Random Thoughts

Greetings,
Time for some of my random thoughts from the world of sports (I promise I will try to start posting with regularity. Not necessarily random thoughts, but just more regularity with posting)

* The Colts released Marvin Harrison yesterday. I think this is more of a cost cutting move, rather then a performance move. Even with Harrison's recent legal troubles (or legal acquisitions), Marvin is still perceived as one of the good guy's in the NFL. I think Harrison will have several pads in which he could land on. I consider Philadelphia, Minnesota, Jacksonville, Chicago amongst the good landing spots. But, there are a lot of teams that could use Marvin Harrison's skills, expertise and leadership.

* One of my biggest pet peeves in sports is getting ready to take place in the NBA. It really burns me to no end (and a lot of people would ask why for two reasons; 1) It's the NBA and 2) Why is Alvis getting so worked up over such a trivial matter) but not to the point where I lose sleep over it, or I have a bad day or anything. Anyways, after that diatribe, the New York Knickerbockers have reached buy out terms with Stephon Marbury. I hate the fact that the buy out couldn't take place in the preseason or the first four months of the season. It just looks bad, I hate the fact that a team buys out a guy and then the next day, he is bought out and go signs somewhere else. If you get bought out, you should have to sit 30 days before being able to play with another team. I am not necessarily harboring ill will to the Knicks and Celtics (which is where Marbury is going to sign) but this is the most recent example.

* A signing in Major League Baseball that probably went under the radar, but I think could be one of the steals of the Hot Stove season is Garret Anderson to the Braves. Anderson, is a 15 year veteran, has spent his entire career in Anaheim/Los Angeles with the Angels. Anderson, lowest batting average for a season in which he has played over 100 games, is .280. For some guys, their highest batting average for a season in which they have played over 100 games is .280. I think the Braves have a consistent option that they can stick in either corner outfield position, and I honestly think at this point in time, Anderson is a better signing then Griffey Jr (although, I don't think Griffey Jr. is a bad signing).

That's all that's bouncing around my brain for now.

Good day.

Randy Moller's Hockey Calls

Every now and again on the blog, I am just going to post links of places I think you should go to, to read, laugh, cry or be miserable. Check this out if you want to cry and laugh, because you may have tears from laughing.

I am not the biggest hockey fan in the world, but I was watching "First Take" this morning on ESPN 2, and Randy Moller (Voice of the Florida Panthers came on) with Dan LeBatard. Moller is definitely "unique" with his goal calls. Check them out

A-Rod or A-Roid or A-Something Else?

A-Rod, Say it Ain’t So.

Should we be surprised that any of our “baseball heroes” aren’t so heroic these days. The Home Run King Jerk, Barry Bonds, was in line to be passed by Alex Rodriguez down the road, as long as A-Rod could stay healthy (Remember it was Ken Griffey Jr. that was originally going to pass Hank Aaron, but Junior hasn’t been a picture of perfect health since about 1998). Today, it was reported by Sports Illustrated that Rodriguez had used steroids in 2003. Granted, that was before they became “illegal” in baseball, and before you would be ratted out for a failed test. Supposedly 104 people were on that list, and one name gets leaked: Alex Rodriguez. Let’s examine this point by point.

Where are the other 103 names? If in 2003 steroids were illegal by the laws of the land, then they should be illegal in baseball. If they weren’t, then you still have to think of the consequences. Is this something I should put in my body? Is this the form of a drug? Is this something that could get me in trouble down the road? If the answers to any of those questions are “NO”, then you shouldn’t do it. But, I think if A-Rod’s name is divulged, then I want to see the other 103 names as well. One person shouldn’t be putting in front of the firing squad for this.

Rodriguez lied. There is no argument on that one. Rodriguez was asked by Katie Couric on “60 Minutes’, (Check out this for more from Rodriguez's "60 Minutes" appearence.)

Couric: "For the record, have you ever used steroids, human growth hormone or any other performance-enhancing substance?"
Rodriguez: “No.”
Couric: "You never felt like, 'This guy's doing it, maybe I should look into this, too? He's getting better numbers, playing better ball,'"
Rodriguez: "I've never felt overmatched on the baseball field. I've always been a very strong, dominant position. And I felt that if I did my work as I've done since I was, you know, a rookie back in Seattle, I didn't have a problem competing at any level. So, no,"

Right there, the man lied, the public is much more forgiving if you are honest and forthcoming when you make a mistake. If Peter Edward Rose had admitted to the gambling immediately after he had done it, he would most likely be in the Hall of Fame today. Instead he waited more then 10 years to come clean. A-Rod has tarnished his reputation by being just another liar.

That Joe Torre book isn’t looking so bad right now. The least of A-Rod’s problems is the Joe Torre book, “The Yankee Years”. In there, Torre said Rodriguez was jealous of Jeter’s attention and was called A-Fraud by his teammates. Would you rather be known as A-Rod or A-Roid?

When the Yankees go on the road, A-Rod is going to see sings that say “A-Roid” among others, (I think if I was A-Rod, I’d almost rather see a sign that read “A-Hole”. Jeter, Posada and others are going to have to field these questions in spring training. It’s just another distraction for the Yankees (maybe people won’t notice now if Teixeira hits .230 in the first month or if Sabathia gives up 6 runs in an April start) and more importantly just another black eye for this great game.

Can someone find me Jose Canseco? I need a HONEST opinion on something, and right now he looks as honest as Abe Lincoln.

