Below are the 10 most recent journal entries recorded in angelsplayers' LiveJournal:

Monday, January 29th, 2007
6:45 pm	the moment of failure success was there ever really a doubt, dear reader? after protracted negotiations between general manager jim hendry and agent paul kinzer nearly led nowhere, aramis ramirez late yesterday declined to sign with the chicago cubs aramis ramirez this morning reversed course and signed with the chicago cubs. this: With a midnight deadline looming, the Cubs couldn't close a deal with free-agent third baseman Aramis Ramirez late Saturday night, meaning a complicated offseason just got a whole lot tougher. The Cubs no longer have exclusive negotiating rights with Ramirez. Starting at 12:01 a.m. today, other clubs could begin bidding, and agent Paul Kinzer's phone lines must have been burning up. Kinzer said Ramirez's demands will rise to a six- or seven-year deal in the $100 million range once the power hitter hits the open market. Sources say the Cubs had discussed a five-year, $75 million package. Even once the outside bidding begins, Kinzer insisted the Cubs would get a ''a hometown discount'' because Ramirez's first choice is to stay in Chicago. However, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry knows there will be a feeding frenzy for Ramirez when Kinzer begins shopping his client Monday at the general managers meetings in Naples, Fla. Even with a hometown discount, the price surely will rise if the Cubs don't act quickly. The deep-pocketed Los Angeles Angels have Ramirez as their No. 1 free-agent target. As for Hendry, Ramirez is square one in what looks like a 12-step program to get the Cubs straightened out in time for spring training. With Ramirez and Derrek Lee, the Cubs have a solid foundation in the middle of their lineup to begin building a winner. Without Ramirez, they have Lee and a lot of question marks. and this, as reported by fox sports, who broke the story: The only bright side for the Cubs – if you're looking for positive spin - is that the elimination of Ramirez's $22.5 million guarantee over the next two seasons would better enable the team to add pitching and sign a major free-agent hitter such as Alfonso Soriano. The competition for Soriano will be fierce, with the Phillies and Dodgers also expected to be leading suitors. But rather than overpay for starting pitching, the Cubs might prefer to make Soriano their new franchise player and patch elsewhere. To address their rotation, the Cubs could trade for one starting pitcher and sign another as a free agent. It's easier to buy hitters than pitchers; that's why it would be more logical for the Cubs to use their trading chips on a pitcher rather than a hitter such as Blue Jays center fielder Vernon Wells. Oh, and lest anyone forget, the Cubs still must sign their best pitcher, right-hander Carlos Zambrano, to a contract extension or risk losing him as a free agent after next season. The additional payroll room also should help in that regard. The Cubs suddenly have plenty of money. What they don't have is Ramirez. was dramatically followed by a last-minute push from jim hendry to render this: Ramirez, 28, has agreed to a five-year contract with a vesting option, FOXSports.com has learned. While exact terms of the deal were not immediately available, it was believed to be for at least $70 million. Just in time, too. The Cubs' exclusive negotiating period with Ramirez ran out at midnight Saturday. And the Angels were reportedly expected to make a big push for Ramirez as early as Sunday. But the Cubs shouldn't be too fired up about keeping Ramirez in the fold, at least from a financial perspective. Think maybe now the Cubs regret giving Ramirez an escape clause rather than additional money in the four-year, $42 million extension he signed at the start of the 2005 season? If the Cubs had increased the size of that contract, by, say, an additional $10 million, Ramirez likely would have dropped his demand for the out clause. The Cubs then would have had him signed through '08, at a far lesser salary than they will pay him in his new deal. Talk about a hollow victory: Proud as the Cubs might be that first baseman Derrek Lee is signed through 2010 and Ramirez through 2011, they still must pursue two starting pitchers, an outfield slugger, a center fielder and maybe a second baseman this off-season. ramirez will instead test forego free agency, where he will would in every likelihood be paid on a scale that will leave many market-ignorant cub fans (not to mention the cub marketing department) shaking their heads and crying "overpaid" -- when the hard truth is that ramirez is an underappreciated first-tier talent working on a potential hall-of-fame career. yes, that's right -- potential hall-of-fame career. some will call that a bridge too far, but through nine seasons through age 28 ramirez has amassed 3897 at-bats, 224 doubles, 196 home runs and 669 rbi, slugged .493, scored 517 runs, and collected 1089 hits at third base, a position he looks to easily continue playing for several more seasons. take a moment to forecast the trajectory