Word out of Oakland is GM Billy Beane may step down as early as the end of the season. Assistant GM David Forst has been turning down interview requests with other teams; many are saying he'll be Beane successor.
Beane wants to try his hand at building soccer teams; A's owner Lewis Wolff owns the San Jose Earthquakes of the MLS.
6.30.2008
6.27.2008
Mound Talks Top 50 Prospects of June
Mound Talk has their Top 50 Prospects for June up:
Rank Player Pos Team
1 Jay Bruce CF CIN
2 Colby Rasmus CF STL
3 Clayton Kershaw SP LAD
4 Joba Chamberlain SP NYY
5 Matt LaPorta LF MIL
6 Matt Wieters C BAL
7 David Price SP TBR
8 Andrew McCutchen CF PIT
9 Andy LaRoche 3B LAD
10 Travis Snider OF/DH TOR
11 Jeff Clement C SEA
12 Cameron Maybin CF FLA
13 Brandon Wood 3B ANA
14 Rick Porcello SP DET
15 Jacob McGee SP TBR
16 Mat Gamel 3B MIL
17 Chris Marrero 1B WAS
18 Carlos Gonzalez OF OAK
19 Homer Bailey SP CIN
20 Jarrod Parker SP ARI
21 Justin Masterson SP BOS
22 Max Scherzer SP ARI
23 Jason Heyward OF ATL
24 Nick Adenhart SP ANA
25 Mike Moustakas SS KCR
26 Craig Italiano SP OAK
27 Trevor Cahill SP OAK
28 Madison Bumgarner SP SFG
29 Ross Detwiler SP WAS
30 Michael Bowden SP BOS
31 Wade Davis SP TBR
32 Lars Anderson 1B BOS
33 Will Inman SP SDP
34 Jordan Shafer CF ATL
35 Desmond Jennings CF TBR
36 Jed Lowrie SS BOS
37 Chris Davis 1B TEX
38 Josh Vitters 3B CHC
39 Fernando Martinez OF NYM
40 Brett Anderson SP OAK
41 Michael Burgess OF WAS
42 Max Ramirez C TEX
43 Wladimir Balentien OF SEA
44 Jaime Garcia SP STL
45 Gio Gonzalez SP OAK
46 Phillipe Aumont SP SEA
47 Angel Villalona 3B SFG
48 Daniel Bard RP BOS
49 Reid Brignac SS TBR
50 Neftali Feliz SP TEX
Rank Player Pos Team
1 Jay Bruce CF CIN
2 Colby Rasmus CF STL
3 Clayton Kershaw SP LAD
4 Joba Chamberlain SP NYY
5 Matt LaPorta LF MIL
6 Matt Wieters C BAL
7 David Price SP TBR
8 Andrew McCutchen CF PIT
9 Andy LaRoche 3B LAD
10 Travis Snider OF/DH TOR
11 Jeff Clement C SEA
12 Cameron Maybin CF FLA
13 Brandon Wood 3B ANA
14 Rick Porcello SP DET
15 Jacob McGee SP TBR
16 Mat Gamel 3B MIL
17 Chris Marrero 1B WAS
18 Carlos Gonzalez OF OAK
19 Homer Bailey SP CIN
20 Jarrod Parker SP ARI
21 Justin Masterson SP BOS
22 Max Scherzer SP ARI
23 Jason Heyward OF ATL
24 Nick Adenhart SP ANA
25 Mike Moustakas SS KCR
26 Craig Italiano SP OAK
27 Trevor Cahill SP OAK
28 Madison Bumgarner SP SFG
29 Ross Detwiler SP WAS
30 Michael Bowden SP BOS
31 Wade Davis SP TBR
32 Lars Anderson 1B BOS
33 Will Inman SP SDP
34 Jordan Shafer CF ATL
35 Desmond Jennings CF TBR
36 Jed Lowrie SS BOS
37 Chris Davis 1B TEX
38 Josh Vitters 3B CHC
39 Fernando Martinez OF NYM
40 Brett Anderson SP OAK
41 Michael Burgess OF WAS
42 Max Ramirez C TEX
43 Wladimir Balentien OF SEA
44 Jaime Garcia SP STL
45 Gio Gonzalez SP OAK
46 Phillipe Aumont SP SEA
47 Angel Villalona 3B SFG
48 Daniel Bard RP BOS
49 Reid Brignac SS TBR
50 Neftali Feliz SP TEX
Fantasy GM: The San Diego Padres
Fantasy GM: San Diego Padres
With the Padres struggling, I'd go in complete selling mode. There are plenty of veterans on this team that could get a few prospects.
