SSH2005

The new Brian is sexier. No doubt.

If you could guarantee me that Frank would stay healthy for the next two seasons, I wouldn't have minded that route as much. But no one can guarantee me that. Konerko is a pretty safe bet to stay healthy.

I could take him.

I wouldn't doubt Frank's ability to hit homers at the Coliseum. Did everyone forget July 3rd against the A's last season? http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb...d=cws&ym=200507 July 3: CWS @ OAK • Thomas' HR: 56K | 350K He destroyed Zito.

Good center fielder, horrible shortstop...

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/columnists/askba.html

Ex-NBA player Isaiah Rider appears in court for kidnapping charge http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-r...ov=ap&type=lgns

Thome had surgery to repair a frayed tendon in his right elbow. I don't believe he had Tommy John surgery. http://fantasybaseball.usatoday.com/index....rofile&name=266

Do you really think that a great hitter like Thome just forgets how to hit after one injury-plagued season?

Rotoworld likes the Indian's side of the trade...

I think you just like his sexy mullet. But I'm guilty of liking Ozuna's greasy face so I can't complain.

http://www.mlb4u.com/atl.html

Well, the Braves may also think that third baseman Wilson Betemit can play. And you have to give up minor league talent (Marte) to get proven talent (Renteria).

After losing Furcal to the Dodgers, the Braves needed a shortstop. Marte is a third baseman. Chipper Jones is still playing third base.

Wow, I totally forgot about that. Thanks for reminding me.

The shocking thing is that Thome was even worse in his second year in the majors. In 1992, Thome put up a .574 OPS in 117 AB's.

I don't agree with this at all. The very guy you mentioned earlier, Jim Thome, put up a .665 OPS in his first 98 AB's in the majors... http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/4762/c...lb0f8HlO3mFCLcF It's normal for a prospect to struggle when they are first brought up.

I agree. This trade probably makes the Indians worse in 2006 but much better after 2006. The complete lack of a quality third baseman in their system was far more of a concern than losing Coco Crisp.

I hope that Brian Anderson doesn't suck because he had a .559 OPS in 34 AB's last season. Why even bring up such a small sample size? It's pretty insignificant. And I really doubt that the Indians aren't happy with Andy Marte considering Aaron Boone was the only decent third baseman in their system. Aaron Boone sucks. By the way, link me up with Shapiro's negative comments on Coco. I'd like to see that. Sounds good.

Great stuff. Keep the inside info coming. I'd like to hear more.

Classic.

Tribe finalizes two deals in a day Mota, Marte, Shoppach and Michaels headed to Cleveland http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/NASApp/ml...t=.jsp&c_id=cle Indians get: RP Guillermo Mota 3B Andy Marte C Kelly Shoppach OF Jason Michaels Red Sox get: OF Coco Crisp RP David Riske C Josh Bard Phillies get: LRP Arthur Rhodes The Indians get worse for 2006 but better for the future.

.736 OPS. Also keep in mind that Rowand was hit by a whopping 21 pitches last season and his OBP was still only a paltry .329. Imagine what Rowand's OBP would have been if he didn't get so many HBP's.