Milton Bradley Prediction

I just want to make a prediction on July 15, 2008 at 2:16p.m., 4 hours and 45 minutes before the MLB All Star Game, that Milton Bradley will be the MVP.

What Makes America Great

Are men like Dr. Michael Ellis Debakey.  His life was beyond anything someone could dream up.  His influence in the modern world cannot be measured, but if you could it would be in the thousands and tens of thousands and hundreds of thousands of lives he has helped save and extend.  He died on Friday July 11 in Houston of natural causes.

He was born in 1908 to Lebanese immigrants Raheehja Debakey and Shaker Morris in Lake Charles, Louisiana.  And as President Bush said at Dr. Debakey’s Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony in April of this year,

“In the year that Michael DeBakey was born, Theodore Roosevelt sat in the White House, Henry Ford produced the first Model T automobile, and the average American’s life expectancy was a little more than 51 years. That last point is worth noting, because the number today is nearly 78 years. Our lifetimes have been extended by more than 50 percent within the course of a century, and the man we’re honoring today is part of the reason why.”

I had the privlege to watch that ceremony and at the time I had never heard of Dr. Debakey, but I watched the House and Senate leaders along with President Bush roll off the impressive and noble resume of this Doctor.  They spoke of his impressive accomplishments and his humble beginnings.  Two very good and amazing stories.

Every Sunday, as the Speaker noted, Michael’s parents and siblings would load the family car with clothes and food for children who lived in an orphanage on the outskirts of town. One weekend, the donations included one of his favorite ball caps. When Michael complained, his mother simply told him, “You have a lot of caps. Those children have none.” It was a lesson that he never forgot.

And

The other gift that Dr. DeBakey’s parents gave him was a love of learning. In fact, young Michael’s mother and father required their children to check a book out of the library every week. One week, Michael returned home frustrated and he told his father that he had found a fascinating book, but that the librarians refused to lend it to him. The book was actually part of a series — called the Encyclopedia Britannica. (Laughter.) And when his father bought the set for him, Michael read every word of every article in every volume.

As I watched the Doctor sit patiently in his wheelchair, 99 years old, I wondered what state he was in.  Would he be able to talk?  What was he physically able to do?  When they gave him the mic I figured out why those stories were amazing.  Apparently at 99 years old it becomes hard to hear, because he repeated those exact same stories.  Those were the lessons he had actually learned as a child, lessons that had stuck with him for 99 years.

And it brought home the poignant illustration that two immigrant parents who raised their children with two tangible principals have affected so many lives for the positive.  You just have to read any article that covers his life to find evidence these are the principals he lived by - learning; and loving others.  This article runs down his extraordinary life and is worth the read.

Elton Brand and Baron Davis Opt Out

It’s very surprising considering Elton was set to make 16.44 million and Baron 17.18.  The story, I guess, is they want to play together.  Elton Brand is going to take less money from the Clippers and Baron Davis is going to also sign with the Clippers.  This would make the Clippers a more formidable team, but not a championship contender in the west.

Now, my hope for the Mavs is somehow they can get their hands on Tayshaun Prince, since Detroit wants to make major changes in personal after losing in the Eastern Conference Finals and firing their coach.

Genus

Jon Daniels is brilliant.  Genus.  Or is it Ghengus.  Guinnesses.  Genesis.  Ya he’s that.  He has developed one of the great farm systems in all of the Minor Leagues.  Congratulations.  The Good Guys over at Baseball Time in Arlington have made a list in dedication to his brilliance.  Luminous.  Genus.  Guinnesses.  Ya that.

Well I being. . . . Well I I being . . . . Well I being whoever. . . whoever the heck dang dash dog I am.  I decided to make my own little list, in honor of my good pal and drinking partner Jon Daniels.

It’s a list of Jon Daniels little reign in Arlington minus all his trades.  Did you hear me right?  I said it’s a list of Jon Daniels professional pursuit here in Arlington minus all his genesis little trades, genus trades.  In the list I include players he has signed as free agents (example Vincente Padilla, who although traded for became a free agent and signed with us).  I also disinclude all those Jon Daniels traded yet they became free agents and signed elsewhere (this group would include the Alfonso Sorianos and Francisco Corderos).  Let us begin.