First move would be to get some names floating around. Everyone knows that Greg Maddux and Randy Wolf will be available. Why not put Khalil Greene's name out there? Brian Giles would be welcome on a contender.
With the Padres struggling, I'd go in complete selling mode. There are plenty of veterans on this team that could get a few prospects.
First move would be to get some names floating around. Everyone knows that Greg Maddux and Randy Wolf will be available. Why not put Khalil Greene's name out there? Brian Giles would be welcome on a contender.
The Collector's Corner: TTM Project Update
TTM Project Update.
Well, the cards have been out for a little over a month now and I'm sitting at 44% success rating.
Here who I've received, received/sent, and how long it took:
Hank Aaron, 1/1, 7 days
John Danks, 1/2, 14 days
Livan Hernandez, 2/3, 14 days
Chris Perez, 3/3, 4 days
Ryne Sandberg, 1/1, 24 days
Max Scherzer, 1/1, 11 days
Jess Todd, 1/1, 8 days
Matt Wieters, 1/1, 14 days
I'm happy with what I've gotten back, but hopefully I'll have a few more trickle in.
One reason for a possible delay for some of the cards is the team schedule. If a player was on a long road stand, A) he can't get his mail and B) what mail he does get backs up. It could take a player longer to go through the mail when he gets to his locker for the first time in a week or 2.
A Lesson from This
There has been some recent controversy in the autograph world about the Aaron autos. Many believe they are "ghost signed," where someone else signs the cards.
While I think the autograph is really Aarons, you do have to wonder why he'd be signing all of the sudden. He's never been great about signing through the mail and all of the sudden he signs everything.
My reasoning for why I believe the autograph is real is simple. First, it matches an autograph I've gotten from him in the past (and it matches one that my brother in law bought). Also, everything he's been signing has been sent through the Braves - there is no reason to assume the Braves would have a hand in giving out fake autographs.
That's just my opinion though.
Many other players have been rumored to use ghost signers, including David Wright, Ryan Zimmerman, and Jim Thome.
Well, the cards have been out for a little over a month now and I'm sitting at 44% success rating.
Here who I've received, received/sent, and how long it took:
Hank Aaron, 1/1, 7 days
John Danks, 1/2, 14 days
Livan Hernandez, 2/3, 14 days
Chris Perez, 3/3, 4 days
Ryne Sandberg, 1/1, 24 days
Max Scherzer, 1/1, 11 days
Jess Todd, 1/1, 8 days
Matt Wieters, 1/1, 14 days
I'm happy with what I've gotten back, but hopefully I'll have a few more trickle in.
One reason for a possible delay for some of the cards is the team schedule. If a player was on a long road stand, A) he can't get his mail and B) what mail he does get backs up. It could take a player longer to go through the mail when he gets to his locker for the first time in a week or 2.
A Lesson from This
There has been some recent controversy in the autograph world about the Aaron autos. Many believe they are "ghost signed," where someone else signs the cards.
While I think the autograph is really Aarons, you do have to wonder why he'd be signing all of the sudden. He's never been great about signing through the mail and all of the sudden he signs everything.
My reasoning for why I believe the autograph is real is simple. First, it matches an autograph I've gotten from him in the past (and it matches one that my brother in law bought). Also, everything he's been signing has been sent through the Braves - there is no reason to assume the Braves would have a hand in giving out fake autographs.
That's just my opinion though.
Many other players have been rumored to use ghost signers, including David Wright, Ryan Zimmerman, and Jim Thome.
Daily Update: 06/27/2008
The CC Sabathia spectulation is starting to heat up. The Indians are going to make one last push to extend their ace. If that fails, look for half the teams in baseball to inquire.
The Cubs and Angels are expected to be the leading suitors. The Phillies, Yankees, and Red Sox have also had their names associated with Sabathia.
The 2 sleeper teams are the Cardinals and Rays. Both think they could contend with the rotations they have (or will have when starts come back from injuries), but have the pieces to make the deal.
