Uncategorized News & Rumors

Have a burning question for Ball Four author Jim Bouton?  If yours is one of the ten best, Armchair GM will ask him in an email interview.  Click here to read more and submit a question.

If you’re a youngster like me and you weren’t around when Ball Four came out back in 1970, pick up a copy now and get acquainted with a baseball classic.

Jim Bowden wants Nook Logan on his team…surprised?  I suppose fantasy leaguers should take note, as a full-time Logan could steal 35-40 bags.  And do nothing else whatsoever.

Melvin Mora is getting annoyed that the Orioles won’t give him a huge contract extension to compensate him for a string of very lucky high batting average seasons in 2003-04.  While a good third baseman, Mora is entering his age 34 season.  To be fair, he’s been underpaid for a while now, making $10.5MM over 2004-06.  If Mora settled for a mild raise to $12MM over the next three seasons, the Orioles could perhaps come out ahead.  More likely is that he’ll be traded in July.  Teams with questionable third base situations include the Tigers, White Sox, Twins, Phillies, and Giants.

The Phillies snagging David Dellucci and his $900K salary would obviously be a good thing.  He’d definitely be one of the best fourth outfielders in baseball.

Jose Guillen also wants the big money, and he at least has not turned 30 yet.  PECOTA suggests that a five-year contract for 2006-10 should value him at just $17MM, however.  How do you think Bowden feels about this?

Of course, there’s the usual Craig Wilson and John Thomson rumors floating around, including a swap for each other.  That particular deal doesn’t make much sense for Pittsburgh. Ultimately the Braves should be able to get a very useful reliever for Thomson.

Finally, I’m hearing that there’s a "pretty good chance" the Mets try to claim Tony Graffanino off waivers.

Let’s see what we’ve got here.

The Red Sox placed Tony Graffanino on waivers, so that tells you a lot about the trade market for second basemen right now.  Some teams that are questionable at second base:  Blue Jays, Marlins, Mets, Cardinals, Cubs.

Braves starter John Thomson is on the block, though I’m not sure Atlanta has the pitching depth to deal him.  Smoltz has to be considered a health risk and I’m not sure what they’re going to get out of Davies and Sosa.  Then again, Chuck James could step in if either falters.  Still, it’s better to be weak in the bullpen than in the rotation.  The A’s could send Juan Cruz back their way, which would give Oakland 46 starters, all better than any member of the Royals’ staff.  Thomson could also go to KC, Texas, Houston, or San Diego.

UPDATE:  The A’s weirdly sent Cruz to the D’Backs for Brad Halsey.  Just in case six starters happen to break down. 

Armchair GM has taken on the task of categorizing all the baseball blogs out there so you don’t have to.  It’s pretty comprehensive – have a look. 

Also, a cool Mets news site I’ve recently come across:  SheaBaseball.com.

Got a fantasy draft this weekend?  My 2006 Fantasy Guide is just $9.99 and is drawing rave reviews from hundreds of customers.  Check it out.

Start gearing up for this bad boy, which will start rolling on Opening Day.  Download the free spreadsheet to get in on the gambling mayhem.

Bronson Arroyo‘s Cincinnati projection at RotoAuthority.

AllCubs looks at some spring training stats.

Five Questions about the Mariners, asked and answered.

What an awesome, free site.

Cool Zach Greinke story at the bottom of Ken Rosenthal’s article.

A former assistant athletic trainer for the 1986 Mets, Bob Sikes, has a blog called Getting Paid To Watch.  Check it out, he’s got some good info in there.  Click here to read his thoughts on various Mets injuries, including Pedro and Matsui.

Expect a lack of trade rumors, fantasy advice, and email replies this weekend – I’m moving on Saturday.  Good times. 

Anyway, I thought I’d throw you some quick Friday morning reading:

Read The Danger of Closers at RotoAuthority.  I promise that it applies to real baseball too.

I posted the Cubs projections from my Fantasy Baseball Guide.  Do you agree with them?

Viva El Birdos pleads for the Cardinals to just let Anthony Reyes pitch already.

The definitive word on the Bonds saga at Sportszilla.

I love this book. Kept me up all night.

Well, I’d like to try recruiting for HoopsBuzz…again.  It’s a blog very similar to this one where you’ll establish some contacts, hopefully scoop a rumor or two, and just analyze all that is buzzworthy in the game of basketball.

I’m not able to pay you, but you will get a built in audience of at least several hundred people a day and something to put on your resume.  I’ve been kind of slacking lately as far as keeping this site alive and well, so I want to try again.  People seem to like the general idea if not the execution.

So if you’re a damn good writer, love basketball, and can post three times a week for sure, email me at hoopsbuzz@gmail.com.  Please don’t use any other email address for this.  If you applied before and want to apply again, that’s fine.  I’ll probably take around six people depending on the number of applicants.

UPDATE:  One more thing to add – please don’t apply if baseball is your true passion but you like basketball too.  I am looking for people whose #1 sport is far and away basketball.

At RotoAuthority we have some thoughts on Matt Cain‘s 2006 projection.

Viva El Birdos suggests that John Rodriguez may be a good fit for the Phillies’ fifth outfielder vacancy and also pines for Ryan Church.

The White Sox look to bolster their weak starting rotation with the signing of Hideo Nomo, three-time sixteen game winner.

AllCubs defends Greg Maddux against the haters.

Deadspin finds Barry Bonds‘s latest stunt just a taaaaaad bit contrived.

A little more feedback on my Fantasy Guide, still just $9.99:

"The RotoAuthority Guide has completely changed the way I approach fantasy baseball and is the perfect complement to any strategy or experience level! The guide’s insight has given me confidence that I have a winning strategy and a chance to win my league without spending big bucks."

-Stacey L.

Coming soon: my interview with Will Carroll, discussing all things Mark Prior.

The Biggest Games. The Best Tickets. StubHub.com

Recent reading appearing on our network:

Joshua Shnider handicaps recent Knicks trade rumors for HoopsBuzz.

AllCubs has a discussion of minor league roster decisions facing the Cubs.

Fantasy baseball nuts will appreciate a look at basepath burners with 60 steal potential at RotoAuthority.  Speaking of fantasy baseball, be sure to bookmark The Closer Watch. They provide depth charts updated daily starting in spring training.

One last plug: check out the RotoAuthority Fantasy Guide, featuring tons of projections, rankings, and other fantasy goodies for just ten bucks.

Well folks, it begins.  We’ve got a brand new post up at AllCubs.com, a discussion of what’s become of the 2003 Cubs.  If you’re a Cubs fan, bookmark the site and visit regularly; we’ll have tons of unique content appearing pretty much daily.

I’m still in the process of emailing my prospective authors; I received a lot of apps for this thing.