1.  Ian Kinsler 2B - not drafted by JD
2.  Micheal Young SS - not traded for by JD
3.  Adrian Gonzalez LF - not traded for by JD
4.  Mark Teixeira 1B - not drafted by JD
5.  MIlton Bradley RF - signed as free agent by JD
6.  Hank Blaylock 3B - not drafted by JD
7.  Frank Catalanotto DH - signed as free agent by JD
8.  Brandon Boggs CF - not drafted by JD
9.  Gerald Laird C - not traded for by JD

Kevin Millwood - signed as free agent by JD
Vincente Padilla - signed as free agent by JD
Chris Young - not traded for by JD 4 -4 with a 4.50 era this year (been injured) rest of years traded away 20 -13 with era under 3.4
Edinson Volquez - not signed as free agent by JD 10 - 2 with a 1.71 era 95 innings 110 strikeouts
John Danks - not drafted by JD 4 - 4 with a 2.80 era in 86.2 innings

Josh Rupe - not traded for by JD
Joaquin Benoit - not signed as free agent by JD
C.J. Wilson - not drafted by JD
Frankie Francisco - not traded for by JD
Nick Masset - not drafted by JD 0 - 0 with a 3.41 era in 31.2 innings with 27 strikeouts
Jamie Wright - signed as free agent by JD
Eddie Guardado - signed as free agent by JD

I don’t know about you guys, but I don’t see a lack of talent on this team.  And to be honest I really like the starting rotation.  Plus you get the benefit of still having guys like Eric Hurley, Chris Davis, Taylor Teagarden and Kasey Kiker in the minor leagues.  So although Jon Daniels is a gangus, I think I could do without all his gangusesses of trades. Genus.  Genesis.  Guinness. That, Ya maybe he’s that.

Goodbye .500, Hello Common Sense

Jarrod Saltalamacchia represents a turning point for the organization that derives its name from those more honorable lawmen.  It is in him and in him uniquely that the Ranger organization can peer into its profound and basic incompetency.  Its magazinish like dedication to the existing trend.

Why is Jarrod unusually gifted for this delineation?  Well it all begins with a trivial aspect of player development, evaluation.  If you want to be more specific individual player evaluation.  A comprehensive intake and assessment where you reasonably project the completion of that player’s mutational process.  Jarrod’s pedigree suggests he is more than capable to be one of, if not the best offensive catcher in the game.  Projecting and displaying the somehow disappearing emblem that represented the last 15 years, Power.  Not only that when fully developed he stands to be average to solid defensively, though his current defense is below this.  Armed with a bit of athleticism, a strong arm and a positive attitude he looks to have three factors that warrant reasonable optimism his defense will improve with consistent play.

But the simple actuality he exhibits faults presently in his game has kept the Rangers from allowing his project-ability to earn him a starting spot in the Ranger’s lineup.  Allowing Gerald Laird, the 28 year old catcher who last year did not live up to General Washington’s game calling expectations, and most certainly not any offensive expectations (.224, .278, .349 in 407 ABs), to this year play 21 more games with the major league club than the 22 year old prospect.

Now if this all goes back to player evaluation it can be said that Gerald has never and will never project to be close to the kind of player with the type of value Jarrod could provide for this ball club. He has never been his organizations top prospect.  He has never been considered one of the top 40 prospects in all of baseball.  He has never been traded for with one of the best players in all of baseball. His career line of .257, .308, .387 in 1150 Plate Appearances certainly suggests his project-ability was correct - above average throwing out runners, average to below at the plate.  Yet because at the age of 28 he is more developed than a twenty two year old - he is placed out alongside and ahead of real talent.

Mediocrity standing in the way of potential greatness.  The fallacy the Ranger’s organization holds fast to - that somehow greatness grows on the bench and even a more prevalent thought in the Ranger’s organization - somehow dependability, progress and production grow out of being juggled from one place to the next, one role to the next, based on the most short sampled results.  The Rangers aren’t long term investors, they’re day traders.  But maybe the Laird injury and Saltalamacchia opportunity will turn this ship around.  Optimism I know but when the Rangers say goodbye to Gerald Laird, goodbye to .500 and mediocrity, maybe, just maybe they will say goodbye to the obvious idiocy of their thought patterns and hello to common sense.  Naaa, but it was worth a try.

 

Terrell Owens To Sign Extension

The 34 year old Terrell Owens now has a chance to retire a Cowboy.  The Three Year Extension is going to be in the neighborhood of the extension Randy Moss signed, somewhere in the 9 million a year category.  No word if the contract is constructed in one year increments like his last contract.  The signing probably makes sense, but I would rather have a less talented team than have Terrell Owens on my team.

Shawn Marion And The 2009 Free Agent Class

The Dallas Mavericks have had two consecutive first round losses, a fired coach, and their starting small forward admit to enjoying an illegal drug (every now and again) during the off-season.  They have had a mid-season trade seemingly backfire on them and face the reality of having lost the “one of the best in the west” title this year.  So I thought I’d take a look at the different directions this team could go in the off-season.  If this team is going to make a trade and semi-dramatically change their overall team look, then only one option really jumps out at me - The Shawn Marion Scenario.

I’m sure Donnie is making the calls and might have a couple better options than this one, but I’m not privy to what other teams are asking for or willing to give up.  But the Shawn Marion Trade is a trade that makes some sense for both teams.  Miami gets a Shawn Marion type player for more years.  Dallas gets a better player than Josh Howard and salary cap space at the end of this year.