I'd expect the Indians to walk away with about half of what the Twins got for Johan Santana - Santana had a full season to go before he was to be a free agent, while Sabathia only has half a season.
The Cubs and Angels are expected to be the leading suitors. The Phillies, Yankees, and Red Sox have also had their names associated with Sabathia.
The 2 sleeper teams are the Cardinals and Rays. Both think they could contend with the rotations they have (or will have when starts come back from injuries), but have the pieces to make the deal.
I'd expect the Indians to walk away with about half of what the Twins got for Johan Santana - Santana had a full season to go before he was to be a free agent, while Sabathia only has half a season.
6.26.2008
Daily Update: 06/26/2008
As if things weren't bad enough in Houston, but Shawn Chacon made things worse.
Chacon was upset that he was being sent to the bullpen; he states the only reason he came to Houston was to start and he had better offers as a reliever he passed on. He requested a trade or to be released.
Suddenly yesterday, he was indefinitely suspended. The reason for the suspension was later explained - he attacked GM Ed Wade (something the people of Philadelphia have wanted to do for years). Reports state he threw Wade to the floor, while another states the pitcher choked his GM.
Chacon was upset that he was being sent to the bullpen; he states the only reason he came to Houston was to start and he had better offers as a reliever he passed on. He requested a trade or to be released.
Suddenly yesterday, he was indefinitely suspended. The reason for the suspension was later explained - he attacked GM Ed Wade (something the people of Philadelphia have wanted to do for years). Reports state he threw Wade to the floor, while another states the pitcher choked his GM.
6.25.2008
Autographs from my trip...
Friday - Mahoning Valley Scrappers vs Batavia Muckdogs
Travis Fryman 1/1, 1/6 (1 ROMLB, 1 card)
Robert Alcombrack 7/7
Ken Rowe 3/3
Batavia Team Ball (22):
Miguel Tapia, Chris Swauger, Ramon Delgado, Xavier Skruggs, Edwin Gomez, Josh Hester, Jonathan Edwards, Adam Reifer, Frederick Parejo, Colt Sedbrook, Arquimedes Neito, Jason Buursma, Jameson Maj, Scott McGregor, Zach Pitts, Jeff Albert, Mark Dejohn, Jose Garcia, Nick Vera, Rigoberto Lugo, Lance Lynn, Luis de la Cruz (missing 11 players and 1 coach).
As I started the team ball, Gomez signed first and signed the sweetspot. His teammates were harassing him and he felt bad. I told him not to worry about it. Later, as I was at the dugout getting more players, he started ushering players to me. He even tracked down Lance Lynn to sign my ball, as he was one of the guys I really wanted.
34 total
Saturday - Rochester Red Wings vs Indy Indians (Autograph night)
TJ Beam 1/3, 1/1, 1/1
Brian Bixler 1/1
Adam Boeve 1/1
Bryan Bullington 1/1, 1/1
Jesse Chavez 1/1
Jason Davis 5/5
Franklyn German 5/8, 3/3
Michel Hernandez 6/6
Trent Jewett 3/3
Matt Kata 1/9
Carlos Maldonado 2/2, 2/2
Evan Meeks 1/1 (ROMLB - my help got him on accident)
Hensley Meulens 2/2, 2/2, 3/5
Luis Ordaz 2/2
Steve Pearce 1/1
Romulo Sanchez 4/4
Ray Searage 2/2, 2/2
Ty Taubenheim 3/3
John Van Benschoten 1/8, 1/1, 1/1
Neil Walker 1/1, 2/2 (ROMLB, 2 cards)
Craig Wilson 1/9, 1/1, 1/1
Josh Wilson 4/4
Stu Cliburn 4/4
Garrett Jones 2/2
Darnell McDonald 5/8
Jason Pridie 2/2
Denard Span 1/1
83 total
Year 304
Travis Fryman 1/1, 1/6 (1 ROMLB, 1 card)
Robert Alcombrack 7/7
Ken Rowe 3/3
Batavia Team Ball (22):
Miguel Tapia, Chris Swauger, Ramon Delgado, Xavier Skruggs, Edwin Gomez, Josh Hester, Jonathan Edwards, Adam Reifer, Frederick Parejo, Colt Sedbrook, Arquimedes Neito, Jason Buursma, Jameson Maj, Scott McGregor, Zach Pitts, Jeff Albert, Mark Dejohn, Jose Garcia, Nick Vera, Rigoberto Lugo, Lance Lynn, Luis de la Cruz (missing 11 players and 1 coach).
