MLB Trading Deadline Sunday 4:00 PM ET

[-Slap-]

About a billion rumors out there.

As has been the case for the past couple of years, anybody who wants Manny Ramirez can pretty much have him. Gratis. The only catch, anyone who wants him must pick up all of the $57 million he's owed over the next three years.

http://img290.imageshack.us/img290/6927/ljpeva6k3li.jpg
Whither Man-Ram?

AJ Burnett has been rumored to be headed to many locations, most notably to the White Sox for a package involving top prospect Brandon McCarthy. Now they're saying AJ might just stay with Florida all year.

Lots of Alfonzo Soriano rumors floating around. The Mets are interested, but Texas wants Jose Reyes plus a prime pitching prospect. The Cubs are also in the mix. Man, if they hated Corey Patterson's plate discipline, they're not going to be too thrilled with Soriano's hackamatic approach, either.

Looks like Phil Nevin has been traded. Again. The Rangers this time. Lets see if they can get this one to stick. Nevin has had three deals nixed by no-trade clauses in the last couple years. He voided the last one to Baltimore, this time its up the Chan Ho Park.

I guess the Reds have four outfielders on the block: Ken Griffey Jr., Wily Mo Pena, Austin Kearns and Adam Dunn. Way to keep a happy clubhouse there, Dan O'Brien. Dunn is rumored to be headed to Oakland. Not sure if I would change anything if I was Oakland right now, but Dunn would be a great fit.

Billy Wagner might have talked himself off another team. The Red Sox want him badly, but deny strong interest. If Wags is traded, Ugueth Urbina will slide into the closer's job in Philly. Separate Urbina rumors floating around. There are always Urbina rumors floating around, though. The guy is one of the biggest assholes in baseball and he wears out his welcome quickly wherever he goes.

Aubrey Huff is on the market, as usual. Tampa Bay, perennially clueless about trading, will huff and puff and blow all potential deals, as usual. Tampa GM Chuck LaMar's asking price will be laughably exorbitant, as usual. Frigging amateurs down there in Tampa.

[SoCalBronco]

As usual, Ken Williams loves unnecessarily throwing away our up and coming prospects.

[Goobzilla]

I think Gil Meche and/or Randy Winn are on the block in Seattle as well. The Yankees made a run at them before swiping Chacon.

[-Slap-]

As usual, Ken Williams loves unnecessarily throwing away our up and coming prospects.

I think Burnett would be a good acquisition. I'm not sold on McCarthy. His fastball is really straight and his velocity isn't eye popping.

For the sake of my roto teams, I hope AJ remains in pitching friendly Dolphins Stadium.

[Broncoman13]

What do you think the Stros will do Slap. I was hoping for Dunn at first but the more you look at that offense the more you realize that they are pretty much set right now. The line-up is set and bringing in somebody like Dunn might hurt the chemistry. If anything I think they should bring in a 4th starter. Petite has a long injury history since joining the club and the Stros 5th pitcher right now isn't exactly lights out (I know 5th starter) and probably wouldn't even be on most major league rosters. I've seen where they may be interested in Jamie Moyer... what do you think?

[Rock Chalk]

About a billion rumors out there.

As has been the case for the past couple of years, anybody who wants Manny Ramirez can pretty much have him. Gratis. The only catch, anyone who wants him must pick up all of the $57 million he's owed over the next three years.

http://img290.imageshack.us/img290/6927/ljpeva6k3li.jpg
Whither Man-Ram?

AJ Burnett has been rumored to be headed to many locations, most notably to the White Sox for a package involving top prospect Brandon McCarthy. Now they're saying AJ might just stay with Florida all year.

Lots of Alfonzo Soriano rumors floating around. The Mets are interested, but Texas wants Jose Reyes plus a prime pitching prospect. The Cubs are also in the mix. Man, if they hated Corey Patterson's plate discipline, they're not going to be too thrilled with Soriano's hackamatic approach, either.

Looks like Phil Nevin has been traded. Again. The Rangers this time. Lets see if they can get this one to stick. Nevin has had three deals nixed by no-trade clauses in the last couple years. He voided the last one to Baltimore, this time its up the Chan Ho Park.

I guess the Reds have four outfielders on the block: Ken Griffey Jr., Wily Mo Pena, Austin Kearns and Adam Dunn. Way to keep a happy clubhouse there, Dan O'Brien. Dunn is rumored to be headed to Oakland. Not sure if I would change anything if I was Oakland right now, but Dunn would be a great fit.

Billy Wagner might have talked himself off another team. The Red Sox want him badly, but deny strong interest. If Wags is traded, Ugueth Urbina will slide into the closer's job in Philly. Separate Urbina rumors floating around. There are always Urbina rumors floating around, though. The guy is one of the biggest a-holes in baseball and he wears out his welcome quickly wherever he goes.

Aubrey Huff is on the market, as usual. Tampa Bay, perennially clueless about trading, will huff and puff and blow all potential deals, as usual. Tampa GM Chuck LaMar's asking price will be laughably exorbitant, as usual. Frigging amateurs down there in Tampa.

As much as I was mad at Wagner for his comments here in Houston, we could use another closer for our playoff push this year. Though, I suspect the kid will never wear an Astro's uniform again, and even if he did, the fans might just boo his ass.

Meanwhile, Beltran $uck$.

[-Slap-]

What do you think the Stros will do Slap. I was hoping for Dunn at first but the more you look at that offense the more you realize that they are pretty much set right now. The line-up is set and bringing in somebody like Dunn might hurt the chemistry. If anything I think they should bring in a 4th starter. Petite has a long injury history since joining the club and the Stros 5th pitcher right now isn't exactly lights out (I know 5th starter) and probably wouldn't even be on most major league rosters. I've seen where they may be interested in Jamie Moyer... what do you think?

Moyer is a possibility, but a lot of teams tend to stay away from soft tossers in the post season, where power pitchers rule the day. Ausmus and Everett are glaring holes in that lineup, but Houston management seems content to field a team with two offensive cyphers.

I believe any team who lands Dunn will be happy. His power potential is limitless. You just have to be prepared for a trip to DunnLand. That means watching him go 2-30 with 14 strikeouts, followed by an 11-20 tear with four homers, followed by a 3-26 with 12 strikeouts, followed by 9-24 with six homers. Etc, etc.

[Rock Chalk]

Moyer is a possibility, but a lot of teams tend to stay away from soft tossers in the post season, where power pitchers rule the day. Ausmus and Everett are glaring holes in that lineup, but Houston management seems content to field a team with two offensive cyphers.

I believe any team who lands Dunn will be happy. His power potential is limitless. You just have to be prepared for a trip to DunnLand. That means watching him go 2-30 with 14 strikeouts, followed by an 11-20 tear with four homers, followed by a 3-26 with 12 strikeouts, followed by 9-24 with six homers. Etc, etc.
Ausmus I could do without, but Everett has his moments, and usually they are in clutch situations. I have been especially pleased with Beltran's replacement, Tavaras. He may not be the power hitter Beltran was, but he certainly has speed and has set the single season infield hit record for the Astros (51 last I saw). Power isn't everything, and hustle can help out a lot.

[Hogan11]

I've been hearing that the Astros may have some interest in Matt Lawton (I hope) That guy is the poorest base runner I've ever seen.

Someone...anyone hopefully will take Redman, Wells and Vogelsong for some prospects. Hell, I'd trade Vogelsong for a dozen doughnuts if I was the Buccos...He must go.

