dew1679666265

I was strongly considering Iglesias for the upcoming Titans pick. I really like him, so I definitely think you made the right choice here. McGrath is a nice LB as well, one I considered for the Titans' second round pick. But thanks for making my choice easier with the next pick. Now I just have to hope Andy doesn't take the top player on my board.

i think i mentioned that i got excited when the rams released him. he was good last year. I think it'd be a good move. Pace isn't a franchise tackle anymore, but he could certainly provide some depth. If he started, that would leave Shaffer to back up both tackle spots (and would further alleviate the desperate need for a tackle in this draft). Or, if he was fine with being a backup and they felt Shaffer's youth would be better starting at RT, then that'd be a pretty solid backup. Pace is old, but an old Pace is still better than a lot of tackles.

Jeff George would be the perfect downfield passer to teach JaMarcus Russell the ropes, eh? :-))

You took the pick I was about to make for the Giants and are now forcing me to take the player I envisioned for the Titans' pick this round. Thanks a lot. :wink: Anyway, after discussion with Skyballer, the Giants select CB Coye Francies out of San Diego State. Francies needs some development, but has pretty decent potential and the Giants need some youth and depth in the secondary. CCP and Exile are now on the clock. I will PM them.

I think people are going to be really, unpleasantly surprised about his inability to be an everyday player by about mid-June. I'm assuming you're psychic. Even if it doesn't work out, just make a change... Change to who? Good offensive second basemen aren't plentiful. I think Fontenot will be ok (but not as good as DeRosa), but I worry about the many at bats we'll be giving Aaron Miles. I'm guessing this is the only post you've read of mine on this page. I've been defending Fontenot from the start while other people were defending Kosuke and saying he should hit 2nd. What I mean is if Fontenot isn't producing out of the 2 spot and if Kouske is producing wihle hitting in another spot, you could go ahead and insert Kouske there. And if somehow, neither one of them can get the job done in the 2 hole, you can always rearange the lineup. I know that sounds easier than it actually is, but it can be done. But I do agree with you, as of right now, I'd like Fonetnot to bat 2nd in the lineup. Ah, my bad, sorry. That's what I get for not reading the entire thread and assuming I knew what you were talking about.

Jeff George wants back into the league. George hasn't seen significant playing time since 2001 and hasn't been in the league since 2006. He's 41 years old.

Orlando Pace is apparently visiting the Bears today.

I think people are going to be really, unpleasantly surprised about his inability to be an everyday player by about mid-June. I'm assuming you're psychic. Even if it doesn't work out, just make a change... Change to who? Good offensive second basemen aren't plentiful. I think Fontenot will be ok (but not as good as DeRosa), but I worry about the many at bats we'll be giving Aaron Miles.

I'm not sure your point? The conference is what it is. Cal has proven that if you recruit well and take care of your conference schedule you can get a high seed in the tournament. And really, outside of the big six conferences, only Gonzaga has shown to be able to keep that up consistently through multiple coaches. Remember, 15 years back, Calipari did exactly the same thing with Massachusetts, and they've faded back into obscurity since then. I'm not sure many coaches will jump at the chance to coach Memphis just because it's Memphis. They're in a second-tier conference, and I don't see any current coach from any of the big six conferences leaving their program voluntarily for Memphis (except for maybe DePaul). I think you go to far to say no big six coaches would leave for Memphis, but generally I agree with your points. There's probably at least 10 that would jump at the chance. Yeah, Memphis is still better than most of your middle of the road type major conference schools. Any of those coaches would jump at the chance, I'd think. I struggle to see why a coach who just took his team to the Elite 8 (Mike Anderson) or a coach who has incredibly fertile recruiting grounds (Tim Floyd) would jump ship, though.

The Patriots are trying to woo Jason Taylor to New England, but he's holding out looking for an offer from Miami.

Wow. I'm not surprised by this. The right moves were made. They probably shouldn't have signed Bako from the beginning to be honest. Eh, didn't hurt that much. Maybe it sparked Koyie to have a good spring training, or something. And I do like the move. Might as well go with the younger Hill. Not only the fact that he's younger, it helps that he's a switch hitter too. Yeah, that definitely doesn't hurt.

I'd say Georgia and Tennessee have similarly deep pockets in the athletic department, and Tennessee pays Lane Kiffin (and his staff) around $6 million a year and Bruce Pearl a bit over $2 million a year. Georgia could likely throw $2M+ at a new coach if they wanted to, I would think.

I think he's making more the point that even if his speed made a difference, it didn't make enough of one to make him productive. If he was a highly productive player and his speed made him that much more, great. But as it stands, Pierre wasn't particularly productive with or without his speed aiding him.

