Turnbow process accelerating; Pirates still in

HAHA, Dejan!!

I think it's very important to be able to laugh about yourself.  Good for you Dejan.

DK, how could you keep spreading those horrible rumors

DK

Asylum members have no fault insurance.  You are covered by those that are loyal to you. We know you are loyal to us.

DK,

Mistakes happen, you are human!

I, for one, completely understand and appreciate your effort.

DK, would you happen to know the other teams in the running?

You're just messing with us now, DK!

I want Santa to bring us Pujols for first base. Srsly.

Alright, I have a love/hate relationship with Google alerts, and I just got a slew of blog alerts that are based in Pittsburgh advocating trading Doumit.

I'm turning to alcohol, I swear.

DK………have you ever been a puppet master in the past?    ;-)

Didn't the Pirates sign him once to a minor league deal only to have him leave after spring training?

Good for you DK!

;-)

Given his past, Turnbow, if healthy would sure seem to offer a great deal more upside than many of the other players that have been rumored this winter.

But, if there are several other clubs, including large market clubs competing for his services, I don't know how likely it is the Bucs will come out on top.

But, at least give the Bucs credit for trying I suppose.

ATTENTION!!  ATTENTION!!

For Sale:  one (1) "BOOTSEY" painted T-shirt, with PIRATES on front

   Caution:  paint still wet!

Or, willing to purchase:

    Directions on how to transpose the name "BOOTSEY" into "TURNBOWEE" on same shirt

Plenty - You probably can't get YouTubes at work, can you? I got the perfect response for your thought of "turning to alcohol."

Suffice it to say, I'd get off the Google alerts before I hit the sauce ...

(Psst ... That lady's sure quaffin' down the egg nog over there!)

PoH <<Alright, I have a love/hate relationship with Google alerts, and I just got a slew of blog alerts that are based in Pittsburgh advocating trading Doumit.>>

That wouldn't happen the post that advocated trading him for Pujols, CC, A-Rod,.,.,.$1,000,000,000,... and their next ten 1st round picks in the draft.

I remember that post.

;-)

HOSTAGE - <But, at least give the Bucs credit for trying I suppose>

YOU SAID SOMETHING POSITIVE!!!!!!!!

POH, what is their basis for trading Doumit?  (I swear, I hear dynamite crackling somewhere....)

NH- yeah if big clubs are involved, PBC would maybe have to overpay, not a good thing, save those nickels.

@NH - "But, at least give the Bucs credit for trying ..."

Somebody, quick ... bring the smelling salts ... Baywatch just keeled over, right there under his keyboard ... hold on, he's trying to say something, What's that Bay?

" ... Hos...Hos ... Hostage.. he's ... he's ... giving the Bucs some credit!"

He's out again, guys ...

Thanks DK. I was just wondering who our competition might be. I know these rumors are so numerous and most are wrong, so I can understand you not wanting to take a guess. I guess we will find out when he signs.

Turnbow has not been good since 2005.  8 appearances last year.  Concern about his shoulder.

Not seeing the value here.

Stop the presses.....Dateline December 17, 2008.... a date that will live in.....@ 2:32 PM Hostage gives current PBC management credit.

;-)

21, in all honesty, I haven't seen the value in any of the proposed moves.

DK, just shows you that even the GREAT ONES make a mistake now and then, I remember being at a game at Forbes when Clemente got booed.  I think that year, he only hit .299.

Go figure, but this ain't Philadelphia

Re: NuHo-Positive,

Give him time, he will talk himself out of it!

Good to see DK has a sense of humor.  ;-)

And....I think there are a few bloggers that maybe receiving hate emails or posts shortly.   :-)

another fireballer with a sub-par arm?? no way? OUTSTANDING!!! i really dont take issue with this signing, if it does happen. its another low-rent high reward at the trading deadline.

NuttingHostage!

It is a day that will live in infamy! I thought it was all the drugs I took and I was reading it wrong! (legal drugs folks, don't get excited.)

Near as I can tell, Bizrow, the reasoning is he has value and catchers are needed by other teams.

I vividly remember the game post trading deadline where Ryan didn't return to his position behind the plate at about the 5th inning. Nothing was said on tv.

My husband said "uh oh."

I said "oh no. He didn't get hit did he? Did you see him get hit?"

Husband just shook his head.