Also a buzz going around Pirates circles that Mark Cuban confirmed he will make a push to buy the team off from McClatchy.....that would be great if he gets McCheapo to sell.

[Broncoman13]

Moyer is a possibility, but a lot of teams tend to stay away from soft tossers in the post season, where power pitchers rule the day. Ausmus and Everett are glaring holes in that lineup, but Houston management seems content to field a team with two offensive cyphers.

I believe any team who lands Dunn will be happy. His power potential is limitless. You just have to be prepared for a trip to DunnLand. That means watching him go 2-30 with 14 strikeouts, followed by an 11-20 tear with four homers, followed by a 3-26 with 12 strikeouts, followed by 9-24 with six homers. Etc, etc.


I agree that Moyer isn't going to be much in the postseason if the Stros get that far, but by then they'll likely have a 3 or 4 pitcher rotation with Oswalt, Clemens, Petite and Backe. Moyer would be the 5th wheel and allow those guys to stay relatively fresh for a push and hopefully the playoffs.

As for Dunn, I'd love to have him. I'm just not real sure the stros need him right now. He wants to play in Houston and that is a plus but I can't see the Reds moving him right now. Plus it's not like the Stros would pay him anyhow. I nearly fell out of my seat when they decided to pay Clemens!

BTW, I called the Stros resurgence back in late May when everybody was expecting them to trade Clemens. They're actually in better shape than last year!

[-Slap-]

Also a buzz going around Pirates circles that Mark Cuban confirmed he will make a push to buy the team off from McClatchy.....that would be great if he gets McCheapo to sell.

Hey, then you can have the biggest flava clown of all owning your team.

[-Slap-]

I agree that Moyer isn't going to be much in the postseason if the Stros get that far, but by then they'll likely have a 3 or 4 pitcher rotation with Oswalt, Clemens, Petite and Backe. Moyer would be the 5th wheel and allow those guys to stay relatively fresh for a push and hopefully the playoffs.

As for Dunn, I'd love to have him. I'm just not real sure the stros need him right now. He wants to play in Houston and that is a plus but I can't see the Reds moving him right now. Plus it's not like the Stros would pay him anyhow. I nearly fell out of my seat when they decided to pay Clemens!

BTW, I called the Stros resurgence back in late May when everybody was expecting them to trade Clemens. They're actually in better shape than last year!

Its just hard to imagine how a Reds/Astros trade involving Adam Dunn would work. Both teams have a glut of (mostly) young outfielders already, so they would have to get creative.

Taveras was on my radar screen early. Believe it or not, I was drafting him in the 22nd round on a lot of my roto teams. He helped me build insurmountable SB leads in most leagues, too. I've waived him in every league and only reacquired him in one, but only because I no longer have the need for speed.

I'm sure Cleveland wishes they had him back. Its interesting because you get conflicting opinions on his defense. He has tremendous range due to his speed, but he also misjudges a lot of balls at this stage of his development. He has Gold Glove potential, but he has to get more consistent with the routine plays, not just the spectacular ones.

[-Slap-]

I still have the taste of vomit in my mouth from the thought of Mark Cuban in Major League Baseball.

http://img278.imageshack.us/img278/1597/thirteen7my.jpg

[-Slap-]

Well, Eric Byrnes felt like a rental and he was. After being rumored in trades to at least a half a dozen teams, he was finally dealt to the Orioles yesterday for a player remarkably similar to himself. Larry Bigbie is slightly younger than Byrnes, 27 to 29 and he bats left handed. He's not as fast, but they're about equal in power. Like Byrnes, Bigbie is an extremely streaky hitter.

The big difference, and the reason I think this was a lousy trade for Colorado, was on defense. Byrnes' speed was a good fit in a spacious outfield like Coors' and his balls out approach chasing flyballs would have been a crowd pleaser. Bigbie is more of a corner OF type.

ORIOLES NOTEBOOK
Bigbie Goes To Colorado For Byrnes

By Jorge Arangure Jr.
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, July 30, 2005; Page E08

BALTIMORE, July 29 -- The Orioles have acquired outfielder Eric Byrnes from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for outfielder Larry Bigbie. The two teams spoke at length about Byrnes on Friday, according to an official with one of the teams involved, but at one point reached an impasse that seemed to kill the deal. Bigbie started Friday's game in left field and then was replaced by Luis Matos prior to the start of the fourth inning. That began the speculation that Bigbie had been traded, but no announcement from the Orioles was made until late in the game.

Prior to Friday, Byrnes was hitting .253 this season with seven home runs playing for both the Rockies and the Oakland Athletics. Byrnes was traded to the Rockies on July 13.

He can play all three outfield positions and has been dubbed the "Human Crash Test Dummy" for his spectacular running and diving catches.

Several in the Orioles organization like Byrnes's relentless energy, comparing it to that of Miguel Tejada. Byrnes likely will become the Orioles' starting left fielder.

Bigbie, 27, has been somewhat of a disappointment in his four-plus seasons with Baltimore. A first-round selection in 1999 (21st overall), Bigbie was hitting just .249 with five home runs and a .316 on-base percentage this year entering Friday's game. He began the season as the starting left fielder but never could get going offensively.

In the past few weeks, Bigbie's name had been mentioned in several trade rumors, including as part of deals for Marlins pitcher A.J. Burnett and Pirates outfielder Matt Lawton. The trade rumors appeared to affect Bigbie on the field. He said he had a difficult time feeling part of the team when he knew he was likely headed elsewhere.

[Hogan11]

Hey, then you can have the biggest flava clown of all owning your team.

True....but you have to admit, at least he'd put some much needed cash into the team.

Besides, when it comes to MLB, what owner isn't a prick?? I've been thru some of the very worst (Brochu, Loria The Sith Lord and MLB itself) so a flake like Cuban would actually be an improvement.....as whacked out as that sounds.

[Clockwork Orange]

Well, Eric Byrnes felt like a rental and he was. After being rumored in trades to at least a half a dozen teams, he was finally dealt to the Orioles yesterday for a player remarkably similar to himself. Larry Bigbie is slightly younger than Byrnes, 27 to 29 and he bats left handed. He's not as fast, but they're about equal in power. Like Byrnes, Bigbie is an extremely streaky hitter.

The big difference, and the reason I think this was a lousy trade for Colorado, was on defense. Byrnes' speed was a good fit in a spacious outfield like Coors' and his balls out approach chasing flyballs would have been a crowd pleaser. Bigbie is more of a corner OF type.

That's Dealin' Dan O'Dowd at work again. :unamused:

This deal sucks, but not nearly as bad as dumping Shawn Chacon for a bag of magic beans. Chacon went from making the All-Star team as a starter, to Clint Hurdle deciding it'd be a great idea to make him a closer (that expirament failed miserably), to moving him back to the rotation where he got little run support yet had the lowest ERA of any Rockies starter.

How O'Dowd & Hurdle still have jobs is beyond me.

[-Slap-]

That's Dealin' Dan O'Dowd at work again. :unamused:

This deal sucks, but not nearly as bad as dumping Shawn Chacon for a bag of magic beans. Chacon went from making the All-Star team as a starter, to Clint Hurdle deciding it'd be a great idea to make him a closer (that expirament failed miserably), to moving him back to the rotation where he got little run support yet had the lowest ERA of any Rockies starter.

How O'Dowd & Hurdle still have jobs is beyond me.

