Array to the nice man at work who fixed my computer so it no longer runs like a dog and I can actually do stuff on it !!!(’tis a mite depressing when you have no programmes running and your CPU usage is at 87% ?!?!?!?!?)
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If the Braves are willing to limit his innings and keep him around until September, he’s pitched well enough to earn his mil.I think the Braves should pick up Smoltz’s option.And I think they ultimately will. Unless they decide to give up on 2007, or unless the messy transfer of ownership causes them to lower payroll, I think they’ll keep Smoltz around.The Florida Marlins don’t have any options pending for 2007.Tom Glavine, Mets2007 Age: 412007 Option: .5 mil. This means that his player option will bump up to .5 mil and his team option to 4 mil.That’s a whole lot of money to spend on a 41-year-old pitcher. I think the club should decline his option.And my guess is that the club will decline their option. He has 288 right now, and New York would give him the run support to easily notch the 10 or 12 necessary next year to reach the milestone.Jamie Moyer, Phillies2007 Age: 442007 Option: Mutual option; Moyer is a big risk, as is any 44-year-old, and his pitching style isn’t a great fit for hitter-friendly Citizen’s Bank Park, but if he comes cheap, he’s worth the risk.I think the Phillies should exercise the option, but only if it’s a low-end deal.And I think the Phillies will. option vests with 450 PAs (plate appearances) in 2006This club is not short of corner outfielders, and so I normally wouldn’t recommend picking up Conine’s option. isn’t a whole lot, but you’d like to have room for more on your bench than a -million fifth outfielder with few remaining abilities.Conine’s option has already vested.The Phillies also have an option on Aaron Rowand for a .25 mil. And he ain’t getting any younger.I think the Nats should decline his option.And I think the Nats will decline his option. This year so far, Drese has earned his .75 million by throwing 8.2 innings with a 5.19 ERA (8 walks, 5 strikeouts).I think the Nats should decline his option.And I think they will. His durability and his effectiveness have gone down the tubes since then.I think the club should decline his option. I don’t know the exact nature of the mutual option, but if the Cubs can decline their part of the option and buy him out for mil., they’re much better off. But I also wouldn’t be surprised if Ramirez jumps the sinking ship and enters a free agent market devoid of an impact third baseman.Jason Johnson, Reds2007 Age: 332007 Option: .5 mutual option, plus incentivesYes, the Reds are desperate for pitching, which is why GM Wayne Krivsky has traded for every pitcher in the Western Hemisphere not nailed down (rumors that the club entered negotiations with 87-year-old Bob Feller are thus far unsubstantiated). If you think defense is more important than hitting, then of course you’re going to finish below .500 and self-destruct your way out of the Wild Card race.I think the Reds should pick up Aurilia’s option. I don’t think Aurilia will hit nearly as well as he did this year, but he should still wear out lefties, and he’s a handy guy to have on the bench.And of course the Reds will pick up his option. Here’s hoping GM Tim Purpura spends it wisely.I think the Astros should decline Bagwell’s option, and of course they will.Trever Miller, Astros2007 Age: 342007 Option: .3 mil. mutual option (option vests with 50 appearances in 2006)Miller has already appeared in 56 games this year, so consider this option vested. But considering how much closers are overvalued in today’s market, he’s a great bargain for a team looking to break through to contender status.Damian Miller, Brewers2007 Age: 372007 Option: mutual option; And while I couldn’t really advocate dropping even more cash (.75 mil.) on Miller at age 37, it may be better than any other catching option the cash-strapped Brewers have.I think the Brewers should decline Miller’s option. Not that he’s that bad a bargain, but his skills are diminishing as he gets into his late 30’s.But I think the Brewers will exercise his option. But ultimately, I think he’ll opt for the reasonably-priced veteran, even as he does get older.Jeromy Burnitz, Pirates2007 Age: 382007 Option: mil. mutual option (00,000 buyout if club declines)Would you believe that Burnitz is now the highest-paid player on the Pirates, making .7 million this year? Edmonds is an injury risk, yes, but because his upside is so good, and so desperately needed in St. Louis, I think he’s worth the money.I think the Cardinals should pick up Edmonds’ option. But unless the Cardinals can find a good, young, very productive source of offense to replace Edmonds, then he’s worth more than whatever Preston Wilson-clone they’re likely to replace him with.But I think the Cardinals will decline his option. And unless he convinces Walt Jockett to take a hit, the Cardinals will most assuredly decline the option.I think the Cardinals should decline the option.And I think they will, just because million/year is a lot of money for a moderately-talented center fielder who can’t field the position anymore.NL WESTLuis Gonzalez, Diamondbacks2007 Age: 392007 Option: 0 mil. It depends on how sentimental GM Josh Byrnes is, and if Gonzo still wants to play another year if it means taking a near-50% pay cut.Jeff DaVanon, Diamondbacks2007 Age: 332007 Option: player option based on active days on the ML roster; if he reached 180 days, the option is .25 mil.I don’t know where to go to look up a player’s service days, but my guess it that DaVanon, who hasn’t played in the majors since August 5, has