So I've always wanted to go to ST...not sure this is the year for me to do it. But with that said, maybe some stories or things to do would actually make me make the trip for once.

1. What's the best thing to do baseball wise when you are there?

2. What's the best thing to do non-baseball wise when you are there?

3. Is there any night life? I'm 23 ;)

4. Best food/local beer/etc.

5. Stories of inspiration and triumph and tomfoolery?

Go.

So looks like this is happening as we speak. There's a ton of different scenarios that could play into this. Who knows maybe even a second team being involved. My prediction would be us getting Aaron Cook back along with a prospect or two and trading Michael Young while kicking in about 10 million total. Cook is owed 10 million and change for 2011.

If they refuse to part with Cook than I could see JD going hard after Dexter Fowler. Not sure how high the Rockies are on him at this point.

Anyway get your predictions in. 

Sheffield was released.

Not sure how far his bat has regressed but if we're contemplating Jones' bat at DH, why not Sheffield?...again that is if he can still hit. But, apparently the Tigers dropped him because they did not want him clogging up their DH. They wanted some versatility. But in my opinion, I'd trust Sheffield's bat any day over Jones' putrid production last year.

Sadly, I'm guessing we're too far into Rudy's experiment.

I always like an offseason poll of if/when we'll make a splash. I think this is a perfect time for the poll since some big signings went down and things could be brewing now for mid-small market teams.

I figure this could bring a little better discussion then the rumor diaries going around. Especially when it's dead at this current second.

Anywho (ah 5 friggin words short)....here's the question:

I've been real frustrated in trying to eliminate the static noise in my car audio system. My setup is this: I have my ipod hooked up to a device that provides an lcd screen to show what's being played and it then hooks up to the aux input in my car. I have found the source of the problem being my hookup from the aux to the device and it's the device's problem because when my ipod is hooked directly to the aux it works perfect. So getting a better wire is not the solution I would think.

My question is there anyway to improve the connection of the device by a quick fix or something? Some kind of aluminum foil trick? lol

Dan (Oak): Trevor Cahill vs Neftali Feliz...who has the higher ceiling and who has the higher probability?

 Keith Law: Feliz has the higher ceiling, absolutely. Probability is close to even; Feliz could pitch right now out of a big-league pen, just airing it out and throwing some changeups, whereas Cahill is slightly more likely to work out as a starter. I'm thinking Feliz will be in my top 10-15 prospects overall when I do rankings.

Pat (Philly): What in the name of all that is holy has happened to Rich Hill? From promising late-blooming pitcher to complete washout. 75 walks for Rich Hill in 82 innings in 2008 (combined between all levels). 56 runs allowed.

 Keith Law: I didn't see him live but I heard from a scout who saw him that he might have the yips (Steve Blass disease). I certainly hope not - I was never as high on Hill as a lot of stathounds were, but he was a strong 4th/5th starter candidate.

Russ (Vancouver): Kinsler of Utley over the next 3 years? Same question for Joba and Price?

 Keith Law: Utley. Probably Price because we've got a little uncertainty around Joba's shoulder.

clayton Dallas: Do u now anything about this martin perez, lefty prospect for rangers? More upside than holland?

 Keith Law: Yes, a lot more upside, but Holland is the better prospect for me right now because he's so close and still has big stuff.

Paolo (Tempe, AZ): What's your take on this rumors of the Dodgers being down on Russell Martin? Any hint of truth in them?

 Keith Law: Not enough to trade him. That's directly from Colletti. They don't have another catcher internally.

Brian (Glen Ellyn, IL): Tell me Kenny Williams isn't selling low on Swisher and Vasquez. I can't take much more of this.

 Keith Law: Vazquez is available. Haven't heard anything to substantiate the Swisher rumors.

Austin (Fort Worth, TX): Are the Reangers actually going to do something, (trade a catcher for young pitcher) or is it just wishful thinking?

 Keith Law: They're going to trade at least one of the four catchers. I can't imagine they get to March with more than three and I bet they're down to two.

Will, Boston: Keith, glad you made it. Red eye back? With everyone high on Texas catchers can you say what each offers or rank them at least? Teagarden has got to be the best, hearing that they would want Bowden/Bucholtz for him right? Thanks

 Keith Law: Bad redeye. About two rows behind me, there was a young girl, maybe 1.5-2 years old, who was up screaming for good chunks of the flight - I think the pressure in her ears was bothering her. Nothing you can do. 1. Teagarden 2. Ramirez 3. Saltalamacchia (I like his upside, but he was bad this year) 4. Laird. No one is commenting on whether Teagarden/Buchholz is actually on the table, but if I'm JD, that's where I start.