There are two places to check and see if your brilliant tade can actually take place under the convoluted nba rules:  place one, and place two.  And if you want to check out Mark Cuban’s thoughts on end of the season, and the thought process to the Jason Kidd trade you can here.  One of the ideas, the cash for a late first round draft pick, might actually be helpful to the Mav’s future.  As I think there is good nba talent in this draft - maybe even late.

(FA) = Free Agent
(R) = Rookie
(T) = Traded For

2008 Mavs Offseason

It starts out with a Miami - Dallas trade.  Dallas receives Shawn Marion, Miami receives Josh Howard, Jerry Stackhouse, Eddie Jones (if he agrees to it).

Draft
In the draft the Mavs would trade 3 million dollars for a late first rounder, then trade that pick and three million to move up again and select Brandon Rush.  And with their second pick select a small forward, we’ll say Victor Calver.

Free Agents
Earl Boykins- made $542,040 last year with the Bobcats and, while being the shortest player in the league, offers real value at that price.  He is quick and gifted offensively.

Jannero Pargo - signing him to a deal close to 4 or 5 years - 24 million.  Jannero Pargo made 2 million dollars last season and has a player option for $2 million this season, but will probably opt out for more money.  He’s a fairly quick point guard who can shoot and defend.  With Devon Harris gone he would be a very nice pick up.

Patrick O’Bryant- is a 7 foot center who has been in the league two years.  He only played last year due to being injured in his rookie season.  He was the ninth pick in the draft two years ago and is worth taking a shot on - as he is a skinny 7 footer who could run the floor and block shots.  Hoping for a poor man’s Tyson Chandler here.

The 15 Man Roster
PG    Jason Kidd             Jannero Pargo(FA)           Earl Boykins(FA)
SG    Jason Terry            Brandon Rush(R)             Antoine Wright
SF    Shawn Marion(T)    Deveon George               Victor Calver(R)
PF    Dirk Nowitzki           Brandon Bass                  Malik Allen
C     Erick Dampier           Patrick O’Bryant(FA)        Jamal Magloire

2008 Team Review
Shawn Marion is an upgrade from Josh Howard and is comfortable in an up-tempo offense.  Part of the reason I like this year’s draft so much is the fact you can find talent in the middle of it, Brandon Rush is one of the guys I like.  He is 6′ 7″ and can do a little bit of everything.  With Rush, Marion and Pargo added to the team it becomes more athletic, taller, and better offensively while gaining good defensive players.  This team would probably finish in the 3 to 6 seed area and could advance multiple rounds.  In all likely hood they would compete for a championship and be fun to watch.

The Future
Jason Kidd and Shawn Marion would be free agents at the end of the season giving the Mavs plenty of salary cap space.  With the convoluted rules the nba employs I’m not sure how big of an advantage this could be for signing free agents.  That year’s class may look something like this:

Elton Brand, Los Angeles Clippers
Corey Maggette, Los Angeles Clippers
Allen Iverson, Denver
Jason Kidd, Mavericks
Shawn Marion, Mavericks
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers (Has a player option for 23 million)
Lamar Odom, Los Angeles Lakers
Steve Nash, Phoenix (Team option for 13 million)
Andre Miller, Sixers
Baron Davis, Warriors
Rasheed Wallace, Pistons
Ron Artest, Kings (If he doesn’t opt out this year)
Drew Gooden, Bulls
Ben Gorden, Bulls
Mike Bibby, Hawks

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Update July 1, 2008 - Baron Davis and Elton Brand have opted out a year early.  Surprising considering one was set to make 17.18 million and the other, Elton, 16.44 million.  Things like that, players opting out of that kind of money, don’t happen very often.  Especially considering they aren’t top twenty players.  Corey Magette has also opted out, but that was more expected considering he would have made only 8 million next season and he scored over 20 ppg this season.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

With perhaps Josh Smith of the Hawks and Emeka Okafur being in that group as well, I’m not sure because I don’t know the rules having to do with qualifying offers.  This is an interesting scenario as the possibilities are open.  I wouldn’t mind seeing some of those free agents on this team.   But there is also a danger with this plan, there are so many variables the Mavs could end up seeing the door close on them real quick- (but would that ever happen to a Mark Cuban run team)?

