Bored

What do you mean I was the only one watching that 6-0 Sun Belt thriller?

Now moving on to pitchers, starting with the middle men. Now the previous two years I took the top 60 in relief apperances, not counting closers, to put the list together. This time around though I took the top 60 in that most meaningless of stats, Holds. But as worthless as it is at least helps identify who managers trusted to use when their team had a lead since the majority of managers have a phobia when it comes to using their best relievers when they are trailing or tied. Now for middle relievers I will take into account these statistics: Component ERA (ERC), K/BB Ratio, WHIP, VORP, Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP), and Pitching Runs Created (PRC). I don't use Win Shares when it comes to middle men because the majority of them don't get very many of them. I also don't use ERA+ for middle relievers or closers as I feel a relievers ERA can be very deceiving with the smaller sample size and the specialization of their use. 2004 Top 5 1. Tom Gordon 2. Francisco Rodriguez 3. B.J. Ryan 4. Akinori Otsuka 5. Juan Rincon 2005 Top 5 1. Justin Duchscherer 2. Scott Linebrink 3. Dan Wheeler 4. Al Reyes 5. Bob Howry 2006 Middle Reliever Rankings 1. Cla Meredith, Padres 2. Scot Shields, Angels 3. Dennys Reyes, Twins 4. Joel Zumaya, Tigers 5. Dan Wheeler, Astros 6. Rafael Soriano, Mariners 7. Scott Proctor, Yankees 8. Jonathan Broxton, Dodgers 9. Adam Wainwright, Cardinals 10. Bob Howry, Cubs 11. Justin Duchscherer, A's 12. Geoff Geary, Phillies 13. Aaron Heilman, Mets 14. Juan Rincon, Twins 15. Jon Rauch, Nationals 16. Scott Linebrink, Padres 17. Chad Qualls, Astros 18. Kiko Calero, A's 19. Trever Miller, Astros 20. Luis Vizcaino, Diamondbacks 21. Matt Capps, Pirates 22. Salomon Torres, Pirates 23. Braden Looper, Cardinals 24. Duaner Sanchez, Mets 25. Todd Coffey, Reds 26. Matt Thornton, White Sox 27. Alan Embree, Padres 28. Justin Speier, Blue Jays 29. Rheal Cormier, Phillies/Reds 30. Francisco Rodney, Tigers 31. Joel Peralta, Royals 32. Brandon Lyon, Diamondbacks 33. Scott Eyre, Cubs 34. Mike Stanton, Nationals/Giants 35. Joe Kennedy, A's 36. Kyle Farnsworth, Yankees 37. Elmer Dessens, Royals/Dodgers 38. Jose Mesa, Rockies 39. Scott Schoeneweis, Blue Jays/Reds 40. Taylor Tankersley, Marlins 41. Jose Capellan, Brewers 42. Keith Foulke, Red Sox 43. Damaso Marte, Pirates 44. George Sherrill, Mariners 45. Roberto Hernandez, Pirates/Mets 46. Danys Baez, Dodgers/Braves 47. LaTroy Hawkins, Orioles 48. Mike Timlin, Red Sox 49. Shawn Camp, Devil Rays 50. Manny Delcarmen, Red Sox 51. Mike Myers, Yankees 52. Steve Kline, Giants 53. Logan Kensing, Marlins 54. Brian Shouse, Rangers/Brewers 55. Matt Wise, Brewers 56. Arthur Rhodes, Phillies 57. Neal Cotts, White Sox 58. Randy Flores, Cardinals 59. Todd Williams, Orioles 60. Ray King, Rockies

Taking a two week break.

SilverPhoenix is dropping out of the contest. I'll assign Kotz as the replacement for UConn for the rest of the year.

