aboz56

As an avid fantasy player, this list doesn't surprise me. Last year was the only season Lee would have been considered top 50. In fantasy, you've gotta be consistent over a few years to get a great rep by Karabell (or play for a "big name team". Reyes is regarded as the next big thing in baseball, so that's why he's ranked so highly. If I was doing a list, I'd put Lee somewhere in the 40's or 50's, but then again I could see him not in the top 50. Jeter is a monster in fantasy when he's healthy because he does everything, including 15 HR and scores a ton of runs, hits for average and steals bases. And Derrek Lee, the new Cub, had a breakout year last year where he hit for power and also stole bases, which is rare at the 1B position. Main problems I saw with the list: No Zito in the top 50. He'll be a top 30 player next year. Same goes for Mulder if he's healthy. Gotta say they've got Javy Lopez overrated at 43, Furcal at 39 and Renteria at 28.

:fyou Frank.... That's all I have to say.... Can't wait until the day you retire, it will bring me GREAT JOY.

Just to point this out, I was looking at some of BA's reports from back in October and I think Valido will be included in the top 10. On their draft analysis, look at where they rated Valido on some of their lists from the entire draft. High School Players 1. Ian Stewart, 3b, Rockies (1) 2. Xavier Paul, of, Dodgers (4) 3. Robert Valido, ss, White Sox (4) 4. Eric Duncan, 3b, Yankees (1) 5. Chris Lubanski, of, Royals (1) BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER 1. Matt Pagnozzi, c, Cardinals (8) 2. Justin Ruchti, c, Mariners (9) 3. Anthony Gwynn, of, Brewers (2) 4. Robert Valido, ss, White Sox (4) 5. Tony Giarratano, ss, Tigers (3) High School Players Closest To The Majors 1. Delmon Young, of, Devil Rays (1) 2. Jeff Allison, rhp, Marlins (1) 3. Chad Billingsley, rhp, Dodgers (1) 4. Robert Valido, ss, White Sox (4) 5. Xavier Paul, of, Dodgers (4) Looks like they love Valido and I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the BA top 10.

I'd rather have Kordell Stewart...

From Baseball America: Cuban Defectors Declared Free Agents January 8, 2003 Cuban defectors Maels Rodriguez and Yobal Dueñas were declared free agents by Major League Baseball late Wednesday, making them eligible to negotiate with all 30 big-league organizations. Rodriguez, a 24-year-old righthander, and Dueñas, a 31-year-old second baseman/outfielder, left Cuba by boat in October and have spent the past two months establishing residency in the Central American nation of El Salvador. The players' Miami-based agent, Henry Vilar, said the pair would work out for scouts on Jan. 22, and he hopes to have them sign in time for the opening of spring training in mid February. Rodriguez holds the single-season Cuban strikeout record, having fanned 263 in 178-1/3 innings three years ago and he is the only pitcher in post-revolution Cuba history to throw a perfect game. Vilar said a half-dozen teams, including the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Mariners and Rangers, are interested in him. Vilar has used the four-year $32 million contract the Yankees gave fellow defector Jose Contreras in December 2002 as a measuring stick for Rodriguez' asking price. Dueñas, a Cuban stolen base champion who hit .321 in 14 seasons, is expected to be wooed by the Cubs. The Marlins and Mets are also interested. ------ Guess we can forget about either of these fellas.

2004 Outlook A rare disappointment for Cincinnati's fine pitching coach, Don Gullett, Dempster underwent Tommy John surgery in early August and won't be ready to pitch until mid-2004. With too many other issues to settle, the Reds elected to cut Dempster loose after the season. Sign him to a minor league deal, this guy could be good again.

Does anyone know if Dempster is still available... He wouldn't be that bad of an option for 5th starter. He's been awful the past few seasons, but he's still only 26 and was an all-star in 2000. "When he left Florida, Ryan was the Marlins' all-time leader with 42 victories, and in 2001 he led the Marlins in wins (15), innings pitched (211.1) and strikeouts (171). He completed his first full season in the big leagues in 2000 with a 14-10 record, to go along with 209 strikeouts and a 3.66 ERA. Ryan, who made his first All-Star appearance in 2000, threw a one-hitter against the Mets and broke Kevin Brown's franchise record for strikeouts in a season with 209. One of Ryan's best pitches is a nasty slider that he'll throw when he has two strikes on the hitter. In 1999, Ryan went 7-8 for the Marlins, leading the club in strikeouts with 126, even though he wasn't promoted from Class AAA Calgary until May 7. "

Just in case you were wondering or hadn't read this, Arthur Rhodes is going to close for the A's next year. I doubt he can live up to his predecessors: Isringhausen, Koch and Foulke.

I agree. We are by no means set at catcher until Olivo can hit .250 or .260 over a full season and stop striking out excessively. Yes, his D is second to none. But he's got to do something with the stick.

Joe Valentine is no longer part of the A's organization. They traded him to the Reds last year. He'll be at AAA Louisville this year, where I'll get to see what he's made of.

And a playoff appearance last season.

I'll probably meet you then Bags, I'm planning to meet HSC up there for a little chat.

Although it would be somewhat humorous if you did indeed ask KW to resign, chances are that he wouldn't answer to you and they would simply just skip to the next question and the few KW supporters in the place would start asking questions to save their hero. Whatever you decide to do, I'll be there taking notes and will have a full report available the next day or that same night to all of the Soxtalk posters. Also gonna try to get pictures from the event up on Soxtalk ASAP as I'll have my laptop and camera with me on the trip and apparently the Hyatt has free high speed internet access in all of the rooms.

Rex, just outta curiousity, are you going to be at Soxfest?

http://www.kenpom.com/rpi.php Here's the latest RPI. Looks like my Spartans are hanging in there despite their 6-7 record, ranking at No. 52, ahead of other Big 10 teams like Illinois, Purdue, Iowa, Indiana and Minnesota. Guess playing that tough schedule early on is going to help more than I imagined.

Here's the latest: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylc=X3oD...night&type=lgns

I think I'll probably ask a question, but I've gotta tune up my list first. Among the possibilities: - Who will be the closer next season as of right now: Koch or Marte? - What are your thoughts on Jeremy Reed and his chance to contribute to the team next season? - Not to look too far ahead, but what needs will the team look to address in the 2004 amateur draft? - Do you think all of the trade rumors that had Mags sent to Boston will affect his willingness to stay with the Sox after next season? And also, do you plan to make a competitive offer to retain Mags?

I'm gonna be there to see that, so there's no backing out now Baggio, either put up or shut up time...

Yes I studied it in depth.

She doesn't even have a nice ass BE GOOD.

Now we're looking at 5th place...

Off the top of my head, here is next year's team and salaries. If anyone can help fill any of the blanks I have, please feel free: Buehrle: 3.5 million Loaiza: 3.5 million Garland: 2.3 million Show: 1.75 million Politte: 800K Wunsch: 800K Koch: 6.375 million Marte: Sanders: Wright: Ginter/Adkins/other: Konerko: 8 million Thomas: 6 million Lee: 6.5 million Ordonez: 14 million Rowand: Harris: Crede: Alomar, Jr: Olivo: Uribe: Valentin: 5 million Borchard/other:

Before I answer this, it would be helpful to have a place where I can see the value of all major league contracts for next season.

So the deal is official?

I don't have a problem with the other teams, but I'd prefer to hear less about the Scrubs. Just my humble opinion though...