As a Cub fan, I couldn't be happier.  I've defended Jim Hendry in years past, but the last few years have really been poor and his firing would have surely happened sooner if not for the Cubs ownership transition.  I was really pulling for Mark Cuban to buy them a few years ago, but we ended up with the Ricketts family, fronted by a somewhat stuffy Joe Ricketts.  Regardless of how he comes off, he looks like he wants to build a winner as bad as Cuban would, but he's been a little more rational and calculating than I think Cuban would have been due to the payroll situation.

This year the Cubs have 10's of millions coming off the books and appear to be poised to make a run at Fielder or Pujols and/or Jose Reyes.  While there is a need to put butts in the seats, I'm not sure how eager Ricketts will be to commit big money / long contracts to any of those three players as he's been saddled with some terrible contracts the last few years - Soriano and Zambrano are still there.

The farm system has a few good players, but I don't think it's good/deep enough to be a real asset - with either using it to trade or counting on it to contribute significantly to the Cubs.  They have Starlin Castro who is the only player in the organization I would say is off limits and I would want to build around. 

The other major question out there is what do they do with Quade?  I don't see him coming back, 2011 was a train wreck.  Is the Ryne Sandberg bridge permanantly burned?

What direction does everyone see them going?  Rebuild on the fly or a more patient approach and start over from the farm up?

No one can claim to be a bigger fan of baseball, and in particular the Chicago Cubs, than Ron Santo who pased away today at age 70...  The ultimate homer, Santo's passion for the Chicago Cubs was heard in every syllable that came through speakers on Cubs AM 720 Radio broadcasts.  The one call that immediately comes to my mind everytime I hear his name is the Brant Brown play in 1998 as the Cubs were closing in on the post-season.  Ron was never there to be an impartial commentator - he was rabid fan with a microphone and made no bones about it.  RIP Ron.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJfslft_oDk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vf3uTJ1k-h0

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/baseball/mlb/11/10/white.sox.indictments/index.html?section=si_latest

Continue reading this post »

     This winter, the Tigers were lambasted on this site for trading away Matt Joyce for Edwin Jackson.  It was a pretty even split here between those who liked/disliked the deal.  Jackson was described as "garbage" along with other similar adjectives.  I was on the side of liking the deal for the Tigers as I had watched quite a few of Jackson's starts last year.  Most that didn't like the deal kept pointing at his overall stat line and missed the forest for the trees, as there were quite a few excellent starts turned in by Edwin last year - but his poor starts obscured the big picture for many here.

     I really liked what I saw of Jackson last year and stuck my neck out in support of him in the face of stats/data that are generally very good indicators of luck and/or future performance.  I acknowledged that but held my ground that he was quite possibly someone who was on the verge of  taking a major step forward this year.  Jackson has done just that.  On the year he has a 2.16 ERA with a WHIP below 1.  His K:BB ratio has improved quite a bit this year, while his fly ball tendencies are right where they have been throughout his career.  This is probably one of the best examples of what I was talking about when I mentioned actually watching what was going on and not simply quoting dry stats.  While Jackson does allow hitters to elevate the ball - the contact is generally poor, resulting in many routine pop ups.  People have argued that this will "normalize" as he pitches in Comerica, but so far the home/road splits are very similar.

     So what does everyone think now that the season has started and Jackson has seemingly taken off as some predicted?

Harry Kalas, Pillies announcer and the person who's voice is synonomous with NFL films has died.  He collapsed in the booth before today's game.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/story/11625834

RIP Harry

This 75 word minimum is gay.
This 75 word minimum is gay.

This 75 word minimum is gay.

This 75 word minimum is gay.

This 75 word minimum is gay.

This 75 word minimum is gay.

This 75 word minimum is gay.

Jim Bowden is stepping down before he gets fired and possibly charged in a kick-back scheme that may be coming to light from the whole Esmailyn Gonzalez debacle.  How this guy kept getting a job in MLB front offices is beyond me, but I think this would signify the last time we see him in any front office job.  The Nats are one of my "secondary" teams that I like and I can't be happier this guy is out....

Full story here...

What happened? 

I probably wouldn't be saying anything, but he did make sure to take a bit of a pot shot at me when he made his original call for the community synthesis list.  It was due on January 3rd - today is the 5th. 

Wha-happened?  Not as easy as it sounded?  A bout with pnuemonia?  A meteor strike?

Your FanPost must be at least 75 words long

Your FanPost must be at least 75 words long

Not sure how this slipped by so quietly yesterday.  No surprise as Boston seemed to never be in question, but it is now official.  What I am surprised at is how little it took to sign him : 3 years for 3.3 million.  Theo thinks he'll start in AA and his stay in the minors should be short.  Not a lot of room in the rotation right now, so if he does come soon, it will most likely be in the pen.

