Fin Stays in Texas

Michael Finley won't be moving to the Eastern Conference after all....while most experts predicted he would end up playing with Shaq and Wade in Miami, Michael Finley ended up staying Texas, inking a deal with the defending champion San Antonio Spurs. Although the specifics aren't announced yet it is most likely a 1 year deal for $2.5 mil or at most a 2 year deal. A few quotes from Finley:

To be a part of a championship team, I'm excited. This is the closest I've ever been to a championship. I'm looking forward to the challenge of helping this team repeat.

In a nutshell, they're already a championship team but they have room for improvement. And I feel my game can help them in the areas where they need improvement.

I give Finley a lot of credit considering he took less money to sign with the Spurs. I am saddened to see him in a Spurs uniform and know this will only hurt the Mavs chances. Finley will bring a lot to this Spurs team and I expect him to play big minutes. I know Cuban has emphasized that he won't drastically alter the roster this season, but I wonder if this will spark Cuban to make some sort of move.

If True...We are the Worst Cheaters of all-time

After Texas' 7-5 victory on Monday over the Chicago White Soxs, starting pitcher Mark Buehrle claimed the Rangers cheated by stealing signals and relaying them to batters through the lighting in the stadium. The Rangers are 37-30 at home, giving them the eighth best AL record. Overall Win-Lose percentage, the Rangers are 10th overall, so I don't think there is much validity to this. If the Home and Overall records were extremely off then you could make a case. The reason why the Rangers hit so much better in Texas isn't because they are stealing signs but because the ball travels further in the Texas heat and because the ballpark is a hitter's park. If the Rangers were really stealing signs there would never be great pitching performances by opposing teams' pitcher but there have been many, just ask Rich Harden.

Out of Town

Hey guys...I haven't had time to write a post as I have been out of town the past few days without internet access. I will be back in town tomorrow and will have access to a comp then.

Rangers' starters

The Rangers rotation of Kenny Rogers, Chris Young, Juan Dominguez, Joaquin Benoit, and Kameron Loe have produced of:

Chris Young 12 ip 1 er
Juan Dominguez 6 ip 1 er
Joaquin Benoit 7 ip 2 er
Kameron Loe 5 ip 0 er
Kenny Rogers 6 ip 0 er

AN ERA OF 1!!!!!

I am not sure if this has ever happened anytime in the Rangers franchise....folks we are witnessing something historic. Keep it up guys.

Who are these guys?

Over the last four games the Texas Rangers haven't looked like the Texas Rangers. Starting pitching has combined to allow just four runs in 23 innings, giving them an ERA of 1.56. Kameron Loe outpitched Kyle Lohse last night to give the Rangers the victory. Loe, who has been a reliever all year, was obviously given a pitch limit. He went 5 innings and was extremely efficient throwing only 50 pitches, while giving up just five hits and striking out five as well. Loe, like Benoit and Dominguez did the previous two days, pitched extremely well and made a case for himself in the backend of next year's rotation. It is great to see the young pitchers starting to pitch well...as long as Hicks decides that they are pitching so well he doesn't need to go out and get a few pitchers this offseason.

Big Time Game Tonight

Kameron Loe takes on Kyle Lohse...a lot of story lines in this game tonight. Loe makes his first major league start this season. Loe did start several games in the minors. Including 26 games in 2004, 18 in AA and 8 in AAA. He had a combined 3.27 ERA. Loe wants a chance at next year's rotation and he is getting a shot tonight. For the Twins, Lohse was the centerpiece in a rumored deal with Texas for Alfonso Soriano. It seemed the trade rumors didn't phase Lohse...this month in four starts he has posted a 2.39 ERA going 1-1. Both Benoit and Dominguez have pitched well lately hopefully Loe can do the same.