of his career -- which probably includes three more years similar to those that have made him one of the premier slugging infielders in baseball, followed by a decline into a retirement at age 38 some ten seasons hence -- and, should one unscientifically presume an average of 142 games played per year henceforth and 4% declines in all major stat catagories (which leaves aramis in his age-38 year a paltry hitter) one realizes that it is quite possible that ramirez could finish with totals approaching 2500 hits, 500 doubles, 450 home runs, and 1500 rbi. these totals will be higher still if ramirez plays longer and ages better. compare that to the third basemen in the hall of fame today, and health is the only thing that is likely to keep ramirez from showing up on hall ballots in the early 2020s. that is, of course, a limiting factor in many careers -- this is not a prediction, so much as it is a contextualization of just what a massive offensive force ramirez is, and how proper it is for him to be the best paid free agent this year. the money he is going to get from the angels or dodgers or some other club cubs is hardly overpayment -- indeed, it is what the market for a hall-of-fame-caliber offensive third baseman is and should be. is that an argument for the cubs to pay him $90mm over six years? yes -- especially for a team that allowed greg maddux to escape under similarly inauspicious circumstances some fourteen years ago. but, even failing that, it is at least also a howl of righteous indignation at a drunken, obese, dimwitted little man ineptly and undeservedly holding down the title of general manager -- who nakedly and completely derelicted took a huge risk with his position by refusing to either sign ramirez or trade him at the deadline -- as so many of us called for precisely to avert this very a possible disaster. jim hendry should be summarily fired on the spot crowned with wilting laurels this very morning -- for this is a moment of which could have been a particularly scintillating, brilliant and spectacular explosive failure in a long and growing history of such moments on his resume -- and he would be by any club that pretended to make a claim at anything more than total mismanagement and utter buffoonery. the cubs under hendry have become a vaudeville circus, a comedy of errors that comports exactly with the long and venerated history of the most idiotic and star-crossed franchise in the history of sport on earth. these are indeed among the darkest days in all the history of this club -- regardless of what the tribune, always quick with a baseless propagandistic excuse to self-excuplate and distract, would have you believe. but hendry made a difficult decision last july pay off by closing the deal that he absolutely had to in order to carry any pretense of winning in 2007 -- and for that he must be credited. and what's on the tribune sport website's lead this morning? a series of vapid stories about sammy sosa's 38th birthday -- even photos from the party, don't you know? a hearty "fuck you", tribune company, for insulting the fans of this club in this manner. lying to us about improbable payroll expansions -- which is what this means, with little uncertainty -- should be enough, shouldn't it? but it wasn't. the injury is compounded by the insult of waving sammy sosa in our faces like a shiny ball -- comtemptuously presuming us all morons enough to be distracted and diverted by a bit of rote sensationalism, thus lessening the public outcry. dreams of expanded payroll may very well still be fantasy, but paying what it takes to get ramirez is an absolutely vital first step in effecting any hopeful longshot plan at a one-year turnaround. and yet -- must we talk again about sosa? worse still, of course, is that -- having failed to deal for gary sheffield and still looking to upgrade in the outfield -- the paper is possibly laying the groundwork for sosa's return on a cheap contract flyer. this should provide plenty of reason for any true fan of this club to join the hue and cry for a change of ownership, which is more clearly now that ever the only, only, only hope at even mere competence in the future. the risk is meaningless -- what have cubs fans to fear? a bad owner? news flash, people: YOU HAVE ONE. this club will never win a goddamned thing under the tribune, and men like macfail, hendry and mcdonough are why. if you as a fan want to win, you want the team to be sold -- if you have reservations, then it is plain as day that you put other priorities first and winning is an afterthought. there has never been a clearer litmus test in the history of litmus tests.... lol -- reader, i'm laughing too hard at the moment to strike this last paragraph. it's still true that the tribune and its ballclub are both ineptly run -- two decades of results aren't reversed by a last-ditch success in landing ramirez. the final question remains: do you want to win, dear reader? and the answer is still just as surely tied to wanting new ownership. but let the dog have his day -- and never let it be said that this writer is always right! hendry was in a very tough spot and made it work. the wisdom of the deal can be argued when the terms emerge, but the chasing of the lightning is still an operational plan. (Comment on this)
