There is speculation the D'Backs have become unhappy with Glaus and will try and shop him. Dodgers could use a 3B with power but I don't think he is the answer.

Despite only two days rest after his complete game victory in game five, Sandy Koufax started game seven of the 1965 World Series against the Minnesota Twins. He pitched another complete game shutout.

The Dodgers scored the only run Sandy needed in the 4th when Lou Johnson hit a solo homerun off the left field foulpole. Ron Fairly followed with a double and Wes Parker singled Fairly home for an insurance run.

The Twins threatened in the 5th. Frank Quilici doubled with one out. Sandy walked Rich Rollins to bring Zolio Versalles to the plate. Versalles hit a smash down the third base line for what looked like a sure double. Jim Gilliam knocked the ball down and scrambled to his feet to force Quilici at third. Joe Nossek grounded to Maury Wills at short to end the inning.

In the 9th Harmon Killebrew reached on a one out single. With the tying run at the plate, Sandy finished the game with a flourish by striking out Earl Battey and Bob Allison.

In game 7 Sandy gave up 3 hits and 3 walks en route to a complete game 2-0 victory. He struck out 10 and, as was the case in his complete game shutout in game five, no Twins runner advanced past second base. His cumulative totals in the 1965 World Series: 13 hits in 24 innings pitched, 2 wins, 1 loss 1 earned run allowed, 5 walks and 29 strikeouts.

Thanks to retrosheet.

Stan from Tacoma

Repko for Drew (or Quentin)? I can dream...

"If the Yankees and Hideki Matsui do not agree on a contract extension by midnight Nov. 15, Matsui will become a free agent. He has said that he would prefer to remain with the Yankees, and the Yankees remain interested, though reports they have already offered their left fielder a three-year extension worth about $35 million are erroneous. As a free agent, Matsui is believed to be most interested in staying in New York, with the Yankees or the Mets, or coming to Los Angeles to play for the Dodgers. He probably will seek a deal of more than three years."

Brown also mentions that the Dodgers could go after Nomah. Matsui has said that Torre could be the reason he stays or goes, so I guess I'm rooting for Piniella to manage the Yankees

Could it be that the last game at Busch has already been played?

This attitude didn't seem too costly in 2005, as the team made a profit despite a terrible record. We'll see if the 2006 ticket buyers will be as excited coming off the 2005 season as the 2005 ticket buyers were coming off the 2004 season.

The media has started dissecting what the Angels need to do this off season starting with overhauling the majority of the roster. You know, the same thing the Dodgers did last year and are being crucified for now (and we only won one game). I think I am going to have an aneurism.

I thought the 20% cut was for players who weren't arbitration eligible.

http://tinyurl.com/dstny

Dodgers to interview Pendleton, via Dodgers.com

Garciaparra's salary for 2004 was $11.5 million. His 2005 salary was $8.25 million, which is a cut of more than 20%.

http://tinyurl.com/byefl

"At 73, Podres can still see '55 series," via The Mercury News. Registration required, I recomend: http://www.bugmenot.com/

22 - Pendleton seemed to really really impress everybody last year when he interviewed in Philly. Too bad they had already made up their minds on Cholly Manuel.

Other names dropped in that article, and I'm sure everybody will like one of these: "Among possible candidates on postseason clubs are Bud Black, Joe Maddon, Ron Roenicke, Harold Baines and Joey Cora."

Bayou City Men:
Biggio
Burke
Berkman
Ensberg
Lamb
Lane
Ausmus
Everett
Backe

The Pepsi curse?

Especially because he would get to be the DH.

C Navarro
1B Choi
2B Kent
SS Aybar
3B Nomar
LF ?????
CF Bradley (I know he's not going to be back)
RF Drew

or

C Navarro
1B Kent
2B Aybar
SS Matsui
3B Nomar
LF ????
CF Bradley
RF Drew

i think nomar is a waist, and i like giles better than matsui.

P.S. I missed Edmonds getting ejected. Can someone fill me in on how it happened?

Edmonds was displeased. He said a word that you would associate with an AFLAC commercial except that it starts with an F.

If I could design a stadium, I'd hang cargo nets around parts of the outfield wall so the defenders could climb them and make amazing catches.

Is anyone else suprised that the MLBPA puts up with that crazy hill at Minute Maid. Seems like someone is needlessly going to shred an ankle running into that thing. For me, while old stadiums with their quirks are fun, purposely creating quirks rather than engineering them to deal with pre-existing site issues (a la the Green Monster) is kind of strange.

