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If that occurs, I don't know enough about Kranitz to form an opinion either way, but they should look at as many candidates as possible.

Colon biggest mistake was throwing Giambi 11 pitches all FBs. He didn't pitch that poorly in the 1st, the weak hit by Sheffield changed the complexion of the game. Matsui and Cano had back to back great ABs, tip your hat to them. Down in the count 0-2 and 1-2 respectively and able to hit a solid single and DB while making Colon use 13 pitches is an amazing job by each of them.

Starting Pitcher data from the game... LH'ers vs. Mussina-1 of 12, Finley was the only one to make solid contact, he did twice on FBs in the same AB. RH'ers vs. Mussina-4 of 10, Rivera, Molina, and Guerrero all hit the ball well. LH'ers vs. Colon 4-18, Giambi with 3 line drives vs. Colon. RH'ers vs. Colon 4-11 Jeter and Sheffield with two hits apiece. Line drive percentages... For the Yankees against Colon, 7 of the 8 line drives against went for base hits, 3 doubles and 5 singles. For the Angels against Mussina, 5 of the 8 line drives went for base hits, 1 DB and 4 singles. The only hit that wasn't a LD was the bloop hit by Sheffield in the 1st. The A-Rod HBP also scored. 6 of the 8 hits against Colon were off FBs. 3 of the 5 hits against Mussina were off FBs. The Yankees had 7 called FB strikes thru the 1st 20 pitches, they had 7 FB strikes from pitches 20-94. The Angels had 5 called FB strikes thru the 1st 18 pitches and then had 5 called strikes from pitches 19-98. The Yankees had 3 line drives in the 1st 24 pitches and only had 3 line drives between pitches 25-80. The Angels had 5 line drives in the 1st 37 pitches and had 3 from pitches 38-98. The Yankees had 3 of the 8 line drives with runners on, the Angels had one. Both pitchers pitched very well, one will get credit for that, the other won't.

The greatest 3rd place finisher is probably Gentile in '61 behind Maris/Mantle.

Not sure why anybody would want him over Williams, and I'm not even a Williams fan. The Cubs seem to want someone, not many of the FAs minus Millwood or Byrd would be an improvement over Williams.

1908, what's your take on Daisuke Matsuzaka? Even though the Cubs probably won't look towards Japan, what's your take on him?

Need a cheaper #5 starter who'll get you around 190+ IP and decent production? Brett Tomko.

That's been Clement's problem throughout his career, I'm surprised he's hasn't had any arm problems in his career. His mechanics are not meant for a 200IP a year workload. He's someone who has to be monitored more than almost every starter in MLB who typically goes more than 100 pitches per game.

I'm the exact opposite.

I'm going by what I've seen, I disagree with the players... The times I've been to Fenway and had conversations with Red Sox fans is different than any random conversation with any other fanbase (including STL). They know baseball better than any other fans of another team. You'll have exception to the norm in any fanbase, but overall... If you gave me a choice of having a conversation with a fan of any team, I'd pick a Red Sox fan and that would be an easy choice, well maybe a Devil Rays fan as well b/c of curiousity purposes.

I don't think it reflects negatively on them. It doesn't make them any better or any worse, IMO. But, if they believe they're the best in the 1st place and this somehow impacts that notion, they'd be wrong from the get go. They ain't the greatest... That goes to the Red Sox fans...

I feel for Bonderman...

They have a right to cheer him, people have a right to disagree with those cheered him b/c of the potential of him using steroids brought on by valid suspicions that include many current players as well as players of the last decade. I have no problem with them cheering him. The only problem I have with that HR chase of '98 and the game the record was broken, was Sosa running in to congratulate him and hug him. If I was on the mound and ever had a teammate do that under any circumstance, we'd have issues. That "made for TV moment" by Sosa was at the expense of Trachsel.

I expect to see "perpendicular" in an upcoming article! Have you heard the name Jason Michaels of the Phillies mentioned by anyone from the Cubs or any other names that might surprise some?

Think they could transfer the videoscreen from the scoreboard at Jacobs field to Wrigley while they're at it? :)

Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together - mass hysteria. Minus Boston, I'll be rooting for the White Sox in the AL. The concept of having to travel to the East Coast, LA, or the Southeast isn't as positive of an option as just going to the "cell". I have no intentions of going to STL, but would consider it. For purely unadulterated selfish reasons, I want the White Sox to advance for convenience more than anything else. In the NL, I'm rooting for ATL to win the NL and then win it all.

What is your take on the rumors surrounding Hendry/Baker extending their contracts. So far, I would say thru the media it appears that Hendry will get offered a two year deal next Spring and Baker as well. The only difference is that Baker might not accept unlike Hendry. Stating a good start is needed, runs perpendicular to recent hints that Baker would be offered before the season. If you were to put odds on the situation, what are the odds of Baker being offered 2 more years before the season? Those weren't "rumors" about the contract extensions. Those were strong indications given to media members close to the team _ given to us by various members of the Cubs family. There are several "extension" scenarios regarding Baker: He could be offered a one-year extension. He could be offered a two-year extension. He could be offered a "lowball" extension. And as I've said, there is no guarantee he'll accept. I don't think he particularly likes Chicago all that much. A good start will be important regardless, especially since I have a feeling Baker will make the whole extension thing moot by not accepting it. Nice use of the word "perpendicular," though. That's the 1st time I've heard other scenarios exist surrounding Baker and potential off-season contract negotiations, the common theme appeared to be Baker being offered the 2 years and nothing else as far as a one year deal or nothing offered at all. I'm content with spelling perpendicular correctly and not properly using it in a sentence, although it was used correctly as well. :) I think your prediction is correct of Baker remaining next year and then off to "greener" pastures.

This should be an award based on production of an individual player not the team, unless there is some extreme example of player being a hindrance (Cabrera) or lifting his team to greater heights based on his leadership/intangible skills (never happened in the reg. season). I don't think neither Lee or Pujols demostrated either of those qualities enough over/under one another to outweigh the production difference between Lee and Pujols, as slight or as great as that might be.

NL-Lee AL-Rodriguez

Best 1st rd. match-up-Yanks vs. Angels. Who I think will win... Hou STL CWS Yanks STL-CWS STL Who I want to win... SD ATL Boston Anaheim ATL-Anaheim ATL

What is your take on the rumors surrounding Hendry/Baker extending their contracts. So far, I would say thru the media it appears that Hendry will get offered a two year deal next Spring and Baker as well. The only difference is that Baker might not accept unlike Hendry. Stating a good start is needed, runs perpendicular to recent hints that Baker would be offered before the season. If you were to put odds on the situation, what are the odds of Baker being offered 2 more years before the season?

Shane, if you go to any Central league games (Coastal Bend) the Central league is in trouble.

I think you'll see similar numbers from Pie as Tavares, you might see more pop from Pie with a lower avg., but if the Cubs bring up Pie he'll have a similar or less BB/K ratio Tavares.

Taveras to me is the best defensive OF'er in the NL this year, but his offense has quite a bit to go.

If you want to look at team with financial troubles look at Philly. Despite the bad 2nd half, I try and get Abreu or Burrell and take Bell off of their books. They'll have 77 mil locked in 11 players and then wanting to bring back Wagner and pay Myers will push them over 90 with 13 players.