Tuesday, December 26th, 2006
5:35 pm	Today's fuckstick There are times in my life when I think to myself, “Diesel, it’s time to scrap the bitterness. Maybe you need to find your spirit.” Those are the times I spend a couple of days doing my best to smile at every old lady I see, refrain from rape jokes and not gun the GTI when there’s a pigeon in the road. For a short time, this makes me feel better. Then, out of nowhere, a horrible piece of sports writing will appear on my computer monitor while I’m putting a hurting on some chicken lo mien, and I immediately go back to being an asshole. I wish I could say this stuff was cathartic, but the truth is I just fucking hate Phil Rogers so much, I wish I could sodomize him with a dirty toilet brush. And not gently, like that usually implies.Here is the latest justification for his impending, unsanitary colonoscopy:Gentlemen, start your checkbooks.You’re a funny man, Phil. Heh. It’s funny, because it’s like “start your engines,” only with checkbooks instead, since owners are going to be using checkbooks to pay for free agent contracts. Heh.There's only one problem with the gaudy numbers that Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Lee traditionally put up: They are guaranteed to lead to big contracts but do not necessarily translate into victories.Along with Alfonso Soriano, these are the biggest bats on the market, and it figures someone will pay them accordingly (Lee appears headed to the Houston Astros; Ramirez possibly to the Los Angeles Angels). But for all their thunder, Lee and Ramirez have combined for only 55 at-bats in the playoffs (and a .218 average), generally playing on also-ran teams. Their teams were a combined 147-176 last year. Lee did not deliver when he was traded from the Milwaukee Brewers to the Texas Rangers at the July deadline, and Ramirez disappeared when the Chicago Cubs needed him to step up while Derrek Lee was sidelined. One scout says the saying about lies, damn lies and statistics applies to free agency. "You can take any stat, I believe, and damn near make any point you choose with it," he said. We’ll ignore the dangling participle in the second graph, and get right to the stupid, unfounded meat of Rogers’ argument. According to idiots like Rogers and his scout friend, who I really think is either the equally-offensive Jerry Crasnick or simply Rogers himself pantomiming Jerry Lewis in his head, individual numbers are useless unless those numbers came while a player was in the midst of a pennant race. This is dumb.Here is what Rogers could say if he was interested in being right: Lee, Soriano, and Ramirez are all good hitters. But none of them are great hitters, because they don’t get on base enough. Ramirez’s 2006 OBP: .352 (50 BB in 660 PA)League average at 3B: .354Lee’s 2006 OBP: .355 (58 BB in 695 PA)Soriano’s 2006 OBP: .351 (67 BB in 728 PA)League average in LF: .359 (AL was .347, for those who are curious)So, while all will put up gaudy power numbers, on the whole they actually cost your team outs against the league average. Is that what you want to be paying north of $10 million a year for? Maybe not. But, of course, the real problem with all three is that their teams didn’t win enough. But, I promise, if any of them had been Eckstein, the Cubs, Brewers, Rangers and Nationals would have all won the World Series at the same time.Jeff Suppan deserves a big contract. After all, he's the poor man's Greg Maddux, making 30-plus starts eight years in a row, and he's never been compensated accordingly. He earned a total of only $9 million from the St. Louis Cardinals while going 47-29 the last three years, including three wins in the playoffs. But there's nothing special about his stuff, and he's coming off a season when his ERA jumped from 3.57 to 4.12.Huh? Since when did making more than 30 starts become the baseline for Greg Maddux comparisons? Did Jeff fucking Suppan just get compared to a guy who is considered by some to be one of the 10 best pitchers of all-time? Greg Maddux career ERA: 3.07Jeff Suppan career ERA (I shit you not): 4.60Daniel Cabrera compares more favorably to Sandy Koufax than Suppan does to Maddux. I think Phil Rogers is sleeping with Jeff Suppan.Roger Clemens, who says he hasn't even thought about whether he wants to pitch in 2007 -- yeah, right -- took home $664,858 per start for his abbreviated season with the Astros this season, and he's not getting younger. The plan was for him to be fresh for the postseason, but Houston finished 1½ games behind St. Louis in the woeful NL Central. Houston was 9-10 in Clemens' starts, a quirky fact that belies his 2.30 ERA.Quirky? Gilbert Arenas is quirky. That statistic is absolute proof that wins and losses are a completely meaningless statistic. Or, did Roger Clemens “just pitch well enough to lose?” Because, I swear, if you had said that, I would have switched out the toiled brush for a spiked bat.Kip Wells, the