DBAHO

U've been workin hard Cheat I'll give u props for that. Unfortunately I have no idea about College Football and the Playoff Series etc. but u idea has got some merit to it. I know that heaps of ppl were happy to see Oklahoma lose today though, stupid Sooners.

Here r the Braves' top 10 prospects that they mite offa in a trade for Maggs. 1. Adam Wainwright, RHP, Age: 21 Scouts love Wainwright's build, velocity and deep repertoire. And the numbers back up those perceptions. He pitched quite well at both levels of A ball, and he's performing capably in the early going at Double-A Greenville. One thing to pay attention to with Braves pitching prospects is their performance at Single-A Myrtle Beach in the Carolina League. It's probably the most drastic pitcher's park in professional baseball, and it can make a lot of young arms look much better than they really are. Wainwright, however, appears to be the real deal. He'll need to perform at the higher levels, but so far he's one the scouts and the stat-heads both agree on. ETA: Late 2004. 2. Buddy Hernandez, RHP, Age: 24 In contrast to Wainwright, scouts have a healthy disdain for Hernandez. Why? He's 5 feet 9, pudgy and doesn't have a lights-out fastball. He also can't seem to find a home. The Braves left him unprotected in the most recent Rule 5 draft. The Padres selected him, and then dealt him to Oakland. The A's kept him around for most of spring training before sending him back to the Braves. Knowing this, it might surprise you to know he's been utterly dominant at every stop in the minors. He struck out 81 batters in 59 innings at Double-A Greenville last year and is off to another tremendous start at Triple-A Richmond this season. If the Braves can ignore the unfounded bias against undersized right-handers, they'll have one heck of a reliever on their hands. He's a tremendous pitcher, and he deserves more respect than he's getting. ETA: Late 2003. 3. Ray Aguilar, LHP, Age: 23 Aguilar was originally a draftee of the Rockies, but a rules snafu made him a free agent. The Braves snatched him up, and they now have one of the best lefty relief prospects around. He strikes guys out, exhibits good control and has a career minor-league ERA of 1.55. He's doing well in his first taste of the high minors, and if he keeps it up you'll begin hearing a lot more about him. ETA: Late 2004. 4. Dan Meyer, LHP, Age: 21 Meyer, out of James Madison, is one of the few promising college arms in the Braves' system (this is mostly because they do a better job than anyone of developing high-school pitchers). He had an outstanding season at rookie-league Danville last year, but it's not uncommon for college-trained pitchers to dominate at the lowest levels. He throws hard and has a good split-finger pitch. Stuff-wise, there's a lot of promise here. He's off to an excellent start this season in the Sally League. He's got a long way to go, but so far so good. ETA: 2005. 5. Wilson Betemit, SS, Age: 21 The good: He's a shortstop, great tools, strong offensive season in 2001, still very young. The bad: He bombed in Triple-A last year, and he's off to a slow start again this season. As is the case for a lot of Braves positional prospects, this will be a critical year for Betemit. He's shown the ability to hit for average in the past, and that's his main calling card. But he's also battled injuries, shown a weak grasp of the strike zone and hasn't yet found his power stroke. He has, however, always been younger than his peers, and that's always a good sign. But eventually he's going to have to put up the numbers. Personally, I think he's one of the most overrated prospects in the game, but the potential is there. It's time to produce, though. ETA: 2004. 6. Kevin Barry, RHP, Age: 24 Yes, it's another dominating reliever. Statistically, Barry is similar to Aguilar: lots of strikeouts, solid control, low ERA. Also like Aguilar, he's getting his first taste of the high minors and doing well so far at Double-A Greenville. He's ranked lower because of his age. He's still an excellent relief prospect, though. The Braves have the makings of a cheap and potentially dominating bullpen all within their own system. ETA: 2004. 7. Anthony Lerew, RHP, Age: 20 Lerew is a young high school product, and he's in the right organization. He's been excellent so far in the Gulf Coast and Appalachian Leagues, but his strikeout rate, although good, hasn't been eye-popping. The control is there, and he's still very young. He's looked great thus far in the Sally League, and the Braves can be patient with him, since they have enough arms ahead of him in the queue. I like his chances to emerge as a top-shelf pitching prospect. ETA: 2006. 8. Jeff Francoeur, OF, Age: 19 Francoeur was the Braves' top pick in the 2002 draft. A high-schooler out of Georgia, he's athletic, toolsy and raw. He knocked the crap out of the ball in brief stint in the Appy League last season, but there's just too little to go on at this point. He's struggling in the Sally League thus far in 2003, but he's showing good gap power, which is an excellent sign in such a young hitter. The jury will remain out until he reaches the upper minors. He's got a lot of raw ability, though. ETA: 2006. 9. Gregor Blanco, OF, Age: 19 Blanco is a speedster who draws walks and has genuine leadoff skills. But, as is the case with a lot of players with his skill set, there's some question as to whether he'll be able to get around on pitches at the higher levels. Is he Shannon Stewart or Esix Sneed? He's probably somewhere between them, but where he falls on that continuum won't be known for a while. He drew 85 walks and stole 40 bases in 2002, but a .385 SLG doesn't bode well for his chances to hit in the upper minors. He's off to a slow start at Myrtle Beach this season, but he's younger than his peer group. ETA: Late 2005. 10. Kelly Johnson, SS, Age: 21 Like Betemit, Johnson was high on a lot of prospect lists this time last year. But a weak year at Myrtle Beach sent him spiraling back to earth. In 2001, Johnson showed strong walk rates and excellent power in low-A ball, but his skills collapsed in 2002. His glove will eventually force him to third, which means the hitting onus will be on him to an even greater degree. Despite his struggles, the Braves promoted him to Double-A for this season, and he's struggling. If he can rebound and put together a good season, he's back to being a legit prospect. I don't like his chances, though. The skill set is there, but he's got a lot to prove in the high minors. This will be a critical year for him. ETA: Late 2004. I wouldn't mind a pitcher and one of their SS's at least

