EVIL~! alkeiper

That reminds me of Jeter's play in Game 5 of the 2001 ALDS. That was game three, btw.

If they don't want to be stuck on a team, don't take the deal. Players take long term deals because its a guaranteed deal, and in the world of professional sports, where an injury can ruin your career tomorrow, that's important.

This game is nothing short of amazing. I have a new found respect for Jeter.

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb...s_mlb&fext=.jsp

Minor transaction note. The Braves called up Tim Drew to the majors, so the Braves now have two brothers active on the same team.

HE'S THE GREEK GOD OF WALKS, LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLLOLOLOLOLOLOL. You can't find wit like that just anywhere, folks. The nickname wasn't meant for wit. Its an apt description of the man's abilities. I believe in 2002, he drew the second most walks in all of professional baseball, behind Barry Bonds.

Why is Howard still in AA? Howard is alot like David Ortiz. He's a tad overrated, but he could be a good regular someday. The problem is the Phillies won't have an opening at first base for quite awhile. He's decent trade bait.

Anyone who can hold his weight against big league pitching is far from too injured to continue. For me, liability status is when you don't play good enough to justify your position on the roster. At the very least, Bagwell is less costly than Mo Vaughn. As an aside, why is Jeff Bagwell singled out, while Brad Ausmus hits like crap, and you don't hear about it? Ausmus is costing the Astros a lot of runs with his lack of production.

As an aside, you can tell who read Moneyball and who hasn't by listening to them pronounce Youkilis. You-kill-is: Hasn't read Moneyball. Eu-cles: Read Moneyball.

Bagwell's hitting 271/385/450. He's not hitting at his established level anymore, but he's not a liability at this point.

Mientkiewicz is a perfect example of how fans can overrate defense. He's a great first baseman, there's no denying that. But he can't possibly make so many plays that your average first baseman would not make to justify his lack of offense.

As long as Youklis keeps hitting, why not use him at first when Mueller comes back?

Bagwell is due $15 Million next season, $17 Mil in 2006, and $18 Mil in 2007 (or a $7 Million buyout).

It's sad when a 21 year old rookie is the team's most disciplined hitter. What's sadder is that their best hitter is currently hitting 323/395/629 in the International League while they pay their current first baseman $3.5 Million to hit .234 and slug .330. Free Justin Morneau!

Yes, but not so much that they are a net liability to their team. Mike Piazza is not a good catcher, but his offensive abilities offset that. Same with Derek Jeter. And there is nothing wrong with a good gloveman if he can hit a little. Ozzie Smith was good enough with the bat to make his glove worthwhile. But when you hit as bad as Brad Ausmus, you hurt your team.

Brad Ausmus. Doug Glanville. These are guys trumped as great defensive players, which they are, but their truly appalling offensive numbers more than negate their defensive value.

I thought part of the Red Sox organizational philosophy is that defense doesn't really matter. That's part of the so-called Moneyball philosophy, and its often misunderstood. Its not that defense is negligible. Its that defense can be measureable, and is often overstated. When a coach says "Player X saves 100 runs with his glove every year," that's an exaggeration.

Hell, he's second in all of baseball.

Pitcher Jeff Nelson sold his bone chips from his elbow operation.

From ESPN.com...... RC Runs created [(H + BB + HBP - CS - GIDP) times (Total bases + .26[bB - IBB + HBP] + .52[sH + SF + SB])] divided by (AB + BB + HBP + SH+ SF) The stat was created by Bill James, and it basically attempts to enter all offensive stats into the equation.

I'd give Jose Vidro some consideration. Izturis is down to .297. In any case, he's hitting as bad as you can hit while hitting .300. He's slugging just .372. I'd consider Jimmy Rollins. He's third in runs created among shortstops behind Wilson and Royce Clayton (Coors Field). Besides the hitting, he steals bases, and is truly a great shortstop. Otherwise, I'd take Larkin. Put him on the squad and mention "Hall of Famer," as many times as possible.

They shouldn't. There's no reason to include middle relievers in the All-Star game, except Francisco Rodriguez. EDIT: Mike Williams did pitch, and surprise, he gave up two runs.

In fairness however, Beltran is fifth in runs created, behind Bonds, Berkman, Abreu, and Dunn.

He's eligible. I'm not sure if he really deserves it though. His OPS is .910, grouping him along with Steve Finley, Jim Edmonds, Luis Gonzalez, Craig Wilson. All those guys are within ten points of each other. Drew and Dunn are clearly above that group. Griffey and Sosa will likely make it. Abreu and Berkman carry OPS's above 1.000. So there's 7 outfielders before we get to the Beltran group.

Personally, I'd go ahead and put Zach Greinke on the squad. No one else stands out, and he could just sit in the pen in case the game goes extra innings.