26 to 6

I'd say FIP was invented around 2001 or 2002 as they began being used for the 2003 season (So I imagine around 01-02, could be earlier though). This is what I read at least, there could be a mistake. Or I could be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure.

Don't forget WIlson Betemit and Morgan Ensberg. Oh,and even still I'd take a retired Tino over Youk ANY DAY. Funny.

Alrighty. Just out of curiosity, where is this coming from? I haven't heard anything yet. I also havent been tuned in to any sports radio today, kinda busy.

Peace Bruney! Damn! So who gets the call, presumably Edwar. How's Patterson and Albaledejo been doing?

I'm not as stat savvy as you and there fore don't know how to calculate stats from a particular date to now, but let me take a shot here. First off, FIP's are an experimental stat, something you seem to be very drawn to as you're always throwing these unconventional stats mustered up by the likes of baseball prospectus out there for your analysis. I'll stay on more of the conventional side. ......actually, I give up haha. How about I rephrase that to "Joba has been the best SETUP man since ha came up last August 7th." There we go... Hat off

All I said is that I don't care. It doesnt matter whether they do or don't have candy in my eyes. Who the f*** cares, that's Joe's decision, I don't have an opinion either way.

You completely missed my point. I was asking if you watch him regularly on a consistent basis or only on a prime-time or big stage? My question had nothing to do with varying efforts.

After I release them both, Felipe Lopez and Luis Castillo both had big nights last night. Go figure!

Because he wasn't perfect that means he wasn't being aggressive? Are you kidding me? Have you ever watched Joba pitch routinely, outside of SUnday night baseball or Yankee/Red Sox games? If so, then you would know that Joba is arguably th most aggressive pitcher in baseball right now and goes right after EVERY hitter. ok, fair enough.

Look, I see all of your points, but I'm not going to get in an uproar because of a loss that got away from us in April. We took 2 of 3 from the White Sox, which is all you can ask. Yeah, he maybe shoulkd have walked him, the exact same things went throughmymind when Crede came to the plate, but I'm not gonna argue when a guy as dominant and explosive as Joba Chamberlain chooses to go after a guy. This is only his FIRST big league loss. Logically, you can't expect him to go his whole career without a loss, and now that he finally gets one people, not even Yankee fans, are going crazy over the managerial decisions. It's JOBA CHAMBERLAIN people! If Kyle Farnsworth or LaTroy Hawkins are on the mound, and he doesn't get walked I would go crazy, but that was not the case. We had the BEST reliever in the game since last August (You Sox fans can try to argue this, but to no avail. He has been simply the BEST) on the mound, and he wanted to go after him. So what. You win some, you lose some. With Joba you win more than you lose. Now we move on to Cleveland.

A) Not that it makes much difference, but his fastball was topping out at 95 last night B ) You can't throw a fastball EVERY SINGLE PITCH of an at-bat, are you kidding me?

Thats the sad part.It irritates the s*** out of me that since forever Sox fans get mroe enjoyment out of the Yankees losing than anything else. Rather than be frustrated by two straight losses you're gleaming over a Yankee loss last night. Now you're just being silly. Do you really expect me to get into this? Who cares. It has no effect on me, only the players. If they want candy they can get it themselves, they're not confined to the clubhouse 24/7, 365. It's a non-issue for me. If the manager wants to put rules in place for his players, why is it necessarily a bad thing and who am I to question it? Do I think it's a little ridiculous, yeah sure, but I'm not going to get in an uproar over it. So what, he had ice cream machines removed and doesn't allow candy. Who cares. If those things were proven help the players play better then yeah, you can get me to bite on the topic, but they don't, so WHO CARES!? Now you're just being petty.

I was a little annoyed that Phil didn't come back out, but I see it as more of an organizational thing as the organization has been very conservative with the young pitchers, especially Phil since he signed back in 2004. I can't get in an uproar that they didnt bring him out after 2 delayd totaling just under an hour. I think he could have done it though. All that means is that with the thin bullpen he may be available today or tomorrow for possibly a few innings in relief, which we could use. I had no problem pitching Joba pitching going out there for both the 8th and the 9th (totaling only 1.1 innings of work though). The game was in reach and on the line and in situations like that you go with your big gun. When Crede came up I was thinking that they could walk him, but he's a guy Joba can go right after and more times than not probably get out. Didn't work out last night unfortunately. But I can't complain too much. All of these are perfect second guess instances that could have gone either way. If Joba retires Crede and then Ramirez and we win the game in extras this isn't even a conversation. Sometimes a manager has to take chances. If they work out, great; you get a win. If not, you're going to be second guessed. I think he was on the ball though.

What about 2002 though? He started the year in Indianapolis. I dont recall for sure, but it may have been for rehab, but Idk. I guess I'm gonna have to dig up some information on it. I just don't recall things like a player being granted a 4th option year if his 3 have been used but he's seen less than 5 pro seasons. Thing like that aren't ringing a bell, so figured I would ask. Thanks JHB.

If you read the quoted section of the article it says he will continue his work with MLB.com

hahaha yeah man, get some lmao

http://www.bizofbaseball.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2131&Itemid=1 I always liked HR's analysis o Baseball Tonight, so it should be a welcome addition. I like Mazzilli, and hopefully his and HR's differing styles will contrast well.

Has the rules for a player's Minor League options changed at all recently? The reason I ask is because Ray King was optioned to AAA Columbus today by the Nats, but King has seen parts of 9 seasons in the bigs. I've always been pretty good with understanding transactions and the procedures and protocol behind them, but to my knowledge, players were only granted 3 option years. I had the same question after the Cubs optioned Mark Prior to, I believe Daytona (very well could have been AAA Iowa) early last season. Confused I looked to Cot's baseball contracts as they have a transaction glossary, and they explain the Options process as: This isn't exactly how I remember it as there looks to be a few minor differences; pretty much only in the "Counting Option Years" section. So I was wondering if anyone recalls any changes to the process in the latest CBA; or if anyone could tell me how King was "optioned" today, as this still doesn't clear that up for me. It would make sense except that King had his three options used; in '99, 2000, and 2002; and again saw time in the minors in 2007 with the Nats, but I dont recall for sure whether or not that was a rehab assignment. So again, if anyone can help I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

I know I've seen them before, but off the top of my head I can't think of them, nor can I find them. Does anyone know what the inning limits are for Joba, Phil, and IPK?

What's DBTH? lol

Here's the mlb.com link http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080424&content_id=2579786&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb When I initially heard it I was listening to the Michael Kay show and completely forgot to seek out a link. My apologies. So far today Thomas is 0-2 with 2 walks and 1 run scored.

Frank Thomas signs on to return to Oakland for the rest of the season. Salary undisclosed at this point.