quintessential 30-start guy when he's healthy, was shut down for foot surgery shortly after being traded from Pittsburgh to Texas last season.This is probably my favorite part of the whole article. You know how many pitchers started 30 or more games last season? Roughly 70 (sorry, can’t find the exact stat, but this is pretty close). So, Kip Well’s claim to fame is that – when healthy! – he will be able to do something that only 70 or so other pitchers in the major leagues can do. Rogers makes no mention of whether or not you’d really want Wells starting 30 games for your team, because that would require actual qualitative analysis. Also, because I can’t resist: John F. Kennedy is the quintessential two-term president when his head isn’t getting blown off. Kirstie Alley is the quintessential supermodel when she’s not laying waste to a Chinese Buffet. Patrick Roy is the quintessential family man when he’s not beating his wife to within an inch of her life. Bill McCartney is the quintessential role model when his daughter isn’t sucking down chocolate like Daddy-O’s. Colorado is the quintessential intercollegiate model when its coaches aren’t implicitly endorsing rape. Loren Wade is the quintessential college running back when he’s not capping teammates. I could go on like this forever.There’s more, but I really do need to work sometime today. (Comment on this)
Friday, September 29th, 2006
7:43 am	I left work early yesterday and took Anonymous Son to the Angels ... I left work early yesterday and took Anonymous Son to the Angels game, way out in Anaheim. I don't know why. I don't know why they call themselves the Los Angeles Angels now. No one in Los Angeles gets on the 5 and drives through that traffic to get out to Anaheim to see the Angels play. They're no more Los Angeles than the valley is. I mentioned to a few associates that I was going to see the game, while I gave them an assignment to keep them in the office all night, and they looked at me like I was crazy. They didn't even know where Anaheim was. Never heard of it. I only knew because I had to do document review out there as an associate once, for some client in the middle of some industrial park out in the sticks. I don't who these people were at the game. They weren't from Los Angeles, and they didn't look like lawyers. Well, some of them were probably from the city. Like Dodgers fans, they left the game in the sixth inning to beat the traffic back, even though there's never any traffic going back, it's just getting out of the city at 5:00. Because Anonymous Son was with me, I didn't even need to use the blow-up doll I have for the passenger seat so I can use the HOV lane and save some time. I love the HOV lanes. Very smart move by the state. The Angels won, although a 9th inning rally from the Indians made it close. Anonymous Son wanted a funnel cake. I didn't let him get one. It's a nice stadium out there. They renovated it a few years ago. Added a waterfall to the outfield, some fireworks when an Angel hits a home run. I think we should have vendors in the office who go around the halls giving away drinks and food. It would be really convenient to not have to get up to get something to eat. I'm going to bring it up at the next partner meeting. Since I got last minute tickets, they were pretty high up, but I gave an usher a $20 to let us sneak into the good seats, so it wasn't like I had to expose Anonymous Son to any poor people. My wife and I are trying to keep him away from those for as long as I can, to keep him unspoiled. Unspoiled may be the wrong word. Untainted. Unspoiled is harder. I sent an e-card to the incoming class of associates, just a week away from the Bar Exam. I hope they appreciated it. You can send one here, from me, to your colleagues taking the bar exam too. I thought it would be a nice service to provide, save you from having to write your own. I'm hoping for some failures this year. Not that it's good for the firm, but it's just so much fun to know. To watch someone wandering the halls, knowing he's thinking about how everyone around him knows he failed the bar. It's one of the highlights of the year. (Comment on this)
Tuesday, August 29th, 2006
6:35 pm	The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are idiots, part 2 It's not that goofy name, either. What's hard to believe is that an MLB team with serious aspirations, an owner willing to spend and a legitimate superstar (Guerrero) could have started the season with a more washed-up pair of players than the Angels did with Edgardo Alfonzo and Jeff Weaver. They spent over $16 million for the priviledge. Alfonzo got released after going 5-for-50 and Weaver -- who has been one of the whiniest players ever to play the game despite racking up an 81-97 record -- has been designated for assignment after going 3-10 with a 6.29 ERA, 18 HRs and an opposing batting average of 3.09. There's already speculation that the Cards and Dodgers are so desperate for pitching that they'll give Weaver a shot. (New Dodgers hotshot Chad Billingsley lost again on Sunday with Orlando Cabrera stealing home off him). What's