Junk

[DOUGHBOYS]

Remember, Stuff is facts, opinions are Junk.

And preparing for the first draft this week, I have a lot of junk.....



Miguel Cabrera was downgraded on some draft lists when he was arrested for drunk driving before the season.

Next spring, I'll be upgrading those players with the same offence if they can hit like Cabrera......Oh quit being so pc...

By the way, Cabrera is sobering up well, he's hitting over .400 during September



BJ Upton is like that hottie in high school. Her chest, the stolen bases. Her behind, the home runs. Then, she talks, and we see Upton's average.



Here is something to think about for next year-

Justin Verlander did not have one start this year with less than 100 pitches. And, trying to make lemonade out of lemons, Leyland had him throwing more pitches in his last start, than any other start in September.

Personally, I think pitchers are like horses and should be rode consistently (hoof beat count?), but for pitch count guys, this could signal red flags for next year.



Ian Kinsler needs one more stolen base to be the fourth 30-30 guy this year. (Kemp, Ellsbury, Braun)

With the other three hitting 70 points higher than Kinsler, Kinsler may look like the guy wearing shorts and t-shirt to a black tie affair.

But, this is the second time he's achieved this, something the other three cannot boast.

Don't think that it wasn't on Kinsler's mind. He has stolen four bases his last four games. Beyond that, Kinsler has finished strongly, he has a 10/7 hr/sb for September. Nobody has more homers over this last month.

If you have a base stealer with a number ending in eight or nine, play them, they love reaching the next even number ending with a zero.



Barry Zito for Alfonso Soriano. I know it's a contract trade. And it's like trading a wart for a mole, but each team could use the other player more than the player they have.



Everything I read about Colby Rasmus, reminds me of JD Drew...



If Bobby Cox were still at the helm, the Braves would be setting up their staff for the playoffs.



After getting a taste of streaming, I am happy I never entered WCOFB.

Yeah, I know, that'd be the least of my problems with WCOFB.



Streaming is like going to Wal-Mart and buying a shitload of inferior product, hoping and praying that that product will be close enough in productivity to what we can get at a higher end store.



I need some opinions-

Where do we rank Stephen Strasburg for next year?

His velocity isn't quite the same as last year's, but the stuff is still electric.

He'll be reigned in by the dreaded innings count (pitch count, innings count, I have more faith in Count Chocula) so he could be shut down next September.

Help me.



Speaking of Strasburg, I'm loving how the Nats are setting up for 2013. A full year of Strasburg and Zimmerman. Storen should be fully vested. Ryan Zimmerman, Morse, and Bryce Harper in the middle of that lineup with Ramos moving up, along with the talent of Esposito and Desmond....

I'll take the Nats future over the Royals....

Oh c'mon, did you think there'd be junk without a snipe at the Royals?



The signing of Lance Berkman is a signal to me that the Cardinals will not be signing Pujols.

A friend of mine and I have a bet as to where Albert will end up next year. I have the Yankees and Red Sox, he has the other 28 teams.



While it took CBS a half second to 'fix' a wardrobe malfunction of Janet Jackson, it has taken Mets Management three years to fix theirs at Citi.



Posey and Mauer ownerships both say that their guys will be mostly behind the plate next year.

The Indians say that Carlos Santana will play more first base.

Advantage Indians.



With Posada, Hafner, Guerrero, and Thome all on life support, and Ortiz not far away, have we seen the end of the Designated Hitter as we know it?

Both the Tigers and Rangers have used the dh as a 'flex' position. Not every team has a Michael Young or Victor Martinez, but these two can play at least two other positions while having a dh mindset as well.

The Angels have used the dh to rotate four outfielders.

Because of this trend, the Yankees or Red Sox should have no problem signing a guy like King Albert.



There is no speed left and he's hit home runs with the consistency of Charlie Sheen comments.

I am guessing that ARod drops to the third round in most drafts next year. Even then, he'll only be taken that high because of the meager choices at third base.

Kevin Youkilis will go higher. What we could get out of Youkilis is better then what we will get out of ARod.

AND, it wouldn't surprise me if Hosmer goes higher than both of them, even at a fuller position.



Joey Votto is ending the season just looking plain tired.

During September, he is hitting .247 with two homers and 26 strike outs.



Hosmer, Bonifacio, Trumbo, Morse, Beachy, Vogelsong, Collmenter, Worley, Walden, Madson, Santos, there was no shortage of great free agent pickups this year.



Voters of the MVP have a wonderful problem in the American League.

They can go with a pitcher who had a brilliant year and was instrumental in his team making the playoffs.

They can go with a numbers guys like Jose Bautista who did not figure into the playoffs.

They can go with Ellsbury, Gonzalez, Granderson, Cano, and Cabrera, numbers guys who did help their teams to playoff contention.

Or, they can go with Michael Young who lives the name of the award.

Fun vote.



If hitters start coming down with shoulder ailments, would Management put them on a swing count?

You know it's coming, maybe not in my lifetime (I'm on a day to day count), but it's coming.....



Just an addendum, my good friend, Russel (Naval Lint) sent me a note that the inventor of Doritos has passed away at the age of 97.

Having consumed his product more than most in the U.S., I too, expect to live till age 97, wherein I can tell my daughter, a registered nutritionist, that Doritos is the key to health, not tofu.

In honor of this great man, Doritos consumers will be eating Doritos till their bags are at half-mast.



[ September 26, 2011, 12:46 PM: Message edited by: DOUGHBOYS ]

[Winston's Empire]

Great "Junk" Dough!

Kinda weird, but I thought of you when I heard of the Dorito's guy death! I assume you will also have your family sprinkle some of these tasty snacks on your grave!

Verlander is going to be fine in my opinion because he is a pitcher, before he is a fireballer! He doesn't try to be Rob Dibble, unless he really needs it and nothing about his arm or elbow motion make him look like a trip to the DL.

Agree on Pujols not staying in St. Louis, but he isn't going to NYY or BOS. I think somebody like San Fran, Baltimore, or my Cubs are going to make the push. Be smart for anybody BUT the Cubs... They have more pressing needs!

Stratsburg is going to be a great pick if he is taken after the 5th round. His innings limit and risk of reinjury make him something I would stay clear of before that, unless it's a keeper league.

Posey and Mauer... WOW. In an early league like yours I will be interested to hear where they go. Posey wasn't having a great year before the injury, but Botchy did say he will behind the plate in 2012, making me think he will be ready to play. Maurer is just a question mark in general. He just can't stay healthy and his power is les than Ichiro's with none of the speed. If he gets moved to 1B, James Loney will compete with him in HR and RBI's and have more SB's... Just Saying! I love Joe Mauer as much as the next guy, but he is going to fall this year in most drafts as much as 3 - 5 Rounds to the 5th, 6th or 7th rounds in my opinion.

Look forward to seeing you on the boards as the off season nears!

[Money]

Dan,



Thanks for taking the time to do the "Junk" and " Stuff" articles throughout the year. They are truly the best reason to come to the boards. I agree with you on the streaming. It's a brutal way to participate after having not done it (ever) all year long. I'm the biggest "Tigers" fan around here and have to agree with your assessment on Verlander. Leyland is not my favorite.



Go Tigers!!!!