MLB Free Agents: Where they should land?

You would have to think the economy is playing a big factor, in the fact that about 29 free agents of note are still unsigned and we are less then two weeks away from pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training. Here's a look at some of the guys who are still on the market and where I think they should land.


Catchers
Ivan Rodriguez: Pudge is rapidly approaching the end of the line. Steroid speculation is going to hang over Rodriguez's head and his production has gone down like a shopper on the escalator at the mall.

Where I think he should land: Texas Rangers: Nobody is talking about them, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Pudge possibly have it end, where it all started. The Rangers have young catchers that are unproven and maybe Pudge can show them the way. I see a small deal for Pudge, 1 year in the neighborhood of 3-4 million.


2nd Basemen
Ray Durham: If Orlando Hudson is having a hard time finding a job, I can't imagine it's going to be any easier for Ray Durham. I think Durham's best shot may be to play the utility role and go to a young team as the mentor type.

Where I think he should land: Tampa Bay Rays: Rays have Pat Burrell, but after that not much in terms of a veteran presence. With that being said, I like Durham to be playing in Tampa.


Orlando Hudson: This one is kind of difficult, because I do think there are suitors for Hudson, just not at Hudson's desired price tag. I think Hudson and Adam Dunn are going to land in the same spot, and I give two choices as the best chances for that, Washington and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Where I think he should land: Washington Nationals: The Nationals need players to make the team interesting (granted Hudson can't pitch, which is what the Nationals need the most) but I like Hudson being a solid anchor to the Nats defense, as long as they want him. I think Hudson is a very underrated player and can help the Nats for quite a time. Also, I think it could help Hudson marketing wise, when the game is looking to promote it's players in the African American community.


Shortstops

Orlando Cabrera: Cabrera also has taken a tumble from the his past performance over the years. Oakland had talked about moving him to second base, however I think there is a place where he can play shortstop.

Where I think he should land: Chicago Cubs: I could easily see Cabrera, moving from the south side to the north side. I think Lou Pinella has a penchant for veterans over youngsters. If Cabrera goes to short, that would move Ryan Theriot to 2nd and Aaron Miles then becomes the super sub.

Third Basemen
Joe Crede: The thing that has hurt Crede more then anything has been injuries. Crede, like all these other guys is going to have to take a small 1 year deal, or an incentive laced deal, to prove themselves and hopefully gets a better deal next year (and hope the economy gets better also). Crede has had back struggles, could probably fill in at 1st and DH, as well as play 3rd.

Where I think he should land: St. Louis Cardinals: When Crede is healthy, he's good. Every season in which he has played 100 games or more, he has at least 19 home runs. His best season came in '06, when he hit .283 and smacked 30 home runs. I think he would help St. Louis, and maybe give Albert Pujols some protection. I mean, let's be honest, the Cards have a lot of unproven sticks in that lineup behind Big Al, so why not give Crede a shot.

Outfielders
Bobby Abreu: Once again, this is a line you can use for everyone, the economy is probably hurting these players. Abreu, is getting older but I still think he has some juice left. I think he can help a team and give them about the same thing he did last year, 20 HR's, 100 RBI's and 22 SB's. He also flirted with .300, batting .296. I think Abreu can help out around the same numbers. If I was the Yankees, I'd rather have him in right field then Johnny Damon, because Abreu has a better arm.

Where I think he should land: Detroit Tigers: Just load the line up a little more with power. Take Abreu and move him to left field. Then, take Carlos Guillen and move him to 2nd base. After you do that, trade Placido Polanco to a team that could use a super sub or a middle infielder, and in return the Tigers can get a relief pitcher, or another starter.

Moises Alou: Okay, first off supposedly Alou, has a pretty bad habit to make his hands tough. Plus, Alou also acted like a little 7 year old, when Steve Bartman reached over the wall a few years back during the Cubs NLCS with ehe Cardinals several years back. I think Alou is almost out of chances due to the fact of age and injuries. The AL might be the best choice for the Whizzinator.

Where I think he should land: Toronto Blue Jays: The Jays could use someone in left field and maybe someone to help out as a DH every now and again. Plus, Alou being a veteran presence may be able to help out Toronto with some leadership qualities (as long as nobody leans over the left field wall trying to catch a foul ball).

Garret Anderson: A good veteran presence, I like Anderson and think he can still be very helpful in the clubhouse and can provide some pop and more. I don't think Anderson is going to put up MVP numbers, but I don't think he will hurt you either. A good pick up for someone.

Where I think he should land: Los Angeles Angels: He should stay put. I think he is a better option in left field then Juan River, and I think he's a better option at Designated Hitter then Gary Matthews Jr. Anderson, has never hit less then .280 in a season during his career. The Angels should keep him, but they won't and it will be someone else's gain.

Adam Dunn: Probably overrated. It seems like it's either feast or famine with Dunn, as he often hits a homer or strikes out. (40 home runs, 160 strike outs. That comes to 204 home runs/strikeouts out of 517 at bats). To me, that's a lot of homers or strike outs. But, I mean if you are a team and you can get 40 home runs and 100 RBI's out of him, that's still pretty good.

Where I think he should land: Washington Nationals: After Ryan Zimmerman and Josh Willingham, the person with the most power at Nationals Park is the guy sitting in section 302, row AA, seat 6. If you don't read between the lines, that means the Nats need some pop. Adam Dunn brings that pop. Pay him the money, sign him, worry about some pitching later on.

More free agent projections to come later