MLB Offseason Discussion...HOT STOVE, SSSSSSSSS!!!

[foodcourtdruide]

Tell me how? You got players that can't cut it in a big spot and crumble with any pressure.

The problem with the Mets in the early 90's was that they had players that crumbled under pressure?!

[Kevin]

The problem with the Mets in the early 90's was that they had players that crumbled under pressure?!



I ment that they are still getting the wrong kind of players. Wrong because they sucked then, and wrong because they cant play under pressure now. Both wrong

[foodcourtdruide]

I'd be comfortable going into the season with one open rotation spot and having Kennedy, Hughes, Coke and Aceves battling for it. I'd even prefer that to bringing back Pettitte. I think Andy is done.

I don't know. You may need Pettitte to throw some innings, especially if last years ridiculous injury trend continues. In a perfect world those 4 guys fighting for the #5 spot would be an insanely good rotation, but having any of them as your #3 starter would make for a repeat of last year.

[foodcourtdruide]

I ment that they are still getting the wrong kind of players. Wrong because they sucked then, and wrong because they cant play under pressure now. Both wrong

Who exactly are you talking about? Look at Beltran and Delgado's numbers in September last year. The Mets lost last year because they lost a key part of their bullpen and they didn't build enough depth around Wagner to overcome it.

[Kevin]

Who exactly are you talking about? Look at Beltran and Delgado's numbers in September last year. The Mets lost last year because they lost a key part of their bullpen and they didn't build enough depth around Wagner to overcome it.



Come on, the Mets bats had a huge problem scoring those final weeks last year. Yea the pen fucked it up, but its not like they blew huge leads.

[Kevin]

Absaloutly, Hbox.Counting on either for the 5th spot is perfectly fine. I don't want Andy back. Like you said, he is done. But you can't make them huge part of your year like last year. Not yet at least.

[foodcourtdruide]

Come on, the Mets bats had a huge problem scoring those final weeks last year. Yea the pen fucked it up, but its not like they blew huge leads.

9/14 vs Atlanta: bullpen gives up 5 runs in 9th. Mets lose 7-4.
9/24 vs Chicago: bullpen gives up 4 runs, Ayala gives up 3 runs. Mets lose 9-6 in the 10th.
9/21 vs Atlanta: bullpen gives up 5 runs, Mets lose 7-6.

And Schoenweiss blew 2 more close games.

[Kevin]

9/14 vs Atlanta: bullpen gives up 5 runs in 9th. Mets lose 7-4.
9/24 vs Chicago: bullpen gives up 4 runs, Ayala gives up 3 runs. Mets lose 9-6 in the 10th.
9/21 vs Atlanta: bullpen gives up 5 runs, Mets lose 7-6.

And Schoenweiss blew 2 more close games.



Didn't the mets score most their runs in the 1st 2 3 inns, and nothing after?

[cougarjake13]

tim tuefel

[epo]

Cameron deal is dead (http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/36339534.html)

I just spoke with Brewers general manager Doug Melvin and he told me he's preparing now to open the 2009 season with Mike Cameron in center field.

In other words, the Cameron-for-Melky Cabrera talks with the Yankees are off. And it's the Yankees who turned them off by failing to re-establish contact with the Brewers this week.

"I haven't heard from (Yankees general manager) Brian Cashman and I haven't called them," said Melvin."I'm very happy having Mike Cameron with our ball club."

At the end of the winter meetings last week in Vegas, Melvin said he thought it was a "strong possibility" that the deal would be done. There was talk of expanding it to include left-hander Kei Igawa coming from the Yankees.

But the Yankees got busy with the signings of CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett and then appeared to shift focus to more big fish. Reports have surfaced that they will go after Manny Ramirez, who would play left with Johnny Damon moving to center, eliminating the need for Cameron.

Not thrilled about being left dangling, Melvin said he's not sure he'd push forward with the trade now even if the Yankees re-established contact.

"I'm not sure if I even want to do that," he said.

Good. This whole thing has been ridiculous.

[lleeder]

Cameron deal is dead (http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/36339534.html)



Good. This whole thing has been ridiculous.

Shit for a minute there I thought some guy named Cameron Deal had died. boooooooooooooo!!!

[epo]

Shit for a minute there I thought some guy named Cameron Deal had died. boooooooooooooo!!!

Boo!

http://www.goreydetails.net/images/items/jpeg1124519040.jpg

[Kevin]

Cameron deal is dead (http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/36339534.html)



Good. This whole thing has been ridiculous.

Good, i hope this means they are making a big run at Tex, and put Swisher at CF.

Fuck Manny.

[epo]

Good, i hope this means they are making a big run at Tex, and put Swisher at CF.

Fuck Manny.

Swisher in CF? Are you trying for the worst defensive OF ever?

[cougarjake13]

Swisher in CF? Are you trying for the worst defensive OF ever?

i say the 2000 nl champion mets would forever hold that distinction

[Snoogans]

I'd be comfortable going into the season with one open rotation spot and having Kennedy, Hughes, Coke and Aceves battling for it. I'd even prefer that to bringing back Pettitte. I think Andy is done.

move Joba back to the pen. I still think you end up with either Sheets or Lowe also. Move Joba back and let one of the kids win the 5th starter job, ya know like (GASP) most teams do. Even the sox did it with Lester and Buckholtz

[Snoogans]

But the Yankees got busy with the signings of CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett and then appeared to shift focus to more big fish. Reports have surfaced that they will go after Manny Ramirez, who would play left with Johnny Damon moving to center, eliminating the need for Cameron.
PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAASE

[Kevin]

But the Yankees got busy with the signings of CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett and then appeared to shift focus to more big fish. Reports have surfaced that they will go after Manny Ramirez, who would play left with Johnny Damon moving to center, eliminating the need for Cameron.
PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAASE

Cashman and Hal will not go after Manny.

All these rumors come from Fredo Stienbrenner.

And he does not have the power anymore.

[Snoogans]

Cashman and Hal will not go after Manny.

All these rumors come from Fredo Stienbrenner.

And he does not have the power anymore.

I GUARANTEE you if the Sox end up with Tex, you guys will have manny signed to a 2 year 60 mill contract within a week

[zildjian361]

I GUARANTEE you if the Sox end up with Tex, you guys will have manny signed to a 2 year 60 mill contract within a week

we need Tex . Soogans is my dude:wink:

[foodcourtdruide]

But the Yankees got busy with the signings of CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett and then appeared to shift focus to more big fish. Reports have surfaced that they will go after Manny Ramirez, who would play left with Johnny Damon moving to center, eliminating the need for Cameron.
PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAASE

lol I can see how that would make a red sox fan happy.

[foodcourtdruide]

Cashman and Hal will not go after Manny.

All these rumors come from Fredo Stienbrenner.

And he does not have the power anymore.

Where do you think Manny will end up? Back in L.A.?

[cougarjake13]

Where do you think Manny will end up? Back in L.A.?

washington national

[Snoogans]

Where do you think Manny will end up? Back in L.A.?

Yankees, Mets, or Dodgers

[foodcourtdruide]

washington national

lol that would be weird.

[cougarjake13]

lol that would be weird.

yeh


but if they offer the most i cant see him sayin no

[Snoogans]

why does everyone assume that the teams going after Tex will automatically go after Manny if they dont get tex. ITS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT POSITION. plus Tex is like 28, not 37. I dont see any reason Washington would want to deal with Manny for only 2 years

[PD]

why does everyone assume that the teams going after Tex will automatically go after Manny if they dont get tex.
cause that is what the press says....


actually it depends on the team needs.
it makes sense for the Angels because they need a big bat.
It might make sense that the yankees would pursue him if you buy the steinbrenners need to be back page heroes.

I think Manny is gonna be a dodger, but that is just cause he fits.

speaking of Dodgers, Furcal seems to have spurned the Braves and will be going there.

[Kevin]

From our boy PA

http://yankees.lhblogs.com/files/2008/12/20081217_cc_sabathia_ag_188.jpg



http://yankees.lhblogs.com/files/2008/12/20081217_cc_60.jpg




http://yankees.lhblogs.com/files/2008/12/20081217_cc_168.jpg

Is it just me, or does CC look trimmer than he has been?

[Big_Joe]

stadium looks nice....

[Kevin]

stadium looks nice....

Did they even get a new stadium?

It looks just like the old one.

[goreds2]

Swisher in CF? Are you trying for the worst defensive OF ever?

That is funny as Sports Illustrated once rated the 1999 Mets infield as the BEST ever.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/area33mu/MetsInfieldSportsIllustrated.jpg

[Snoogans]

Did they even get a new stadium?

It looks just like the old one.

you got half a new stadium. the city got the other half

[epo]

you got half a new stadium. the city got the other half

At least the city chipped in.

[TripleSkeet]

http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/atlarge/sour%20grapes2.jpg

Really?

http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/1520/worldseries20080245nw9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[TheGameHHH]

From our boy PA

http://yankees.lhblogs.com/files/2008/12/20081217_cc_sabathia_ag_188.jpg



http://yankees.lhblogs.com/files/2008/12/20081217_cc_60.jpg




http://yankees.lhblogs.com/files/2008/12/20081217_cc_168.jpg

Is it just me, or does CC look trimmer than he has been?

but................HE DOESNT WANT TO BE THERE!!!!!!!! HE HATES NY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[PD]

but................HE DOESNT WANT TO BE THERE!!!!!!!! HE HATES NY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He likes $161 Million.


The Braves are REALLY pissed over the Furcal loss.
It seems that Kinzer (his agent- and K-Rods) asked Frank Wren to send over the Terms- which is usually the last step.


Of course, anything that makes the Braves upset makes me happy....

[epo]

He likes $161 Million.

The Braves are REALLY pissed over the Furcal loss.
It seems that Kinzer (his agent- and K-Rods) asked Frank Wren to send over the Terms- which is usually the last step.

Of course, anything that makes the Braves upset makes me happy....

If I were the Braves or a Braves fan...I would be none-to-happy. It really seemed like Kinzer used Atlanta for leverage against the Dodgers for a better deal.

[foodcourtdruide]

If I were the Braves or a Braves fan...I would be none-to-happy. It really seemed like Kinzer used Atlanta for leverage against the Dodgers for a better deal.

Eh, happens all the time. Braves lost out on the two main free-agents they wanted. I wonder if they'll make a panic-signing or sit on their hands.

[PD]

oops

[Creepo]

It's DEAD! Cameron isn't going to the Yanks

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3777545

[epo]

It's DEAD! Cameron isn't going to the Yanks

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3777545

Maybe the Brewers will trade him to the Mets to make Bossanova happy.

[midwestjeff]

Serious questions here.

If the Cardinals sign Fuentes, should the other teams in the NL even bother playing next year?
Would it be better if they just handed to NL title to the Cards and waited until 2010 to get back on the field?
I mean, it would save a lot of money and physical wear and tear on the players.

[PD]

Maybe the Brewers will trade him to the Mets to make Bossanova happy.

and run into Beltran again?
I liked him, but no thanks.

I posted this link in the mets thread, but it really belongs here;
http://www.stadiumpage.com/

nice site for people who love baseball stadiums.

[Chris Carpenter's Elbow]

Serious questions here.

If the Cardinals sign Fuentes, should the other teams in the NL even bother playing next year?
Would it be better if they just handed to NL title to the Cards and waited until 2010 to get back on the field?
I mean, it would save a lot of money and physical wear and tear on the players.

OOOWWWIIIEEE ZOOOOWWWWIIIIEEEE!!!!

[midwestjeff]

OOOWWWIIIEEE ZOOOOWWWWIIIIEEEE!!!!

So glad you are feeling better this offseason.
Make sure to get your friend, Chris Carpenter's Shoulder, ready for the season.

[hexy68]

Eh, happens all the time. Braves lost out on the two main free-agents they wanted. I wonder if they'll make a panic-signing or sit on their hands.

Braves got played bad by Furcal and his agent...they wanted Peavy...no dice...they wanted AJ....nope...then Furcal screwed them at the last second...sorry Bravos ! :sad:





...hehe :devil2: ...go phils!

[Bossanova]

Maybe the Brewers will trade him to the Mets to make Bossanova happy.

Why would you ever say that?

[PD]

Braves got played bad by Furcal and his agent...they wanted Peavy...no dice...they wanted AJ....nope...then Furcal screwed them at the last second...sorry Bravos ! :sad:





...hehe :devil2: ...go phils!


A.B.A.

(Anyone But Atlanta)

[IMSlacker]

Serious questions here.

If the Cardinals sign Fuentes, should the other teams in the NL even bother playing next year?
Would it be better if they just handed to NL title to the Cards and waited until 2010 to get back on the field?
I mean, it would save a lot of money and physical wear and tear on the players.

I don't know. The Astros might be tough to beat. They just signed Aaron Boone today. (http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081218&content_id=3720931&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou)

[Bossanova]

Serious questions here.

If the Cardinals sign Fuentes, should the other teams in the NL even bother playing next year?
Would it be better if they just handed to NL title to the Cards and waited until 2010 to get back on the field?
I mean, it would save a lot of money and physical wear and tear on the players.

The St. Louis Cardinals were handed an NL title in '06 isn't that enough

[Snoogans]

The St. Louis Cardinals were handed an NL title in '06 isn't that enough

the phillies were handed the 07 and 08 NL East title by the same generous fellas

[PD]

the phillies were handed the 07 and 08 NL East title by the same generous fellas

07, yes.

08- well, my team sucked, but the Phillies did play well.

[Snoogans]

but both times you had it. 07 was worse, but you blew it last season too

[K.C.]

the phillies were handed the 07 and 08 NL East title by the same generous fellas

not this again...

[foodcourtdruide]

the phillies were handed the 07 and 08 NL East title by the same generous fellas

I'd rather have won 50 games in 07 and 08 than have things turn out the way they did.

[HBox]

I'd rather have won 50 games in 07 and 08 than have things turn out the way they did.

When you have a team full of Hispanics you shouldn't be surprised when they are too lazy to play once September comes around.

[Snoogans]

When you have a team full of Hispanics you shouldn't be surprised when they are too lazy to play once September comes around.

wow



people still landscape in the fall, just so you know

[K.C.]

I'd rather have won 50 games in 07 and 08 than have things turn out the way they did.

For the record, there's no dispute about 2008. The Phillies were in, regardless of what happened with the Mets, because of the absolute beat down they put on the Brewers in September.

2007...I'm not arguing that again. Nor does it matter. Neither team won anything.

[Snoogans]

For the record, there's no dispute about 2008. The Phillies were in, regardless of what happened with the Mets, because of the absolute beat down they put on the Brewers in September.

2007...I'm not arguing that again. Nor does it matter. Neither team won anything.

im not arguing the phillies werent in, but the mets handed them the division, then handed away the WC

[HBox]

Brian Giles: Child Murderer? (http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/28297262/)

A videotape released this week shows San Diego Padres outfielder Brian Giles allegedly assaulting his then-girlfriend in an Arizona bar, NBC San Diego (www.nbcsandiego.com) reported.

Giles isn't commenting on a civil lawsuit claiming he beat his ex-girlfriend Cheri Olvera, 32, while she was pregnant with his child and caused her to have a miscarriage.

[PD]

the furcal spurning of Braves will have lasting effects
Sources: Furcal picks Dodgers over Braves (http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8954110/Sources:-Furcal-picks-Dodgers-over-Braves)

According to Wren, this is how the situation played out:

* Wren reached agreement on the terms of a contract with Furcal's agent, Paul Kinzer, on Monday night, pending the approval of Furcal.
* Between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET Monday night, Wren spoke with Kinzer three or four times, negotiating the dollar amount, the years and terms of the vesting option, and other contractual details.
* Wren and Kinzer spoke again around midnight Monday night. Kinzer told Wren that he had not yet heard back from Furcal, but that Furcal was excited and that "we're good."
* On Tuesday morning, Wren woke up to a voicemail from Kinzer telling him to put a term sheet (the standard baseball term for an official contract offer) together.
* Wren went into his office in Atlanta, put the term sheet together and signed it.
* Shortly thereafter, Kinzer began "backpedaling," saying he promised the Dodgers he would talk to them.


