And just say no to Kenny Lofton, Sabean. You do NOT need him.

Amen to the no Kenny Lofton. He was a good pickup for the playoff run in 2001, but he's pretty washed up now. However, Sabean has been known to make some bizarre moves, but that usually comes at the trade deadline.

Regardless of what we all think about Joe Mays, the club is determined to keep him. Hopefully, while the doctors had him cut open the installed a whole new pitching arm. The Twins are not going to shell out money for a starter other than Bradke or his possible replacement should TR suffer major mental retardation and let him go elsewhere. Bradke is a better pitcher than he gets credit for, or his stats show. He had a really good year, unfortunately he got NO run support. Believe it or not, but the Yankees have some intrest in him too.

Sounds like the Braves are in the same boat as the Giants. There might be a bidding war for Urbina. Smoltz as a starter doesn't sound like a good idea. Didn't they make him a reliever cause he didn't have the stamina anymore? I think his days are numbered.

Joe Mays has had so many setbacks he does not have a reliable arm.

B-Rad doesn't get enough credit. He has the best control in the majors and his record is not indicative of his talents. So many blown leads by Aaron Fultz and Joe Roa and J.C. Romero.

I really don't think Smoltz has it in him anymore. Unless he just wants to pitch the first inning and maybe 1/3 of the 2nd.

As for Urbina, he isn't that great anymore.

Dude, I'm in the honorary Blanco fanclub too. I think he's great. You're right about his stats, Ryan, but dear shit was he ever clutch. He wouldn't hit shit when it didn't matter too much, but man...when it got critical he had a big bat. I refuse to deny what I saw with my own two eyes this past year.

As much of a stat whore I am (for other sports, mainly), sometimes things just don't show in the stat line and I will admit that.

*asks meekly* Any NBA fans here?

NO

Pussies.

Well, Paul Bako was clutch too. Once every month. 10 homers was nice for Blanco though, i gotta give him that. Then again, 30 homers for Valentin, to go with a .200 average, was nice too. Too many fish with their hands in the pancakes, as they always say. Or something like that.

I think Smoltz' days are numbered too. Until the Braves got hot, i thought he'd be traded before the deadline. I think he is more valuable in the closer role, but when he is asked to pitch 3-4 days in a row, it got taxing. There were no other solutions, as the rest of the bullpen looked like Cleveland for a while.

His thought is that pitching every fifth day will not put as much strain on his arm as pitching 3 days in a row, 20 pitches or so each day. I think they try him out in spring training and see what happens. I fear that he'll become a Greg Maddux: not able to pitch much more than 5-6 innings, although Greg seemed a little more durable last year than he did in recent years.

It makes sense though to try him out in the starting spot. There had to have been many occassions that they'd warm him up in the bullpen and not use him at all in the game, to coincide with a couple of appearances in the same week. It has to be taxing to do that. Especially for a guy approaching 40.

Basketball's bad M'kay. Seriously, the only thing worse than the game are the players.

While looking through the list of free agent relievers, and there's a ton of them, there really aren't that many established closers, so Urbina's probably the best option. Either that or try and convert someone to closer, ala Joe Nathan.

Oh and Ryan I saw Kent Mercker was free agent, maybe he'll head back to Atlanta, and the closer situation will be solved.

Nah, i'll pass on Mercker as a closer. I don't see him heading back to Atlanta, or else they would have just re-signed him when he was let go as a free agent last year. He is one of those guys that has to be used VERY carefully (key situations against lefthanders) and Atlanta already has one of those guys in Tom Martin. I'd prefer Mercker, though. The guy i'd like to have Atlanta sign is Steve Kline, but he'll get some good money thrown his way by the Yanks. As option B, i'd go with Ron Villone as the second lefty.

You are right though. There really aren't that many good relievers out there on the market. Atlanta will probably just go with some kids from the farm system like Jose Capellan (100 MPH fastball), Roman Colon or Dan Meyer. All these guys have the makings of good relievers with potential closer capabilities. Capellan could even be used in the rotation, but i think he gets a year in the 'pen before making the rotation.

And if the stars align, and it looks like they are, Russ Ortiz will never wear a Braves uniform again. Fuck, i hated that guy. We gave up some good guys for him. Even though Damian Moss kinda flamed out, Merkin Valdez is gonna be a STAR. I just hope Ortiz signs quickly and the Braves do NOT offer arbitration to him.

I know all about Russ Ortiz, remember he came up in the Giants orginazation. He's been a every other year type of player, so maybe re-signing to 1-year deal might not be a bad idea, since this season should be his "on" season.

BTW the Mercker thing was a joke. I think his days are about as numbered as Smoltz's. However, if he was cheap enough, I wouldn't complain about him joining the Giants. Then again compared to last years diasatrous bullpen just about anyone would be an improvement.

Fucking national league baseball, who gives a shit?

On to hockey. Why in the god damn hell were the Bulldogs ever ranked #1????? We shouldn't even be fucking ranked, we can't beat UAA or St. Cloud and we're going in to Wisconsin next weekend, and Wisconsin is tearing it up, with a killer goaltender and a whiny pussy boy who scores lots of goals because he takes dives to put his team on the PP. If the 'Dogs don't win tonight I'm not going to haul my ass out to Wisconsin next weekend to see the series there.

National League Baseball: The REAL Baseball. The DH is a joke.

Amen, brother amen!

YAY The 'Dogs won! This means I'm still on for Madison.

The Aaaahj and I are going to start doing a ballpark tour. Of course, if we had all the money in the world, we'd do it in one year, but it's going to have to be spread out.

So far we have one stadium checked off, but that's just the dome and doesn't count. This summer's plan is:

1. Colorado (I've already been there though, but I was thrown out)
2. St. Louis
3. Either Wrigley or Comiskey or both (if we're going to go to St. Louis we might as well go to one of those, too)
4. Giants-Twins at the 'Dome.

Wheeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!

(When you're having fun, you refer to yourself and some other people.)

ST. Louis is a must I believe this is their last season in the orginal Busch stadium.

I've actually been to Candelstick, Oakland-Alemda County Coliseum (or what ever gay name it's called now), Wriglet, Old Comiskey and of course the Dome.

Can't wait to see Barry put one out over the baggie!