Exactly. Chacon was a good soldier, did everything they asked of him, at least to the best of his ability, even when they miscast him. He showed the guts to pitch in Coors and still be effective, so they dump him for two highly suspect prospects. Just a directionless franchise.

To me, the worst part of the Byrnes deal, was that he seemed to be fairly well coveted throughout the league. Bigbie seems like a small payoff. He's a marginal player who's probably not going to get much better.

[Play2win]

Exactly. Chacon was a good soldier, did everything they asked of him, at least to the best of his ability, even when they miscast him. He showed the guts to pitch in Coors and still be effective, so they dump him for two highly suspect prospects. Just a directionless franchise.

To me, the worst part of the Byrnes deal, was that he seemed to be fairly well coveted throughout the league. Bigbie seems like a small payoff. He's a marginal player who's probably not going to get much better.

And People wonder why I stuck with my Colorado roots and stayed a Cubs fan, and never jumped ship over to the Rockies.

Atleast the Cubs have history. That, and a ballpark that is rich in history, charactor and aesthetics.

[-Slap-]

National League West

San Diego 51 52 .495
Arizona 50 55 .476 - 2
L.A. Dodgers 47 56 .456 - 4
San Francisco 45 57 .441 - 5½
Colorado 36 66 .353 - 14½

San Diego's recent eight game losing streak put every team in the NL West under .500 two thirds of the way through the season.......:laugh:

The White Sox are 66 and 35. The best record in baseball and a .653 winning percentage. I've looked at that team and all I can say is.......:kiddingme

[-Slap-]

Deadline Rumors du Jour

Here's a quick-and-dirty laundry list of names that have been linked to active deadline clubs in recent hours (Sources: ProSportsDaily.com, Baseball Prospectus) ...

Angels — Mike Cameron, Mets; Brian Fuentes, Rockies; Shea Hillenbrand, Blue Jays; Phil Nevin, Padres; Corey Patterson, Cubs; Ron Villone, Mariners; Billy Wagner, Phillies

Astros — J.C. Romero, Twins

A's — Adam Dunn, Reds

Blue Jays — Kyle Lohse, Twins

Braves — Aubrey Huff, Devil Rays; Rondell White, Tigers

Cardinals — Matt Lawton, Pirates; Melvin Mora, Orioles

Devil Rays — Ryan Madson, Phillies; Dmitri Young, Tigers

Dodgers — Adam Dunn, Reds; Reed Johnson, Blue Jays

Giants — A.J. Burnett, Marlins

Marlins — Bronson Arroyo, Red Sox; Jose Contreras, White Sox; Matt Herges, Diamondbacks; Mark Redman, Pirates; Billy Wagner, Phillies

Mets — Danys Baez, Devil Rays; Sean Casey, Reds; Aubrey Huff, Devil Rays; Jose Mesa, Pirates; Manny Ramirez, Red Sox; Alfonso Soriano, Rangers, Ron Villone, Mariners; Daryle Ward, Pirates

Nationals — Julio Lugo, Devil Rays

Orioles — A.J. Burnett, Marlins; Matt Lawton; Pirates; Mark Redman, Pirates; Nate Robertson, Tigers; Jeff Weaver, Dodgers

Phillies — Bronson Arroyo, Phillies; Danys Baez, Devil Rays; A.J. Burnett, Marlins; Wade Miller, Red Sox; Jamie Moyer, Mariners; Joel Pineiro, Mariners

Rangers — Mike Cameron, Mets; Sidney Ponson, Orioles

Red Sox — A.J. Burnett, Marlins; Jose Cruz Jr., Diamondbacks; Eddie Guardado, Mariners; Aubrey Huff, Devil Rays; Jacque Jones, Twins; Matt Lawton, Pirates; Ricky Ledee, Dodgers; Terrence Long, Royals; Mark Redman, Pirates; J.C. Romero, Twins; Ron Villone, Mariners; Billy Wagner, Phillies

Tigers — Danys Baez, Devil Rays; A.J. Burnett, Marlins

Twins — Chris Burke, Astros; Shea Hillenbrand, Blue Jays; Orlando Hudson, Blue Jays; Bill Mueller, Red Sox; Alfonso Soriano, Rangers

White Sox — A.J. Burnett, Marlins; Scott Eyre, Giants; Aubrey Huff, Devil Rays; Jason Schmidt, Giants; Billy Wagner, Phillies

Yankees — Jose Cruz Jr.; Scott Eyre, Giants; Orlando Hernandez, White Sox; Gil Meche, Mariners; Gary Matthews Jr., Rangers; Jamie Moyer, Mariners; Mark Redman, Pirates; J.C. Romero, Twins; Scott Sauerbeck, Indians; Randy Winn, Mariners

Compiled by Dayn Perry / FOXSports.com

[Breck Bronc]

To me, the worst part of the Byrnes deal, was that he seemed to be fairly well coveted throughout the league. Bigbie seems like a small payoff. He's a marginal player who's probably not going to get much better.It's been rumored that Bigbie will be sent to Boston for catching prospect Kelly Shoppach if the Manny Ramirez-to-the-Mets trade falls through.

If the Rox get Shoppach then the Byrnes deal will have at least made more sense. Catcher, along with center field, is the biggest weakness in the Colorado organization now that the J.D. Closser experiment has turned into a disaster. Shoppach is a much better defensive catcher than Closser and has power and patience at the plate. I hope the Rockies get him after the Chacon deal turned out to be such a joke.


Atleast the Cubs have history. That, and a ballpark that is rich in history, charactor and aesthetics. Coors Field has character and aesthetics. And it will turn into Wrigley West with all the Cubs fans that will fill it next month when Chicago visits Colorado. Ah, the power of WGN.

[Clockwork Orange]

It's rumored that a proposed 3 team trade between Boston/NY Mets/Tampa Bay that would send Manny Ramirez to NY is almost dead......but not completely.

It's also worth mentioning that Shawn Chacon pitched 6 innings and didn't allow an earned run in his first start for the Yankees today. I hope he does well in NY for two reasons. First, because he's a good guy who did whatever was asked of him and did the best he could here in Colorado. Secondly, to further illustrate the laughable incompetance of Dan O'Dowd and the Rockies front office.

[OrangeShadow]

tell ya what manny can be however he wants 28 hrrs 94 rbis guys.

[phillybroncosnut]

If I'm Ed Wade (thank god I'm not), I get on the horn to Theo Epstein and offer him Abreu and Thome for Manny, Youlkills and Stoppach.

Losing Abreu would hurt but getting Manny will make me forget about Abreu very quickly. Throwing Thome in the deal will even up the contracts. The Sox could use Thome as DH or first.
The Phillies would plug Chase Utley in the 3 hole and have Manny hitting 4th while Burrell slides to the 5 hole. Ryan Howard is the real deal for the Phils at 1st base.
The Sox would get a career .315-.320 hitter who is a consistent 30/30 guy. They would also rid themselves of the disgruntled Manny.
The Phils would also have the chance to finally boot Mike Liebersucks ass to the curb.

I would then deal Wagner to the Fish for Burnett especially if we deal Ryan Madson to the Rays for Beaz. What club needs 3 closers?

The only problem is that Wade is the worst GM in all of sports so we have no shot at acquiring anyone worth a damn.

[-Slap-]

Dude, it would cost you way, way less than Abreu to acquire Manny Ramirez.

I guess Francona told Manny that he would have a certain day off. Before that day's game, Trot Nixon took some minor injury and was forced out of the lineup. Francona explained this to Manny and asked him to postpone his day off. Manny said, "you promised me a day off and I'm taking it".

