Sun Sets on 2009 Solar Sox

Thanks for all the reports, Phil.

I see you've got Strasburg as your pitcher- is this a best performance list or best prospects or a combination of both?

Submitted by The Real Neal on Thu, 11/19/2009 - 8:22pm.
Thanks for all the reports, Phil.

I see you've got Strasburg as your pitcher- is this a best performance list or best prospects or a combination of both?

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REAL NEAL: Best performance, but not just by stats. I also considered Donald Veal and Ian Kennedy for Pitcher, but after getting lit up in his first AFL start, Strasburg has been outstanding. His fastball has been consisently clocking 100 MPH+ in his last three starts. He supposedly will get the start on Saturday for the Phoenix Desert Dogs in the AFL Championship Game.

Thanks for the great write-ups all fall. It's a treat for me to read.

Submitted by The Real Neal on Thu, 11/19/2009 - 9:35pm.

Looking at his stats, you can see Strasburg's ERA is 'artificially' high. He rarely gave up fly balls, but managed to have three go out of the park. It wouldn't be possible to do that over a full season (give up 40 HR's with a 4:1 GB to FB ratio and all those K's).

In your mind is there any need for Straburg to pitch in AA next year (arbitration clock aside)?

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REAL NEAL: If I was the GM of the Nats, I would want Strasburg to spend at least a month at AA, partly because it would push back free-agency for another season, but also to make sure he hits-the-ground-running when he does arrive (as happened with Kerry Wood in 1998).

To avoid eventual "Super Two" status, he would have to spend at least two months in the minors, but I wouldn't leave him at AA beyond a month if he shows he is obviously ready for The Show.

Submitted by Old and Blue
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Yes, Old, and Blue, I am the very best spring training/minor league reporter that has ever walked this earth. Why do you ask?

Thanks as always Phil. I remember when you were just a poster here, seems so long ago.. =)

that grabes pic looks a lot like the Z pic from a while back...

Thanks Phil, head over to the Woodshed in Mesa on Dobson and University and have some chicken wings and tell them the King Salmon sent you.

According to Phil Rogers, who filed this while waiting for Miller's Pub to open today.

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2009/11/cubs-...

Oh, I lost the link, but Keith Law of ESPN graced us all with his top 50 free agents. According to MLBtraderumors he says Marlon Byrd is not a starter for a contending team.

Which of course makes me wonder if what Keith Law was doing during the 2009 season while Marlon Byrd was a starter for a contending team, and Melky Cabrerra won the World Series.

Any word on when 40-man roster moves will be made or at least what time the deadline is?

Not sure if you guys are on twitter (what a stupid name) but just saw this:

mlbtraderumors@SI_JonHeyman - how could the Cubs be a suitor for Holliday? They're already right up against their budget limit.

Not sure where TF MLBTR got that one (and I asked), but thought I'd share.

Either Jimbo has a helluva trade up his sleeve to free payroll, Ricketts is opening the coffers even further, or.....

Somebody's full of shit and trying to stir up business where there is none.

http://hotstove.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/11/range...

T.R. Sullivan, Rangers writer for mlb.com says phil rogers 3 way trade rumor "not happening"

(translation, rogers is a big bs'er)

Grabow deal is done--Heyman/Muskat--Twitter

Muskat says 2/7.5

Also from Heyman-- "• Cubs. New owner Tom Ricketts hasn't said how he will proceed. The general feeling is that new owners don't like to make waves, but they make big money and there are no guarantees."

I thought Ricketts already covered this?

In the back of my mind i think Ricketts is going to do something big to show he wants to win. Just an odd feeling of a big money free agent signing coming this way.

At worst he will go over the budget limit for a year to do it. He can fund that personally out of his own pocket.