ORBrewerFan

I know exactly what it mean, Inigo. Do you?

The point is that a player's team making the playoffs or winning the triple crown isn't any more arbitrary of a selection criteria than using something like WAR. Someone wants to go strictly by WAR and ignore "caveman" counting stats? That's their prerogative. But to say the voters got the vote "wrong" because they didn't use a stat that someone prefers is moronic. There should be many things that factor in who gets votes. Trout has a better WAR? That should factor in the voting. Cabrera hits for the triple crown? That should factor in the voting. Cabrera's team makes the playoff and Trout's doesn't? That should factor in the voting. All these things and more should be looked at when making a vote.

But the arbitrariness of formula stats like WAR or FLIPPY-DIPPY or BOOB-LOOB or whatever else someone makes up doesn't seem to bother you.

There was never a RICO case filed by the government. The minority partners tried citing RICO clauses when they sued in civil court. It went to arbitration, and the arbitrator found in favor or Loria.

The point is the Marlins budgeted and spent according to a planned attendance of 3M and got about 2.2M. Loria might be a poor owner, but if the fans had gone to the games, they wouldn't have had to make this trade. Regardless of the relationship we have with our owner, if attendance for the Brewers fell that much, payroll would probably be slashed to less than $50M.

I believe it was former Royal GM Allard Baird that said "if you're going to lose, you might as well lose cheap." $101M payroll for 69 wins. And attendance about 1M less than budgeted for. Just think of the moves the Brewers would have to make if attendance next season dropped to 2M.

Miami is getting Toronto's #2 (according to MLB.com) prospect in Marisnick (#35 overall), #5 in Nicolino (#86 overall), and #7 in Hechavarria.

Another thing that made him look slower that he actually was, was the fact he isn't a natural outfielder and didn't have great outfielder instincts. He would get poor jumps and take bad lines to fly balls.

A decent performance/salary comparison would be Adam LaRoche. LaRoche will likely get a three- or four-year deal for $13-14M this offseason. Hart is more than two years younger and has been much more consistent, especially over the last three years. Two additional years at $12-13M would be a below market extension.

You can probably cross Affeldt off that list. All indications are he will resign with the Giants for three years for at least $5M per season.

If the Yankees were to pick-up 75% of Rodriguez's contract, the five years left on his contract would be less than the two years (plus the option buyout) that is on Ramirez's. It would average out to $5.7M a season. Not saying yes, but just thought I would throw the salary numbers out there. IF he would be willing to waive his no-trade clause, and IF the Yankees would be willing to take a ONE middling prospect (let's say Scooter), and IF he could make a position change to, say, first base (moving Hart back to right and Aoki to center), then it would be something to think about. The chances of all those ifs coming about are probably lower than me being able to get Jessica Alba and Mila Kunis in a three-way.

Reports are Dempster will probably get a two-year deal, or two-years and an option.

One thing to keep in mind about Dickey r.e. his age. He's a knuckleballer, not someone relying on a 97 MPH fastball. Much less fatigue on the arm. Phil Niekro went 21-20 (I'm always stunned whenever I see that, 20 wins AND 20 losses in the SAME season) when he was 40. He won 16 with an ERA of just over 4 at age 46.

I have a hard time believing the Brewers would give up their first round pick for one year of a 38-year old.

You made a crack about his weight. Did you mean to put El Gordo Blanco? Yes, I did mean "gordo." With all this optimism, he'll probably end up being "El Guano Blanco."