Diskono

There is a Mac version, but I'd ask or search on their forums for the error you're getting. Chances are someone else has seen it, so they might have some ideas. FWIW, the linux version works perfectly on my 64-bit Debian system.

Still think this is true? At least Villanueva threw strikes.

Favorable matchups have helped the bullpen quite a bit too. Hoffman, Stetter, DiFelice, Coffey, and even Chris Smith (to some extent) have all performed above expectations, and I think the manager deserves some credit for using them at the right times. I don't think are too many things that the manager of a team has a ton of control over, but that is definitely one of them.

Ah, misunderstood you on the reasons for sending CV down. That would have made sense, provided they could see this situation coming. I think we can agree that Dillard was moved into a starting role to further his development and/or increase his value to the Major League team. I'd also agree that pitching out of the MLB bullpen would have been better for him, but the AAA rotation is probably isn't far behind. Now, whether they had realistic expectations of becoming a ML starter, or just wanted to give him more time to work on things, is another question. I don't know if starting or relief is tougher on a pitcher's arm - I know a lot of people have suggested that regular work and regular rest is actually better than the uncertainty of bullpen duty. Both arguments make sense to me, so I could see it going either way.

I think sending CV to AAA could have been considered an overreaction too. His peripherals have been fine. On Dillard in the AAA rotation, I'd have to agree that it has a lot to do with the AAA rotation being bad, but its also possible that pushing him a little further could make him a more effective reliever. Last season he pitched about as well as could be expected of him out of the pen, so is there any more room for improvement? Or would we need to give him a more challenging assignment (i.e. AAA starting rotation or MLB bullpen) in order for him to get better?

Because 43 innings isn't very many innings. And what about the rest of the season? We're not just talking about a one-off spot start here. Villanueva may not be stretched out, but if he's going to go into the rotation permanently, we need to get him there. He has better peripherals in the majors than Dillard has in AAA, so I don't see any reason to believe that Dillard will be better long-term.

One could argue that Dillard *only* throws meatballs. I mentioned this in the other thread discussing the topic, but I think its because this probably isn't going to be a one-off spot start. If we'd be better off long-term with a stretched out Villanueva in the rotation, we need to get him to that point ASAP.

Yep, that and defense (which is at least partially related to the injury, but Counsell is still probably better than a healthy McGehee). Not really. Burns can't be called back up unless there is an injury, Green has been terrible, Swindle just pitched two innings last night, and Wright is only on two days rest.

I didn't like the move at the time, but I understand his explanation for it. At the start of the game, Ken Macha knows which relievers are available and which ones aren't. If he didn't think he had enough arms to get through 4 innings, fair enough. I probably would have sent out Stetter or DiFelice to try to get out of the 5th, and then hoped that Swindle can give me 2 or more innings later, but I think most managers would see that situation as similar to using your closer to get out of a jam in the 7th inning vs saving him for a hypothetical situation. I don't quite get what you're saying - ERA is very often misleading for relievers, mostly due to the smaller number of innings pitched. His strikeouts are up, walks are about the same as they've always been. He's just giving up a few more hits than normal, and his FIP is actually lower than his career averages. Tim Dillard has been mostly smoke and mirrors at AAA, and I have very little reason to believe he'd be any better as a starter than Mike Burns. I like Dillard quite a bit as a reliever though, so I think this is the right move.

The enhance function is great for haxoring gibsons, but not much else IMO.

Ha, that's actually an incredibly accurate description of the Turn Ahead the Clock uniforms!

