the pinjockey

How legit do you think Roberson and Bourn are? When I see Roberson's age (turned 26 this year), for his level, I tend to knock him down a whole lot in my mind. And Bourn, when I look at him just looks like a Willy Taveras clone (not exactly someone who I am going to worry about finding a spot for).

I wish I lived closer to Reading. If they put Hamels, Gio, and Haigwood all in AA (a reasonable possability) it could be a fun year watching that rotation.

I would assume, though, that every arbitrator's contract is up in 10 days. So he is being "fired" in the sense he is not being renewed. Since either the union or the NFL can get rid of 1 arbitrator during a 10 day stretch a season, you would have to figure that every arbitrator is on one year contracts that get renewed each year unless they are dumped.

I don't think you have to worry about NJ. I forget where the article was (espn.com?), but they brought up a good point in that after cutting a sweetheart deal with Angelos to get a team in DC, what do you think they would have to pay Steinbrenner to avoid a shitfit.

If they were to play in Camden they would have to rebuild the Vet there. The most dangerous stadium in America in the most dangerous city in America, no opponent would want to play there.

If the Eagles are in the top 5-10, they try to make a move for D'Brickshaw Ferguson. No way Reid passes on a potential franchise OT, when his current ones are in their 30s and need replacing in the next couple years (Thomas immediately).

I'd be concerned if it was Runyan, but Thomas is completely shot at this point anyway. Herremans was respectable during the preseason so I don't see McMahon getting murdered back there. And any successful running over the last two games has been behind Jackson-Andrews-Runyan (the other side has been a nightmare), so his run blocking can't be any worse than Thomas.

I disagree that he is being compared to today's players, at least in my arguement. Going back to my arguement showing where he ranks in the Top 10 each season and in Pro Bowls is comparing him to his generation of receivers. I just don't see how everyone could have seen him as a sure fire HOFer when they only put him in 3 Pro Bowls. While Pro Bowls certainly aren't always right in who gets the spots, but they do typically portray what the reputation of the player is around the league.

One funny thing about the ruling is that he did not find Owens at fault for the fight with Douglas. It is pretty good that he upholds the suspension without the fight included. Arbitrator's ruling - 38 Pages

Wow. Just wow.

Or Michaels. Bill Conlin mentioned today that the Dodgers had called on Michaels. Maybe this opens up trading him and using Victorino as the 4th OF. I would be interested to see what LA would offer. I like Michaels and love the OBP, but his slugging % the past two years (.415 each year, with only a .111 IsoSlg this past year) for being in CBP is a bit concerning. note: please don't read the above as an Endy endorsement. No matter what they do with Michaels, Endy should not see the field other than pinch running.

With the addition of the prospects, I think it is a great deal. The thing I was worried about with Gillick was if at his age he was going to worry about helping the abysmal farm system. These two likely hop right into their top 10 prospects with Gonzalez becoming one of their top 2 or 3. And it appears that the amount the Phils are paying is down to $22 mil. Being the Phils fan, though, I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.

The Philly Inquirer is now naming these two as the prospects coming back. "As for the prospects, Gonzalez was 5-3 with a 1.87 ERA, striking out 84 in 57 2/3 innings at single-A Kannapolis before being promoted to single-A Winston-Salem, where he was 8-3 with a 3.56 ERA, striking out 79 and walking 25 in 73 1/3 innings. Haigwood was 8-2 with a 3.77 ERA at Winston-Salem, with 84 strikeouts in 76 1/3 innings and 6-1, with a 1.74 ERA at double-A Birmingham, with 76 strikeouts in 67 1/3 innings."

The rumored prospects are Daniel Haigwood and Gio Gonzalez . Haven't seen confirmation on that yet, though.

Just to echo your Thurman statement a little, when looking at the list I went and looked at Thurman's stats. When I noticed he was 1st or 2nd in the league in total yards from scrimmage for about 5 straight years it shocked the hell out of me. He never gets talked about in the great RB discussions. I don't think he is in the top 5 RB discussion, but there is no reason he shouldn't be in the next group.

Phils are also getting two prospects back in the deal. From the Philly Inquirer: "The Phillies confirmed today that they have agreed on a deal with the White Sox that would send the slugging first baseman back to his home state of Illinois. The Phillies would receive centerfielder Aaron Rowand and two prospects from the White Sox, who have agreed to pay slightly more than half the remaining $46 million on Thome's contract.

Reading on a Phils board, there are reports that the Phils are picking up $24 mil (half the contract). I haven't seen anything official, but if that is the case it works for me. I was thinking they would have to pick up 3/4 to get anything back.

After hearing the statment from the arbitrator I can kind of see why the union is pissed. He outright bitchslapped TO, instead of just saying the team proved their case and the punishment held (of course I loved it).

I'll take it. I was on the "getting anything back for Thome is just gravy" train. I would like to point out though, that it is disappointing it came to this. Thome was nothing but a class act the whole way and him standing with Schmidt at the closing of the Vet will always be a great image. Seeing Thome hit #500 in a Phils uniform would have been great, but this had to be done.

I won't argue against the idea that Irvin may not be HOF worthy and that the WRs you mentioned may have been better. I don't know if Irvin is an open and shut put him in player. But just in the comparison of Monk and Irvin, I don't see Monk in and Irvin out.

I don't know how you can put Monk in while leaving (oh this is going to hurt me) Irvin out. Irvin was: Top 10 in receptions - 4 times (2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th) Top 10 rec. yards - 6 times (1st, 2nd (2X), 4th, 8th (2X) Top 10 rec. TDs - 5 times (6th, 8th, 9th, 10th (2X) Top 10 yards from scrimmage - 4 times (4th, 8th, 9th, 10th) Monk was: Top 10 in receptions - 4 times (1st,2nd,3rd,9th) Top 10 in rec. yards - 3 times (3rd, 4th, 10th) Top 10 in rec TDs - 1 time (9th) And for the more subjective view, Irvin went to 5 Pro Bowls in 12 years to Monk's 3 in 15 years. I think a good comp for Monk is Keyshawn Johnson. A good possession receiver, but not someone who I think of as a HOFer. While longevity should count for something I don't think a bunch of good seasons add up to a HOF career. My six: Aikman White Dent Irvin T. Thomas D.Thomas

Against the tough lefty starters you could give Abreu an off day and go with Bell at 3B, Victorino in center and Michaels in RF. So they would at least have some personnel to work around it. It isn't really the ideal, but Bell just killed them so badly this year they have to do something.

Al (semi-rumor related), do you think the Phils ought to be in the Blalock hunt? While his road splits are not great, CBP being a bandbox should compare with Arlington (even if they move the fences a few rows back it should still be a HR hitter's park). Considering any production from 3B would have gotten them to the playoffs this past year, do you give up a package including either Floyd or Madson, plus another prospect or two to get him?

I am talking Smoker for the #3 QB, it is apparent at this point McMahon is the true backup going into next year (even if they still were to list Detmer #2 for holding purposes).

At this point, they ought to just promote Jeff Smoker and try to groom him to take over Detmer's role next year. Stewart does not bring anything to the table, so why bother.