Lou_Siffer

I agree, Wilson's bat is just too bad. There is the possiblility that Wilson would make it through waivers, so this one's not dead yet I dont think. Although he's having a bad year with the glove as well, I'd like to see David Eckstein signed as a free agent. Another low strikeout, scrappy .300 hitter. Him and Polanco in the same lineup would give pitchers fits! You could even throw hit at leadoff, and move Granderson down to 3 maybe...since he's devoloping more and more into a prototypical 3rd hitter. Or you could just leave him at leadoff and finally have someone that can hit for average in Eck batting 9th.

Dombrowski offered Dallas Trahern for that AAA Rockies shorstop Clint Barmes that i mentioned earlier. Colorado declined it, which tells me Trahern's stock must not be nearly as high as we were led to believe. I mean, Barmes lost his job at the start of the year and was demoted...you'd think they would take Trahern for him, when on the surface it looks like overpayment by us.

Who would play SS though? Definitely not Perez if he even comes back, and i dont want Infante either unless Guillen is totally ineffective. Omar hasnt been the most defensively sound either when he plays there.

I just seen a report of Gagne possibly becoming closer, with Papelbon moving to set-up. Gagne may not have been able to block a trade to Boston anyways though, he had a limited no trade where he was only able to block a certain amount of teams...which he submitted on a list. Something to that effect... Something shouldve been done though, at the very least one of Pittsburgh's cheap bullpen arms. Not anybody good, but just someone better than Grilli! At first I wanted Jack Wilson just for the sake of doing something, but man i thought this guy was better than what he really is. His stats are really weak...not someone i'd want as starting SS next season. I was kinda hoping for that guy in Colorado's AAA Clint Barmes or whatever, theyve been talking about him in the paper the last couple weeks. Sounds like he wouldve made for a good backup at least.

Yep...Detroit's like a classier version of Philly! I didnt wanna bring up the toughness thing either because its been done and done so many times, but it goes without saying that i feel the same.

I believe those 2 would make a big difference if they were here. Im talking about superstars WITHIN Detroit though, it really doesnt matter outside in terms of selling tickets here. Darren McCarty was far from a star on a league-wide level, but in this town the guy was an icon....hell probably only second to Yzerman! Its those character type guys that people here take to. Now I sure as hell am not advocating bringing Mac back, but I could never imagine Datsyuk ever becoming even half as popular as McCarty used to be. Stardom like that means alot when it comes to getting people to attend games.

But wouldnt you agree that even under your scenario there would have to be a turnover phase, where the current youngsters/newer fans will get to the point they can attend more games regularly? In theory, i agree with what you're saying, I just dont believe however that the type of team thats being put out is one that would get it done.

I really felt like Ryan Smyth wouldve been a huge star here....he's cut from that same mold, one that all the fans would love. Too bad he didnt end up here. (no, im not knocking Holland here...just using Smyth as an example)

Although most wont agree, the prices and economy is only partially to blame. Alot of it has to do with the team as well as the product...at this point people just arent going flock to the arena to see guys like Zetterberg and Datsyuk like they would Yzerman, Shanny, and even someone like McCarty. These guys were superstars in this city and people felt like they could identify with them. Theres really not that star factor here anymore, ...and please dont go bringing up Datsyuk's points or some crap. Im not talking about star in terms of just being a high scorer, Im talking about star in terms of being beloved by the fans.

Whoops, didnt notice Moen! He's obviously a keeper, but again, thats not a break the bank re-signing. Hell i cant believe he's actually only making 925,00....what a bargain. A look at the rest of the guys i havent named: R Neidermayer May Parros Marchant O'Donnell Hnidy Huskins None of these are anything to sweat over in 2 years..