Today's stuff

Great article by Ben Rogers in "The Sportspage Weekly". In regard to the Cowboys, Rogers gives his impressions about the team after their preseason win over Seattle. He still isn't sold on Drew Bledsoe and is also concerned about Matt Hasselbeck's success against the Cowboy's first team secondary, who "is currently scheduled to do most of the heavy lifting this season". He is high on Julius Jones though and predicts 1,500 yards and 14 TD's. I think that is a bit optimistic but I do believe Jones easily has the potential to be a top 10 back in the league.

Rogers also goes on a rant about the Rangers and specifically Tom Hicks...

How embarrassing is this thing going to get? What an absolute disaster. If Hicks had any brains left in his sunburned melon, he'd figure out a way to fire himself, Showalter and Hart. Even if he just suspended himself from the park, and from the business, that would be a start. I think it is unrealistic to assume that he'd ever sell the team because he's making too much money sending out a pathetic payroll, yet watching the Arlington faithful roll in each night. Hicks damn well better extend his alligator arms this off-season, locate his man wallet, then go out there and overpay for A.J. Burnett.

Rogers also steals my term calling the DVD the "saviors"! It's okay I'll let him borrow it. And like myself he insists the DVD isn't as close to MLB-ready as we think. He also proposes the idea of trading Hank Blalock for starting pitcher, then moving Tex to third and starting Adrian Gonzales at first. Although I am a big Hank Blalock fan, if I were the Rangers I would consider a move like this. I am not sure about Tex's defensive skills at third but if they are adequate I think this is the best way to get a good starting pitcher. If you can get a solid pitcher for Blalock then also get a Burnett, your rotation would be much improved for next season.

In other news, after recently getting a DUI, making that his second since January, the Baltimore Orioles are trying to find a way to void Sidney Ponson's contract. The Rangers have had an eye on Ponson for some time. Ponson has struggled all year going 7-11 with an ERA of 6.21 and a 1.71 WHIP. If Ponson's contract is voided he will become a free agent this offseason and the Rangers will probably be looking to sign him to a cheap deal.

Cowboys trade for kicker Seth Marler. In return, the Jags receive an undisclosed 2006 pick. Hopefully one that is conditional on Marler making the team. Marler spent the past season on injured reserve. The season before he was 20-33 on field goals for the Jaguars which doesn't sound awful, but that is before looking at his breakdown. He was 10-11 from 20-29 yards, 4-8 from 30-39 yards, and 5-12 from 40-49 yards, and 1-2 from 50+ yards. Bottom line Marler is going to really have to impress the Cowboys in for him to make this team, especially considering Cortez is 4 for 4 on field goals in the preaseason.



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POLL RESULTS

Thanks to everyone that voted in the poll. The questions was where will Michael Finley end up. Miami led the way with 4 votes, while Phoenix had 2, San Antonio got 1, and other got 1 as well. It shouldn't be too long before we find out. Over the past few days representatives of teams have flown to Chicago to try and persuade Finley to sign with their perspective teams. I only hope Finley ends up in the Eastern Conference, but no matter what uniform he is wearing I will be a Michael Finley fan.

Fantasy Football

Sorry about no post yesterday...I spent most of the day researching for my fantasy football draft which was last night..Here is a look at my team

Starters
QB1: Matt Hasselbeck
QB2: Brian Griese
RB1: LaDanian Tomlinson
RB2: Jamal Lewis
WR1: Javon Walker
WR2: Darrell Jackson
WR3: Chris Chambers
WR4: Jimmy Smith
K: Sebastian Janikowski
Def/ST: Colts

Reserves:
QB: Patrick Ramsey
RB: Fred Taylor
RB: Mike Anderson
TE: Alge Crumpler
WR: Keenan McCardell

If you have a draft coming up and want to talk fantasy football just leave a comment.