No I agree I tink Konerko will outperform Everett only because Everett's skills r startin to decline a little as he's what 32, 33 years old now? I think Konerko will have a 2002 type of year, but if he gets traded to the Dodgers, his numbers will decrease as that ain't a hitter's park like US Cell is.

In what Double Plays?

GM's start ur bidding. Oh, Atlanta: The White Sox have received plenty of inquiries about Magglio Ordonez. He is clearly an option for the Yankees if they can't close a deal with Sheffield, and he could become one for the Atlanta Braves if Sheffield bolts. Ordonez is GM John Schuerholz's kind of player—a stud who understands he's not bigger than the game. He could fill the Sheffield hole nicely, and the Braves probably wouldn't be scared away by his being unsigned beyond 2004. If the Sox deal Ordonez, it will be for two arms (a starter and a reliever), some payroll flexibility and prospects. Hard to believe, but Atlanta might not have the pitching to trade, not with it possibly cutting ties Sunday with Greg Maddux. Thinking big: Despite reports from the Los Angeles Times, there were mixed reports last week on the Dodgers' interest in Paul Konerko. If it is sincere, then why wouldn't White Sox GM Ken Williams pursue Kevin Brown instead of Odalis Perez? Sure, trading for the 38-year-old Brown is risky. He's signed for two more seasons at $15 million a year, but he was as good in 2003 as Bartolo Colon. The Dodgers would be taking on a risk of their own in Konerko, who is owed about $17 million over the next two years. The trouble here is adding salary, which the White Sox definitely can't do. Los Angeles GM Dan Evans would have to take Jose Valentin in the deal (making good-field, no-hit Juan Uribe the Sox's shortstop) and Williams seems inclined to hold on to both Carlos Lee and Valentin. That makes Ordonez or Konerko the most likely salaries to go at next weekend's winter meetings, if not before. In the wings: If the White Sox did trade Konerko or Ordonez, Carl Everett would not be the only run-producer on their radar screen. According to sources, they have been doing background checks on Juan Gonzalez, whom they believe could have a monster season or two at U.S. Cellular Field. Montreal, which is making a real effort to re-sign Vladimir Guerrero, also has some interest in Gonzalez, who is the only reason Ramirez isn't baseball's biggest head case. Gonzalez gave Cleveland a great effort in 2001 but pouted through much a two-year return to Texas, where he twice had won the American League MVP. If Konerko were traded the White Sox probably would platoon Frank Thomas at first base with the left-handed-hitting Ross Gload. Some in the organization are high on Gload, who is killing the ball in the Mexican winter league (.312, 9 homers, 43 RBIs in 46 games) after a solid year at Triple-A Charlotte.

