DBAHO

Clayton is what he is right now, a young starter trying to find that consistency to become a permanent fixture in our rotation. Looking at the numbers, Clayton's FIP has increased from 4.07 to 4.60, so that's a worry, and his LD% has decreased by 6% with his GB% remaining the same, so more balls are going in the air when he's pitching. One positive aspect is that he's K/G has increased by 1.4 though. Going forward, is he a guy we can count on? I still have questions on this, as throughout the minors he wasn't thought to be anything more than a reliever going forward because of his lack of upside, but his velocity has gradually increased over the past couple of seasons. I think the Sox stick with him, see what they have, and make a decision in the off-season. Yeah we're trying to win a division, but you may as well find out what you have in Richard going forward to decide whether he's a keeper in the Danks or Floyd mould or whether he's expendable in the right deal as Brandon McCarthy was.

QUOTE (The Critic @ Jul 7, 2009 -> 12:33 AM) I don't know, I think it would come across as another Legacy-type of stable if a non-Hart was leading them. I think the new Foundation is failing because they're just not that good. When Natalya is your best worker you're in trouble. I agree on them not being good, which is why I think they need to add something otherwise they'll be gone in a couple of months. Maybe they can hav Jericho or Christian come out and say they were connected to the Hart Family somehow. Going forward, it'll be interesting to see what they do with Y2J though.

QUOTE (MHizzle85 @ Jul 6, 2009 -> 03:05 PM) Well, the team of Edge & Jericho is no more. At least we got to see it for a bit. I actually think they should align the Hart Foundation with Jericho now. They're not getting over as a heel as it is, and having someone like Y2J there would give them more of a focal point.

Happy Birthday Blake! Make it a good one (drunken wise).

QUOTE (Texsox @ Jul 6, 2009 -> 08:34 PM) Are you buying the homes as investments? At some point I think I would rather rent short term in a few places. Possibly. I would probably have people living in them when I'm not using them. But property is certainly one area you could make a bit of $$$$ especially with $15M - $30M to use.

I'm not ready to make a judgement on him until he's 100% healthy. That's not going to be until next seasaon it looks like.

I remember mine. I said Jon Garland needed to throw more first pitch strikes and not get behind 2-0 in the count. YASNY thought it was a good post.

First thing I'd do is retire and never work a single minute again in my life. I would invest $15M of it in the sharemarket / managed funds etc. to make sure I get a steady cash flow from that for the next 30-40 years. With the other $15M, I'd buy houses in London, Seattle, Phoenix, San Diego, Chicago and Manhattan. I would basically spend all of my years jetting around to those places and living a life of luxury. But I'd also let my Dad be able to go into early retirement, and help out other family members and friends where needed.

Not getting Sheed and him going to the Celts is a huge blow. Frankly I'm a little surprised that he decided to go to the Celts where he'll play off the bench when he could have gotten a starting spot with either the Magic or Spurs. As for us, we'll go hard after Brandon Bass now, and we're still gonna go into the luxury tax. And SVG loves Haslem Palehosefan, but we've tried to get him before and Pat Riley hasn't come to the party. Probably more likely to target him when he hits FA.

And Feds has broken Pete Sampras' Grand Slam Record. Well done Roger.

QUOTE (scenario @ Jul 6, 2009 -> 01:15 AM) A few of the many reasons there is no freaking way the DBacks will trade Haren... Haren, who turns 29 on Sept. 17, is a logical target, but he will remain the Diamondbacks' sole ace if the team declines its $8.5 million option on righty Brandon Webb, who is facing possible shoulder surgery. The D-backs picture Haren continuing not only as their No. 1 starter, but also serving as a mentor for two of their younger pitchers, righty Max Scherzer and Class AA right-hander Jarrod Parker. Haren also is signed to a club-friendly contract that includes salaries of $7.5 million this season, $8.25 million next season and $12.75 million in both '11 and '12, with a $15.5 million club option or $3.5 million buyout for '13. The Diamondbacks paid a steep initial price for Haren, acquiring him from the A's along with pitcher Connor Robertson for six players on Dec. 14, 2007. The A's received pitchers Brett Anderson, Dana Eveland and Greg Smith, plus outfielders Carlos Gonzalez and Aaron Cunningham and first baseman Chris Carter. So... the DBacks pay a small fortune in prospects to acquire an ace with a very reasonable contract... then sign him to an extension... and then are supposed to turn around 18 months later and trade him for prospects? One of those things that fans of other teams love to think about that will never ever happen. Josh Byrnes made that trade on the basis of that team making the NL Finals series, so if you look at their record now, I think they have some justification if they got a package they couldn't refuse. Not saying it's going to happen, but it's wouldn't surprise me if it did.

