bando1234

They had me at David Weathers.

They had me at David Weathers.

They had me at David Weathers.

I still collect cards. Too me the downward spiral came in about 1984. I believe the 1984 Donruss set was short printed which drove up values of the cards. It the first time I remember cards that were not part of a set distributed in packs(2 cards at the time but if you buy a pack you will get a lot of cards that are not considered part of the set). The other thing I remember is the Fleer Update (with Clemmens & Puckett) came out at a ridiculous price. If memory serves me guys like Mike Fitzgerald fleer update were selling for a buck a piece. Then around 87 & 88 & some years after while prices were slowly going up 5 cents a pack per year it seemed most things were mass produced. I must have about 30 or 40 Tom Glavine rookies that might book for a buck today. Sportflics were on the scene for a bit , as was score, but the first pack that I can remember being over a dollar was the 1989 Upper deck. Soon after all sorts of cards companies came out but most were still owned by the bigger card companies(Topps had Bowman, Donruss had Studio & so on) At that time it became evident that this was more of a business than a hobby. To me there is something to say for a kid taking a buck or two & buying a few packs of cards. They can collect a set at a time and trade for the ones they need. That's how I got my 1987 Topps set. That same year I started the 1977 set also. I had about 300 cards out of the 660. I had everyone listed in beckett except the Dale Murphy rookie which booked for about 50 dollars back then. Unfortunately I saw no way of getting that , so I traded the majority of those cards including Andre Dawson rookie & the Nolan Ryan. I have often thought of trying that set one more time.

Just thinking outloud: Since Billys toxicology report is in , I think we expect Michaels anytime.

Honestly I would take him for our bullpen ife he is not a free agent after this year.(if the price is right) He had a bad year last year but I think he was pitching thru some injuries. I said this a few weeks ago. I would still look at El Duque & see if the Yankees would take Bill Hall for Kei Igwana & let them finish up the year.

If Marrow were included what part would he play? Im assuming he would be a reliever the rest of the year, but would we make him a starter next year or would we make him our closer? Im not sure. Or do we do take the Derek Lowe route & make him a closer for a year or two & make him a starter. getting a head of myself since he is not a Brewer but I was just wondering.

Not to be a downer but, Melvin sent the Padres one of our top 10 & one our top 20 prospects at the time(plus another arm) for a setup man. He also sent our Number 1,11 & 24prosepcts(plus an arm) for a pitcher(might I say a great pitcher) who had a 1/2 year left on his contract & no real chance to sign. While I think Mark A was driving the boat on both of these, what is not to say he is not trying to push this trade thru, no matter what the cost. If thats the case Im sure Jack Z knows this too. I dont want it to happen but I would not be surprised if it is Washburn for Escobar.

Brett Gardner from the Yankees was just put on the DL . Dont know how long he will be on it. I think they were playing a 4 man out field rotation of Damon,Gardner,Cabrera & Swisher. Dont know if they are a possibility.

Just read that the Crew is going to have a scout to watch is next rehab start(tonight maybe). It was on major league rumors off linked to the baseball cube.

How about JJ Hardy for Scott Baker? Twins need a mid infielder. High ERA at 5.10 but his WHIP is at 1.20. I would love to expand the trade to include Jose Mijares but not sure if they would do that. From what I have read he slated to be the closer 2011 after Nathan leaves. I would even off to take one of there bad contracts but I can find any one with one.

Im more of a fire Ken Macha type of guy. As far as money poorly spent, I remember I did not care for the Soup siging when it happened,because I would have rather signed Doug Davis because I think he signed for 1/2 the price for 3 years. As for Hall he was signed after a great season plus he had all sorts of potential. It seemed like a good deal at the time. I dont think moving him from one position to another helped. There were probally some waring signs at the time. As far as Riske goes I thought it was a good siging at the time because he had several good seasons. Many people thought it was a great move siging Braun to a multi year contract but if he tanks somewhere down the road, it wont look that good. We did get Mcclung for Balfour & while Balfour has clearly outmatched Mcclung, it still does not seem like a horrible trade. I loved the Gwynn for Gerut trade at the time, heinsight it has not been so great. Cruz spent several years in the minors in a number or orginazations. It even took a few years to get it going for the Rangers.