Dominguez makes a case for himself in second career win

Juan Dominguez got his second career victory tonight as the Rangers defeated the Mariners 8-1 at TBIA. This was Dominguez's third start of the month and his only three starts this season for the Rangers. In all three of his appearances he has been more than adequate. Dominguez isn't just one of the five pitchers in our rotation "pitching the season out". Rather, Dominguez is trying to secure a spot in the backend of next season's rotation. If the Rangers do actually go out and sign a few pitchers this offseason there will be heavy competition for one of the final spots in the rotation.

A look at Dominguez's first three starts:

New York 7, Texas 5= Dominguez get's a no decision as he goes 7 innings allowing 9 hits and 1 walk while giving up 5 earned runs and striking out 10, a career high. To go into Yankee Stadium on your first start of the year and pitch like Dominguez did says a lot about his mental toughness. Although he did give up 5 earned runs, considering it was versus the potent Yankees offense I would consider this acceptable.

Tampa Bay 2, Texas 1= Dominguez lowers his ERA from 5.59 to 5.11 as he allows only 2 earned runs in 5.1 innings pitched. However, he takes the lose as the normally high scoring offense looks impotent.

Texas 8, Seattle 1= Dominguez goes 6 innings only giving up 2 hits and 1 earned run. He does have some control problems as he issued 5 walks. This time Dominguez lowers his ERA to 4.40.

Dominguez has been solid in all three of his starts this year. Dominguez, the one-time top rated prospect in the organization, has solid stuff but has never been able to excel at the Major League level. Juan Dominguez is one of the few reasons I still watch Rangers games. The better Dominguez pitches this year, the one less hole the Rangers have to fix this offseason, and the more optimism I have for next season year.

Funny Story

Kinda funny that this will get you 6 games when first time steroid use only gets you 10 games.

Cowboys release injured Cundiff and Rogers

Today the Cowboys released right tackle Jacob Rogers and kicker Billy Cundiff. Rogers was an All-American left tackle at USC and was drafted in the second round by the Cowboys last season. Rogers was immediately moved to the right side of the line as a rookie but struggled playing the new position. In his rookie campaign Rogers managed to play in just two games, strictly on special teams. This offseason Rogers had shoulder surgery and came into camp as the favorite to win the starting job at right tackle. After just two plays in the preseason opener Rogers went down with a knee injury. Initially the injury was considered minor however after re-examining it, it was determined Rogers would have to sit out the season.

Meanwhile, Billy Cundiff was also released after sustaining a hip injury in training camp. Free agent kicker Jose Cortez appears to have won the job. Cortez is out of Oregon State and entered the league in 1999 with the Giants. Since then, Cortez spent time in San Francisco, Washington, Minnesota, and now Dallas. Cortez was used only as a kickoff man in the past two seasons. Cortez is a decent kicker at best. For his career, he is 1-2 from 1-19 yards, 17-20 from 20-29 yards, 14-16 from 30-39 yards, 8-18 from 40-49 yards, and 1-1 from 50+. The bottom line is Cortez is an average kicker who based on his previous stats is unreliable beyond 40 yards.

Rookie Marcus Spears returns to practice today. Spears was expected to be out four to six weeks but has recovered early.

“He needs to get a lot of work,” Parcells said of Spears. Parcells said Spears was way behind the other rookie defensive linemen.

Hopefully Spears can catch up and be able to contribute on defense sometime during the year. After watching Ware perform on MNF, I am optimistic that Spears, if caught up, can provide some help to the defensive this year.

Cowlishaw article criticizes Showalter

One of the few anti-Showalter columns this year will appear in the Dallas Morning News tomorrow. In the article, write Tim Cowlishaw discusses the state of Rangers' clubhouse, specifically the relationship of Showalter and his players.

Cowlishaw first dissects the situation:

The Rangers have a legitimate clubhouse crisis on their hands.

One view is that of the players, whose faith in management - all management - is beyond shaken. It doesn't exist.

The other is the view of a manager who says he "loves these players" and believes they will fight through the adversity and win again. Is it fair for someone to go from Manager of the Year in 2004 to the hot seat, a step away from a desk at ESPN?