Not only a weak schedule overall but very light on the t.v. coverage this week. Network/Basic Cable Schedule THURSDAY #22 Virginia Tech at Boston College, 7:30/4:30 PM, ESPN FRIDAY Pittsburgh at Central Florida, 8:00/5:00 PM, ESPN2 SATURDAY Minnesota at #25 Wisconsin, Noon/9:00 AM, ESPN #15 Iowa at Indiana, Noon/9:00 AM, ESPN2 Iowa State at #23 Oklahoma, 12:30 PM/9:30 AM, FSN Mississippi at Alabama, 3:30/12:30 PM, CBS #1 Ohio State at Michigan State, 3:30/12:30 PM, ABC* UCLA at #18 Oregon, 3:30/12:30 PM, ABC* #19 Missouri at Texas A&M, 3:30/12:30 PM, ABC* Baylor at #6 Texas, 7:00/4:00 PM, TBS #2 Florida at #11 Auburn, 7:45/4:45 PM, ESPN #4 Michigan at Penn State, 8:00/5:00 PM, ABC* Arizona State at #3 USC, 8:00/5:00 PM, ABC* SUNDAY #20 Boise State at New Mexico State, 8:00/5:00 PM, ESPN Other Cable/Gameplan Schedule THURSDAY Temple at #12 Clemson, 7:30/4:30 PM, ESPNU SATURDAY South Florida at North Carolina, Noon/9:00 AM, ESPNU Wake Forest at N.C. State, Noon/9:00 AM, LF/GP Purdue at Northwestern, Noon/9:00 AM, GP Syracuse at #5 West Virginia, Noon/9:00 AM, GP Vanderbilt at #16 Georgia, 12:30 PM/9:30 AM, LF/GP #24 Rutgers at Navy, 1:30 PM/10:30 AM, CSTV Northern Illinois at Western Michigan, 2:00 PM/11:00 AM, GP Cincinnati at #7 Louisville, 3:30/12:30 PM, ESPNU Louisiana-Monroe at Troy, 4:00/1:00 PM, GP Hawaii at Fresno State, 5:00/2:00 PM, GP Florida International at Miami, 7:00/4:00 PM, GP UAB at Rice, 7:30/4:30 PM, CSTV New Mexico at UNLV, 10:00/7:00 PM, CSTV All Other D-IA Games THURSDAY Southern Utah at Florida Atlantic Colorado State at Air Force SATURDAY Army at Connecticut Florida State at Duke Miami of Ohio at Buffalo Ball State at Central Michigan SE Missouri State at #17 Arkansas Arkansas State at Memphis Oklahoma State at Kansas Jacksonville State at Mississippi State Tulsa at East Carolina Marshall at SMU Utah at Wyoming Texas Tech at Colorado Maryland at Virginia, ESPN360 Eastern Michigan at Bowling Green Toledo at Kent State Arizona at Stanford #10 California at Washington State Utah State at San Jose State Oregon State at Washington Ohio at Illinois, ESPN360 Idaho at Louisiana Tech Houston at Southern Miss #21 Nebraska at Kansas State Kentucky at #14 LSU Tulane at UTEP

And somehow you've managed to win three in a row in the pick 'em contest. Maybe I need to make it harder... Oh and here's Lamar Thomas' rap sheet, courtesy of Deadspin. I fully expect he'll get a job at ESPN by next year.

2004 Top 3 1. Bobby Abreu 2. J.D. Drew 3. Lance Berkman 2005 Top 3 1. Brian Giles 2. Vladimir Guerrero 3. Gary Sheffield 2006 Rightfielder Rankings 1. Jermaine Dye, White Sox 2. Bobby Abreu, Phillies/Yankees 3. Vladimir Guerrero, Angels 4. Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners 5. Michael Cuddyer, Twins 6. J.D. Drew, Dodgers 7. Alex Rios, Blue Jays 8. Magglio Ordonez, Tigers 9. Brian Giles, Padres 10. Brad Hawpe, Rockies 11. Austin Kearns, Reds/Nationals 12. Moises Alou, Giants 13. Jacque Jones, Cubs 14. Mark DeRosa, Rangers 15. Geoff Jenkins, Brewers 16. Casey Blake, Indians 17. Milton Bradley, A's 18. Juan Encarnacion, Cardinals 19. Nick Markakis, Orioles 20. Xavier Nady, Mets/Pirates 21. Jeff Francoeur, Braves 22. Randy Winn, Giants 23. Shawn Green, Diamondbacks/Mets 24. Trot Nixon, Red Sox 25. Kevin Mench, Rangers/Brewers 26. Jeremy Hermida, Marlins 27. Reggie Sanders, Royals 28. Jason Lane, Astros 29. Jeromy Burnitz, Pirates 30. Jose Guillen, Nationals

This was a weak year for corner outfielders. For example look at 2004 and you'll see Vladimir Guerrero's name missing despite being the deserving A.L. MVP but there just happened to be three players at the same position who were arguably better than him in the N.L. that year. But in 2006 he's 3rd despite having a down year, relative to his lofty standards at least. Cuddyer definitely had a breakout year which pains me cause I can't stand the guy. He talked some shit about A's fans a couple of years ago and nevermind that he kills the A's as well.

