http://sportsblogs.org/entries.php?sport_id=1&date=2009-01-07&start=0 Sports Blogs :: Major League Baseball Daily Entries en-us I'm in a Diamondmind sim league with Dayn Perry, Joe Dimino, Shredder, and a bunch of guys whose names you might know if you hang around Baseball Think Factory a lot. Last night I turned in my keeper list in the runup to this year's draft. We're allowed to keep ten players. I listed mine, and even though they are merely virtual, textual and statistical representations of real people, the guys I kept started a whisper campaign to the local media about how I simply don't care about winning. ... http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568155&src=rss 2009-01-07T09:48:00 How should a fantasy owner handle drafting at the end of the first round in a year where there are no obvious choices? Click the title to read more. Order the Hardball Times Annual 2009 today! http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1567969&src=rss 2009-01-07T05:10:00 Part One Click the title to read more. Order the Hardball Times Annual 2009 today! http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1567970&src=rss 2009-01-07T05:05:00 The latest in the business of baseball. Click the title to read more. Order the Hardball Times Annual 2009 today! http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1567971&src=rss 2009-01-07T05:04:00 TUCK! toon goodness every Wednesday Click the title to read more. Order the Hardball Times Annual 2009 today! http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1567972&src=rss 2009-01-07T05:01:00 On May 9, 1878, in Indianapolis, the Milwaukee Gray’s Sam Weaver pitched a splendid game, beating the Indianapolis Blues 2 to 1. It is possible this is the first no-hitter thrown by a Milwaukee pitcher, and only the second in the National League. The reporting of this game is interesting and deserves space. The following accounts and box scores will show many discrepancies and errors, leading to much confusion. The May 10, 1878, Milwaukee Sentinel http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568234&src=rss 2009-01-07T04:08:00 soxrock asked: I get the rest of the deal… I get the green bay joke… and the pirates / dodgers thing.. but I don’t get why the Sox did NOT want manny in FL? Was it just to spite him, because that’s where he wanted to be? ahh okay i feel stupid now that makes sense. http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568199&src=rss 2009-01-07T03:17:26 Every year players start out as sleepers, but by April they have nowhere to go but down. There have been names that are already getting so much hype this year that we can see by the time you draft they will be less of a sleeper. Nelson Cruz - OF - Texas Rangers I have written how much I like Cruz. He is a potential five-category player, with average being his one weakness. He has already been picked as the opening day cle... http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568196&src=rss 2009-01-07T03:17:01 From Lisa Olsen: ...Now the Red Sox were again heavy on the scene; Cashman figured he might as well play along. So he did a bit of research, discovered Teixeira had a fondness for Twisted Sister, the iron men of '80s rock. Sometimes it really is this simple, this high-stakes recruiting game. Sure, it helped that the Yankees eventually offered $180 million over eight year... http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568191&src=rss 2009-01-07T03:15:24 The Red Sox made another bold offseason move yesterday by signing 30-year old journeyman Nick Green to a minor league deal, with an invitation to spring training to compete for a spot on the bench as a backup infielder. Nick... http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568189&src=rss 2009-01-07T03:12:31 BY ADAM RONIS Stephen Jackson had an MRI and will be out for at least two weeks due to a strained hamstring. Kelenna Azubuike should start, but you never know with Don Nelson and his erratic lineups. Nelson said Monta Ellis thinks he's ready to make his season debut, but Nelson doesn't want to accelerate Ellis' rehab. Nelson said the team is being conservative with Ellis and he's getting close to practicing. George Karl hasn'... http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568187&src=rss 2009-01-07T03:10:53 At the moment, Brandon Lyon doesn't have a team. Without knowing where he'll end up, we can't be sure how his role and his home park will affect his value. However, the Cardinals aren't confident in any of their options at closer and are considering signing Lyon. Although I don't think he'd be their best option at closer, this certainly isn't an awful idea. Lyon isn't necessarily BETTER than Jason Motte or Chris Perez, but at least he has a different skill set. While both of them should ... http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568181&src=rss 2009-01-07T03:09:35 One terrific site I haven't mentioned yet is RotoGuru. Not only does Dave Hall post his thoughts on a variety of fantasy games (many of which he's had great success at), but the site has active message boards on many fantasy topics, and provides some really useful 'tools' to help evaluate daily and weekly match-ups for games like Rotohog and TSN. If you stop by Rotoguru, please remind Dave that as far as I'm concerned he still owes me $1,000 for passing... http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568182&src=rss 2009-01-07T03:09:35 The Cleveland Indians signed Carl Pavano yesterday. The plan is apparently for Pavano to be their #4 starter in 2009. That doesn't say much for the bottom of their rotation. The last time Pavano pitched 100 innings was in 2005. The last time he made it to 101 innings was 2004, which was also the last time his K/9 reached 5.0. Not only is Pavano a huge injury risk, but whether he can still pitch effectively even when healthy is still an open question. In limited action (34.1 