I would say that was the last straw, but Boston has been trying to rid themselves of Manny for a couple years now. Are people forgetting that they put him on waivers last winter and nobody was biting? That was back when there was still $80 million left on his deal. Now there's $57 million left and it looks like the Mets are the only team considering it. Rumored compensation is Mike Cameron.

[phillybroncosnut]

Dude, it would cost you way, way less than Abreu to acquire Manny Ramirez.

I guess Francona told Manny that he would have a certain day off. Before that day's game, Trot Nixon took some minor injury and was forced out of the lineup. Francona explained this to Manny and asked him to postpone his day off. Manny said, "you promised me a day off and I'm taking it".

I would say that was the last straw, but Boston has been trying to rid themselves of Manny for a couple years now. Are people forgetting that they put him on waivers last winter and nobody was biting? That was back when there was still $80 million left on his deal. Now there's $57 million left and it looks like the Mets are the only team considering it. Rumored compensation is Mike Cameron.

Whatever it takes bro. The Phils need to rid themselves of Thome. If I could subtract Abreu and give them Burrell and Thome, I'm game.
The Phils need a guy like Manny. Plus, they would keep Manny out of NY.
I want Stoppach badly. The Phils have zero prospects at Catcher.

[Bronco LB 59]

Aubrey Huff is on the market, as usual. Tampa Bay, perennially clueless about trading, will huff and puff and blow all potential deals, as usual. Tampa GM Chuck LaMar's asking price will be laughably exorbitant, as usual. Frigging amateurs down there in Tampa.

About a month ago, I attended a Q and A with Padres GM Kevin Towers at Petco Park. He was describing how difficult it is to deal with Chuck LaMar over the phone. It sounded like a conversation between Washington and Pyongyang. Towers was saying how LaMar probably prides himself in minor league championships and made fun of a quote in which LaMar said in a media guide "the Devil Rays are making huge strides it just hasn't shown up in the W-L column". Towers said well "geez, that's a pretty big factor in determining whether you stay employed or not". Towers is extremely candid, that's why I love him.

Last season, LaMar took advantage of a desperate lame duck GM in Jim Duquette and was able to take Scott Kazmir in a heist for Victor Zambrano. Those types of deals don't happen very often. Reportedly, the Mets and Red Sox are still talking and they have cut off the Devil Rays from the talks. Probably because LaMar was being too unreasonable with his demands. LaMar wanted both Lastings Milledge (Mets OF) and Hanley Ramirez (Red Sox SS) who were both ranked among the top 15 prospects in the most recent issue of Baseball America! I hope LaMar gets burned this year and the D-Rays can his ass in October.

[Drek]

Slap, you should try to get the whole story, its really not that hard.

Nixon's injury is definately not minor, its at least 4-8 weeks with a strained back muscle. Same injury thats been plauging Hudson much of his career from what I've heard, and Nixon already has an existing back problem (much like Vlad Guerrero's).

Also, Manny's refusal to play had a minimal role in all the trade talk. Francona didn't even ask him personally, because it wasn't a huge deal to him. What set off all the trade talk is that Manny has once again requested a trade for the third time in four years.

As for saying that it'd cost a lot less than Abreu for Manny, well, Philly did have Thome listed in there who right now is nothing but a negative value contract, significantly worse than Manny's because unlike Manny Thome doesn't produce now, can't stay healthy, and only makes a few million less per year with what I recall to be a longer deal.

But then you also seem to think that they're basically putting Manny up for takers when they've turned down Cameron, Heilman, and Lastings Milleage (great OF prospect) from the Mets for him. He's not being given away, they're only going to move him if they get legitimate value for one of the best right handed hitters in all of baseball.

FYI: Randy Winn has been traded to the Giants for Yves Torbebla or some such name, a C for the Giants, he's supposed to be a decent young guy, and Jesse Fopert.

The Red Sox traded Kenny Perez, MI, and Kyle Bono, P, for Juan Cruz Jr. of AZ as well. Perez is a mediocre prospect, Bono is young but talented, the Sox gave him a nice signing bonus to keep him from playing college ball. He could develope into a legit #3 starter, but was barely a top 10 arm in the Sox farm system.

The alleged Bigbie for Shoppach and Stern (that was the deal, Shoppach and current Sox OF Adam Stern) is DOA. Allegedly ownership vetoed it, though most Sox insiders think Theo just didn't like what Colorado was willing to part with in terms of other minor leaguers and moved on. Personally I'm real damn happy. Bigbie isn't even as good as Stern who at least has speed on his side, while Shoppach is one of the few minor league catchers who not only is MLB ready, but should see a successful pro career (plus defender, good power. Needs to improve is BA and OBP, but he's making strides).

If he played in Coors he'd probably be a 20 HR a year catcher who could possibly challenge for a gold glove (great arm). I don't see the Rox getting him though unless they get pro-active and send a decent MLB bullpen arm or good minor league prospect for him. He was rumored in a deal to Seattle along with some fringe pieces to get Eddie Guardado, but I'd bet that's fallen apart now that they have the C from San Fran.

LaMar wanted both Lastings Milledge (Mets OF) and Hanley Ramirez (Red Sox SS) who were both ranked among the top 15 prospects in the most recent issue of Baseball America! The last form of the three way that was going around had LaMar sending Huff to Boston, Lugo to the Mets, and asking for Hanley, Anibal Sanchez (top 5 sox prospect), Shoppach, and Ysmeiro Petit (Mets top pitching prospect). Obviously both the Mets and Sox told him to screw and started to try working out a deal just between the two of them.

[-Slap-]

Bronco LB 52, I can assure you, I am no Chuck LaMar. I've been swinging some monster deals lately. In one league, I pulled off back-to-back trades with the same team. The end result was I sent away Mark Prior, David Ortiz and Mike MacDougal and I got back Derrick Lee, Joe Nathan and Luis Gonzalez. I was hurting for a top closer and getting my hands on the leading MVP candidate was nice, too. You know it was painful for me to part with Prior, but I picked him up on waivers anyway, so that was a consolation. Pretty nice to parlay a waiver claim into a trade for a potential triple crown winner. That's why I protect my waiver priority with such devotion.

I made a kind of nervy move in another league yesterday. I'm in first place and I feel comfortable that I can almost cruise to the title, but I made a major trade instead. I sent away Jose Reyes, Victor Martinez and Carlos Zambrano and I'm getting back Miguel Cabrera and Nomar Garciaparra. I think I paid a pretty dear price, but it should work out for me, especially if Nomar comes back and hits to his capability. I have an insurmountable 45 bag lead in steals, so Reyes has gone beyond the point of luxury. He's on pace for over 700 ABs and he's not a friend to my team BA. I'll miss Martinez, but I had a dominant offense before he got hot and Cabrera's addition will more than make up for his loss. I guess I'm gambling by giving up Zambrano, but I thought it was worth it to acquire a top five player like Cabrera. A healthy Nomar would be icing on the cake. Another bonus to this trade will be watching Reyes move my trading partner's team past both my closest pursuers in SBs.

Miguel's addition gives me a legitimate shot at a perfect 50 points on offense in this league. I'm sitting at 41 points on offense right now. You know the caliber of competition in these leagues, check out the bats on this team, man:
Albert Pujols
Miguel Cabrera
Ichiro Suzuki
Carl Crawford
Carlos Lee
Lance Berkman
Magglio Ordonez
Travis Hafner
Nomar Garciaparra
Kevin Mench
Joe Mauer
Rickie Weeks
Probably the best offensive team I've ever assembled. I figure 47 points on offense is the absolute worst I'll do going forward and I'm optimistic about 50.