As time went on, and Chavy came to catch and hit, I was all "someone say something! Give me a reason!"

Finally, I looked at husband and said "if he just got traded you better hope you like the city he got traded to because we're moving."

An inning later they said "flu like symptoms" were why he left.

Never in my LIFE had I been so grateful for someone else's intestinal discomfort.

Srsly.

Ok, so talking upside and DKs answer to the Q&A what about someone like Baldelli?  I know he has some health problems, but the latest thread I read on MLB rumors says they are finding whatever he has is much more treatable.

A former first rounder, 27-28, with good upside?  Theres a young JBay there maybe?

Good story POH

The posts keep coming and we go--here there and everywhere.  

DKs head must spinning with all the rumors floating around.

Alkl the Pirates can do is try--can't force someone to sign with you.  As I posted on the previous thread, looks like Furcal is going to the Braves or Dodgers for less money than the Giants and A' s offered him.

As for Hostage giving credit, no shock there.  Hostage is not Scrooge, saying Bah Humbug to everything.  :)

Irate, Baywatch, POH, and Iceman.....

What can I say, it is the holidays and I am in a giving mood.

;-)

Go ahead, pile it on I deserve it.

I hope and pray that the PBC can sign Bootsie and Turnblow in the same day.  Then I will know what the bottom truly feels like.

Yes, the PBC definitely doesn't want a pitcher that the rest of the world feels like his best days are behind them!! Look at when they picked up Jose Mesa off of the scrap heap...oh, no, that one turned out pretty good for them.

New best selling book coming out to a book store near you....

"The Boy Who Cried Bootcheck"

By Dejan Kovacevic

;-)

Duke

Oh come-on--do you really think signing them will make the team worse?  Turnbow in 2007 was not great but he was better than some of the players trotting out of the pen last year for the Pirates.  AS DK said, no one will sign him until they take a look at him in mid-January.

Maybe a future blog topic can be:

"When did you know the Pirates finally hit bottom?"

The scary answer might be "They haven't yet".

Unfortunately, when they finally hit bottom, most of us will still be here on the blog.

We need to figure out that date and make sure Nurse Cratchett is fully loaded with our meds.

We are lucky in a way, my sister works at Mayview and they are closing that place, letting all but most serious go out and live in the world.

I shudder to think what would happen if they let us all out there..

; }

Duke and Biz

Not even close to bottom yet--compare to 1952's 42-112 followed by 104 in 1953 and 101 in 1954

JAL thats sobering indeed

POH please pass that bottle this way, its a long way to 1960

NuHo,

I'm not piling on.  Just the other day when it was announced that the PBC were intrested in signing Wiggy at breakfast time you were in favor.

By lunch, you had done a 180 and were against the signing, which by the way I agree and was surprised you had liked the possibility to begin

JAL - I can't believe you brought up the "Rickey Dinks"

Irate

Sorry--just to show how bad it once was.:)

Way to put things in perspective JAL. As bad as things are we are better off than the early 50's. Imagine how our Hostage friend would have dealt with that bunch.

Out for bit--hope no more big news breaks

Catch some of you later

@NH - ""The Boy Who Cried Bootcheck"

I can't decide whether that would fit as one of those 1980s ABC After-School Specials, or 1950s Disney movie.

ok folks about rocco and his new diagnosis

has anybody researched this new diagnosis?

hey bay it is definitely not a disney movie it hink it would be more like a friday the 13th sequel

Rafael Furcal's agent said the shortstop was likely to decide Wednesday whether to sign with the Atlanta Braves or the Los Angeles Dodgers, but all signs appear to be pointing toward the Dodgers.

ESPN.com the man can't make his mind up

Iceman - "DK, Mistakes happen, you are human!"

Hey, you better watch it. Pretty soon you'll be forgiving Dave Littlefield for the "nah, I'll pass" on Matt Wieters...

Rocco Baldelli signing as a Pirate would be a Sparkle Season© miracle.

Alright. I've been busy and out of touch for a little bit. In fact, if it weren't for a heads-up from a friend on this Blog, I still wouldn't have realized that I was called out yesterday by Sir L, as well as our Fearless Leader, DK.

*Where was all this indignation when the subject of my post was insulting JAL, the day before?* (And he was even more derogatory towards Jason Michaels, but I guess it's okay to "crap" all over a person, as long as it's not a person actually here to defend himself.) I stood up for JAL at that time, and I'd do it again in a nanosecond.