I heard on XM 175 that the Braves will no longer sign an Arm Tellem (Paul Kinzer's boss) represented player

<object width="440" height="361"><param name="movie" value="http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/player.swf?mediaId=3778162"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><embed src="http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/player.swf?mediaId=3778162" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="440" height="361" allowScriptAccess="always"></embed></object>

[cougarjake13]

thats pretty harsh

what if an arn tellum client is what they need to pit them over


now they wont do it over spite ??


ahh fuck em i hate the braves

[spadanko]

Buster Olney was on 1050 earlier and said Tex is about to sign a 8/$184 mil contract with Boston

[cougarjake13]

Buster Olney was on 1050 earlier and said Tex is about to sign a 8/$184 mil contract with Boston

i never believed for a second that he'd go to wash or baltimore


if they were even decent, maybe he'd go

[Kevin]

Buster Olney was on 1050 earlier and said Tex is about to sign a 8/$184 mil contract with Boston

This reminds me of 04-07 where the sox kept getting pitching and we countered with hitters.

[Dan 'Hampton]

This reminds me of 04-07 where the sox kept getting pitching and we countered with hitters.

Yeah we're doing that because a few of our pitching prospects have worked. You guys should try that. You grow arms, and buy bats.

[Snoogans]

Yeah we're doing that because a few of our pitching prospects have worked. You guys should try that. You grow arms, and buy bats.

we grew a few bats too

[Kevin]

we grew a few bats too

No idea who you are talking about

And we grow bats too..

Secretly draft them, send them to other teams, and when they old we sign them.

[Snoogans]

No idea who you are talking about

And we grow bats too..



by grow bats I didnt mean cut down trees and literally make a bat

[Kevin]

by grow bats I didnt mean cut down trees and literally make a bat

We don't use none of that cheap maple shit either.

Nothing but the best with NY's money bitches.

[Snoogans]

We don't use none of that cheap maple shit either.

Nothing but the best with NY's money bitches.

Maple bats actually tend to work better, and cost more. They just break in a bad way that makes it more dangerous when they do.

[brettmojo]

Hughes and Kennedy did not pan out. And as of o now there is no reason to believe they will.

Way way too early to give up on either one, especially Hughes.

I'd be comfortable going into the season with one open rotation spot and having Kennedy, Hughes, Coke and Aceves battling for it. I'd even prefer that to bringing back Pettitte. I think Andy is done.

Yeah Andy as a 5th would be acceptable though. The Yankees won't make the same mistake two off seasons in a row of depending on unproven young guys to fill out the rotation.

Cameron deal is dead (http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/36339534.html).

Good.

Good, i hope this means they are making a big run at Tex, and put Swisher at CF.

Fuck Manny.

I'd love to hear the bitching that ensues if the Yankees sweep in and sign him.

Cashman and Hal will not go after Manny.

All these rumors come from Fredo Stienbrenner.

:laugh:

I GUARANTEE you if the Sox end up with Tex, you guys will have manny signed to a 2 year 60 mill contract within a week

I concur.

From our boy PA

http://yankees.lhblogs.com/files/2008/12/20081217_cc_sabathia_ag_188.jpg



http://yankees.lhblogs.com/files/2008/12/20081217_cc_60.jpg




http://yankees.lhblogs.com/files/2008/12/20081217_cc_168.jpg

Is it just me, or does CC look trimmer than he has been?

The tweaked sitting sections are awesome.

Really?

http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/1520/worldseries20080245nw9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

And yet still such anger and worry about what the Yankees are doing? You sounded like a Red Sox fan.

I don't know. The Astros might be tough to beat. They just signed Aaron Boone today. (http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081218&content_id=3720931&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou)

Awesome. Hopefully Boone still enjoys a game of pick-up every now and then. Arod misses Texas.

[TheGameHHH]

Yeah we're doing that because a few of our pitching prospects have worked. You guys should try that. You grow arms, and buy bats.

considering at least 3/5ths of their rotation this year will be home grown i have zero idea what you're talking about

[Snoogans]

considering at least 3/5ths of their rotation this year will be home grown i have zero idea what you're talking about

assuming you guys still get either sheets or lowe it'll be 2/5ths, and Wang is kinda cheating. You guys didnt draft him, you outpaid everyone else and bought him from his Tawain team

[K.C.]

Red Sox pull out of Teixeira negotiations
Dec. 18, 2008
CBSSports.com wire reports



BOSTON -- The Boston Red Sox have been outbid for free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira and "are not going to be a factor" in acquiring him, owner John Henry said in an e-mail on Thursday night.

"We met with Mr. Teixeira and were very much impressed with him," Henry said. "After hearing about his other offers, however, it seems clear that we are not going to be a factor."

Red Sox officials were in Texas on Thursday for talks with agent Scott Boras in an attempt to reach an agreement.
Copyright 2008 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and The Associated Press is strictly prohibited.

Buster Olney is a failure.

Tex is going to the Nats.

[Snoogans]

thats the one thing I love about the Sox in a way. They spend their money, but once they actually set something they wont go past, they dont. And if that means not getting the guy cause they wouldnt add another year or something, then so be it.

I kinda like how they dont just throw money at the guys once their "best" offer wasnt accepted

[HBox]

thats the one thing I love about the Sox in a way. They spend their money, but once they actually set something they wont go past, they dont. And if that means not getting the guy cause they wouldnt add another year or something, then so be it.

I kinda like how they dont just throw money at the guys once their "best" offer wasnt accepted

How did we get to the point where drawing the line at an 8 year 178 million dollar deal was an act of fiscal sanity?

I'm not trying to be an ass, I see your point, just saying.

[Snoogans]

How did we get to the point where drawing the line at an 8 year 178 million dollar deal was an act of fiscal sanity?

I'm not trying to be an ass, I see your point, just saying.

im not sayin fiscally. Im sayin principally. They dont go the extra year when they say they wont. They let guys walk instead of caving. Thats why I said they spend the money.

[TripleSkeet]

And yet still such anger and worry about what the Yankees are doing? You sounded like a Red Sox fan.

Nothing the Yankees do worries me. Because the only way Id have to worry about it would mean the Phillies would be in the World Series again, and thatd be fine with me.

I just get annoyed because the way they can throw their money around is whats wrong with baseball. And I know they arent the only team that does it. The Mets and Red Sox are almost just as bad as well as a few others.

Maybe Im just spoiled from the NFL because they give all of their teams an equal playing field on which to play. And the teams actually have to use skills such as talent evaluation and salary cap maneuvering to build winning franchises instead of just writing a check. Honestly the Yankees general manager job has got to be the easiest fucking gig in all of sports. "Heres a blank check, go out and sign whoever you can get and pay them whatever they want." What real skill does that take?

[Dan 'Hampton]

http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:Gk1qf5qmBG_v-M:http://www.naturalkansas.org/images/cedar_bluff_view.jpg

[El Mudo]

Buster Olney is a failure.

Tex is going to the Nats.


They gotta be the only team left right now that the O's and the Sox are out?


Please, please, please, please, please let this happen

[brettmojo]

Maybe Im just spoiled from the NFL because they give all of their teams an equal playing field on which to play. And the teams actually have to use skills such as talent evaluation and salary cap maneuvering to build winning franchises instead of just writing a check. Honestly the Yankees general manager job has got to be the easiest fucking gig in all of sports. "Heres a blank check, go out and sign whoever you can get and pay them whatever they want." What real skill does that take?
Well obviously the blank check theory doesn't work anyway. It hasn't since it was instituted in 2002. And it didn't work when the Orioles were doing it in the mid 90's either.

You can't attack the Yankees for working within the rules of the the league. That's all the do. The league changed the luxury tax rule a few years back making that the Yankees fork over probably close to about 200 million dollars since the did it. So if anything MLB is just as greedy as the Yankees for using their spending as a way to make money. What they do with that money I don't know. I thought it was supposed to be shared with the rest of the league but apparently the Marlins aren't getting it. They have a lower payroll than a Wendy's.

MLB posted a six billion dollar profit for last season... SIX BILLION DOLLARS. Maybe they could increase their revenue sharing? No. They wouldn't even vote to allow a five dollar a day increase from twenty bucks to twenty-five in the food cash allocation of minor league baseball players recently. Something that would have cost teams about fifty grand a year.

They want these big market teams in the playoffs because that brings in more money. That's why they'll never do anything to even out the playing field. They know that a Phillies/Tampa World Series is a dud in interest compared to Red Sox or Yankees/Dodgers or Mets or Cubs.

I just found this article, thought it was interesting...

Does MLB Need a Salary Cap? (http://www.bizofbaseball.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2694:does-mlb-need-a-salary-cap-the-numbers-say-otherwise&catid=29:articles-a-opinion&Itemid=41)

Sunday evening, I had the enjoyable experience (as it always is) of being on XM 175 to talk the business of baseball. As I went on-air, the host was making a good case for why MLB needed a salary cap. As he completed his case for the hard cap, he asked me what I thought.
“It’s always a great topic of discussion,” I said. “But, as much as there is talk about a cap in MLB, I don’t see the need.”
The host and I then had a friendly debate about the matter, both of us sticking to our beliefs, and eventually moving on to other topics.
Today, there seems to be even more reasons for me to hold to my beliefs.
Liz Mullen of the SportsBusiness Journal reports (http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/article/60965) today that according to Rob Manfred, MLB’s executive VP for labor relations, 52 percent of league revenues are dedicated to player payroll, by far the lowest of the Big-4 sports leagues in the U.S.
As Mullen reports, “Under their respective collective-bargaining agreements, NHL players received 56.7 percent last season, NBA players about 57 percent and NFL players about 59 percent.”
Manfred said that the introduction of the Competitive Balance Tax, or as it is more commonly known as, Luxury Tax, has been the driving factor – a soft cap of sorts that has been exceeded only by three clubs: the Yankees, Red Sox, and Angels. Of these three, the Yankees have paid the lion’s share into the tax, doling out each of the years since the system was collectively bargained in 2003. The Angels have passed the threshold once, while the Red Sox have paid the tax four consecutive years (see the table below showing how much each of the clubs have paid in Luxury Tax up through 2007).
To add credence to MLB’s model, there has been talk of the NFL moving forward without a cap.
In 2011, the current NFL CBA expires. If the NFL does not negotiate an extension to the collective-bargaining agreement before the 2010 league year, the 2010 season will operate without a salary cap.
With revenues at an all-time high, the second highest attendance level on record, and as of late, the most parity, it seems a hard sell to say MLB needs a salary cap.

[Snoogans]

Nothing the Yankees do worries me. Because the only way Id have to worry about it would mean the Phillies would be in the World Series again, and thatd be fine with me.

I just get annoyed because the way they can throw their money around is whats wrong with baseball. And I know they arent the only team that does it. The Mets and Red Sox are almost just as bad as well as a few others.

Maybe Im just spoiled from the NFL because they give all of their teams an equal playing field on which to play. And the teams actually have to use skills such as talent evaluation and salary cap maneuvering to build winning franchises instead of just writing a check. Honestly the Yankees general manager job has got to be the easiest fucking gig in all of sports. "Heres a blank check, go out and sign whoever you can get and pay them whatever they want." What real skill does that take?
not even close. Just more ignorant statements

[Snoogans]

They gotta be the only team left right now that the O's and the Sox are out?


Please, please, please, please, please let this happen

anaheim

[foodcourtdruide]

anaheim

Would love Tex on the Mets. I know there will be a position conflict with Delgado, but you can move Delgado to SS for the 4 days he's not pitching :D

[Jujubees2]

How did we get to the point where drawing the line at an 8 year 178 million dollar deal was an act of fiscal sanity?

I'm not trying to be an ass, I see your point, just saying.

Maybe not fiscal sanity but they don't bid against themselves like another team in the AL East.

[PD]

Would love Tex on the Mets. I know there will be a position conflict with Delgado, but you can move Delgado to SS for the 4 days he's not pitching :D

aint gonna happen.
Sox did smart move- they said money wont be unlimited.
Tex may well choose them (or Angels) and not repeat the Tom Hicks/A-Rod (or Mike Hampton/Rockies) moves.

Personally I hope he goes to Boston
and it takes Sox out of the Kevin Lowe sweepstakes.


and Foodcourt- Delgado was a Catcher in the minors.........

[Jujubees2]

aint gonna happen.
Sox did smart move- they said money wont be unlimited.
Tex may well choose them (or Angels) and not repeat the Tom Hicks/A-Rod (or Mike Hampton/Rockies) moves.

Personally I hope he goes to Boston
and it takes Sox out of the Kevin Lowe sweepstakes.


and Foodcourt- Delgado was a Catcher in the minors.........

Kevin Lowe is leaving Edmonton?

[PD]

Kevin Lowe is leaving Edmonton?

http://stickandballguy.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/homer-doh.jpg

[brettmojo]

http://stickandballguy.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/homer-doh.jpg
http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/3606/nelson1xz1.jpg

[El Mudo]

Kevin Lowe is leaving Edmonton?

He kinda is/has. He got "promoted" out of his position as GM to some random team president type position so they could hire Steve Tambellini from Vancouver, who probably would have been a MUCH better choice for GM there than stupid Mike Gillis

[foodcourtdruide]

aint gonna happen.
Sox did smart move- they said money wont be unlimited.
Tex may well choose them (or Angels) and not repeat the Tom Hicks/A-Rod (or Mike Hampton/Rockies) moves.

Personally I hope he goes to Boston
and it takes Sox out of the Kevin Lowe sweepstakes.


and Foodcourt- Delgado was a Catcher in the minors.........

Delgado catching :)

[PD]

Juan rivera resigns with Angels and

Source: Pettitte-to-Yanks 'virtually inevitable' (http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8966744/Source:-Pettitte-to-Yanks-%27virtually-inevitable%27)

[keithy_19]

thats the one thing I love about the Sox in a way. They spend their money, but once they actually set something they wont go past, they dont. And if that means not getting the guy cause they wouldnt add another year or something, then so be it.


http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3782228

Let's not get ahead of ourselves.

[HBox]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3782228

Let's not get ahead of ourselves.

That article sounds to me like Scott Boras desperately trying to create the illusion that he didn't just lose a bidder.

[brettmojo]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3782228

Let's not get ahead of ourselves.

Interesting...

It's unclear exactly what offers Teixeira has in hand. But as of 10 a.m. Friday morning, the New York Yankees (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=nyy) had not made an offer,

http://blogs.nashvillescene.com/pitw/possum.jpg

[Snoogans]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3782228

Let's not get ahead of ourselves.

that story says how the sox are not the high bidder and said they will not increase their offer, and he can still take it if he wants. That PROVES exactly what I said

[razorboy]

They gotta be the only team left right now that the O's and the Sox are out?


Please, please, please, please, please let this happen

He was a whiny little prick when they weren't winning in Texas. How do you think he's going to act with the Nats?

[PD]

that story says how the sox are not the high bidder and said they will not increase their offer, and he can still take it if he wants. That PROVES exactly what I said

yes it does; and damn them that don't understand............


Oh, CC will get plenty money even before he throws a pitch...

$9.5 million coming to Sabathia (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/12/19/Sabathia.Yankees.ap/index.html)
CC Sabathia will receive $9.5 million from the New York Yankees before he throws his first official pitch in pinstripes.

His $161 million (115.5 million euros), seven-year contract includes a $9 million signing bonus, according to details obtained Friday by The Associated Press. By the time the Yankees start the season at Baltimore on April 6, he already will have received $6 million of that bonus plus $3.5 million of next year's salary.

[HBox]

yes it does; and damn them that don't understand............


Oh, CC will get plenty money even before he throws a pitch...

$9.5 million coming to Sabathia (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/12/19/Sabathia.Yankees.ap/index.html)

How is a signing bonus, which is included in every single major contract in every sport, news?

[underdog]

How is a signing bonus, which is included in every single major contract in every sport, news?

Because its the Yankees.

[PD]

How is a signing bonus, which is included in every single major contract in every sport, news?

Because its the Yankees.

yes; and the way it's paid out is different than normal.
it's not a major issue; just reinforces how much it is.

[cougarjake13]

aint gonna happen.
Sox did smart move- they said money wont be unlimited.
Tex may well choose them (or Angels) and not repeat the Tom Hicks/A-Rod (or Mike Hampton/Rockies) moves.

Personally I hope he goes to Boston
and it takes Sox out of the Kevin Lowe sweepstakes.


and Foodcourt- Delgado was a Catcher in the minors.........

Kevin Lowe is leaving Edmonton?



i was wondering when he decided to quit basketball and leave the t wolves

but i realized he's love not lowe

[goreds2]

Game 7 2003 ALCS is now on XM175/SIRIUS210 HOMEPLATE if you want to hear the Aaron F___IN Boone Homer again.

