vance_the_cubs_fan

Here's some info on Parker:

The ballot for Alan Trammell is now up.

From the Baseball Hall of Fame on Trammell:

I view Kielty much like Byrnes. Either one would make a nice pick-up for the bench.

Steve Garvey's ballot is now up.

A blurb on Garvey-

Tommy John's ballot is now up.

Here's a blurb:

I've made it through the first two chapters of The Hidden Game. Good stuff!

Here's the books I got for Christmas. The Hidden Game of Baseball paperback, revised edition by Thorn and Palmer. Curve Ball by Albert and Bennett The Book on the Book by Felber Twice Around the Bases by Kevin Kennedy Any suggestions on which I should read first?

I think I'd move one of the prospects Tampa gets to Boston, they don't seem to be getting the correct return for Manny, Arroyo, and Marte. Probably move Hill to Boston. You may be right there....but they are getting three holes filled by moving Manny and Arroyo. I'm not sure that Tampa would give up those three for only Dopirak, Marte and Guzman. What about taking Marte out, removing Gathright and sending Patterson from the Cubs to Boston and Boston sending a lesser prospect to Tampa. The deal could look like this: Orioles get: Manny and Arroyo Cubs get Tejada Boston gets Patterson, Lugo, and Huff Devil Rays get: Dopirak, Guzman, Hill, and someone like David Murphy or Chad Spann. Tampa might not do it, but it's probably most equitable. Marte is worth Lugo + Gathright alone, and Dopirak + Guzman is a decent return for an expensive impending FA coming off a poor year. I'm sure if those teams talked, the players could end up different, but I think it provides the framework. It answers three needs for Boston so I think they might think it's fair return for Manny. They'd still have Marte to deal if they needed to fill another need. The Cubs get the player they are after without damaging the major league team, and retain pitching depth by keeping Williams. The Orioles get Manny plus a pitcher. The deal might need tinkering as the Orioles might would want a better pitcher and the Devil Rays might want better prospects. I still think the framework is there. I think the Cubs would probably throw in another prospect not named Pie if needed to get it done.

I think I'd move one of the prospects Tampa gets to Boston, they don't seem to be getting the correct return for Manny, Arroyo, and Marte. Probably move Hill to Boston. You may be right there....but they are getting three holes filled by moving Manny and Arroyo. I'm not sure that Tampa would give up those three for only Dopirak, Marte and Guzman. What about taking Marte out, removing Gathright and sending Patterson from the Cubs to Boston and Boston sending a lesser prospect to Tampa. The deal could look like this: Orioles get: Manny and Arroyo Cubs get Tejada Boston gets Patterson, Lugo, and Huff Devil Rays get: Dopirak, Guzman, Hill, and someone like David Murphy or Chad Spann.

I think he would....I don't think he has much choice. None of the teams he was interested in going to want him. It may be Baltimore or back in Boston and he wants out of Boston.

In Crasnick's book, Liscence to Deal, Boras says he never wants to be in ownership and rips agents who have switched over. In his mind that's betraying the very people who he's been working for.

What about a 4-team deal that involves the DRays and Boston. I think in such a scenario, the Cubs could get Tejada without giving up Prior. Orioles get: Manny and Arrojo. Cubs get: Tejada Boston gets: Lugo, Huff, and Gathright. Devil Rays get: Dopirak, Marte, Hill, and Guzman. I'm sure the prospects the Cubs are sending could change, but would that trade satisfy everyone?

When looking at pitchers most comparable to Morris: Dennis Martinez (903) Tom Glavine (901) Bob Gibson (885) * Luis Tiant (873) Red Ruffing (861) * Chuck Finley (859) Amos Rusie (859) * Burleigh Grimes (855) * Bob Feller (855) * Jim Bunning (854) * There's some good pitchers there. There's six HOFers in that group, one other (Glavine) that could make the Hall and three other non-HOF but pretty good pitchers. I'm not convinced one way or the other on Morris, so I'd like to see some arguments in favor and against his election.

The ballot for Jack Morris is now up.

Some info on Morris:

From rotoworld, I just don't see how signing Estes upgrades anything.

When I first opened this poll, I thought it was going to be about drinking foreign or domestic beer.

My first two cars were made by GM, but I currently drive a Mazda Tribute. I like it because it is a smaller version of an SUV. It gives me the room I need and drives really well. When I'm buying a car, I really don't give a rats' behind who made it.

Smith's case depends a lot on how you value closers and the save as a statistic. Smith was one of the best at accumulating them. He led his league in saves four times, finished second four other times, finished third once, and finished twice. In his 18 seasons, he was in the top five in saves over half of those. And he was in the top ten in all but four of them. He holds the record for most career saves and most games finished. His career ERA is 3.03 which is good, but not dominating. His comparables are: Jeff Reardon (896) John Franco (891) Doug Jones (858) Roberto Hernandez (855) Rollie Fingers (850) * Trevor Hoffman (837) Bruce Sutter (832) Rick Aguilera (828) Kent Tekulve (825) Jose Mesa (824) All of those are good closers, but only one HOF which isn't surprising since only two closers are currently in the HOF. I doubt Smith ever makes it...but if you're going to admit a closer to the HOF, it's hard to pass up on Smith.

The ballot for Lee Smith is now up.

Here's a blurb on Smith. Cast your vote on whether the All-time saves leader belongs in the Hall.

The players most similar to Rice: Orlando Cepeda (911) * Andres Galarraga (893) Ellis Burks (882) Duke Snider (880) * Joe Carter (864) Dave Parker (856) Billy Williams (854) * Luis Gonzalez (847) Willie Stargell (843) * Gary Sheffield (839) There's four HOFers on the list...and another (Sheffield) who may become a HOF. I think the mix of the list shows how much of a bubble candidate Rice is. I'd put him in...and I definitely can't see how someone supports Dawson and not Rice other than bias or a dislike for Rice because he was surly to the media and others.