Unless he gets hired elsewhere which would be some motivation to promote him to manager. He did interview for the Marlins and Devil Rays jobs last year, if I remember correctly, and will be interviewing for the Texas job this week. When Macha was all but gone it seemed last offseason the bench coach Bob Geren was actually the one who was believed to be favored by Beane to get the job, not Washington.

They looked perfectly fine against the Twins. And really outside the 2003 ALDS there isn't a playoff loss the A's have had under Beane where the A's had glaring mental errors. Jeremy Giambi being a slow, fat fuck doesn't count as a mental error. For what it's worth I actually thought the A's defense was overrated by the media especially when you factor not having Bobby Crosby, a hobbled Eric Chavez at 3rd, and Mark Kotsay with a bad back in center. Throw in Ellis getting hurt the defensive team they A's fielded in the ALCS was average at best. And for Macha being fired...hooray, I guess. Again I'm not a fan of most mangers and odds are the next guy will be just as mediocre as Macha and that includes Ron Washington. Nice guy, great at coaching infield defense, but who knows how good of a manger he'd be.

Macha hasn't been fired, yet. Remember last offseason he was effectively gone when him and the A's couldn't agree on a new contract but when he couldn't land a job elsewhere he came back. I've never been a fan of his but I'm not a fan of most managers. Part of me wants him back just so I don't have to hear from other A's fans on how they'll commit mass suicide if Ron Washington, their 3rd base coach, isn't hired as his replacement.

"You don't come into the OB, baby, you don't come in here talkin' smack!" Anyways 31 players total have been suspended as a result of the fight, 13 for Miami. Not that it really matters for them since they play Duke next.

Juan Uribe and his brother are reportedly being sought after by Dominican authorties for shooting two men, although neither fatally.

They had a couple of interim managers in there but otherwise it's been those three over the last 25 years.

Polanco actually had a shitty year in the regular season. And besides the Phillies had to trade him because they had Chase Utley at 2nd and over at 3rd they had...um, nevermind.

USC is #2 because they've played the toughest schedule of the unbeatens, plain and simple. All the whining about them is going to be moot because they are unlikely to go undefeated but if they manage to do so they will deserve to go the Fiesta Bowl, Take 2.

Computer ranking notes. -USC is #1 in all but one of them. -Ohio State is #3 in all but one of them. -West Virginia is #14 overall. -Rutgers is #10 overall. -Tulsa is #20 overall which is why they cracked the Top 25 despite not even having a vote in the Coaches poll.

