Punch and Judy Garland

I think Santana will only be do around 5 (give or take 1) during arbitration. Were he only a year away from free agency he probably could command that 11 million dollar tag. Let's face it, any conversation you have involving one pitcher you could start your staff with as a gm would have Johan in the conversation. He's worth 10-12 in my eyes.

I'm surprised that a moneyball gm like JP would want Shea. Does he last the season there? I'd bet a penny against it.

I believe Juan has something left. Obviously not defensively. He played a half season in 03 I believe that would have translated into a 40 homer year. I doubt he can play more than 120 games-but I bet the pop is still there. I think the Indians have needed to add a veteran bat since Thome left, and they have done that. It's low risk-high reward.

I'm no stat guy but wouldn't that 29>37 be wrong? Since you can't start a dozen players, wouldn't you have to subtract the players being replaced (catcher, RP, 5th starter). I realize all those players stunk but they should add up to a few win shares right?

Houston has about 11 starters. I assume that is what Trexas will be looking for. We don't really match up there. That said, I htink Kenny has had at least some interest in Sori in the past. Most of the stat guys around here don't want him, but I think he'd rake pretty good here. HIs defense is not good but it's not quite as atrocious as advertised. He had an awful start at 2nd last year, played pretty decent for a long time, and then reverted to more errors form what I can recall. He's a low obp/high k guy but he can run and his bat is electric. If we had in excess what Texas wanted, I'd go for it-but we don't seem to. \ Texas is trading Soriano due to a high arbitration amount and no long term contract certainty. Why would his numbers decline in a hitters park at age 28? Sort of weird

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Jan 10, 2005 -> 02:36 PM) I think anyone would. The point is more for the big city columnist who has to show his inferiority complex by pointing out that AJP isn't IRod. Funny I didn't see him mention that Troy Percival isn't Eric Gagne either? Oh I'm not defending the columnist. I was just addressing the person who said only a moron would take I-Rod and his deal over AJ and his. I just know that the Marlins would not be two-time champs without him and that he is a very special player.

I expect to see the Maggs of old back this year. I voted for the Orioles because I anticipate them losing out on Delgado. The Rangers lineup would be devastating if they added him. Were the Cubs to sing him, would Maggs move to left even though he's a better fielder than Sammy? I don't think Sosa will get moved now, and definitely not to the Astros (within the division, huh?)

I'd actually take Pudge, my being a moron duly noted

I'm a big Billy Koch guy. He was a tough guy and owned up to his struggles. He didn't run and hide like LaTroy Hawkins. Here's hoping he can become a 30 save guy again in Toronto.

When you have a quality hitting left-handed catcher and the backup is a switch-hitter, there is probably virtually no need for three catchers. If Uribe is the backup 3rd baseman in a pinch (assuming Kelly stays in AAA) then hopefully whoever we get to play second-base could fill in a little at third-or be able to play 2nd-3rd.

I think the Giants could fall apart so I will go WAY out on a limb and predict that we enter the Jason Schmidt sweepstakes. Just a fun guess.

I think I'm going to puke. I have a long memory.

Tony Batista is going to Japan for 2 years 15 million per yahoo. This is a shocking contract. He delivers the bombs. I wonder how many he'll hit over there.

I'd say that trading for Brad Penny when there was specualtion before hand that he was hurt was a mistake. I'd say that not extending Steve Finley's deal was a mistake. I'd say that trading away premium big league talent (Mota-Lo Duca) because you don't want to trade parts of a loaded farm system was a mistake. I'd say trading for Choi because you like his walk numbers was a huge mistake to make in a pennant race. All of these moves have been apologized and rationalized for over and over by the moneyball-crowd. I understand that there is blind-love for Beane, but it's ridiculous that De Podesta is afforded this too. These guys are never called out on mistakes by the usual suspects while superior GM's (terry ryan and John Shuerholz) are given less credit byt hte stat crowd.

