Monday, January 19, 2004
Uh... Hello? Anyone here?
Okay, less than a month in and already I've gotten sidetracked beyond belief. So Sorry. It's hard to write when you've got
A: a full-time job when we've got a huge project due.
B: a part-time gig that requires some travel time.
C: the excercise thing
D: the "look for a job in PHX" thing
E: housework and lots of it!!!
I'll try to start keeping up better. Maybe once my USA Today subscription kicks in, I'll be getting more frequent inspiration.
Oh, and Pete Rose sucks...
A: a full-time job when we've got a huge project due.
B: a part-time gig that requires some travel time.
C: the excercise thing
D: the "look for a job in PHX" thing
E: housework and lots of it!!!
I'll try to start keeping up better. Maybe once my USA Today subscription kicks in, I'll be getting more frequent inspiration.
Oh, and Pete Rose sucks...
Friday, January 09, 2004
Hot Stove Update
Mike Coolbaugh to the Astros: NRI
Nothing must to say about the deal. It's not like this one transaction will put the 'Stros over the top. I just like typing the name 'Coolbaugh'.
Roberto "I've outgrown Robbie" Alomar to the DBacks: 1 year/$1 million
There are still numerous questions about Alomar and whether he can return to being even a shell of his former self instead of a burned-out husk. But if he does, this is a tremendous boost to the DBacks (replacing a in-deline Spivey). And given the potential upside, it seems worth the risk.
Aubrey Huff re-ups with the DRays: 3 years/$14.5 million
Robert Fick signs with the DRays: 1 year/ no terms disclosed
Gee, wonder where they got the idea from... That said, this is a great move for the franchise and finally might earn them a modicum of respect. Although, given the arms race between Boston and New York (as well as the Orioles), Tampa may not see results because they're in a nightmarish division. As for Fick, he's certainly passable but this is the type of player you sign when you're at the tail end of your contention phase, not at the beginning of it. I can't really say whether or not it's worth it without knowing the terms but unless they're going to put Fisk back behind the plate, I'm pretty sure it would have been easier (and cheaper) to find someone to man 1B.
John Valentin to the Astros: NRI
...And our long, national nightmare continues...
Rich Aurilia to the Mariners: 1 year/$3.5 million
The next Jeff Cirillo? Aurilia had a great 2002 but hasn't done squat since. And though he's used to playing in a pitcher's park like PacBell, Safeco is where hitters go to die. Unless Seattle gets into the playoffs and makes noise, this is a bad deal.
In conjunction, Mariners trade Carlos Guillen to the Tigers for Ramon Santiago & Juan Gonzalez
You really can't blame the Tigers for feeling the satisfaction of getting rid of yet another Juan Gonzalez, but this does little do bring hope back to Motown. Young farmhands are what you want if you're rebuilding. A Guillen-Vina middle infield doesn't bode well.
Jim Sundberg named new Director of Business Development for the Texas Rangers
A fledgling GM in the making? Either way, nice to see a good guy still in the game.
Jose Jiminez to the Indians: 1 year/ no terms disclosed
Another "gosh, we've got to have a closer!" signing. Jiminez will be better than advertised thanks to his Coors comedown, but Cleveland's got bigger holes to fill than worrying about who will protect that 3 run lead in the 9th.
Nothing must to say about the deal. It's not like this one transaction will put the 'Stros over the top. I just like typing the name 'Coolbaugh'.
Roberto "I've outgrown Robbie" Alomar to the DBacks: 1 year/$1 million
There are still numerous questions about Alomar and whether he can return to being even a shell of his former self instead of a burned-out husk. But if he does, this is a tremendous boost to the DBacks (replacing a in-deline Spivey). And given the potential upside, it seems worth the risk.
Aubrey Huff re-ups with the DRays: 3 years/$14.5 million
Robert Fick signs with the DRays: 1 year/ no terms disclosed
Gee, wonder where they got the idea from... That said, this is a great move for the franchise and finally might earn them a modicum of respect. Although, given the arms race between Boston and New York (as well as the Orioles), Tampa may not see results because they're in a nightmarish division. As for Fick, he's certainly passable but this is the type of player you sign when you're at the tail end of your contention phase, not at the beginning of it. I can't really say whether or not it's worth it without knowing the terms but unless they're going to put Fisk back behind the plate, I'm pretty sure it would have been easier (and cheaper) to find someone to man 1B.
John Valentin to the Astros: NRI
...And our long, national nightmare continues...