Wow. I'm not surprised by this. The right moves were made. They probably shouldn't have signed Bako from the beginning to be honest. Eh, didn't hurt that much. Maybe it sparked Koyie to have a good spring training, or something. And I do like the move. Might as well go with the younger Hill.

I could see that. But, he would probably be pretty much assured top 1-2 closer type money if he had that "proven closer" tag when he hit - to go along with his awesome stuff. My argument is not the role he'd be offered - he'd get the job as someone's closer for sure. The question is the difference of however many millions not having that "proven closer" tag would cost him. I'm not arguing for or against that. Your stance is not unreasonable. I'm just stating that top 10-15 closers average at the time of his FA would indeed still be a sizable contract. Oh yes, the contract would still be sizable. No doubt about that.

Yeah, I've wondered exactly what you two have - unless UGA could toss out $2M+ and Mizzou couldn't match it, why would he leave Missouri? You're both right that Missouri has far more basketball prestige than Georgia and it wouldn't really make sense for Anderson to leave, but the rumors kept persisting, so I figured I'd ask. Thanks for the replies.

I could see that. But, he would probably be pretty much assured top 1-2 closer type money if he had that "proven closer" tag when he hit - to go along with his awesome stuff. My argument is not the role he'd be offered - he'd get the job as someone's closer for sure. The question is the difference of however many millions not having that "proven closer" tag would cost him.

The fact that he's yet to grab the closer role may indeed create some doubt in some people which would prevent them from offering as much money as they would if he erased any doubts about his "ability" to close by actually doing it. But it only takes one team to pay him. And, if he does spend 6 major league seasons doing what he's done so far, people are going to be so blown away with what will have to be unprecedented numbers for non-closing relievers, that dangling a proven closer tag will pale in comparison. Yeah, it just takes one team to dole out the huge money, but more teams will be likely to open up the pocketbooks a bit more if he has that "proven closer" tag.

You can understand win and save totals are not the most important thing while still acknowledging they do play a role in determining the market price of a player. Role, yes. Not completely being frozen out of a closers contract. Only in total amount of dollars. However, he would still get top 10 average if he were a FA tomorrow after spending 4 yrs with numbers like the last two seasons. That's the argument I'm making - that it would affect the dollar amount of his contract moreso than what role he's offered. And again, I agree wholeheartedly that saves don't mean more than a hill of beans regarding a player's real value to a team.

The problem is, Marmol will have less of a negotiation base if he never assumes the closer role with the Cubs. Teams will pay - and pay dearly, I'm sure - for Marmol's arm and stuff. But, if Marmol's agent can't start the negotiations with "Carlos racked up 85 saves the last two years for the Cubs," he might not be able to get as much as he otherwise could. Does Francisco Cordero get the huge contract from the Reds without his background as a "proven" closer? I doubt it. Does Kevin Gregg cost us Jose Ceda if not for his history as a "proven" closer? Probably not. Both of these guys still would have had varying amounts of value as very good relievers, but an agent has a much better basis with which to start negotiations from if his client has X number of saves on his resume to add to the arm and stuff, etc. Now, this may just be the difference between Marmol getting $8 million in FA instead of $12 million a year, but it's still likely it'll have an effect on his paycheck - if he never assumes the role, of course. There is a difference between 2nd tier arms making more money because they've racked up saves, and 1st rate arms making a little less because they haven't racked up saves. I highly doubt a non-closing Marmol will lose out on money in free agency if he somehow spends 6 years as a shutdown reliever without spending time as a closer. Entirely possible. I still think the "proven closer" tag would earn him even more money. A fantastic arm and terrific stuff will earn him more than most any reliever, but having the "proven closer" tag to dangle around might make someone jump at him for even more. It's not a certainty, but I think it's a possibility. Again, though, I fully expect him to get the job at some point anyway. It certainly could earn him more money. 3 years of 50+ saves could get him more than K-Rod. The question is, however, could he garner a "closers" contract without ever holding the title and continuing his performance. there should be no shortage of teams willing to take a chance on his stuff over someone (like Cordero) saves records. That's what I'm saying, though - that he'll get a closer's contract either way, but not having the "proven closer" tag coming into FA would cost him money off that contract. If he never becomes the Cubs closer (extremely unlikely), he'll probably get $8-10 million a year (or so) to be a closer. If he enters FA with the "proven closer" tag, he'll probably get a job for $12-14 million as a closer. I don't think it'd cost him offers, but it'd cost him negotiating room.