I'm going to assign bravesfan as permanent replacement for Kansas State, unless Loaded Glove decides to show up by Thursday as I won't accept late picks from him. Big week in the contest as you'll see by the schedule. Unfortunately it's a really shitty week in college football so there's a few match-ups in there I know won't have many differing picks but I didn't have much choice. Two Thursdy games so it's very important everyone get their picks on time. Deadline #1: Thursday, October 12th, 7:30 PM EST/4:30 PM PST -Lose out on both Thursday games Deadline #2: Saturday, October 14th, Noon EST/9:00 AM PST -Replacement picks, can't win by tiebreak Week 7 Match-ups #2 Oregon State* PM (Princess Leena, 5-1) vs. #4 Hawaii* PM (Will Scarlet, 4-2) - GAME OF THE WEEK #7 Georgia Tech* PM (iggymcfly, 4-2) vs. #8 Tennessee* (Sex Machine Gun, 4-2) #1 Oregon* PM (nogoodnick, 6-0) vs. UCLA* PM (phoenixrising, 6-0) #3 Syracuse* (CanadianChris, 6-0) vs. Stanford* (Bored, 2-4) #5 Kentucky* (Danville Wrestling, 4-2) vs. LSU* PM (teke184, 4-2) #6 Auburn* (Agent of Oblivion, 3-3) vs. Florida* PM (Urban Warfare, 3-3) #9 Virginia* (Edwin MacPhisto, 5-1) vs. Maryland* (Lando Griffin*, 4-2) #10 Notre Dame* (Lando Griffin, 4-2) vs. Boise State* PM (bravesfan, 1-5) Temple* PM (Ortonsault, 3-3) vs. South Carolina (Cuban Linx, 3-3) Miami* (Spaceman Spiff, 3-3) vs. Florida International (Vitamin X, 2-4) Minnesota* (Vern Gagne, 4-2) vs. Kansas State* PM (bravesfan*, 2-4) Michigan* (the pinjockey*, 4-2) vs. Penn State* (IK Cool Jew, 2-4) Connecticut* (SilverPhoenix, 2-4) vs. Texas A&M* PM (Secret Agent, 2-4) Arizona State* PM (Spicy McHaggis, 4-2) vs. USC* (Cartman, 2-4) Rutgers* (the pinjockey, 2-4) vs. Texas* (UTBroward, 2-4) Oklahoma* (Vampiro69, 4-2) vs. UTEP* (Angel Grace Blue, 3-3) Buffalo* (Carnival, 1-5) vs. Miami of Ohio* PM (Hawk 34, 1-5) Kent State* (JHawk, 3-3) vs. Alabama* PM (AlwaysPissedOff, 0-6) Ohio State (Gert T, 1-5) vs. San Diego State* PM (The Last Samurai, 2-4) San Jose State* PM (kkktookmybabyaway, 2-4) vs. Florida State* PM (Kingofthe909, 1-5) Week 7 Games to Make Picks For THURSDAY Virginia Tech at Boston College Colorado State at Air Force SATURDAY Wake Forest at N.C. State South Florida at North Carolina Oklahoma State at Kansas Rutgers at Navy Missouri at Texas A&M Tulsa at East Carolina Marshall at SMU Maryland at Virginia Toledo at Kent State Ohio at Illinois Florida at Auburn Michigan at Penn State Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Florida/Auburn game? Tiebreak #2: How many rushing yards will Rutgers' Ray Rice have against Navy?

One thing to remember that I don't think some people quite grasp from week to week is when it comes to your total correct picks there is about a one or two pick difference usually between the team ranked ahead or behind you. And because of that we have more CONTROVERSY~...noogoodnick remains the last unbeaten but they lose the #1 spot. Leena's big week has pushed her into sole posession of the #1 spot in correct picks for the year and has now grabbed the #1 spot in the overall rankings. There's also other controversies as Spiff makes a huge leap back into to the Top 5 while iggymcfly drops three spots even though he won after last week when he jumped three spots after losing. Ain't this fun? Of note the Top 4 in the overall rankings are all in the Top 5 correct picks. The one team not in the overall Top 4? SilverPhoenix who's had bad luck with a 3-4 record. Bored Championship Rankings thru Week 7 1. Oregon State - Princess Leena 2.75 2. Oregon - nogoodnick 5.05 3. Auburn - Agent of Oblivion 6.25 4. Miami - Spaceman Spiff 6.85 5. Syracuse - CanadianChris 7.3 6. Kentucky - Danville Wrestling 7.9 7. Hawaii - Will Scarlet 9.25 8. South Carolina - Cuban Linx 9.4 9. Virginia - Edwin MacPhisto 10.0 10. Georgia Tech - iggymcfly 11.7 Other Receiving Votes: Connecticut (SilverPhoenix), Minnesota (Vern Gagne), Notre Dame (Lando Griffin), Tennessee (Sex Machine Gun)

