Nov
10

Monday night Hot Stove open thread

By Mike Axisa

We still have another 72 hours or so to wait before free agents can sign with new teams, but that hasn’t stopped the hot stove from burnin’. You may have heard about today’s small, under-the-radar trade that sent Matt Holliday to Oaktown for a package of young players that may or may not include Carlos Gonzalez, Huston Street and Greg Smith. Is Jake Peavy next? Who knows.

Use this thread to express any hot stove thoughts or talk about tonight’s riveting Monday Night Football matchup. If the Cards-Niners game does nothing for you, check out the Rangers taking on the Oilers at the Garden on the same night ex-Ranger & ex-Oiler Glenn Anderson gets inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Play nice.

Update (8:08pm): Josh Willingham & Scott Olsen are headed to DC for three prospects. Ladies and gents, the hot stove season has begun.

Posted on Monday, November 10th, 2008 at 7:01 pm in Hot Stove League, Open Thread.

RSS feed | Trackback URI

281 Comments »

Dan says:

Anyone else think the Holliday trade is good for the Yankees, assuming the A’s will keep him for the season?

pat says:

Assuming his hitting stats from colorado follow him to oakland, yes.

pat says:

Actually, if the stats DON”T follow him next year its also good for the yanks.

Dan says:

Yeah really. Pay cut.

Mike A. says:

Hah. You know Boras is going to market him as the MVP candidate he was in 2007. He’ll have one of his binders put together showing how no righthanded hitter in the last 50 years is as good as Holliday.

Steve H says:

Have you ever seen one of those binders (not the contents of course)? At a HOF exhibit in Boston this summer they had Boras’ binder for A-Rod’s Rangers deal, it would have been tough to bench press that thing.

 
pat says:

If i was obscenely steinbrenner type rich I’d buy the athletics, give billy a nice big draft budget and watch him work his magic.

Mike A. says:

I don’t like that he’s so stubborn against high schoolers. College players are perceived to be “safer” picks, but you seldom get impact players. It’s kind of ironic that the A’s three best prospects right now are Brett Anderson, Trevor Cahill and Adrian Cardenas, all high school picks.

The best ML player the A’s have drafted since 2002 is Andre Ethier.

(Comments wont nest below this level)
pat says:

Yea but dont highschoolers tend to demand higher signing bonuses? Putting a mil or so in one 17 yr old kids pocket doesnt seem to fit into his whole moneyball scheme.

 
Mike A. says:

Nah, there’s plenty of high schoolers that sign for Slot. Jarrod Parker, Clayton Kershaw, Jay Bruce, Travis Snider … all slot bonus guys.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KO says:

Odd for the A’s to trade so much for a one year rental – Beane doesn’t make stupid deals. My guess is that he’s going to turn Holliday around to another club.

Steve H says:

If they are in contention, they’ll keep him and take the 2 picks, if not, they’ll look to trade him around the deadline. Think about that, if they are in contention, they’re probably just going to let him leave for 2 picks. Sheds a little light on declining Marte’s option. If we can get 2 picks for Marte, and the A’s will get 2 for Holliday, I think we need to take advantage.

Steve says:

I was with you up until Marte. Don’t make me post that list again of the lefties who have passed through here since Mike Stanton in 02. Its pretty ugly.

Steve H says:

Do you have to have a lefty though? Veras, Bruney, Edwar, and Giese all had great success against lefties this year. Lefties hit Marte much better than righties did as well. Hypothetically I’d rather have 7 good RHP’s then 5 good RHP’s and 2 lefties who may or may not be good, and may or may not only be able to get lefties out.

Steve says:

Yeah, but those splits can vary greatly from year to year.

Don’t try to reinvent the wheel, have a good lefty or two in the rotation and the bullpen.

B.George says:

What do you mean you dont need a lefty in the pen…why the hell do you think we made the Marte deal in the first place during the season…we didnt have a lefty in the pen and couldnt get lefties out in the late innings…sometimes i question if you have a brain

 
 
 
 
 
Steve says:

No no no. The fact that Boras is his agent is a selling point for Beane. He LOVES the fact that he’ll leave after next year and get those 2 draft picks, and figures the net cost of the deal is far less as a result. He likes drafting college pitchers/players who don’t necessarily have huge ceilings but get to the bigs quickly.

Plus, he gets to try to compete this year. They weren’t that far off last year before he threw in the towel, and most of the pieces are still in place to make a run next year.

 
 
Steve says:

I can’t believe Mike fielded a question from some guy in Brazil today without asking if he has a sister.

BTW-I also couldn’t believe he said “weary” when he meant “wary”. As in “I’m wary of pitcher X”. Hope it was just a typo, but I hear people SAY weary when they mean wary all the time.

E-ROC says:

I wonder if Mike Singletary will be pulling down his pants after this game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Steve H says:

Yeah, and bending over after the Cards give it to em.

 
 
E-ROC says:

By the way, that sister might been a sisbro = heshe = shim.

 
 
Ivan says:

Whats up, just came from work and do you know Holliday gets traded.

Ivan says:

*and what do you know Holliday gets traded* Fixed.

 
 
Tripp says:

Is Freddy Garcia worth a look if the Yanks miss out on Sabathia?

Mike A. says:

Strictly as a 6th starter/depth guy only. No way you can pencil him in for 20, let alone 30 starts at this point.

 
whozat says:

No.