Other Possible Trades ( All can happen as of May 29 2008 )
Dallas Receives                                          Minnesota Receives                                  New York Receives
Antoine Walker                                          Josh Howard                                              Jerry Stackhouse
Jared Jeffries                                                                                                                        
Minnesota’s #3 overall Pick

Dallas Receives                                          New York Receives
Zack Randolph                                           Jason Kidd
Malik Rose

Dallas Receives                                          New York Receives
Zack Randolph                                           Josh Howard
Renaldo Balkman                                       Jerry Stackhouse
New York’s #6 overall pick                           Eddie Jones (if he agrees to it)
                                                               Dallas 2009 first round pick + $3 million

Dallas Receives                                          Utah Receives
Andrei Kirilenko                                         Jason Terry
Morris Almond                                           Jerry Stackhouse + 3 million

Dallas Receives                                          Indiana Receives
Jermaine O’Neal                                          Jason Kidd
                                                                3 million 

Dallas Receives                                          Indiana Receives
Jermaine O’Neal                                          Josh Howard
Jamaal Tinsley                                             Jason Terry
                                                                Jerry Stackhouse
                                                                Eddie Jones (if he agrees to it)

Dallas Receives                                          Milwaukee Receives
Michael Redd                                             Josh Howard
Charlie Villanueva                                         Jerry Stackhouse
                                                                Eddie Jones (if he agrees to it)
                                                                Brandon Bass

Moving To First - Last Place Move

Hank Blaylock has made a Ranger career decision, he’s moving to first base.  The team is not smart to let him do so, but then again when were they ever accused of being smart.  First Base is a position you put baseball players who aren’t good at defense.  It’s the position you put your offensive fire power in order to hide their defensive inequities.  It’s a position you manage until your 22 year old, Double A hitting .313 with 10 homers and 33 RBI’s, prospect is ready to break into the Majors.  It’s not a position you put your solid defensive third baseman in order to let Ramon Vasquez play, and I like Ramon Vasquez.

This can be traced (in my opinion) to Ron Washington’s inability to A:  Stick with Jason Botts; and B:  Allow Frank the Cat to be Frank the Cat.  Ron has certain players he goes out of his way to play (last year it was Jerry Hairston Jr., this year Ben Broussard) and certain players he refuses to give a fair shake - Jason Botts and Catalanotto come to mind.  He puts them in bad situations and expects them to impress him.  He pulls them early and often while playing them very little to begin with. 

Frank’s situation has changed a little because of Broussard’s release, but is now going to change again with Hank’s move.  Opposing managers know all they have to do is bring in a lefty around the sixth or seventh inning and you won’t have to see Frank anymore.  They desire their lefty against whatever righty we have to throw up there because, A:  Frank is a good hitter, and B:  Frank won’t be able to face whatever righty you have out there later in the game.   Frank hit .231 with a .375 on base percentage against lefties in 19 PA’s last year.  I don’t know which one is worse the fact he was only allowed the opportunity to hit lefties 19 times, or the fact that somebody needs to tell Ron a .231 average and .375 on base percentage is not reason enough to pull him for Jr. Jerry Hairston or Chris Comcast Shelton.  Frank hit .299, .293, .301, and .300 in the four years prior to becoming a Ranger.  In the three years he was healthy he averaged 117 more AB’s than he did last year.  He hit .260 last year and is hitting .247 this year.  If you want to know how to screw up a good .300 hitter I suggest a chat with none other than Ron Washington.   Frank is and has been a good hitter in this league, why is he the first guy Ron pulls for hitting?  It’s not a trick question - Ron’s a jackass.

A good manager puts his players in the best position to help the team win.  The reason I call Ron a jackass is because there is no reason to be a dirty, rotten, fool about this game.  There is no reason to stand in your own way.  Jackasses have to be coerced.  They’re stubborn beasts of burden who refuse to move even if it benefits them.  And because of Ron’s refusal (for whatever reason) to get out of his own way, Hank for no apparent reason (oh, other than the great Ramon Vasquez, and I like Ramon) is going to move to first base.  Congratulations Rangers, for being intellectually baseball challenged.

Rick Carlisle Dallas Maverick’s New Head Coach 5-3-08

Per dallasbasketball.com Rick Carlisle is the Dallas Maverick’s new head coach.  He’s a good pick.  He stresses defense and has a good knowledge of the game.  He lost his job in Detroit after two seasons of a  50-32 record and one Coach Of The Year honor, because Joe Dumars decided he wanted Larry Brown.  He lost his job in Indiana because, to a certain degree, he lost his players.  But that’s okay if your players like to get into brawls and take target practice around strip clubs, maybe its good you don’t relate to them.

Coming soon I hope to provide you with multiple scenarios of what the Mavericks could end up looking like this offseason.  Maybe the roster will shake, or it could remain the same - there are a lot of possibilities.

Avery Johnson Fired From Dallas Mavericks 4-30-08

Reportedly Mark Cuban has fired Avery Johnson less than 18 hours after their Game 5 loss to the New Orleans Hornets.  Now why are Donnie Nelson and Mark Cuban getting away with their roles in the Jason Kidd Trade and 2 first round losses?  More on the Mavs later.