For the record, the touchdown by Auburn changed the result of three different match-ups. Week 7 Final Results #2 Oregon State (Princess Leena) 11, #4 Hawaii (Will Scarlet) 8 #7 Georgia Tech (iggymcfly) 7, #8 Tennessee (Sex Machine Gun) 7; iggy wins by tiebreak #1 Oregon (nogoodnick) 9, UCLA (phoenixrising) 5 Stanford (Bored) 9, #3 Syracuse (CanadianChris) 8 #5 Kentucky (Danville Wrestling) 9, LSU (teke184) 8 #6 Auburn (Agent of Oblivion) 8, Florida (Urban Warfare) 7 #9 Virginia (Edwin MacPhisto) 8, Maryland (Lando Griffin*) 7 Boise State (bravesfan) 8, #10 Notre Dame (Lando Griffin) 7 South Carolina (Cuban Linx) 8, Temple (Ortonsault) 8; Cuban wins by tiebreak Miami (Spaceman Spiff) 10, Florida International (Vitamin X) 7 Minnesota (Vern Gagne) 8, Kansas State (bravesfan*) 8; Vern wins by tiebreak Michigan (the pinjockey*) 8, Penn State (IK Cool Jew) 6 Connecticut (SilverPhoenix) 11, Texas A&M (Secret Agent) 6 USC (Cartman) 7, Arizona State (Spicy McHaggis) 7; Cartman wins by tiebreak Texas (UTBroward) 11, Rutgers (the pinjockey) 8 UTEP (Angel Grace Blue) 9, Oklahoma (Vampiro69) 9; AGB wins by tiebreak Miami of Ohio (Hawk 34) 11, Buffalo (Carnival) 9 Kent State (JHawk) 10, Alabama (AlwaysPissedOff) 9 San Diego State (The Last Samurai) 7, Ohio State (Gert T) 6 San Jose State (kkktookmybabyaway) 8, Florida State (Kingofthe909) 6 Conference Standings Southeastern Seven 1. Kentucky (3-0, 5-2) 1. Auburn (3-1, 4-3) 3. LSU (2-1, 4-3) 4. Tennessee (1-1, 4-3) 5. Florida (2-3, 3-4) 6. South Carolina (1-2, 4-3) 7. FIU (0-2, 2-5) 7. Alabama (0-2, 0-7) Western Atlantic 1. Hawaii (2-0, 4-3) 2. Virginia (2-1, 6-1) 2. Georgia Tech (2-1, 5-2) 4. Miami (1-1, 4-3) 4. San Jose State (2-2, 3-4) 6. Maryland* (1-2, 4-3) 6. Boise State (1-2, 2-5) 8. Florida State (1-3, 1-6) Big MAC 1. Minnesota (3-1, 5-2) 1. Temple (3-1, 3-4) 1. Michigan* (3-1, 5-2) 4. Kent State (2-2, 4-3) 4. Miami of Ohio (1-1, 2-5) 4. Ohio State (1-1, 1-6) 7. Penn State (1-3, 2-5) 8. Buffalo (0-3, 1-6) Pac-8 1. Oregon (4-0, 7-0) 2. UCLA (2-1, 6-1) 2. USC (2-1, 3-4) 4. Oregon State (1-1, 6-1) 4. Notre Dame (1-1, 4-3) 6. Arizona State (1-2, 4-3) 7. San Diego State (0-2, 3-4) 8. Stanford (0-3, 3-4) Big 8 1. Syracuse (2-0, 6-1) 1. UTEP (2-0, 4-3) 3. Oklahoma (2-1, 4-3) 3. Texas (2-1, 3-4) 5. Connecticut (1-1, 3-4) 6. Kansas State* (1-2, 2-5) 7. Rutgers (0-2, 2-5) 7. Texas A&M (0-2, 2-5)

Considering that my favorite team in sports was just eliminated on a walk off homerun, I feel pretty good. Going into today I just wanted the A's to pull out one win and then let the Tigers celebrate at home on Sunday as I didn't really want the A's to get my hopes up by winning both games this weekend. Well don't worry about having my heartbroken now. But this series was effectively over after the 4th inning in Game 2 when Esteban Loaiza failed to get a shutdown inning after a Milton Bradley homerun in the 3rd gave the A's a 3-1 lead and for the first time some momentum in the series but it was quickly dashed by four Tiger runs. It was painfully obvious at that point that the Tigers were on a roll that can't be stopped. Tonight I'll just need to avoid the highlights and avoid reading any lame A's message boards talking about how the A's have no heart and how Billy Beane is a shitty GM. Considering everything that went wrong for the A's this year it is amazing they came this far. Really the shockingly healthy Frank Thomas was the only thing that really broke the A's way this year. They had injury plagued and/or underachieving years from key players such as Eric Chavez, Bobby Crosby, Rich Harden, Huston Street, Mark Kotsay, Milton Bradley, and Mark Ellis. As you've seen by my player rankings at least so far on the offensive side this was simply on paper not a team that you'd think would have won 93 games and swept a very good Twins in the ALDS. The future doesn't look too bright with a depleted farm system and a scary amount of young talent down in Anaheim but this is the most satisfied I've been at the end of the year with an A's team since 2000.