Marcos( miami, fl ) : Mr. Law, do you see the Marlins trading Olsen to the Rangers for ramirez or jarrod S. If so, which one is better?

 Keith Law: I wouldn't take a guy like Olsen, whose value has to be way down right now, for either of those catchers.

Greg (KC): Hello Keith, I just read that Joe Posnanski said Micheal Young won the GG at SS, this is a joke along with McLouth...why even pay attention to the GG awards?

 Keith Law: I don't. Nor should you.

Melissa CT : What do you think cc Sabathia contract will be

 Keith Law: 7/$150MM+.

Todd Nizzle, SF: Any Giants news from the meetings? What do you see Sanchez's value as?

 Keith Law: I saw Sabean once the entire time, and he didn't come to the GM/media hour either (although to be fair, he never does). I think they should hang on to Sanchez - he's likely to be much better in 2009 than he was in 2008. They're not as bad a team as you might think; if they add a bat and one or two good defensive players in the infield, plus get a full year of Sandoval ... Cain improves and gets some run support, Sanchez improves ... it's not hard to see them winning 83-85 games, which is contention in that division.

Ellis (Kansas): How good do you think Zach Greike can be?

 Keith Law: #2 starter, maybe even more. If the Royals do make him available, the queue of GMs at the Bellaggio should stretch to the Venetian.

Jan (Amsterdam): Small market kick, huh? How about an A's question? What's the next step in the Billy Beane master rebuilding plan? Is it time to start adding established ML talent or still trying to stockpile the minor league system? Who's left that would have value in a trade?

 Keith Law: I think it's still all about value. If they can package a few of the prospects they have to get a young big leaguer who's cost-controlled for a few years, they'll do it. But they're also happy to sit on the prospect bulk they accumulated and let the kids trickle into the big league club.

Jon (Columbia, SC):: What order would these guys be drafted if they were all eligible for the 2009 draft: Inoa, Darvish, Strasburg, Harper

 Keith Law: Darvish, Harper, Strasburg, Inoa.

This should do the trick: http://xssports.getfreehosting.co.uk/

Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers!  Go Rangers! 

So someone please explain to me outside of his whip and k/bb why Volquez era will be below 4 for the rest of the year if he doesn't improve those categories?

Discuss....

Oh and I expect some graphs.

JoshHamilton JoshHamilton JoshHamilton JoshHamilton JoshHamilton JoshHamilton JoshHamilton JoshHamilton JoshHamilton JoshHamilton JoshHamilton JoshHamilton JoshHamilton JoshHamilton JoshHamilton JoshHamilton JoshHamilton JoshHamilton JoshHamilton  JoshHamilton JoshHamilton JoshHamilton JoshHamilton JoshHamilton JoshHamilton JoshHamilton JoshHamilton JoshHamilton JoshHamilton JoshHamilton JoshHamilton JoshHamilton JoshHamilton JoshHamilton JoshHamilton

Here's something I've been thinking of after doing some baseball camps lately:

1. Why does it seem like pitchers from the Dominican and other countries throw harder? Genetics?

Simply put- they aren't over coached. They pick up the ball and throw it. Here in America we teach pitchers to have pretty deliveries instead of effective deliveries. We teach balance points to the death. We have for the most part taken the athlete out of the pitchers.

Here's a question? Why does an outfielder tilt his shoulder back to throw it 300 feet but we teach pitchers to be balanced and not tilt back? You cannot throw the ball 90+ mph without a big enough leg kick and tilting back. Then we take our kids arms, stop them in the middle of it and say you need to here instead. Do you think stopping a kids arm in the middle of throwing is going to teach him to speed it up? Then we teach our kids that we have to be in perfect fielding positions...good luck trying to get your kid to finish his delivery, throw it 90 mph, and field it like Kenny Rogers.

All these pretty, balanced, little deliveries and we still haven't learned from guys with the quirkiest of deliveries (Nomo, Dontrelle Willis, El Duque, etc.) that know they're only chance of succeeding is deception?

Advice...if you don't truly know how the body works to throw a baseball hard and efficient, throw your kid in the outfield where he'll have no choice but to use his body to throw a baseball hard.

