Bored

Hey did you know Greg Maddux is going for his win #300 today? Seriously I completely forgot. This isn't getting nearly the amount of hype from the media that Roger Clemens received last year.

#39: Aaron Boone's home run crushes Red Sox

25 years old with a an .882 OPS. That's average?

And then there are us who avoid Yankee-Red Sox games like the plague.

Barry Zito has figured out a new secret to success. Put your team in a big hole early and have your offense bail you out! Last start he puts the A's in a 5-0 hole against the Mariners but the offense scores 14 unanswered. Tonight puts the A's down 4-0 but they score 9 unanswered. A's back in first, third lead change in three days.

Who's more overrated by the media, Alfonso Soriano or Paul Lo Duca? I mentioned this in the deadline thread but why is it that people think Juan Encarnacion can hit? I honestly can't figure it out. With John Kruk and Harold Reynolds praising the Marlins and burying the Dodgers as badly as they have I'd say it's safe to say the Dodgers are going to win the N.L. West and the Marlins will miss the playoffs.

Yes because we know everything always goes to form in the baseball playoffs.

Minor things trickling out: -Dave Roberts traded to the Red Sox. -Brent Mayne added to the Steve Finley trade to the Dodgers. -Dodgers trade Tom Martin to Braves. -Mets trade Scott Erickson to Rangers.

CORRECTION Matt Clement is not involved in the trade.

OFFICIAL TRADE Cubs get: Nomar Garciaparra Red Sox get: Orlando Cabrera Doug Mientkiewicz Twins get: Prospects Expos get: Alex Gonzalez Prospects

The rumor was Matt Clement and Orlando Cabrera go to the Red Sox. But that was when it was a three team deal.

Just being reported by ESPN News. Details coming, four teams involved. Definently know the Expos are the 3rd, don't know who the fourth is.

There seems to be this weird myth among ESPN's "experts" that Encarnacion is a good offensive player and I can't really figure out why. BREAKING NEWS: Esteban Loaiza traded to the Yankees for Jose Contreras...interesting.

Finley didn't switch leagues or even divisions for that matter. Of course this isn't the true deadline. Still plenty of lower level deals between now and the August 31st waiver deadline can happen.

Charles Johnson has apparantly rejected the trade to the Dodgers.

He was traded to the Royals in the Dotel deal. A's will potentially have four rookies on their opening day roster next year. SP Joe Blanton (7-7, 4.64 ERA, 99 K, 30 BB) -He's struggled a bit this year but still has a very good strikeout-to-walk ratio so not too worried. OF Nick Swisher (.267/.419/.522, 20 HR, 68 RBI) 1B Dan Johnson (.315/.412/.556, 22 HR, 93 RBI) RP Jairo Garcia (Single A - 30 IP, 0.30 ERA, 49 K, 6 BB; Double A - 16.1 IP, 1.65 ERA, 30 K, 12 BB) -Called up to Triple A yesterday.