Yesterday, on the Kyle Bloom Q&A thread, JAL had then raised a concern with which I wholeheartedly agreed with a post of my own. Lo and behold, guess who then shows up and starts to belittle my post? Albeit, it was without any direct insults, and under normal circumstances, it wouldn't have gotten under my skin. But there was context to that, and to my response, fellas. My response did not just happen in a vacuum.  

In case my friends of this forum have not yet noticed, I NEVER attack anyone out of the blue. I only become short with someone if they A) start dumping on players on our beloved team,  B) INSULT A FELLOW POSTER ON THIS FORUM, or C) do BOTH, as did object of my barb. I was in no mood to play any back and forth game on the thread, now that he was going after me.

Just keep us in line, DK

Cleveland Clinic diagnosed his condition as channelopathy, a non-progressive, highly treatable disease.  (Baldelli)

And yes, would be a sparkle season miracle, but don't we deserve something nice under the tree?

I don't know what it would cost but, its worth a shot.

Turnbull, that other guy, Wiggy cost wise would probably equal Rocco, NH, turn on the charm, someone to build around

DK -

If the Pirates would sign Turnbow and he made the team would be placed into a right handed set up role (that can close if Capps is hurt, tired, or traded) or does is that Yates role to lose?

DK,

Thank you. I'm the first to admit I have very thin skin. I try and mask it under humor. But you guys know me by now, warts and all.

Again, thanks.

Dejan, next your are going to tell us we signed Bernard Madoff :----)  

I am sure many of you other clever folks could make a more humorous blog run with this line of thinking! I am just glad I did not put my 2 cents in the previous blog about Bootcheck. To be honest I thought it was a fake name, and I was filled with ignorance on the subject!! LOL  Cheers to you pirates fans. David

JL

Happy to back you when I'm here too.  

Back to my cooking now.

WU - I don't know what DK will say, but seems as though we seriously overused Yates last year, one might think both could share the job.  But again, lets shoot higher.  Either that or blow them up and start over.

We need impact guys, people to build around, with the length of a deal we'd give "damaged goods", Turnbull IMO would just be a stopgap, a one year deal and if he got good, out of here.

JL, we're crazy, you have to remember who you are dealing with...

JL,

"I'm the first to admit I have very thin skin. I try and mask it under humor. But you guys know me by now, warts and all."

Don't look at me, I'm hideous.

;-)

Biz-

Ya but if Turnbow has a solid year perhaps that meant its Capps time to go?  I mean I think there would have to be a lot of things fall into place for Capps to go now like (team desperate for closer, turnbow cheap and solid, etc) but its always a possibility.  

Larry Z,

"Hey, you better watch it. Pretty soon you'll be forgiving Dave Littlefield for the "nah, I'll pass" on Matt Wieters..."

NO WIETERS FOR YOU!

NEXT!

Bullpens are a crap shoot from year to year.  It just does not make sense to spend high $'s on rp's (see Gagne, Linebrink, ect from 08).

What the Pirate's do in this area is smart.  Load up with as many as possible and a few will stick.  I see Turnbow as another, just like Kim was last year (of course he did not stick).

I have absolutely no problem with Bootcheck, Turnbow, etc. unless we start paying huge dollars for them, and that will not happen.

"ok folks about rocco and his new diagnosis

has anybody researched this new diagnosis?"

I watched part of the "House" mini marathon...does that count?  I was also pre-med (or pre-law?).  I can't see him signing (or wanting to sign) with the Pirates.

JAL, Biz, NH,

Thanks guys. Much appreciated.

Bon appétit, JAL!

WU - how long do we have the Capper for?  Memory escapes me at this age, but didn't we sign him for a we say what you get year and two Arb years?  So basically we control him for 3 more years, if we choose to do so.  He's home grown too, not too many like that.  I'd still like the PBC to shoot higher in the FA market, heck you can sign serviceable pitchers to minor league contracts, if you are lucky, but someone like Rocco, that would get me excited, a hard thing to do after so many years.  The last time I got excited with a PBC move was AdLaroche, hmmm, good and bad I guess.  If NH can sign Turnbull for 2 or more years at a reasonable price, well, I don't think either is possible.  One year contracts are good and bad, less risk, but less chance to keep the player if he pans out

I think we inmates have been good this year, we deserve more from the Claus man.