70 , 72 - Have you guys heard about the latest change to that ballpark?

http://www.sportspickle.com/features/volume4/2005-1005-astros.html or http://tinyurl.com/8ttk8

And I didn't even mention the quicksand pool behind home plate.

Corturis?

81 - Bob, see 30 ...which Cora?

Old Crosley Field in Cincy had a hill-climb too. I think it was around the entire fence, not just in one spot.

It seems like signing Nomar or Furcal creates the problem of having a crowded infield. In some ways, this is a good problem to have, but I don't like the idea of overpaying for a 3B or SS, only to have to juggle playing time when Izturis returns.

I dont see either of those two players losing playing time to Cesar Izturis.

http://tinyurl.com/9y3po

Angels in 7.

98 - Saturday is my 21st birthday Bob. All part of my plan...

Can we officially label Vlad un-clutch yet?

Let me tell you, sonny boy, I can remember a time when the Phillies won the World Series!

I won't even see Game 1 of the World Series as I will be at the Rose Bowl for the UCLA-OSU game.
The Revenge of Matt Moore?

Maybe you could ask the Bronx Banter crew? They might be more fun to hear it from anyways...CREDE!!!

Which reminds me Big Not so fat but actually still pretty fat Joe McDonnell wishes ill to Vlad... sort of....

"...What in the world is up with Vlad Guerrero? He's performing like a mere mortal at the most important time of the season. No homers....throws to the wrong bases...running like a sixty year old man. I wonder if he's injured and is keeping quiet about it. I sure hope that's the case...because the alternative isn't pretty to think about......."

Vlad not being hurt isnt pretty to think about? WHA????

oops..... okay ill do that right now, then it will be revealed. give me 10 mins.

Rule 3.16
When there is spectator interference with any thrown or batted ball, the ball shall be dead at the moment of interference and the umpire shall impose such penalties as in his opinion will nullify the act of interference. APPROVED RULING: If spectator interference clearly prevents a fielder from catching a fly ball, the umpire shall declare the batter out. There is a difference between a ball which has been thrown or batted into the stands, touching a spectator thereby being out of play even though it rebounds onto the field and a spectator going onto the field or reaching over, under or through a barrier and touching a ball in play or touching or otherwise interfering with a player. In the latter case it is clearly intentional and shall be dealt with as intentional interference as in Rule 3.15. Batter and runners shall be placed where in the umpire's judgment they would have been had the interference not occurred. No interference shall be allowed when a fielder reaches over a fence, railing, rope or into a stand to catch a ball. He does so at his own risk. However, should a spectator reach out on the playing field side of such fence, railing or rope, and plainly prevent the fielder from catching the ball, then the batsman should be called out for the spectator's interference. Example: Runner on third base, one out and a batter hits a fly ball deep to the outfield (fair or foul). Spectator clearly interferes with the outfielder attempting to catch the fly ball. Umpire calls the batter out for spectator interference. Ball is dead at the time of the call. Umpire decides that because of the distance the ball was hit, the runner on third base would have scored after the catch if the fielder had caught the ball which was interfered with, therefore, the runner is permitted to score. This might not be the case if such fly ball was interfered with a short distance from home plate.

Is it just my tv or is the fake ad blurring around Contreras's head really bad tonight?

Transactions
Offer weaver arbitration. Get two draft picks
resign saenz to a 1 yr 1 mil deal
resign cruz to a 2 yr 4 mil deal
resign wunsch 1 yr .55 deal
Sign Brian Giles to a 3 yr 28 mil deal
Sign Rafael Furcal to a 4 yr 32 mil deal
Trade Odalis Perez and 4.5 mil (money to pay for bonus) to the tigers for Kyle Sleeth and Humberto Sanchez
3 team trade:
Dodgers trade: chuck tiffany, delwyn young, justin orenduff
dodgers receive: Barry Zito
A's trade: Barry Zito, juan cruz
A's receive: Aubrey Huff, justin orenduff
Drays trade: Aubrey Huff
Drays receive: chuck tiffany, juan cruz, delwyn young
Sign Barry Zito to a 4 yr 38 mil contract extension taking into effect after 2006 season