2. Why do hitters from other countries seem to be such strong pure hitters?

Simply put- they literally are not allowed to walk in little leagues. They know they have to hit to "get off the island." Now I'm not taking away the importance of knowing the strike zone but you're not making it anywhere in baseball until you can hit. I can go on all day about the mechanics of hitting and pitching but I can't emphasize enough that you can't take the athlete of the player. That's really what we're doing. We're turning our players into inefficient robots.

Until this is realized and preached, expect to see your kids and the rest of America lag behind the upcoming kids from other countries.

I thought it would be worth it to pursue Andruw Jones for the discount he'd be at. Well:

He's slugging .182 after creaming a single yesterday and collecting his 2nd rbi of the season yesterday.

I think it would be a decent bet that Hamilton outperforms Jones and Rowand this year. Maybe Hunter.

So I guess the point of this thread is to remind people of contracts like Zito/Hunter etc. that we avoided by accident and that the fact that we don't have another albatross of a contract makes Hamilton that much more valuable and easier to see Volquez tear it up.

Today's streamed games can be found here.

Once again to be able to enjoy these free games you need Sopcast or sometimes TVAnts.

Enjoy!

01:05PM Kansas City Royals @ Detriot Tigers
02:20PM Milwaukee Brewers @ Chicago Cubs
03:35PM Boston Red Sox @ Oakland A's
07:05PM Washington Nationals @ Philadelphia Phillies
07:05PM Chicago White Sox @ Cleveland Indians
07:05PM Tampa Bay Rays @ Baltimore Orioles
07:05PM Toronto Blue Jays @ New York Yankees
07:10PM Arizona Diamondbacks @ Cincinnati Reds
07:10PM New York Mets @ Florida Marlins
07:10PM Pittsburgh Pirates @ Atlanta Braves
08:10PM Los Angeles Angels @ Minnesota Twins
08:15PM Colorado Rockies @ St. Louis Cardinals
10:05PM Houston Astros @ San Diego Padres
10:10PM Texas Rangers @ Seattle Mariners

Today's streamed games can be found here.

07:05PM Toronto Blue Jays @ New York Yankees
07:10PM New York Mets @ Florida Marlins
08:10PM Los Angeles Angels @ Minnesota Twins
08:15PM Colorado Rockies @ St. Louis Cardinals
10:05PM Boston Red Sox @ Oakland A's
10:05PM Houston Astros @ San Diego Padres
10:10PM San Francisco Giants @ Los Angeles Dodgers
10:10PM Texas Rangers @ Seattle Mariners

So if you have Sopcast downloaded, click here for today's streamed games. Enjoy!

1:05PM - Kansas City @ Detriot Tigers
1:05PM - Toronto Blue Jays @ New York Yankees
2:10PM - Arizona Diamondbacks @ Cincinnati Reds
2:20PM - Milwaukee Brewers @ Chicago Cubs
3:05PM - Chicago White Sox @ Cleveland Indians
3:05PM - Tampa Bay Rays @ Baltimore Orioles
3:05PM - Washington Nationals @ Philadelphia Phillies
4:10PM - New York Mets @ Florida Marlins
4:10PM - San Francisco Giants @ Los Angeles Dodgers
4:15PM - Colorado Rockies @ St. Louis Cardinals
6:40PM - Texas Rangers @ Seattle Mariners
7:05PM - Los Angeles Angels @ Minnesota Twins
7:10PM - Pittsburgh Pirates @ Atlanta Braves
10:05PM - Houston Astros @ San Diego Padres

1. Ian Kinsler

2. Michael Young

3. Josh Hamilton

4. Hank Blalock

5. Milton Bradley

6. Marlon Byrd

7. Frank Catalanotto

8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia

9. Ben Broussard

Luis Mendoza is starting and Josh Rupe, Frank Francisco and Wes Littleton are also available.

Sopcast broadcast: http://www3.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=8823&part=sports

With Laird possibly positioned to open the season as the starter, Teagarden and Max Ramirez in the wings, and Chris Davis looking to entrench his spot at 1st within the next year, there has to be some thought of trading Salty.

Now I know things might sort themselves out in short order because of injuries or another trade not involving Salty, but here's a hypothetical:

If you know you're going to probably eventually trade Salty because Teagarden is the better defensive catcher (with some other potential catchers coming up) and Davis is the better offensive first baseman, when would be the best time to trade Salty? After you've tested him at catcher/1st for an extended time? Before you test him out? Discuss.