It looks as though Classic MLB games are airing on Saturday's and Sunday's from 7pm to 11pm.

http://www.xmradio.com/onxm/channelguide.xmc?ch=175

:thumbup:

[cougarjake13]

Game 7 2003 ALCS is now on XM175/SIRIUS210 HOMEPLATE if you want to hear the Aaron F___IN Boone Homer again.

It looks as though Classic MLB games are airing on Saturday's and Sunday's from 7pm to 11pm.

http://www.xmradio.com/onxm/channelguide.xmc?ch=175

:thumbup:



nah i'd rather watch things that are relevant to the here and now

[Kevin]

Angels withdraw their offer to Texiera (http://www.fannation.com/si_blogs/hot_stove/posts/34602?eref=fromSI)


Now its down to 4...

2 really...


I don't buy the Sox are out of it, and i dont think he goes to Nats or O's

Its either Yanks or Sox..

[NickyL0885]

I hope the yankees get both Texeira and Manny. That way I can laugh much harder when they dont make the playoffs again.

[Kevin]

I hope the yankees get both Texeira and Manny. That way I can laugh much harder when they dont make the playoffs again.

Or bitch about their spending when they win the WS.

[NickyL0885]

Or bitch about their spending when they win the WS.

that too.

[K.C.]

Its either Yanks or Sox..

Apply this statement to the beliefs about every free agent, from every Yankees or Sox fan.








...but for the rest of us who live outside of Yanks/Sox fantasyland, he is most likely going to the Nats, based on the reports.

[K.C.]

If I had to guess the fallout from this:

-Nats sign Teixiera
-Angels sign Manny to compensate for losing Teixiera
-Dodgers sign one out of Abreu, Dunn, and Burrell to replace losing Manny
-Cubs sign one of the remaining two, Orioles sign the other.
-Red Sox turn their attention to Derek Lowe, once his price falls a little.
-Yankees move on Pettitte and then refocus on centerfield.

[Kevin]

Apply this statement to the beliefs about every free agent, from every Yankees or Sox fan.








...but for the rest of us who live outside of Yanks/Sox fantasyland, he is most likely going to the Nats, based on the reports.

He is not going to a team that will lose every year he is there.

Thats a pipe dream.

[Marc with a c]

He is not going to a team that will lose every year he is there.

Thats a pipe dream.

DC has a great school system.

[Kevin]

DC has a great school system.

Good point... though not Balt...

[Marc with a c]

Good point... though not Balt...

my point was he'll go where he gets the most money.

[K.C.]

He is not going to a team that will lose every year he is there.

Thats a pipe dream.

The most definitive thing anyone has been able to state about Teixiera's intentions is that the most primary thing he's considering (besides the money, of course) is that he want to go home, which is the BWI area, because of his family situation.

Factor that most reports show the Nationals with the top offer on the table, and recent reports show the Angels and Orioles as both being out, and it's a perfect fit.


The Red Sox could be posturing, but if the Nats have 10/200 mil on the table, I see no reason not to believe they're telling the truth when they say they're out...especially, when they don't really need Teixiera.

So that leaves the Yankees', whose interest has been very preliminary at best. I wouldn't put it past them to jump in and at least kick an offer around, but most of the talk has them signing Pettitte, and then moving on to Manny.

So unless there's a mystery team, this is really the Nats' to lose, as odd as it sounds.

[Tom Coughlin]

The most definitive thing anyone has been able to state about Teixiera's intentions is that the most primary thing he's considering (besides the money, of course) is that he want to go home, which is the BWI area, because of his family situation.

Factor that most reports show the Nationals with the top offer on the table, and recent reports show the Angels and Orioles as both being out, and it's a perfect fit.


The Red Sox could be posturing, but if the Nats have 10/200 mil on the table, I see no reason not to believe they're telling the truth when they say they're out...especially, when they don't really need Teixiera.

So that leaves the Yankees', whose interest has been very preliminary at best. I wouldn't put it past them to jump in and at least kick an offer around, but most of the talk has them signing Pettitte, and then moving on to Manny.

So unless there's a mystery team, this is really the Nats' to lose, as odd as it sounds.

HE IS NOT GOING TO DC!!!!

[Snoogans]

HE IS NOT GOING TO DC!!!!

What kinda dummy would forget to log out of his charac....... oh

[Kevin]

Ahem..

I don't mind if he goes to DC... As long as its not the Sox, i don't care..

But i just do not see it..

Like Tom so smartly said, HE IS NOT GOING TO DC!!

[El Mudo]

The most definitive thing anyone has been able to state about Teixiera's intentions is that the most primary thing he's considering (besides the money, of course) is that he want to go home, which is the BWI area, because of his family situation.

Factor that most reports show the Nationals with the top offer on the table, and recent reports show the Angels and Orioles as both being out, and it's a perfect fit.


The Red Sox could be posturing, but if the Nats have 10/200 mil on the table, I see no reason not to believe they're telling the truth when they say they're out...especially, when they don't really need Teixiera.

So that leaves the Yankees', whose interest has been very preliminary at best. I wouldn't put it past them to jump in and at least kick an offer around, but most of the talk has them signing Pettitte, and then moving on to Manny.

So unless there's a mystery team, this is really the Nats' to lose, as odd as it sounds.


Um.....we lost 102 games last year. I'm pretty sure the guy would be useful to us :wink:

He probably had a higher EqA than our entire TEAM

And put things in perspective with my beloved Nats. We're for all intents and purposes, an expansion team. There are some decent pieces and real good young prospects, but with a good market and whats been rated as one of the best scouting staffs in base ball, itll get turned around relatively quickly I think.

Jack McGeary FTW

[hammersavage]

"According to Impacto Deportivo, the Yankees are close to signing Manny Ramirez to a three-year, $75 million contract, and could announce a deal either today or tomorrow.

However, Yankees GM Brian Cashman later told MLB.com that the above report is ‘not true.’"

This would be interesting.

No way Tex isn't a Red Sock.

[Snoogans]

"According to Impacto Deportivo, the Yankees are close to signing Manny Ramirez to a three-year, $75 million contract, and could announce a deal either today or tomorrow.

However, Yankees GM Brian Cashman later told MLB.com that the above report is ‘not true.’"

This would be interesting.

No way Tex isn't a Red Sock.

this is from Buster Olney, so take it for what it's worth, which is probably nothing:

So, to review what Teixeira appears to have, according to sources:

The Yankees made an initial offer that was believed to be markedly less than what the other offers have been, and since then they have withdrawn that offer. They are pushing to cut their payroll in 2009, and they cannot sign Teixeira and accomplish that unless they could dump the contract of Hideki Matsui and others, in a market flush with corner outfielders. Their focus continues to be on starting pitching, and at some point they could re-engage a free agent who could come cheaply.

The Orioles made a seven-year, $140 million offer -- not $150 million, as widely reported, but $140 million -- and have not upgraded that offer. Unless Teixeira puts himself on a platter for the O's and gives them a major hometown discount, it's unlikely he will sign with them.

The Nationals reportedly made an eight-year, $160 million offer. It's unclear whether they have upgraded that offer during this process, and it's unclear whether Teixeira is absolutely open to the idea of playing for a team that figures to struggle for at least a couple of more seasons. Privately, folks within the organization are telling others that they are very pessimistic about their chances, and one high-ranking executive has indicated to confidants that he has not altered his initial offer.

A smoke screen? We'll see.

And that brings us back to the Red Sox, who sources say were prepared to pay Teixeira something in the range of $170 million to $175 million as club executives flew to Texas, and who might be nudged to $180 million. But they seem to be balking at the idea of throwing out a $200 million deal to the first baseman.
It seems that the game has played itself out, the last cards have been dealt, and now Teixeira is in position to make his decision.

The read on the table here, still, is that he will sign with the Red Sox.

[PD]

DC has a great school system.

I got the ref.

I think he goes to Boston.
He wants to get the most money out of where he wants to go.
He did grow up in Balt area, so Nats/Orioles aren't was wacky as it would be for others.

[Kevin]

I got the ref.

I think he goes to Boston.
He wants to get the most money out of where he wants to go.
He did grow up in Balt area, so Nats/Orioles aren't was wacky as it would be for others.

I got it too, and i was making a wire joke with Balt school systems

[Marc with a c]

let's talk more about beltway school systems.

[Marc with a c]

mlb.com is saying manny isn't going anywhere until tex signs.

[Kevin]

mlb.com is saying manny isn't going anywhere until tex signs.



Of course he isn't. Boras plan is Tex to either Yanks or Sox. more so Sox. Then have the Yanks Dodgers and Angels fight for Manny.

[PD]

I got it too, and i was making a wire joke with Balt school systems

ah;
so shame on me then.

[NYHCmikeX]

Just heard on WFAN that Mark Texeria has agreed in principle to a deal with the Yankees.

[foodcourtdruide]

Shocker! Looks like Teixeira is close to signing with the Yankees. 8 years $180 million.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/12/23/teixeira/index.html

[Jujubees2]

Shocker! Looks like Teixeira is close to signing with the Yankees. 8 years $180 million.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/12/23/teixeira/index.html

Now let's talk about the NYC schools.

[Doctor Z]

.SUCK IT BOSTON!

[Kevin]

.SUCK IT BOSTON!



X10

[foodcourtdruide]

I wonder if the Yankees will just rebuild their team every year like this if they continue missing the playoffs. This is like fantasy baseball.

[IMSlacker]

So, who's going to sign Manny now?

[Jujubees2]

So much for Cashman being in control and building from within. It looks like the Steinbrenners are steering the ship now.

[drjoek]

I wonder if the Yankees will just rebuild their team every year like this if they continue missing the playoffs. This is like fantasy baseball.

Actually it just a product of a ton of money being freed up this year with expiring contracts. I don't think theyre payroll be much different than last year when all is said and done.

[jauble]

Gonna need some more of that city money huh?

[disneyspy]

I wonder if the Yankees will just rebuild their team every year like this if they continue missing the playoffs. This is like fantasy baseball.

i was thinkin the same thing, the owner is the clueless guy that buys a sports illustrated issue and goes by that

[Jujubees2]

Actually it just a product of a ton of money being freed up this year with expiring contracts. I don't think theyre payroll be much different than last year when all is said and done.

And what did an almost $200 million payroll get them last year?

[Kevin]

And what did an almost $200 million payroll get them last year?



Now they have pitching and Offense, its over Johnny. Somewhere Gammons is inconsolable.

[drjoek]

And what did an almost $200 million payroll get them last year?

Exactly Why people care so much about how much money the Yankees spend to me is ridiculous. its how well they do with spending whatever amount of money they spend that matters. Rooting for a team that makes money and didnt spend it would piss me off more than that.

[HBox]

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

THIS IS GOING TO BE EITHER SO AWESOME OR SO EMBARRASSING!!!!!!!!!!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'M LAUGHING MORE OUT OF SHOCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!!!!

I HONESTLY DON'T KNOW HOW TO REACT!!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS FUCKING OBSCENE!!!!!!!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[NYHCmikeX]

I don't think theyre payroll be much different than last year when all is said and done.

It's gonna be about 25-30 million less than last season.


I'd be crying about them spending money too if it wasnt my team that just got the best free agents on the market.

[HBox]

Seriously though, this worked out so great the last time they signed a 1B to this kind of contract. So why not again?

[foodcourtdruide]

Exactly Why people care so much about how much money the Yankees spend to me is ridiculous. its how well they do with spending whatever amount of money they spend that matters. Rooting for a team that makes money and didnt spend it would piss me off more than that.

I'm sorry, but I disagree. Money matters because teams are unable to keep their talent. I'm not blaming the Yankees for this, however to say this isn't a problem in baseball is not true. This is a huge problem and I have NO IDEA how people are still fans in small markets. Their ability to win is exponentially harder.

[Jujubees2]

Exactly Why people care so much about how much money the Yankees spend to me is ridiculous. its how well they do with spending whatever amount of money they spend that matters. Rooting for a team that makes money and didnt spend it would piss me off more than that.

Well then why don't they (and the Mets) spend that money on their new ballpark instead of asking NYC to give them more?

[foodcourtdruide]

It's gonna be about 25-30 million less than last season.


I'd be crying about them spending money too if it wasnt my team that just got the best free agents on the market.

That's pretty amazing. Do you know the hard numbers?

[epo]

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

THIS IS GOING TO BE EITHER SO AWESOME OR SO EMBARRASSING!!!!!!!!!!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'M LAUGHING MORE OUT OF SHOCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!!!!

I HONESTLY DON'T KNOW HOW TO REACT!!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS FUCKING OBSCENE!!!!!!!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope all of the Yankees die in a fiery crash.

[drjoek]

I'm sorry, but I disagree. Money matters because teams are unable to keep their talent. I'm not blaming the Yankees for this, however to say this isn't a problem in baseball is not true. This is a huge problem and I have NO IDEA how people are still fans in small markets. Their ability to win is exponentially harder.

Dont blame the Yankees they didnt create the system Blame baseball The Yankees are only doing what is allowed they make more monay than anyone and spend it

[Jujubees2]

That's pretty amazing. Do you know the hard numbers?

They will now have the four highest paid players in baseball!

[foodcourtdruide]

So, who's going to sign Manny now?

If you look at teams that can afford him, I have no idea.

The Mets aren't going to get him unless he can double as their 3rd starter.

[foodcourtdruide]

Dont blame the Yankees they didnt create the system Blame baseball The Yankees are only doing what is allowed they make more monay than anyone and spend it

Did you read my post? The part that said:

I'm not blaming the Yankees for this, however to say this isn't a problem in baseball is not true.

[drjoek]

Well then why don't they (and the Mets) spend that money on their new ballpark instead of asking NYC to give them more?

Se theres a point that makes sense in the arguement. Or why dont they stop raiseing my seat prices every year if they have that kind of money Id love that but it never happens

[Jujubees2]

If you look at teams that can afford him, I have no idea.

The Mets aren't going to get him unless he can double as their 3rd starter.

Manny sez, "No problem man, You want me to pitch, I pitch. I just want to be loved."

[disneyspy]

the tigers pulled a yankees last year and spent like crazy on old stats(SI picked them to win the world series),they had some injuries in relief and ended up last,i pity the yankee fans on this board,its going to be a disappointing year

[foodcourtdruide]

MadDog is making a pretty good point. If the Yankees win the world series, does it even matter?

[drjoek]

Did you read my post? The part that said:

I'm not blaming the Yankees for this, however to say this isn't a problem in baseball is not true.

Im not saying it isnt a problem with baseball either, we both agree but as a fan of the Yankees Im pleased. I can't fix the problem but Im not going to cry for the other guy either
Sorry.

[drjoek]

MadDog is making a pretty good point. If the Yankees win the world series, does it even matter?

1 Mad Dog is a douche bag
2 Yeah it matter.
3 see #1

[foodcourtdruide]

Im not saying it isnt a problem with baseball either, we both agree but as a fan of the Yankees Im pleased. I can't fix the problem but Im not going to cry for the other guy either
Sorry.

Whether you will cry for it or not, this hurts baseball. Don't you care about that as a baseball fan? I'm a Mets fan, so I benefit from this system too, but I'm not completely happy because my team has an unfair advantage. I hate it.

[foodcourtdruide]

1 Mad Dog is a douche bag
2 Yeah it matter.
3 see #1

Mad Dog does a really good show. He does take the antagonist opinion all the time just for the conflict (I think Ron does this a lot too). Anyway, what exactly would be the story if they won? "Team that bought all the best players this offseason wins world series"? You have to admit... that's kind of boring.

[drjoek]

Whether you will cry for it or not, this hurts baseball. Don't you care about that as a baseball fan? I'm a Mets fan, so I benefit from this system too, but I'm not completely happy because my team has an unfair advantage. I hate it.

It really isnt an unfair advantage. It how you use your money. They won in the 90s with many home grown players and a few free agents. They spent like crazy the last few years and it hasnt worked.
Besides what exactly are the Yankees supposed to do with all this money besides spend it to try to make the team better ?? They kick in for revenue sharing and its helped teams to build as contenders like the Rays and Brewers.

[cougarjake13]

espn is reporting that the yanks sign mark teixiera to 8 yr 180 mil deal


http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3790141

[foodcourtdruide]

It really isnt an unfair advantage. It how you use your money. They won in the 90s with many home grown players and a few free agents. They spent like crazy the last few years and it hasnt worked.
Besides what exactly are the Yankees supposed to do with all this money besides spend it to try to make the team better ?? They kick in for revenue sharing and its helped teams to build as contenders like the Rays and Brewers.