good about this for the Giants? The best thing is that Jeff Weaver won't be in the Orange and Black this year. On the Fourth of July, I remain thankful not just for the enormous sacrificies of our founding fathers but also for the fact that I won't be forced to root for Jeff Weaver. Whatever the other defects are for the team, starting pitching doesn't look like one of them, particularly now that Morris is justifying his $9 million salary. Gwen Knapp of the SF Chron wrote on the Splash Blog that the radio crew mentioned that Morris' performance on Sunday may have been the turning point of the season, then added an interesting analysis that argues in favor of making a trade in the next few weeks. Morris' rebound from a horrible start has been the best development for the Giants in a long time. At this point, the team has two genuine stoppers, and as the trade deadline gets closer, that should put them in the buyers', not sellers', market. Well, truth is, Brian Sabean has never been much of a seller, not even last year, when the season fell apart so quickly. The difference this year is that there is reason other than the residual greatness in Barry Bonds to make this a go-for-it year.The starting pitchers, if they keep up their pace, make this Giants team a worthwhile investment when management starts looking at the trade market. It also doesn't hurt that Pedro Feliz and Omar Vizquel are mashing these days and Armando Benitez has stopped whining, though I'm sure the latter development is temporary. Feliz has now hit 4 HRs in the last 5 games, including tonight. He's 9th in the NL with 58 RBIs. (Comment on this)
Friday, August 18th, 2006
11:40 am	Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim This is a giant batting helmet outside of Angel Stadium in Anaheim. The team changed it's name from Anaheim Angels to Los Angeles Angels and the city of Anaheim has taken the team ownership to court to have the name changed back. The truth is that none of us really care. (Comment on this)
Friday, August 11th, 2006
10:59 am	Baseball Notebook and Etcetera Bonds Not Indicted Hits 721st Homer Barry Bonds is not indicted and hits his 721st homer the same day. He may not ever admit it but his chances of going into Hall of Fame may depend on how his legal problems unravel in the coming months and years. Bonds is arrogant enough to think this will all pass away and he will take his place in Cooperstown. If he is convicted of a felony his chances of getting into the hallowed halls of the Hall of Fame will be reduced to slim and none. Greg Anderson is the key to whether Bonds is convicted and has done jail time to avoid testifying to whether Bonds lied to the grand jury. If he testifies that Bonds took steroids on specific dates it will be the death knell for Bonds and his baseball career. Bonds may have captured the attention of baseball fans everywhere with his 73 homer season but at what price. He may have traded a few years of prodigious home run numbers for a prison cell if Greg Anderson explains the doping schedule on the calendars that were seized by law enforcement officials and proving beyond a doubt that Bonds knew exactly what he was taking and it wasn’t flaxseed oil but undetectable steroids. So for now Bonds can continue to play baseball and possibly even break the record of Hank Aaron for lifetime homers of 755 but even more likely is that he will be convicted of a felony before that ever happens. Trade Rumors From Sportsline.com Team by Team Arizona Diamondbacks Updated:07/18/2006 The Cleveland Plain Dealer writes the Diamondbacks have sent a scout to follow the Indians this week. It is believed Arizona has its eyes on pitcher Jake Westbrook. Atlanta Braves Updated:07/14/2006 According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Braves are interested in Padres setup man Scott Linebrink. Baltimore Orioles Updated:07/19/2006 The Baltimore Sun reports the Orioles and Phillies have held discussions about sending Rodrigo Lopez to Philadelphia in exchange for either Bobby Abreu or Pat Burrell. ... Jim Duquette, Baltimore's vice president of baseball operations, told the Washington Post there was no truth to the rumor the Orioles are planning to trade Lopez to the New York Mets. Boston Red Sox Updated:07/19/2006 According to the Providence Journal, the Red Sox may be willing to move Wily Mo Pena in exchange for a pitcher. The Cubs and Nationals have contacted Boston about the outfielder. Chicago Cubs Updated:07/19/2006 The latest rumor involving Cubs pitcher Greg Maddux, as published in the Daily Southtown, has the former Cy Young winner returning to Atlanta. Chicago White Sox Updated:07/19/2006 GM Ken Williams said there have been no takers for reliever Cliff Pollite, who was designated for assignment on Sunday, the Daily Southtown reports. ... The Chicago Tribune says Williams does not have any meetings planned between front office personnel and professional scouts before the trade deadline. ... According to the Daily Herald, the White Sox may consider trading for Philadelphia's Tom Gordon or Pittsburgh's Roberto Hernandez. Cleveland Indians