I don't think he's getting a free pass at all. Plenty of people here very obviously want him gone. Addressing your questions: 1. Does this really matter? There's lots of evidence out there that suggests that the difference between even the best possible batting order and the worst possible batting order is almost negligible. 2a. Allegedly, its due to his defense. I'm not convinced that Kendall's defense is *that* much better than Rivera/Corporan/Solvdd, but I'm also not convinced that those other players are *that* much better hitters. I don't agree with Kendall's playing time, but I also don't think it makes that much difference given crappiness of the alternatives. 2b. I don't know, but again, I don't think it matters much. 3. Dillard just isn't very good. He walks too many, doesn't strike out enough, and thats just at AAA. He's been a starter most of his career, but he was much more effective as a reliever. Villanueva OTOH hasn't been nearly as bad as his ERA suggests. I'm 100% behind Macha on this one. 4. I agree, but I think the Gamel situation had as much to do with Counsell and McGehee playing out of their minds than Macha's decisions. In that case, its hard to argue the logic. I don't buy the argument that Counsell starting depletes are bench, just because starters are far more important than bench players, and if Counsell is that good, he's more valuable starting anyway. I'm sure Albert Pujols would be a great pinch hitter, but that doesn't mean he should be on the bench - your best players should play the most often. 5. Its 215 PAs, but yeah. Hall should go back to playing the "backup at every position" role, if anything. In fact, I'd really like that. Even with his poor hitting (which can only get better...right?), he's a decent utility man - unfortunately, he's not being used as one for whatever reason.

Was there a pencil with teeth marks in the glove compartment?

No hate for Turn Ahead the Clock?

The issue is that his insurance doesn't cover it, not that the insurance company doesn't think its important. But for the price of that type of coverage, he probably could have bought 5 new car stereos. Car insurance bugs me. What a scam.

I'm in the same boat - I'm still paying off a $2500 surgery from when my dog broke his leg about a year and a half ago. Poor puppy. I really had a hard time visiting him the morning after his surgery, he just looked so miserable. He didn't even want pupcorn.

Out of those mentioned, I'd lean toward the Kid Rock song. I mean, in one part, he even rhymes the word "things" with "things". Kid Rock must have attended the Eminem School of Rhyming, as well as the Puff Daddy School of Songwriting. I'm sure that worse songs are out there, but I can't think of them. That's probably a good thing.

Nah...without getting into Tim the Tool Man levels of ricerism, a lawn mower can only be so manly. Something like that would be great for small yards without many hills or obstructions.

Well, a lot of people are into that. But regardless, I can't see how or why this would be staged - why bring lawyers into it?

I've heard things about Joe Alexander's maturity too. But is it any coincidence that these were also some of the youngest players on the team? Though I have to admit, CV labeled as immature kind of surprises me, unless that's just referring to the overblown halftime tweet incident.

Also, if you get a corded lawn mower, your neighbors will laugh at you because it looks ridiculous. I've never used one personally, but watching other people try makes me feel like it must be the most annoying thing in the world to operate. Its bad enough when you have to stop to move hoses or toys out of the way every few swipes, I can't imagine what it would be like to have to move cords around constantly.

I don't know why Denver would do that if Weems is non-guaranteed, unless they somehow think that an expiring contract (as a trading chip at the deadline) will be more valuable than actually saving money. But whatever, I'll take it.

Granted he was a lot younger, but Escobar made a ton of errors in his first few years too.

Yep. Should Macha have benched the hottest hitter on the team? If McGehee was hitting like a normal backup player, I'm sure Gamel would have started most of the time. But he was hitting like Chase Utley.

I'm with you here. When I heard about this deal, I was more disappointed about losing Mercedes. Gillespie is a nice bat, but Gabe Gross without the defense isn't terrible useful. I'm underwhelmed, but if the Brewers don't think Counsell can play every day, I guess they had to do something. His career .334 OBP isn't quite what I'd like out of a leadoff hitter, so I'm not sure if it solves that problem - I'd rather use Gamel or Cameron. The difference there is that Barnwell was always a bad hitter before having one good year out of nowhere at AAA. Heether has pretty much always hit well. On a half-related note, anybody remember the name of that 2B who had a monster year at Beloit back in '03 or '04? Wasn't Iribarren, but some other guy whose name I can't remember.