It's not unfair because it falls within the rules of baseball. You are correct, however it is an advantage and it's a non-baseball related advantage (I guess I should say "non-baseball related advantage", not "unfair advantage"). Again, I don't blame the Yankees for spending, I just think the system is completely fucked. This is killing baseball.

[epo]

Whether you will cry for it or not, this hurts baseball. Don't you care about that as a baseball fan? I'm a Mets fan, so I benefit from this system too, but I'm not completely happy because my team has an unfair advantage. I hate it.

Here's the good thing about the current system. If a smaller market loses a player, that's fine as there is draft compensation for that loss. That compensation is the reason that smaller market teams can trade for good players at the trade deadline, hence making the season more competive.

Now take the Yankees free agents: Mark Teixiera, CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett. Each of their previous teams traded for those players under the assumption (especially Milwaukee & Toronto) they were going to get proper compensation for that possible free agent.

After these signings the Yankees first rounder goes to Anaheim, their second rounder goes to Milwaukee and their third rounder goes to Toronto. In the meantime the Yankees also have a second first rounder (because they didn't sign last year's pick) which is protected and can't be given as compensation.

Because of this spending spree Milwaukee & Toronto lost Class A free agents and will get subpar compensation because one team was able to afford 3 premium free agents. This spending spree will force MLB to change the status of "protection" of draft picks and re-look at the number of sandwich picks that given between the first and second rounds.

Congrats Yankees, you broke the system.

[HBox]

Did you read my post? The part that said:

I'm not blaming the Yankees for this, however to say this isn't a problem in baseball is not true.

Do you do anything but blame the Yankees? Jeez.

[PD]

I know someone wanted to know how come whenever there is a big money free agent out there the Yankees name is always thrown out.

The Yankees have every right to sign Tex (and CC and AJ) - it's within the rules-
but you have to admit it's a bit ridiculous when 1 team signs the top 3 free agents - all of which are making stupid money.

I'll take a trade of Nady for spare parts to the Mets to help the Yankees lose salary...

[foodcourtdruide]

I know someone wanted to know how come whenever there is a big money free agent out there the Yankees name is always thrown out.

The Yankees have every right to sign Tex (and CC and AJ) - it's within the rules-
but you have to admit it's a bit ridiculous when 1 team signs the top 3 free agents - all of which are making stupid money.

I'll take a trade of Nady for spare parts to the Mets to help the Yankees lose salary...

I'd take that the Nady trade in a second.

[cougarjake13]

I know someone wanted to know how come whenever there is a big money free agent out there the Yankees name is always thrown out.

The Yankees have every right to sign Tex (and CC and AJ) - it's within the rules-
but you have to admit it's a bit ridiculous when 1 team signs the top 3 free agents - all of which are making stupid money.

I'll take a trade of Nady for spare parts to the Mets to help the Yankees lose salary...

yeh i liked nady when we had him but getting perez was integral to their success in 06

[PD]

people want to know why Yankee fans are hated...

I'm listening to XM 175, and some guy calls in and isn't just happy with the team they have, he wants to trade Melky Cabrerra and Ian Kennedy for Nate McClouth.

yes, Pitt wants your left overs....

[HBox]

people want to know why Yankee fans are hated...

I'm listening to XM 175, and some guy calls in and isn't just happy with the team they have, he wants to trade Melky Cabrerra and Ian Kennedy for Nate McClouth.

yes, Pitt wants your left overs....

Jeez, that much? I thought they'd take photocopies of Jason Giambi's old contract for McClouth.

[foodcourtdruide]

people want to know why Yankee fans are hated...

I'm listening to XM 175, and some guy calls in and isn't just happy with the team they have, he wants to trade Melky Cabrerra and Ian Kennedy for Nate McClouth.

yes, Pitt wants your left overs....

Lol! If the throw in Igawa they have a deal!

All teams have fans that make crazy trade proposals.

[PD]

Lol! If the throw in Igawa they have a deal!

All teams have fans that make crazy trade proposals.

oh I know.
but then again, all teams don't usually get what they want.....


(oh and HBox, i know guys like you and Kevin don't talk that nonsense)

[jonyrotn]

espn is reporting that the yanks sign mark teixiera to 8 yr 180 mil deal


http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3790141
UnFuckingbelievable..:blink:

I guess Teixeira will platoon with Pujols and Howard in 2010..:surrender:

MLB has to step in at some point..For a single team to snatch up the top three free agents and owning like the top five highest players in the league is simply rediculous..

[cougarjake13]

UnFuckingbelievable..:blink:

I guess Teixeira will platoon with Pujols and Howard in 2010..:surrender:

MLB has to step in at some point..For a single team to snatch up the top three free agents and owning like the top five highest players in the league is simply rediculous..

only way to do that is have a salary cap

but i dont see them doing that since with the luxury tax gimmick the yanks give mlb about 20 mil a yr

[IMSlacker]

only way to do that is have a salary cap

but i dont see them doing that since with the luxury tax gimmick the yanks give mlb about 20 mil a yr

Also, the players union will never allow a hard salary cap.

[foodcourtdruide]

Also, the players union will never allow a hard salary cap.

I think that's the only reason. The owners would sign on for it in a second.

[Epschtein]

so i guess the last free agency matter to clean up is how much it is going to cost the sox to get manny back.

hehehe.

[spadanko]

Yahoo' Sports' Gordon Edes says the Mets and free agent Derek Lowe are now deep into talks.
It sounds like Lowe was hoping the Yankees would come through with a big offer, but there's very little chance of that now. The Red Sox aren't believed to have any interest in going past three years with him, while the Mets will probably be willing to sign him for four. He'll probably get $15 million-$16 million per year. Dec. 23 - 5:41 pm et

[brettmojo]

.SUCK IT BOSTON!

X10

X1000

So, who's going to sign Manny now?

Not that they'd take him back, but this would totally be worth it just if the Red Sox had to seriously consider making an offer for him.

But seriously, how is Bobby Abreu completely out of the picture so far this off season? No one has really even mentioned his name. He's not a bad player at all. I know his defense is questionable but jesus.

Whether you will cry for it or not, this hurts baseball.

It doesn't hurt baseball. Show me proof? If anything it helps it. The Yankees have to fork over more cash to Selig who then redistributes it supposedly to the other teams. How is that hurting them?

The Yankees have been signing these top free agents since 2001 and haven't one a single World Series since. So really it isn't that fucking dramatic that they've signed three top free agents here and it doesn't in any way make the other 29 teams in baseball throw their hands up and say,"WE SURRENDER!" Remember the American League team in that series last year? Did they get there because they spent the most money? The Tigers like someone said spent like crazy last off season and they went NOWHERE. So in actuality this doesn't cast any die for this upcoming season at all because more than in any other league you have to play out the season in baseball because too many things can affect whether you win or lose.

Ratings during the playoffs and World Series have proven that no one wants to watch these small market backwater clubs in October. People want the Red Sox, the Yankees, the Cubs (oh well), Dodgers etc. So if, god willing, this gets them back in a World Series how does it hurt baseball?

Are the Yankees spending the money they have causing other teams to not spend theirs? How bout' you point your finger at the owners of all these other teams in baseball who'd rather sink their profits into their pockets rather than into the teams the put on the field? Absentee owners hurt baseball more than any other thing in the sport. Then you have complete fucking morons like the Marlins GM or whatever the hell he was try to cry about what the Yankees are doing? Fuck them.

Mad Dog does a really good show. He does take the antagonist opinion all the time just for the conflict (I think Ron does this a lot too). Anyway, what exactly would be the story if they won? "Team that bought all the best players this offseason wins world series"? You have to admit... that's kind of boring.

So that's what they've said about the Red Sox when they've won the World Series? Is that what they said about the White Sox? Did they say that about Arizona in 2001? No, they didn't. All those teams have done the exact same thing the Yankees did and are doing... Signing top free agents, spending cash and trading for top players. But when the YANKEES do it, it's ruining baseball. That's when everyone has to make the Yankees the example. It's really fucking tired.

This is killing baseball.

No, corporatism of baseball is killing it. Just like with the NFL. But that's a completely difference conversation.

Killing it is an exaggeration. A better term might be making it suck.

[jonyrotn]

Fuck them.This is the classic Yankee fan sentiment, but it's not good for the league..
The Yankees have become a traveling freak show like the Harlem Globe Trotters.. They'll just be basicly barn storming their way across the country beating the shit out of all comers..
It's feels like the Yankees have become PT Barnum's Fantasy league team..

If the Yankees were a publicly traded company the Feds would bring them up on antitrust violations..

[Big_Joe]

As a Yankee's fan how can you not love all this? I do think there spending is crazy but when you look at it, they're salary is going to be less then last year... But I'm sorry all you have herd about in the past few years is how well baseball is doing and how much money it's bringing in. Well if this is the case then why are the Yankee's the only one spending money? I think alot of owners have the money but just don't spend it to an extent. The Yankees will always make more then the rest, but seems like as long as other owners are making a profit then it doesn't matter win or loose(to an extent). And yes the Yankees do have the 5 highest paid players in baseball but lets be honest, they are not the 5 best players in baseball so whats it matter how much they get paid? You could sign Aaron Boone to a 300 million dollar contract if you want to he would still be Aaron Boone.

[Hal Steinbrenner]

This is the classic Yankee fan sentiment, but it's not good for the league..
The Yankees have become a traveling freak show like the Harlem Globe Trotters.. They'll just be basicly barn storming their way across the country beating the shit out of all comers..
It's feels like the Yankees have become PT Barnum's Fantasy league team..

If the Yankees were a publicly traded company the Feds would bring them up on antitrust violations..

Oh I'm sorry. Not a fan of my organization?

SHUT UP!

WITHOUT THE NEW YORK YANKEES THERE ISN'T A MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL!!!

Who the hell do you think you are? You're nobody to me! How much did you make last week? How does it make you feel that CC will be making more cash per pitch than you make in a day. THAT'S RIGHT! YOU'RE A NOBODY!

How many luxury suites does your baseball stadium have? OH what? What's that? You don't own a baseball stadium? YOU'RE PATHETIC!

[Big_Joe]

Oh I'm sorry. Not a fan of my organization?

SHUT UP!

WITHOUT THE NEW YORK YANKEES THERE ISN'T A MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL!!!

Who the hell do you think you are? You're nobody to me! How much did you make last week? How does it make you feel that CC will be making more cash per pitch than you make in a day. THAT'S RIGHT! YOU'RE A NOBODY!

How many luxury suites does your baseball stadium have? OH what? What's that? You don't own a baseball stadium? YOU'RE PATHETIC!

:lol:

[underdog]

This is the classic Yankee fan sentiment, but it's not good for the league..
The Yankees have become a traveling freak show like the Harlem Globe Trotters.. They'll just be basicly barn storming their way across the country beating the shit out of all comers..
It's feels like the Yankees have become PT Barnum's Fantasy league team..

If the Yankees were a publicly traded company the Feds would bring them up on antitrust violations..

The Yankees would be the Harlem Globetrotters if the Globetrotters got beat by the Generals for 9 straight years.

I guess it kind of sucks Tex didn't come to Boston, but it will be great when the Yankees miss the playoffs again.

[TheMojoPin]

If you have money, spend it.

They've still lowered their payroll from the last few years even after these 3 big signings.

It costs money to buy a baseball team, and the owners have deep pockets. If some don't choose to spend more to keep up, fuck' em. They don't have to spend like the Yanks to stay in it.

[El Mudo]

If you have money, spend it.

They've still lowered their payroll from the last few years even after these 3 big signings.

It costs money to buy a baseball team, and the owners have deep pockets. If some don't choose to spend more to keep up, fuck' em. They don't have to spend like the Yanks to stay in it.

My sentiments exactly



http://smartpei.typepad.com/robert_patersons_weblog/moneyball.jpg

[underdog]

Why do people keep saying no one can "compete" with the Yankees? I just saw it twice on ESPN.

Every team competes with the Yankees. With all the money they spend, they haven't won a world series in nearly a decade. Last year, with a $200mil payroll, they missed the playoffs. Every team is in full contention with the Yankees.

[sailor]

If you have money, spend it.

They've still lowered their payroll from the last few years even after these 3 big signings.

It costs money to buy a baseball team, and the owners have deep pockets. If some don't choose to spend more to keep up, fuck' em. They don't have to spend like the Yanks to stay in it.

well said.

[NickyL0885]

Why do people keep saying no one can "compete" with the Yankees? I just saw it twice on ESPN.

Every team competes with the Yankees. With all the money they spend, they haven't won a world series in nearly a decade. Last year, with a $200mil payroll, they missed the playoffs. Every team is in full contention with the Yankees.

What the other teams do unlike the yankees is build from within. Even the Red Sox have home grown guys on there roster and they spend money. The Yankees dont need superstars at each position. When they won in the late 90's, they had the perfect mix of vets and youth. Also, they had clutch guys and leaders. Sometimes you need those certain role players like a Scott Brosius.


There perhaps should be an NBA like cap. Where you can spend however much you want to keep your own players but cant go over the cap when signing free agents. Make the cap 120 million. Seems far to me. I'm not saying the Pirates would get a guy like Teixeira or CC but if there was a cap, they would have a better shot b/c they know the Yankees cant blow them out of the water for a contract. I think the league would be great if each team had their own set of superstars. It would make each team attractive to watch b/c fans will come to the games to see certain players. No one sees the Nats when the come to play the Mets. If the Nats had an Albert Pujols, then people would show up.

[jonyrotn]

Why do people keep saying no one can "compete" with the Yankees? I just saw it twice on ESPN.

Every team competes with the Yankees. With all the money they spend, they haven't won a world series in nearly a decade. Last year, with a $200mil payroll, they missed the playoffs. Every team is in full contention with the Yankees.I think they meant competing in the free acency market.. When $168,000,000 is not enough to sign a player it's gotten out of control..

[lleeder]

What the other teams do unlike the yankees is build from within. Even the Red Sox have home grown guys on there roster and they spend money. The Yankees dont need superstars at each position. When they won in the late 90's, they had the perfect mix of vets and youth. Also, they had clutch guys and leaders. Sometimes you need those certain role players like a Scott Brosius.


There perhaps should be an NBA like cap. Where you can spend however much you want to keep your own players but cant go over the cap when signing free agents. Make the cap 120 million. Seems far to me. I'm not saying the Pirates would get a guy like Teixeira or CC but if there was a cap, they would have a better shot b/c they know the Yankees cant blow them out of the water for a contract. I think the league would be great if each team had their own set of superstars. It would make each team attractive to watch b/c fans will come to the games to see certain players. No one sees the Nats when the come to play the Mets. If the Nats had an Albert Pujols, then people would show up.

I wouldn't show up for that shit. One good player isn't enough to excite me about a cocksmoking team.

[underdog]

I think they meant competing in the free acency market.. When $168,000,000 is not enough to sign a player it's gotten out of control..

Other teams are beating the Yankees in the Free Agency market, as well. Yankees sign huge free agents, other teams invest money better in smaller agents and win the division or World Series.

A-Rod signed originally for $250mil, and it wasn't with the Yankees.

Every year, there's people yelling that it's gotten out of control and someone needs to do something because its killing baseball, the way the Yankees can sign anyone they want.

And then the Yankees don't win the World Series. Again.

They didn't even win the division or make the playoffs. That big market team Tampa Bay did.

Congratulations Yankees! You're the Washington Redskins of Major League Baseball. You won the offseason again.

[foodcourtdruide]

X1000



Not that they'd take him back, but this would totally be worth it just if the Red Sox had to seriously consider making an offer for him.

But seriously, how is Bobby Abreu completely out of the picture so far this off season? No one has really even mentioned his name. He's not a bad player at all. I know his defense is questionable but jesus.



It doesn't hurt baseball. Show me proof? If anything it helps it. The Yankees have to fork over more cash to Selig who then redistributes it supposedly to the other teams. How is that hurting them?

The Yankees have been signing these top free agents since 2001 and haven't one a single World Series since. So really it isn't that fucking dramatic that they've signed three top free agents here and it doesn't in any way make the other 29 teams in baseball throw their hands up and say,"WE SURRENDER!" Remember the American League team in that series last year? Did they get there because they spent the most money? The Tigers like someone said spent like crazy last off season and they went NOWHERE. So in actuality this doesn't cast any die for this upcoming season at all because more than in any other league you have to play out the season in baseball because too many things can affect whether you win or lose.