Updated:07/18/2006 If the Indians decide to trade Jake Westbrook, they would want a power-hitting outfielder in return, says the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Colorado Rockies Updated:07/19/2006 The Rockies are working on a deal that would send Ray King to the Red Sox for Julian Tavarez, says the Rocky Mountain News. ... The Denver Post says Colorado is also interested in Boston's Rudy Seanez and Atlanta's Jorge Sosa. Detroit Tigers Updated:07/20/2006 The Tigers are reportedly in the running to acquire Washington's Alfonso Soriano, but White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen told the Chicago Sun-Times he heard the asking price was Justin Verlander and Joel Zumaya. Florida Marlins Updated:07/12/2006 The Dontrelle Willis front remains quiet, the Sun-Sentinel reports. Although several teams talked with the Marlins regarding the lefty, Florida was quick to reject any offers. Houston Astros Updated:07/16/2006 The Astros are shopping Willy Tavares and the Cubs and Marlins have shown interest, says the Chicago Tribune. Kansas City Royals Updated:07/17/2006 It is believed the Royals are going to be big sellers before the trade deadline by moving veterans Reggie Sanders, Matt Stairs, Mark Grudzielanek and possibly Mark Redman, says the Boston Globe. Los Angeles Angels Updated:07/20/2006 The Riverside Press Enterprise says the Angels will start shopping second baseman Adam Kennedy. Previous reports had Kennedy headed for Toronto in exchange for Shea Hillenbrand, but after the third baseman was released Wednesday, that seems unlikely. GM Bill Stoneman would not say whether there was still interested in the former Blue Jay, writes the Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Dodgers Updated:07/20/2006 If the Dodgers are unable to trade Jose Cruz Jr. or Ricky Ledee, the Los Angeles Times says Sandy Alomar Jr. could be moved. Milwaukee Brewers Updated:07/18/2006 GM Doug Melvin denied rumors he contacted Philadelphia about trading for Bobby Abreu, says the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Minnesota Twins Updated:07/20/2006 The Minneapolis Star Tribune says scouts from the Dodgers, Brewers, Cardinals and Yankees have been frequenting the Metrodome to scout pitcher Kyle Lohse. New York Mets Updated:07/20/2006 According to the Newark Star-Ledger the Mets would be interested in White Sox pitcher Freddy Garcia, but would probably have to give up pitcher Aaron Heilman or Duaner Sanchez in return. ... The East Valley Tribune reports the Mets have scouted the starts of Arizona's Miguel Batista and Juan Cruz and the teams have held preliminary discussions. New York Yankees Updated:07/20/2006 Newsday reports owner George Steinbrenner has switched his preference in outfielders from Philadelphia's Bobby Abreu to Washington's Alfonso Soriano. Oakland Athletics Updated:07/19/2006 Barry Zito and the Athletics have mapped out the lefty's final 15 starts for this season, suggesting the Oakland ace will not be traded before the July 31 deadline, says the Oakland Tribune. Philadelphia Phillies Updated:07/20/2006 The New York Daily News says GM Pat Gillick would be willing to move Pat Burrell or Bobby Abreu, but not both. ... The most recent rumors involving Abreu have the Yankees, Mets and Red Sox among the interested parties, says the Philadelphia Inquirer. The Inquirer also says the Orioles are considering trading for Abreu, but it would take more than Rodrigo Lopez to get him. Pittsburgh Pirates Updated:07/20/2006 The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says trading Craig Wilson is almost certainly in GM Dave Littlefield's pre-deadline plans. San Diego Padres Updated:07/20/2006 With the release of Vinny Castilla the Padres are definitely in the market for a third baseman and the San Diego Union-Tribune suggests Houston's Morgan Ensberg and former Blue Jay Shea Hillenbrand are possibilities to fill the role. San Francisco Giants Updated:07/19/2006 The Giants have set their sights on Pittsburgh's Sean Casey, but the Oakland Tribune says the team may go after lefty Mike Gonzalez as well. ... The Tribune also speculates San Francisco could try to acquire Javy Lopez, who reportedly wants out of Baltimore. ... According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the Giants are also considering Rockies first baseman Ryan Shealy. Seattle Mariners Updated:07/19/2006 The Seattle Times says several teams have asked about the availability of reliever Rafael Soriano. St. Louis Cardinals Updated:07/17/2006 The Cardinals have considered contacting the Phillies about spare outfielder David Dellucci, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes. Tampa Bay Devil Rays Updated:07/20/2006 Julio Lugo's contract demands of about $8 million over four or five years make it likely he'll be traded before the July 31 deadline, says the St. Petersburg Times. The Toronto Sun says there have been conflicting reports as to whether the Blue Jays are interested in the shortstop. Texas Rangers Updated:07/20/2006 The Rangers have held internal discussions on whether Shea Hillenbrand, who was released