vance_the_cubs_fan

What, there aren't any hills in Louisiana? There are some in the Central part...but nothing major. And please don't call me a redneck from Louisiana. I'm a coon ass, sir.

Nope.

By the time he becomes available, Pawelek could be one of those top prospects.

From Olney's chat today:

Most similar players to Grace: 1. Keith Hernandez (912) 2. Mickey Vernon (904) 3. John Olerud (881) 4. Enos Slaughter (869) * 5. Hal McRae (867) 6. Al Oliver (859) 7. Bill Buckner (858) 8. Wally Joyner (858) 9. Joe Judge (852) 10. Joe Kuhel (850) There's only one HOFer in the group. The one thing that group has in common is that they were all good hitters, but none are HOF caliber hitters. That's a perfect way to describe Grace as well.

I'll rip Dusty with the best of them, but there's nothing to rip him here with those quotes.

If Cabrera is available. You give them the pick of the farm. If that means Pie and Paweleck (after June), then so be it.

Depending on where the teams are in the standings, I think the following could be moved: 1. Soriano. My guess is he's moved sooner than later, but if he's a National on July 31 and if the Nationals are out of the race, he's going to be finding a new home. 2. Moises Alou: If the Giants falter again, I can see Alou finding a new home. 3. Schmidt: See Alou. 4. Luis Gonzalez: He has a no-trade clause, and so he's a bit more tricky. I'm sure he'll be shopped if Arizona isn't in contention. 5. Adam Dunn: Yes, Dunn just signed a three-year deal, but the last year is voided if he's traded. That means the Reds simply bought out his arby years which could make him more cost certain for a team acquiring him. I don't assume he'll be traded, but it could happen. 6. Tejada: I figure this would be a long shot, but it could happen. It would be a costly move for whoever acquires him. 7. Huff and Lugo: Both of these will find a new home between now and July 31. 8. Zito: If the A's are out of it, yes, but I doubt the A's will be out of it. As the divisional races begin to shake out in June or July, this picture will become much clearer.

I think it depends on what you are trying to accomplish. Are you trying to put together a predicted 2006 NL-C all star team by the position they are going to play this year? Or are you trying to put together the best possible team using players form the NL-C at positions where they are capable of playing? Both are valid questions. When you vote for "All Stars", you vote for the best at each position, don't you? Based on that, it HAS to be Pujols at first base. Depends on if I go by career or last season's numbers. Based on last season, Lee has just as much claim to firstbase as Pujols on this list. I think I'd vote for the best player at that position. I'm not sure you can make a solid case that Lee is the better player. If Lee puts up numbers equal to last season, I think his edge defensively does make him the best player. Has Lee been the best player over the course of their careers? No. That's why it is imperative to know what we're basing it on. Is it last season? Then Lee is at first over Pujols. Is it predictive? In that case, I'd probably have to go with Pujols since I'm a big proponent of three-year averages. Is it career? Well if it is, then Pujols again...but if this is career, then everyone should have Maddux as the number one starter because none of these guys has had the career that Greg has.

True. And from my understanding, the book made no evaluations of catchers either.

Gammons discussed it in his article. I read about where Lee fell in regard to his defensive metrics. I'm eager to read the book, but I'm already behind on my readings. It will probably have to wait until this summer.

Berkman was originally on there, but declined because he had a procedure to clean up his knee. Dunn was on there at first, and he backed out so he could focus on learning firstbase. I'm not sure why Burrell isn't on the team. I don't remember ever hearing anything about him or Giles or Edmonds.

The US outfield looks pretty weak to me. It is weaker than it should be. A lot of bats that could make it more potent have dropped out. I still think the U.S. line-up is good enough to compete with the DR considering the U.S pitching is better than the DR.

BTW, I'd hate to have to do play-by-play for the Chinese team. That team consists of five Li's, three Chen's, five Zhang's, and three Wangs.

It's going to be fun watching DR play Venezuela. The DR team has the stronger hitting, but no team matches up to the Venezuelans pitching.

I think the way the U.S. has constructed their bullpen will make it very tough if the starter leaves with a lead. They'll be able to bring in a different reliever for each inning and many of these guys are shut-down closers like Cordero, Lidge, and Wagner. The U.S. line-up is very potent in itself. I also think the U.S. team is more balanced. The DR team is a little weak at catcher, where the US team is not. Where the DR team is a little stronger offensively, the U.s team is much stronger in pitching, especially if Pedro is unable to go for the DR team.

I can't agree with that statement. Offensively, maybe. But Arod has produced over a longer period than Pujols. Add to that, Arod's defense at a position of scarcity, then Rodriguez rises above.

But the way you phrased your question and stated the topic implies that the DR is the best team and your looking for challengers. In reality, I don't think the DR is the best team or even the favorite. I'd say the U.S. team is the best team, but in reality the DR and Venezuelan teams look very good as well. I don't think there is a favorite out of those three teams.

I don't know. I think the U.S. team looks as strong as the DR team. Venezuela's team is no slouch either.

We've grown accustomed to players doing this. GM's should be above it all. Remember when Grudzielanek cried collusion or Moises was upset at how Hendry handled not re-signing him. Players whining like this happens all the time, but you didn't see Hendry calling these guys idiots. I distinctly remember Wagner calling out Hunsicker in Houston. You didn't see Hunsicker call Wagner an uneducated hick. GM's have to be above this. It's called professionalism.

Veal is advancing quickly if he's going to be in Daytona.

That's my point. Sometimes is's just best to respond with a "no comment."

As he prepares to get ready for the WBC, Clemens is going to pitch to minor leaguers at Astros camp this week. Link. I think the more things like this happen, the more likely it is that Clemens will sign with the Astros after May 1. The Rangers are apparently making a strong run for him and are offering him some of the same concessions that Houston did last season and the season before, but word is that Hicks has conceded that Clemens pitching for the Rangers is a long shot.

Link Fun times. First Ozzie callling Arod a hypocrite and now Williams calling the Big Hurt an idiot. When will these guys learn to say, "no comment"?

On the MLB homepage, I found this article on the Japanese all-star Iwamura. Link Apparently, he is very eager to play in the major leagues. His team, th Yakult Swallows blocked his attempt to play here this season, but have indicated they will allow him to play here after the 2006 season. I'm eager to watch him in the WBC.