In Buck Showalter's case, it is.

Cowlishaw associates all Ranger problems with Showalter:

It's that whatever the players think of Tom Hicks' unwillingness to spend for key players or John Hart's inability to upgrade the club through trades, Showalter has tied himself into all of that.

Consequently:

These three are joined at the waist, and that's why players who have lost faith with the top of the organization include Showalter in that mix.

Cowlishaw then compares the Rangers' organization to that of the Yankees':

Yankees players view their manager as an advocate. Rangers players view their manager as someone they can no longer trust.

Finally he tries to provide necessary course of action for owner Tom Hicks:

Hicks needs to hold a meeting with the leaders of this team. He can look at the All-Star selections from the last couple of years to see who they are.

This is about whether or not Showalter has lost this team and whether he can possibly get it back in the spring of 2006.

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I give Cowlishaw credit as he is one of the few members of the Dallas media to criticize Showalter and the entire Rangers' organization. Also, I believe Cowlishaw is absolutely right in suggesting what Hicks needs to do. But the only problem is that he won't. This team is sinking like the Titanic, and only Mr. Hicks can save the franchise. He must take control of this thing and insist the Rangers' have the best offseason possible. I turn to Jerry Jones who responded to an awful Cowboys' season by going out and having an amazing offseason...the result? Many predict the Cowboys will finish with 10 or 11 wins. Ideally Showalter needs to provide some separationon between himself, Hart, and Hicks. Cowlishaw makes a valid argument when examining the Yankees to determine how a franchise should effectively be run. Rangers players have associateded all of their frustrations with the Rangers' franchise with Showalter and thus the effectiveness of Showalter's managerial abilities are in question, like they became both in New York and Arizona.

Finley has " a good meeting" with Heat

Michael Finley met with Heat president Pat Riley and head coach Stan Van Gundy yesterday. Miami is courting Finley, and has all of their mid-level exception to offer to the swingman. Riley calls the engagement "a good meeting". Apparently Riley and Van Gundy assumed they made a hell of a presentation to Finley, as "In anticipation of a possible deal, the team placed 20 posters of Finley wearing a Heat uniform on light poles on the streets near the team's arena." Other teams expected to meet with Finley include Detroit and Denver, who both have all of their mid-level expectations, and Phoenix, who can only offer Finley the league veteran minimum, and the Spurs, who only have part of their mid-level exception remaining.

In Denver it is being reported that although Denver has all of their mid-level exception available to give to Finley, the former Mav guard isn't interested in playing in the high altitudes in Denver:

Oh, the Nuggets are still interested. Problem is, Finley apparently doesn't feel the same about Denver.

Finley and his agent met with Miami's Pat Riley and Stan Van Gundy yesterday in Chicago. Meetings with Phoenix, San Antonio, Detroit and Minnesota may also be in the works.
But Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe says it doesn't look like Denver's being invited.

Phoenix is next, as they are going to Chicago to make a pitch to Michael Finley today.

It seems like Finley has the best chance to win a championship in either Miami or San Antonio. However, his role would be largest in Phoenix. I don't think Finley would be happy in Miami, where he would have to play alongside Wade, Shaq, Walker, and Williams. With at least three of those guys on the floor at the same time it seems like Finley would rarely get the ball. In San Antonio, Finley would come off the bench, with Bowen and Ginobili starting at 2 and 3. But in Phoenix, Finley would replace the departed Joe Johnson in the staring lineup...and as we all know Phoenix is a team that lacks depth and plays its starters more than any team in the league.

A Preview of the Shopping List

Here is a great link with a thorough list of Free Agents for this offseason. Here are some free agent starting pitchers I would pursue if I were the Rangers:

Paul Byrd= Although Byrd is 34, he could be a great #3 starter for this team for the next few seasons. Byrd has posted an ERA under 4 in his last three seasons and his career groundball to flyball ratio is .94, which would help him in the ballpark in Arlington.