I also picked up Jeff Francoeur on this team. That kid is roping the ball all over the place.

Looks like Felix Hernandez' Major League debut is only a couple weeks away. I hear they're going to start him out in the bullpen and maybe add him to the rotation in September.

[Pendejo]

As a Madres fan who works in the shadows of Petco...Slap...please do not type the words Carl and Crawford again. It's like typing John and Elway to a Chiefs fan.

Carl Crawford is THE player the Madres need...but the sage Bronco LB 52 already knows how I feel on this...

[-Slap-]

Also, Manny's refusal to play had a minimal role in all the trade talk. Francona didn't even ask him personally, because it wasn't a huge deal to him. What set off all the trade talk is that Manny has once again requested a trade for the third time in four years.

That makes no sense at all. Everybody knows Manny makes the same trade demand every year, so why would that suddenly cause an uproar? Use your head. Refusing to play at the manager's request kind of ups the ante a bit.

As for saying that it'd cost a lot less than Abreu for Manny, well, Philly did have Thome listed in there who right now is nothing but a negative value contract, significantly worse than Manny's because unlike Manny Thome doesn't produce now, can't stay healthy, and only makes a few million less per year with what I recall to be a longer deal.

Unfortunately trades usually have to make sense for both sides. I know some GMs challenge this notion regularly, but I assure you its true. Did you want me analyze everything that was wrong with that deal? First off, nobody wants Thome or his contract and you definitely wouldn't want him if you already had David Ortiz on your team.

But then you also seem to think that they're basically putting Manny up for takers when they've turned down Cameron, Heilman, and Lastings Milleage (great OF prospect) from the Mets for him. He's not being given away, they're only going to move him if they get legitimate value for one of the best right handed hitters in all of baseball.


The Mets, who are already paying Piazza, Beltran and Pedro were going to assume all $57 million of that contract, right? Give me the whole story, its not that hard.

So, the Red Sox didn't place Manny on irrevocable waivers two winters ago and he didn't go unclaimed? I kind of remember that happening. Need a link, or are unsubstantiated trade rumors more your speed?

Nice job on the severity of Trot Nixon's injury. I stand corrected on that. By the way, oblique muscles are located near the ribcage, its not a back injury.

[Bronco LB 59]

Bronco LB 52, I can assure you, I am no Chuck LaMar. I've been swinging some monster deals lately. In one league, I pulled off back-to-back trades with the same team. The end result was I sent away Mark Prior, David Ortiz and Mike MacDougal and I got back Derrick Lee, Joe Nathan and Luis Gonzalez. I was hurting for a top closer and getting my hands on the leading MVP candidate was nice, too. You know it was painful for me to part with Prior, but I picked him up on waivers anyway, so that was a consolation. Pretty nice to parlay a waiver claim into a trade for a potential triple crown winner. That's why I protect my waiver priority with such devotion.

The best part of that trade is dumping MacDougal and getting a real closer in Nathan. How is your pitching in that league outside of Prior? I am pulling for Lee to win the Triple Crown but I bite my nails hoping he can continue his torrid pace. He's had a slow week, but I thought back for a stretch back in May that he was coming back to earth and he never slowed down. It would be nice if Dusty stopped worrying about "The Book" and actually moved Aramis to #4 so Lee can continue to see good pitches. I took Lee in the thirteenth round in my league this season. I was pretty lucky, but I drafted him because he was the "best player on the board".

[Bronco LB 59]

I made a kind of nervy move in another league yesterday. I'm in first place and I feel comfortable that I can almost cruise to the title, but I made a major trade instead. I sent away Jose Reyes, Victor Martinez and Carlos Zambrano and I'm getting back Miguel Cabrera and Nomar Garciaparra. I think I paid a pretty dear price, but it should work out for me, especially if Nomar comes back and hits to his capability. I have an insurmountable 45 bag lead in steals, so Reyes has gone beyond the point of luxury. He's on pace for over 700 ABs and he's not a friend to my team BA. I'll miss Martinez, but I had a dominant offense before he got hot and Cabrera's addition will more than make up for his loss. I guess I'm gambling by giving up Zambrano, but I thought it was worth it to acquire a top five player like Cabrera. A healthy Nomar would be icing on the cake. Another bonus to this trade will be watching Reyes move my trading partner's team past both my closest pursuers in SBs.

Miguel's addition gives me a legitimate shot at a perfect 50 points on offense in this league. I'm sitting at 41 points on offense right now. You know the caliber of competition in these leagues, check out the bats on this team, man:
Albert Pujols
Miguel Cabrera
Ichiro Suzuki
Carl Crawford
Carlos Lee
Lance Berkman
Magglio Ordonez
Travis Hafner
Nomar Garciaparra
Kevin Mench
Joe Mauer
Rickie Weeks
Probably the best offensive team I've ever assembled. I figure 47 points on offense is the absolute worst I'll do going forward and I'm optimistic about 50.

Miguel Cabrera is going to challenge Pujols for a long time as the best hitter in the Senior Circuit. I wouldn't sweat the trade at all. He's going to be a surefire first round pick next year.

You still have Mauer at catcher so I wouldn't sweat losing VMart. Bottom line, Cabrera is going have a bigger impact on your offense than VMart. There's no reason to ever keep Reyes if you don't need steals. I am just a little ticked that Dusty Baker has been telling the media that Neifi Perez has been doing a great job so Nomar might not get his everyday gig back. Baker is a moron. He has always fell in love with scrubs like Neifi, Tom Goodwin, Shinjo, Shawon Dunston when he was past his prime.

I hope Hafner is okay after his bad case of post concussion syndrome. I drafted him in the 8th round this season and in early June, I was offered Andruw Jones for him. I was afraid it would bury my batting average but made the move because of Andruw has more versatility as an OF. I can't believe that Andruw has finally unleashed the raw talent we've been waiting on since he was 19 years young.

[Bronco LB 59]

I also picked up Jeff Francoeur on this team. That kid is roping the ball all over the place.

Looks like Felix Hernandez' Major League debut is only a couple weeks away. I hear they're going to start him out in the bullpen and maybe add him to the rotation in September.

I picked up Francoeur, too. Baseball America ranked him ahead of Andy Marte as the Braves #1 prospect coming into 2005. Francoeur is a phenomenal athlete. He was a highly touted football recruit who turned down a scholarship as a DB to play minor league baseball. There are stat geeks that think he's going to come down to earth because he has yet to draw a BB. I personally think he's a tremendous natural bad ball hitter in the Vladimir Guerrero sense (not to his extreme). F*** OBP, he's batting over .400 and I am going to ride the wave!

Felix Hernandez in his first start back:

4 IP 0 H 4 BB 0 ER 7 K

His only weakness the entire year has been his BBs, but his stuff is so good that it gets him out of any jam. He's only given up 3 HR all season long in 88 IP and only has surrendered 62 H. Nobody hits him hard. He's given up 50 BBs but I think that's to be expected from a 19 year old in Triple A. I personally think he's a little bored down in Tacoma and he's been toying with batters by trying to paint the black.

I ended up picking up Felix tonight because I will be away from a computer next week in Montana and Wyoming.

Another kid to keep your eye on is Conor Jackson of the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was the first round pick of the D-Backs in 2003 out of California. Check out his minor league numbers!