I don't buy into Big Ben and his QB rating and I won't unless they throw the football. I didn't watch Vilma a whole lot but I did watch Williams a great deal. I must mention my Bronco bias here as well. There are a few points that you didn't mention, not that they invalidate yours though. Williams put up numbers where the difference between himself and Vilma was negligible. When Al Wilson missed time, DJ was there with a sack and held the Jaguars to 7 points. DJ also led his team in tackles. While mentioning the leadership of Al Wilson is a good point, Vilma played behind what I believe was one of the elite front 4's in football this year. Lastly, The Bronco D was just as good as the Jet D this season. Good luck with your Jets in the playoffs, hopefully we'll get a Bronco-Jet matchup out of all this

Don't discount DJ Williams who was just as good as Vilma. However, I agree that Vilma will win because of the NY exposure/bias. I still don't think Big Ben is all that great (he's a handoff specialist) but I was impressed by the offensive class this year (Williams-Clayton-Evans-The 2 Jones'-Steven Jackson)

that Jap 2B If it weren't for the fact that we are onthe internet, I'd swear it was 1945 around here

I don't think that hitting .300 warrants hitting 2nd if all of those hits are to left field and center. I'd also put him at #6 as suggested previously. I really believe that Kazuo will make a lot of people eat their words this season. It seems like we could be seeing a possible trend where it takes more than a few months to adjust to big league pitching. Hideki was Groundzilla in 03 but with Iguchi's speed, hitting the 2 seam fastball into the ground may not be a terrible thing. I hope he comes here.

I think you save Bmac to pitch ro to at least use as your main chip come this July when who knows what we need. Here's my question. Do the Yankees give the 8-9 million to the d-backs or is it to Javy Vazquez's deal? So if AZ spins him do they keep the cash or are the savings passed on to the acquiring team?

I think Javy being a #1 is a tough sell this year. I really thought he had a shot at winning the CY last year (so did Steve Stone is a far greater authority on pitching than I or most) but then he was very enigmatic. I could see a bounceback this year but not sure if he's ready to really turn that corner.

Greenie should hit about 35 bombs or so in that park. I gotta figure he's going to RF though. I also don't believe Glaus will be able to hold up for 4 years at 3rd. They want to extend Green's deal and AI don't think he loves playing first or anything. Is there a bigger trainwreck in baseball right now (excluding the Mets)? They are like the 49ers of baseball. Nobody has any clue as to what they are doing. They have a goofy front office and spend like they got a new Visa Platinum card despite crying debt. This team is crazy.

QUOTE(JUGGERNAUT @ Jan 3, 2005 -> 04:00 PM) There is no way it could be 40 pds! For Uribe that's a gain of 25%! It's just not possible in the 3 months since the season ended. I could see 10-15 pds. He should be able to lose that. I can't see KW signing him to a 3 yr contract without this issue being brought up. I'm sure he's dieting as you read this. I've got no problem with Uribe. He struggled horribly in Jul (I think) but then bounced back. I hope he can do better in 2005. What I like about the AJP reports is that Kenny didn't try to deny anything or cookie coat it. Instead he took the route of giving him a third chance. That keeps the stigma in place & keeps his price down. Less teams will be willing to do that. Of course they probably have a better C situation than the CWS. In any case this strategy helps me to believe KW will land him soon. I don't mind a little extra weight in the winter. I always have bought Hawk's theroy on not wanting a guy to be all muscle (Juan gonzalez). That said, he better be able to lose it by February and now that Hydroxycut is ephedra free-he better do it the old fashoned way.

Zito has two years left on his deal. I assume that they will play it by ear and keep him the rest of this season. If they aren't ready to contend by 06 or if they don't feel that they can resign him, then they may move him.

By all accounts, not only is Jermaine a terrific player but he's supposed to be a pretty good person. I think he will eventually escape this incident.

I always thought Row pulled the ball too much to hit second but I may be wrong. I cannot stand AJ and hope he doesn't come here. Why didn't the Giants put up with him (just from reading the highlighted clips above)? 37 career homers iw why they put up with Kent and Bonds but not AJ. He didn't produce enough to overcome being a knucklehead.