Capps was a two year deal.

JL.......it’s just like in the NFL and NHL, the second guy usually gets the penalty.

POH - Ok, we still have Cappers for three years?

Duke, well, at least with Rocco we'd be shooting for something, reasonable price, I would think, good upside, better rumors to talk about, at the least.  More of a chance of lightning in the bottle.  Again, I know its early, but we gotta do something different, we have spent years with Turnbulls and the Boot fellow, Vasquez is at least lefthanded which suits PNC, latest on Furcal, per ESPN is that Dodgers are in the lead, one less option to deal JW, sometimes the best trade is one you dont, don't remember who said that, the Marx brothers?

Ken,

Ha, ha! True enough. I was just thinking, "Now I know how Hines Ward felt."

Everyone, DK already let me out of the penalty box, so thanks, but now I'm just going to forget about yesterday's little kerfuffle.

JL - lol on the Hines Ward comment.

@bizrow:  Again, I know its early, but we gotta do something different.

Amen brother.

POH,

Cheers! And while JAL is away cooking dinner, I see you're ably filling his shoes as Asylum Fact-Checker.

Has anyone posted this story on Rocco and his illness? Just in case, here it is

mlb.mlb.com/.../article.jsp

Hey...I used to work at the Cleveland Clinic.  Do you think it would help if I exerted my vast influence to help sign Rocco??  (What a wonderful Christmas gift for him, by the way)!

Oh, wait.  That was 1978.  Never mind.

Thanks, JAL, just had snippets of that.

POH, just curious, have you hugged your hubby lately and told him he's a saint?

As asylum members, we need to remember to do that, otherwise we will have no one to zip up the back of our straight jackets when we flip out.

Bizrow

Most welcome

Bizrow - he gets it a lot - from others.

My mother tells him he could kick a nun and still get into heaven just for being married to me.

Plenty of Hope - Now THAT Plenty, is cute ... about kicking the nun, that is!

POH, I had one just like that, your mom is a wise woman and so are you.  

I don't think anyone can imagine how much I love this place, its hard to describe what PBC means to me, ah shoot its Christmas, now where is NH when I need him.

I take that back, respectfully, I think we all do

The girlies are ready for bed, one is my avatar, time to get on the couch and have her sit on my lap, sorry, not baseball related, but we all are, PBC rules, someday.

Night

Just a little addendum at the top: DK says Jen at the Pirates website is saying the Pirates may be interested in the reliever Ray King. Nationals DFA'd him last May but he refused their AAA assignment and, I don't guess, pitched the rest of the season.

Hasn't had an ERA under 4 since '05.

Furcal has reached preliminary agreement on a 3 year 33 million dollar contract with Dodgers according to reports.  No Jack to LA

Guess the Furcal post scared everyone away.

Hey, JAL!

I don't know why it would scare everyone away...it would ease the minds of those who want Jack to stay no matter what.

D-Mac

That it should--but now what are the losers in the Furcal sweepstakes going to do?

JAL and DMac,

"...but now.what are the losers in the Furcal sweepstakes going to do?"

Well, they're not allowed to have Jack. Cause I SAID SO!

Now, I do know that Baywatch has been offering his services, recently, for below league minimum. It's about time we broke the union's stranglehold on the game. And Bay is just the guy to do it!

New poster here but long time reader so don't pick on me too much.

I don't think the PBC should trade Wilson at all because they're not going to get a good deal for him.  Right now their best option has to have a fan favorite, not to mention a decent player, play shortstop this year.

John K

Welcome our asylum--usually livelier than this but most of the inmates have put in solitary for while because of misbehaving :)

Most us do not pick on others, we try to disagree nicely

Well, Oakland has a shortstop in Crosby...I don't know about Atlanta though.  

And thanks for joining in the discussion, John K!

Welcome JohnK!

JL

Did not realize you had such power.

Enjoy--Pirates and Yankees being treated equally by GM

www.examiner.com/x-572-Auto-Review-Examiner~y2008m12d16-General-Motors-calls-it-quits-with-Yankees-doesnt-renew-sponsorship-contract

POH & D-Mac

See that you got out of solitary :)

JAL  POH

Thank you for your words of welcome I look forward to being a contributing member of the asylum.

@JL - "Now, I do know that Baywatch has been offering his services, recently, for below league minimum. It's about time we broke the union's stranglehold on the game. And Bay is just the guy to do it!"