He might be worth looking at to hold a slot for a younger, better pitcher (Hughes, Kennedy) in addition to getting Sabathia, if Sheets is looking for too many guaranteed years.

 
 
Steve says:

Hey Mike, what do you know about Carlos Gonzalez and Greg Smith?

How do you think the Rockies did in this trade?

It also seems that the Rockies are going to spin Street off in another deal.

whozat says:

Carlos Gonzalez was one of the centerpieces of the Harden trade; there should be plenty of info out there about him. Greg Smith was in that trade too…I think he’s a lefty without big stuff, but will probably be league average given health.

Steve says:

Was he?

“The Cubs received the right-handed Harden and righty Chad Gaudin for pitcher Sean Gallagher, outfielders Matt Murton and Eric Patterson, and minor leaguer Josh Donaldson.”

http://cbs5.com/local/athletic.....66461.html

Mike A. says:

He meant Haren. Harden … Haren … what a difference a D makes.

Steve says:

Gotcha. That’s an easy one for anyone to screw up.

Exactly. General McKeirnan is not General McClelland, Governor Palin.

 
 
 
 
Steve says:

Maybe you’re thinking of the Blanton trade?

EDIT-Nope

http://www.usatoday.com/sports.....aded_N.htm

“The minor leaguers involved are left-hander Josh Outman, who was in Double-A, and second baseman Adrian Cardenas and outfielder Matt Spencer, both players in Single-A.”

 
 
Mike A. says:

I think they did pretty well considering they were only offering one year of Holliday. Gonzalez is a stud, but he’s not exactly a sure thing. He’ll thrive in Coors. Street is Street, and Smith … well, it might get ugly for him pitching at altitude.

 
 
pat says:

Wait how could we sign mitre last week but have to wait for the other FA’s?

Mike A. says:

Because he was released by the team. It wasn’t a situation where his contract ran out and he filed for free agency after accumulating 6 yrs of service time.

pat says:
 
 
 
Mike A. says:
E-ROC says:

Anything notable in that trade besides what is going to the Nationals?

Mike A. says:

Not really. Dean & Smolinski are in the low, low minors, and Bonifacio can run really really fast while hitting .240 and OBPing .300.

E-ROC says:

I thought so. I guess the Nationals are trying to be competitive next year. Their offense will make some noise, but their starting pitching is lagging behind.

Ivan says:

tells ya a lil that they might really go after Texiera.

E-ROC says:

Ah, maybe. I think pitching should be their priority, if they want to make a splash. They do have Nick Johnson and Da Meat Hook, though those options aren’t looking too good at the moment.

 
 
 

Bonifacio is Willy Taveras at the plate.

I would have liked to deal for Josh Willingham for a couple of nobodies.

 
 
 
Ivan says:

good trade for the Nats.

 
 
Alan says:

Good for the Nationals, I’m glad to see they’re at least trying to make themselves a competitive team. Scott Olsen is a start, but they need at least another starter, possibly two depending on how you feel about Detwiler’s potential.

Mike A. says:

Baby steps. At least they’re going in the right direction. I wonder if they’ll nontender Nick Johnson, make a serious run at Tex, otherwise use the Willinghammer at first.

Alan says:

I’m not sure what the thinking is if they go hard at Tex. They’ve got Marrero in the pipeline for first base and when he was in the outfield he was terrible. Burgess has alot of potential too and he’ll probably be occupying one of the corner slots. Quite the glut of 1B/OF types.

Ivan says:

They could move Marrero to LF.

Alan says:

That’s where they had him originally, but he’s pretty damn slow. Barely managed to keep his fielding percentage over .950. On top of that, he broke his fibula last season which would slow him down even more. I’d say 1B is the only option. Not much defensively, but the kid has a hell of a bat.

 
 
 
 
 
 
daneptizl says:
Mike A. says:

That’s too funny.

What’s wrong with her eyes?

I think that’s what their eyes always look like!

 
E-ROC says:
 
pat says:

does she come with a free bag of prawn crackers?

that would sweeten the deal.

 
Steve H says:

There are over 60 pages of replies to that. I’m tempted to read them all, I’m sure there are some gems. Just on the 1st page, my fave is “You know you’re girlfriend is ugly right?”

 
 
 
E-ROC says:

I have the Cardinals by 30. Who’s with me?

pat says:

wouldnt suprise me, their offense is gi-hugey expolosive, and the niners are well, the niners.

And yet, one quarter in, and the Cardinals look like shit.

 
 
 
E-ROC says:

Anybody wanna predict where one of Texas’s catchers will be going?

Mike A. says:

I think Laird ends up in Florida, Salty in Boston.

E-ROC says:

I think the Marlins will go with John Baker as their starting catcher for next season. I’ll go out on a limb and say Laird ends up in Houston.

 
 
 
Ivan says:

Well they were reports that Florida wanted to trade some of it’s players like Jacobs, Olsen and Uggla. Who else on Florida is available that the yanks could look after? Hermida? Ross?

Mike A. says:

Olsen & Hermida were the two I’d be interested in. Buy low on Hermida.

Ivan says:

I like Hermida. I wonder if the Yanks or Fla do a IPK for Hermida swap? Nevertheless, im quite surprise Florida has soured on Hermida like that.

 
Alan says:

I’d love for the Yankees to get their hands on Jeremy Hermida, he had a rough outing last year but he has the tools to bounce back.