by the Blue Jays on Wednesday, would fit into the club's plans, says the Dallas Morning News. Washington Nationals Updated:07/20/2006 The Washington Examiner reports the Nationals have ordered emergency scouting reports of the Mariners' farm system. Recent rumors have suggested Seattle has joined the fray to acquire Alfonso Soriano. A’s Move Further Ahead Of Rangers and Angels A’s didn’t play yesterday yet they still put more distance between them and the Rangers and Angels who both lost. A’s are now a game and a half ahead of Rangers and 2 games ahead of Angels. Blue Jays Defeat Yankees in 11th Inning Blue Jays take a much needed win against the Yankees when Vernon Wells hits his 24th homer in the 11th inning. Blue Jays really need a sweep in this series to make an impact on the AL East race because it is not likely the Red Sox or Yankees will let them back into the race. Braves Fall 12 Back of Mets Braves fall back to 12 games back of Mets. It is looking more and more like their only hope is the wildcard. They have 7 teams ahead of them in wildcard but they could pass 3 of those teams if those teams lose and Braves win today. Nineteen Teams Still in Pennant Race There are 19 teams that are either leading a division or are 10 or less games behind the leader. The AL West and NL West finds all their teams with a chance to win the pennant so there should be a lot of exciting baseball left this season. Etcetera Roberta Gambarini Exciting New Singer Very seldom does a singer like Roberta Gambarini come along and release such an excellent album on her first try. To me she sounds a little like Diana Krall. Even though raised in Italy you would never know it from the way she sings. Her first release contains songs that are standards. It is a very good business decision to first release songs that people know of because some record buyers will buy an album for the songs in it. You can listen to her music at amazon.com. The following is a review at amazon.com about her first American release Easy to Love with John Clayton who has backed up Diana Krall in some of her recordings playing the bass. "outstanding vocal & jazz arrangements...Roberta Gambarini", June 30, 2006 Reviewer: J. Lovins "Mr. Jim" (Missouri-USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME) Roberta Gambarini once quoted..."I am concentrating to a standard repertoire because people relate to it more in America, more original material will come later on."...As a teenager, when her peers were listening to American and Italian pop, she was checking out her dad's jazz record collection. She got hooked on the music and has developed a captivating, confident voice as she has matured into a serious artist..."The most important thing for me now, even more than style, is to establish a connection with the audience."...Roberta now puts her own spin on jazz chestnuts, works from the "Great American Songbook", and waits for the recording industry to notice how well she does it with her singular approach...Roberta Gambarini has an instrumental approach and possesses a warm timbre, impeccable timing and intonation, incredible technique and scatting and improvisation skills. Born in Torino, Italy from a family where jazz was much loved and appreciated, she began listening to this music as a child...started performing while still in her teens, touring jazz clubs in northern Italy...Since 1985 she has played the most important festivals and venues in her country as well as many of the renowned international jazz festivals...Gambarini's been recording since 1986 both under her name and as a featured singer with most Italian musicians. In 1998 she moved to the United States with a scholarship from the New England Conservatory in Boston. In the same year she won third price at the International Thelonious Monk Jazz Competition. Appearing with Roberta on this album as backup Chuck Berghofer (Bass), John Clayton (Bass), Gerald Clayton (Piano), Joe La Barbera (Drums), Willie Jones III (Drums), James Moody Sextet (Tenor Saxophone, Vocals), Tamir Hendelman (Piano)...with outstanding arrangements by Dizzy Gillespie, Billy Strayhorn, Roberta Gambarini, Tamir Hendelman...Gambarini is now performing under her own name...just stand back and take in her warm and dusky timbre, with which she can scat well-known solos remarkably subtly. As Michael Brecker stated "Finally a singer whom musicians have long known is one of the greats, Roberta's recording debut is breathtaking"...a quote from Kevin Lowenthal of the Boston Globe "Gambarini is a true successor to Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Carmen McRae"...take a listen and see if you don't agree --- outstanding vocals and jazz arrangements on her latest release from Koch is "Easy To Love", and my friend this album is just that! (Comment on this)
Thursday, August 3rd, 2006
6:00 pm	BENNIFER 2.0 IS THE CUTEST Ben Affleck and wifey Jennifer Garner kept 8-month old daughter Violet at home as they took in the ballgame to root on Ben's beloved Red Sox, who schooled the Los Angeles Angels 10-4 at Boston's Fenway Park on Sunday. Meanwhile, I am still baffled at how I hated Ben with every shred of my existence when he was with Jennifer Lopez, but now that he's with Jennifer Garner, I simply cannot get enough. Call me fickle..... (Comment on this)