Here, here! Onliest problem with that is that I have a "no-play" clause, regarding those dirty-rotten Bravos, and there would simply be too much pressure to play in L.A. That's why they pay the guys big bucks over there.

I would've played for the Orioles if I'd have known they were going to make Izturis look like somebody!

(Oh. I failed to mention that - at 54 - I also have a clause that says every batter has to promise to hit it right at me ... I guess Izturis is safe for now!)

Hi, John K.

A hearty welcome, and BIG thank you for your thoughts on JW.

@JAL....Shh!  They don't know I'm out!  He he he

Dang, Baywatch. I was hopin' to see you make diving stops and awesome off-balance throws. Don't worry about your age, though. I once saw Tommy Lasorda throw batting practice with his shirt off. He was about 65 at the time, and looked like a little snowman out there on the mound.

@ JL

Thanks graciously accepted i'm glad you share my sentiments.

Looks like we'll keep him too because ESPN reports Furcal resigned with LA.

Welcome John K! Makes me think of the old lead singer for Steppenwolf ... name was John Kay.

From whence do ye broadcast/post?

John,

"Looks like we'll keep him too because ESPN reports Furcal resigned with LA."

Yes. Though as JAL mentioned, that might put Atlanta into the market for Jack. Anyway, one less suitor is definite plus.

JL

Bay is more like to stop in dives than dive for stops :)

@Baywatch

I herald from land known as Lancaster, PA otherwise known as Amish Country.

@JL

I don't think Atlanta was ever as interested in JW as LA was.

@JAL - "Bay is more like to stop in dives than dive for stops :)"

Ho! JAL! LOL! That was a good one ... actually, it's been a good while since I stopped in a dive ... though I have to deliver to them once in awhile ... specifally, the local VFW bar, a Do-Drop Inn and our own upscale young person hang, The Electric Cowboy!

Hello john k and welcome.

It’s been the PBC position that JW will only be traded if the return helps the team in the long run; they’re not going to just give him away, and they have stated that they were perfectly comfortable starting the season with Wilson at SS.

However, I think that some teams may be putting on their poker face when it comes to their actual interest in Wilson. They know that the Pirates are looking for rich returns in order to give up Jack.

There is a lot of time between now and spring training, and there’s still a lot of time left for teams to consider their lineup going forward and realize that they need a solid major league SS to put them in contention. They’re not trying to push him out the door, but if someone wants to overpay for him……….

johnK

Atlanta hasn't shown the interest in JW that LA did but they have expressed interest in some of our pitchers, particularly Maholm.

John K - Man I got family all around from whence you Dutch herald. I fell in love the first time over in New Holland ... she was just a first cousin-once removed! Her Dad was my grandmother's brother.

Her sister lives in Lancaster; one brother still in New Holland and another in Conestoga. The brother in Conestoga teaches at that construction school in Lancaster.

Great memories ... First time I saw a Phillies game, and an Orioles game was in my great-uncles living room! For a baseball-lovin'-15-year-old from NC in 1969, I thought that was tough stuff.

A couple years later I was visiting again, and uncle took me and some Mennonite friends of his to see a Phillies game at the old Vet. Jim Lonborg was on the hill that night.

Sorry. Been known to digress, john k.

John,

"I don't think Atlanta was ever as interested in JW as LA was."

I think you're right. Unfortunately, Neal Huntington seems 'very' interested in trading Jack.

JAL,

That was a good one!

Baywatch,

I have it on good authority that the Braves are willing to throw in a Subway $5 Footlong, if agree to wave your "No Braves" clause.

@ uglyken

Thanks for the welcome!

It just seems to me that the PBC is trying awfully hard to trade Jack.  It may just be the impression I'm getting.

@ JAL

True enough, but I don't know if that translates into interest for Jack as well.  I guess we'll find out in the next couple days.

Bay

I hoped you would that little wordplay :)

@ Baywatch

Specifically I live in Akron, but I am familiar with all the places you speak of.

JohnK

Yes, time will tell

If you have been reading then you may picked up that if some posts

"ants marching"  it means Dejan has posted a new story and we move on to the new one and start a new thread.

Bay--hope you LIKE it--getting late for me--left out like--at least it wasn't not :)

"...but they have expressed interest in some of our pitchers, particularly Maholm...."

But they're getting Baywatch, for crying out loud...