Lanny says:

Hermida can’t stay healthy.

 
 
 
 
Baseballnation says:

If the price isn’t to high, I’d go for Hermida…But this is Florida, and I’m not sure what they would ask for but I think Kennedy/Melky is fair

Ivan says:

If your Fla right, would you trade Hermida for Melky?

Besides, They already have a CF in Maybin. They probably need pitching and IPK would help. Especially in the NL and in that ballpark.

Alan says:

If you were any of the other 29 MLB teams, would you trade for Melky? I mean really, the kid is untouchable at this point. They’ve gotta sort him out in spring training, hopefully he gets some work in over the winter.

Steve H says:

I absolutely would trade for him, his value is at an all time low. Now I wouldn’t give up Hermida for him, and I wouldn’t give up much at all, but he’s certainly a buy low player right now. Which is why I wouldn’t look to trade him this offseason, unless it’s as part of a package for something bigger.

 
 
 

But this is Florida, and I’m not sure what they would ask for but I think Kennedy/Melky is fair

INSANE

B.George says:

agreed people say kennedy and melky are the worst players in the history of baseball but want studs for them

 
 
 
E-ROC says:

Wow, the 49ers scored a touchdown.

 
E-ROC says:

That Jon Rauch trade is looking really good right now for the Nats.

Steve H says:

Everyone killed them for it at the time, but apparently someone else like Bonafacio as well. And maybe the Nats didn’t like what they saw up close and were able to ship him off before someone else saw. Though most people weren’t impressed with him to begin with.

E-ROC says:

When that Rauch trade went down, news outlets said Bonafacio was a utility man at best.

 
 
 
pat says:

Every time i watch the giants i see what i want the yankees to be, young flexible and awesome.

steve (different one) says:

Eli Manning = Phil Hughes

crushing weight of high expections, very inconsistent for a long time, then the light just went on and everything clicked.

Coughlin = Girardi

Surly taskmaster, learned to lighten up, team responds.

we can hope.

Ivan says:

Eli and Hughes are sorta similar players.

 
pat says:

not to mention they draft like fiends 07 produced aaron ross, steve smith, jay alford zak deossie, DA bossman, ahmad bradshaw and michael johnson.

steve (different one) says:

i know. i was just thinking about this last night and wondering when exactly the Giants became the model franchise.

can you imagine if Osi wasn’t hurt??

pat says:

i know right, i think they got lucky kiwanuka was able to transition back to DE so easily. I remeber watching the 06 draft wondering what the hell they were thinking drafting another end when they already had strahan osi and tuck on the roster but looks like it paid off major

As a Jets fan, trust me, I’m jealous. I’ve watched my team ignore the offensive and defensive lines for years, to our dismay. We’ve only gotten the picture in the past two years (although Vernon Gholston’s bust-ability scares me). But I wanted Osi badly, and I loved your Kiwanuka pick as well.

A good passrush makes every single aspect of your team immeasurably better. Teams that can pressure the quarterback without blitzing are perennial SuperBowl contenders. It’s that simple.

 
 
 
 

Robinson Cano = Plaxico Burress

Fans love to hate on him for a variety of reasons (some of them valid, some of them racist), but the teams would be measurably worse if they got rid of them.

Chien Ming Wang = Charles Haley

Had a huge wang and loved to masturbate in the middle of team meetings to the point of ejaculation.

(I may have made that last one up.)

steve (different one) says:

A-Rod = the long snapper who screwed up in the 2002(?) playoff game against San Fran

Mussina = Feagles

Shelley Duncan = Phil McConkey

Brett Gardner = Dave Megget

 
tommy reynolds says:

long snapper was Trey Junkin

 
 
pat says:

Charles used to beat off in meetings while talking graphically about other players’ wives. It got to the point of ejaculation.

hideki matsui approves.

 
 
Steve says:

Where do Jerry Reese and Brian Cashman fit into this?

Well, Brian Cashman is a certifiable idiot who’s probably a cokefiend, so

Brian Cashman = Lawrence Taylor

Jerry Reese is a smart, capable, GM, and as we all know, nobody smart or capable has ever been in the Yankees front office (since every decision they make is the wrong one), so Reese has no equal in the Yankees universe.

Kay Sturns says:

reese would have to cross over to Theo, the bestest, brightest, most influential gm of the century

 
 
 
 
 
Mike A. says:

Chris Drury just scored a game tying goal by batting the puck into the net out of midair with one hand on the stick from his knees with a defenseman on his back. Jeter should take notes, that’s a real captain right there.

Ivan says:

You know as much about Hockey as baseball?

I’ll be honest I don’t know shit about hockey.

Mike A. says:

No, not nearly as much, but I definitely understand the sport. I was a huge hockey fan when I was younger – I’ll admit it, I jumped right on the Rangers’ bandwagon in ‘94, and stuck out the dark days the followed. I stopped following the sport because of the lockout, but now I’m starting to get back into it now.

It’s a much different game now than it was in the ’90s, so much more speed and skill today. Back then it was all dump-and-chase and defensive traps. Much more exciting now.

 
E-ROC says:

I used to watch hockey religiously before they had a strike. Once that strike happened, I moved on to NFL, MLB, NBA, College Football, Boxing, MMA, Golf (only when Tiger is playing), and Tennis (the chicks mainly). I’m pretty much booked.

Ivan says:

I like Tennis especially when Federrer is playing. Also, when Serena is playing too.