I have to agree with JJ & Young on this one. When I think of Katin 2KO pops in my mind. Cole has about 70 more walks in about 400 less at bats. Cole does not stand out in any one area(except his poor arm) he does everything decent. He is having an off year in AAA ball. In my mind I think he will eventually be better than Hart. I always thought if we traded Hart it would have been nice to see him bat 2nd in the lineup.

I think Tyler Walker would be in the mold of Seth Mcclung. I think Sherrill could be in the mix especially since the Orioles picked up Cla Meredith from the Padres today. I could see a Sherrill & Guthrie combo coming over from the O's.

I don't care for this trade. Only time will tell, but from what I read in this thread is that he is not great on D, may be OK on offense but that could be due to park affect and we have internal prospects. It also sound like he has character issues. We may get a pick, we may not. I know we needed help on offence but I don't think Lopez is the answer. I think we could have got the same production from Grudzelanek who signed with the Twins today with out the loss of prospects no matter how insignificant they seem now.

I think we all know this was not Melvins doing, Deputy Braun was working on this one for a few day.

Isnt Katin more of a 2TO guy. If the gut could get on base at a good rate I would be all for bringing him up.

So they are not top notch starters but what about Orlando Hernandez, looks as if the Rangers are letting him go, did decent in 07 & has some decent stats in AAA (although just a small sample). I know he is like 44(and I really like players who are older than I am) but he would be relativly cheap & could help. I believe Kei Igawa was another guy I have wondered about. I know he is owed a ton of money. I know he has not produced at a major league level but he has 71 total innings at the major league level. He has put up some decent number in AAA. It just seems like the Yankees are pitching rich & never really gave him much of a chance outside of his first year here. I know this would have to be a bad contract trade (Bill Hall) or the Yankees would have to eat a chunk of his salary. I think he neds a change of scenery.

First I shave the mustashe & get a little just for men hair dye. To finish up the year I cut Gerut, I bring up Escobar to play second base & leadoff for the rest of the season. I let Gamel & Mcghee split time at 3rd. I will be very confident & let Hardy play out the rest of the year because his stats will go up which will raise his trade value during the off season. I pick up a pitcher who may not cost a bunch of prospects like Guthrie. Durring the the off season I trade Hardy & Taylor Green to the Twins for Glen Perkins,Jose Mijares & Steve Tolleson Next trade would involve Corey Hart & Carlos Villenuva for Gavin Floyd. I then resign Cameron to a somewhat riduculous contract( but hopefully a bit less) since there are no center field free agents I like I pick up John Buck for Tim Dillard straight up. I pick up Randy Winn Via free agency. Pending Dave Bushes arm evaluation I may look at siging him to a 3 yr deal. My 2010 lineup SS Escobar LF Winn RF Braun 1B Fielder 2B Weeks 3B Gamel CF Cameron C Buck/Salome Bench Tolleson,Hall,Cattlotto & Gillespie SP Gallardo SP Perkins SP Floyd SP Bush SP Suppan Long relief/swing men -Parra & Guthrie Setup - Coffey & Deflice & Mcclung Loogy- Stetter Closer-Mijares I know its a stretch but Im playing the part of Doug Melvin & my first offical duty was shaving my mustache so I can do anything

Good thing we have that tie in there to break up the NL losing streak.

Yeah Granderson makes sense. I was thinking Crawford scored a run besides the nice catch,

If the AL hangs on I think they will make Crawford MVP.

I have a pretty normal hobby. I collect sports cards, mainly football & baseball, some basketball & a few hockey. My son collects NASCAR cards. I have quite a few but nothing of great value. I do have some mid thirties Wheaties cards but they are not in great shape & dont book for much. My other hobby is trying to learn Chess. I only play against my 13 year old son. Both of us are learning together. My wife & kids raise,show, & sell purebread rabbits. I always thought that was different. I guess that made me think of what other people do for a hobby.

Juan Pierre & Jason Kendall

I guess Im just looking at the 2nd half right now. I dont want any wild trades that would we would give away half the farm. I would love to see them bring Escobar up to play 2nd in the second half & letting him leadoff. I say give him the chance right now.