As I started the team ball, Gomez signed first and signed the sweetspot. His teammates were harassing him and he felt bad. I told him not to worry about it. Later, as I was at the dugout getting more players, he started ushering players to me. He even tracked down Lance Lynn to sign my ball, as he was one of the guys I really wanted.
34 total
Saturday - Rochester Red Wings vs Indy Indians (Autograph night)
TJ Beam 1/3, 1/1, 1/1
Brian Bixler 1/1
Adam Boeve 1/1
Bryan Bullington 1/1, 1/1
Jesse Chavez 1/1
Jason Davis 5/5
Franklyn German 5/8, 3/3
Michel Hernandez 6/6
Trent Jewett 3/3
Matt Kata 1/9
Carlos Maldonado 2/2, 2/2
Evan Meeks 1/1 (ROMLB - my help got him on accident)
Hensley Meulens 2/2, 2/2, 3/5
Luis Ordaz 2/2
Steve Pearce 1/1
Romulo Sanchez 4/4
Ray Searage 2/2, 2/2
Ty Taubenheim 3/3
John Van Benschoten 1/8, 1/1, 1/1
Neil Walker 1/1, 2/2 (ROMLB, 2 cards)
Craig Wilson 1/9, 1/1, 1/1
Josh Wilson 4/4
Stu Cliburn 4/4
Garrett Jones 2/2
Darnell McDonald 5/8
Jason Pridie 2/2
Denard Span 1/1
83 total
Year 304
6.24.2008
Baseball Rankings: 06/24/2008
I've been out of town for the last week, so everything has been quiet around here. I'm back, so get ready.
Disclaimer
Here are the new and updated Baseball Rankings. Instead of just taking the record, pythagorean record, and farm system, I've given each part a weighed score:
- The Record accounts for half of the score. Since the standings are based of record, I thought it deserved more weight than the other parts.
- The Pythagorean Record is based off of Bill James theory that you can somewhat predict a team by runs scored and runs allowed. The Pythagorean Records accounts for a third of the score.
- The Farm System is worth a sixth of the scoring, since it will impact the team, but maybe not now.
- The Standard Deviation is 3 wins.
All stats and records are prior to games on Tuesday. I'm going to start putting each teams score up; max score is 90 points.
Disclaimer
Here are the new and updated Baseball Rankings. Instead of just taking the record, pythagorean record, and farm system, I've given each part a weighed score:
- The Record accounts for half of the score. Since the standings are based of record, I thought it deserved more weight than the other parts.
- The Pythagorean Record is based off of Bill James theory that you can somewhat predict a team by runs scored and runs allowed. The Pythagorean Records accounts for a third of the score.
- The Farm System is worth a sixth of the scoring, since it will impact the team, but maybe not now.
- The Standard Deviation is 3 wins.
All stats and records are prior to games on Tuesday. I'm going to start putting each teams score up; max score is 90 points.
6.16.2008
Philadelphia Phillies at St. Louis Cardinals: 06/15/2008
Father's Day at the Ballpark:
So Taguchi 2/6
Jamie Moyer 1/1
Ryan Howard 0/1
Missed Hamels and Utley waiting for Howard.
So Taguchi 2/6
Jamie Moyer 1/1
Ryan Howard 0/1
Missed Hamels and Utley waiting for Howard.
Daily Update: 06/16/2008
A few quick points:
- The White Sox didn't release Esteban Loaiza, as originally reported. They stashed him on the DL; my guess is he'll get a minor league rehab and they'll see if he can still pitch effectively.
- The Rankings will be up later today; I'm going out of town tomorrow morning, so I wanted to do them before I left.
- The Updates are going away until next week. Things will get back on track next Tuesday.
- I'll have some stuff pop up while I'm gone.
- The White Sox didn't release Esteban Loaiza, as originally reported. They stashed him on the DL; my guess is he'll get a minor league rehab and they'll see if he can still pitch effectively.
- The Rankings will be up later today; I'm going out of town tomorrow morning, so I wanted to do them before I left.
- The Updates are going away until next week. Things will get back on track next Tuesday.