Kevin Millwood= I believe the Rangers must get Millwood, Matt Morris, or A.J. Burnett in order to be a legitimite playoff contender. Millwood is an interesting story....he has been a great pitcher throughout his career but his worst season came last season in Philadelphia when he posted a 4.85 era. But suprisingly when he moved to the AL he has improved significantly. Thus far this year, he has posted a 3.23 era with Cleveland. Hicks would have to open up his wallet to Millwood but he would be a #1 starter for this team for years.

A.J. Burnett= When it comes to pitchers, the spotlight this offseason will be on A.J. Burnett. Not only does this 28 year old have great stuff but he is finally starting to show he can use it effectively. Burnett is having a career year this year as he is 12-6 with a 2.90 era. What is even more amazing is the way he has pitched lately and throughout the trade talks. In Burnett's last 6 starts, he is 6-0 with only 4 earned runs in 46 innings. Burnett will demand the most money out of any of the free agent pitchers.

Roger Clemens= I know what your thinking is it possible? Not only has Clemens not lost a step with his age but he is pitching better than he ever has. And if Houston doesn't make the playoffs Clemens could consider playing elsewhere. I know the Rangers have pursued Clemens in the past, and if the Rangers can first land a guy like Millwood or Burnett, Clemens might be intrigued to play for the Rangers.

Matt Morris = Morris has been a Cardinal for all 8 of his major league seasons and only once has posted an era of over 4. Thus Morris has been a consistent pitcher throughout his career and he also sports a 1.68 groundball to flyball ratio. That would benefit Morris in Texas especially in the hot summer where the balls fly like birds migrating south. Like Burnett and Millwood, Morris will cost a bundle.

Esteban Loaiza= No way right? In 2003, Loaiza developed a cutter which resulted in an MVP year and finished second in the Cy Young balloting. Then 2004 came, and the tired-armed righty fell apart. Although he did pitch well for the Yankees in the playoffs, he didn't demand much in the offseason. Loaiza signed with the Nationals and has been a quality starter for them with a 3.66 era. Loaiza was 21-9 with a 2.90 era in 2003, if he isn't asking for much I don't see why the Rangers shouldn't take a flyer on him if it won't cost them much.

2nd Cowboys preseason game on MNF

Dallas at Seattle...7 pm CT kickoff. Dallas hoping to rebound from 13-11 lose to Arizona last weekend.

Rivera and Ferguson aren't suiting up tonight.

Soriano sticking around for rest of season

According to the Dallas Mornings News Soriano was claimed on waivers by the Minnesota Twins but the Twins most likely did so just to block a trade to any other potential teams. However, the Twins and Rangers are also discussing what it it would take to make Soriano a Twin. The deal would have to be completed by today and if not Soriano will remain a Ranger for the rest of the season. Just one note, Kyle Lohse, who was at the center of the Soriano trade rumors is is 1-1 this month will an ERA of 2.39, lowering his season ERA to 4.10....really makes you wonder if the Rangers should have pulled the trigger on that deal.... or if that deal is still on the table.

Cuban changes approach?

Tim Cowlishaw wrote an article in today's Dallas Morning News discussing Mark Cuban's new approach to the offseason...

The Mavericks trotted out five new players for a news conference Friday, which is par for the course for this team during the summer. Only this time, the new players do not represent radical change.

The Mavericks are pursuing stability. They are pursuing chemistry. They are following a plan laid out by head coach Avery Johnson that is a 180-degree turn from the days of Don Nelson.

"I'm not saying we aren't going to spend money. But we are going to be smart."

Cuban's intent is not to pinch pennies. It's to deliver a banner that matches the Stars' 1998-99 flag that flies at American Airlines Center.

"It's a business, but there's more emotion involved than there is in other businesses," Cuban said. "If I wanted to run it just like a business, I'd follow the Clippers' model. They can make a lot of money. But I don't have that championship."