innings) Pav... http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568180&src=rss 2009-01-07T03:09:34 It was reported yesterday that Koji Uehara will be a member of the Baltimore Orioles rotation in 2009. Uehara will be an effective major league pitcher, although certainly not a star. His main asset is excellent control. At one point in his career, for seven straight years he walked between 21 and 24 batters per year, while pitching anywhere from 131 to 207.1 innings per year. He does allow a lot of home runs though, and his strikeout rates in recents years haven't been exceptional when a... http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568179&src=rss 2009-01-07T03:09:26 First former NBA star Antoine Walker, now current NFL star, San Diego Charger Vincent Jackson gets caught on a DUI. Do these guys now watch television? Those gaudy, anti DUI advertisements were on all festive season, how could you miss those things? NBA, NFL, who's next? NHL? Aren't you allowed, nay, encouraged to drink/drive in Canada though... http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568176&src=rss 2009-01-07T03:09:22 Gun law sure is confusing in the United States! I'll tell you that much for nothing. Let me see if I have this straight. Marvin Harrison - Shot someone, not going to jail.Pacman Jones - May or may not have paralyzed someone, didn't go to jail.Ray Lewis - http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568177&src=rss 2009-01-07T03:09:22 I know it’s a sin, and my wife damn well better not find out, but I am in love with Mark Teixiera’s wife. Teixeira told reporters Tuesday during his introductory press conference at the old Yankee Stadium that it was his wife who pointed him toward the Bronx. Sitting at a restaurant table in Texas, Teixeira as... http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568173&src=rss 2009-01-07T03:09:09 http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568172&src=rss 2009-01-07T03:08:32 First there was the news of WSBGM's favorite Pat "the Bat" Burrell signing a 2 year $16M deal with the Tampa Bay Rays. As if that was... http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568171&src=rss 2009-01-07T03:07:41 I've had this WAR spreadsheet sitting around for a couple weeks now, just waiting for the perfect time to present it along with detailed instructions, zero kinks, and some community collaboration.  Well, that plan has been scrapped.  We're going instead with a "here's the spreadsheet, we'll work everything else out later" plan (which actually might not be a bad idea.)  So... Feel free to down... http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568158&src=rss 2009-01-07T03:03:19 The Bruins did something they haven't done all season, lose back-to-back games in regulation. Several things combined to give Minnesota a 1-0 victory in the Garden. Niklas Backstrom had an outstanding game, his 2nd straight shutout, and 4th on the season. He was positioned well on every shot and didn't make any mistakes. ... http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568153&src=rss 2009-01-07T02:00:25 One way to look at the acquisition of Jason Marquis is through the prism of Kip Wells and Josh Fogg, recent fifth starters for the Rockies. Wells held that role for a while last year and Fogg in 2006 and 2007. Clearly, Marquis is an upgrade over those two, which is damning with faint praise. Rocky Mountain News http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568146&src=rss 2009-01-07T01:17:25 Towers said he had interest in veterans David Eckstein and Omar Vizquel, in addition to a few names he didn't want to divulge. MLB http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568147&src=rss 2009-01-07T01:17:25 I found out about Koji Uehara’s signing with the Orioles the same way everyone else did, via the incomparable mlbtraderumors.com. I think much of the Japanese media found out the same way I did, as there was a raft of reports referring to the same Baltimore Sun article that Tim linked to.  Strangely, Uehara’s agreement with [...] http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568124&src=rss 2009-01-07T01:14:17 Not much went on yesterday in the Caribbean Leagues. The Dominican and Puerto Rican leagues had off days, and the only Yankees in action were in the Venezuelan Winter League playoffs. - Edwar Gonzalez (Lara) went 0-for-3. - Luis Nunez (Zulia) went 0-for-3. http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568120&src=rss 2009-01-07T01:11:47 How should a fantasy owner handle drafting at the end of the first round in a year where there are no obvious choices? http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568113&src=rss 2009-01-07T01:07:51 According to manager Joe Girardi, the Yankees have signed free-agent RHP Jason M. Johnson to a minor-league contract. The deal has yet to be formally 6 Vote(s) http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568114&src=rss 2009-01-07T01:07:51 To make room on the 40-man roster for newly signed 1B Mark Teixeira, the Yankees designated 1B Shelley Duncan for assignment on Tuesday. 