the pinjockey

Honestly, I do this for fun, not to worry about building a dynasty or anything. Coming back next year with half of the team the same to go into a draft where there are so many people kept you are going to the draft hoping to get an Aaron Hill in the first round (not a stretch considering he is currently ranked 123rd in Yahoo, while 160 players can be kept) doesn't seem fun to me. The draft is at least half the fun of fantasy leagues IMO.

I like the 4, maybe bump to 5 max. 8 is almost half the team which is a little much, plus a draft where the top 160 players are already accounted for would be pretty lame. Part of the strategy should be making decisions, not just letting everybody keep everyone.

When I first saw the trade, I wondered why Prince Fielder (who carries a 6th round price into next season) was getting traded for 5 "guys". I didn't think anyone would argue against it the other way. Sure plenty of steals are picked up, but that seems like a hefty price for them.

I'll return for my usual early winless run before I run off a couple wins that keep me somewhat interested and make me think I have an idea of what I am doing. I'll keep RU.

I wonder if the Flyers taking Pitkanen to arbitration still holds since he was traded. If you really wanted to make Lowe look bad you swipe the player he just traded his captain for. Granted it would be idiotic to offer Joni an unmatchable offer sheet, but it would be some good pissy retaliation. And yes, being mad at your player being sent an offer sheet is beyond retarded. You will probably see more use of arbitration since after a team declares to take the player to arb, they can't be sent an offer sheet. It would at least buy teams a year to work something out.

Kukkonen was also very solid after the deadline last season, at least Kyle Calder proved to be worth something to Philly. Assuming going into this season he is a third pairing D (Timonen/Smith, Coburn/Hatcher, Kukkonen/Picard-Gauthier [Parent if he is ready but I doubt it yet]), instead of being force fed minutes 1st or 2nd pairing minutes due to being partnered with Pitkanen, he should be more than enough.

Announced on TSN, confirmed by Holmgren at the Briere press conference: Joni Pitkanen and Geoff Sanderson to EDM for Joffrey Lupol and Jason Smith This turns out one of two ways without much middle ground IMO, Pitkanen gets hits shit together and this is an all time awful deal for the Flyers or Joni remains retarded and they did great to get something while they could. I tend to lean towards the latter as the atmosphere in Philly was not set to help turn Joni around. The organization wasn't fond of him and the fans were getting on his case enough at the end of the season that he was a "flu" scratch for some late season home games.

Reports have both contracts being front loaded (especially Timonen's with 30 of the 38 million being paid in the first 4 years). So even if the cap number's stay at 6.3 for Timonen and 4.2 for Hannan, the actual money to pay out in the last couple years is much less making them movable if the performance isn't there. Hannan is a signing out of Joe Banner's playbook for the Eagles, who they had meetings with to learn about working under a cap, to lock up a young player long term even if it means overpaying a bit and project the future performance (same theory as Kesler last year). Can certainly bite them in the ass but you have to take the chance. I love the fact, though, that they have addressed these two positions before the draft and still have the no.2 in the cards. This gives them much more leverage in not having to trade away the pick if it isn't the right deal. Speaking of, any MTL fans help me out here. What is the deal with Chris Higgins? I have seen his name linked to rumors with the second pick. Basically, how good is he?

Well it isn't like he is having arm trouble or anything (oh, he is? shoulder problems? ruhrohrorge)...It is a shame after he was thoroughly checked out before making the deal and giving up arguably the system's top prospect (what's that...they took the White Sox word for it that a guy with a lot of innings and decreasing FB velocity was ok? come on, no one would be that stupid right....right). Hindsight is one thing, I liked the deal because I gave up on Floyd so Gio-Garcia was reasonable. But that was on the assumption he was healthy, an assumption the Phils didn't have to make. Would Chicago have pulled out of the deal or something if we requested an MRI and if that did happen not much of a red flag is it? At least Garcia has the right attitude about it

Wasn't it a sandwich pick though instead of the new one spot drop?

I'm surprised that if they wanted him they would wait til after Houston's pick.

They are trying to keep the costs down by not allowing year long holdouts by forcing the 8/15 date and giving the teams some leverage with compensation that they aren't crushed if a high pick doesn't sign. And Harvey goes to Anaheim who never shy away from busting slot.

Houston passed on Harvey, so it looks like he is down to a late round flier who probably won't sign. Have to imagine if someone was willing to pay him by 8/15 he would have been taken by now.

I'm surprised that neither the Mets or the Red Sox took Harvey in the comp round to make up for not having a first round pick.

Looks like the highest ceiling position players got swiped out in a hurry. Not thrilled since the Phils need some high level hitting prospects. If it is going to be a pitcher, nut up and take (and sign) Porcello. I'll say a prayer now that they don't take Julio Borbon.

And for the low low price of eleventy billion dollars to sign.

"I've learned to never question veteran scouting directors." This analyst is worthless. Thanks for going out on a limb, you sir are no Kiper. All I am rooting for is Mesoraco to slip to the Phils. I know nothing about any of these guys, but it sounds like what they need in a legit C prospect (sorry, don't buy Jason Jaramillo at this point).

I'll play again. I was in the first league I think.

15/45 (only got no. 15 right because it is on right now)

Judging by his comments a couple weeks ago where he said that $2.5 mil wasn't enough and that he wanted a long term WR deal, I think he priced himself out more than no one wanting him. If he was willing to go on a one year deal for between 1-2 mil I can't imagine no contender biting on it.

This was the perfect ending if it leads to Jack becoming Steven Saunders, otherwise eh. Saw a glimpse of it with him asking somewhat selfish questions for the first time. They need to do something to change up the formula.

Goodbye Chris Henry, enjoy your future in the AFL (they would probably take a chance on him, right?) http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2877555

Saw this brought up somewhere else, how did Venom know about Sandman's daughter? I assume Venom knows everything Parker knows, but when did, if he did, Parker find out?

I thought she looked much better here than in SP2, relatively of course. From the coffee house scene on in 2 she was downright hideous. Also, I know it has already been jumped on by the critics but the butler's "oh by the way Harry" scene was fucking ridiculous.

Have to echo 2Golds thoughts here. Reminded me of X3 where they crammed two movies into one and ended up with a mess.