I dont really see the 09-10 thing being a big deal at all looking at the players we're talking about. McDonald, Beauchemin, and Pahlsson are the only key guys on the list that would need to be re-signed (assuming that Neidermayer is retired by then). Schneider will be off the books giving them the Beauchemin and Pahlsson money, and if Bert doesnt work out thats McDonald's. All the rest of those numerous FA's are just aging, grinding veterans that can easily be replaced. It sounds alot worse than it really is.

Sorry about the stupid part, poor choice of wording. But like myself and Kp said, Rodney was an integral part of the bullpen woes all season...so I just dont understand why his return supposedly improves things. Well, looks like everything's pinned on Zumaya returning and staying healthy now. Tigers do nothing. Not happy! At the very least, an improvement over Jason Grilli shouldve been made for crying out loud. Dombrowski is one hell of a GM, but i dont understand this one. Way too much hope on Joel...and no reserve infielder??

My point though is the guy has been horrible all season....what the hell kinda "acquisition" is that?!!! If Rodney was pitching well, and then fell off for a month and went on the DL...I could understand it. Like maybe he'd back to his earlier form...but im sorry, the guy has shown zippo all season long. Hey, maybe he makes a big turnaround...who knows, but i just think its stupid to view his return as some big deal.

I matched up game 4 vs game 5 of the Cup Finals because they were both the clinching games. And actually...game 1 of the NBA FInals was a 6.3, a shade higher than game 4 anyways. I still dont get though why you're trying to make a case as to why the NBA Finals were high....it was the LOWEST rated ever! The reason i even brought up the basketball ratings was to show that even though they had dropped down over 2 full points from a year ago...it was STILL 5 times higher than the NHL's.

On the contrary, the Spurs are actually a ratings killer because of their defensive non flash style of play and lack of star power. Also, the game's were poor. It sounds like you're trying to make a case of why the NBA ratings were higher, but in actuality, this was I believe the lowest rated NBA FInals ever.

It looks like Dotel is going to the Braves, who also just got Texiera, so scratch him off the list. The Nats asked for Cameron Maybin for friggin Jon Rauch...what a joke. I wouldnt even bother calling that team anymore.. I just keep laughing when I hear people claim that both Rodney and Zumaya are like deadline acquisitions when they return. Have they completely forgotten that Rodney sucked ass ALL SEASON?!

Last time i checked, game 4 of the NBA Finals got around a 6.2....compared to a 1.2 i believe for game 5 of the NHL Finals. While basketball was way down, thats still like 5x the hockey audience! Yep, you've got a strong point there! If that constitutes as an "illegitimate sport", what the hell does that make hockey.... which is what, the #6 sport these days? You dont like ESPN because they dropped hockey....thats fine and dandy, but trying to attack their other programming and arguing that hockey should be shown in its place is totally silly. Especially when that program is WAY more popular. From what the article says, it sounds like Versus will continue showing games, they would just have to give up the exclusivity right. ESPN showing 1 game every 2 weeks is still better than nothing, especially if Versus continues to show it. Where's the harm?

EXACTLY! The notion that ESPN was desperate for the NHL made Eklund's article look foolish. Now maybe this time, even when ESPN doesnt offer the NHL any money to show their games, Bettman will do the right thing and still take it.

Like what, the NBA playoffs? How dare they show something that more people watch!

If Lehman cant beat out Paris Lenon, he might as well hang 'em up!

Kenoy Kennedy i assume is still a starter.

Kitna im not even worried about....if the line gives him time he'll have a real strong year. You dont have to be a great QB to excel in the Martz system. But those corners, my god...i still cant believe this is what we're going with. I hope somebody decent gets cut so we can sign him.

I said its not hard for me to imagine...meaning its not necessarily my prediction, just that it is realistically possible imo.

Yeah...I mean, Smyth vs Holmstrom is not even a debate. It should only take half a second of thought to know that Smyth is without a doubt the better player. This is nothing at all against Homer, but its open and shut. Not a chance Kp! The salary thing i understand...but to say Holmstrom is straight up better????

Frank Sinatra...yes, im serious. Luck be a f'n lady!