lineup
shortstop Rafael Furcal 8mil 285/350/430 13hr 40SB
3rd base Willy Aybar 0.33mil 275/340/425 12hr
right field JD Drew 11mil 290/405/525 28hr 135 games played
2nd base Jeff Kent 9mil 280/355/510 26hr
left field Brian Giles 9.33mil 290/400/485 22 hr
Center field Milton Bradley 3mil 285/365/475 20hr
1st base Hee Seop Choi 0.95mil 265/375/480 25hr 420ABs
catcher Dioner Navarro 0.33mil 265/365/415

total 41.94

projected bench
catcher Jason Phillips 0.75
2b/ss/3b antonio perez 0.33
1b/3b Olmedo Saenz 1
2b/ss/3b Oscar Robles 0.33
4th OF Jose Cruz Jr. 2
5th OF Ricky Ledee 1.5

total 5.91

starting rotation
RHP Brad Penny 5.5 30 GS 185IP 3.55 ERA
RHP Derek Lowe 9 35 GS 220IP 3.70 ERA
LHP Barry Zito 8.5 35 GS 220IP 3.45 ERA
RHP DJ Houlton 0.33 28 GS 175IP 4.4 ERA
RHP Edwin Jackson 0.33 28 GS 175IP 4.6 ERA

total 23.66

projected bullpen
CL Eric Gagne 10
RHSP Duaner Sanchez 0.4
LHSP Hong Chih Kuo 0.33
MR Yhency Brazoban 0.33
MR Jonathan Broxton 0.33
LOOGY Kelley Wunsch 0.55

total 11.94

I/R, money going out in trades
Cesar Izturis 3.1
Odalis Perez 4.5 send to other team for signing bonus

total 7.6

25 man roster TOTAL PAYROLL without benefits:91.05

and for the most imporant part of the team....

manager- Ron washington
bench coach- Torey Lovullo
pitching coach- Orel

(I see it too).

The DRays have started a new advertising campaign, essentially announcing they're "Under Construction." At least they're now trying to convince the fans they're trying, rather than just sitting around signing old vets to block their prospects

although they might be claimed, i am willinig to take that risk as fantasy GM.

They don't have a GM yet, and they're hiring a new manager. Kind of a strange way to start off the new regime.

cruz is an enigma, and id rather not take a chance on him. although he does have electric stuff. millwood is going to go back to sucking or being injured after his career year this year. hes too much a of a risk factor for me. his agent is boras and you know boras is going to be looking for a payday after his client just led the AL in era.

izturis- recovering from injury. then trade.
aybar- playing 3b then shifts to 2b in 2007 when kent retires.
perez- utility infielder.
guzman- lf/rf

Steve, even you have to admit that Crede has been pretty clutch though...let's see what he does now

Of course, Ozzie Guillen was in the first base umpire's face in about 3 seconds.

Of course, Ozzie Guillen was in the first base umpire's face in about 3 seconds.

And that is the first time I have ever seen Paul Byrd look pissed.

As for Joe Crede, anything that gives some poor schlub team a reason to give him money is an unmitigated good.

Scott Podsednik could not hit you with a taser gun. Breaking balls in the dirt are probably not necessary.

Neither did DePodesta after 2004, but for that, he's been compared to a heartless robot. My guess is Stoneman will get stones thrown at him if he doesn't trade some heart and soul to get hitting.

Pierzynski will get the chance to show off his attitude against the likes of Roger Clemens soon enough. He's 1 for 11 in his career against him.

Is Ozzie trying to win a bet? What is with the running his SPs into the ground?

forces management to trade him to the dodgers so he can drag the dodgers down with his unclutchiness?

K-Rod looks horrible. Mega-tremendo horrible. Does he not have a fastball?

I assume Freddy Garcia may have been a teammate of some of the Astros back in the minors.

Maybe Ozzie is resting his bullpen so that they will have sharper stuff during the WS? That's about the only reason I can think of...that and he can always use Duque for a spot start, or bring up McCarthy for some innings.

Actually, that doesn't count his last AB.

i think the consecutive complete games has more to do with the angles "hitting" approach than anything

That's 2 unclutch players for some scrappiness, some clutch, and a brother to a guy they like to play at 3B

And he was on the team then.

K-Rod -- 41 pitches, 18 strikes.

I don't feel bad, though. The best AL team is in the Series.

c- a.j. pierzynski
1b - darin esrstad
2b - alex cora
ss - neifi perez
3b - vinny castilla
lf - scott podsednick
cf - steve finley
rf - jason repko

utl - jose macias

But they won't be. Too bad.

214 - Odd too that those are 2 of the 5 largest cities in the country. Oh well.

