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Bryant kicks a 62-yd FG to win at the end of regulation for the Bucs. Unbelievable.

Not so fast. Looks like compensation will still occur, but the system will be changed a little. Link

Kevin Youkilis should do two a days in the gym this offseason until he can develop the power to drive the ball out of the park more often. The average VORP for the top 30 1B (approximating the 30 starters) was ~30. Youk's was 18, putting him in 20th place. To my eyes, his game (speed, range, glove, eye) are what you expect from a masher, except he doesn't mash.

"Good triumphs over evil." Need I say more. Thank you, come again. Cards git'r done in game one. If they can steal a game with Weaver against the Roaster, they are in the driver's seat with Carpenter throwing game 3 at home. Has a team less than 4 games over .500 at the end of the regular season ever won it all before?

He's refering to the fans, not the team.

Don't bother. He thinks he's found a "funny" with his scratch-ticket line, and he's not going to be persuaded by what actually happened.

I was right. Totally ignored the fact that they got more than draft picks - scratch tickets to you.

You've been reminded of this before, so I suspect you'll ignore it once again and continue on with the untruth of, "...only draft picks in return". What they did was replace a type-A FA with a type-A FA, netting a sandwich pick. For those upset with the tone of the snippet, it was spot on. Boston, more so than any other team in recent years, did indeed take advantage of this loophole. It doesn't pain me to say that, in fact, they acted in a way that should give you confidence. They saw a way to take advantage of the system and they did. Unfortunately, the replacements they brought had limited production due to injuries.

That's a good question AZ. Most of the guys on that list have a lot more ceiling than Dustin, but like Scaff said, I think Pedroia is more of sure thing - at a lower peak potential - than a lot of them. Bird in hand, or two in the bush?

They can hire a young female masseuse proned to offering "Happy Endings" to keep them loose without wasting a roster spot.

Shocking.

I agree. Many people are only able to see what they want to be true. I'll admit, I'll crack on ARod about his failures as a Yankee, but's only because I'm happy with the result. And, I'll be critical of how he handles it. But, I won't confuse those things into thinking that he isn't a mega-talent.

Spread Category : Date & Time Favorite.................. Spread................ Underdog 10/22 1:00 ET San Diego .................. -5 ....................At Kansas City 10/22 1:00 ET Jacksonville ...............-9.5 ........................At Houston 10/22 1:00 ET New England .............-5.5 ..........................At Buffalo 10/22 1:00 ET Pittsburgh .................-1.5 ..........................At Atlanta 10/22 1:00 ET At Miami .....................-4 ..........................Green Bay 10/22 1:00 ET Philadelphia .................-5 ....................At Tampa Bay 10/22 1:00 ET At NY Jets .................-3.5 ..............................Detroit 10/22 1:00 ET At Cincinnati ................-3 ............................Carolina 10/22 4:05 ET Denver .....................-4.5 ......................At Cleveland 10/22 4:15 ET At Indianapolis ..........-9.5 .......................Washington 10/22 4:15 ET At Seattle .................-6.5 .........................Minnesota 10/22 4:15 ET Arizona .......................-3 ........................At Oakland Monday Night Football Point Spread 10/23 8:30 ET At Dallas ....................-3.5 .........................NY Giants Straight Category : Date & Time Favorite.............................................. Underdog 10/22 1:00 ET San Diego ...........................................At Kansas City 10/22 1:00 ET Jacksonville ..............................................At Houston 10/22 1:00 ET New England ..............................................At Buffalo 10/22 1:00 ET Pittsburgh ..................................................At Atlanta 10/22 1:00 ET At Miami ...................................................Green Bay 10/22 1:00 ET Philadelphia .........................................At Tampa Bay 10/22 1:00 ET At NY Jets ......................................................Detroit 10/22 1:00 ET At Cincinnati ................................................Carolina 10/22 4:05 ET Denver ..................................................At Cleveland 10/22 4:15 ET At Indianapolis ........................................Washington 10/22 4:15 ET At Seattle .................................................Minnesota 10/22 4:15 ET Arizona ...................................................At Oakland Monday Night Football Point Spread 10/23 8:30 ET At Dallas ...................................................NY Giants Total Points Scored on Monday Night Football .............. ____55_____

I've heard that about Tejada. It will be interesting to see what they do with him. Ultimately, it will be most likely decided by what he's better at, but what if he's really good at both? Some argue that you take the everyday player because, well, they play every day. That said, we see the value of pitching every postseason, and the teams with great everyday players and suspect pitching are playing golf in October.

They have room under the cap next year, so they could go that way to shore up the line. Although, I do agree, a good line is where you start. Besides, it's looking like a good year for WR in the draft, so there will be talent beyond the 1st round.

Depends on their slot. With Galloway aging Calvin Johnson might be too hard to pass up.

Yeah, one of my caveats for the Bucs this year should have been about the O-Line performing. Although, Joseph and Trueblood (sp?) look promising. Was the 2nd round pick in next year's draft?

No, you don't. But, you also don't get an All-Star replacement along with one of the game's top pitchers in a trade. That's all. You admit you are looking at this through the eyes of a Yankee fan - read bias here - and take issue with the fact that I call you out for it? I don't get it. Why take issue with that if you are only going to admit it later?

You said... You are defending your point as being reasonable, and if it is reasonable, it makes sense for both sides, so my request remains. Please explain how trading one of the best pitchers in the game and an All-Star caliber 3B for ARod makes sense for the Cubs. You probably can't or don't want to, and I wouldn't blame you because no line of argument would justify that trade for the Cubs. So, my labeling you as unreasonable due to being a fan looks like it sticks. Sorry if causes you some discomfort, but you know what they say about the truth. It hurts.

He was seen by Dr. Andrews pre-trade. That guy is the best in the business, and he cleared him to play. There were rumors about a bad doctor report floating around during the time of the trade, but they were never substantiated. In the end, that possibilty holds true for every pitcher. Worry about it when it happens, IMO.

Either that, or you could have visions of Papelbon's arm popping out of the socket in mid-August. It's documented that he has loose joints - runs in the family (check out his mom's posts at soxprospects.com - she goes by Noblepap) - and relieving is more stressful on the arm. They are doing this because they are concerned about his arm.

Don't pass the buck, but since you have I'll tell you what I think the market will bear. It won't be a top-flight pitcher from a team with money. You say you think that trade makes sense for both sides. Please explain how that makes sense for the Cubs. As you alluded to, two of their top arms struggle to stay healthy. Why does it make sense to trade a top-5 pitcher and their All-Star 3B for another position player? Sure, they get a great SS and a good compliment to D-Lee, but they create two huge holes, with one of them in the hardest position to find premier talent (SP). ARod will either net a 2/3 pitcher and young stud position player, or an MLB ready potential future ace and a replacement. He won't get you one of the games best pitchers and an All-Star replacement.