What does everyone think - a solid starter long term or will he be more of a Okijima?

http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081130&content_id=3695971&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos

Well, we're pretty well for the playoffs.  As far as the White Sox and Twins are concerned, the playoffs start tomorrow when the Sox play Detroit.

What happens now in NY after 2 straight choke jobs?  Do they make MAJOR moves up to and including  firing the GM?  Or do they go through a fairly normal off-season and simply address needs in the OF and bullpen?

When do the wheels come off Sabathia?  Quite an interesting year (rwperu where are you?) in the NL Central and the Cubs definately look to be the favorites along with the Angels in the AL.

So... here are my predictions:

Sox defeat Detroit, lose to the Twins.

Cubs defeat Dodgers in 4, Rays over Twins in 4, Milwaukee over Philly in 5, Angels over Boston in 5.

Cubs over Milwaukee in 6, Rays over Angels in 7

Cubs over Rays in 6.

Why has this guy been flying completely under the radar?  A little old for his league (23 in high-A), but he is a catcher so it's not as big of a deal.  20 HR's, with an OPS that has been around .900 most of the year.  Strikes out a bit, but also draws a fair share of walks. 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Jon%20Still&pos=OF&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=453287

Anyone heard any scouting on him?  Can he stay behind the plate? 

Clemens is going to be in some trouble:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/27/sports/main3882845.shtml

It's always been about the criminalization of white people.  Where's the white people's version of Al Sharpton to take a stand?  Hell... where's Al Sharpton? [crickets]

I will not post one-line diaries
I will not post one-line diaries
I will not post one-line diaries
I will not post one-line diaries
I will not post one-line diaries
I will not post one-line diaries
I will not post one-line diaries
I will not post one-line diaries
I will not post one-line diaries

I'll be busy with work pretty much the next few days, so I won't have too much time the rest of the week to finish compiling the top 50/100 list.  If you ant your list included in the first edition - have it to me by early afternoon this Saturday.  You can always send one in after that and/or update your list after that, but it probably won't make the intial list...  Any questions, let me know...

This is what I posted in the current "Community Prospect List:

"I think it's foolish to leave him off "until he signs."  We realy need to move past this purist ideal that he's not technically a prospect - it's a cop out in my eyes.  The chances of signing/playing/making an impact on an MLB team is at the very least as good as anyones on this list already.  Again, many here are due to fantasy purposes and seeing where he places on this list is a valuable bit of information.  I'm going to start a poll in another diary.

We really need to get these guys on - guys like Porcello and Moustakas are going to get on this list largely due to SNTS.  Not to say they aren't great prospects, but it's all hype/scouting at this point - not too many have seen them play, let alone against professional competition.  We haven't seen too much of guys like Fukudome either, but we do have a better gage of how they will fare in MLB as there is a track record that Japanese players skills typically translate pretty well over here.

Gagne + 10 mil + his history = Poor Brewers.

10 million for a closer is just plain crazy in my book.  10 million for Gagne is out of the park crazy.  Talk about desperate.  And here I though they were showing some good restraint and sense by not going off the deep end with Cordero.  Now this.

http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10520227

Cubs look to be pretty serious about signing Fukdome.  They definately have a hole there - between Murton/Pie they have a chance of one of them not getting it done enough to justify playing everyday.  Couple that with a very right handed line-up that needs a lefty in the middle and the need becomes more evident.

If they don't get him, they will be looking to acquire one possibly at the winter meetings.  What team out there may be willing to part with a lefty RF'er?

I loved Evel when I was growing up.  Had the action figure, the helmet, painted my bike to look like his motorcycle and then went and did stupid shit with it...  I remember watching him on Wide World of Sports and all of the specials on TV.  He was the true pioneer of reality TV.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wsq3dWTrRWA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI5RRrb39EA

R.I.P EK

AROD is the MVP.  A couple people have some splainin' do though, as it wasn't unanimous.  

My guess is they were both from Detroit.
.

Aka - the 'slurve list'...  A few months ago I offered to repeat this exercise.  I think it may have been a bit premature.  A few lists are starting to roll in, so I figured I would remind everyone.

Earlier this year I offered to collect everyone's prospect rankings and put them together into a community list.  A few people didn't like how it was done and the wheels sort of came off from there.

I'm willing to try it again.  This time we will eliminate all the extra BS.  I'm not going to attempt to weight the list in any way.  I will simply act as a central hub that everyone can send their list to in order for it to be put into an excel spread sheet.  I'll set up a few basic functions so it will average the raw data, but will stop there.  Once it's complete, I'll post it here as well as send out the excel file to all who participated or request it.