Roddick just performed one of the biggest chokejobs you'll ever see in a Grand Slam Final in that 2nd set tiebreak.

They could ask for either Danks or Floyd also if they were to move Haren. I agree with wite about the Sox standing pat. Allen is very important to the Sox because he can replace Thome or Konerko from next season, and Hudson has that #3 starter potential still.

QUOTE (whitesoxbrian @ Jul 5, 2009 -> 06:00 AM) Didn't he say he wants to stay in Miami, and if he doesn't, he doesn't want to play here? Yeah he did. It wouldn't surprise me to see either Amare or Bosh play alongisde Wade in Miami from 2011 onwards, and that makes them an instant contender if they happens (Wade, Bosh, Beasley, Chalmers is a very nice core to build around).

Yeah terrible news for my favorite wrestler, they're really going to miss him. My guess is with Hardy likely to go, they may actually re-think turning CM Punk heel, and have him feud with Jericho for a while. Or they could keep CM Punk heel and have him feud with the Undertake at SS. Or they could push Kane again.

I mooted the D-Backs possibly shopping Haren a few weeks ago, and some people thought it was pretty crazy, but this doesn't surprise me. Webb is on the shelf for the rest of the season, they are struggling financially like you've said, and Haren is basically the player who is going to give you the most in return. And I doubt they shop a bat like Justin Upton, because all of their struggles over the past season and a half relate to them unable to score enough runs. I think if they were to shop Haren, they'd be wanting a first baseman who can produce. Conor Jackson's only hitting .182/.264/.253, albeit he has been battling a sickness all season. They may want someone to take on Eric Byrnes' contract also. My guess is you'd definitely have to offer Brandon Allen and Dan Hudson as part of a package. Something like Richard + Poreda + Allen + Hudson for Haren may get Josh Byrnes talking.

QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Jul 5, 2009 -> 03:33 AM) Pawlenty Is he the Minnesota Governor who was almost McCain's running mate?

Happy birthday guys and to the USA. Wish I was still there.

QUOTE (Chet Lemon @ Jul 5, 2009 -> 02:26 AM) I still think she has the best shot at the 2012 GOP Pres. nomination should she enter the race. Just for someone who doesn't have a great understanding of the Republican Party, who are the major candidates for 2012? The only names I've heard so far are Palin and Bobby Jindal. Are the likes of Huckabee and Romney going to run again do you think?

I think AI to the Bobcats makes the most sense for both parties. Larry Brown can control him, and AI could start next to Felton. And he'll put butts in seats in Charlotte which has been a problem for that team. Memphis should stay well away, as they've got Mayo at the 2 spot. I'm very wary of Nate Robinson though because if Mike D'Antoni thinks you shoot too much, well that's a big red flag IMO.

Sheer madness. Chestnut looks like he's going to puke when he eats. Major props to him though.

QUOTE (Brian @ Jul 5, 2009 -> 02:00 AM) Flame away, but I'd sigh AI for a year if he is willing. Otherwise, in a year, we are probably looking at a lottery pick plus/hopefully Wade and Bosh. Either/or Lemme ask this question to Bulls fans.... Would you rather AI or Nate Robinson on a 1 year deal?

QUOTE (SHIPPS @ Jul 5, 2009 -> 12:47 AM) What do you think the Blazers would offer for Hinrich? Probably Steve Blake actually. Although I don't think it's real that good of an idea for Portland, as I don't think Hinrich is really a $5M better player than Blake ATM. Sounds like the Blazers are going to go after David Lee on a sign and trade deal now. If I was the Bulls, I'd look at either Anthony Parker or Linus Kleiza if the price was right as replacements for Ben Gordon.

Hmmm the Orlandp CBS affilate is reporting that the Magic offered Hedo 5/45 at the last minute, but he took the 5/56 offer from the Raps instead. As for the Blazers, my guess is they go after Andre Miller or possibly Kirk Hinrich right now (although I don't think Hinrich is much of an upgrade on Blake really).

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Jul 4, 2009 -> 06:23 AM) Bill Kristol on Fox is trying to spin this into a positive for her. Shrewd political move and all. "Just saw the opening of the 2012 campaign" Wouldn't it be incredibly easy to beat her over the head for abandoning her elected post? Of course Fox News are going to spin this into a positive, it's what they do best. Let's have Bristol take over. And if Palin is running in 2012, well the Republicans have no shot. The only way she is going to look credible if she does, is if she actually knows what she's talking about, and well I don't ever see that happening to be frank.