Cheech Tremendous

Doesn't make any sense. The Brewers need to move Ryan Braun to left field and even if they don't, Matt LaPorta will be ready in the next year or so. The team has plenty of good, young hitting but they need to add pitching. Moving their ace would only exacerbate the problem. I can understand a scenario where Sheets is moved before free agency, buy they need to get a top noth pitching prospect back in the deal. Not sure there are many teams who would do that.

$12 Million over three years? I can definitely live with that. JC Romero is terrible. He had a 42/40 strikeout to walk ratio last year in 56 innings. The only reason he put up a decent ERA in Philadelphia was because of his .158 BABIP in the second half, which has to be the single luckiest performance I have ever seen. He's all smoke and mirrors and there is plenty of free talent that could replicate his performance if given the opportunity. Gillick got hosed on this one.

And I'm sure Gus has never, ever been here before under a different name.

I read something similar from one of the rumor sites. Houston asked what it would take to get Dontrelle and basically Florida said "I don't know, but I don't think you have it." Why try to get Dontrelle anyways? He looks like a #4 masquerading as a #2 to me. Too much work at a young age and downward trending peripherals. I'd be leary.

As HTQ pointed out, Bret didnt' do himself any favors by attacking Vince after the show. At that point, it was probably in everyone's best interest to drop the whole thing. But if Vince said in advance that Bret had to job or else, Bret would have had him by the balls.

Stan telling Jay Culter that he sucked but he might be good someday was the highlight for me.

If Vince did that, Bret would just sue his ass for breach of contract. Bret was only going to do what he wanted in those last 30 days. That's why the clause was in the contract, to specifically prevent scenarios like the one you just mentioned.

Tonight's Yi-Yao matchup is expected to draw about 250 million viewers in China. For perspective, that's about twice the number of people that watch the Super Bowl.

Bret Hart had a creative control clause in his contract and he wouldn't do the job to Shawn in Canada. It's that simple.

I won't fault either side in the Lowell negotiations when he eventually walks (probably to the Yankees). The Red Sox made a very fair offer, but Lowell knows that he can do better on the open market. He has to do what's best for him and his family.

Forgot all about Marmol. I have seen Gagne's name surfacing in Cubs rumors, so take that as you will. If people are wondering why Gagne might get a lot of looks this offseason, look no further than JC Romero asking for a three-year deal or Kyle Farnsworth being considered a hot trade commodity this offseason.

Oh, fuck off.

I want to condense all of Gary Floyd's pictures into a new thread. I'd call it "Pictures I Don't Like."

In response to all the recent discussion regarding the NBA and the need to change the existing playoff structure, I got to thinking about possible tinkering that could be done in other sports. Everyone seems to have their own opinions regarding changes that would "fix" aspects of their sports. So I figured we could open up a discussion about what we might change about our favorite sports. I thought that this could be a fun topic. Here are the rules: - Pick any professional sport that you want - Make up to three changes to the sport without fear of passing it through the union or owners. These changes can be to the game, salaries, revenue sharing, league structures or any other aspect of the league that you want - The changes are permanent, as are all possible repercussions

Probably. The Tigers, Cubs, Astros and Brewers (maybe) are all looking for a closer with limited options available. Boras should be able to sell the dominant performance in Texas and discount the time in Boston. Never underestimate the GM buying the "closers struggle in non-save situations" argument.

They should. He's one of the 'bargain bin' guys I expect Cashman to consider. By all indications I think he's after a Feliz/Crede type who plays good-great defense and adds a bit of a power threat to the bottom of the lineup, but can also be platooned with Wilson Betemit. All this Miguel Cabrera, Scott Rolen, Miguel Tejada, Adrian Beltre etc. talk is driving me mad, that's not what this team needs. Pedro Feliz is what the team needs? An A-Rod to Feliz/Betemit downgrade is going to cost you about 10 wins over the course of a season. Unless the team can make significant upgrades where they need them (starting pitching and up the middle defense), that would be a disastrous move. Why wouldn't you want someone like Beltre? Excellent defender, good hitter and probably won't cost that much in terms of a trade. That's the kind of move that makes a lot of sense.

Boston Herald is reporting that the Red Sox have made a three year offer to Lowell that the club described as "really strong." Although it was not presented as a take it or leave it offer, the team will look at a non-Cabrera trade or internal options like Jed Lowrie or Chris Carter (with Youk moving to 3rd) if the deal is rejected. By the way, if you can't read between the lines, what all this means is that Lowell is as good as gone.

Look, I love Feliz's defense at third as much as the next guy, but he has a career OBP of .288. He'll hit his 20 homers, but do almost nothing else offensively. I know the Phils have the best offense in baseball and can afford to take on a below average hitter, but this is akin to having a second pitcher hitting in the lineup (okay not that bad, but you get my point). By the way, his most similar batter through age 32 is Scott Brosius. Maybe the Yankees should take a look at him because according to most sportswriters, he was the key to their 4 championships.

Sounds like you need to do less walkin' and more eatin', dude.

You know Al, watching a baseball game in HD is quite spectacular. I'm not insane about HD stuff like Marvin or anything, but watching a crystal clear game on a 42" television is one of my favorite things in life.

It's not hard at all to get steroids. I want to say that I've been presented with that sort of opportunity at least 3 or 4 times and I'm not even a serious athlete. For someone like HHH, with money, connections and other resources, finding the best in performance enhancing is simple.

I can't believe UK got waxed by some school I've never even heard of. Auspicious start to the Gillespie era.

I hate, hate, hate when people say this. Batista has never failed any test that we know of. He's never been named in any of the pharmacy busts. We all know that it's very likely that he uses steroids based on his appearance, but you can't implicate someone because of the way they look. He is subject to the same testing and rules as everyone else. He hasn't failed multiple tests like Masters or Booker. It's ridiculous throw him under the bus for someone else's screwups.

No one forced him to do anything. He was the one that decided to take drugs and he's the only one to blame for his release.