Remember Mark "The Bird" Fidrych, and how he used to talk to ball, or throw back balls he insisted had "hits in them?" Well I can just see ol' Bay out there at short, or on the mound, now. Fans will begin to notice that between pitches, Bay is taking puffs on an imaginary cigarette. He'll be snappin' his fingers and serenading runners on second with numbers like "Witchcraft", or "Something Stupid."

JAL - LOL, yes, historically - though we only have five months of that history here on the blog - you've been the NOT-leaver-outer-man!

John K - I know Akron, too ... up toward Reading a little, I'd guess, without checking my Yahoo Map???

I'm down here in East Texas. Moved here from Bedford, PA in 2000 ... that's where I picked up my love for the Pirates.

@ JAL

Thanks for the tip I may not have picked up on it.

@Entire Asylum

Thanks for all the welcomes.  I look forward to the next time I can chat with y'all.  Til then "GO BUCCOS!"

@JL - "Fans will begin to notice that between pitches, Bay is taking puffs on an imaginary cigarette. He'll be snappin' his fingers and serenading runners on second with numbers like "Witchcraft", or "Something Stupid."

Always a good time to change the paradigm, Maahi Ve, always ...

JohnK,

First of all welcome to the asylum...

Second, I must say, I hate driving through your city!  :-)

@ John k <<It just seems to me that the PBC is trying awfully hard to trade Jack. >>

Actually, I think that they are just trying to get a good deal for him. On the one hand, we don't have a very strong replacement for him, and on the other hand his age and contract/FA status are not exactly aligned with the chosen core of the future.

NH has sad that they don’t want to punt on 2009, if that’s true then they should probably keep him. If this year isn’t going to be pretty anyway, then it may pay off later to move him now.  

Time for me tp head off the evening.  Those left carry on. and have good night.

I think we just scared off John as the Asylum started taking one of its typical turns for the weird. Come back soon, John!

BTW, unless there's an Akron in PA, I believe he's from the one in Ohio, north of Canton.

Good night, JAL.

I've got some things around here I better tend to, myself. Maybe I'll check back later, if anyone is still up.

Ken,

You get my vote for "Avatar of the Day."

21sthebest,

"I think it's very important to be able to laugh about yourself.  Good for you Dejan."

Respectfully, I find your reply to Dejan disingenuous given the comments you posted on the Pirates website only 8 minutes earlier.

www.forums.mlb.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=19&nav=messages&webtag=ml-pirates&tid=51526

JL - No, he said he's from the Lancaster area, and Akron, PA is just north of Lancaster, heading toward Reading. I remember driving through Akron. That's a beautiful part of the world over there ... or was ... Development has pretty much taken over Lancaster now, from what I understand.

Maybe one of the reasons Ice doesn't like to drive through there ... I never much liked driving in Lancaster myself.

Baywatch,

Akron, PA  --FOUND IT (on MapQuest)! Learn sumpin' new each day!

Okay, I'm back to work...gotta hang some curtains.

Ah, Ray King.

The only thing noteworthy about him is the famed "Ray King Obituary."  

Wilma Eckert of Milstadt Ill. died two days after Ray King was traded by the Cardinals to the Rockies, and her obituary said, " that she made several quilts, enjoyed cooking and baking, was an avid Wednesday night bingo player at the VFW and was glad to see Ray King traded."

deadspin.com/.../shuffling-off-at-rest-satiated-with-ray-king-finally-gone-142734.php

@21sthebest, <<PBC Blog vs Pirates website>>

"I think it's very important to be able to laugh about yourself.  Good for you Dejan."

What's that all about?

OOPS!!

I was thinking Akron, Oh along with JL.

Johnk,

I'm sure your Akron is fine and is much easier to drive through...sorry!

@21sthebest, << reference Hostage's post @ 11:04 PM>>

Explain how you really feel on this blog please.

NuHo,

Re: 21sthebest

very interesting and good point...

uk, NuHo,

I am thinking he probably wont be online until tomorrow so we probably have to wait to confront him

MLB Network going live January 1st. It looks like the Pirates 'P' has a very nice spot.

mlb.mlb.com/.../article.jsp

Re: 21sthebest

Very interesting.

UK and Iceman,

I'm surprised 21sthebest has the nerve to post on Dejan's blog at all given his apparent disdain for Dejan's work and the Post Gazette overall.

