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---NOT QUITE A MOP, NOT QUITE A PUPPET---
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ABOUT ME:
Home to a half Mexican who now lives in Silverdale, WA and who supports the Hawks, Sonics and Mariners along with the alma mater (WSU). I also post wacky links, pictures of insanely hot women and what have you (if you don't want to read my ramblings), so enjoy. FAVORITE LINKS My Place Of Biz Miss Eva MISTERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR ROSSER! Mr. T! He Don't Pity No Fool, Dig? Mr. Spaulding Mr. Gonzo Mr. Rampsberger Pop Life HEART PUNCH'D! Flux Blog Oh NO THEY DIN'T! Support Your Weed Carrier U.S.S. Mariner Sports And Bremertonians Kissing Suzy Kolber Superficial Cake And Ice Cream Oh, Word? Young, Black and Fabulous SuperSonic Soul! Sports Filter Nah Right FIRE JOE MORGAN! Football Outsiders College Football News All Music The Breaks
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Wednesday, July 30, 2003I AM A PROPHETFor those who are all eh about HHH - Goldberg at SummerSlam, think of it this way: What's the over/under that Bill ends Hunter's career, eh? Odds are good, eh? ;) "Triple H injured; unable to fly to Australia July 29, 2003 -- Triple H suffered a groin injury last night at RAW in Colorado Springs and will be unable to participate in WWE’s tour of Australia this weekend. The World Heavyweight Champion was diagnosed this afternoon with a severely strained groin. The injury occurred during a confrontation with Goldberg after the RAW cameras stopped rolling last night. It was originally thought that the Game had a torn groin. But after an MRI, X-ray and consultation with an orthopedic surgeon in Colorado Springs today, a severe strain was diagnosed." Wow. I AM good. All I know is that they pick up Rey Sanchez and it will be ON. Like NECKBONE. Wow. I am A MORON. To Triple H, Instant Karma and alladat. To Pat Gillick, PLEASE tell me you have more deals in the works. Sanchez is 35, he's injury prone (he's been hurt most of this year and he signed with the METS for God's sake!) -- but he's got a good glove and it might help out the offense since McLemore hasn't been much help behind the plate. But the jury is out, and I fear this may become Jose Offerman all over again. If we've got good pitchers in the minors (and with the sucess of Soriano and Putz among others, then we should be fine) then get rid of Garcia. Stop this bullshit and let's make it to the playoffs. Oh, and here are the other rumors from ESPN Insider. Thankfully we're among the teams listed for several players, but the top item should scare the shit out of you. Steinbrenner reportedly wants a big deal WHO INTERESTED Vladimir Guerrero,Expos Yankees THE SKINNY: Jul. 30 - Yankees owner George Steinbrenner has summoned GM Brian Cashman and the rest of his baseball executives to Tampa, Fla., to explain why the Yankees have lost out to the Red Sox on pitcher Scott Sauerbeck and Scott Williamson. But the Bergen Record also indicates The Boss wants Cashman to make a big deal to get the Yankees back on top in the front-office war. Could Vladimir Guerrero be that big deal? Chatter was building throughout the day Wednesday that the Yankees were going to make a play for the Expos outfielder before the deadline, and suggestions were they could nab him by offering up first baseman Nick Johnson and pitching prospect Brandon Claussen. The Reds reportedly asked for Claussen when the Yankees made a pitch for Williamson, but New York declined, and the Reds sent their closer to Boston instead. Guerrero is hitting .364 with three homers in six games since returning from an extended absence with a back injury. He would be an ideal fit in right field for the Yankees, who traded Raul Mondesi to Arizona on Tuesday. WHO INTERESTED J.D. Drew, Cardinals Marlins, Mariners, A's, Padres THE SKINNY Jul. 30 - The Cardinals are agonizing over the prospect of dealing Drew, reports ESPN.com's Jayson Stark. They don't want to give up on a guy they still think can be a star, but they absolutely must get pitching help to have a chance in the N.L. Central. Stark reports three of the rumored deals -- three-way with Florida and Pittsburgh for Jeff Suppan; three-way with Oakland and Toronto for Kelvim Escobar; or straight up with Seattle for Freddy Garcia -- are still cooking, but they're no more than lukewarm at the moment. Another wild one that flared up, according to Stark: At one point Wednesday, there was even talk about adding Boston to the Oakland-Toronto talk, with Escobar going to the Red Sox and Boston's Casey Fossum and another arm to the Cardinals. But that one appeared to be falling apart as fast as it came together. Other rumors suggest the Marlins and Cardinals could work a deal to send a starting pitcher and all-star second baseman Luis Castillo to St. Louis for Drew and second baseman Bo Hart. Drew also has been mentioned in a possible deal with the Padres (for Kevin Jarvis). WHO INTERESTED Jason Kendall, Pirates Padres THE SKINNY Jul. 30 - Talks between the Pirates and Padres continue, reports the San Diego Union-Tribune, but the clubs remain far apart on how to split the remaining $42 million on Kendall's contract. Pittsburgh reportedly is willing to eat up to $10 million of that sum, but the Padres indicate they need more relief. WHO INTERESTED Kris Benson, Pirates Braves, Red Sox THE SKINNY Jul. 30 - The Bergen Record notes that Boston still has interest in Benson, who was placed on the DL earlier this week and is seeking second opinions on his right shoulder. Benson was scheduled to meet with Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., on Wednesday and with Dr. Craig Morgan in Delaware on Thursday, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. It's unclear whether the Red Sox would have access to those medical reports in time to pull the trigger on a deal if they come back clean. But the Pirates still could try to pass Benson through waivers for a deal in August. His salary -- $4.3 million this year and $6.1 million in 2004 -- and health issues likely would prevent most teams from making a claim. WHO INTERESTED Sidney Ponson, Orioles Cardinals, Astros, Braves, Giants, Mariners, Red Sox THE SKINNY Jul. 30 - Having still not received a counter-proposal from Ponson to their offer of a contract extension, the Orioles are listening more intently to inquiries from other teams about the right-hander. The Baltimore Sun reports the team isn't calling other teams to shop Ponson, but they are taking seriously interest expressed by the Braves, Astros and Red Sox. However, Jayson Stark says one GM who has inquired about Ponson maintains the Orioles' asking price is way too high. We'd be "out of our minds" to say yes, the GM told Stark. Previously, the Baltimore Sun reported the Cardinals were willing to deal J.D. Drew for Ponson, but Wednesday's report suggested St. Louis was eyeing the Orioles' Pat Hentgen instead. The Washington Post adds San Francisco, Seattle and Boston to the list of teams interested in Ponson. WHO INTERESTED Kelvim Escobar, Blue Jays Cardinals, Giants, Red Sox THE SKINNY Jul. 30 - Escobar's name is showing up in more and more possible trades as the deadline approaches, and a number of scouts were in Toronto on Tuesday to see him pitch against the Devil Rays. However, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark indicates Escobar has been pitching so well the Blue Jays might be inclined to keep him unless someone bowls them over with an offer. The Cardinals and Giants were among those scouting the right-hander Tuesday, and reports indicate the potential three-way deal between the Cardinals, A's and Blue Jays is back on the table. The Newark Star-Ledger and Toronto Globe & Mail both report Oakland could acquire Escobar for Ted Lilly and pitching prospect Joe Blanton, then ship Escobar to St. Louis for J.D. Drew. The San Francisco Chronicle reports the Giants want Escobar, but the Jays' reportedly are interested in the Giants' Jesse Foppert in return, and the Giants are unlikely to part with him. The Newark paper also suggests the Yankees could get in on the Escobar chase in order to keep up with the Red Sox in the A.L. East's arms race. WHO INTERESTED Jeff Suppan, Pirates Phillies, Giants, Red Sox, Cardinals, Braves, Astros THE SKINNY Jul. 30 - Despite rumors the Cardinals are hot on Suppan's trail, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports the bidding for the Pirates right-hander is down to the Phillies, Giants and Red Sox. Pirates GM Dave Littlefield confirmed the team had spoken with the Phillies, but no formal offers were discussed. Boston, which