Ratings during the playoffs and World Series have proven that no one wants to watch these small market backwater clubs in October. People want the Red Sox, the Yankees, the Cubs (oh well), Dodgers etc. So if, god willing, this gets them back in a World Series how does it hurt baseball?

Are the Yankees spending the money they have causing other teams to not spend theirs? How bout' you point your finger at the owners of all these other teams in baseball who'd rather sink their profits into their pockets rather than into the teams the put on the field? Absentee owners hurt baseball more than any other thing in the sport. Then you have complete fucking morons like the Marlins GM or whatever the hell he was try to cry about what the Yankees are doing? Fuck them.



So that's what they've said about the Red Sox when they've won the World Series? Is that what they said about the White Sox? Did they say that about Arizona in 2001? No, they didn't. All those teams have done the exact same thing the Yankees did and are doing... Signing top free agents, spending cash and trading for top players. But when the YANKEES do it, it's ruining baseball. That's when everyone has to make the Yankees the example. It's really fucking tired.



No, corporatism of baseball is killing it. Just like with the NFL. But that's a completely difference conversation.

Killing it is an exaggeration. A better term might be making it suck.

The Yankees are doing it at a higher level than the teams above. There has to be some threshold that they will reach where everyone will just stop giving a shit. And I think people are beginning to say "who gives a shit?" when big market teams win the World Series. As a baseball fan I am saying I find it very difficult to care about this sport when a handful of teams have the upper-hand for a non-baseball related reason.

I don't know how you could say the payroll disparity is not hurting this sport (killing may be an exaggeration). If you are a fan of the higher spending teams this is great because you essentially have an advantage before any pitch is thrown. However, why the fuck would anyone invest time in a team that has to jump through hurdles that other teams don't have to deal with in order to just be competitive? Again:

I DON'T BLAME THE YANKEES FOR SPENDING THE MONEY

But this is making for a shitty product and it's getting tiresome EVEN AS A METS FAN that a few teams have been deemed the chosen ones and ultimately get all the good players! It's fucking boring now!

[Kevin]

The Yankees are doing it at a higher level than the teams above. There has to be some threshold that they will reach where everyone will just stop giving a shit. And I think people are beginning to say "who gives a shit?" when big market teams win the World Series. As a baseball fan I am saying I find it very difficult to care about this sport when a handful of teams have the upper-hand for a non-baseball related reason.

I don't know how you could say the payroll disparity is not hurting this sport (killing may be an exaggeration). If you are a fan of the higher spending teams this is great because you essentially have an advantage before any pitch is thrown. However, why the fuck would anyone invest time in a team that has to jump through hurdles that other teams don't have to deal with in order to just be competitive? Again:

I DON'T BLAME THE YANKEES FOR SPENDING THE MONEY

But this is making for a shitty product and it's getting tiresome EVEN AS A METS FAN that a few teams have been deemed the chosen ones and ultimately get all the good players! It's fucking boring now!



Its absaloutly not boring. Every thing in life needs a big bad heel, to make things interesting. That team or person everyone hates and wants to Knock off. It just makes things fun and interesting.

[foodcourtdruide]

Its absaloutly not boring. Every thing in life needs a big bad heel, to make things interesting. That team or person everyone hates and wants to Knock off. It just makes things fun and interesting.

So, you're a Yankees fan. If you were a Kansas City Royals fan, you'd say "you know, my team will probably never even make the playoffs in my life-time, and if we do somehow develop a great player he will leave when he hits free agency... but man.. it's fun hating the Yankees!"?

[Kevin]

So, you're a Yankees fan. If you were a Kansas City Royals fan, you'd say "you know, my team will probably never even make the playoffs in my life-time, and if we do somehow develop a great player he will leave when he hits free agency... but man.. it's fun hating the Yankees!"?



So what, they have lost longer than the Drays, and have had top pick after top pick. Draft well and build a team. It can be done

[Snoogans]

The Yankees are doing it at a higher level than the teams above. There has to be some threshold that they will reach where everyone will just stop giving a shit. And I think people are beginning to say "who gives a shit?" when big market teams win the World Series. As a baseball fan I am saying I find it very difficult to care about this sport when a handful of teams have the upper-hand for a non-baseball related reason.

I don't know how you could say the payroll disparity is not hurting this sport (killing may be an exaggeration). If you are a fan of the higher spending teams this is great because you essentially have an advantage before any pitch is thrown. However, why the fuck would anyone invest time in a team that has to jump through hurdles that other teams don't have to deal with in order to just be competitive? Again:

I DON'T BLAME THE YANKEES FOR SPENDING THE MONEY

But this is making for a shitty product and it's getting tiresome EVEN AS A METS FAN that a few teams have been deemed the chosen ones and ultimately get all the good players! It's fucking boring now!

I wouldnt have a problem with them spending the money if they hadnt just asked the City for so much

[PD]

It is the way it is.
so far it's just a money thing; back before the mid 60's, the Yankees dominated even more.

The thing that may be the worst is as epo pointed out, teams like the Jays had every reason to expect a 1st round pick for Burnett, and will instead get a 3rd simply because the Yankees over indulged.

maybe instead it should be next years 1st round, etc, and you can't sign a FA if you don't have the pick.

[El Mudo]

What the other teams do unlike the yankees is build from within. Even the Red Sox have home grown guys on there roster and they spend money. The Yankees dont need superstars at each position. When they won in the late 90's, they had the perfect mix of vets and youth. Also, they had clutch guys and leaders. Sometimes you need those certain role players like a Scott Brosius.


There perhaps should be an NBA like cap. Where you can spend however much you want to keep your own players but cant go over the cap when signing free agents. Make the cap 120 million. Seems far to me. I'm not saying the Pirates would get a guy like Teixeira or CC but if there was a cap, they would have a better shot b/c they know the Yankees cant blow them out of the water for a contract. I think the league would be great if each team had their own set of superstars. It would make each team attractive to watch b/c fans will come to the games to see certain players. No one sees the Nats when the come to play the Mets. If the Nats had an Albert Pujols, then people would show up.

There's no such thing as "clutch" and Scott Brosius was a terrible player.

Maybe teams like my beloved Nats are terrible because theyre expansion teams who have only had an owner for about a year and only recently acquired a scouting department after their last owners left them with nothing.

Maybe teams like the Pirates and Royals are terrible not because they can't "compete", but how about because theyve been horribly mismanaged? Jason Whitlock can tell you horror stories about David Glass and the Royals ownership and how they refuse to SPEND any money. My girl friend is from Pittsburgh, and judging from how rabid the Steelers and Penguins fans are, Pirates fans gotta be close behind...they still draw close to a million and a half a year, even with a dog poop team. The real problem with baseball and spending, is not the Yankees, but rather teams that refuse to spend money, and earn profits from revenue sharing...its a TRAVESTY.

When you don't have the "resources" to spend like the Yankees and other high budget teams do, you must find other ways in which to exploit market inefficienies and find good players that are undervalued for whatever reason. Its almost better in a sense to not have a cap, because it can force GMs with a low budget to think creatively, and introduce new ideas and systems into the game, which is never a bad thing, although I have ZERO faith in the baseball establishment who continue to give guys like Dusty Baker and Jerry Manuel jobs

[sailor]

So, you're a Yankees fan. If you were a Kansas City Royals fan, you'd say "you know, my team will probably never even make the playoffs in my life-time, and if we do somehow develop a great player he will leave when he hits free agency... but man.. it's fun hating the Yankees!"?

not being in the same division as ny, they're not really what's preventing kc from making the post-season.

[foodcourtdruide]

not being in the same division as ny, they're not really what's preventing kc from making the post-season.

What do you mean?

[jauble]

not being in the same division as ny, they're not really what's preventing kc from making the post-season.

Thats not all true. Its a cyclical thing, they play in a small market so their team comes from their farm system. Once those players can leave the go for the money. When the talent leaves people dont come to the games. When people dont come to the games, they arent making any money so they cant buy the talent.

[sailor]

What do you mean?

the yankees can win 162 games and the royals could still win their division.

and for the cyclical thing, wouldn't the loss of talent affect the other teams in the al central (those competing with the royals) just as much?

[jauble]

the yankees can win 162 games and the royals could still win their division.

and for the cyclical thing, wouldn't the loss of talent affect the other teams in the al central (those competing with the royals) just as much?

Thats true, but you get what Im saying. Im not saying that it is a direct cause, but it can be an indirect cause. There is also the fact, who wants to live in Kansas City. I think the yankees should spend their money because the teams goal is to win. I was just arguing a point. Im a cubs guy so I say spend away.

[Kevin]

It is the way it is.
so far it's just a money thing; back before the mid 60's, the Yankees dominated even more.

The thing that may be the worst is as epo pointed out, teams like the Jays had every reason to expect a 1st round pick for Burnett, and will instead get a 3rd simply because the Yankees over indulged.

maybe instead it should be next years 1st round, etc, and you can't sign a FA if you don't have the pick.

The Yanks lost nothing in terms of draft picks this year

Even though they gave picks to the teams.

They have a 1 and a sandwhich pick because they could not sign their #1 and 2 picks. And those were protected. The teams could not take them.

In fact, they have a better 1 that they gave to Mil for CC. They gave the 26th and they have the 21st.

[cougarjake13]

It is the way it is.
so far it's just a money thing; back before the mid 60's, the Yankees dominated even more.

The thing that may be the worst is as epo pointed out, teams like the Jays had every reason to expect a 1st round pick for Burnett, and will instead get a 3rd simply because the Yankees over indulged.

maybe instead it should be next years 1st round, etc, and you can't sign a FA if you don't have the pick.


yeh but was the yanks payroll during that time almost 3 to 4 times as much as others ??
i dont think so, and there were less teams, so more teams had great players, plus players rarely moved around much and for the most part played their entire careers with one team


that does suck that they get a lesser rd draft pick, they need to change that rule

[cougarjake13]

There's no such thing as "clutch" and Scott Brosius was a terrible player.

Maybe teams like my beloved Nats are terrible because theyre expansion teams who have only had an owner for about a year and only recently acquired a scouting department after their last owners left them with nothing.

Maybe teams like the Pirates and Royals are terrible not because they can't "compete", but how about because theyve been horribly mismanaged? Jason Whitlock can tell you horror stories about David Glass and the Royals ownership and how they refuse to SPEND any money. My girl friend is from Pittsburgh, and judging from how rabid the Steelers and Penguins fans are, Pirates fans gotta be close behind...they still draw close to a million and a half a year, even with a dog poop team. The real problem with baseball and spending, is not the Yankees, but rather teams that refuse to spend money, and earn profits from revenue sharing...its a TRAVESTY.

When you don't have the "resources" to spend like the Yankees and other high budget teams do, you must find other ways in which to exploit market inefficienies and find good players that are undervalued for whatever reason. Its almost better in a sense to not have a cap, because it can force GMs with a low budget to think creatively, and introduce new ideas and systems into the game, which is never a bad thing, although I have ZERO faith in the baseball establishment who continue to give guys like Dusty Baker and Jerry Manuel jobs



but they have to be pc and give jobs to minorities

[cougarjake13]

So, you're a Yankees fan. If you were a Kansas City Royals fan, you'd say "you know, my team will probably never even make the playoffs in my life-time, and if we do somehow develop a great player he will leave when he hits free agency... but man.. it's fun hating the Yankees!"?

not being in the same division as ny, they're not really what's preventing kc from making the post-season.

exactly they dont have to be as good as the yankees or outspend the yanks


all they have to do is be better than the twins, indians, tigers or white sox

and as bad as theyve been a division title and 1st rd playoff loss would be great for them
plus it may help them be better moving forward as players may go there


plus as the rays showed last year, once you get in anything could happen

[PD]

it's not exactly true that the royals aren't affected, now that there is a wild card.

but yes, the team that it sucks most for is the Baltimore Orioles.

[sailor]

it's not exactly true that the royals aren't affected, now that there is a wild card.

but yes, the team that it sucks most for is the Baltimore Orioles.

"not really" was my concession to the wild card. :king:

[foodcourtdruide]

exactly they dont have to be as good as the yankees or outspend the yanks


all they have to do is be better than the twins, indians, tigers or white sox

and as bad as theyve been a division title and 1st rd playoff loss would be great for them
plus it may help them be better moving forward as players may go there


plus as the rays showed last year, once you get in anything could happen

There are a finite amount of players in the world. The Yankees/Mets/Red Sox, etc. having a monopoly on those players DOES effect teams outside their division.

And the Rays argument doens't work. So, you'd be happy if your team had to spend 5 years being terrible to build up to 2 or 3 potential competitive years? That is the system you want in place?

[sailor]

There are a finite amount of players in the world. The Yankees/Mets/Red Sox, etc. having a monopoly on those players DOES effect teams outside their division.

And the Rays argument doens't work. So, you'd be happy if your team had to spend 5 years being terrible to build up to 2 or 3 potential competitive years? That is the system you want in place?

yes, but it would affect all of them equally, so unless you're in a division with one of them your effect within your division is zero (you're all affected equally). and it's an oligopoly. and that shit-hole detroit had the 2nd largest payroll, so there's no excuse for anyone else. if you can't afford a team, maybe you shouldn't have one. what ever happened to the free market?

[PD]

Joel Sherman has had an interesting take on the Yanks signing of Tex.
He had figured that the Swisher trade was great in that it held 1b for some of the Yankee core that in the future would need position changes- namely Posada, Jeter and possibly A-Rod.
Now that spot is blocked.

The other thing he mentioned was that the Yankees looked at next year and saw a weak crop of free Agents, and basically figured they might as well make their moves now.

[cougarjake13]

There are a finite amount of players in the world. The Yankees/Mets/Red Sox, etc. having a monopoly on those players DOES effect teams outside their division.

And the Rays argument doens't work. So, you'd be happy if your team had to spend 5 years being terrible to build up to 2 or 3 potential competitive years? That is the system you want in place?


but teams not in the al east dont have to worry about the yanks til playoff time and if they have a good pitching staff and bullpen they may have a shot to take them out

and not being in the al east every year they can be competitive over long periods of time for their division crown

[cougarjake13]

Joel Sherman has had an interesting take on the Yanks signing of Tex.
He had figured that the Swisher trade was great in that it held 1b for some of the Yankee core that in the future would need position changes- namely Posada, Jeter and possibly A-Rod.
Now that spot is blocked.

The other thing he mentioned was that the Yankees looked at next year and saw a weak crop of free Agents, and basically figured they might as well make their moves now.

any of those you mentioned could be moved to dh so the tex signing isnt that bad yeh it blocks a defensive position but i dont see jeter playing first anyway, arod and posada maybe

[Kevin]

Hey Mojo...

Tell them what happended when Charles Comiskey was cheap and did not spend.

His team wound up cheating and caused the biggest shame in sports history..


And you know where Charles Comiskey is now?

HE'S DEAD! That's where.

[cougarjake13]

they should add to the rules that after 5 years from now they get an independent arbirtrator to look at all teams


if he determines that any team are just pocketing the moeny and arent doing anything with the profits or rev sharing to improve the team that the current owner should be removed as owner and find a new owner, move the team or disband the franchise

[epo]

they should add to the rules that after 5 years from now they get an independent arbirtrator to look at all teams

if he determines that any team are just pocketing the moeny and arent doing anything with the profits or rev sharing to improve the team that the current owner should be removed as owner and find a new owner, move the team or disband the franchise

I'm sure the Royals spent theirs last year.......on the great Angel Berroa! What a difference maker!

[K.C.]

People freak out about the Yankees every year, and it never quite works out.

The system in MLB works.

It still favors teams that build from the minors upward, it still favors teams who want to sign their home grown talent long-term, and more often than not, big money free agent signings tend to not live up to the hype.

What's to stop teams from making the kind of deal with their players that the Rays made with Evan Longoria? Or the deal the Marlins made with Hanley Ramirez.

Most players are willing to sell years of their free agency for a guaranteed raise during their club controlled contract years, and arbitration years.


And as for the Yankees, they shot their load this year...but they've tied up an awful lot of money for a long time. What's going to happen as they have to replace guys likes Matsui, Damon, Posada, Rivera, Pettitte, and so forth, or sign guys like Joba, Cano, and Hughes long-term?