Monday, July 31st, 2006
9:58 pm	Cards trade for Weaver AP reports that the St. Louis Cardinals traded Terry Evans and cash conisderations to the Los Angeles Angels for Jeff Weaver.Weaver, 29, was designated for assignment by the Angels last Friday after going 6-10 with a 6.29 ERA in 16 starts this season. He signed an one-year, $8.3 million contract with Los Angeles as a free agent during the offseason.[...] He has a career record of 81-97 with an ERA of 4.55 in 225 starts. "We feel that Weaver is someone who can come in and lend immediate help and depth to our rotation," Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty said after St. Louis' 14-4 loss at Atlanta. Weaver allowed 114 hits, including 18 homers, while walking 21 and striking out 62 in 88 2-3 innings this season with the Angels. Opponents had a .309 average against him. Evans, 24, was hitting .311 with seven homers and 20 RBIs in 21 games with Double-A Springfield. He began this season with Class A Palm Beach, hitting .307 with 15 homers and 45 RBIs in 60 games. Evans was drafted in the 47th round by St. Louis in 2001.Somehow I think this trade is a mistake. (Comment on this)
Saturday, July 29th, 2006
4:50 pm	Fantasy Roster Rundown -- Alberta Mariners, June 30th As promised earlier, here's the start of updated roster moves on the team. The Yahoo Public teams I leave fairly constant, so there won't be many ch-ch-ch-changes... those that are changes are highlighted in red. Batters:Catcher: Jason Varitek, Boston Red SoxFirst Base: Derek Lee, Chicago Cubs Justin Morneau, Minnesota TwinsSecond Base: Richie Weeks, Milwaukee BrewersThird Base: Rich Aurilia, Cincinatti Reds Garret Atkins, Colorado RockiesShortshop: Rafael Furcal, Los Angeles DodgersOutfield: Willy Taveras, Houston Astros Austin Kearns, Cincinatti Reds Jeff Francoeur, Atlanta Braves Jason Bay, Pittsburg Pirates Dmitri Young, Detroit Tigers Aaron Rowand, Philadelphia Phillies Pitchers:Starters: Brett Myers, Philadelphia Phillies† Jason Marquis, St. Louis Cardinals Felix Rodríguez, Seattle Mariners Bronson Arroyo, Cincinatti Reds Rich Harden, Oakland AthleticsRelievers: Fransisco Rodríguez, Los Angeles Angels Scot Sheilds, Los Angeles Angels Oscar Villarreal, Atlanta Braves Eric Gagne, Los Angeles Dodgers † This position is obviously going to be filled with a new pitcher, in light of the fact that Myers has been removed from professional baseball as a result of a minor wife-assaulting incident. A waiver request for Jamie Moyer is pending until July 3rd(!!!) (Comment on this)
Thursday, July 27th, 2006
10:47 am	MLB: Orioles Beat Red Sox, Snap Losing Streak By VOA Sports 18 May 2006 The Baltimore Orioles defeated Boston Red Sox 4-3 Wednesday in Major League Baseball action, snapping a 13-game losing streak to their American League East rivals. Orioles starting pitcher Erik Bedard gave up just two hits and one run over seven innings of work, while Kevin Millar homered against his former team. Baltimore's losing streak to the Red Sox dates back to September 2005. The Orioles also snapped an eight-game home losing streak against Boston. Other American League winners on Wednesday included Detroit, Cleveland, New York, the Chicago White Sox, Toronto and Oakland. In the National League, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Saint Louis, Arizona and the Chicago Cubs were in the winners' column. The Detroit Tigers recorded a 2-0 shutout victory over the Minnesota Twins for their sixth consecutive win. The Cleveland Indians blanked the Kansas City Royals, 5-0, as the Indians' Travis Hafner hit a grand slam. The New York Yankees beat the Texas Rangers 4-3. Jermaine Dye drove in three runs to lead the Chicago White Sox to a 5-2 win over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The Toronto Blue Jays earned a 3-0 shutout win over the Los Angeles Angels, and the Oakland Athletics downed the Seattle Mariners 7-2. In the National League, the San Francisco Giants routed the Houston Astros 10-1. Ray Durham drove in four runs, including a three-run homer, while Giants starting pitcher Matt Morris threw for eight strong innings. The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Cincinnati Reds 7-2, as the Reds lost their fifth straight game. The Los Angeles Dodgers eked out a 3-2 win over the Colorado Rockies. Mark Mulder pitched more than eight scoreless innings to lead the Saint Louis Cardinals to a 1-0 shutout victory over the New York Mets. The Milwaukee Brewers beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-7. Brian Giles had a career-high seven RBI - including a three-run home run - to help the San Diego Padres beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 14-10, and the Chicago Cubs cruised to a 5-0 shutout win over the Washington Nationals. This story originally ran at VOANews.com This story was originally posted at http://www.voanews.com/english/2006-05-18-voa17.cfm. (Comment on this)