Marquis couldn't field Biggio's bunt and Escobar couldn't ... couldn't .... do something.

Didn't find any reference to it in any earlier posts, but the Dodgers are set to interview Braves' hitting coach Terry Pendleton and possibly both Kirk Gibson and Orel Hershiser.

CF Scott Podsednik
1B Darin Erstad
LF Eric Byrnes
2B Craig Biggio
3B Derek Jeter (he's a good guy, he'll accept the move)
C Paul Lo Duca
SS David Eckstein
RF Jason Repko

Think off the possibilities, Podsednik bunts for a single, steals second. Erstad hits a ground ball to the left side, and Byrnes hits a sac fly.

It's now 1-0.

http://www.radioblogger.com/#001075

I think the 1988 Dodgers were big underdogs. So were the 1969 Mets. And the 1987 Twins. The 1990 Reds had relatively long odds I imagine.

i find it very funny, and perhaps telling that while there are dozens "scrappy" position players, you rarely hear about "scrappy" pitchers.

Pendleton is confirmed as a candidate, but Hershiser, Gibson, and Valentine are also possible.

Of course, Bud Black is available for interviews now.

When we wake up tomorrow, we'll know if Valentine will be available sooner or later. Valentine's team, the Chiba Lotte Marines is playing a decisive Game 5 in the Pacific League playoffs. Chiba won the first two and lead 4-0 in the 9th of Game 3, but lost that game 5-4 to Softbank (Fukuoka). Softbank then won game 4, 3-2.

The whole series is being played in Fukuoka. The winner takes on the Hanshin Tigers.

Coming back into the dugout in disguise after being ejected counts as innovative, doesn't it?

I forgot about that incident.

I like Valentine, but I would be very surprised if he ended up as the Dodger manager.

I know it probably wouldn't be the best thing, but I have to admit I'm hoping it's Hersheiser or Gibson.

There, that looks better.

I would strongly consider using Guzman as big time trade bait this offseason, to get a frontline starter (Oswalt?) or superstar bat (Dunn? ARod???). Should be interesting to see how the new Yankee GM attacks this offseason. Do they try to get younger and more talented, especially in the rotation and minor leagues (a scenario where ARod or Sheffield would most likely be trade bait)? Or will they just throw $50M at Burnett and try to trade Pavano?

Remains to be seen if Milton returns. I'm either way on it, assuming that one or two big bats come in to replace him. I'd be curious to see if Beane would give up Zito for Bradley, though that may be wishful thinking.

I'm all for getting and extending Zito, but why wouldn't the A's do that?

Extend Zito? It's the A's. I don't think Beane held onto Zito last year because he wanted to build his rotation around him, rather his value was so low it was more prudent to hold onto him.

Zito has regained his trade value and is about to become expensive. They have Cruz ready to step in. The rotation of Harden, Haren, Blanton, Cruz, Kennedy/Saarloos? doesn't need Zito at $9M per.

What the A's do need is some hitting. Milton for Zito makes sense for both teams, provided Beane is willing to put up with Bradley's baggage.

If the A's were going to have one pitcher they were going to pay some bucks (just like they have Chavez at 3B) it would definitely be Zito.

blue22 - if you could convince Beane to take Bradley for Zito, you'd probably have a GM job in the ML the next day.

Solid, durable, proven starter for surly, injury prone, center fielder? C'mon.

Pedro
Santana
Oswalt
Clemens
Halladay
Harden
Peavy
Sheets

Now pick out those that could conceivably be traded, if the team was knocked over by an offer.

I could see Tor parting with Halladay, but Oswalt is the one that jumps out. Pure unadulterated speculation though.

Ha!, that's what Beane wants you to believe. It was just last year/early this year that some people thought he was done.

Looking at his contract, I believe he has a $8.5M option for 2006. Again:

The rotation of Harden, Haren, Blanton, Cruz, Kennedy/Saarloos? doesn't need Zito at $9M per.

Remember, these are the A's we're talking about. If Beane gets Milton for 1/2 Zito's salary, that shores up the OF (Swisher, Kotsay, Bradley) plus gives him another $4-5M to spend elsewhere.

Obviously the roles are reversed now and Roy Oswalt isn't going to leave Houston unless he pulls a gun on Phil Garner. And even then, they might keep him around and just fire Garner.

After you're done looking at his 06 option, take a look at his injury history.