Even they have their limits, and it's somewhere in the 200 million range. They're not going to bump up to 300 million any time in the foreseeable future. At a certain point, it's not profitable, even for them.

And for the most part, the Yankee minor league system has blown, the last decade or so. The one instance in which they got Joba, Hughes, and Kennedy was because they actually let free agents walk, thus getting extra draft picks that season.

So I think people are overreacting, to say the least.

[K.C.]

I'm sure the Royals spent theirs last year.......on the great Angel Berroa! What a difference maker!

Luxury tax did help them get Gil Meche, who actually turned out to be a nice pickup.

The Royals are actually a team that could gel together nicely this year. They played the best ball of anyone in the Central from late August on, last season.

[jonyrotn]

not being in the same division as ny, they're not really what's preventing kc from making the post-season.
Of course they are silly..:wacko:

A freshly rolled fatty in Reilly's purse has a better chance of not being smoked then the Royals have of:

A) Resigning their own, home grown talent..Because...

Players go for the money, nothing else..Just cash on the barrel..That's it..
If you're telling me either Alex Gordon or Billy Butler are gonna be long term fixtures in Missouri then I'm telling you, the St Louis Cardinals are gonna have a real solid top of the order.. Also...

B) signing ANY teir 1 or even teir 2 free agent..
NOT A SINGLE FUNKIN SHOT at ANY of them..Not even a sniff..Their fans and players can't even dream about it..
When your biggest most celebrated free agent signings over the past 15-20 years are Mark Grudzielanek & Gil Meche, winning is not something you really plan on dealing with.. Also...

C) Getting great draft selections and not being able to sign them AT ALL because other teams have inflated the market to fairy tale proportions..
If the 30th pick over all gets a $5mil bonus, how on earth is the 2nd pick over all gonna be expected to sign for a $1.6mil bonus?

It's just fuckin bananas..A microcosm of the real world..The Haves and the Have Nots..The only problem is, in both situations The Haves could NOT exist without the Have Nots..

So yes..The yankees et al are, to a degree, responsible for keeping KC out of the post season with their check books alone, before a single pitch is even thrown..
It's called Economic Warfare and it's ruthless..

Btw..This might be my first serious post since I joined DotNet..:ohmy:

[Dirtbag]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3794407&campaign=rss&source=MLBHeadlines
There are no words to accurately describe my rage.

[underdog]

Of course they are silly..:wacko:

A freshly rolled fatty in Reilly's purse has a better chance of not being smoked then the Royals have of:

A) Resigning their own, home grown talent..Because...

4) Because they'd have to continue living in Kansas City.

[sailor]

Players go for the money, nothing else..Just cash on the barrel..That's it..

"The great trouble with baseball today is that most of the players are in the game for the money and that's it, not for the love of it, the excitement of it, the thrill of it."

[cougarjake13]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3794407&campaign=rss&source=MLBHeadlines
There are no words to accurately describe my rage.



wow


8 mil for RJ



so now they have linecum, rj, zito, cain


that might be enough to compete in the shitty nl west

[K.C.]

Of course they are silly..:wacko:

A freshly rolled fatty in Reilly's purse has a better chance of not being smoked then the Royals have of:

A) Resigning their own, home grown talent..Because...

Players go for the money, nothing else..Just cash on the barrel..That's it..
If you're telling me either Alex Gordon or Billy Butler are gonna be long term fixtures in Missouri then I'm telling you, the St Louis Cardinals are gonna have a real solid top of the order.. Also...

B) signing ANY teir 1 or even teir 2 free agent..
NOT A SINGLE FUNKIN SHOT at ANY of them..Not even a sniff..Their fans and players can't even dream about it..
When your biggest most celebrated free agent signings over the past 15-20 years are Mark Grudzielanek & Gil Meche, winning is not something you really plan on dealing with.. Also...

C) Getting great draft selections and not being able to sign them AT ALL because other teams have inflated the market to fairy tale proportions..
If the 30th pick over all gets a $5mil bonus, how on earth is the 2nd pick over all gonna be expected to sign for a $1.6mil bonus?

It's just fuckin bananas..A microcosm of the real world..The Haves and the Have Nots..The only problem is, in both situations The Haves could NOT exist without the Have Nots..

So yes..The yankees et al are, to a degree, responsible for keeping KC out of the post season with their check books alone, before a single pitch is even thrown..
It's called Economic Warfare and it's ruthless..

Btw..This might be my first serious post since I joined DotNet..:ohmy:


They locked DeJesus up through 2011, back in 2006.

And this is actually kind of a bad year for this argument considering Kansas City is one of the few teams that are on record for wanting to up their payroll 20-25 million this offseason (which would put them around 75 milion).

If they're smart, they'll do with Alex Gordon and Billy Butler what most 'budget' teams do and sign them before arbitration, to buy it out, and years of their free agency.


I've got news for you...even if there was a cap, unless it was like 50-60 million, teams like Florida, Oakland, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, and Tampa Bay would still conduct business as usual.

All that a cap of 100-120 million would do would let teams like the Phillies, Giants, Astros, and Cardinals get a crack at a free agent like Sabathia.

And it's not like those franchises struggle...all four of those teams have made the World Series in recent years (Cards twice).

[TheMojoPin]

Of course they are silly..:wacko:

A freshly rolled fatty in Reilly's purse has a better chance of not being smoked then the Royals have of:

A) Resigning their own, home grown talent..Because...

Players go for the money, nothing else..Just cash on the barrel..That's it..
If you're telling me either Alex Gordon or Billy Butler are gonna be long term fixtures in Missouri then I'm telling you, the St Louis Cardinals are gonna have a real solid top of the order.. Also...

B) signing ANY teir 1 or even teir 2 free agent..
NOT A SINGLE FUNKIN SHOT at ANY of them..Not even a sniff..Their fans and players can't even dream about it..
When your biggest most celebrated free agent signings over the past 15-20 years are Mark Grudzielanek & Gil Meche, winning is not something you really plan on dealing with.. Also...

C) Getting great draft selections and not being able to sign them AT ALL because other teams have inflated the market to fairy tale proportions..
If the 30th pick over all gets a $5mil bonus, how on earth is the 2nd pick over all gonna be expected to sign for a $1.6mil bonus?

It's just fuckin bananas..A microcosm of the real world..The Haves and the Have Nots..The only problem is, in both situations The Haves could NOT exist without the Have Nots..

So yes..The yankees et al are, to a degree, responsible for keeping KC out of the post season with their check books alone, before a single pitch is even thrown..
It's called Economic Warfare and it's ruthless..

Btw..This might be my first serious post since I joined DotNet..:ohmy:

The Royals are "have nots" because they choose to be.

[K.C.]

The Royals are "have nots" because they choose to be.

I don't know why the Royals are the team that's being used as the example here.

They've actually done a lot of the right things over the years. They built that core with Beltran, Sweeney, Dye, Damon, Berroa (hey, he was ROTY once upon a time) back in the earlier part of the decade.

The reason that team never got over the hump was because they never developed any pitching.

Now, they've got Butler, Gordon, DeJesus, Aviles, Jacobs, Crisp, Guillen....all are pretty good players.

And they've developed Greinke...signed Meche...are in the process of developing Hochevar, who's a pretty good prospect...and even have developed a pretty good closer in Soria.

They're really on the right track.

It would not shock me if they contend for that division this year.


And as far as keeping it together goes, they can afford to sign Butler, Gordon, Aviles, and Greinke long-term, if they do it right now. The longer they put it off, though, the closer guys get to free agency and the higher the price tag goes.

The key is that you have to let the veteran guys like Guillen and Crisp walk when they become free agents, and replace from within.


That's how small market teams compete and win.

[cougarjake13]

The Royals are "have nots" because they choose to be.

exactly

they had damon, dye, beltran

[jonyrotn]

wow..8 mil for RJ
so now they have linecum, rj, zito, cain
that might be enough to compete in the shitty nl west
Imo $8mil is huge bargin for the big unit..
If it wasn't for the fact that he was a lefty, I would have pulled for The BoSox to sign him if for nothing else other then his veteran presence in their rotation..
What he could do for Tim Lincecom and Matt Cain in the way of mentoring may be invaluable..
As far as what he may bring to the table ability wise, it would probably be about 20-25 starts with 12-15 wins..And don't forget that in the post Greg Maddux world we live in Randy Johnson is considered an innings eater and saving the bullpen a big factor these day in the NL so they may carry that extra pinch hitter..

Btw, all of the above is just my opinion, feel free to disagree..:smile:

They built that core with Beltran, Sweeney, Dye, Damon, Berroa (hey, he was ROTY once upon a time) back in the earlier part of the decade.
The reason that team never got over the hump was because they never developed any pitching.
Now, they've got Butler, Gordon, DeJesus, Aviles, Jacobs, Crisp, Guillen....all are pretty good players.
And they've developed Greinke...signed Meche...are in the process of developing Hochevar, who's a pretty good prospect...and even have developed a pretty good closer in Soria.
They're really on the right track.
It would not shock me if they contend for that division this year.
And as far as keeping it together goes, they can afford to sign Butler, Gordon, Aviles, and Greinke long-term, if they do it right now. The longer they put it off, though, the closer guys get to free agency and the higher the price tag goes.
The key is that you have to let the veteran guys like Guillen and Crisp walk when they become free agents, and replace from within.
That's how small market teams compete and win.
Zack Grienke's a potential All Star but he's a fuckin head case and one bad outing may send him into Donnie Moore Ville..As far as Gil Meche goes we all know know he'll never be much more then a .500 pitcher..As far as Hochover's (sp) concerned, I think the Jury's still out on him..
His up side is very high but so was his ERA and WHIP and if he's gonna be that ace power pitcher that we all think he could be, he's gonna have to strike out a hell of a lot more people..

Of all the players on their roster right now only Alex Gordon impresses me as a perenial all star but I'm sure he'll be gone 4 years too..

One shining example of how the Royals are forced to do business is, they had to give up one of the premier relievers in the AL for what amounted to a platoon CF for the Red Sox (who instantly becomes the second or third best player on their team) just because he's locked up for a few more years for a reasonable price..
The only problem is, Crisp and Dejesus are eccentially the EXACT same player and that's the exact reason the Red Sox traded him, because Crisp and Ellsbury are eccentially the same players..
It doesn't mean Epstiein is smarter then Moore it's just that Moore is backed into a corner..
One really huge step in the right direction that the Royals took was to hire Arbuckle away for the Phillies..This guy's got an amazing eye for talent and out drafts the rest of the league every year..

Again..This is just my view of the situation..:smile:

exactly
they had damon, dye, beltranQFT..These Royals just can't keep an all star around..

[jonyrotn]

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=980 border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD class=page width=960><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=bg0 align=left><TD colSpan=12>These are the standings for my favorite and most competitive fantasy league..There's 16 teams and we all work together so you can only imagine the shit talking that goes down..I managed to pull of a few really good trade this year and they ended up paying of in the end..My team is "Fuck Bucky Dent" and I won the whole thing this year..The prize money was about $4k-$5k, I don't remember exactly but I posted the finances so you can see how that's run..
CBS is a pretty good sight for fantasy sports for all you commissioners out there..

North Division


</TD></TR><TR class=bg4 align=left><TD>Team (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/standings/2008?&_1:col_1=1)</TD><TD>W (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/standings/2008?&_1:col_1=2)</TD><TD>L (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/standings/2008?&_1:col_1=3)</TD><TD>T (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/standings/2008?&_1:col_1=4)</TD><TD>PCT (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/standings/2008?&_1:col_1=5)</TD><TD>GB (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/standings/2008?&_1:col_1=6)</TD><TD>Strk (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/standings/2008?&_1:col_1=7)</TD><TD>Div (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/standings/2008?&_1:col_1=8)</TD><TD>Wks (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/standings/2008?&_1:col_1=9)</TD><TD>PF (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/standings/2008?&_1:col_1=10)</TD><TD>Back (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/standings/2008?&_1:col_1=11)</TD><TD>PA (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/standings/2008?&_1:col_1=12)</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>GETTING SNAKED</TD><TD>17</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0.680</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>W1</TD><TD>10-5-0</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>6451.7</TD><TD>855.0</TD><TD>6075.8</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>BULLITTS</TD><TD>16</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0.667</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>L2</TD><TD>11-5-0</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>7306.7</TD><TD>0.0</TD><TD>6291.3</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>THE GREAT MCGONIGLE</TD><TD>15</TD><TD>10</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0.600</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>L1</TD><TD>8-7-0</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>6268.3</TD><TD>1038.3</TD><TD>6029.1</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>SHU SHU RETARDED FLU</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>10</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0.545</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>W4</TD><TD>8-6-0</TD><TD>5.5</TD><TD>6250.0</TD><TD>1056.7</TD><TD>5943.9</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>SPITZERS WHORES</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0.500</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>W1</TD><TD>4-10-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>5549.9</TD><TD>1756.7</TD><TD>5566.3</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>TEAM BALCO</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0.500</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>W1</TD><TD>7-7-0</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>5431.7</TD><TD>1875.0</TD><TD>5328.4</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>MORAL HAZARD</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0.500</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>L2</TD><TD>6-8-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>5362.7</TD><TD>1944.0</TD><TD>5636.4</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>DAZED AND CONFUSED</TD><TD>9</TD><TD>13</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0.409</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>L5</TD><TD>4-10-0</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>5479.7</TD><TD>1827.0</TD><TD>5623.1</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=bg0 align=left><TD colSpan=12>South Division</TD></TR><TR class=bg4 align=left><TD>Team (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/standings/2008?&_2:col_1=1)</TD><TD>W (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/standings/2008?&_2:col_1=2)</TD><TD>L (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/standings/2008?&_2:col_1=3)</TD><TD>T (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/standings/2008?&_2:col_1=4)</TD><TD>PCT (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/standings/2008?&_2:col_1=5)</TD><TD>GB (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/standings/2008?&_2:col_1=6)</TD><TD>Strk (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/standings/2008?&_2:col_1=7)</TD><TD>Div (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/standings/2008?&_2:col_1=8)</TD><TD>Wks (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/standings/2008?&_2:col_1=9)</TD><TD>PF (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/standings/2008?&_2:col_1=10)</TD><TD>Back (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/standings/2008?&_2:col_1=11)</TD><TD>PA (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/standings/2008?&_2:col_1=12)</TD></TR><TR class=bgFan vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/images/team-logo/stoffer032-jonyrotnkid-15x15.jpgFUCK BUCKY DENT</TD><TD>18</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0.750</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>W10</TD><TD>11-3-0</TD><TD>2.5</TD><TD>6979.7</TD><TD>327.0</TD><TD>5809.2</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>TORTOISE</TD><TD>13</TD><TD>10</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0.565</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>L1</TD><TD>9-5-0</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>6016.3</TD><TD>1290.3</TD><TD>5741.7</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>BLOCKHEADS</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0.478</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>L1</TD><TD>10-4-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>5760.0</TD><TD>1546.7</TD><TD>5797.6</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>CHICO'S BAIL BONDS</TD><TD>10</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0.455</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>L1</TD><TD>6-8-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>5067.3</TD><TD>2239.3</TD><TD>5276.2</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>SCANTRONICS</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>14</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0.364</TD><TD>10</TD><TD>L4</TD><TD>6-8-0</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>5323.0</TD><TD>1983.7</TD><TD>5638.5</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>NUGENTS CONSERVATIVES</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>15</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0.318</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>L2</TD><TD>4-10-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>5101.0</TD><TD>2205.7</TD><TD>5750.5</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>DOMANEGROS</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>15</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0.318</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>L1</TD><TD>6-8-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>5048.3</TD><TD>2258.3</TD><TD>5706.2</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>I COULD CARE LESS</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>16</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0.273</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>W1</TD><TD>4-10-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>5147.7</TD><TD>2159.0</TD><TD>5816.4</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0><TBODY></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=bg0 align=left><TD colSpan=6>MUD FOOT AND LIGHTNING Finances</TD></TR><TR class=bg4 align=left><TD>Team</TD><TD>Entry</TD><TD>Costs</TD><TD>Winnings</TD><TD>Paid</TD><TD>Balance</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>BLOCKHEADS</TD><TD>$300.00</TD><TD>$34.00</TD><TD>$0.00</TD><TD>$334.00</TD><TD>$0.00</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>BULLITTS</TD><TD>$300.00</TD><TD>$99.00</TD><TD>$550.00</TD><TD>$273.00</TD><TD>$424.00</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>CHICO'S BAIL BONDS</TD><TD>$300.00</TD><TD>$58.00</TD><TD>$0.00</TD><TD>$300.00</TD><TD>$-58.00</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>DAZED AND CONFUSED</TD><TD>$300.00</TD><TD>$34.00</TD><TD>$0.00</TD><TD>$334.00</TD><TD>$0.00</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>DOMANEGROS</TD><TD>$300.00</TD><TD>$56.00</TD><TD>$0.00</TD><TD>$356.00</TD><TD>$0.00</TD></TR><TR class=bgFan vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>FUCK BUCKY DENT</TD><TD>$300.00</TD><TD>$262.00</TD><TD>$100.00</TD><TD>$462.00</TD><TD>$0.00</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>GETTING SNAKED</TD><TD>$300.00</TD><TD>$53.00</TD><TD>$516.00</TD><TD>$300.00</TD><TD>$463.00</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>I COULD CARE LESS</TD><TD>$300.00</TD><TD>$69.00</TD><TD>$0.00</TD><TD>$369.00</TD><TD>$0.00</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>MORAL HAZARD</TD><TD>$300.00</TD><TD>$104.00</TD><TD>$0.00</TD><TD>$300.00</TD><TD>$-104.00</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>NUGENTS CONSERVATIVES</TD><TD>$300.00</TD><TD>$125.00</TD><TD>$0.00</TD><TD>$425.00</TD><TD>$0.00</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>SCANTRONICS</TD><TD>$300.00</TD><TD>$0.00</TD><TD>$0.00</TD><TD>$300.00</TD><TD>$0.00</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>SHU SHU RETARDED FLU</TD><TD>$300.00</TD><TD>$78.00</TD><TD>$0.00</TD><TD>$378.00</TD><TD>$0.00</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>SPITZERS WHORES</TD><TD>$300.00</TD><TD>$0.00</TD><TD>$0.00</TD><TD>$0.00</TD><TD>$-300.00</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>TEAM BALCO</TD><TD>$300.00</TD><TD>$144.00</TD><TD>$0.00</TD><TD>$444.00</TD><TD>$0.00</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>THE GREAT MCGONIGLE</TD><TD>$300.00</TD><TD>$88.00</TD><TD>$0.00</TD><TD>$388.00</TD><TD>$0.00</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>TORTOISE</TD><TD>$300.00</TD><TD>$104.00</TD><TD>$0.00</TD><TD>$404.00</TD><TD>$0.00</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=tot vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD class=bg4 align=left>TOTALS</TD><TD class=bg4>$4800.00</TD><TD class=bg4>$1308.00</TD><TD class=bg4>$1166.00</TD><TD class=bg4>$5367.00</TD><TD class=bg4>$425.00</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