- I'll have some stuff pop up while I'm gone.
6.13.2008
Daily Update: 06/13/2008
Teams don't seem to learn do they.
Jeff Weaver couldn't get a deal this winter and signed with the Brewers after the season started to a minor league deal. He was released after 9 starts in Triple A.
Jacque Jones gets released by the Tigers, only to get picked up by the Marlins. After 44 at bats, he gets released again.
This morning, the White Sox are going to announce they have released Esteban Loaiza. Apparently, he didn't pitch/work out before he was signed by the Sox. He only saw 3 innings with the team.
Jeff Weaver couldn't get a deal this winter and signed with the Brewers after the season started to a minor league deal. He was released after 9 starts in Triple A.
Jacque Jones gets released by the Tigers, only to get picked up by the Marlins. After 44 at bats, he gets released again.
This morning, the White Sox are going to announce they have released Esteban Loaiza. Apparently, he didn't pitch/work out before he was signed by the Sox. He only saw 3 innings with the team.
6.12.2008
Daily Update: 06/12/2008
Rumors about Milton Bradley are starting up, since he's on a 1 year deal with the Rangers.
Bradley last night had another "incident" during the Rangers game against the Royals. The Royals commentators were talking about what a good story Josh Hamilton is; one went as far as saying that Bradley needs to hang out with him since he won't grow up. Bradley, DHing last night, heard the comments while waiting in the clubhouse while the Rangers were on the field.
There are conflicting reports, but one said that Bradley instantly went up 4 flights to the press box to confront the commentator; other reports are saying he went after the game. Rangers GM Jon Daniels had to intercept Bradley and escort him back to the clubhouse.
Bradley was visually shaken by the comments according to teammates.
Bradley last night had another "incident" during the Rangers game against the Royals. The Royals commentators were talking about what a good story Josh Hamilton is; one went as far as saying that Bradley needs to hang out with him since he won't grow up. Bradley, DHing last night, heard the comments while waiting in the clubhouse while the Rangers were on the field.
There are conflicting reports, but one said that Bradley instantly went up 4 flights to the press box to confront the commentator; other reports are saying he went after the game. Rangers GM Jon Daniels had to intercept Bradley and escort him back to the clubhouse.
Bradley was visually shaken by the comments according to teammates.
6.11.2008
Daily Update: 06/11/2008
Albert Pujols joined the Cardinal wounded last night. He went down with a strain hamstring and was helped off the field by teammates. He'll be DLed today and the Cardinals are calling up Chris Duncan.
Pujols joins Adam Wainwright, Chris Carpenter, Matt Clement, Mark Mulder, Jason Isringhausen, Brad Thompson, and Tyler Johnson.
It'll be interesting to see their total DL time at the end of the season.
Pujols joins Adam Wainwright, Chris Carpenter, Matt Clement, Mark Mulder, Jason Isringhausen, Brad Thompson, and Tyler Johnson.
It'll be interesting to see their total DL time at the end of the season.
6.10.2008
Power Rankings: 06/10/2008
Disclaimer
Here are the new and updated Baseball Rankings. Instead of just taking the record, pythagorean record, and farm system, I've given each part a weighed score:
- The Record accounts for half of the score. Since the standings are based of record, I thought it deserved more weight than the other parts.
- The Pythagorean Record is based off of Bill James theory that you can somewhat predict a team by runs scored and runs allowed. The Pythagorean Records accounts for a third of the score.
- The Farm System is worth a sixth of the scoring, since it will impact the team, but maybe not now.
- The Standard Deviation is 3 wins.
All stats and records are prior to games on Tuesday. I'm going to start putting each teams score up; max score is 90 points.
Here are the new and updated Baseball Rankings. Instead of just taking the record, pythagorean record, and farm system, I've given each part a weighed score:
- The Record accounts for half of the score. Since the standings are based of record, I thought it deserved more weight than the other parts.
- The Pythagorean Record is based off of Bill James theory that you can somewhat predict a team by runs scored and runs allowed. The Pythagorean Records accounts for a third of the score.
- The Farm System is worth a sixth of the scoring, since it will impact the team, but maybe not now.
- The Standard Deviation is 3 wins.
All stats and records are prior to games on Tuesday. I'm going to start putting each teams score up; max score is 90 points.
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