only managed enough days to bring his option up to the million range.That said, you could do a lot worse than to have Jeff DaVanon as your fourth outfielder. He’s no great shakes — but for less than mil., the Rockies will take him.I think the Rockies will exercise his option.And I think they will. In truth, I honestly don’t know what the Rockies will do — it all depends on their disposition toward King, who’s pitched relatively well this season (3.85 ERA, which isn’t all too impressive in the new Coors Field, with an unimpressive 16:18 BB:K ratio.Jose Mesa, Rockies2007 Age: 412007 Option: mil. I was waiting for Jose to get out of the shower.Jose The Ayatollah Mesa: I will kill you and your children!and…Rockies Manager Clint Hurdle: I think the reason we lost this game 7-6 was because Jose came into the game in the 9th inning with a 6-0 lead and gave up 7 runs.Mesa: I will roast your entrails and sautee your spleen!Just a thought.I think the Rockies should decline Mesa’s option.But I think the Rockies will pick it up. I don’t foresee many clubs clamoring for Kim’s services.I really can’t comment for certain on whether the Rockies should — or will — pick up Kim’s option without knowing how much money it’s for, or even if it’s a club option at all.Mike DeJean, Rockies2007 Age: 362007 Option: .5 mil. 50,000 buyout** –mutual option becomes player option if DeJean is tradedBoy, the Rockies like their options, especially with relievers. Suffice to say that he’s not worth a .5 million gamble this year.I think the Rockies should decline DeJean’s option,And I think they will, if only because his year-long injury has forced the issue.Eric Gagne, Dodgers2007 Age: 312007 Option: 2 mil. Now, at age 31 and two years removed from his last healthy season, it’s doubtful that he’ll ever be as good as he once was.I think the Dodgers should decline Gagne’s option. 2 million is too much money for someone with Gagne’s injury history, especially when they have several good (and cheap) young hurlers like Takaishi Saito — who has already taken Gagne’s place as closer and done well.And I think the Dodgers will decline his option. But after two straight years of nothing for 9 million, I think the Dodgers will decline and try to re-sign him to an incentive-based deal.The Dodgers are also on the hook for a 00,000 buyout of Jose Cruz, Jr.’s contract, after designating him for assignment this August.Mike Cameron, Padres2007 Age: 342007 Option: mil. That said, though, million isn’t a lot to ask for a good hitter at a key defensive position on a team that really needs one.I think the Padres should pick up Cameron’s option.And I think they will. He’s been the best player on the whole team this year, although that says more about the disappointing nature of the club than it does about Cameron’s prowess.Mike Piazza, Padres2007 Age: 382007 Option: mil. He’s such a defensive liability and such a candidate for a major injury that we just can’t guarantee he’ll keep hitting like David Ortiz on the road.I think the Padres should decline Piazza’s option. But the acquisition of Josh Bard makes that a much less likely move.Which is why I think the Padres will decline his option. There’s always the chance that the Padres will take the easy choice and bring back the All-Star who can still hit, but I think that the acquisition of Bard makes it easier for them to cut Piazza loose.Scott Linebrink, Padres2007 Age: 302007 Option: .75 million club optionLinebrink’s 2007 option vests with 100 appearances in 2005-06; Saying that 42-year-old center fielders don’t age well is like saying that Bill O’Reilly isn’t a member of the Al Franken Appreciation Society.I think the Giants should decline Finley’s option.And I think they will.
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So I took it upon myself to ask EVERY cop why the mormons got two hours but the southerners, and to be honest, every one of the 5-0 had a great sense of humor with the exception of one who after I said, why do the mormons get two hours and we only get one” to which this wonderful individual responded, “you have about two minutes to get yourself out before I force you out.” So after the game we all decided to head to a bar by Fenway Park, which, if you’ve ever been to Boston is on the other end of the city.So we get on the train after succesfully drinking 18-30 packs of beer and head to the bar. We get to the Fenway park area where all the bars are and when we walk up to the door where half of our group already was, one gentleman walked up to the bouncer and possibly stumbled, looked drunk, I dont know what he did, but we saw nothing, nor were we drunk due to the fact that we hadnt had any beverages in at least an hour and a half. I don’t know if it was the heartbreaking loss to BC or just the fact that I had to chug 194 beers in just three total hours of drinking, or it is the fact that I’m normally like that after that many beers, I don’t know.
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the last segment took us to the birthplace of a blues legend and to a fishing town in New Hampshire, this time we visit the hometown of another famous figure.Chad Arnold, QB Sheffield, ALhaving most of the starting skill position players in my 2009 season coming from out of state (Ferguson RB - NH, Coles RB - LA, Thompson WR - FL, Luke WR - OH) it was refreshing to have an instate player at QB. Muscle Shoals is perhaps best known for being mentioned in the southern rock anthem Sweet Home Alabama while Tuscumbia is home to the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, but more importantly it is the birthplace of Helen Keller.
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