 
 
 
 
Steve says:

I got a kick out of this, from BA’s top 10 Yanke prospects article.

“PROJECTED 2012
LINEUP
Catcher Austin Romine
First Base Alex Rodriguez
Second Base Robinson Cano
Third Base Bradley Suttle
Shortstop Derek Jeter
Left Field Xavier Nady
Center Field Brett Gardner
Right Field Austin Jackson
Designated Hitter Jesus Montero
No. 1 Starter Joba Chamberlain
No. 2 Starter Chien-Ming Wang
No. 3 Starter Andrew Brackman
No. 4 Starter Dellin Betances
No. 5 Starter Phil Hughes
Closer Mark Melancon”

http://www.baseballamerica.com.....67148.html

In past years, these lists looked like the roster from a last place team. This one actually looks somewhat realistic for the Yanks.

Steve H says:

So A-Rod’s moving, and Jeter will still be at SS in 2012? By then the can just erect a statue of him and have the statue man the position better than Jeter will.

Steve says:

Yeah, the Jeter part just tells you they have no realistic option at SS in house.

The A-Rod part makes sense, you could see him at 1B by the time he’s 37. You could also see Montero there, except he hasn’t played any 1B yet.

But in all likelihood, CC will be in the rotation, Tex will be at 1B and half of these guys won’t make it for one reason or another.

Kay Sturns says:

No Garrison, Corban or Carmen? or were you utilizing sarcasm, idk

It is a pretty sweet projected, although you’d ideally want more power in the OF

I think Alex can man 3rd into his 40s *no injuries. he takes good care of his body and will have more than sufficient range for a while

 
 
pat says:

Haha that was my first reaction, uber athlete workout maniac arod is going to move from a moderately challenging postion to first while jeter who is woefully inadequate in the field as is will remain at the most challenging defensive position.

 
 

Wait, in 4 years, ARod will be too shitty to stay at 3rd base, but Jeter’s still fine at shortstop?

And we’re resigning Xavier Nady?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

Steve says:

BA looks at the farm. Its just the replacements we have in house and where you can fit them in. No free agents, just the guys on the farm.

What that tells you is the Yanks have no one in-house right now who looks like they will take over for Jeter.

They better hope Garrison Lassiter is the real deal.

Steve H says:

I’d rather see A-Rod at short in 2012 than Jeter.

 

But if that’s the case and they’re going to project based on who we have in house and what we’d do, don’t only do half of it. If you’re going to say that ARod would have to move off 3B (which isn’t a lock), and that he’d move to 1B because we have no natural, in-house fit there (which I disagree with), why not move Jeter to the outfield (since that’s a much more likely move)?

It’s like they tried to be honest about ARod, if being a little overly agressive, in thinking that the team would probably move him off 3B to keep his bat in the lineup, but they suspended reality and said that Jeter wouldn’t be moved off SS, even though the latter is way more likely than the former. And if there truly is no in house replacement for Jeter at short, I’d have been more comfortable with just leaving short blank, it’s more intellectually honest.

None of us really know who will be playing SS in 2012. It probably won’t be Jeter, though, and in any event, Jeter still at short is much less likely than ARod not at third 4 years from now.

PROJECTED 2012 LINEUP

C Austin Romine
1B Jesus Montero
2B Robinson Cano
3B Alex Rodriguez
SS ______________
LF Derek Jeter
CF Brett Gardner
RF Austin Jackson
DH Bradley Suttle

No. 1 Starter Joba Chamberlain
No. 2 Starter Chien-Ming Wang
No. 3 Starter Andrew Brackman
No. 4 Starter Dellin Betances
No. 5 Starter Phil Hughes

Closer Mark Melancon

pat says:

possible but altogether not likely switch, arod to short suttle to 3b and laird @ dh

 
 
 
 
 
Mike A. says:

If Phil Hughes is the Yanks’ #5 starter in 2012, they’ll be in very good shape.

Steve H says:

As long as they can all pitch inside to lefties and outside to righties to make sure nobody grounds to SS, which will be an automatic hit at that point.

Chris says:

Jeter is just as good (or bad) at SS this year as he has been for the past 10 years. Why do we just assume that all of sudden he’ll grossly decline defensively? Maybe it will happen, but maybe it won’t.

 
 
 
 
Steve H says:

I already know the answer, but how the hell does Ellsbury finish 3rd in the ROY voting? Aviles, Galarraga, Arredondo, Zeigler all should have been higher, and you could make a case for Span. And how the hell does Chris Davis not finish top 10? .285/.331/.549 with 17 hr and 55 rbi in 80 games doesn’t get you top 10 in the ROY voting? What the hell are these people smoking?

Mike A. says:

Those are the same people that voted for Edinson Volquez even though he wasn’t eligible for the award. MLB’s awards have become a joke.

Steve says:

Let me guess. The sportswriters.

Mike A. says:

I wish I could be as completely clueless at my job as they are.

Steve says:

You could be, if you worked at Lehman Bros, Wamu, or the Treasury Dept.

 
 
 
Steve H says:

And I guarantee the majority of them didn’t realize Joba WAS a rookie. Not that I’m saying he should have won, but he should have gotten more votes. 100 innings with a 171 era+ by a rookie doesn’t exactly happen that often.

 
E-ROC says:

Pujols will get screwed again. Mark it down, people!!!