</TD><TD class=page width=10></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- contextual-footer -->

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=985 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=10></TD><TD width=965><!-- Google Contextual Ads --><SCRIPT language=JavaScript><!-- // contextualAdObj Object which determines channelID function contextualAdObj( vtag ){ // vtag passed from Request Environment this.vtag = vtag; // List of Features which Disable Contextual this.hideFeatures = Array( 'registration', 'splash', 'payment', 'payments', 'login', 'signup' ); this.vtagSplit = this.vtag.split( ';' ); this.project = 'baseball'; this.uri = '/standings/2008'; this.server_name = 'fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com.ws1344-fe.tm.cbsig.net'; // if_this.display == 'none' (from Request Environment) Contextual Disables this.display = ''; this.test = ( this.server_name.indexOf('dev') >= 0 || this.server_name.indexOf('qa') >=0 ) ? 'on' : 'off'; // Sets Arena, Feature & Site from vTag Passed from Request Environment for( j=0; j < this.vtagSplit.length; j++ ){ keyValue = this.vtagSplit[j].split("="); if( keyValue[0] == 'arena' ) this.arena = keyValue[1]; if( keyValue[0] == 'feat' ) this.feature = keyValue[1]; if( keyValue[0] == 'site' ) this.site = keyValue[1]; } if( this.project == 'media' ){ // IF MEDIA (Non Fantasy) this.clientID = 'ca-sportsline_js'; this.google_kw = ''; this.google_kw_type = 'exact'; this.channelID = this.arena; if( this.feature ) this.channelID += "-"+ this.feature; uriSplit = this.uri.split('/'); if( this.uri == '/' ){ this.channelID = 'SPLN_Home'; }else if(( uriSplit[1] ) && ( ! uriSplit[2] )){ if( ! this.feature ) this.channelID += "-home"; } }else{ // IF FANTASY this.clientID = 'ca-sportsline-fantasy_js'; var keyword = new Array("baseball","baseball apparel","baseball games","baseball gear","baseball jerseys","baseball odds","baseball pics","baseball pictures","baseball players","baseball rumors","baseball schedule","baseball scoreboard","baseball scores","baseball season","baseball stats","baseball news","baseball teams","baseball tickets","baseball statistics","baseball videos","baseball standings","major league baseball","major league baseball scores","mlb","mlb jerseys","Chicago Cubs","New York Yankees","Boston Red Sox","Detroit Tigers","Atlanta Braves","Colorado Rockies","Cleveland Indians","Seattle Mariners","Milwaukee Brewers","Minnesota Twins","Houston Astros","Cincinnati Reds","st louis cardinals","ny yankees","New York Mets","Pittsburgh Pirates","Philadelphia Phillies","Chicago White Sox","St. Louis Cardinals","Baltimore Orioles","Texas Rangers","San Diego Padres","Los Angeles Dodgers","Washington Nationals","Arizona Diamondbacks","ny mets","Kansas City Royals","la dodgers","San Francisco Giants","sf giants","Oakland a's ","Florida Marlins","Los Angeles Angels","Oakland Athletics","Tampa Bay Rays","Toronto Blue Jays","kc royals","la angels","sd padres","anahiem angels"); var r = Math.floor(Math.random()*(keyword.length-1)); // Sets Random Keyword this.google_kw = keyword[r]; this.google_kw_type = 'broad'; this.hints = ''; uriSplit = this.uri.split('/'); if( this.uri == '/' ){ this.channelID = 'leaguehome'; }else if(( uriSplit[1] ) && ( ! uriSplit[2] )){ this.channelID = 'other'; } } // Runs through List of Features which can disable Contextual for( j=0; j < this.hideFeatures.length; j++ ){ if( this.feature == this.hideFeatures[j] ) this.display = 'none'; } // Changes Browser Status When Contextial Hover Over this.ss = function(w){ window.status = w; return true; } // Clears Browser Status When Contextial Hover Out this.cs = function(){ window.status = ''; } // Contextual Click Function this.getGo = function(o, e){ if (document.getElementById) { a = o.id.substring(1); p = ""; r = ""; g = e.target; if (g) { t = g.id; f = g.parentNode; if (f) { p = f.id; h = f.parentNode; if (h) r = h.id; } }else { h = e.srcElement; f = h.parentNode; if (f) p = f.id; t = h.id; } if (t == a || p == a || r == a) return true; ae = document.getElementById(a); target = ae.target; if (!target) target = "_blank"; window.open(ae.href, target); } } } //Function called by google once data is recieved function google_ad_request_done(google_ads) { try{ throw google_ads[0].type; } catch(er){ if(er != 'text') return; } // Proceed only if we have ads to display! // Display ads in a table output = ''; output += '<table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td width="45%"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr class="adtitle"><td height="1"></td></tr></table></td><td width="10%" align="center" class="adtitle"><nobr> ADS BY GOOGLE </nobr></td><td width="45%"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr class="adtitle"><td height="1"></td></tr></table></td></tr></table>'; output += '<table width="100%" class="fctable" style="height:250px;">' ; for(i = 0; i < google_ads.length; ++i) { output += '<tr style="cursor:pointer;">'; output += '<td id="_contextual'+ i +'" onClick="contextual.getGo(this,event)" onMouseOver="contextual.ss(\''+ google_ads[i].visible_url +'\');" onMouseOut="contextual.cs()">'; output += '' + google_ads[i].line1 + ' (http://ronfez.net/forums/'+ google_ads[i].url +')
' ; output += google_ads[i].line2 + " " + google_ads[i].line3 + '
' ; output += '' +google_ads[i].visible_url +''; output += '</td></tr>' ; } output += "</table>" ; // Debug Lines if( '' == '16385' ){ output += 'ChannelID:'+ contextual.channelID +' Project:'+ contextual.project; if(contextual.site) output += ' Site:'+ contextual.site ; if(contextual.google_kw) output += ' Key:'+ contextual.google_kw ; if(contextual.test == 'on') output += ' Test Mode On'; output += '


