Pretty standard fare there.

It's a fairly pitching intensive league with about 13 SP per team (including developing guys) with 16 teams.  However, offense does win games in the regular season anyway. A team needs either 3 very high quality pitchers and a great relief staff with so so offense (770-800 OPS as a team) or enough power to just bowl over the other team (six .900+ OPS guys do well with 2 good pitchers+league average guys).

New to the league, I spent the last two years pretty much building future depth and have a chance for either a great payoff this year and hopefully next by trading prospects for specific position help or will need to just sit and hope all my guys develop and I can keep them to see if I have a 90s Yankees team.  It's a salary based league and about 4 years is the max you can hold more than two or three starting MLB players without them being expensive enough to cost you other players that you want to develop/hold on to.

My current hitting lineup is: Thome, Abreu, Edmonds, Aramis Ramirez, Tad Iguchi, Ramon Hernandez, Kotsay, Chone Figgins (now at SS). Have Khalil available to call up off my prospect list if I want (starts something similar to the arbitration clock, 1 year time period). Starting pitchers are Halladay, Webb, Smoltz, Myers, Adam Eaton, and picked up Davies.  I made a move to get Edmonds and (luckily) Iguchi this past off-season.

Felt like I was set to be the 5th best team in the league heading into the season with the best overall farm/young guy system by a pretty good margin.  With Myers, finally turning it around, on paper I think objectively I look like the 2nd or 3rd best right now.

The Thome injury and Ramirez slump had me worried.  With Edmonds nursing some problems now too, don't know.  If those guys turn things around and produce, I am probably ok with the 2nd best on paper offense. If not I am probably sunk, no depth actually playing in MLB.

I have the following prospect-ish players that could be included in a trade:

BJ Upton - not likely but will get really expensive next year
Delmon Young (not likely) - locked up long term
Ian Stewart - is signed for 3 years, expensive after that if he is MLB good by then
Prince Fielder - protected for next 2 years, expensive after that
Matt Cain - protected for 3 years, probably little expensive after that
Kyle Davies - if pitches well this year, will be expensive next year
Jason Bartlett - signed through next year cheap
Chris Nelson - protected, but probably causes me depth problems if not in MLB in 3 years
Adam Loewen - signed for two years pretty cheap - not sure he's ready within 3 years even
John Maine - signed for two years pretty cheap
Myers - tough to move, but will be very expensive next year
Khalil Greene - protected for next 2 years
David Bush - signed for next 2 years
Daniel Cabrera - signed for two years cheap

Davies, Cabrera, Loewen and Maine probably need to be moved by next year for money reasons.  I will probably lose Myers, Edmonds or Halladay due to money issues and Smoltz will definitively be gone.

I guess what my questions are:

1. Should I try and deal some prospect guys for first tier OF guys like Manny or someone else or just ride this out for the next few years?.
   
2. If so, how many and who would be reasonable to look at moving and for whom? Pujols, A-rod and Tejada would probably be the toughest to move from their owners (naturally), but probably just about anyone else could be taken with enough upside thrown on my side.  
   
3. Looking for some input on what kind of future guy value is reasonable for guys that produce like Manny, Vlad, or even Miguel Cabrera (who I could get for Upton+Myers, but that seems a little steep at this point).  
   
4. Do you think I should just stand pat because the majority of these young guys are going to be producing good enough numbers in less than 2 years to make it worth holding onto them and I'd be better off that way?

I gotta say that I like the thoughts of eventually seeing that farm class play for my team, but I also had to suffer 2 seasons of pretty dismal records to get it and am sorta tired of losing.  Sometimes I fall in to the trap of tweaking with things for the sake of making something happen instead of just leaving it alone.  I feel sorta like the Devil Rays except I don't have to spend real money for this.  Sorry for this being so long and thanks.  Appreciate the insight you guys provide.

Is this guy a lefty who just got no significant pub as a prospect or is he over achieving?  I can't find/don't have a lot of info about him, but probably mostly because he was a 'prospect' 3 years or so ago.  He is still only 26 this season.  Anybody know if he's added velocity/a pitch?

I thought he used to work 88 or so with a sporadic 90-91, with no real ++ pitches but decent crafty-esk stuff.  I moved on due to probable lack ceiling.  Is that totally off?

A check of his minor league stats reveals that he's actually had some pretty good ratios for his age, if not knock your socks off rates.  I've got soft spots for lefties and keep pretty good tabs on what I think are the up and comers, but this guy surprised me this year so far.  Is he setting up for a breakout or for a crumble?  Info regarding his repertoire would be appreciated.