Rich Aurilia to the Mariners: 1 year/$3.5 million
The next Jeff Cirillo? Aurilia had a great 2002 but hasn't done squat since. And though he's used to playing in a pitcher's park like PacBell, Safeco is where hitters go to die. Unless Seattle gets into the playoffs and makes noise, this is a bad deal.
In conjunction, Mariners trade Carlos Guillen to the Tigers for Ramon Santiago & Juan Gonzalez
You really can't blame the Tigers for feeling the satisfaction of getting rid of yet another Juan Gonzalez, but this does little do bring hope back to Motown. Young farmhands are what you want if you're rebuilding. A Guillen-Vina middle infield doesn't bode well.
Jim Sundberg named new Director of Business Development for the Texas Rangers
A fledgling GM in the making? Either way, nice to see a good guy still in the game.
Jose Jiminez to the Indians: 1 year/ no terms disclosed
Another "gosh, we've got to have a closer!" signing. Jiminez will be better than advertised thanks to his Coors comedown, but Cleveland's got bigger holes to fill than worrying about who will protect that 3 run lead in the 9th.
Wednesday, January 07, 2004
Hot Stove Update
From the Wire:
Mark Sweeney to the Rockies: NRI (Non-Roster Invitee)
Wrong M. Sweeney that plays first. I could care less.
Eric Young to the Rangers: 1 year/$1 million
Did we learn nothing from the Doug Glanville experiment? Michael Young is your 2B of the future and any money spent over the minimum is money flushed down a toilet.
Javier Vazquez renegotiates with the Yankees: 4 years/$45 million
I've liked Javy for a few years now, but is a bit of an injury risk. As long as the Yankees continue to make the playoffs, this is a good deal. But I can see it going south in a hurry.
Scott Stewart (formerly of the Expos) traded to Cleveland for 2 prospects
Left Handed relievers are a dime a dozen, so it's good that the Expos found a way to dump some payroll without significantly hurting the team (any more than they already have.) But I doubt these 2 prospects (Ryan Church and Maicer 'Don't call be Cesar' Izturis) don't inspire much hope for the 2007 Richmond Expos.
Danys Baez to the DRays: 2 years/$6 million
The last piece of the puzzle for the DRays! Watch out Toronto! Tampa would have done better by convincing Aubry Huff not to leave the second he's able to.
Juan Gonzalez to the Royals: 1 year/$4.5 million
Yikes! In past years, Gonzo would be asking at least $12 M (and settling on about $7). While there are legitimate reasons to pass on Igor (health and personality being prominent), he always contributes when he's on a field not named Comerica. Chalk it up as one of the "we could be in collusion" data points.
Mark Sweeney to the Rockies: NRI (Non-Roster Invitee)
Wrong M. Sweeney that plays first. I could care less.
Eric Young to the Rangers: 1 year/$1 million
Did we learn nothing from the Doug Glanville experiment? Michael Young is your 2B of the future and any money spent over the minimum is money flushed down a toilet.
Javier Vazquez renegotiates with the Yankees: 4 years/$45 million
I've liked Javy for a few years now, but is a bit of an injury risk. As long as the Yankees continue to make the playoffs, this is a good deal. But I can see it going south in a hurry.
Scott Stewart (formerly of the Expos) traded to Cleveland for 2 prospects
Left Handed relievers are a dime a dozen, so it's good that the Expos found a way to dump some payroll without significantly hurting the team (any more than they already have.) But I doubt these 2 prospects (Ryan Church and Maicer 'Don't call be Cesar' Izturis) don't inspire much hope for the 2007 Richmond Expos.
Danys Baez to the DRays: 2 years/$6 million
The last piece of the puzzle for the DRays! Watch out Toronto! Tampa would have done better by convincing Aubry Huff not to leave the second he's able to.
Juan Gonzalez to the Royals: 1 year/$4.5 million
Yikes! In past years, Gonzo would be asking at least $12 M (and settling on about $7). While there are legitimate reasons to pass on Igor (health and personality being prominent), he always contributes when he's on a field not named Comerica. Chalk it up as one of the "we could be in collusion" data points.
Sunday, January 04, 2004
New Year's Catchup
Welcome to 2004. I don't have time now to run down all the action since my last posts, but I'll try to make time after the Sugar Bowl tonight (assuming we don't have quadruple overtimes.)
And, if you're unlucky, I'll weigh in on our good friend Pete as well.
And, if you're unlucky, I'll weigh in on our good friend Pete as well.