I think Cuban's approach is a good thing for the Mavericks...now the only question is do the Mavericks have enough talent to win an NBA Championship.

Clemens and Damon on the juice?

There are rumors going around the internet that Boston's Johnny Damon and Houston's Roger Clemens have tested positive for steroids. There still isn't a lot of information about these rumors and I will update my blog as soon as I hear more details, either refuting or confirming these rumors. Clemens name has been involved in steroids talk, largely because at the age of 42 Clemens is having a career year for even his standards. Clemens is 11-5 with a 1.53 era and a .93 whip. Although Clemens might be suspected of steroid use because of his successful season so late in his career I think the more likely scenario is that his numbers are better because he is pitching in the weak-hitting NL. There are several other pitchers who in the past few years have gone from the AL to the NL and put up great seasons. Examples include:

Pedro Martinez - his 2.97 era this year is almost a point lower than his 3.90 era he had in Boston last season. in Boston last season.

Andy Pettitte- after posting a 4.02 era in his last season with the Yankees, Pettitte has a sizzling 2.67 era in his first full year in the NL.

Esteban Loaiza- after struggling with an era of 5.71 a year ago with the White Sox and Yankees, Loaiza era has sunk to 3.64 this season with the Nationals.

Derek Lowe- Although he was a key component in the World Series run last year, his regular season era of 5.42 was what made the decision of not resigning Lowe a little bit easier for the Sox. So what? Lowe goes to the NL where his era is now a much lower 3.97.

The amazing improvement of all of these pitchers provide evidence that perhaps Clemens isn't on steroids but his significant improvement over the past two years come from playing in an easier league.

New Poll Question Up!

Make Sure to vote in the Weekly Poll. This week's question: Where Will Michael Finley End Up? It is being reported that Miami is the favorite right now but that is just a rumor...Where do you think he will end up? Vote Now!

Mavs to introduce Christie, Diop today

The Mavericks will introduce newly acquired free agents Doug Christie and Desagana Diop sometime today. The DMN reports Diop's deal is a 3 year, $5.7 million contract. Meanwhile, it is still unknown what Christie signed for, however the Morning News insists its more than a one year deal, and Christie's agent claims, "his client turned down a one-year, $4-million deal and a 4-year, $20 million deal with other NBA teams." Christie turned 35 in May and if he did indeed sign a multi-year contract with the Mavs you have to question if and how much his defensive skills will deteriorate. I think Christie is a good replacement for Finley. But you can't just look at it as a Finley for Christie swap, because the money saved from waiving Finley will be spent within the next few seasons on a prized player via free agency or trade. Christie provides much needed defensive help when he is on the floor and Finley's offensive productivity will be replaced by the fact that Stackhouse will now get more minutes. I think it will be interesting to see if Christie starts and how much playing time he will get. If I were Avery I would start Terry, Howard, Christie, Nowitzki, and Dampier. This is a much improved starting unit from a defensive perspective with Christie in there. Then I would bring Stackhouse off the bench as your sixth man, providing instant offense.

Diop is an interesting player to say the least. Diop was drafted 8th out of the acclaimed basketball prep school of Oak Hill Academy. As a senior in high school Diop led Oak Hill Academy to a 33-0 season and a No. 1 national ranking by USA Today. During the year, Diop averaged 14.6 ppg, 13.2 rpg, and 8.0 bpg. However the NBA has been a different story for the 7-footer. In his four years with the Cavaliers his career numbers are 1.6 ppg, .80 bpg, 2.6 rpg, and only 10.8 mpg. Diop is still a project, but unlike Mbenga he does have four years of NBA experience. Diop is also a much bigger body and I would imagine Avery thinks he can more easily clog up space in the middle when Dampier is out (most likely because of foul trouble). I don't feel Mbenga is ready to be a backup center in the league but I hope the signing of Diop won't cut into what will already be limited playing time for Mbenga.