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And he would have replaced a current union member. How hard will the fight be from the union when they would be in the business of ushering in replacements for current members?

Clarett's talent is irrelevant. Mike Williams was a sure-fire top-5 pick and, although he wasn't filing the suit, the decision would have made him draft eligible. Your point about the strength of the NFLPA relative to the league is valid, but I see this as a sticking point for MLB. I can see a long, drawn out, protracted legal battle over this issue, because, at heart, what would be up for decision, is the right of MLB to determine playing eligibility. And, we aren't talking about MLBPA members. The guys coming over from Japan are potential members, but they don't belong to the union until they sign a contract. How hard would the fight from MLBPA be for potential members? How hard would it be for people who will likely unseat current members? Tough to say.

Yep. Any word on an injury? I was flipping back as he came off the field and they made it sound like he was cramping up.

And MLB wants no part of that, as is evidenced by the creation of the posting system. They want a partnership with Japan, like the Yankees have with the Yomiuri Giants. They aren't going to sever these ties just to make Scott Boras happy.

Cutler's looking good in the 2nd half, especially when he throws to Scheffler.

SD looks like the total package right now. Great running game, good defense, Rivers makes good decisions with an accurate arm, and they play smart (few penalties/turnovers). Most balanced team I've seen this year.

This has to be one of the funniest things I've heard all year. Boras is going to challenge and end the posting system, opening the market for young Japanese stars to be free-agents? In what court of law? He might end the practice of MLB participating in the posting process, or at least get them to change it. But, he's not opening the Japanese market. What incentive does NPB have to end the current system? None. If the posting system ends, then they'll just go back to controlling players for 10 years before they lose them as FAs. Boras has no power and no court over here has any jurisdiction to force the NPB to do something that is clearly not in their interest. The fact that anyone thinks he can force this change is outright hilarious. People will believe anything when viewed as a fan.

Indy is getting the ball shoved down their throat by Jax. MJ-D and Taylor have combined for 246 yds and 3 TD in the 1st half.

That's where it's coming from? More brains in the little head? Not surprising.

Random variation. If he can continue to do that, then sure, discipline is a skill I'll attribute to him. Until he shows it consistently, not just one year, then I'll believe the trends the larger sample show.

Wimpy? I expect more from ya, Jacko. That's Gom level stuff right there. You respond vehemently about not trolling here, and for the most part I agree, but that lends credence to the notion. Besides, it's not even accurate, the guy would twist you into a pretzel. He's a freak.

Oh, I'm not going anywhere. I'm still awaiting my first intallment of "enlightenment".

Right. Maturing. Is that why his IsoD in AAA was .045 during the same year? Maturing? f***ing hilarious.

Stop being dense. I'm not taking the MiLB numbers. What I'm saying is the MiLB numbers constitute the greater sample size, so they are more reliable for statistical trends within a players stat line. The trends I'm refering too are IsoP and IsoD. These relate power and eye to the BA. Good SLG% and OBP% can be BA heavy and misleading. Melky, even when hitting .385, was rarely above .050 in IsoD. You said you love his patience, so I think you should cuddle with it a little, because, according to the larger sample size, it might not be sticking around.

You got it. They have guys who have the stuff to be good MLB RPs. If you don't see it, it's because you want to not see it. Delcarmen showed he can be a good MLB RP prior to his finger injury. Timlin was very good to start the year, but was never the same after he hit the DL with a sore arm. Tavarez has been both good and bad in the past. I'm not saying I'm confident with this 'pen going into the year, but you can't, like you are wont to do, say this 'pen will flat out suck with any certainty. I think a wild-card here might be Papelbon. I'm in favor of moving him to the rotation, but he's a huge asset in the BP. With all the money they've spent this offseason, it's perplexing that they didn't get a closer. It makes me wonder if they've rethought the Papelbon to the rotation idea. It wouldn't shock me if they acquired another starter, and if they do, I think it might be indicative of a change of plans. Either that, or they'll need to make a move with a trade.

It doesn't strike you as odd that a guy with a career IsoD of about .050 in the minors all of a sudden jumps to .080 in the majors? It would be one thing if it was a skill he demonstrated all through the minors, but that came out of nowhere. In one of our discussions about Pedroia, you said he's got no shot at a .360 OBP because he doesn't walk enough. I pointed out his .080 IsoD in the minors, and you said that goes down when you hit the bigs. Are you recanting that now, or is this another instance of double opinions (good for the Yanks, bad for the Sox) on a subject?

Maybe. This can't be said with any certainty right now. The yearly variance for even good BP arms is quite big. These type of guys fluctuate from good to bad years without warning. The quality of the Sox arms in the 'pen right now is good. What remains to be seen is if the results will be good. BJ Ryan is one of the better closers in the AL, and he rarely throws the ball over 92.

That's right, Gom. I'm a festering sore in a painful place that will serve as an eternal reminder of a mistake you made. The mistake of getting into a battle of the wits with me. Inconceivable!

[noparse]Bowden's luxury is being misrepresented here. His previous "owner" (MLB) didn't care too much about on field results. He's got a new owner, who is building a new stadium (anyone interested in progress pics PM me, I work for the company building it), and will take much more interest in how the team does on the field. When you are rebuilding a team you start with the rotation and lineup. Hanging on to a closer when the team has serious needs in these areas is working backwards. WMP fills a gaping hole and Hansen provides a potential replacement. Personally, I don't want to move both of those guys for Cordero. He's a bit overrated right now, IMO. He beats his FIP every year with a good strand rate, but I don't want to bank on that continuing, and he's starting to get hit. I think WMP is going to progress at the plate. He'll never have the eye or discipline to morph into a 1.000+ OPS hitter, but I think he'll develop into a capable replacement for Manny in LF. I still think Hansen can be better than Cordero. If that is a trade they make, it won't upset me to any degree, but anything more than that is a huge mistake.[/noparse]