So after missing out on Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano, THIS is supposed to be the big offseason signing? I don't fault them for bolstering their defense (Matthews is a HUGE defensive upgrade, compared to the aging Garrett Anderson), but has everyone in the front office forgotten that this offense blows chunks? Matthews isn't a BAD hitter, but he won't be hitting behind Guerrero anytime soon.
"That's the thing: Maybe he'll be up and down this season, but when he's up, is there another center in the league quite like him? He protects the rim, passes out of double teams, has great hands around the basket, up-fakes on his jump-hooks, rebounds in traffic, even has a motor that keeps going and going (unlike a stiff like Eddy Curry). I'm not sure what's missing here. This is stunning. This is startling. There's almost no precedent for it. Just what the Lakers needed: More obscenely good luck. Meanwhile, I have to watch Al Jefferson whip jump-hooks off the front of the rim for the third straight season. I will now pour scalding hot water down my pants." -Bill Simmons on Andrew Bynum (11/08/06)
The Gary Matthews Jr. I saw play in San Diego in 1999 and 2003 was not a $10 million a year guy. Has his stock risen that much in the last few years, or is Anaheim crazy?
I think that would make him one of the top paid players on the current Padres roster. I'm pretty sure the Padres had him on a Rule 5 draft at one point... or it was a waivers pickup.
You wanted the best, you got... Out of Context Quote of the Week.
"They're plump, ripe, and priced to move. Get your fat Samoan today!" (Packman V2)
Probably waivers. I forget how many teams had him before the Rangers (I know the Pads twice, Cubs, Mets, and Orioles) but he's just cashing in on a career year. No shame there on his part, but no effin' way he's $10M/year-worthy.
Having a career year right before free agency, what are the odds?
Yeah I think he's overpaid. The .313 Batting Average is way off from his career average. Pure smoke and mirrors. His BABIP (Batting Average Balls in Play) of .349 and low line drive % point out that average should be closer to .280. His SB% was only 57% and he was hitting in Texas. Damon's contract is looking better every day.
Those looking for a good deal should grab Carlos Lee at $15 mil. His career BABIP has been too low with a high LD%. He should be at least a .300 hitter with power, a low K rate, and very good speed.
The other twist here is that there have been rumours of the Angels and Blue Jays working on a deal for Vernon Wells. The last one I heard was Wells for Kendrick and Weaver, which probably was BS but would've been a gold mine for Toronto. Matthews signing means that deal is obviously now a no-go, so maybe Anaheim knows TO is working on a new contract for Wells, and thus went for Plan B.
"I don't know what is more disquieting -- the fact that the rest of the statue is missing, or that it has four toes."
My guess: Matthews hits .255 with 12 HR and 40 RBI and isn't the regular starter by the end of the year.
As of 2/28/05: 101 pounds since December 7, 2004 OFFICIAL THREE-MONTH COUNT: 112 pounds on March 9, 2005 OFFICIAL SIX-MONTH COUNT: 142 pounds on June 8, 2005 OFFICIAL ONE YEAR COUNT: 187 pounds on December 7, 2005 As of 2/27/06: 202 pounds "I've lost a heavyweight" As of 7/31/06: 224 pounds
Thread ahead: Chavez re-election could mean NO Venezuelans in MLB Next thread: Carlos Lee signs with Houston - 6yr/$100 Million Previous thread: Morneau is your AL MVP!!
In honor of Opening Day, and with apologies to the owner of this material, I present the following:
Since the Chicago Cubs last laid claim to a World Series championship…
1. Radio was invented (Cub fans got to hear their team lose).
2.
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