You can understand win and save totals are not the most important thing while still acknowledging they do play a role in determining the market price of a player. Juan Pierre is nowhere near as valuable as he is without the "leadoff hitter" tag applied to him. The tag doesn't give him any more real value to a team, but it certainly has gotten him more money than he should have. I think the "proven closer" tag works the same way. Doesn't make a player any more valuable to his team, but it can earn him a few more bucks in FA.

The problem is, Marmol will have less of a negotiation base if he never assumes the closer role with the Cubs. Teams will pay - and pay dearly, I'm sure - for Marmol's arm and stuff. But, if Marmol's agent can't start the negotiations with "Carlos racked up 85 saves the last two years for the Cubs," he might not be able to get as much as he otherwise could. Does Francisco Cordero get the huge contract from the Reds without his background as a "proven" closer? I doubt it. Does Kevin Gregg cost us Jose Ceda if not for his history as a "proven" closer? Probably not. Both of these guys still would have had varying amounts of value as very good relievers, but an agent has a much better basis with which to start negotiations from if his client has X number of saves on his resume to add to the arm and stuff, etc. Now, this may just be the difference between Marmol getting $8 million in FA instead of $12 million a year, but it's still likely it'll have an effect on his paycheck - if he never assumes the role, of course. Marmol has the stuff, and assuming his performance continues, will have more important numbers to show than jst saves. Here I thought this place was refined enough not to consider wins or saves as the top measure of ability. I don't consider it a measure of ability, but there are those who do. Those who do might just be willing to shell out a few million more just to have the "proven closer" tagged guy at the back end of their pen. Again, I'm not saying he'll get a crappy contract just because he (hypothetically) hits free agency with few saves, but it might end up costing him a few million.

The problem is, Marmol will have less of a negotiation base if he never assumes the closer role with the Cubs. Teams will pay - and pay dearly, I'm sure - for Marmol's arm and stuff. But, if Marmol's agent can't start the negotiations with "Carlos racked up 85 saves the last two years for the Cubs," he might not be able to get as much as he otherwise could. Does Francisco Cordero get the huge contract from the Reds without his background as a "proven" closer? I doubt it. Does Kevin Gregg cost us Jose Ceda if not for his history as a "proven" closer? Probably not. Both of these guys still would have had varying amounts of value as very good relievers, but an agent has a much better basis with which to start negotiations from if his client has X number of saves on his resume to add to the arm and stuff, etc. Now, this may just be the difference between Marmol getting $8 million in FA instead of $12 million a year, but it's still likely it'll have an effect on his paycheck - if he never assumes the role, of course. There is a difference between 2nd tier arms making more money because they've racked up saves, and 1st rate arms making a little less because they haven't racked up saves. I highly doubt a non-closing Marmol will lose out on money in free agency if he somehow spends 6 years as a shutdown reliever without spending time as a closer. Entirely possible. I still think the "proven closer" tag would earn him even more money. A fantastic arm and terrific stuff will earn him more than most any reliever, but having the "proven closer" tag to dangle around might make someone jump at him for even more. It's not a certainty, but I think it's a possibility. Again, though, I fully expect him to get the job at some point anyway.

Esteban German could probably do it as acceptably well as Miles. Especially considering he'd be getting paid $2 million less and for one less year. he can't play shortstop. well i suppose he can but he would basically do it as badly as mike fontenot. Aaron Miles can't play it either - at least very well. German put in 27 games at SS in the minors, Miles put in none. Miles played SS for 40 games in his first four ML seasons. German has played eight innings there in the majors. Both are really bad options to put at short, but I'm not seeing how Miles is a significantly better option than German - except that Miles was forced into playing it because the Cards had no one else to play SS.

The problem is, Marmol will have less of a negotiation base if he never assumes the closer role with the Cubs. Teams will pay - and pay dearly, I'm sure - for Marmol's arm and stuff. But, if Marmol's agent can't start the negotiations with "Carlos racked up 85 saves the last two years for the Cubs," he might not be able to get as much as he otherwise could. Does Francisco Cordero get the huge contract from the Reds without his background as a "proven" closer? I doubt it. Does Kevin Gregg cost us Jose Ceda if not for his history as a "proven" closer? Probably not. Both of these guys still would have had varying amounts of value as very good relievers, but an agent has a much better basis with which to start negotiations from if his client has X number of saves on his resume to add to the arm and stuff, etc. Now, this may just be the difference between Marmol getting $8 million in FA instead of $12 million a year, but it's still likely it'll have an effect on his paycheck - if he never assumes the role, of course.