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/app/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Conor%20Jackson&pos=1B&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&did=milb&pid=433582

Conor Jackson can flat out rake. The only negative is he might have to split time with hot hitting Tony Clark in the time being. Today, Conor was the star of the game in his first major league start going 2 for 4.

Conor has another partner in crime in Carlos Quentin. Quentin was a fellow 2003 1st round pick of the D-Backs out of Stanford. Check out Quentin's numbers:

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/app/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Carlos%20Quentin&pos=OF&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&did=milb&pid=435041

[-Slap-]

The best part of that trade is dumping MacDougal and getting a real closer in Nathan. How is your pitching in that league outside of Prior? I am pulling for Lee to win the Triple Crown but I bite my nails hoping he can continue his torrid pace. He's had a slow week, but I thought back for a stretch back in May that he was coming back to earth and he never slowed down. It would be nice if Dusty stopped worrying about "The Book" and actually moved Aramis to #4 so Lee can continue to see good pitches. I took Lee in the thirteenth round in my league this season. I was pretty lucky, but I drafted him because he was the "best player on the board".

I'll miss Prior, but I still have Harden, Unit, Bonderman and FGarcia in my rotation, so I should be okay.

[-Slap-]

I am just a little ticked that Dusty Baker has been telling the media that Neifi Perez has been doing a great job so Nomar might not get his everyday gig back. Baker is a moron. He has always fell in love with scrubs like Neifi, Tom Goodwin, Shinjo, Shawon Dunston when he was past his prime.
Dusty probably figures that Neifi can handle the summer heat better than Nomar.

:loopy:

[Bronco LB 59]

As a Madres fan who works in the shadows of Petco...Slap...please do not type the words Carl and Crawford again. It's like typing John and Elway to a Chiefs fan.

Carl Crawford is THE player the Madres need...but the sage Bronco LB 52 already knows how I feel on this...

LOL

Carl Crawford and Petco Park is a match made in heaven. The Devil Rays came into San Diego and swept the Padres in a three game series last season. Crawford hit line drives into the gaps for triples and many Padres' drives died in his mitt. Even Kevin Towers admitted that Crawford was the perfect outfielder for the ballpark. Towers said at the Q and A that his ideal outfield in this ballpark would be Cabrera in LF, Andruw in CF, Kotsay in RF. It would be nice if he finally got to work on building an outfield that plays to the ballpark. Dave Roberts was a start but I don't see him as a long-term solution. With Klesko under contract for another year and a no-trade clause, we are stuck with a designated hitter roaming left field in Petco for another year.

I wonder what's going to happen in the offseason if the slide continues and the Padres lose out on the division title. Sandy Alderson is not going to settle for mediocrity.

[-Slap-]

LOL

Carl Crawford and Petco Park is a match made in heaven. The Devil Rays came into San Diego and swept the Padres in a three game series last season. Crawford hit line drives into the gaps for triples and many Padres' drives died in his mitt. Even Kevin Towers admitted that Crawford was the perfect outfielder for the ballpark. Towers said at the Q and A that his ideal outfield in this ballpark would be Cabrera in LF, Andruw in CF, Kotsay in RF. It would be nice if he finally got to work on building an outfield that plays to the ballpark. Dave Roberts was a start but I don't see him as a long-term solution. With Klesko under contract for another year and a no-trade clause, we are stuck with a designated hitter roaming left field in Petco for another year.

I wonder what's going to happen in the offseason if the slide continues and the Padres lose out on the division title. Sandy Alderson is not going to settle for mediocrity.

At least they won't have to listen Nevin pissing and moaning about his drives dying on the warning track anymore.

[Bronco LB 59]

I'll miss Prior, but I still have Harden, Unit, Bonderman and FGarcia in my rotation, so I should be okay.

You put all your chips in the middle on Harden and he's paid huge dividends. A stint on the DL is the only thing that's preventing him from taking the Cy Young Award. Bonderman had a great finish in the second half last season and he looks like he's going to make a strong push for the Cy Young the last two months the way he's pitching.

My CBS Sportsline team needs hitting and I have Johan, Peavy, Harden and Pedro. Who would you trade? I am thinking Johan because he has the most value. I may trade two of them.

[-Slap-]

You put all your chips in the middle on Harden and he's paid huge dividends. A stint on the DL is the only thing that's preventing him from taking the Cy Young Award. Bonderman had a great finish in the second half last season and he looks like he's going to make a strong push for the Cy Young the last two months the way he's pitching.

My CBS Sportsline team needs hitting and I have Johan, Peavy, Harden and Pedro. Who would you trade? I am thinking Johan because he has the most value. I may trade two of them.

I agree Johan will get you the most return, but you might want to dangle Pedro out there, too. Harden's value is also sky high now, but I wouldn't deal him unless someone just blew your socks off.

[Bronco LB 59]

I agree Johan will get you the most return, but you might want to dangle Pedro out there, too. Harden's value is also sky high now, but I wouldn't deal him unless someone just blew your socks off.

My offense is really reeling right now.

These are the two offers I have on the table:

I give Johan and Richie Sexson, I get Albert Pujols

I give Chipper and Pedro, I get Aramis Ramirez

I feel comfortable with my pitching with Peavy, Harden, John Patterson and Derek Lowe. I also picked up Felix and there's always a few good starters sitting around on the scrap pool. At this point, I just have to take a chance and make a run at the title. I am only 15 points back.

[-Slap-]

My offense is really reeling right now.

These are the two offers I have on the table:

I give Johan and Richie Sexson, I get Albert Pujols

I give Chipper and Pedro, I get Aramis Ramirez

I feel comfortable with my pitching with Peavy, Harden, John Patterson and Derek Lowe. I also picked up Felix and there's always a few good starters sitting around on the scrap pool. At this point, I just have to take a chance and make a run at the title. I am only 15 points back.

I would be all over the Pujols deal.

[Bronco LB 59]

CORRECTION:

Felix Hernandez only had 2 BB last night versus Omaha

4 IP 0 H 2 BB 0 R 0 ER 7 K

I think he's ready for The Show.

[Drek]

Slap:
One, I agree, Philly's deal doesn't make any sense. The Sox wouldn't touch Thome with a 10 foot stick at this point. Having Ortiz isn't relevant, Thome would play 1B, Ortiz is pretty much a full time DH (many believe his knees can't hold up playing 1B regularly). It'd never happen though because they only move Manny to get help now plus move his deal, Thome's deal is even worse than Manny's.

As for the whole waivers deal two off-seasons ago, well yeah, thats the off-season. Right now though the Sox are at the top of the AL East, they aren't going to trade their #4 hitter just to clear his cap. They might waive him again this off-season because then you can get an immediate reward from the free money, but as of right now they need someone to bat cleanup, so Manny doesn't go without bringing something back.

Also, the Mets owner Wilpon apparently at some point signed off on taking the rest of Manny's deal, but they couldn't get the prospects straightened out with Chuck LaMar or later between just the Sox and Mets.

Manny's antics are causing an uproar because they're happening right before the trade deadline, a deadline in which the Sox have him on the block. The FO is always up for any team willing to take his deal while still giving dollar to dollar value, which the Mets seem interested in doing. I'd almost guarantee that if the deal doesn't happen today it'll be brought back up again this off-season when both teams will have more time and flexability to make it happen. Manny will waive his 10/5 for the Mets, and Minaya really has a hard on for him.