acquired Scott Williamson on Tuesday, was thought to have dropped out of the chase for Suppan, but the Red Sox apparently are right in the middle of it. St. Louis reportedly is involved in discussions of a three-way deal with Pittsburgh and Florida to get Suppan. Houston also is looking for a starting pitcher, and Suppan is thought to be high on their list, as well. Atlanta was interested at one point but now appears focused on Sidney Ponson or Kelvim Escobar. WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Javier Vazquez, Expos Braves, Giants THE SKINNY Jul. 30 - It's believed that both the Giants and Braves have made runs at the 27-year-old Vazquez this week, reports ESPN.com's Jayson Stark. Both teams know they would have the pitcher for this year and next. But an executive of one club that has had conversations with the Expos says: "They're listening to anything, but with no intent to move guys like that. They're saying you can knock them over and get him. But it would have to be an exceptional offer. It would take three players (two of them reportedly advanced prospects). It wouldn't be a little rental cost -- not for that guy." The Giants and Braves aren't known for overpaying for anybody. The question is: Would they make an exception for a guy they both view as a top-of-the-rotation starter? WHO INTERESTED Aaron Boone, Reds Mariners, Dodgers THE SKINNY Jul. 30 - Boone reportedly has told the Reds he wants out of Cincinnati, and ESPN's Peter Gammons suggests Boone could wind up with the Dodgers. Publicly, though, the Reds are saying Boone is one of their untouchables, along with Adam Dunn and Austin Kearns. Nevertheless, Wednesday's Seattle Times reports the M's are so close to a deal for Boone that they've approached the third baseman's agent about signing Boone to a multi-year contract extension. "We're trying, but you never know," one club official told the Times. "Sometimes you put something out there you really think is a good offer, really a good offer, and it's turned down. We feel we're doing that." WHO INTERESTED Freddy Garcia, Mariners Cardinals, Giants, Red Sox THE SKINNY Jul. 30 - Seattle still is dangling Garcia and has received nibbles from Boston and San Francisco but hasn't been able to agree on compensation, reports the Seattle Times. The paper reports Boston offered Trot Nixon for Garcia, but Seattle needs a third baseman more than an outfielder and asked instead for Bill Mueller. The Red Sox declined. San Francisco reportedly lost interest when the Mariners wanted Pedro Feliz. Garcia's salary could slow the Cardinals' interest. There are a number of other, less-expensive pitchers St. Louis is eyeing. WHO INTERESTED Brian Giles, Pirates Padres, A's, Mariners THE SKINNY Jul. 30 - The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review indicates the blockbuster deal with the Padres still could happen this week, although not much has been said about it in recent days. For his part, Giles isn't much more than a bystander at this point, waiting while the teams try to work out details of Jason Kendall's contract as part of the deal. If the Padres trade falls through, though, reports Sunday indicate teams like the Mariners, A's and even the Dodgers are standing by to see if they might be able to snag Giles. WHO INTERESTED Rondell White, Padres Marlins, Royals, Mariners THE SKINNY Jul. 30 - ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports even White thought he'd be a Marlin by now, by Florida has backed off somewhat because of increased production from rookie Miguel Cabrera (12-for-29, .414 average, .793 slugging percentage in his last seven games) and the team's need for a relief pitcher. Moreover, the Marlins' reported pursuit of J.D. Drew and a reported unwillingness to take on all of White's salary have kept any deal for White on hold. If the Marlins back off entirely, Kansas City appears to be the most likely suitor for White. WHO INTERESTED Jeremi Gonzalez, Devil Rays Cardinals THE SKINNY Jul. 30 - The Toronto Globe & Mail reports the Cardinals were scouting Tampa's Gonzalez in his start Tuesday against the Blue Jays. The Devil Rays have said they're not looking to make a deal by Thursday's deadline but will listen to offers. However, the Cardinals might not have what Tampa is looking for. WHO INTERESTED Rafael Palmeiro, Rangers