Since I did the 2005 newly eligible players, I might as well do 2006. There are probably no future HOF's on this list although a few guys who looked like HOF's at certain points in there career. In case your wondering to be eligible for the HOF you only had to play 10 years, since you might ask yourself "why the hell is Jaime Navarro on a HOF ballot?" One addition I will add to the bottom of the list. The HOF's official site doesn't list this player on the future elections list although his last year was 2000 but he was under contract through 2003 so I'm not sure how that will work as to when they are eligible. Rick Aguilera - Closer - New York (NL) 1985-89, Minnesota 1989-95 96-99, Boston 1995, Chicago (NL) 1999-2000 Gray Ink: Pitching - 30 (734) (Average HOFer ~ 185) HOF Standards: Pitching - 12.0 (492) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Pitching - 89.0 (119) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 3 All-Star selections. Career Rankings: 47th in strikeouts per nine innings, 10th in saves. Most Similar Player: Doug Jones Tim Belcher - Starting Pitcher - Los Angeles 1987-91, Cincinnati 1992-93, Chicago (AL) 1993, Detroit 1994, Seattle 1995, Kansas City 1996-98, Anaheim 1999-2000 Black Ink: Pitching - 4 (434) (Average HOFer ~ 40) Gray Ink: Pitching - 64 (366) (Average HOFer ~ 185) HOF Standards: Pitching - 12.0 (492) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Pitching - 20.5 (560) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 1 time led league in complete games, 1 time led league in shutouts. Most Similar Player: Jim Lonberg Will Clark - First Baseman - San Francisco 1986-93, Texas 1994-98, Balimore 1999-2000, St. Louis 2000 Black Ink: Batting - 13 (172) (Average HOFer ~ 27) Gray Ink: Batting - 94 (232) (Average HOFer ~ 144) HOF Standards: Batting - 41.9 (123) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Batting - 83.5 (186) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 1 NLCS MVP, 1 Gold Glove, 1 time led league in slugging, 1 time led league in runs, 1 time led league in total bases, 1 time led league in RBI, 1 time led league in walks. Career Rankings: 84th in OPS, 81st in doubles, 85th in OPS+. OPS+: 138 Most Similar Player: Edgar Martinez Alex Fernandez - Starting Pitcher - Chicago (AL) 1990-96, Florida 1997-2000 Gray Ink: Pitching - 77 (294) (Average HOFer ~ 185) HOF Standards: Pitching - 13.0 (452) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Pitching - 12.0 (768) (Likely HOFer > 100) Most Similar Player: Steve Stone Gary Gaetti - Third Baseman - Minnesota 1981-90, California 1991-93, Kansas City 1993-95, St. Louis 1996-98, Chicago (NL) 1998-99, Boston 2000 Black Ink: Batting - 1 (685) (Average HOFer ~ 27) Gray Ink: Batting - 31 (719) (Average HOFer ~ 144) HOF Standards: Batting - 29.5 (293) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Batting - 51.5 (333) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 1 ALCS MVP, 4 Gold Gloves, 2 All-Star selections. Career Rankings: 76th in total bases, 77th in doubles, 59th in homeruns, 71st in RBI. OPS+: 96 Most Similar Player: Graig Nettles Dwight Gooden - Starting Pitcher - New York (NL) 1984-94, New York (AL) 1996-97 2000, Cleveland 1998-99, Houston 2000, Tampa Bay 2000 Black Ink: Pitching - 23 (74) (Average HOFer ~ 40) Gray Ink: Pitching - 139 (111) (Average HOFer ~ 185) HOF Standards: Pitching - 40.0 (68) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Pitching - 88.5 (123) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 1 Cy Young, ROY, 4 All-Star selections, 1 time led league in ERA, 1 time led league in wins, 1 time led league in hits per nine innings, 1 time led league in strikeouts per nine innings, 2 times led league in strikeouts, 1 time led league in complete games. Career Rankings: 39th in strikeouts per nine innings, 41st in strikeouts. Most Similar Player: David Cone Ozzie Guillen - Shortstop - Chicago (AL) 1985-97, Baltimore 1998, Atlanta 1998-99, Tampa Bay 2000 Gray Ink: Batting - 11 (1244) (Average HOFer ~ 144) HOF Standards: Batting - 16.8 (902) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Batting - 31.0 (536) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: ROY, 1 Gold Glove, 3 All-Star selections. OPS+: 69 Most Similar Player: Alfredo Griffin Juan Guzman - Starting Pitcher - Toronto 1991-98, Baltimore 1998-99, Cincinnati 1999, Tampa Bay 2000 Black Ink: Pitching - 10 (221) (Average HOFer ~ 40) Gray Ink: Pitching - 54 (436) (Average HOFer ~ 185) HOF Standards: Pitching - 8.0 (682) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Pitching - 25.0 (461) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 1 All-Star selection, 1 time led league in ERA, 1 time led league in hits per nine innings. Career Rankings: 28th in strikeouts per nine innings. Most Similar Player: Chan Ho Park Orel Hershiser - Starting Pitcher - Los Angeles 1983-94 2000, Cleveland 1995-97, San Francisco 1998, New York (NL) 1999 Black Ink: Pitching - 20 (86) (Average HOFer ~ 40) Gray Ink: Pitching - 129 (129) (Average HOFer ~ 185) HOF Standards: Pitching - 34.0 (98) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Pitching - 90.5 (113) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 1 Cy Young, 1 World Series MVP, 1 NLCS MVP, 1 ALCS MVP, 1 Gold Glove, 3 All-Star selections, 1 time led league in wins, 1 time led league in complete games, 2 times led league in shutouts. Career Rankings: 93rd in wins, 57th in strikeouts. Most Similar Player: Bob Welch Gregg Jefferies - First Baseman/Second Baseman/Left Fielder/Third Baseman - New York (NL) 1987-91, Kansas City 1992, St. Louis 1993-94, Philadelphia 1995-98, Anaheim 1998, Detroit 1999-2000 Black Ink: Batting - 2 (561) (Average HOFer ~ 27) Gray Ink: Batting - 25 (843) (Average HOFer ~ 144) HOF Standards: Batting - 17.1 (855) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Batting - 19.0 (745) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 2 All-Star selections, 1 time led league in doubles. OPS+: 106 Most Similar Player: Kevin Seitzer Lance Johnson - Center Fielder - St. Louis 1987, Chicago (AL) 1988-95, New York (NL) 1996-97, Chicago (NL) 1997-99, New York (AL) 2000 Black Ink: Batting - 13 (172) (Average HOFer ~ 27) Gray Ink: Batting - 44 (539) (Average HOFer ~ 144) HOF Standards: Batting - 17.2 (847) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Batting - 31.0 (536) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 1 All-Star selection, 2 times led league in hits, 5 times led league in triples. OPS+: 94 Most Similar Player: Duff Cooley Doug Jones - Closer - Milwaukee 1982 1996-98, Cleveland 1986-91 98, Houston 1992-93, Philadelphia 1994, Baltimore 1995, Chicago (NL) 1996, Oakland 1999-2000 Gray Ink: Pitching - 29 (767) (Average HOFer ~ 185) HOF Standards: Pitching - 11.0 (531) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Pitching - 79.0 (137) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 5 All-Star selections. Career Rankings: 15th in saves. Most Similar Player: Jeff Reardon Roberto Kelly - Center Fielder - New York (AL) 1987-92 2000, Cincinnati 1993-94, Atlanta 1994, Montreal 1995, Los Angeles 1995, Minnesota 1996-97, Seattle 1997, Texas 1998-99 Black Ink: Batting - 1 (685) (Average HOFer ~ 27) Gray Ink: Batting - 12 (1201) (Average HOFer ~ 144) HOF Standards: Batting - 16.9 (890) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Batting - 9.0 (1084) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 2 All-Star selections. OPS+: 106 Most Similar Player: Tilly Walker Mickey Morandini - Second Baseman - Philadelphia 1990-97 2000, Chicago (NL) 1998-99, Toronto 2000 Gray Ink: Batting - 8 (1413) (Average HOFer ~ 144) HOF Standards: Batting - 17.0 (860) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Batting - 7.0 (1214) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 1 All-Star selection. OPS+: 84 Most Similar Player: Frankie Gustine Hal Morris - First Baseman - New York (AL) 1988-89, Cincinnati 1990-97 99-2000, Kansas City 1998, Detroit 2000 Gray Ink: Batting - 21 (923) (Average HOFer ~ 144) HOF Standards: Batting - 18.0 (775) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Batting - 23.0 (654) (Likely HOFer > 100) OPS+: 