Mike A. says:

I just know he will, I feel it in my bones. All those shiny HR & RBI Howard has are just too much to pass up.

E-ROC says:

How can u leave out Aramiz Ramirez and Carlos Delgado? I’m disappointed.

Mike A. says:

Ugh. It’s bad enough Dustin Pedroia will win the AL MVP while Grady Sizemore gets the shaft.

Steve H says:

Pedroia isnt even the mvp of his half of the infield

(Comments wont nest below this level)
 
Ivan says:

I’ll give to Youkilis before Pedroia.

Besides, if Pedrioa can win an MVP, shit Cano can to right?

 
 
Ivan says:

Persoanlly I wouldn’t give it to Sizemore.

If it’s someone gettin Shafted it’s Mauer. How many catchers can do what he did this season? probably none.

(Comments wont nest below this level)
Mike A. says:

Sizemore, Mauer, Youkilis, Cliff Lee … all more deserving MVP candidates.

 
Steve H says:
 
Ivan says:

Now I gotta here fuckin Sox fans flash that shit with Pedroia winning the MVP. Makin him into some fuckin legend.

I’ll still take Cano over Pedroia. Yeah I said it.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Steve H says:

Do you think those idiots were reprimanded for voting for a non-rookie? It was several of them too, not just one. Crazy.

 
 
 
mo says:

Why don’t the Yankees try to make moves like this? It appears that we always go for the super star types. I’d definetly welcome Olsen..Willingham meh… Mike, what do you think it would take to pry Hermida; could he play center field?

Mike A. says:

He can’t play centerfield, at least not full-time. If they’re giving away Olsen and Willingham like that, it shouldn’t take much to get Hermida. Maybe Melky and Jason Jones?

I can’t imagine the price would be that low. Hermida has always looked better than Willingham, this past season’s suckitude not withstanding, and he’s still only 24 (while Willingham is 29).

Hermida has to have more value to them than Willingham, and he probably wouldn’t make as much in arbitration as Willingham would have. Their motivation to sell would be smaller, IMO.

 
 

Hermida would play centerfield in the way that Johnny Damon would: yeah, it’s possible, but you’d constantly be wanting an upgrade.

He’s a corner outfielder.

 
steve (different one) says:

is Olsen better than Jeff Weaver was when the Yankees got him? not even close.

yet Cashman is pillorized for that trade while we yearn for him to make this trade?

what evidence is that that Olsen wouldn’t get tatooed in the AL East? the falling K-rate? the shitty control? the tons of unearned runs his ERA is hiding?

Steve H says:

the attitude problems? sounds like a lefthanded weaver.

 
 
 
Ivan says:

Yi Jialian is bustin ass right now. I,ve always like the skill he displayed. Hopefully he becomes consistent.

 
Mike in Fla. says:

Why not have traded for Olsen, a lefty when you could have gotten him for nothing?

E-ROC says:

Because the Yanks play in the AL East. I think he would’ve been abused by teams in that division.

 
Mike A. says:

How do you know they didn’t try, but Florida preferred the Nats’ package?

 
steve (different one) says:

maybe b/c the guy is a total asshole?

After serving his two-game suspension, and after making his scheduled July 20, 2007, start, Olsen was arrested by police in Aventura, Florida after fleeing from police following a speeding violation (he was clocked going 48 MPH in a 35 MPH zone). He fled for about a mile, at which point he stopped at his home and sat in a plastic chair in the front yard. When police arrived and tried to arrest him, he kicked at the officers who then used a taser to subdue him. Olsen failed a field sobriety test and refused a breathalyzer test. He was booked on charges of driving under the influence, resisting arrest with violence and fleeing and eluding a police officer

Steve says:

Yeah, I had originally thought Miguel Cabrera was the one being an asshole during that 2006 clubhouse incident when Girardi got in his face. Turns out I was dead wrong about that.

 
 
Steve says:

CASHMAN-”Let’s see . . . . CC or Olson . . . . CC or Olson . . . . . Boy, that’s a toughie, Larry. Let me sleep on it. “

 
 
steve (different one) says:

Olsen = not that good, major character issues, and already arb eligible

E-ROC says:

Olsen, Dukes, and Milledge will be one big happy family.

steve (different one) says:

it does seem like this is a defined strategy for Bowden: buy low on “character” guys. we’ll see if it works. it’s not a terrible idea, though it probably wouldn’t work in NY. the NY media was pretty tough on Milledge.

Mike A. says:

Didn’t you read Moneyball? Attitude problems and makeup questions are the new market inefficiencies.

Steve says:
 
 
E-ROC says:

I think Milledge got a bad rep for his rap music and I think he was high five-ing fans during a game. That game might’ve been in his first start. I haven’t heard anything else. Olsen has been well documented as well as Dukes. Though Dukes just likes to make a lot of babies. ttt

Mike A. says:

Milledge was expelled from high school as a senior because he allegedly raped a classmate. That’s a bit more troubling that high fiving some fans after hitting a homer.

E-ROC says:

See, I didn’t even know about that. Well, there ya go. q

 

Wasn’t that case dismissed for lack of evidence? By the way, when I played agaainst Willingham in college (he played at North Alabama — Division II) he was a SS. Damn good one too.

 
 
 
 

Olsen, Dukes, and Milledge will be one big happy family.

THIS JUST IN: The Nationals just signed Pacman Jones to be a pinch-runner.