I'm assuming you're an A's fan, so its not like you should really be on top of all this, its mostly stuff only a big Sox fan would care about, but its how it is. If the Sox were really just looking to dump Manny he'd be out the door already.

[-Slap-]

Slap:
One, I agree, Philly's deal doesn't make any sense. The Sox wouldn't touch Thome with a 10 foot stick at this point. Having Ortiz isn't relevant, Thome would play 1B, Ortiz is pretty much a full time DH (many believe his knees can't hold up playing 1B regularly). It'd never happen though because they only move Manny to get help now plus move his deal, Thome's deal is even worse than Manny's.

As for the whole waivers deal two off-seasons ago, well yeah, thats the off-season. Right now though the Sox are at the top of the AL East, they aren't going to trade their #4 hitter just to clear his cap. They might waive him again this off-season because then you can get an immediate reward from the free money, but as of right now they need someone to bat cleanup, so Manny doesn't go without bringing something back.

Also, the Mets owner Wilpon apparently at some point signed off on taking the rest of Manny's deal, but they couldn't get the prospects straightened out with Chuck LaMar or later between just the Sox and Mets.

Manny's antics are causing an uproar because they're happening right before the trade deadline, a deadline in which the Sox have him on the block. The FO is always up for any team willing to take his deal while still giving dollar to dollar value, which the Mets seem interested in doing. I'd almost guarantee that if the deal doesn't happen today it'll be brought back up again this off-season when both teams will have more time and flexability to make it happen. Manny will waive his 10/5 for the Mets, and Minaya really has a hard on for him.

I'm assuming you're an A's fan, so its not like you should really be on top of all this, its mostly stuff only a big Sox fan would care about, but its how it is. If the Sox were really just looking to dump Manny he'd be out the door already.

I'm not an A's fan. I'm just a general baseball fan. I try and keep up with everything, so I tend to get stuff mixed up sometimes.

It was cool to see Edgar Renteria saying all the right things about a potential Hanley Ramirez callup. He said he would have no problem changing positions to accomodate the youngster if that would help the team. Nice to see a guy with a couple Gold Gloves who puts his ego behind the good of the team. That's one reason Edgar has always been one of my favorite players.

[Drek]

That, and Edgar is already guaranteed his $40M, so moving to a different position isn't that big a deal for him now.

I doubt it'll happen though, Pedroia looks a lot closer than Hanley, he'll be up at 2B probably to start '06, so that makes Hanley infinitely tradable this year. Though there has been talk of Hanley moving to 3B or CF where he can bulk up and be a better power hitter. He'll be playing 2B, SS, 3B, and OF for the rest of the minor league season.

Slap, you might want to check out the Sons of Sam Horn message board (SonsofSamHorn.com), its a die hard Sox board, but a lot of good general baseball talk goes on. Its in full Red Sox Fever now because of the trade deadline, but if you like sabrmetrics talk it rocks at calmer times. One member now is actually an assistant to the Sox front office (he's a big sabr guy).

Oh, and for all you Rox fans, you can probably forget about ever getting Shoppach to play C, or any Red Sox players for that matter until the current Rockies FO is out, since they are apparently "livid" at Theo for backing out of the Bigbie deal, at least according to Buster Olney, but he's a clueless tool.

[DBroncos4life]

I've made only a three moves (two after the Allstar game) in my FB league. This year its set up different. We got 3 trades during the year and after that its 5 bucks a pop. Other teams have made LOTS of trades. Head to head leagues, pitching is the key IMO but have solid talent around them helps. My last trade was hard because Lopez is playing really well but he was my backup SS. I got Varitek for him who is 4th in scoring for catchers. I have Piazza starting now but he just isn't helpping that much. I also traded for Helton because its a keeper league and he has only had one bad year really, plus I could move him in the offseason and the guy I get doesn't count against the three I get to keep from my position guys. The worst thing that happened to me was Gagne going down. I haven't found a closer yet. I've tried just about everyone as well.

[-Slap-]

I've made only a three moves (two after the Allstar game) in my FB league. This year its set up different. We got 3 trades during the year and after that its 5 bucks a pop. Other teams have made LOTS of trades. Head to head leagues, pitching is the key IMO but have solid talent around them helps. My trade was hard because Lopez is playing really well but he was my backup SS. I got Varitek for him who is 4th in scoring for catchers. I have Piazza but he just isn't helpping that much. I traded for Helton because its a keeper league and he has only had one bad year really, plus I could move him in the offseason and the guy I get doesn't count against the three I get to keep from my position guys. The worst thing that happened to me was Gagne going down. I haven't found a closer yet. I've tried just about everyone as well.

Keep your ear to the ground this afternoon. A deal that springs loose a closer might come down the wire. Urbina might get traded again, or Wags might go to Boston or Chicago, opening the Philly job for UUU. The people who sprang into action and grabbed Lidge last year probably found themselves smiling at the end.

[DBroncos4life]

Keep your ear to the ground this afternoon. A deal that springs loose a closer might come down the wire. Urbina might get traded again, or Wags might go to Boston or Chicago, opening the Philly job for UUU. The people who sprang into action and grabbed Lidge last year probably found themselves smiling at the end.


I was hoping that Eddie got traded to a good team. Any info on that? I was also watching the Urbina deal pretty close. I've had Gagne for three years now and for two years of it closers pretty much was a afterthought. I really wanted to draft Krod with my first pick but somehow I didn't. Grrrrrr!!!!!

[Drek]

Deadline has passed, no word about really big deals at all. All around underwhemling, seems as though all the sellers had much too high of asking prices.

[-Slap-]

Deadline has passed, no word about really big deals at all. All around underwhemling, seems as though all the sellers had much too high of asking prices.

I'm relieved to see Burnett staying in his nice cozy pitcher's park. I was not thrilled with the idea of him going to US Cellular. IMO, he's their best starter anyway. I would take him over Beckett or Dontrelle if I had my choice of the three.

[-Slap-]

Attention anybody in a roto league. The Tigers traded Krazy Kyle Farnsworth to Atlanta and he'll probably get a shot at that job. The trade also opens up the Detroit closer job for Fernando Rodney, he of the 2.21 ERA and 25-5 K/BB ratio. I would consider both of them must buys if you're hurting for saves.

[-Slap-]

I've been looking at Atlanta's bullpen situation. Reitsma's been pitching lights out lately. I think he'll stay on a short leash, but Farnsworth might just wind as a setup man again.

I totally expect Rodney to take the closer job in Detroit. The thrice failed Franklyn German remains in the mix, but he hasn't shown the stomach for closing.

[DBroncos4life]

I'm at a loss what I should do with Bonderman. He is now 4-6 in games I start him. Today is a mess, even more so because I didn't start Myers, who is a two start this week.

[Clockwork Orange]

All around underwhemling, seems as though all the sellers had much too high of asking prices.

Except for the Rockies of course. They're always more than willing to give players away for minimal returns.

[-Slap-]

Made sense to bench him, but, apparently Myers is one of those rare pitchers who has a good history pitching in Coors Field.

[DBroncos4life]

Made sense to bench him, but, apparently Myers is one of those rare pitchers who has a good history pitching in Coors Field.


yep. He scored 13 points that game. Bonderman's going to get me -6 that I'm aware of.

[Clockwork Orange]

Made sense to bench him, but, apparently Myers is one of those rare pitchers who has a good history pitching in Coors Field.

I'm glad you brought this up, I wanted to point out that Jeff Francis is currently debunking the myth that no one can pitch at Coors field.

