The Voice of Reason

To be fair, Rafael Furcal was playing SS in Atlanta while DeRosa was there and Michael Young was playing SS while DeRosa was in Texas. Michael Young came up as a 2b, and Soriano moved Young to SS. It happens. But, because a better player is blocking you from playing a position for several years doesn't mean you can't play the position. 2008 will be the ultimate test. DeRosa is currently out of a starting gig if the Roberts deal is true. The only position he has even the slightest, remotest chance of winning the starting job is SS. And the competition, in my mind, won't be fierce since it will likely come down to one of Ryan Theriot, Mark DeRosa or Alex Cintron (once he's signed) :roll: DeRosa has a stronger arm than Theriot. It's debateable, but let's assume Theriot has a bit more range. Range probably converts to a few more outs than arm strength, so we can give Theriot a slight edge defensively at SS. That slight difference won't touch the difference between the two at the plate. And where does this team need the most help? At the plate? Yes. If the season begins today, the Cubs look to be one of the stronger defensive teams in the league. Because of the strength of that defense, I think you can sacrifice some of that defense for offense. And Theriot can still get some starts there when DeRosa is needed elsewhere or if DeRosa needs a day off. To spin this another way, the Cubs are paying Theriot league minimum to be a league minimum (offensive production) major league SS. DeRosa is getting paid 4m to be his back up? Something has to give. I think Lou showed last year that just because he gives a guy a chance, it doesn't mean he'll stick with him (see Izturis). If Theriot starts slow, I see Lou moving DeRosa to short full time.

This new information just in from the "insiders" at the Orioles hangout. The O's are working on a deal where they will get Frank Robinson from the Reds in exchange for ace pitcher Milt Pappas, pitcher Jack Baldschun and outfielder Dick Simpson.

You know they played Texas last year. And play I wanna say USC next year. And that effected 2007, how? Sure sounds like you're implying OSU never plays anyone out of conference. No, that would be Iowa. NIU (2 - 10), Syracuse (2 - 10), Iowa State (3 -9) and mighty Western Michigan (5 - 7).

I'm sure the SEC and the other conferences would love to see Notre Dame back in a bowl - they guarantee good ratings and do wonders for their opponents egos.

A mere 55 more combined points and the Big Ten would have handled USC and LSU.

Oh for the plus one and the matchup I wanted back in September. LSU vs. the Trojans.

:lol: Nice premature. Your mom says I'm good at that. Not surprising, she's an excellent therapist. Did she also tell you not to feel inferior and try thinking about baseball?

Good point.

:lol: Nice premature.

I'd still rather have mediocre pitchers like Mitre and Nolasco than one year of Juan Pierre.

Trachsel is just one example of Hendry's ineptness. How's the Juan Pierre trade look these days?

The Trachsel deal was the direct result of a lame duck GM trying to "win now" at all costs in an effort to save his skin and at the expense of the long term future of his club.

Wonder who will blink when they are under oath? Let the "witch hunt" shrieks begin. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3181689

Long but interesting read on the pros and cons of a playoff or plus-one. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/the_bonus/01/02/bcs.future/index.html

The NY times is not disclosing if Roger's nose grew during the interview and whether it was a pinky swear. Is via injection the only way vitamin B - 12 and lidocaine can be taken? . http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/04/sports/baseball/04clemens.html

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/HeadLines.aspx?sport=MLB&hl=227901

i know you can say this about a lot of games, but there were a few plays up to this point that went usc's way that were extremely lucky and would have changed the complexion of the game. Yeah, probably would have made it 49 - 23.

especially pitiful considering they were supposed national championship favorites at the start of the season. but then again they did the same thing against michigan last year, so its not suprising. lose a few games in the regular season, win a meaningless bowl game, act like your king of the world It's called injuries. USC is healthy now. usc's not that good. they've gotten the benefit of a bunch of breaks. booty is an average qb. the only player that impresses me is mcknight. Gimme a break. It's men against boys. Next time send LSU to the Rose Bowl. At least they could keep it competitive. This game is just further proof why a college playoff is necessary. Let the best teams at the end of the year prove it on the field - just like in basketball.

Odd how a thread can grow two pages in a half an hour to no posts in five days. Crazy stuff can happen I'm still waiting with baited breath to see what the "Orioles insiders" have to say... Might be a few days until we hear. I heard from a "reliable source" that they currently are on a Carribean vacation with MacPhail and Angelos.

I guess PSU's roadies are more boring than ugly (in the Oregon sense). However, ND's green jerseys . . . . http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/06/05/the-worst-college-football-uniforms-of-all-time-non-oregon-edit

Even on a black and white television - you're not missing anything. What would you prefer? A rainbow? Maybe make it out of the same stuff as those mood rings so you can get the ball to the happiest player. Seriously, their colors are Navy Blue and White, what are you looking for? Back in the "old days," the Bears had white road jerseys with navy numbers and white pants. The change to navy pants for the road uniforms was a huge improvement - I don't see them going back.

Even on a black and white television - you're not missing anything.

The only jersey uglier in college football than the Penn State home uniform is the Penn State road uniform. Black numbers on white jerseys with white pants, who was the creative genius that came up with that?

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3168534 I believe Roger Clemens. But what do I know, I also believe in Santa Claus, The Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and the Chicago Cubs.

Nothing appears imminent with the O's and anybody. http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-sp.osnotes22dec22,0,201461.story http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/roch/blog/2007/12/hot_stove_cooling_off.html