111 Most Similar Player: John Kruk Jaime Navarro - Starting Pitcher - Milwaukee 1989-1994 2000, Chicago (NL) 1995-96, Chicago (AL) 1997-99, Cleveland 2000 Gray Ink: Pitching - 47 (508) (Average HOFer ~ 185) HOF Standards: Pitching - 5.0 (826) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Pitching - 8.0 (949) (Likely HOFer > 100) Most Similar Player: Pedro Astacio Luis Polonia - Left Fielder - Oakland 1987-89, New York (AL) 1989-90 94-95 2000, California 1990-93, Atlanta 1995 96, Baltimore 1996, Detroit 1999-2000 Gray Ink: Batting - 12 (1201) (Average HOFer ~ 144) HOF Standards: Batting - 17.2 (847) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Batting - 5.5 (1346) (Likely HOFer > 100) OPS+: 97 Most Similar Player: Jack Smith Mike Stanley - Catcher - Texas 1986-91, New York (AL) 1992-95 97, Boston 1996-97 98-2000, Toronto 1998, Oakland 2000 Gray Ink: Batting - 3 (1895) (Average HOFer ~ 144) HOF Standards: Batting - 25.0 (438) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Batting - 5.5 (1346) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 1 All-Star selection. OPS+: 117 Most Similar Player: Jose Valentin Walt Weiss - Shortstop - Oakland 1987-92, Florida 1993, Colorado 1994-97, Atlanta 1998-2000 Gray Ink: Batting - 9 (1355) (Average HOFer ~ 144) HOF Standards: Batting - 19.9 (683) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Batting - 29.0 (557) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: ROY, 1 All-Star selection. OPS+: 78 Most Similar Player: Ivan DeJesus John Wetteland - Closer - Los Angeles 1989-91, Montreal 1992-94, New York (AL) 1995-96, Texas 1997-2000 Black Ink: Pitching - 3 (520) (Average HOFer ~ 40) Gray Ink: Pitching - 33 (680) (Average HOFer ~ 185) HOF Monitor: Pitching - 93.0 (102) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 1 World Series MVP, 1 Rolaids Relief Award, 3 All-Star selections, 1 time led league in saves. Career Rankings: 8th in saves. Most Similar Player: Robb Nen Mark Whiten - Right Fielder - Toronto 1990-91, Cleveland 1991-92 98-2000, St. Louis 1993-94, Boston 1995, Philadelphia 1995-96, Atlanta 1996, Seattle 1996, New York (AL) 1997 Gray Ink: Batting - 1 (2189) (Average HOFer ~ 144) HOF Standards: Batting - 8.0 (1759) (Average HOFer ~ 50) OPS+: 102 Most Similar Player: Mike Davis Eligible in 2006? Albert Belle - Left Fielder - Cleveland 1989-96, Chicago (AL) 1997-98, Baltimore 1999-2000 Black Ink: Batting - 28 (62) (Average HOFer ~ 27) Gray Ink: Batting - 137 (115) (Average HOFer ~ 144) HOF Standards: Batting - 36.1 (176) (Average HOFer ~ 50) HOF Monitor: Batting - 134.5 (88) (Likely HOFer > 100) Accomplishments: 5 All-Star selections, 2 times led league in slugging, 1 time led league in OPS, 1 time led league in runs, 3 times led league in total bases, 1 time led league in doubles, 1 time led league in homeruns, 3 times led league in RBI, 1 time led league in OPS+. Career Rankings: 18th in slugging, 36th in OPS, 47th in homeruns, 59th in OPS+. OPS+: 143 Most Similar Player: Juan Gonzalez

Choi: .385 OBP, .495 SLG Lo Duca: .349 OBP, .444 SLG Encarnacion: .289 OBP, .417 SLG Ya, sure they did. Keep telling yourself that. Jeff Conine remembers to get RBI? The hell?

Baseball Primer's Transaction Oracle put it best when analyzing the trades:

First place was nice for a day I suppose. Ken Macha continues to be an idiot. Zito pitches tommorow. Bleh.

Dammit the A's bullpen's hot streak finally ends tonight. Five runs in the 8th by the Rangers, including Ken Macha leaving in Chad Bradford to pitch to Laynce Nix with the bases loaded despite Bradford being awful against lefties his entire career. Nix's two run single puts the Rangers in the lead. 4-2 lead gone, 7-4 deficit going into the 9th.

Of course the important part of the deal for Mets fans is...Anna Benson at Mets games. Anna

#40: Borg outlasts McEnroe in epic Wimbledon final

From rotoworld.com:

There's a heavily rumored Polanco for Ricardo Rincon deal with the A's so they might be showcasing him after all. The second part of the rumor is the Phillies will flip Rincon to the Yankees for Kenny Lofton.