Hmmm I might have to join the "USC is overrated" bandwagon as they've let ASU comeback from 21-0 to tie the game up now on an interception return for a touchdown. Suddenly the offense can't move the ball against a very poor ASU defense.

Hawaii scores 68 points against Fresno State. Colt Brennan was 32 of 39 for 409 yards and 5 touchdowns. Fresno has just gone into the tank since the USC game last year.

...and when I went to preview it, it told me to log back in. No biggie it has happened before with previous entries and I've always been able to hit the back button, copy the text, and log back in. But nope not this time. So I really don't feel typing that up again although I'd be even more pissed if this happend with my original A's preview idea where I'd talk about the entire team. I started typing it in a word file a couple of weeks ago but got Bored after seven players so I decided to go with a condensed version (or actually a lazy version) where I talked about six players in particular (Chavez, Zito, Harden, Bradley, Loaiza, Thomas) and that is what I had typed out in the entry. Oh well, I should have known I was gonna be timed out. I do actually have what I said about Chavez already in the Word file so here's that: And this I had tacked on to the my original entry that I lost which was also in the world file, just stat lines for everyone on the 25 man roster, nothing special: Jason Kendall Age: 32 2005: 676 PA, .271/.345/.321, 79 RC, .249 EQA, 18.1 VORP, 14 Win Shares 2004: 658 PA, .319/.399/.390, 96 RC, .280 EQA, 47.5 VORP, 25 Win Shares (Pittsburgh) Adam Melhuse Age: 34 2005: 102 PA, .247/.284/.381, 12 RC, .234 EQA, 1.3 VORP, 2 Win Shares 2004: 231 PA, .257/.309/.463, 23 RC, .262 EQA, 9.4 VORP, 5 Win Shares Mark Ellis Age: 29 2005: 486 PA, .316/.384/.477, 78 RC, .301 EQA, 41.9 VORP, 21 Win Shares 2004: Injured 2003: 622 PA, .248/.313/.371, 63 RC, .246 EQA, 13.9 VORP, 18 Win Shares Eric Chavez Age: 28 2005: 694 PA, .269/.329/.466, 96 RC, .280 EQA, 35.5 VORP, 20 Win Shares 2004: 577 PA, .276/.397/.501, 91 RC, .311 EQA, 45.5 VORP, 18 Win Shares Bobby Crosby Age: 26 2005: 371 PA, .276/.346/.456, 48 RC, .283 EQA, 25.4 VORP, 12 Win Shares 2004: 623 PA, .239/.319/.426, 66 RC, .262 EQA, 23.0 VORP, 14 Win Shares Frank Thomas Age: 38 2005: 124 PA, .219/.315/.590, 17 RC, .299 EQA, 9.2 VORP, 3 Win Shares (Chicago-AL) 2004: 311 PA, .271/.434/.563, 58 RC, .333 EQA, 34.2 VORP, 12 Win Shares (Chicago-AL) Marco Scutaro Age: 30 2005: 423 PA, .247/.310/.391, 45 RC, .251 EQA, 11.0 VORP, 11 Win Shares 2004: 477 PA, .273/.297/.393, 45 RC, .240 EQA, 9.3 VORP, 11 Win Shares Antonio Perez Age: 26 2005: 287 PA, .297/.360/.398, 43 RC, .274 EQA, 15.7 VORP, 10 Win Shares (Los Angeles) 2004: 476 AB, .296/.379/.511 (AAA Las Vegas) Nick Swisher Age: 25 2005: 522 PA, .236/.322/.446, 63 RC, .269 EQA, 14.2 VORP, 12 Win Shares 2004: 443 AB, .269/.406/.537 (AAA Sacramento) Mark Kotsay Age: 30 2005: 629 PA, .280/.325/.421, 86 