Here's the article Jason was talkin bout. Also says KW's gonna offa Sully arbitration. While some teams will be wrestling with difficult decisions Sunday, the White Sox should have easy choices on baseball's arbitration deadline. They surely will offer arbitration to Bartolo Colon, whom they would welcome back either for one year or on a mutliyear deal. If Colon signs with another team, as expected, the Sox would receive a top draft pick from the team that signs him plus a "sandwich" pick between the first and second rounds. The Sox already are slated to get two extra picks because the Yankees agreed to terms with Tom Gordon on a reported two-year deal. The Sox also figure to offer arbitration to reliever Scott Sullivan, who posted a 3.77 ERA in 15 games on the South Side after an Aug. 21 trade from the Reds. Sources say Sox general manager Ken Williams has been negotiating with Sullivan's agent, John Courtright, on a multiyear contract. The 33-year-old Sullivan, who could step into the role Gordon vacates, made $2.8 million last season. Sullivan is a Type B free agent, so if the Sox offer arbitration and he signs elsewhere, Chicago would receive only one draft pick as compensation. Like Colon, Gordon and Carl Everett, Roberto Alomar is a Type A free agent. Before the Sox lowered their one-year offer to him Friday—from $3 million (including $2 million deferred without interest) to $2 million (including $1 million deferred without interest)—the sides had discussed another alternative. If the Sox offered Alomar arbitration and he promised to decline it, the sides could continue negotiating until Jan. 8. Barring a last-minute reconciliation, however, that no longer appears possible. Alomar said Friday that "you want to be play where they give you the respect you're looking for." That scenario, however, could unfold with Everett. Williams would love to find a way to re-sign the 32-year-old center fielder, who hit .301 in 73 games with the Sox last season and brings an intensity the teams needs. But the Sox can't afford to arbitrate with Everett, who was paid $9.15 million last season. An extra month would give Everett time to test the market, but he would be less attractive to other teams because they would have to surrender a draft pick to sign him. Tony Graffanino, the last of the Sox's free agents, is expected to sign a two-year deal with either Boston or Tampa Bay. The Cubs also are interested in him. He's an unrated free agent, meaning even if the Sox offer arbitration and he goes elsewhere, they would get nothing in return. Because of the 11 p.m. Sunday arbitration deadline, the Sox won't announce their decisions until Monday.

Oklahoma doesn't deserve to be in the Sugar Bowl aftea that travesty of a so called Defensive performance they put up today. LSU vs USC all da way.

Thinks soxnbears means things like pass sensitivity and stuff like that that you can adjust if u want. Frankly I don't need to pass if I've got Mike Vick as my QB.

LSU up 31-13 now

White ain't gonna win da Heismann now especially afta that INT. AND HE COULD GO ALL DA WAY!

LSU up 24-6 ova Georgia now

I still think we should go afta Livan Hernandez from the Expos, mayb they want to resign Vlad so much they mite hav to move out 1 more guy, and they want a closer to replace Biddle, so mayb offa Koch or sum1 else and make it a 3 team deal.

On MLB.com it says the Dodgers r afta Nomar if the A-Rod for Manny swap goes down, and they would offa Perez and prob more for Nomar, and then the Red Sox would trade Perez to sum1 else.

How can u miss a FG from 28 yards? LOL.

BE GOOD now the 2 of ya's.

White's completed 16 out of 26 for 1 INT, while Robertson completed 6 out of 12 for 3 TD's. Yikes.

When the dumbest team in America is playin is doesn't help much either.

My god I can't believe it.

Does any1 here actually hav these games on PC and not PS2 and wants to play online sum time?

Damn there's no doubt that this'll be a huge loss, just look at the players he got in Anaheim. Hopefully KW will be able to find a worthy replacement for this very important position in the organisation. We'll all be pullin for ya to get the job Jason, but personally I wouldn't mind it myself. Where can I send my resume into?

Yikes I wouldn't want to play at that Golf Course.

Well there's gonna be a lockout in 2004, mark my words and it's gonna kill Hockey and the NHL. Players r gonna sign contracts in Europe and a new league that's meant to be formin because it's in their own best interests. Teams like Washington r dumbasses for payin guys like Jagr and Lang 5 year deals worth at least $5 mill. And when Wirtz says he's losing at least $20 mill a year when the Blackhawks hav the 24th highest payroll in the NHL, well there's ya problem.

