Rob

Health is a skill.

It's not working. Looks like we'll need the commercial-grade image. Probably not working because while you may not like the wording of the original post, you can't argue the validity of the arguement no matter how many goofy pictures you put up. Yeah, we can. Everybody is arguing how valid your so-called "point" is. Marshall is still a fantastic fifth starter at this point. Potential playoff teams, their fifth starter, and his ERA: AL: Red Sox - Julian Tavarez, 5.20 Yankees - Hughes, 4.64 (was Igawa, 6.79) Indians - Aaron Laffey, 5.73 (Cliff Lee, 6.38) Tigers - Andrew Miller, 4.42 (DL) Angels - Bartolo Colon, 6.72 (DL) Mariners - (for both fourth and fifth starters, pick two of Jeff Weaver, 6.20; Horacio Ramirez, 7.12; Cha Seung Baek, 5.74; Ryan Feieraband, 8.47) NL: Mets - Mike Pelfrey, 5.92 Braves - Jo Jo Reyes, 8.72 Phillies - JD Durbin, 4.12 (just four starts) Brewers - Claudio Vargas, 4.97 Diamondbacks - Yusmeiro Petit (just removed for Kim, 4.93) Padres - Clay Hensley, 6.18 Rockies - Jason Hirsch, 4.81 Dodgers - Matt Tomko, 5.49 I tried to avoid injury cases as best I can and go with the guys who would be predicted to be the #5 starters near the beginning of the season, but in cases like Philly and Atlanta, injuries and trades have made it pretty hard to ignore all of them. Either way, Marshall and his 4.17 ERA more than stand out in the group. I'm tired of putting out the numbers now, so I'll come back with some Pie stuff later.

This is bad news. Most of the time, the highest leverage situations are earlier in the ballgame... I don't want Dempster pitching then, and I sure don't want us saving Marmol or Howry until the 9th when we may or may not have a lead.

1. There is no such thing as a "leadoff man" and if there were, Soriano would not be the ideal one. 2. Soriano is right around the breakeven rate for stolen bases this year, meaning that he's contributed about zero runs when you consider how many times he's been caught stealing. 3. Murton could hit 30 dingers if he just added some loft to his swing; he has about as much raw power as anybody on the team. Just watch him during BP. 4. Both are above average fielders, range wise. Don't let your memory fool you.

No, it's higher than zero percent. If Aramis tweaked something in Sept after the rosters expand and needed a day off, and DeRosa was out with something, I could see Moore getting a spot start.

I love how one day, Murton isn't even good enough to be a big-league benchwarmer, and two weeks later, he's batting cleanup for us.

Just looking at her, I doubt we'd need that much time. 8-) http://rotoauthority.blogs.com/photos/uncategorized/dergan.jpg Tru that. Yeti's not first is he ;-). I better go last. I'm not about to contract anything new.

If memory serves, he wanted to extend Pierre, but Pierre wasn't interested in staying... praise the lord.

Floyd's contract for next year kicks in with 425 PA or 100 GS. He's only got 243 PA to this point, and it looks like he's started 58 games.

I suppose that depends on your definition of bat.

But Murton's not going to play, and Stewart is a better option than Jacque Jones (assuming Pie takes over center field). Lou being stubborn about Murton doesn't make acquiring Stewart a good move, it makes firing Lou a good one. So you'd fire the 17th winningest manager in MLB history for a guy who has declined from last season? Don't get me wrong I really like Murt, but I don't see all the love people have for him based on his actual production. I'd much rather bash the Cubs for jerking around Pie. Perhaps I spoke a bit hastily. I didn't mean to imply the mismanagement of Murton is a fireable offense of its own. Combined with the rest of the screwups though, we really need to evaluate Lou's continued presence here. He certainly seems to be hurting more than he's helping at first glance.

But Murton's not going to play, and Stewart is a better option than Jacque Jones (assuming Pie takes over center field). Lou being stubborn about Murton doesn't make acquiring Stewart a good move, it makes firing Lou a good one.

What's the point? Murton is a better version of Stewart.

I'd still take any one of Ruth, Gehrig, Williams, Mays, or Aaron above him. Barry still isn't the best player of all time... He just one of the greatest, and happened to be the one playing during the era that made it more impressive.

If it's gotten so bad you've stopped trying entirely, that's worse than a regular slump.

I am gonna miss all those games on ESPN2 where I got to watch Cain and Lincecum pitch. They're really exciting young players.

I love it, more DoPo love. We have seen that in a while. You'd be better off hoping the Cards hire DoPo. Hey, he was in Moneyball and is friends with Billy Beane. He has to be a great GM. http://danjulien.atspace.com/depo.htm It was written before this season, so you'll have to add in Brad Penny's Cy Young credentials this year before making a conclusion.

Are you kidding me? Did you watch us let Dusty play out the string and then just not re-sign him? Yes sir, he got it bad.

Bill Bavasi still gives Krivsky a fight for the title. Rafael Soriano hasn't exactly lit the world on fire, but he's still been a lot more useful than Horacio Ramirez.

I love that we have 4 second basemen in the lineup instead of playing Murton. What a crock.

Baseball Between the Numbers, The Book, The Book on The Book, The Hidden Game of Baseball, and The Baseball Economist all sound like what you're looking for.

So much for the Justin Upton, Chris Young, Carlos Gonzalez outfield that would have been so fearsome. It's officially time to snatch up Quentin.

That's about 15 more in your favour, Vance.

Maybe after you make an example out of Raisin...?

If it stays that low, Vance might as well book a ticket to Chicago now.