Check out what else I stumbled across over there....

www.forums.mlb.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?sr=y&msg=38992.34&nav=messages&webtag=ml-pirates

www.forums.mlb.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?sr=y&msg=46500.8&nav=messages&webtag=ml-pirates

www.forums.mlb.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?sr=y&msg=46862.52&nav=messages&webtag=ml-pirates

NH,

You've got my interest piqued, but not one of your links is working for me, including the first one. Everyone else seems to know what you're talking about, though. Maybe it's just me. Anyway, if you could indulge me, por favor.

JL,

You can copy and past the links into your browser if you are interested.

DK,

Sorry, I found the situation odd. - I get the message and will drop it.

JL - copy the link and then paste it into your browsers address bar, then hit enter. That should take you to the link.

DK,

If you havent read all the links NuHo has posted yet I have to say it is pretty bad.

He has consistantly bad-mouthed you over the past year-plus...not just this one time.

I'm sorry but I am really distubed about this...

Pirates lead in the chase for Daniel Cabrera, according to BP, via mlbtraderumors;

the link: www.mlbtraderumors.com/.../daniel-cabrera.html

I understand Dejan,……all civil posts should be openly welcomed; regardless.

I think it's ok to hide behind ones avatar, but posters should be true to their words if they want to gain the respect of this community.

Irate,

Thanks, but I already tried that. It didn't work. The links, as I see them, seem to be cut off. Since I use Firefox, I think I'll try viewing the Blog page in IE Explorer. Let's see...no one's gonna dis DK on OUR watch!...

*disturbed....sounds better sorry

also,  sorry I wont continue with this subject except to say I find your reporting very good.

you are correct more often than not...

Hey, Irate! What's up, Buddy? Do the Steelers have the Titans at home on Sunday? I heard the chick on ESPN calling for another 9-6, or 6-3 game ... I got a feeling that Big Ben and boys are going to pull out of their offensive funk and lay it on the Titans ... Titans have shown a few chinks in their armor lately.

I'm going to say the Steelers with a 24-10 Dubba-You (W).

NH, I know you like the Baymeister's predictions (though I was wrong on what you had for breakfast the one morning!)

@john k

Welcome sir and grab a straight jacket.  You have a choice or white or white.  Style is of your choosing.

JL try these:

www.forums.mlb.com/.../forum.aspx

www.forums.mlb.com/.../forum.aspx

www.forums.mlb.com/.../forum.aspx

www.forums.mlb.com/.../forum.aspx

Iceman,

I hope you get your tube problem straightened out.

;-)

Baywatch,

"I'm going to say the Steelers with a 24-10 Dubba-You (W)."

I like how you think!

@Juan - "Pirates lead in the chase for Daniel Cabrera, according to BP, via mlbtraderumors."

Thanks for the heads-up, Juanny ... I'm just curious how much dough a Pirates deal with Cabrera would require ... minor-league contract vs. a major league deal. I guess I'd be surprised if they offer him $2 million, but that's what the backup infielder Vazquez will get.

And given the guy's potential ... I don't know if him and Vazquez are apples and oranges.

@Bay - The Steelers are at Tennessee this week. Their last home game for the season is Dec. 28 against the Browns. Looks like the Cowboys are going to get a very mad Ravens team on Saturday. I hope the Boys kick their butts

Bay,

I know I'm not irate and all but the game is in Tennessee Sunday afternoon.

NuHo,

<tube problem>  I'm sorry?  Please expand??

Irate,

Steelers have at least two more home games this year... :-)

DK - not sure you've seen them yet, but both Bucs Dugout and WHYGAVS have both come out with arguments against yours wrt the Bay trade QnA response today. If you (and others) have not seen the responses, both make for excellent reading for those on either side of the fence in this debate (you can find the link to each blog in the sidebar above)

@Irate, NH - Oops! I see their playing in Music City ... Gonna revise to Steelers 17 Titans 13.

Can you believe the Cowboys last game at Texas Stadium, vs. the hated Ravens (you just thought you hated the Cowboys, too ... watch it with the "yuks," Ice :-) is going to be broadcast only on that silly NFL Network?

It's about enough to make a recluse out of a guy, I tell you what!

Iceman,

"I'm sorry but I am really distubed about this..."

;-)

Poor attempt at a joke late at night.

