Punch and Judy Garland

I don't really believe in save % for set-up men because it is designed for them to fail more. Neal Cotts is simply not ready to be an 8th inning lefty specialist. The market pretty much only yields Steve Kline in that department at the moment. I'm sure that they want Rowand although I'm not sure why he should be considered untouchable. Now that we have a CF in Pod, I would have no problem moving Rowand as part of a package. My biggest complaint is with moving Judy, simply for the obvious continuing saga of the 5 spot

you're right qwerty. I was looking at Games pitched, not started.

I didn't draw the same conclusion with Foulke. Listen, Odalis Perez was their #1 starter. He laid an egg twice. I'm not saying that I don't want him on the Sox. I really do. I think he can be a key piece to us making the playoffs. I look at the way a guy blows a game, not just that he blew one. I don't believe in being real hard on closers in the playoffs because their role changes a lot (look at Nathan-Rivera-Lidge this year). A #1 starter has to go out and keep his team in the game and Odalis failed miserably at it in 2 attempts this year.

he made over 30 starts in 02. However, his injury in 03 was so severe that it takes over a year so its sort of a double-whammy. Boy though did he look good around August of last season. His stuff is up there with Prior-Wood-Beckett-Schmidt, you name it.

On another point, why would Jose get hurt? He's only been in America two years but he has stayed healthy. Why would you lump him in with AJ? Also, Aj will win 20 games this year in my opinion.

So let me get this staright. You want to compare Odalis Perez and Keith Foulke. One is a closer and one is a starter. Fine. Foulke did get beat in 2000 but was good in 03 and superb for a world champion in 04. Perez was beaten in limited work before 04 and was absolutely pounded in less than limited work in 04. Is your argument that because Keith Foulke had a bad series and pitched well eyars later that Odalis will do the same? There's no connection there. I watch Perez's two playoff starts and he wasn't beaten because his stuff was no good, he was pounded because he was rattled. One of the guys in this argument has a closer's mentality and the other one hasn't shown mental toughness yet.

just don't let silly things like facts get in the way of a point

They wouldn't have beaten the Yankees had it not been for Keith Foulke going out and keeping them in those extra-inning games. He went 5 games for 6 innings with a 0 era. Meanwhile, Odalis got rocked in 2 starts against he Cardinals in the playoffs with a 14 era in 2 starts that combined for 5 innings.So I don't see truth in your point.

Your absolutely right about him being a jerk, but he could have batted leadoff for my team from Monday to Sunday

Neither one of them are Mark Buehrle-mentall tough. I've seen Lowe breakdown so many times, and yet he did well in the postseason. Perez kinda blew up in the playoffs. That said, I'd be excited about both. I do worry that the Perez market (which seemed quiet with pretty much only the Nats) will wake up in a roar now that the BoSox are talking and we will get priced out.

Thanks for the article, I didn't really know the Braves had interest. I guess it figures teh Cards do after that Morris for Millwood rumor that festered around the break. The Cards will get pretty lucky having both of them on incentive based low committment deals.

I think until he displays a batting eye like Rickey, and for that matter anybody else, no one will hit 100. The fast guys like Pod and Pierre don't draw those 100 walks that give you extra steal chances. I think if you get on at a .314 clip, 70 is the ceiling. On another point, how would you have loved to have Rickey on your roto team in the early 80's? He AVERAGED 5 steals a week one season and plus he had respectable power and scored a plethora of runs. There will likely never be another Henderson.

I saw on Ben maller today that Lowe may back off his 4/40 request and take a 3/24. I don't really believe that given Russ Ortiz's signing. I think a team like Detroit or Baltimore will cough up that 4th year. As far as Millwood goes, is he really healthy? I don't think it's a question of ability with him. I anticipate him taking a one-year offer somewhere to reboost his market, maybe even Atlanta again. I don't see Boras giving a very sensible deal on a one-year contract. After Byrd got 5, I bet Millwood will sign 1 year at about 8. I think he'd be worth grabbing for one season if he easily passes a physical.

I just understand that the Giants were less that enamored with his D and that's why they went with the superb Mike Matheny( btw I got to watch him everyday in August and September and he is as good or btter than advertised behind the dish). I wasn't basing my critique of him on numbers. Also, this is semi-related but doesn't it seem that SB %'s for both runners and catchers is subject to a good deal of fluctuation? I know Luis Castillo shot up somehting like 35% this year and I thought I remember some catchers going up and down.

I remember Billy Packard : "frank williams is playing like a dog.." that pretty much summed up the run in champaign for the talented guard

I personally want no part of AJ. He isn't that good defensively, and as good of a hitter as he is doesn't offset the major character issues that come with him. Look, character has been at least a mild problem on this team for the past decade. I think adding AJ, who is perhaps the least liked guy in the Sox clubhouse over the past few years, would send a message that the players wouldn't like. Let his tired act festger somewhere else.

WAIT THEY PAID PAUL BYRD WHAT?

Howard actually has two options left and I bet they won't move him until the deadline as part of a package for a BIG pickup. People around the league want Howard and I don't think they'd take Judy for him. I think you'd see him in a potential deadline deal for a Sheets, Pineiro, or Kip Wells.

15-20 at first is not really average power. Contemporaries would include the likes of JT Snow, Tino, Tony Clark, etc. I consider 25-28 homers average power for a first baseman

Let's let Ross have more than 300 ab's in a big league season before we order that statue outside the stadium

The Sexson physical wil be interesting. Usually, we just take for gratned that a physical pending means the deal is done but we learned with Vizquel last year and Wright this year that it isn't always the case. I'm sure the Mariners will take a good look at his shoulder, just as they took a good look at Omar a year ago.

The D-BACKS listed Chacon in their infamous "Arizona 10" of pitchers they wanted the Yanks to acquire for the Unit. Could the deal become judy, paulie, shawn, and BA? Could be. We'd STILL need another starter though

To be honest I don't think you'll find many outside of this very board who would take B-Mac over Edwin Jackson. Nothing against Mac but Edwin is supposed to be a stud. Next, you won't find a more electrifying arm than aj. I anticipate a full year of health from him. Javy would be pretty good in florida with their spacious set-up.

dan kolb to the braves for uber-prospect jose cappellan. Sorry flubbies...

I'm an american idiot, what can I say?