For the 5th consecutive time to replace Sean Taylor. Discuss...lol          

from MLBTradeRumors:

"UPDATE, 12-11-07 at 2:54pm: Jon Heyman puts the Red Sox, Yankees, and Mets as the three leading suitors for Johan.   Matthew Cerrone, however, believes the Rangers, rather than the Yanks, are the third leading suitor."

I'm sure JD is just doing his homework on this but interesting just to see. I'm guessing he'll request the same thing he did with Cabrera and the Marlins in that for a trade to happen the Rangers will need a window to sign Santana. And that's the only way I'd be fine with us actually making a push for him.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3149131

"Free agent outfielder Kosuke Fukudome plans to announce late Monday night U.S. time whether he will play in Japan in 2008 or pursue one of several offers from Major League Baseball clubs, his agent told ESPN.com.

The Nikkansports newspaper reported Saturday that Fukudome has turned down a lucrative multiyear offer from the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants and will play in America next season. But agent Joe Urbon said the report was premature, and that Fukudome is still conferring with his family in Nagoya, Japan, in anticipation of his decision.

"If the report was accurate, you would have seen quotes from the player or the [Yomiuri] club," Urbon said. "He hasn't made up his mind yet. When he does make up his mind, the first point of communication will be to the clubs in Japan."

I can't believe this is just a coincidence anymore. And I know this has been discussed in the past but I think this is now more fact then anything. Michael Young is a significantly better hitter when he hits 2nd rather than third. For the proof:

2005

Batting 2nd:
572 AB- .341, .394, .528, .922 ops
Batting 3rd:
96 AB- .271, .333, .427, .760 ops

2006

Batting 2nd:
573 AB- .325, .365, .468, .833 ops
Batting 3rd:
118 AB- .263, .310, .415, .725 ops

2007

Batting 2nd:
215 AB- .326, .378, .460, .838 ops
Batting 3rd:
424 AB- .309, .359, .396, .755 ops

So basically, regardless of whether he gets more at bats hitting 2nd or 3rd in a given year, he produces consistently better 2nd in the lineup.

And I think that goes to show we're not doing the lineup justice if he's hitting third because he doesn't hit well there and if there isn't anyone else to put third, well then that's a problem right there in itself.

I know how a few people have said CJ should stay our lefty specialist because he's much more dominating against lefties and Benoit should close. But, if you look at Benoit's splits you will see he in fact dominates lefties as well (.173 BA, .80 whip) and struggles more vs. righties (.250 BA, 1.33 whip). So with that said, CJ is younger and Rangers control him a lot longer so I believe the case is there to continue using CJ as closer. Next year we should use Benoit in Wilson's old role as lefty specialist/set up man and have Otsuka be the main set up man if healthy.

For the hell of it I'm throwing a poll up on who you think should be the closer next year.

Seeing as his contract is slipping by the second, has he reached a point where we could afford him? If we are willing to go to 65-75 million on Hunter, surely if Jones could be had for 100 million, he'd be worth it considering he's 2 years younger, much better hitter career wise, and will probably hold up in center longer then Hunter. Jones has had 8 years that have been significantly better then Hunter's career OPS (.795).

Does anyone else think that if we're going to splash money at centerfield, it better be real long term (Jones) or short term (Cameron), not in between (Hunter, Rowand)?

First off I'd like to say that I've never seen so many prospects in our system as hot as they are right now offfensively and defensively. Every night someone throws a gem and every night a couple of hitters go off.

With what seems like every guy JD traded for at the deadline lighting it up and with huge progression in guys like Davis, Duran, Boggs, Teagarden and 8-10 pitchers (Volquez, Gallaraga, Phillips, Reed, Poveda etc. etc.) could this minor league organization go from bottom 5 of baseball to top 10 in one year?

I'd like to think the way these guys are finishing off the year that this is the case.

"Bill Center, of The San Diego Union-Tribune, reports San Diego Padres SP Jake Peavy is expecting to be dealt from the team before his contract expires, due to a belief that the club can't re-sign Peavy to an affordable contract. "I hope it's not the case, but I think it's inevitable that I'll wind up somewhere else," said Peavy. "I am not looking to break the bank. I'm not saying I want a huge payday. I'm going to ask for what's fair. And although I hope it happens here, I just don't see the Padres spending that much on a player.""