7 Vote(s) http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568115&src=rss 2009-01-07T01:07:51 And then Dustin Pedroia turned my Silver Bullet into a Sam Adams. I wouldn’t have believed it either, if I didn’t see it with my own eyes. But Pedroia wasn’t done there. Noooo… With a droplet of his sweat, he defrosted Ted Williams so The Splendid Splinter could go to a Southie’s Little [...] http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568116&src=rss 2009-01-07T01:07:51 Jim Hendry recently stated, "We're just trying to make the club better, which I think we are." Whether or not the team that posted 97 wins a year ago is better in the first week of January on paper is up for debate. Reportedly Jim Hendry will look for another arm to add to the rotation http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568111&src=rss 2009-01-07T01:06:49 The Atlanta Braves could consider signing fallen former star Andruw Jones to a minimal contract if he becomes a… http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568110&src=rss 2009-01-07T01:06:34 Phillies reliever J.C. Romero will be suspended for the first 50 games of next season after testing positive for a banned supplement, according to a pair of reports, and he thinks the punishment is unfair. http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568109&src=rss 2009-01-07T01:06:33 The Atlanta Braves could consider signing fallen former star Andruw Jones to a minimal contract if he becomes a… http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568108&src=rss 2009-01-07T01:06:31 John Sickels has his preliminary prospect list up for the Padres. Wonko's already found it. What are you waiting for? Here are the top 5. I'll leave it to you to visit Minor League Ball to see the rest: 1) Kyle Blanks, 1B, Grade B+: I don’t know where he fits except as trade bait... http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568090&src=rss 2009-01-07T01:02:02 The thing I always wonder when the Yankees give a player a huge contract is: Does the player really think the Yankees "wanted him more"? Or do they realize the Yankees just have the most money? Seriously, do you think the Pirates wanted Teixeira any less than the Yankees did? I'd say they wanted him way more, based on their performance these last fifteen years. Teixeira, for one, does not understand: "Contract was important. I wasn't going to take half as much money to play in New ... http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568089&src=rss 2009-01-07T01:00:24 On Monday, Ken Rosenthal reported that two more corner outfielders were coming off the market - Pat Burrell and Milton Bradley. These signings represent two more missed opportunities by the Mets, who desperately need to add a right-handed bat or a switch hitt... http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568071&src=rss 2009-01-07T00:05:36 Not just yet. I'm going to take a look at three of the main aspects regarding the Barry Bonds issue as pertaining to the article written by Jack Marshall over at the Hardball Times. I know, I have went over this article twice already, but I feel as though there are a couple more issues which need to be addressed. This article will address Marshall's flawed argument regarding... http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568070&src=rss 2009-01-07T00:05:33 From: The Indians Indians DH TRAVIS HAFNER recently underwent a 12-week re-check in Birmingham, Alabama with Dr James Andrews. Andrews performed an arthroscopic debridement (clean out) of Hafner’s right shoulder joint in Birmingham on October 14th. Travis continues to progress well from the procedure and has been cleared by Dr. Andrews to initiate pre-hitting activities [...] http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568067&src=rss 2009-01-07T00:05:08 The Cleveland Indians today signed RHP CARL PAVANO to a one-year free agent Major League contract for the 2009 season. Pavano, who turns 33 on Thursday, owns a career Major League record of 66-66 with a 4.32 ERA in 193 games/175 starts (1083.1IP, 1167H, 520ER, 301BB, 692K) over 10 Major League seasons with the Montreal [...] http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568068&src=rss 2009-01-07T00:05:08 Random Observations Jan 6th, 2009 The Rays were able to sign Pat Burrell to a two-year, $16 million deal. The Phillies spring home is in clearwater and this supposedly had an effect in the negotiations. What a great signing from a valuation standpoint. Burrell has close to a .900 OPS over the past three seasons. He’s [...] http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568049&src=rss 2009-01-07T00:02:53 Jason Marquis is on his way to Colorado. In return, the Cubs received reliever Luis Vizcaino. While the Cubs really didn’t need another relief pitcher, I’m glad to see the Cubs got rid of a non-team player, and an inconsistent one at that. This now opens the door for Sean Marshall to compete for a rotation [...] http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568046&src=rss 2009-01-07T00:02:45 Pending a physical, Milton Bradley is ready to sign with the Cubs later this week. The deal is rumored to be for 3 years, for a total of $30 million dollars. There are positives and negatives to this signing. On the plus side, the Cubs have a solid on base and power hitter to insert in [...] http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568047&src=rss 2009-01-07T00:02:45 The New York Times is reporting that The New York Times is trying to sell its' stake in the Boston Red Sox. I hope The Times checked their sources on this one. Under pressure from investors to sell noncore assets in recent years, executives of the Times Company have said repeatedly that they were open to selling the stake, but only on the right terms. But recently, they have been http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568044&src=rss 2009-01-07T00:00:18 As the Trib narrows in on FINALLY selling the Cubs, Mark Cuban goes public on his involvement in the sale process. His angle seems to be pretty simple. Cuban is cash rich. There is a credit crisis making cash more valuable. He did not want to take refinance risk on buying the Cubs with debt. The amount of cash he was willing to... http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568043&src=rss 2009-01-07T00:00:07 It's official. Jim Hendry outbid himself for Jason Marquis in 2006 to get two years of mediocre pitching and one year of Luis Vizcaino. I guess this means the Rockies will make the playoffs in 2009 while Jason watches from the bench. In the deal, the Cubs save $5 million in salary by not paying Marquis. Now, if only Jim Hendry can find a taker for Vizcaino and save the full $10 million. http://rd.sportsblogs.org/viewEntry.php?id=1568042&src=rss 2009-01-07T00:00:06