Twins, Mariners THE SKINNY Jul. 30 - ESPN.com's Jayson Stark suggests the Twins are a team to watch when it comes to Palmeiro, whom the Rangers have been shopping with little success so far. Palmeiro has a no-trade clause, but he might be willing to waive it to join a team with an opportunity to make some noise in a pennant race. Stark reports the Twins have dialed up their interest in a DH-type bat. They had been talking to Texas about Juan Gonzalez before he got hurt. Seattle also might have interest, but at the moment they don't have a spot for Palmeiro, with Edgar Martinez entrenched at DH and John Olerud at first base. WHO INTERESTED Livan Hernandez, Expos Astros, Cardinals, Red Sox, Braves THE SKINNY Jul. 30 - The Expos are trying hard to find a taker for Hernandez, but the $6.5 million option that kicks in after 73 more innings has scared a number of teams off, reports ESPN.com's Jayson Stark. The right-hander has a clause in his contract that guarantees him $6.5 million next season if he pitches 217 innings this season. He already has met the clause's other requirement, pitching a combined 650 innings between 2000 and 2003. MLB apparently doesn't want to be on the hook for that kind of guaranteed money next season and is looking to unload Hernandez soon. And as well as he's pitching, they'd like to move him now. The Astros, Cardinals, Red Sox and Braves have all expressed interest. Stark is also hearing that once they deal Hernandez, the Expos would turn around and try to make a second deal to get a veteran pitcher back. The name Stark has heard most is John Thomson of the Rangers. WHO INTERESTED Juan Gonzalez, Rangers Royals, A's?, Yankees? THE SKINNY Jul. 30 - Though it is increasingly unlikely the Rangers will convince Gonzalez to waive his no-trade clause and accept a trade before Thursday's deadline, he will remain available in August. The belief is his $12 million salary will deter teams from claiming him off waivers, meaning the Rangers have until Aug. 31 to deal him. The Kansas City Star reports the Royals remain interested and will keep trying to get him. WHO INTERESTED Jeff Weaver, Yankees Astros, Cardinals THE SKINNY Jul. 30 - The Bergen Record reports the Yankees have decided not to deal Weaver, who aside from a meltdown against Toronto has pitched well in July. Previous reports said the Yankees either were or were not shopping the right-hander. Recent reports have indicated Houston had been scouting Weaver recently, and the Cardinals also were thought to be interested. WHO INTERESTED Tony Batista, Orioles Mariners THE SKINNY Jul. 29 - The Mariners, desperately seeking a boost to their offense, reportedly are considering making a run at Baltimore's Batista to play third base. Earlier this month the Orioles were willing to eat the remainder of Batista's $6 million salary. Tuesday, the Seattle Times indicated he "supposedly can be had for prospects and/or picking up the remainder of his $6 million salary." WHO INTERESTED John Thomson, Rangers Cardinals, Expos, Reds, Giants, Expos THE SKINNY Jul. 29 - Interest in Thomson appears to be growing as the trade deadline approaches. The Seattle Times indicates the Cardinals, who have scouted Thomson twice this month, came away from Monday's game impressed with the Rangers' right-hander, who improved to 4-1 with a 4.02 ERA in his past six starts. However, the Times also suggests the Rangers would be looking for prospects in return, and the Cardinals don't have many of those to offer. That could bode well for the Expos, whom ESPN.com's Jayson Stark is hearing might make a play for Thomson after dealing Livan Hernandez, which they're trying to do by Thursday's deadline. Thomson, who makes $1.3 million this season, is eligible for free agency. Previously, scouts from the Reds, Giants and Expos were tracking Thomson, according to reports. WHO INTERESTED Pat Hentgen, Orioles Cardinals THE SKINNY Jul. 28 - The Cardinals are talking seriously about trading for Hentgen, who once won 15 games for Tony La Russa and Dave Duncan in 2000. The name heard most often by ESPN.com's Jayson Stark as going to Baltimore in exchange? Faded pitching prospect Jimmy Journell, currently 5-6 with a 4.15 ERA in 36 appearances (seven starts) for the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds. Journell was a combined 15-6 