The only ground rules I'll lay out are these:

 Must be top 50 at minimum.  Most here can do 100 without problem - but finding the time isn't always the easiest thing to do.  

 ANYONE is eligible who has not yet reached 130 AB's / 50 IP - regardelss of service time.  This includes foreign players, recent draftees, college players, etc.  I think these will be interesting to look at over time and if you can peg future stars before they are classically defined prospects - more power to ya. One of the hottest issues was whether foreign players should eligible. This will allow you to simply filter these players out yourself with a few mouse clicks - everyones happy!!!

 No real deadline.  I'll probably take whatever data I have in a few weeks and put out the first edition.  As the off-season goes on - you can send in a list if you didn't previously or you can send an updated version of the list you had sent previously.  Thsi would also allow for those who only send in top 50 lists to add to it as they have more time.  Periodically I'll send out revised lists as new data accumulates until next season rolls around.

I think this would compliment the diary limo started for "dredging up old predictions" as it would be fairly easy to search for in the future once it gets posted here.
Lists can be sent to: slurveone@yahoo.com

http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10455835

Wow.  Looks like it got pretty overwhelming support.  I'm interested to see how it works.

This is no doubt influenced by a few calls in particular this year - especially the one in the playoffs at home plate.

I thinks it's good, but will reserve jugement until I see exactly how it goes.

Just read that Leo Mazzone has been fired by the Orioles.  No wonder that organization sucks.  He's turned Bedard into an elite pitcher.  Can't say too much for the rest of the staff, but look at what's there... you can't always make chicken salad out of chicken shit, which is I guess what they were looking for.  Some lucky team is going to benefit from this greatly.  Maybe a team like the Devil Days?  Niemann, McGee, Davis and a few others they have down there makes this an interesting possibility IMO.

And on a side note... Dusty just interviewed with the Reds.   YES!!!!  Being a Cub fan, I'd love to see the havoc Dusty would reak in Cincy as they are showing promise with that crop of prospects.  If you own Homer Bailey in your keeper leagues, sell now!!!

I've always warned people here about being so venomous and cock-sure when it comes to second guessing moves that people make who actually work in baseball as a profession.  I love looking back on things this time of year, much like the Dayton Moore diary I started a few weeks ago.  This time around it's Charlie Manual.  Many need to pull up a chair and big ol' glass of water to wash down a heapin' helpin' of over-cooked crow.

Calls for Manual to be fired immediately went out.  Charlie was being called retarded, incompetant, an idiot, a jackass, etc, etc. by the resident experts.  All Charlie did was lead them to the playoffs with the second best record in the NL - winning the division over the pre-season favorite Mets.  Not only that, they were able to do it w/o Bobby Abreu, which was another move roundly poo-pooed around here.  

Take your lumps guys, you know who you are...

http://minorleagueball.com/story/2007/4/18/173230/173

Well... I really like the steps forward the Royals have taken this year.  I think a lot of that credit is due to Dayton Moore.  Granted he inhereted some of the young talent, but he has had his share of adding to it.  

A lot of his moves took a beating around here in these diaries:

 http://minorleagueball.com/story/2006/12/21/141734/97

http://minorleagueball.com/story/2006/12/16/125713/39

Sisco, Burgos and Dotel brought some pretty nice players in return with the outgoing players not producing much to where they ended up.  After re-reading some of the posts in those links, I don't know if there's enough crow to go around in some of these cases.  Meche still has a bit to do to justify that much money, but I still like the signing as much as I did when it happened.  Had he gotten some run support this year - he may be closing in on a 20 win season right now.  He had to overpay to get him there, but when you're in KC....

With his name - Albert Poo-holes is a shoe-in!!!

Earlier this year I offered to collect everyone's prospect rankings and put them together into a community list.  A few people didn't like how it was done and the wheels sort of came off from there.

I'm willing to try it again.  This time we will eliminate all the extra BS.  I'm not going to attempt to weight the list in any way.  I will simply act as a central hub that everyone can send their list to in order for it to be put into an excel spread sheet.  I'll set up a few basic functions so it will average the raw data, but will stop there.  Once it's complete, I'll post it here as well as send out the excel file to all who participated or request it.

The only ground rules I'll lay out are these:

1.  Must be top 50 at minimum.  Most here can do 100 without problem - but finding the time isn't always the easiest thing to do.  
2.  ANYONE is eligible who has not yet reached 130 AB's / 50 IP - regardelss of service time.  This includes foreign players, recent draftees, college players, etc.  I think these will be interesting to look at over time and if you can peg future stars before they are classically defined prospects - more power to ya. One of the hottest issues was whether foreign players should eligible. This will allow you to simply filter these players out yourself with a few mouse clicks - everyones happy!!!
3.  No real deadline.  I'll probably take whatever data I have in a few weeks and put out the first edition.  As the off-season goes on - you can send in a list if you didn't previously or you can send an updated version of the list you had sent previously.  Thsi would also allow for those who only send in top 50 lists to add to it as they have more time.  Periodically I'll send out revised lists as new data accumulates until next season rolls around.