' ; } if( google_ads.length >= 1 ){ document.write( output ); if( '' != 'false' ) document.write( '
' ); } } //New contextualAdObj Object if( ! contextual ) var contextual = new contextualAdObj( 'mlb/fantasy/mgmt/gold/standings;arena=mlb;site=fantasy;feat=standings;fe at=standings_overall;prod=mgmt;svl=gold;type=psa;u ser=Named;ct=USA;st=NY;ac=718;gend=M;age=C;occ=11' ); //Loads google required variables google_ad_client = contextual.clientID; //'ca-sportsline_js'; google_ad_output = 'js'; google_max_num_ads = 3; google_ad_type = 'text'; google_ad_channel = contextual.channelID; google_safe = 'high'; google_adtest = contextual.test; google_feedback = 'off'; google_hints = contextual.hints; google_kw = contextual.google_kw; google_kw_type = contextual.google_kw_type; //Determines wheather or not to call Google Js File which returns Contextual Ad Object and calls `function google_ad_request_done` if (!switchCont) {var switchCont='on';} if(( contextual.display != 'none' ) && ( switchCont != 'off' ) && ( contextual.googleRequest != true )){ contextual.googleRequest = true; document.write( '<script language="JavaScript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></sc'+'ript>' ); }else{ contextual.googleRequest = false; } // --></SCRIPT><SCRIPT language=JavaScript src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></SCRIPT><SCRIPT src="http://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/test_domain.js"></SCRIPT><SCRIPT src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/render_ads.js"></SCRIPT><SCRIPT>window.google_render_ad();</SCRIPT><SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.1 src="http://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-sportsline-fantasy_js&dt=1230432208066&adsafe=high&lmt=1230432208&num_ads=3&output=js&adtest=off&correlator=1230432208066&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffmatt.baseball.sportsline.com%2Fs tandings%2F2008&kw_type=broad&kw=baseball%20jerseys&ad_type=text&eid=6083027&ea=0&feedback_link=off&ref=http%3A%2F%2Ffmatt.baseball.sportsline.com%2Fs tandings&frm=0&ga_vid=580557156.1230432208&ga_sid=1230432208&ga_hid=758457221&flash=10.0.12.36&u_h=800&u_w=1280&u_ah=770&u_aw=1280&u_cd=32&u_tz=-300&u_his=6&u_java=true&dtd=16"></SCRIPT><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width="45%"><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=adtitle><TD height=1><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=bg0 align=left><TD colSpan=13></TD></TR><TR class=bg4><TD title="Player Grouping">Active Batters</TD><TD title=MLB align=middle>MLB</TD><TD title=4/5 align=middle>4/5</TD><TD title=4/6 align=middle>4/6</TD><TD title=4/7 align=middle>4/7</TD><TD title=4/8 align=middle>4/8</TD><TD title=4/9 align=middle>4/9</TD><TD title=4/10 align=middle>4/10</TD><TD title=4/11 align=middle>4/11</TD><TD title="Percent Owned" align=middle>Own %</TD><TD title="Percent Started" align=middle>Start %</TD><TD title=Status align=middle>Status</TD><TD title=Pos align=middle>Pos</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bg2 align=left>McCann, Brian (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/players/playerpage/541104) C ATL</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>A</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>TBA</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>98</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>96</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=status_541104 onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'A' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=status_541104><OPTION value=A selected>Active</OPTION><OPTION value=RS>Reserve</OPTION></SELECT></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=pos_541104 style="WIDTH: 52px" onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'C' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=pos_541104><OPTION value=C selected>C</OPTION><OPTION value=DH>DH</OPTION></SELECT></TD></TR><TR><TD class=bg2 align=left>Pujols, Albert (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/players/playerpage/223571) 1B STL http://images.commissioner.com/images/news-note.gif (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/players/player/news/223571)http://images.sportsline.com/images/spacer.gifhttp://images.commissioner.com/images/red_cross.gif (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/players/playerpage/223571)</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>A</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>TBA</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>97</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>96</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=status_223571 onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'A' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=status_223571><OPTION value=A selected>Active</OPTION><OPTION value=RS>Reserve</OPTION></SELECT></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=pos_223571 style="WIDTH: 52px" onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == '1B' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=pos_223571><OPTION value=1B selected>1B</OPTION><OPTION value=DH>DH</OPTION></SELECT></TD></TR><TR><TD class=bg2 align=left>Polanco, Placido (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/players/playerpage/11714) 2B DET</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>A</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>TBA</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>82</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>67</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=status_11714 onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'A' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=status_11714><OPTION value=A selected>Active</OPTION><OPTION value=RS>Reserve</OPTION></SELECT></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=pos_11714 style="WIDTH: 52px" onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == '2B' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=pos_11714><OPTION value=2B selected>2B</OPTION><OPTION value=DH>DH</OPTION></SELECT></TD></TR><TR><TD class=bg2 align=left>Blalock, Hank (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/players/playerpage/288940) 1B TEX</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>U</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>TBA</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>53</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>30</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=status_288940 onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'A' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=status_288940><OPTION value=A selected>Active</OPTION><OPTION value=RS>Reserve</OPTION></SELECT></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=pos_288940 style="WIDTH: 52px" onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == '3B' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=pos_288940><OPTION value=1B>1B</OPTION><OPTION value=3B selected>3B</OPTION><OPTION value=DH>DH</OPTION></SELECT></TD></TR><TR><TD class=bg2 align=left>Guzman, Cristian (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/players/playerpage/21568) SS WAS</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>A</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>TBA</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>71</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>53</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=status_21568 onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'A' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=status_21568><OPTION value=A selected>Active</OPTION><OPTION value=RS>Reserve</OPTION></SELECT></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=pos_21568 style="WIDTH: 52px" onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'SS' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=pos_21568><OPTION value=DH>DH</OPTION><OPTION value=SS selected>SS</OPTION></SELECT></TD></TR><TR><TD class=bg2 align=left>Abreu, Bobby (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/players/playerpage/7367) RF NYY http://images.commissioner.com/images/news-note.gif (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/players/player/news/7367)</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>U</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>TBA</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>93</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>88</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=status_7367 onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'A' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=status_7367><OPTION value=A selected>Active</OPTION><OPTION value=RS>Reserve</OPTION></SELECT></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=pos_7367 style="WIDTH: 52px" onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'OF' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=pos_7367><OPTION value=DH>DH</OPTION><OPTION value=OF selected>OF</OPTION></SELECT></TD></TR><TR><TD class=bg2 align=left>Bay, Jason (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/players/playerpage/390795) LF BOS</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>A</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>TBA</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>98</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>96</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=status_390795 onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'A' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=status_390795><OPTION value=A selected>Active</OPTION><OPTION value=RS>Reserve</OPTION></SELECT></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=pos_390795 style="WIDTH: 52px" onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'OF' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=pos_390795><OPTION value=DH>DH</OPTION><OPTION value=OF selected>OF</OPTION></SELECT></TD></TR><TR><TD class=bg2 align=left>DeRosa, Mark (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/players/playerpage/18618) 2B CHC</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>A</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>TBA</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>90</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>75</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=status_18618 onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'A' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=status_18618><OPTION value=A selected>Active</OPTION><OPTION value=RS>Reserve</OPTION></SELECT></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=pos_18618 style="WIDTH: 52px" onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'OF' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=pos_18618><OPTION value=2B>2B</OPTION><OPTION value=3B>3B</OPTION><OPTION value=DH>DH</OPTION><OPTION value=OF selected>OF</OPTION></SELECT></TD></TR><TR><TD class=bg2 align=left>Wells, Vernon (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/players/playerpage/44628) CF TOR</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>A</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>TBA</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>87</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>83</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=status_44628 onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'A' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=status_44628><OPTION value=A selected>Active</OPTION><OPTION value=RS>Reserve</OPTION></SELECT></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=pos_44628 style="WIDTH: 52px" onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'OF' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=pos_44628><OPTION value=DH>DH</OPTION><OPTION value=OF selected>OF</OPTION></SELECT></TD></TR><TR><TD class=bg2 align=left>Ortiz, David (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/players/playerpage/8236) DH BOS http://images.commissioner.com/images/red_cross.gif (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/players/playerpage/8236)</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>A</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>TBA</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>88</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>84</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=status_8236 onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'A' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=status_8236><OPTION value=A selected>Active</OPTION><OPTION value=RS>Reserve</OPTION></SELECT></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=pos_8236 style="WIDTH: 52px" onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'DH' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=pos_8236><OPTION value=DH selected>DH</OPTION></SELECT></TD></TR><TR class=bg4><TD title="Player Grouping">Active Pitchers</TD><TD title=MLB align=middle>MLB</TD><TD title=4/5 align=middle>4/5</TD><TD title=4/6 align=middle>4/6</TD><TD title=4/7 align=middle>4/7</TD><TD title=4/8 align=middle>4/8</TD><TD title=4/9 align=middle>4/9</TD><TD title=4/10 align=middle>4/10</TD><TD title=4/11 align=middle>4/11</TD><TD title="Percent Owned" align=middle>Own %</TD><TD title="Percent Started" align=middle>Start %</TD><TD title=Status align=middle>Status</TD><TD title=Pos align=middle>Pos</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bg2 align=left>Baker, Scott (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/players/playerpage/546225) SP MIN</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>A</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>TBA</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>78</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>53</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=status_546225 onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'A' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=status_546225><OPTION value=A selected>Active</OPTION><OPTION value=RS>Reserve</OPTION></SELECT></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=pos_546225 style="WIDTH: 52px" onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'SP' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=pos_546225><OPTION value=SP selected>SP</OPTION></SELECT></TD></TR><TR><TD class=bg2 align=left>Harden, Rich (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/players/playerpage/390807) SP CHC</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>A</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>TBA</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>92</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>79</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=status_390807 onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'A' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=status_390807><OPTION value=A selected>Active</OPTION><OPTION value=RS>Reserve</OPTION></SELECT></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=pos_390807 style="WIDTH: 52px" onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'SP' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=pos_390807><OPTION value=SP selected>SP</OPTION></SELECT></TD></TR><TR><TD class=bg2 align=left>Johnson, Randy (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/players/playerpage/7762) SP ARI http://images.commissioner.com/images/news-note-recent.gif (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/players/player/news/7762)</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>U</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>TBA</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>85</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>59</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=status_7762 onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'A' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=status_7762><OPTION value=A selected>Active</OPTION><OPTION value=RS>Reserve</OPTION></SELECT></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=pos_7762 style="WIDTH: 52px" onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'SP' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=pos_7762><OPTION value=SP selected>SP</OPTION></SELECT></TD></TR><TR><TD class=bg2 align=left>Price, David (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/players/playerpage/1232130) SP TB http://images.commissioner.com/images/news-note-hot.gif (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/players/player/news/1232130)</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>A</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>TBA</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>66</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>27</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=status_1232130 onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'A' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=status_1232130><OPTION value=A selected>Active</OPTION><OPTION value=RS>Reserve</OPTION></SELECT></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=pos_1232130 style="WIDTH: 52px" onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'SP' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=pos_1232130><OPTION value=SP selected>SP</OPTION></SELECT></TD></TR><TR><TD class=bg2 align=left>Nathan, Joe (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/players/playerpage/21655) RP MIN</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>A</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>TBA</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>89</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>85</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=status_21655 onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'A' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=status_21655><OPTION value=A selected>Active</OPTION><OPTION value=RS>Reserve</OPTION></SELECT></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=pos_21655 style="WIDTH: 52px" onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'RP' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=pos_21655><OPTION value=RP selected>RP</OPTION></SELECT></TD></TR><TR class=bg4><TD title="Player Grouping">Reserve Batters</TD><TD title=MLB align=middle>MLB</TD><TD title=4/5 align=middle>4/5</TD><TD title=4/6 align=middle>4/6</TD><TD title=4/7 align=middle>4/7</TD><TD title=4/8 align=middle>4/8</TD><TD title=4/9 align=middle>4/9</TD><TD title=4/10 align=middle>4/10</TD><TD title=4/11 align=middle>4/11</TD><TD title="Percent Owned" align=middle>Own %</TD><TD title="Percent Started" align=middle>Start %</TD><TD title=Status align=middle>Status</TD><TD title=Pos align=middle>Pos</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bg2 align=left>Aviles, Mike (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/players/playerpage/490430) SS KC</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>A</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>TBA</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>70</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>51</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=status_490430 onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'RS' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=status_490430><OPTION value=A>Active</OPTION><OPTION value=RS selected>Reserve</OPTION></SELECT></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=pos_490430 style="WIDTH: 52px" onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'SS' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=pos_490430><OPTION value=2B>2B</OPTION><OPTION value=3B>3B</OPTION><OPTION value=DH>DH</OPTION><OPTION value=SS selected>SS</OPTION></SELECT></TD></TR><TR class=bg4><TD title="Player Grouping">Reserve Pitchers</TD><TD title=MLB align=middle>MLB</TD><TD title=4/5 align=middle>4/5</TD><TD title=4/6 align=middle>4/6</TD><TD title=4/7 align=middle>4/7</TD><TD title=4/8 align=middle>4/8</TD><TD title=4/9 align=middle>4/9</TD><TD title=4/10 align=middle>4/10</TD><TD title=4/11 align=middle>4/11</TD><TD title="Percent Owned" align=middle>Own %</TD><TD title="Percent Started" align=middle>Start %</TD><TD title=Status align=middle>Status</TD><TD title=Pos align=middle>Pos</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bg2 align=left>Bush, Dave (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/players/playerpage/486527) SP MIL</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>A</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>TBA</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>68</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>40</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=status_486527 onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'RS' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=status_486527><OPTION value=A>Active</OPTION><OPTION value=RS selected>Reserve</OPTION></SELECT></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=pos_486527 style="WIDTH: 52px" onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'SP' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=pos_486527><OPTION value=SP selected>SP</OPTION></SELECT></TD></TR><TR><TD class=bg2 align=left>Dempster, Ryan (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/players/playerpage/11032) SP CHC http://images.commissioner.com/images/news-note-hot.gif (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/players/player/news/11032)</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>A</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>TBA</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>90</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>77</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=status_11032 onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'RS' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=status_11032><OPTION value=A>Active</OPTION><OPTION value=RS selected>Reserve</OPTION></SELECT></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=pos_11032 style="WIDTH: 52px" onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'SP' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=pos_11032><OPTION value=SP selected>SP</OPTION></SELECT></TD></TR><TR><TD class=bg2 align=left>Francis, Jeff (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/players/playerpage/517683) SP COL</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>A</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>TBA</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>51</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>27</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=status_517683 onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'RS' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=status_517683><OPTION value=A>Active</OPTION><OPTION value=RS selected>Reserve</OPTION></SELECT></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=pos_517683 style="WIDTH: 52px" onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'SP' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=pos_517683><OPTION value=SP selected>SP</OPTION></SELECT></TD></TR><TR><TD class=bg2 align=left>Kuroda, Hiroki (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/players/playerpage/1442917) SP LA</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>A</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>TBA</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>72</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>42</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=status_1442917 onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'RS' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=status_1442917><OPTION value=A>Active</OPTION><OPTION value=RS selected>Reserve</OPTION></SELECT></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=pos_1442917 style="WIDTH: 52px" onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'SP' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=pos_1442917><OPTION value=SP selected>SP</OPTION></SELECT></TD></TR><TR><TD class=bg2 align=left>Litsch, Jesse (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/players/playerpage/1222546) SP TOR</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>A</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>TBA</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>57</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>30</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=status_1222546 onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'RS' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=status_1222546><OPTION value=A>Active</OPTION><OPTION value=RS selected>Reserve</OPTION></SELECT></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=pos_1222546 style="WIDTH: 52px" onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'SP' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=pos_1222546><OPTION value=SP selected>SP</OPTION></SELECT></TD></TR><TR><TD class=bg2 align=left>Perkins, Glen (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/players/playerpage/549693) SP MIN</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>A</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>TBA</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>54</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>37</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=status_549693 onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'RS' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=status_549693><OPTION value=A>Active</OPTION><OPTION value=RS selected>Reserve</OPTION></SELECT></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=pos_549693 style="WIDTH: 52px" onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'SP' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=pos_549693><OPTION value=SP selected>SP</OPTION></SELECT></TD></TR><TR><TD class=bg2 align=left>Petit, Yusmeiro (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/players/playerpage/546240) SP ARI</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>A</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>TBA</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>25</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>14</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=status_546240 onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'RS' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=status_546240><OPTION value=A>Active</OPTION><OPTION value=RS selected>Reserve</OPTION></SELECT></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=pos_546240 style="WIDTH: 52px" onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'SP' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=pos_546240><OPTION value=RP>RP</OPTION><OPTION value=SP selected>SP</OPTION></SELECT></TD></TR><TR class=bg4><TD title="Player Grouping">Injured Batters</TD><TD title=MLB align=middle>MLB</TD><TD title=4/5 align=middle>4/5</TD><TD title=4/6 align=middle>4/6</TD><TD title=4/7 align=middle>4/7</TD><TD title=4/8 align=middle>4/8</TD><TD title=4/9 align=middle>4/9</TD><TD title=4/10 align=middle>4/10</TD><TD title=4/11 align=middle>4/11</TD><TD title="Percent Owned" align=middle>Own %</TD><TD title="Percent Started" align=middle>Start %</TD><TD title=Status align=middle>Status</TD><TD title=Pos align=middle>Pos</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bg2 align=left>Lee, Carlos N. (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/players/playerpage/21607) LF HOU http://images.commissioner.com/images/red_cross.gif (http://fmatt.baseball.sportsline.com/players/playerpage/21607)</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>A</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>TBA</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>48</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle>17</TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=status_21607 onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'I' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=status_21607><OPTION value=A>Active</OPTION><OPTION value=RS>Reserve</OPTION><OPTION value=I selected>Injured</OPTION></SELECT></TD><TD class=bg2 align=middle><SELECT class=formdef id=pos_21607 style="WIDTH: 52px" onchange="set_lineup(); this.style.background = this.value == 'OF' ? 'white' : '#ffff99'" name=pos_21607><OPTION value=DH>DH</OPTION><OPTION value=OF selected>OF</OPTION></SELECT></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
I hope all these stats fit properly into the post because I don't know how to shrink them ant more then I did..
If anyone else wants to throw up there fantasy shit I'd love to see it..
Oh yeah..Btw, team Bullits is former NY Mets outfielder Stanley Jefferson.We played for the championship and I nosed him out for the title..YES!! :thumbup:


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[PD]

Oh yeah..Btw, team Bullits is former NY Mets outfielder Stanley Jefferson.We played for the championship and I nosed him out for the title..YES!! :thumbup:

In the 6 degrees of separation, I played little league with Stanley Jefferson, back in the Bronx.

[sailor]

In the 6 degrees of separation, I played little league with Stanley Jefferson, back in the Bronx.

that's only 2 degrees.

[jonyrotn]

In the 6 degrees of separation, I played little league with Stanley Jefferson, back in the Bronx.
that's only 2 degrees.
Sailor's right (as usual)

We may be best friends PD and not even know it..

[Puggle_kicker]

Such a glorious year to be a Yankees fan.

And as a side note, the Yankees spend their money.

Milwaulkee was willing to give Sabathia $100 mil . . . but they didnt get him. So what happens to that money? Why arent they getting Lowe? Why arent they getting Manny? Abreu? Pettitte? Fucking anybody?

[Kevin]

that's only 2 degrees.

I don't know if its because i am hammered. But, i find that really really funny.

Who knew you have to be really really drunk to find sailor funny!

[RingWraith]

Such a glorious year to be a Yankees fan.

And as a side note, the Yankees spend their money.

Milwaulkee was willing to give Sabathia $100 mil . . . but they didnt get him. So what happens to that money? Why arent they getting Lowe? Why arent they getting Manny? Abreu? Pettitte? Fucking anybody?

Good point!

[epo]

Such a glorious year to be a Yankees fan.

And as a side note, the Yankees spend their money.

Milwaulkee was willing to give Sabathia $100 mil . . . but they didnt get him. So what happens to that money? Why arent they getting Lowe? Why arent they getting Manny? Abreu? Pettitte? Fucking anybody?

That's an absurd line. Where is the "if the Washington Nationals were willing to spend $180 million on Teixiera, then why aren't they.........?"

But to the Milwaukee case they aren't spending the extra money because:

A. They aren't going to sign a hitter. That would serve absolutely zero purpose.

B. Sabathia was their free agent. Hence it would cost them zero compensation picks, which is the lifeblood of a mid-to-small market team.

C. Sabathia was a "special" free agent to them. His popularity in the Milwaukee market was so large (no pun) that he was proven to expand revenues to the point in which expanding their payroll was possible. Sabathia was a unique case, even in this economy.

[sailor]

That's an absurd line. Where is the "if the Washington Nationals were willing to spend $180 million on Teixiera, then why aren't they.........?"

But to the Milwaukee case they aren't spending the extra money because:

A. They aren't going to sign a hitter. That would serve absolutely zero purpose.

B. Sabathia was their free agent. Hence it would cost them zero compensation picks, which is the lifeblood of a mid-to-small market team.

C. Sabathia was a "special" free agent to them. His popularity in the Milwaukee market was so large (no pun) that he was proven to expand revenues to the point in which expanding their payroll was possible. Sabathia was a unique case, even in this economy.
they traded to get him, so obviously they're not above giving up players/picks. and he was special to them? for what, 12 games? y'know if they sign someone else they might bve special too after half-a-season.

and kevin must have been really drunk.

[brettmojo]

The only thing that made CC special to Milwaukee was that there was finally someone else on that team that could pound away as many bratwursts as Cecil's kid.

[epo]

Boston close to signing P Brad Penny: (http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081228&content_id=3729409&vkey=hotstove2008&fext=.jsp)

When it comes to free-agent starting pitchers, it almost always has been Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein's choice to pass up lucrative, long-term deals in favor of low-risk, high-reward solutions. Along those lines, Boston is reportedly close to signing veteran right-hander Brad Penny to a one-year contract.

According to Foxsports.com, all that stood in the way of an official deal is some finalization of contract language and Penny passing a physical.

I like the move.

[underdog]

Boston close to signing P Brad Penny: (http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081228&content_id=3729409&vkey=hotstove2008&fext=.jsp)



I like the move.

It's a one year deal. It's nearly impossible to make a bad one year deal.

But I definitely like the signing.

[PD]

I was hoping my team would sign Penny as a #5 guy.
the reported $8 mil guaranteed is a lot for a guy with a 6 era, but he has a lot of upside; maybe being with Beckett will help him.

I also think it helps the Mets on the Derrick Lowe front.

[PD]

Sailor's right (as usual)

We may be best friends PD and not even know it..

well, I guess I was hammered on a technicality.

as I said, I grew up in Co-Op City and played little league with Stan Jeff,
and my good buddy went to Truman HS with him.

[TripleSkeet]

Such a glorious year to be a Yankees fan.

And as a side note, the Yankees spend their money.

Milwaulkee was willing to give Sabathia $100 mil . . . but they didnt get him. So what happens to that money? Why arent they getting Lowe? Why arent they getting Manny? Abreu? Pettitte? Fucking anybody?

So your solution is "If you cant sign the biggest free agent you want, overpay lesser worth free agents".

You truly are a Yankees fan.

[Snoogans]

I was hoping my team would sign Penny as a #5 guy.
the reported $8 mil guaranteed is a lot for a guy with a 6 era, but he has a lot of upside; maybe being with Beckett will help him.

I also think it helps the Mets on the Derrick Lowe front.

its 5 million guaranteed with another 3 mill if he goes over 160 innings. He had a 6 era cause he was hurt most of last year

[PD]

its 5 million guaranteed with another 3 mill if he goes over 160 innings. He had a 6 era cause he was hurt most of last year

5 & 3 is a good deal.
As for being hurt, there is questions; some think he didn't work out well in rehab - that he needs to be pushed, and Torre wasn't that guy.

I think it's a good deal though.

[PD]

Source: Dodgers contact Dunn (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3798366)

If Dodgers sign Dunn, what happens to Manny?
(besides probably firing Boras)