in the minors in 2001 but slipped to 5-7 in 2002 after offseason elbow surgery. WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Jeff Conine, Orioles Diamondbacks, Marlins THE SKINNY Jul. 28 - Three weeks ago, Conine was all but packed and headed to Florida as rumors of a swap with the Marlins were running rampant. Now, with the non-waiver deadline just days away, he's hearing talk of a trade to Arizona but really doesn't think anything will happen, reports the Baltimore Sun. "I've heard less and less as the deadline's come along," Conine told the Sun, "so I've pretty much forgotten about it. I don't think anything's going to happen. That's when it usually does -- out of the blue." WHO INTERESTED Reggie Sanders, Pirates Marlins, Others? THE SKINNY Jul. 27 - The South Florida Sun-Sentinel lists Sanders as another possibility for the Marlins, citing a source who said Sanders is "getting a strong look" from the Marlins. The paper suggests Sanders might be a better option than either Mondesi or White, because he is making only $1 million on a one-year deal. White is making $5 million this season. WHO INTERESTED Milton Bradley, Indians Padres THE SKINNY Jul. 27 - The Beaver County (Pa.) Times reports the Padres have talked to Cleveland about a deal for Bradley. However, the paper also quoted Padres GM Kevin Towers as saying he's in no hurry to make a trade. "We're not in the market to make any deals unless the right one comes along," Towers told the paper. WHO INTERESTED Bartolo Colon, White Sox Giants, Red Sox THE SKINNY Jul. 27 - With the White Sox back in the A.L. Central race, Sox GM Kenny Williams has said the team has no plans for any more deals. The Giants had been scouting Colon of late, but now it appears he's staying put. WHO INTERESTED Cory Lidle, Blue Jays Cardinals, Red Sox THE SKINNY Jul. 26 - Lidle is in the same boat as Kelvim Escobar -- Toronto GM J.P. Ricciardi wants to move him now rather than risk being stuck with a huge salary by an arbitrator for next season. Lidle is earning $5.35 million this season, and if he were to accept arbitration rather than try the free-agent market, the Jays would be on the hook for significantly more than that. The Cardinals and Red Sox have expressed the most interest in acquiring Lidle, but St. Louis is being very deliberate in its search for another starting pitcher, and it's unlikely Toronto would trade the pitcher to a division rival. WHO INTERESTED Sterling Hitchcock, Yankees Cardinals THE SKINNY Jul. 25 - The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports the Cardinals, who declined a Hitchcock-for-Steve Kline deal earlier this week, were still scouting the Yankees' lefthander Thursday. The paper indicates the Yankees are poised to make a move with Hitchcock, who has been on the trading block since the offseason. WHO INTERESTED Garrett Stephenson, Cardinals ?? THE SKINNY Jul. 25 - The Cardinals are open to moving Stephenson, even though he is relatively inexpensive at $800,000 plus incentives, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Stephenson recently voiced loud displeasure at being dumped from the starting rotation, and his relationship with manager Tony La Russa reportedly has reached the point where the team is willing to trade him despite its need for starting pitching. There were a bunch of names after this, but since there was no new news, screw 'em. It's too hot to fix it all. Still, Vlad to the Yankees. Yikes. I like the thought of Palmiero coming here, but Olerud can still hang defensively. Hopefully we will take charge and make some moves. Boone and Drew sound like sure bets. Work was boring as hell last night and I ended up leaving at 2. I couldn't get to sleep however since it's so damn hot. The weather reports have said it will cool down in the next several days, but we shall see. To Rob: Come back soon homie, so I can kick your ass in fantasy football and rub your face in the fact that Hasselbeck is YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR. ;) Oh, and if you haven't noticed, I changed the title. I may write a fiction piece about it, so stay tuned for developments on that. Until next time, KEEP ALL HANDS AND FEET INSIDE THE GOLF CART UNLESS YOU WOULD LIKE TO LOSE THEM. Peace.
etch-a-sketched by john at 6:16 PM
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