Not sure if it would make sense to pursue him but man minus Santana, is there a better pitcher out there right now? Would it be worth trading for him on the idea that you throw the bank at him to resign him before he hits FA?

It is nice to dream about.

How do you think this effects Tex? (I have him on two teams lol)

My first thoughts are:

1. He's entering a much better lineup but worst park- push.
2. He's not seen many of the pitchers but many of them haven't seen Tex- push.

I'll throw a poll up to the right.

Spotless Home ERA: .33 era- .090 BA against. Unbelievable right? Well just to show what kind of headcase he is: here is an equally impressive stat.

Road Era: 8.62 and a mind boggling BA against of .400! He's given up 8 hits at home in 27 innings and has given up 28 hits on the road in 15 2/3 innings.

Good Riddance!

Basically what trades and aquisitions could we make to be competitive next year?

Well first off, without trading anyone these would be our apparent holes.

SP Millwood, Padilla/Tejeda, McCarthy/Hurley, 4th  starter, 5th starter

Bullpen: Otsuka, Wilson, Benoit, Francisco, Littleton, etc.

Offense: C: Laird, 1st: Tex, 2nd: Kinsler, SS: Young, 3rd: Blalock, RF: Byrd/Diaz, CF: Hole, LF: Hole, DH: Botts/Catalanotto

So basically, being realistic Millwood should be expected to hold a spot, one of Padilla or Tejeda should hold a spot, and McCarthy or Hurley should hold a spot. Best case scenario all 5 would hold a spot but that's not likely so we could say we're 2 starters short of being complete there.

Bullpen looks fine even without Gagne.

Offense has some gaping holes in the outfield at center and left as I don't consider Byrd a true centerfielder or Catalanotto a starting left fielder. So we're 2 outfielders short on offense.

Now what trades could be done to make us competitive?

Well if we traded Tex to Anahiem (Kotchman), LA (Loney), or Atlanta (Saltalamacchia) we'd be getting a first baseman back in return most likely. Along with that, it's possible we'd get a starter back as well. So in that scenario we cover one of our starter holes. If we got an outfielder instead, we cover one of those holes. Lets say we get a starter in return.

Then if we trade Benoit and Lofton to Cleveland, we could probably expect to get another outfielder/starting pitcher prospects. They don't have any guys except for miller that would be ready for next year but if we could get Lofgren (LHP) or say Trevor Crowe (OF) and Jared Goedert (3B), that would be a nice return.

So at this point we have 2 real holes (Centerfield and LF/5th starter) and maybe one minor hole in the bullpen (Benoit).

As far as centerfield goes- we could trade Otsuka for Michael Bourne or we could go the FA route and spend the money we saved from Teixeira on a centerfielder (Hunter, Byrnes, Cameron).

If we chose to trade for Bourne we could then look for a corner outfielder through free agency (Dunn-if traded, Abreu, Dye, Wilkerson)

So then we have probably 1 hole left as far as starting pitching and one minor in the bullpen.

If we trade Gagne then we might be able to cover a starting spot. If we resign him then we would cover the bullpen. We could then cover the last pitching hole through FA, through trade, or internally.

So all in all- I think it's possible to be competitive next year even with unloading Tex.

1. Solid defense (Currently- 2nd in AL in errors)
   
2. Throw strikes (Currently- 1st in AL in walks allowed)

I like the guy but if there is no improvement in these departments by the end of the season, can he logically keep his job? It's not like he's done a masterful job with the bullpen or lineup either. Seems like I find myself scratching my head atleast once a game.

Couple points to make here:

1. Diaz was considered a top prospect on the Mets no? So even with him falling off big time last year, with the way hit in the minors this year and now the majors would have to make him just as good of a prospect as he was with the Mets? And if this is true, don't you think we might have our potential RF in Diaz? Not to mention he's got quite an arm too.
2. With us falling out of the race barring a major run by our pitching staff (which hinges on Millwood big time), I would definetly advocate playing Cruz most days. His cannon of an arm alone helps his cause when he's not hitting I would thing. As for Mahar, I would think the same since he was rated by BA as our best defensive outfielder. So with Mahar, Cruz, and Diaz- that's a nice defensive outfield I would think.
3. I'm pretty sure the Rangers wouldn't do this nor would he have much value at this point, but do you think Catalanotto would have any trade value?