RC, .263 EQA, 23.2 VORP, 18 Win Shares 2004: 673 PA, .314/.370/.459, 100 RC, .289 EQA, 45.3 VORP, 21 Win Shares Milton Bradley Age: 28 2005: 316 PA, .290/.350/.484, 43 RC, .290 EQA, 24.0 VORP, 10 Win Shares (Los Angeles) 2004: 597 PA, .267/.362/.424, 74 RC, .274 EQA, 25.2 VORP, 16 Win Shares (Los Angeles) Jay Payton Age: 33 2005: 435 PA, .267/.306/.444, 57 RC, .261 EQA, 12.1 VORP, 12 Win Shares (Boston/Oakland) 2004: 511 PA, .260/.326/.367, 63 RC, .251 EQA, 9.5 VORP, 15 Win Shares (San Diego) Bobby Kielty Age: 29 2005: 433 PA, .263/.350/.395, 53 RC, .270 EQA, 12.9 VORP, 10 Win Shares 2004: 278 PA, .214/.321/.370, 32 RC, .249 EQA, -1.2 VORP, 4 Win Shares Rich Harden Age: 24 2005: 128 IP, 177 ERA+, 2.81 K/BB, 1.06 WHIP, 40.8 VORP, 12 Win Shares 2004: 189.2 IP, 117 ERA+, 2.06 K/BB, 1.33 WHIP, 41.3 VORP, 14 Win Shares Barry Zito Age: 28 2005: 228.1 IP, 116 ERA+, 1.92 K/BB, 1.20 WHIP, 41.8 VORP, 13 Win Shares 2004: 213 IP, 105 ERA+, 2.01 K/BB, 1.39 WHIP, 31.5 VORP, 12 Win Shares Danny Haren Age: 25 2005: 217 IP, 120 ERA+, 3.08 K/BB, 1.22 WHIP, 39.5 VORP, 13 Win Shares 2004: 128 IP, 4.15 ERA, 4.55 K/BB, 1.32 WHIP (AAA Memphis) Joe Blanton Age: 25 2005: 201.1 IP, 127 ERA+, 1.73 K/BB, 1.22 WHIP, 44.3 VORP, 13 Win Shares 2004: 1761.1 IP, 4.19 ERA, 4.21 K/BB, 1.32 WHIP (AAA Sacramento) Esteban Loaiza Age: 34 2005: 217 IP, 105 ERA+, 3.15 K/BB, 1.30 WHIP, 42.1 VORP, 12 Win Shares 2004: 183 IP, 84 ERA+, 1.65 K/BB, 1.58 WHIP, 2.8 VORP, 7 Win Shares Huston Street Age: 22 2005: 78.1 IP, 261 ERA+, 2.77 K/BB, 1.01 WHIP, 33.3 VORP, 16 Win Shares 2004: 57 IP, 1.58 ERA, 4.54 K/BB, 0.86 WHIP (University of Texas) Justin Duchscherer Age: 28 2005: 85.2 IP, 204 ERA+, 4.47 K/BB, 1.00 WHIP, 30.0 VORP, 11 Win Shares 2004: 96.3 IP, 143 ERA+, 1.84 K/BB, 1.22 WHIP, 30.2 VORP, 9 Win Shares Kiko Calero Age: 31 2005: 55.2 IP, 139 ERA+, 2.89 K/BB, 1.13 WHIP, 15.7 VORP, 5 Win Shares 2004: 45.1 IP, 151 ERA+, 4.70 K/BB, 0.82 WHIP, 14.7 VORP, 6 Win Shares (St. Louis) Jay Witasick Age: 33 2005: 63.1 IP, 163 ERA+, 2.52 K/BB, 1.30 WHIP, 13.6 VORP, 6 Win Shares (Colorado/Oakland) 2004: 61.2 IP, 125 ERA+, 2.19 K/BB, 1.35 WHIP, 11.1 VORP, 3 Win Shares (San Diego) Joe Kennedy Age: 27 2005: 152.2 IP, 77 ERA+, 1.52 K/BB, 1.68 WHIP, -17.5 VORP, 3 Win Shares (Colorado/Oakland) 2004: 162.1 IP, 138 ERA+, 1.75 K/BB, 1.42 WHIP, 36.0 VORP, 13 Win Shares (Colorado) Kirk Saarloos Age: 27 2005: 159.2 IP, 108 ERA+, 0.98 K/BB, 1.40 WHIP, 28.3 VORP, 9 Win Shares 2004: Pitched insignificant number of innings in AAA New Orleans, AAA Sacramento, and Oakland So that's that, this blog will probably turn into an A's blog by the time the season startsso I'm sure I'll touch on some of the subjects from the entry I intended to post. Oh and my prediction: A's win 97 games, finish first in the A.L. West, and finally win an ALDS series. Anything after that is gravy.

Not that I had any real insight but hey only four wins off and right on the other two points. No gravy though.