Steve says:

THIS JUST IN: The Nationals just signed Michael Vick to be their Mascot

Mike A. says:

And Marcus Vick to be towel boy.

E-ROC says:

And Mike Tyson is the team’s psychologist.

Mike A. says:

And the Miami Hurricanes football team to be the practice squad.

(Comments wont nest below this level)
 
pat says:

mike tyson team dietician

(Comments wont nest below this level)
 
 
Steve says:

and Barry Bonds to be their Pharmacist.

Steve says:

and Ray Lewis to be their limo driver

(Comments wont nest below this level)
Mike A. says:

And Rae Carruth to be the team bodyguard.

 
Steve says:

and Terrell Owens to be the team spokesman.

 
 
E-ROC says:

And Lawrence Phillips to be the team’s lawyer.

(Comments wont nest below this level)
 
 
 
 
 
Mike A. says:

Dmitri Young is the perfect veteran for that crowd of youngsters.

 
 
 
E-ROC says:

Ouch. Watching Boldin’s hit that broke his jaw was tough to watch. He was hit so hard that he ended having an underbite which is the opposite of an overbite. 40 screws to fix that problem and Boldin isn’t taking any painkillers for it. Tough SOB.

 
Lanny says:

Colorado can take those 3 players they got in that trade and spin them off and turn them into even more of a bounty.

Street alone can fetch a nice bounty with the huge need for relief pitching and his affordable deal.

 
Mike A. says:

Freddy Sjostrom is about to pwn some bitches in a shootout.

Mike A. says:
 
 
Ron says:

Mike -

What would it take to get Lastings Milledge from the Nats? He’s coming off 268/330/402, but I think he still has potential, and he’s only 24 (next year). IPK could be the ace of their crappy staff.

Mike A. says:

I imagine it’ll take a lot, he’s one of their core guys. I bet Bowden will ask for hughes.

Ron says:

Definitely not worth Hughes, but we’ve got a plethora of pitching, and Tim Redding is their ace, so something should be doable.

 
 
pat says:

Nats future ace is this kid john lannan. hes a big lefty, only 23 yrs old 110 era+, 1.34 whip ended up with a 9-15 record 3.91 era. He broke chase utleys hand 2 yrs ago and is hated by all of philly. I actually went to hs with him too and hate his guts but thats a different story.

pat says:

ok well maybe not future ace but future #2 i dont know enough about their rotation to make that statement

 
 
 

I find it hard to believe that Hermida will come that cheap, but if it’s reasonable, I do it. The guy had ONE bad season. He’s 24 and not anemic to walks, so that’s a good start. Solid D, lefty bat, has showed Major League success (‘07). If anything, they should be able to get the guy for a decent package and let he and Nady compete for a job in the outfield.

 
 

If I had been Assistant GM in charge of the draft for the 49′ers:

2005
1 (1): WR Braylon Edwards
2 (33): T Khalif Barnes
3 (65): HB Frank Gore
3 (94): DE/DT Chris Canty

2006
1 (6): QB Jay Cutler
1 (22): C Nick Mangold
3 (84): NT Gabe Watson
4 (100): DE/OLB Victor Adeyanju

2007
1 (11): MLB Patrick Willis
* The Niners traded a 2008 1st rounder for the Pats #28 pick to take Joe Staley. I’d have never made that boneheaded trade. So, I’m leaving it out here. And, in any event, Khalif Barnes as a successful LT means I never have a need to trade for Staley.
3 (76): CB Dameiyon Hughes
3 (97): S Tanard Jackson
4 (104): G Josh Beekman

2008
1 (7): CB Leodis McKelvin
1 (28):DE Phillip Merling
2 (39): G Chilo Rachal
3 (75): TE Brad Cottam
4 (107): T/G Anthony Collins

Mike A. says:

Congrats, TSJC. Your hindsight is indeed 20/20. ;)

Steve H says:

I’d go back to 2000, and take Brady in the 5th round!

 

Well, I’ve been to all those drafts in person, and those were all players I liked and would have taken at the time. I tried to be as objective as possible, seriously.

I was high on all those players at the time. And I never ever liked Alex Smith, Vernon Davis, Joe Staley, etc. They’ve drafted horridly.

Steve H says:

It’s funny, Smith produced in college but doesn’t have great physical size and skills. Davis is the ultimate combine freak, yet didn’t produce a whole lot in college. Two different ends of the spectrum, and they screwed up both of them. That’s truly the work of genius.

Ivan says:

Even Millen couldn’t do that. Alright maybe he could of.

 
 
 

If I truly used hindsight, I would have taken Merriman or Ware over Edwards.

Ivan says:

Yea Merriman when healthy is just sick.

pat says:

Yea Merriman when healthy on steroids is just sick.

 
 
Mike Pop says:

Ware is the best linebacker in football

 
Ivan says:
Mike Pop says:

Ill give u Willis but Ware can be considered that good.. Hes an absolute monster.. Willis I like alot too hes a beast.. But watching ware doing his thing is awesome

 
 
 
 
 
Ivan says:

Your a better Gm than Matt Millen.

All seriouness, Niners and Lions have been run pretty bad by the FO.

