biggentleben

A friend and I were discussing this earlier this week. We were discussing what was required for the last time we could remember both parties working together, which was during Clinton's administration when the Republicans had the Contract With America. There was some drastic disgust with what Republicans had done in Clinton's first couple of years, which was very similar to what has been done in Obama's administration to block anything he has brought up. The difference is that we seem to be moving more toward those extremes rather than like in 1994 when we moved toward the middle to work together, regardless of party, to get things done that truly helped the entire nation.

This is where I really, really think Ryan will isolate the majority of his own political base. Even the most conservative Christian right-wingers see taking care of those who truly cannot take care of themselves as vital. Does Medicare/Medicaid need some major work? Absolutely. Are there people taking money from welfare/disability payments that could work and earn on their own? Rarely, but it happens. What many don't understand is that those programs are state-run programs with federal money. You want to bitch about the stereotypical FoxNews talking point of the Welfare mother on her iPhone? Bitch to your governor and state legislature for not doing a better screening job. You're pissed off about someone worth 6 figures+ being eligible for Medicaid? Talk to your state social services organization about their screening processes. Cutting federal money to these programs is like putting a band-aid on a chainsaw cut. The real issue needs to be getting these systems set up in a way that spends the federally provided funds on those who truly need it. I work every day with those who ABSOLUTELY need those funds to live their lives, and many of them would be screwed in Ryan's proposed system from his 'Sconnie days as they don't meet his standards of truly worthy of those who "deserve" our support.

Okay, this is driving me nuts: there = a place "Tommy ran over there." their = ownership "Tommy ran over their dog." they're = they are "Tommy ran over their dog over there. They're pissed at him." Thanks.

Well done, sir.

Um, some states allow 14 year-olds full driving licences. Not an argument on the point, just stating fact.

How about Ben Sheets?

Say what?! Wheeler? Dodgers? Huh?

Cristian Guzman was similar to Span, minus the OBP. Tremendously quick, but a horrid base stealer. He was a very good base runner, however, in fact, I'd say he's one of the best I've ever seen live at running bases. He didn't get the triples he did by accident.

I've been hearing $13M for most of the season, so that's not surprising to me at this point. I'd imagine a guy like Michael Bourn will get one regardless, but $12M to $13M isn't going to be a big enough jump for most teams to change their mind. If they'd give $12M, I'd assume they'd give $13M.

Houston has a much lesser MLB squad, but the prospects they acquired this year have drastically impacted their system. They have top end like Singleton, more predictable future MLB bench/replacement guys like Dominguez, and a ton of depth of guys who have very solid top ends if they can get even 1/2 to reach it. I think you might be surprised how many prospectors would rate the Astros above the Twins in systems now.

So, the reason Vizzy was moved is that he's basically a high-end reliever. The Cubs may give him a shot at starting again, but I've never been sure about Vizcaino as a starter. I had him in a dynasty league and cashed in big last year with no regrets. We'll see long-term, but I just don't see a third pitch or monstrous change in his delivery that would be necessary for a future starter.

I read it and took that you don't think anyone can understand minor leagues from doing research. Yes, if rankings is all you see, that's going to skew a lot of things, but Baseball America is only one piece in a very large instrument in successfully understanding the prospecting industry from the scouting to statistical analysis to "eye test" of interacting with a guy. Some measurable, some not. Your comment came off as very simplistic and assuming that all anyone was seeing was a ranking and not giving credit to those who actually have done research from multiple sources to understand the guys joining their favorite team.

He was out of pro baseball as of 2007. He played 2008 in Japan, 2010 in Mexico, and most of 2009, 2011, and part of 2012 in an independent league. Quite a journey for a guy to get back in the majors at 35.