Looks like Willie's gonna play 2B unless we sign sum1 else. frustrated Roberto Alomar all but said farewell to the White Sox on Friday. After hearing the Sox had lowered their latest offer $1 million, the 12-time All-Star took it as a sign that he no longer is wanted on the South Side. "I want to stay in Chicago," Alomar said from his hotel room in Tokyo, where he is vacationing. "I love the team and the fans. My brother [sandy Jr.] is there and I'd love to get my 3,000th hit there. But you want to play where they give you the respect you're looking for." All along, sources said Alomar sought a two-year deal worth $6 million, a seemingly reasonable sum for a 35-year-old future Hall of Famer who was paid $8 million last season. But early Friday, the Sox's best offer was $1 million plus $2 million deferred (over an unspecified period) without interest, lowering the actual value to perhaps $2.5 million. Later in the day, Sox general manager Ken Williams told Alomar's agent, Jaime Torres, that the Sox were lowering their offer to $1 million plus $1 million deferred for 2004. "It's important to understand that an offer is only an offer until you reject it," Williams said. "Then it's off the table. If a player wants to revisit it after one week, two weeks or a month, circumstances can change dramatically—sometimes it's in your favor, sometimes not. "Just because they don't understand that, it's not my problem. I have some other things going on. There are other possibilities out there." Williams' reduced offer to Alomar could be a sign the general manager thinks he still has a chance to sign ace right-hander Bartolo Colon, despite Anaheim's reported four-year, $48 million offer. "I don't want this to come down as I'm trying to get Robbie on the cheap or that I'm disrespecting him," Williams said. "It's truly a case where that's all we can offer because I'm trying to put this team together in its entirety. "If I didn't respect Robbie Alomar, I wouldn't have called him in Puerto Rico [in October] to ask his opinion on some of the managerial candidates." There's another issue. Both Williams and Alomar said they informally agreed to a one-year, $3 million extension during a discussion on Aug. 30. The Sox were in Detroit that day and Alomar had to miss the game because he had the flu. Williams was also under the weather, and when he went to the clubhouse to get some medicine, he began discussing with Alomar ways that Hall of Fame athletes have extended their careers. "We talked about Rickey Henderson and Jerry Rice; it was a very casual conversation," Williams said. "He expressed a desire to want to stay [with the Sox]. I'm a straightforward person: I said, 'Let's play the year out. This is not the time to talk about it.' I told him I wouldn't be able to match what he was making ($8 million). "He said, 'Well, it's not going to take that. What about half ($4 million)?' "Then he threw out another number ($3 million) and said, 'Yeah, I'm serious. Call Jaime. Get it done.' "I did [call him] and it didn't [get done]—end of story." Alomar recalled it differently, saying it was Williams who pushed the one-year, $3 million proposal. "He said: 'What do you think about that?'" Alomar recalled. "I said, 'Let me talk to my agent.' I let my agent take care of my business, that's what you pay your agent for." Alomar said it was "unprofessional" of Williams to try to pin him down on a contract extension while he was sick and his agent was not present. Said Torres: "It doesn't make sense for a player of Robbie's caliber and experience to agree to something without consulting with his attorney. I've represented Robbie for 12 years. He always runs stuff by me." When Torres and Williams spoke late in the season, Torres said the $3 million offer came with a hitch—$2 million would be deferred without interest. As for Williams' unorthodox strategy of discussing the contract extension with Alomar, Torres said: "Hopefully he won't be successful doing that with any of my clients." Williams defended that practice, acknowledging he discussed a two-year extension with Tom Gordon, who later signed with the Yankees. "In couple of rare instances, I have done that," Williams said. "I have done that and I have immediately followed it with a phone call to the agent to let him know about the conversation. "But it has never been initiated from this angle. You'd be surprised by all the things players say: 'Hey, Kenny, I need this or I need that. When are you going to call my agent?' Half the time they're joking around. "But I love the communication with the players. They're our employees. And, hey, if we don't have the right to talk to our employees, what [rights] do we have?" Williams also has the right to cut ties with Alomar and hand the second-base job to the talented but unproven Willie Harris, who started just seven games at second base last season. "Willie's going to be a player, man," Williams said. "I know sometimes fans and people want a guarantee. We heard that when we brought up the kid with the funny name (Magglio Ordonez) and put him in right field. "They said, 'C'mon, that's not a big-league name!' And now it's a chant [at the ballpark] and I'm criminal No. 1 if I trade the guy." Alomar, meanwhile, is ready to move on to his seventh team—and fourth in the last three years. "I'm the one who always talked about Ozzie [Guillen] and wanting to play for him," Alomar said. "But sometimes things are not meant to be." Torres said five teams have inquired about signing Alomar, including the Yankees and Cardinals. Said Alomar of the Sox: "Hopefully both of us made the right choice."

Wish they'd hav that down here, lol. I've hard quite a bit about Madden Challenges and it always seems to be loads of fun. Hope u do well Jason.

Thanx for that Bull, hopefully you won't be changin addresses in the rule 5 draft because we'd all luv to see u in the White Sox uniform pitchin one day. Good luck one ur finals as well.