imb

Based on what I saw last year from those kids? Honestly, no I would rather bring in a couple vets. None of the 3 Marshall/Marmol/Guzman look ready to compete with the big boys to me. Do I like this deal? Of course not. But I absolutely do not want to be relying on the junk we got from our prospects last year. That's even more insane than giving Marquis $7m/yr, IMO. Especially given the market. Do you really believe that this team is a Jason Marquis away from competing? Jason Marquis will be a difference maker between whether we make the playoffs or whether we spend the October and November at home again? Best case scenario is that Marquis is average, worst case is that he's terrible. His three year average is trending down. From above average, to average to terrible, and he got a raise. Read that last sentence again and tell me why there should be any positivity over this signing. Because the pitching coach that most people were ready to string up by his balls thinks he found a flaw that can turn Marquis around? A flaw that apparently Duncan never got around to finding? I never said Marquis was the difference to anything. Just that I think it would be more insane to try and do what we did last year again. I've already said I don't like the signing. If you're trying to draw me into some kind of pro/anti Marquis argument, you're barking up the wrong tree. I'm not "barking up" any tree. I made a post, you responded and I did likewise. Why so defensive? Because I don't think this signing is the end of the world, and it's becoming obvious that some on this thread are ready to crucify anyone who won't join in the "weeping and gnashing of teeth." That's why I'm defensive IMB. I guess.

Based on what I saw last year from those kids? Honestly, no I would rather bring in a couple vets. None of the 3 Marshall/Marmol/Guzman look ready to compete with the big boys to me. Do I like this deal? Of course not. But I absolutely do not want to be relying on the junk we got from our prospects last year. That's even more insane than giving Marquis $7m/yr, IMO. Especially given the market. Do you really believe that this team is a Jason Marquis away from competing? Jason Marquis will be a difference maker between whether we make the playoffs or whether we spend the October and November at home again? Best case scenario is that Marquis is average, worst case is that he's terrible. His three year average is trending down. From above average, to average to terrible, and he got a raise. Read that last sentence again and tell me why there should be any positivity over this signing. Because the pitching coach that most people were ready to string up by his balls thinks he found a flaw that can turn Marquis around? A flaw that apparently Duncan never got around to finding? I never said Marquis was the difference to anything. Just that I think it would be more insane to try and do what we did last year again. I've already said I don't like the signing. If you're trying to draw me into some kind of pro/anti Marquis argument, you're barking up the wrong tree. I'm not "barking up" any tree. I made a post, you responded and I did likewise. Why so defensive?

Based on what I saw last year from those kids? Honestly, no I would rather bring in a couple vets. None of the 3 Marshall/Marmol/Guzman look ready to compete with the big boys to me. Do I like this deal? Of course not. But I absolutely do not want to be relying on the junk we got from our prospects last year. That's even more insane than giving Marquis $7m/yr, IMO. Especially given the market. Do you really believe that this team is a Jason Marquis away from competing? Jason Marquis will be a difference maker between whether we make the playoffs or whether we spend the October and November at home again? Best case scenario is that Marquis is average, worst case is that he's terrible. His three year average is trending down. From above average, to average to terrible, and he got a raise. Read that last sentence again and tell me why there should be any positivity over this signing. Because the pitching coach that most people were ready to string up by his balls thinks he found a flaw that can turn Marquis around? A flaw that apparently Duncan never got around to finding?

I really see no way to defend this signing at all. We just gave a guy who was terrible last season 7 million a year. You can talk all you want about a flaw in his mechanics and whether or not its fixed, but we just spent 21 million dollars on a guy who might not be even good enough to be a major league pitcher. Now, there is no guarantee that Marshall/Marmol/Guzman will be healthy and better than Marquis, but when you can save over 20 million dollars to find out, isnt it worth it? I just dont get this deal, at all. Sure, maybe Marquis pulls a 4.00 era out of his ass, but for 900,000 dollars, wouldnt you rather see if the kids could? Worst case scenario is they are as bad as they were last season, which is still as good as Marquis was in 2006, and oh, you saved 6 million dollars a year.

oops

I have an irrational love for Baldelli because his nickname is so awesome. The Woonsocket Rocket. It's hard to find guys with nicknames that rhyme. Also, he's fast. And speed doesn't slump, or something.

why in the world

Hahaha, you'd think his father had walked out on him. It's just a crappy pitcher, buddy. Hell, he's going where he belongs if you ask me.

Dude, no, I was going to inject heroin into my forehead on YOUR doorstep, not the other way around.

I'm so much more excited for this season than I was for last season.

what a messed

Hell, I like Whitlock. He called out Lupica on espn.com and got fired, and his stuff on AOL has been really great.

Kent signing with the Pirates would be all it would take to return them to the halcyon days of the early 1990's. Last season Pittsburgh won 67 games. Early statistical analysis of 2007 puts Mercker at being worth at least 44 wins by himself. That would put the Pirates at 111 wins, 14 more than any team in baseball had last season.

what a scoop

it was a joke, although the irony of baiting you, a sabr guy, into arguing Dunn's clutchiness is infinitly funnier than my original post. look how freaking cool you are. You're future's so bright, you gotta wear shadezzzz

Can't Cut lists are the most [expletive] thing ever invented. IMB, you're the admin, can you delete the can't cut list? You know, I dont know, but that's a good idea, if I can. None of us are going to be screwing the league around and dropping people for no reason.

Even those that have sullied His name. Kentmas is the season of forgiveness.

smart move by krivsky. mercker will now teach the young pitchers in the minor leagues while his arm recovers, and the reds will have control of the cy young award for the next 20 years Its true, imagine what Homer Bailey is thinking right now. Not only will he learn the nuances of major league pitching from a true All-Star, but he will also learn about banging hot broads and drinking Grey Goose straight.

You know Lilly's mechanics? I know everyone's mechanics. :D hey are you a pitcher or something

I think we should now list the various nicknames that Kent allows his followers to refer to him by ill start Magic Mercker

well said. More of an exceptional entity, really.

THANK YOU FOR THIS NEW AND EXCITING INFORMATION I HAVE ALSO HEARD UNCONFIRMED REPORTS THAT WE HAVE LANDED ON THE MOON CONFIRM/DENY

There isn't a rule preventing a team signing a player as some sort of Player/Manager, a la Pete Rose, is there? I wonder if Lou Piniella would be ok with stepping down to the role of bench coach, to allow Kent to rightfully manage us to the World Series?

Why in the hell are we messing around with Lilly's and Schmidt's and Zito's when the a Championship is only a Mercker away? Get it done Jim.

ah, so they would get to Mike Hart quickly before they bounce off of him. that's it. I'm done. you sir, are absurd. I'm being realistic but you have the top 3 teams in the Big 10 as good as the NFL. I haven't seen or read a thing from you about an honest evaluation of the top 3 Big 10 teams other than they are the best or better than the Big East. I dont really understand why that cant be an honest evaluation? I suppose I meant more of a breakdown of the teams themselves. Congrats on the win today by the way. Ahh, that makes sense. Thanks.