Lists can be sent to: slurveone@yahoo.com

Wow.  ESPN is now advertising Fantasy Football on John's website.

John - you've sold out!!! ;)

Lefty posted this his last start, but it bears repeating.  This just in.  Kazmir is on fire.  

Last 7 games:

44.2 IP  53K/14BB  5ER (1.01 ERA)  

What's more is that his last 7 opponents have included the Yanks, LAA, Boston (twice) and Detroit.  His ERA has dropped almost a full point in that span from 4.41 down to 3.44.  Dude is sick good right now.

It's time we close the book on this kid.  I think those that believed he could lead a double life as a thug as well as a baseball player that performed despite being a thug, now have to concede that this is just never going to happen for him.  Tons of talent going to waste because of a 2 cent head.  What a shame...

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/08/03/Rays/Dukes_charged_with_vi.shtml

We haven't had one of these (what I'm listening to, etc.) in a while and knowing how many here like the same music, thought I'd post a few things about it.

This was a one day Festival held yesterday just outside of Chicago.  Many may not have even heard about it for this reason.  This was an event to benefit Eric Clapton's Crossroads Antigua, which is a rehab center he founded.  The line-up included:

Buddy Guy
B.B. King
Steve Winwood
Jeff Beck
Robert Randolf
John Mayer
Derek Trucks Band
Alison Krauss and Union Sation
Willy Nelson
Vince Gil
Sheryl Crow
Robert Cray
Los Lobos

The complete line-up can be found here:
http://crossroadsguitarfestival2007.com/

I think the Lobos set was among the better ones.  Those guys are severely under-rated.  I had never heard Derek Trucks (Allman Bros./Eric Clapton's band) before yesterday and he absolutely killed.  If you haven't heard him before, do yourself a favor and listen to some recent Allman Bros. or pick up a DTB album - you won't be disappointed in the least.

The set that really blew everyone away was no doubt Jeff Beck.  He ended with an instrumental version of the Beatles "A Day in the Life."  Very well done - captured the song while at the same making it his own.  Everyone was talking about the set the rest of the night.  A big part of that was his bass player.  She - yes she might have been 20 years old, but I think I heard that she's only 17/18.  She was absolutely phenominal and was totally locked in with the band - especially her dad - Jeff Beck.  I never did get her first name, but holy prodigy is she going to be someone to keep an eye on.

I'm not much of a country music fan, even so Alison Krauss really impressed.  Beautiful voice.  Willy was also very good.  Wasn't in my seat for Vince Gil.

John Mayer also had a lot of people talking.  He is sooo different now from when he released "Room for Squares."  I bought "Continuum" today and I love it.

Clapton's set was one of the best I've seen him do.  He brought out Robbie Robertson for a few tunes and had a mini-Blind Faith reunion when Steve Winwood came on stage.  I've already gushed about him, but he's also in Clapton's band so I'll do it again.  Derek Trucks.  This kid is fantastic.  His solo's were among the best of the night - he really seems to get it.

Oh, yeah... and possibly the coolest part was Bill Murray doing a little schtick in between and introducing everyone before their set.  A very Chicago "feel" for the show, which was capped off by Chicago blues legend, Buddy Guy.  If the next Crossroads Festival is held in your area, I can't recommend attending enough.

I remember this trade being roundly booed here last year.  Many here thought this trade was terrible and the Phils got totally hosed, going as far to say the trade was worse than just for the Phils, but went as far to say "bad for baseball" as a whole.

Abreu's line to date: 0.2284 0.3128 0.2893 with just 2 HR's.  15.6 mil for that!  The Phillies, while not going out and getting any stars, did sign 4 players:  Adam Eaton, Wes Helms, Rod Barajas and Jason Werth.  The only large contract going to Eaton, who has been slowly coming around after being injured last year.  Even with his slow start, it's arguable he's been more valuable than Abreu - hell, you can make that arguement for Werth.

The Phils filled the 15.6 mil vaccuum left by Abreu by spending 12.85 mil on those 4 - leaving them 2.75 additional to play with this year at the trade deadline.  Barajas' and Werth's deals were signed for one year, meaning they will also have a little more to spend this off-season while at the same time not have Abreu's massive contract tying them down for '08.

Many were critical of the Phils for not getting back any prospects such as Clippard/Huhges/Tabata, but in reality this just doesn't happen when the other team picks up that much salary.  I liked the deal then, and I like it even more now that some things have played out.  The Yanks got hosed.