Okay, now that that's out of the way, I'm not trying to make you believe that the A's won't trade Zito, but I seriously doubt the A's would take a straight up trade for Bradley.

Bradley 05 VORP 23.7
Zito 05 VORP 41.8

You can guess that you'll get similar production out of Zito, but with Bradley's injury history, how can you even begin to guess? Fingers, knees, two swings to perfect, bottles, domestic violence...

So if its not Milton for Zito, that's fine. Maybe he tries to package him for prospects rather than a ML player, like Hudson and Mulder. My guess is Zito is gone one way or another.

05 Vorp, opp. OPS
Weaver 28.5, .740
Zito 41.8, .662

And to give some quick perspective, the NLW Champ Pads would've been in 3rd in the AL West.

Bradley - 23.7 VORP at next year's salary of, say, $4M

vs.

Zito - 41.8 VORP at next year's salary of $8.5M

brings those numbers closer together I think, unless VORP already takes salary into account (which it doesn't I don't think).

Not to mention the A's strength is in their pitching staff, and are dying for offense (just ask Steve).

This is the Tejada information using data from http://www.mlb4u.com/index.html
Miguel Tejada: 6-Year worth 72M- + 12M signing bonus: 4 million paid in 2004 and then 2M each year in 2005, 2006, 2010 and 2011- will make 3M in 2004, 9M in 2005, 10M in 2006, 12M in 2007, 13M in 2008 and 13M in 2009- + Bonuses he has received: 50K bonus for 2004 All-Star, received 100K bonus for Silver Slugger in 2004, 300K for 5th place in 2004 MVP voting, 50K for 2005 All-Star selection Agency: SFX (Fernando Cuza, Diego Bentz, Pat Rooney) Service Time: 7.033

I don't think I would go after Zito with anything more than a modest prospect package, and I certainly wouldn't extend him (for the same reason I'm against anything more than a one-year arbitration offer to Weaver).

The most likely pitcher on your list to be traded in the near future to me looks like Johan Santana. In 2006 Santana will make $8.75 million, then in 2007 he will make $13 million. I doubt that Twins could afford that, thats a fifth of their payroll, especially as they face Mauer's arbitration/extension. They would certainly be looking for young talent in exchange, but Santana is the type of pitcher that is worth almost any price in prospect talent. Santana sure would look good in a dodger blue.

Where am I?

Bradley has averaged 106 games the last 3 years. Zito has averaged 35 starts over 5 years.

I really can't see how these guys are even close to even worth to a team...

The Zito/Weaver comparison is based on committing a long term contract, and therefore blocking roster spots for our pitching prospects down the line, to a non-ace pitcher. Zito is not the type of pitcher I'm going to commit $9M per year for the next 4-5 years.

And if Beane can get another package of prospects like Barton/Haren/Calero for Zito, good for him.

You're right. Besides, we can save Bradley for when we aquire Johan.

Just trying to pass some time here. It's not like I'm trying to pass off Werth for ARod.

The Dodgers were giving up Orenduff, Delwyn Young, and Chuck Tiffany to get Zito.

Depending on your opinion of Cruz vs. Orenduff, I think I'd rather have Milton than Huff.

As for Milton in Boston- they don't take kindly to black folk

Significant contracts coming off the books for the A's this year:
Rincon - $2M
Durazo - $4.7M
Dotel - $4.75M
Payton - $1.25M

Maybe they can afford, maybe they can't.

I pray we don't go for the Byung-Hyum Kims of the world.

but in the NL, espescially the NL west, zito would average an era of around 3.5

has weaver ever done that?

weavers career numbers:
9.41h/9ip
1.02hr/9ip
2.46bb/9ip
6.03k/9ip
1.32 WHIP
4.44 era

zitos career numbers:
7.57h/9ip
.90hr/9ip
3.43bb/9ip
7.03k/9ip
1.22 WHIP
3.50 era

i seriously cant see how someone can say zito is just like weaver.

especially in dodger stadium. with zitos ability to supresse hits and dodger stadiums ability to suppress hits, i think he would do very well here.

I also have even less doubt that some GM, somehwere, will be willing to offer a lot more than Milton Bradley

If we were to trade OPerez (to potentially clear space to add someone like Zito), we'd likely have to send a good chunk of salary along with him, which in effect gets added to the salary of whatever pitcher we get to replace him.

As for Zito for Bradley, it's an interesting thought in terms of value and fit, but I do assume that there would be much better offers on the table.