@Iceman - <Steelers have at least two more home games this year... :-)>

I meant 1 regular season home game. The playoffs are a completely different animal.

@Ice - "I know I'm not irate and all ..."

Ice, buddy, you just jump on in any time you want ... You're free!

@irate - "I hope the Boys kick their butts."

Irate ... I'm just gonna start cryin' ... I don't know what to say! That was just real awesome of you to say that!

Bay - get T.O., Romo and the other boys together and give them a good pep talk for the game on Saturday night.

@NH - "Poor attempt at a joke late at night."

Hostage, you ARE the witty one, aren't you :-) ... I'm gonna cut and paste that into my Top 25 All-Time Post file, I tell you whut!

NuHo,

Gotcha...Not your fault.

I will get my tube problem fixed by morning!

:-)

Baywatch & Iceman,

I try.

;-)

Have a good night boys, see you tomorrow.

Irate,

I am basically debating Semantics, Both of us are right and I couldnt be happier!

Bay,

I just didnt want to just jump wildly into your conversation!

OK, I got the 'cut-n-past' to work on Explorer. And more on what I finally saw, in a second...

Irate,

Hey thanks, man! I feel guilty having you make that post with the links, just for me. Thanks a ton for the effort.

Now then, I'll try and be on my best behavior, having just been in a little dustup around here, myself. But I AT LEAST have to say that [21sthebest] is a duplicitous, back-stabbing phony, and just another one of these cowards out there with this need to tear down others in front of a crowd, just to prove their own worth. We need to flame this creeps A$$ at first sighting.

DK,

All I can say is, look at this little community you've created, and see how we cling --and will continue to cling-- to your every word.  All right, so you made a minor error last night. Your immediate mea culpa is far more than CNN or Dan Rather or any number of more famous journalistic sources ever provided when they erred on a far grander scale. Just keep checking messages posted count whenever you have any doubts about your reader base.

@irate - "get T.O., Romo and the other boys together and give them a good pep talk for the game on Saturday night."

Hey, these guys have gotta find it WAY down deep, with their history of tanking in December, not winning a playoff game in 12 years ... and facing the onslaught they're going to see from the Ravens.

I think the Giants sacked Romo at least four or five times ... This could be a big character builder!

The guy on ESPN today was saying he feels like the Steelers are the best team in the NFL now, with the Panthers a dark horse.

I'm in the latest time zone with the least amount of excuse to sleepy, and yet I have NO idea what all of you guys are now talking about...........

Go Steelers, I guess...

Bay,

I have to say I am also rooting for the 'boys again this weekend...I picked them again in my friends' poll AND most importantly...their playing the Ravens

...and I'll mention it over here, too: now I have a leak in the ceiling over my desk (sob)...

JL - <I'm in the latest time zone with the least amount of excuse to sleepy, and yet I have NO idea what all of you guys are now talking about...........>

It is the sleep deprivation conversation. It will make perfect sense in about 4 - 5 hours. lol

@ Bay -  The secret to beating the Ravens is to outlast them in the 1st quarter. If you can do that, you can beat them. It was the same as fighting Mike Tyson. If you could survive his early onslaught, you could beat him.

Irate,

"It is the sleep deprivation conversation. It will make perfect sense in about 4 - 5 hours. lol"

Me too ("lol")!! That was a good one!

JL  - I forgot that you are in Las Vegas. I guess you guys are getting some bad weather out there right now. The Weather Channel had something on about it.

All - Let's be careful not to let our deep respect for DK propel us into a witch hunt. There's a lot of wisdom in what DK said above, namely:

" ... anyone who wants to talk baseball is welcome to post here. Whether they like or respect me is immensely immaterial. The blog is about baseball, not me or any individual."

There are a lot of things I read that I don't like - and I'm having to learn constraint, too - but I think we have to keep in mind that everyone has a right to be here.

I guess, practically, what I'm trying to say is this: If 21sthebest wants to talk baseball here, then say bad things about DK over there, let's keep what's here right here, and not rake him over the coals about what he says elsewhere.

Hope that makes sense.

JL, sorry about your drippage. Bummer.

OK, guys, I'm all in. Have a good night. Catch you in the morn.

Ant's Marching

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www.youtube.com/watch

Good night Bay

I'm going to sleep also. It is 1 A.M. and I have to get up at 6:30 to get ready for classes.

Good night all.

ANTS MARCHING

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