 
A.D. says:

Except your team would have better seasons, and thus you would have worse picks as time went on

pat says:

Touche AD

i too have an uncle

 

I know… I should have adjusted down, but that would have been overly revisionist and hard to calculate. You’re right, though. I probably don’t get Patrick Willis…

Ivan says:

If oyu had the 1st pick in the NFL draft, who would you pick right now?

pat says:

CRABTREEEEEEEEE
i know u werent talking to me and hes only a sophmore but whatever kids sicknarsty

Ivan says:

That’s cool. It’s an open thread right.

 
A.D. says:

yeah, that’d be great when the NFL doesn’t allow him to play or be drafted

A.D. says:

check that hes a RS soph he can leave, my bad

(Comments wont nest below this level)
 
 
 
A.D. says:

this coming year? what team am I? and whos coming out, coming year draft will rely a lot on those leaving early

 

You mean for 2009? Who am I? The Lions? The Chiefs? The Bengals?

Mike Pop says:
A.D. says:

Sam Bradford, lions need a QB… and a run defense. Go with a backer with the 2nd round pick

(Comments wont nest below this level)
pat says:

yeah, that’d be great when the NFL doesn’t allow him to play or be drafted

SILLY!

 
A.D. says:

haha touche, my bad I thought Crabtree was a true soph, I knew Bradford was a redshirt

 
pat says:

they’re both true sophs ,bradford was redshirted beginning of 07 season but ended up becoming the starter that year

 

Both Crabtree and Bradford are draft-eligible redshirt sophomores. High-school class of 2006.

 
A.D. says:

Bradford & Stafford were seniors the same year, Bradford is listed as redshirt sophmore & draft eligible, the same is true of Crabtree.

So both will be finishing their redshirt sophmore years this year, and thus be draft eligable

 
pat says:

ACTUALLY THATS WRONG TOO I SUCK crabby can leave bradford cannot

 
pat says:

im done here. i cannot do simple math, or read a simple wikiarticle.

 
 
 
Ivan says:

Nah, like the current players in the NFL. Who would you pick to be a cornerstone of ya franchise. Doesn’t matta what team you are.

 

1. Lions – QB Matt Stafford, Georgia
2. Bengals – DE Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech
3. Chiefs – QB Sam Bradford, Oklahoma
4. Seahawks – HB Beanie Wells, Ohio State
5. Rams – T Andre Smith, Rams

That’s early. If it played out like that, the Bengals would be trading down to take a defensive guy, who should slide. I can see them dealing with the Rams who’d move up to get Andre Smith. Smith looks like a beast, he’s my favorite player this year.

A.D. says:

Bradford > Stafford, with Georgia’s season, gotta figure he’s dropped a few picks

(Comments wont nest below this level)

I figure Stafford moves back up after their pro days. But it’s a virtual coin-flip at this point. Give the edge to Stafford based on experience and playing a higher level of competition.

(SEC defenses are still better than Big XII defenses. Even in a down cycle.)

 
Mike Pop says:

The Drafts are amazing

 

They are. I even picked up a lil’ cutie at the first one I went to.

(NOTE: Results are not typical. Your personal experience may vary.)

 
 
Ivan says:

How good is Michael Johnson?

(Comments wont nest below this level)

Johnson’s probably somewhere between DeMarcus Ware and Kamerion Wimbley. He’s a natural 4-3 DE but could move to 3-4 OLB, IMO. Gaines Adams is a good comp, but I’d put him a notch below that. He’s battling with Brian Orakpo to be the first end off the board.

 
Mike Pop says:

tommie u like football more than baseball??

 

Meh, I love them both pretty equally. I used to love basketball just as much, before the Knicks ripped my heart out of my chest and pissed on it.

 
Mike Pop says:
 
Ivan says:

The Knicks will come back. Just wait. It may take while but it WILL happen. Isiah is gone so that is a start.

I love the Knicks, I can’t leave em.

 

I didn’t leave them. They’ve just killed some of my joy, and it takes a while to ramp back up again.

Although, Ivan, I’ll admit I’m a little intrigued so far by the D’Antoni era.

Jamal Crawford’s still a trainwreck, though.

 
Ivan says:

Jamal Crawford is a good player, well to me.

I’ll be honest, I not the biggest D’Antoni fan mainly cuz he reminds of Don Nelson and I wasn’t a Nelson fan. Nevertheless, I feel or have confidence that he can turn it around.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mike Pop says:

That trade was a steal for the Nats

jersey says:

yea it really was and its a shame how fla continues to sell off there players that are going to make anything more than 3 million dollars…that franchise should be contracted. Seriously

Mike Pop says:

Ya man its embarrasing

 
 
 
Seymour says:

Anyone know the answer to this question: If a player with 10/5 rights agrees to be traded, does he lose his 10/5 rights until he stays with the team he’s been traded for five years?

 
 
Mike Pop says:

How is LArinitus looking at Ohio State ? Is he still top notch

He’s probably top 20. He’s sliding a bit, I’d say, because of the Ohio State phobia. A lot of those players aren’t as good as advertised, because the Big Ten has slipped quite a bit in terms of quality of opponent and has fewer pro-style offenses to evaluate against.

In any event, I’d put him behind Rey Maualaga.

 
A.D. says:

He’s still good… 3rd rated LB as of right now, behind Curry of Wake & Maualuga of USC., Maualgua should definitely go ahead of Lauranitis, since theyre both MLB

Curry’s really good too. Probably more of an OLB, though.

A.D. says:

yeah he could easily be the first backer off the board, depends on what position teams need in backer, Ray prob a middle Lauranitis can do both, Curry probably only outside

 
 
 
 

Mike, Ben, or Joe–if you got facebooks, look up Gerrit Cole under search facebook and the profile pick you get is quite astounding. check it out.

