Sounds exaggerated, but I actually agree. I find most baseball analysts (really, most analysts of any sport)
to be stupid, rash, irrational, etc. Now, you’ve told me that you believe nothing that you write, but even if I were to take that literally, at least you write it.

MW: The next thing I write will be true. The last thing I wrote was a lie. Thanks for the compliment, by the way, I’m not worthy.

MW: I think they can get any numbers of young shortstop prospects, from Milwaukee, Texas, Philly, Dodgers, if that’s what they want – more one of those teams will lose out on C.C. Sabathia and Erik Bedard.

Mike, about a month ago someone called in and said “are the Rays this good” and you said “no, not even close to this good” and went on to pretty much say they would finished last or close to last in the division. I do not want to get into semantics here, but it was one of my many examples as to why some people spew venom at you. If you are going to take a very hard line on several topics, then call people idiots, un-informed, silly etc. and then only realize that these very idiots were right and you were wrong you must expect some venom. This is why I say you dug the hole. You are a smart guy and I am certain you know that you have partially created this scenario, it just did not crop up out of thin air with no responsibility on your part. It makses things more entertaining anyway.

Yes, there are a lot of clowns that call in, but you need these clowns so that you can look smarter, I think you love when they call in so you can point out how dumb they are. There are also a lot a smart baseball fans, who can see issues with their team and especially GM when you did not and it seems can not. This team is simply horrid right now (outside the pitching of which Halladay and Mcgowan are pre JP days). Not too mention the young players coming up? Who do we have? I read the sports pages all the time and there seems to be no hype around the blue jays of “tomorrow”. You can name names and quote minor league stats, but fans, with eyes like me do not see much coming! Yikes! Someone save the Jays!

MW: You expect to open the newspaper and see stories about the “Blue Jays of Tomorrow”? I don’t know why you would. The fact that you haven’t heard of them doesn’t mean that they don’t exist. But that’s an excellent point you make, that the names of prospects and their minor-league numbers don’t matter to fans with eyes like you. You’re right, I did say that the Rays are not THIS good – because they’re not. That’s not the same as saying they’re not good.

And you had to poison such a Kodak moment with “we’re agreed”. It’s okay though, you work too hard on this thing, as others have mentioned. Keep up the good work it’s a pleasure to read. And for the record, we agree 99% of the time. It’s that 1% of yours that I don’t agree with that gets me commenting. You’re definitely one of the best baseball analysts on the continent.

MW: The continent? High praise, indeed.

“‘They’re offering Burnett to any team that needs pitching,’ said an American League general manager. ‘They’ve told us they’re not happy with either David Eckstein or John McDonald.’”

Hear you on the radio the other day saying that if the team is still in the same position after the next weeks that you think they should start trading guys away. My question is if that happens do you let JP do it or would that be the time to let him go? It is a terrible time to find a replacement but how can you let the guy that built this team be the one to tear it down/rebuild/retool?

As for the writers that spew the venom, when you are always right and anyone one who disagrees is wrong, what else do you expect. Just seems to me that if someone agrees with you, they are providing smart comments or questions, but those that disagree are mocked, not answered or inundated with stats that only support your view. I personally disagree with alot, not all, of things you say but I keep listening/writing. It would just be nice if you even considered the notion that you aren’t always right i.e. your constant support for JP, that hasn’t turned out so great.

MW: I don’t think I’m always right, but you’re not reading with an open mind if you think that what you said is true.

I thought it made sense as the fan base in Baltimore is taking a real hit this year as evidenced by the horrible attendances they have been having. So if management can show that they are still a 500 team then their would be more hope for next year. Sorta like the symbolic 500 level the Jays shoot for everyyear.

But yes you are right, it doesn’t make sense from a practical viewpoint of winning this year to make the deal.

Would you think Eckstein could be considered a Type B free agent ?

MW: I don’t know what the formulae are for measuring, but I’m assuming Eckstein would likely be a type A.

Andrew (and I presume he got this information from The Mockingbird blog) – the Elias uses the last 2 years of stats combined to come out with the rankings. That is why Mr. Hale was comparing his 2006 #s to 2008, because it stands to reason that if his 06-07 wasn’t good enough, than neither is his 07-08, because many of his 2008 #s are inferior to those from 2006. However, that assumption is rooted in 2 fallacies – first off, he didn’t pitch a full season in 2006, so if he does this year, the counting stats should help mitigate any peripheral regression. Secondly, none of this takes into account the rest of the league’s performance, which is vital, because Elias ranks the top (whatever it is) % relative to everybody else.

If he pitches a full season at his usual levels (slightly better than he has been thus far, but not much) he should qualify as a type A free agent.

MW: Wow. Ari, we’re agreed.

So JP is shopping Burnett for a shortstop, very good. There is not much available at the Major league level (no, we don’t want Ryan Theriot), but he may be able to add a guy that is almost ready from the minors.

The Rays are contending, and since they drafted Tim Beckham 1st overall, they might be willing to part with Reid Brignac, who should be ready be 2009. Brignac could easily provide 25 homers/year, with maybe a .260 average. Do you think the Rays would deal him?

Milwaukee might also make a great dance partner, as they have 4 guys i would love to see in a Jays uniform. Although the Brew crew may not deal LaPorta or Gallardo, they might deal Matt Gamel (3B) or Alcides Escobar (ss), and i’d take either one straight up for AJ in a heartbeat.

If AJ goes to Philly, i hope they get Adrian Cardenas. He is more of a 2B than a SS, but he looks very good. Maybe he could make the transition back to short, but either way i would prefer him over Jason Donald. Do you think the Jays could get any of these guys for AJ?

MW: It’s very possible, depending on how the Sabathia/Bedard sweepstakes go. Brignac is allegedly being brought to the majors to be showcased very soon.