That's just it, though. Referencing only Baseball America and criticizing their rankings is being very myopic and extreme in prospecting views. There are a wealth of highly respected prospect writers out there, and reading on all of them is vital, as is seeing some games in person. Milb.tv is a wonderful service, allowing you to pick a game or two to watch whenever you'd like. I've watched Hernandez pitch, and I don't have the same doom and gloom of Sickels' analysis, but I don't see anything that you'd want going every 5 days right now. He would make a solid LOOGY, but his fastball straightens out fast, so the second time through a lineup is when he gets teed off on. Kevin Goldstein said via Twitter that the Twins got good roster filler pieces but very little upside in the deal. That's what most are upset about is that Liriano should have netted something with upside, unless the organization feels it can compete in 2013 or 2014 and LOOGY guys and Rafael Belliard types are going to be of value. Taking one high-upside (and likely equally high-risk) prospect in a deal for Liriano would have fit more with the idea that the team is at least looking toward the future. Heck, look at the haul that the Astros have picked up. None of the guys they've acquired in their deals this year have been high-ceiling guys, but that's okay as they picked up a couple guys like that last season. Now they have the makings of a very solid infield and outfield in their minor leagues with a very high upside catcher as well, all acquired in the last 12 months, not to mention essentially an entire pitching staff. That rebuilding has been very well done, and I think Twins fans have some right to wonder why their pieces weren't spun into a future roster in a similar manner. Baseball America is a solid tool, but to base anything off of ranking numbers is completely ignorant of the process. Jim Callis of Baseball America has said it before that the reason you do lists isn't because you feel there's an actual pecking order. It's because it sells and appeals to the lowest common denominator of reader. His hope is always that people will read further into the scouting reports that accompany such lists to understand what BA truly felt about a guy, potential and limitations. Reading through the write ups done on Brandon Wood always indicated a high degree of risk based on his swing and miss tendencies, for instance, but the potential stardom was through the roof because of the raw power. Prospectors are always working to improve their craft as well, so criticizing a process from 1998 would not include most of those working in the industry now as the old guard has given way to a new brand of scout/stat/evaluation hybrid that is constantly seeking to improve predictability and accuracy of reports.

That is one of the most ignorant prospecting comments I've heard recently. Prospects can be drastically overrated, yes, but ripping on a system you clearly do not understand is not going to help any argument you make.

What will always get me about Pujols is that he still can get up and give you double-digit steals every single year. It is remarkable to me.

And the reported asking price has started with Julio Teheran in Atlanta, with Mike Olt in Texas, and Xander Bogaerts from the Red Sox, then they take Segura as the headliner. Seems like way too little.

The Brewers were seeking top-20 guys to headline a deal with other teams, but they take a guy who wasn't a top-50 guy. In the midseason top 120 that John Sickels did, Segura was #78, and Hellweg was an honorable mention. I figured at least three of Segura, Garrett Richards, CJ Cron, Kaleb Cowart, Hellweg, or Taylor Lindsay would be part of anything for Greinke from the Angels.

Not impressed by the haul at all

The best was when Shane Victorino did the same thing and no one told him because, well, nobody likes Shane Victorino other than Shane Victorino.

Hanley went from a passable defender whose bat overwhelmed his defensive deficiencies at SS to a horrid defensive 3B in two seasons while the bat has been pretty meh both of those years. Eovaldi in that new stadium could be a beast as it plays very well to his strengths. The Marlins are putting together their next pseudo-2003 rotation with guys like Jose Fernandez, Eovaldi, and Jacob Turner headlining a 2014-2015 rotation.

This reeks of Barry Zito. Pay monster money to a guy at his absolute peak with stuff that could become very hittable with just a minor downtick in velocity.

It's not the 2011 Phillies or anything, but James McDonald, Wandy Rodriguez, AJ Burnett, and Erik Bedard is a very formidable playoff rotation.

Braves have now pulled out of the Dempster deal, reporting the Cubs requested changing terms after agreeing to them. Could become a Zombie Trade still, but at this point, it's dead. Less than a week to the deadline!

Depends on who you talk to. Zach Lee has #1 upside if he ever puts it all together (not happened yet). Many reports out there see Delgado as a #2/#3, a guy with very good stuff that could be even a #1 with more confidence in his pitches.