 

It amazes me how many people don’t realize how the world sees everything you post online. You’d think they learn after all those folks got burned by compromising pictures.

 
greg says:

for those who don’t have facebook, here’s the pic:
http://profile.ak.facebook.com.....0_5738.jpg

Mike A. says:

OMG, does he have a GritBeard? Hahaha.

Mike Pop says:

Red Sox will sign him when eligible

 
 
Doug says:
 
 
 
jersey says:

cowboy fan here! it figures that in a draft where were going to see crabtree heyward-bey maclin and the kid from ok state forgot his name…we decided to trade away our first pick…now while i think roy williams is a good receiver this was not the draft to trade a first round pick for a receiver. sigh! smh

A.D. says:

not all of those guys will come out

jersey says:

why wouldnt they all come out? this is one of the rare drafts where there arent your typical first rounders. they can all go high.

 
 
greg says:

i smoked a blunt with heyward bey after last season ended

Mike Pop says:

Lol… I smoked once with JR Smith’s brother.. He was saying how him and his bro get high at Melo’s crib all the time

Mike Pop says:

I dont smoke anymore for the record

Heh, I was threatened (over the phone) once by Ricky Davis. He didn’t care for the fact that I was dating his ex-girl, apparently.

Dude has anger issues. He never “came and found me” like he said he would.

Mike Pop says:

Ha, that tops my story…

 
Mike A. says:

Oh yeah? Well I partied with Donovan McNabb at Syracuse (had a friend who went there) and Larry Johnson at Penn State. Luckily LJ didn’t beat my girlfriend at the time.

Ivan says:

How is McNabb like?

(Comments wont nest below this level)
Mike A. says:

He’s a cool dude, we played beer pong. LJ was all Hollywood and shit.

 
 

I partied with Thunder Collins. Luckily, he didn’t try to run me over with a car at the time.

(Comments wont nest below this level)
Mike Pop says:

I played a game of Chess with Governor Pataki, I wanted him to help lower taxes but unfortunately I lost the game and the bet

 

I really did party with Thunder Collins, though. He’s a nut. As in, I was kinda worried that something bad was going to happen. He’s not stable.

 
 
 
Ivan says:

You talking about Ricky “never found a shot he didn’t like” Davis.

Ricky “Never thought his greatness was properly respected” Davis.

(Comments wont nest below this level)
Ivan says:

He was one of those guys I couldn’t stand as a basketball fan.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mike Pop says:

Gerrit Cole sucks that simple.. Hes the next Prior… Thats what he deserves

Mike A. says:

Bah, don’t hate on the kid. He made a decision that he was perfectly entitled too. He doesn’t owe the Yanks anything, they knew he might not sign.

Mike Pop says:
 
greg says:

he really should have made it known before the draft that his intent was to go to college though, that’s what every other kid does, it’s common decency.

 
 
 

ONLY THE CARDINALS could lose this game.

Ivan says:

That’s a loss that tells ya they ain’t ready for primetime.

And, only the Niners could make that call with 4 seconds left. You run up the gut from 3 yards out?!?!?!??!?!?!

MORON

jersey says:

not only that…mike roobinson? really?

 
 
 
 
Mike Pop says:

singletary should be fired

 
Mike A. says:

Why run it there? I mean … why?

Mike A. says:

With Mike Robinson none the less. Oof.

Ivan says:
 
Mike A. says:

That pic doesn’t do this call justice.

http://www.lolfail.com/wp-cont.....c_fail.jpg

I mean, if you’re dumb enough to run it on a play like that, why would you also not give the ball to your best player?

NFL coaches out-think themselves too much, they’re always trying to catch the other team off-guard and shit. Just call the play and give the ball to your best player in that situation. Sheesh. It’s not that difficult.

 
 
 
Joop says:

C’mon guys. I come here for shelter from my Niners.

 
 
jersey says:

cards will host dallas in the first round and get smashed! imma cowboy fan lol

The First round of what? You do realize that your Cowboys are currently in TENTH PLACE in the NFC, right? If the Cowboys are going to the playoffs, they’re going to have to buy tickets.

You’re 5-4, with road games at Washington, Pittsburgh, and Philly and home games vs. the Giants and Baltimore. Even with virtual automatic victories against Seattle and Frisco, the Cowboys probably go 9-7 at best, and 8-8 is very possible. You have no secondary at all. Enjoy an extended winter vacation.

Mike Pop says:

You also havent seenthem with a healthy revampeded offense.. plus we get t newman back

 
 
 
 

I keep waiting for RSPN to cut to Dennis Green for commentary on this Cardinals victory.

Steve Young: What did you think about tonight’s performance?
Denny Green: The Cardinals WERE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE, OKAY! THEY WERE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE. AND THE 49′ERS LET THEM OFF THE HOOK!!!!

 
Jack says:

I just watched the Seinfeld episode where hey see DiMaggio at the diner, and it reminded me of this:

http://www.tuxjunction.net/media/LBdimaggio.mp3

Enjoy.

 
Name (required)
E-mail (required - never shown publicly)
URI
Your Comment (smaller size | larger size)

You may use <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong> in your comment.

If this is your first time commenting on River Ave. Blues, please review the RAB Commenter Guidelines.

Trackback responses to this post