So far this year, Francis is 10-7 with a 5.16 ERA. Not great, but not bad for a rookie, especially one who pitches his home games at Coors Field.

But here's the rub, Francis is 8-2 with a 3.89 ERA in 11 starts at Coors Field. He's 2-5 with a 6.94 ERA in 11 starts on the road. I can't explain it either

Of course this means that O'Dowd will eventually trade him for a AA ultility player and a bucket of sunflower seeds.

[DBroncos4life]

I'm glad you brought this up, I wanted to point out that Jeff Francis is currently debunking the myth that no one can pitch at Coors field.

So far this year, Francis is 10-7 with a 5.16 ERA. Not great, but not bad for a rookie, especially one who pitches his home games at Coors Field.

But here's the rub, Francis is 8-2 with a 3.89 ERA in 11 starts at Coors Field. He's 2-5 with a 6.94 ERA in 11 starts on the road. I can't explain it either

Of course this means that O'Dowd will eventually trade him for a AA ultility player and a bucket of sunflower seeds.



Yeah this is such a weird stat. I just looked at him and I saw that. Pretty much not what you would think from a Rocks pithers. The kid can pitch.

[SouthStndJunkie]

I am not happy about my Tigers trading Farnsworth. I know he will be a free agent next year, but I was hoping they would get him a contract and make him the long term closer.

SSJ

[Clockwork Orange]

Yeah this is such a weird stat. I just looked at him and I saw that. Pretty much not what you would think from a Rocks pithers. The kid can pitch.

Several pitchers have been psyched out by Coors Field, Francis just isn't. He doesn't have a dominant fastball (regularly hits 88-89 on the gun), but he hits his spots, changes speeds and throws strikes. I love watching him work.

[Play2win]

I am not happy about my Tigers trading Farnsworth. I know he will be a free agent next year, but I was hoping they would get him a contract and make him the long term closer.

SSJ

Shoot, I wish The Farns was still a CUB.

He does definitely get erratic, tho'. But when he's on, he's throwing over 100 mph with a vicious slider...

[-Slap-]

I am not happy about my Tigers trading Farnsworth. I know he will be a free agent next year, but I was hoping they would get him a contract and make him the long term closer.

SSJ
I'm I correct in assuming Rodney will slide into the closer role? If they made this trade so that German and Rodney could CBC, I'll be pissed.

[-Slap-]

I'm glad you brought this up, I wanted to point out that Jeff Francis is currently debunking the myth that no one can pitch at Coors field.

So far this year, Francis is 10-7 with a 5.16 ERA. Not great, but not bad for a rookie, especially one who pitches his home games at Coors Field.

But here's the rub, Francis is 8-2 with a 3.89 ERA in 11 starts at Coors Field. He's 2-5 with a 6.94 ERA in 11 starts on the road. I can't explain it either

Of course this means that O'Dowd will eventually trade him for a AA ultility player and a bucket of sunflower seeds.
I'm not a Rockies fan, (although I own a quite nifty Rockies T-shirt), but I would be calling for O'Dowd's head if he traded that kid, too.

[-Slap-]

It's been rumored that Bigbie will be sent to Boston for catching prospect Kelly Shoppach if the Manny Ramirez-to-the-Mets trade falls through.

If the Rox get Shoppach then the Byrnes deal will have at least made more sense. Catcher, along with center field, is the biggest weakness in the Colorado organization now that the J.D. Closser experiment has turned into a disaster. Shoppach is a much better defensive catcher than Closser and has power and patience at the plate. I hope the Rockies get him after the Chacon deal turned out to be such a joke.
Apparently the Rockies are pretty pissed off at the Red Sox because they backed out of that Bigbie for Shoppach deal after Colorado consummated the first part of the trade by swapping Eric Byrnes for Bigbie. Expect an appeal to the League office.

Another young GM getting cold feet at the last minute. This is similar to the way the Dodgers infuriated the Yankees by ducking out of their three way trade with Arizona last winter.

Meanwhile, as usual, the Rockies get screwed. Byrnes was highly valued by several clubs, now Colorado is left holding the bag with Bigbie, an outfielder they don't particularly want.

Maybe its better they didn't get Shoppach, though. After seeing Petrick and (probably) Closser bust, they might be better served to find a reliable veteran. Besides, a vet might know how to help a shellshocked pitcher get through a tough inning at Coors better than some fuzzy cheeked youngster.

[SouthStndJunkie]

I'm I correct in assuming Rodney will slide into the closer role? If they made this trade so that German and Rodney could CBC, I'll be pissed.

Dave Dombrowski indicated that Rodney would be the closer. I think it will be an audition to see if he can handle the role in 2006. DD also said that they offered Farnsworth a 3 year deal to stay with the club, but that he turned it down and wanted to test free agency.

SSJ

[FADERPROOF]

Apparently the Rockies are pretty pissed off at the Red Sox because they backed out of that Bigbie for Shoppach deal after Colorado consummated the first part of the trade by swapping Eric Byrnes for Bigbie. Expect an appeal to the League office.

Another young GM getting cold feet at the last minute. This is similar to the way the Dodgers infuriated the Yankees by ducking out of their three way trade with Arizona last winter.

Meanwhile, as usual, the Rockies get screwed. Byrnes was highly valued by several clubs, now Colorado is left holding the bag with Bigbie, an outfielder they don't particularly want.

Maybe its better they didn't get Shoppach, though. After seeing Petrick and (probably) Closser bust, they might be better served to find a reliable veteran. Besides, a vet might know how to help a shellshocked pitcher get through a tough inning at Coors better than some fuzzy cheeked youngster.

What was the Yankees-Dodgers deal again?

I can't remember all the players involved, but I'm sure I would've enjoyed it a little more than the trade that they did make, sending Paul Lo Duca and Guerillo Mota to the Marlins for Brad Penny and Hee Soip Choi. Looked like a decent trade until LA realized that it's tough to get the ball to Gagne in the 9th when you trade your set-up man and the new one keeps blowing leads in the 8th inning, the SP you got in the deal injures his arm in his 2nd appearance in the Dodger Blue and is done for the season, and the guy that was supposed to take over at catcher blocked the trade from happening(Charles Johnson.)

[-Slap-]

What was the Yankees-Dodgers deal again?

I can't remember all the players involved, but I'm sure I would've enjoyed it a little more than the trade that they did make, sending Paul Lo Duca and Guerillo Mota to the Marlins for Brad Penny and Hee Soip Choi. Looked like a decent trade until LA realized that it's tough to get the ball to Gagne in the 9th when you trade your set-up man and the new one keeps blowing leads in the 8th inning, the SP you got in the deal injures his arm in his 2nd appearance in the Dodger Blue and is done for the season, and the guy that was supposed to take over at catcher blocked the trade from happening(Charles Johnson.)

It was the deal that moved Vazquez for Nick Johnson. I can't remember all the particulars.

[bendog]

So, Palermio juices too.

[Breck Bronc]

It was the deal that moved Vazquez for Nick Johnson. I can't remember all the particulars.I thought the Dodgers upset the Yankees by backing out of the Randy Johnson three-way deal between Arizona, New York and Los Angeles.

It eventually got done in a smaller form, with Johnson going to the Yankees, Javier Vazquez, Brad Halsey, and Shawn Green going to the Diamondbacks, and Dioner Navarro, Danny Muegge, Beltran Perez, and William Juarez going to the Dodgers.