Feeling Frisky

Today I’m feel, what is that word, frisky? Another way to put it would be to say that I’m acting sassy, at least that’s how my brother’s wife would label it. The bottom line though is that I’m feeling a bit irreverent, so read what follows with a grain of salt.

Didn’t you used to be Jose Arredondo, you know the guy who vultured 10 victories as a rookie in 2008 with a sterling set of ratios (1.62 ERA, 1.05 WHIP)? Well at least we know why your ratios skyrocketed to 6.00 and 1.56 last season – your arm was severely jacked up. On Friday it was announced that Arredondo will miss the entire 2010 season (and maybe half of 2011) as he has Tommy John surgery scheduled for January. I take back all the mean things I said about you last season Jose.

Chan Ho Park has a one year deal on the table from the Phillies for something like $3 million. Two problems with that, well three. (1) LaTroy Hawkins just got a two year deal for over $7 million and Brandon Lyon got a 3-year deal for $15 million. (2) Park is still operating under the misguided belief that he can be still a starting pitcher (he can’t). (3) Why can’t I throw 93 mph?

I touched on many of the hot button questions that are still left unanswered as we head into the weekend in my Friday Five Questions piece.

I’m in California, and I know it’s nearing Christmas, but really, snow?

With all the scumbags in sports including Mr. I’m going to save the world with my golf swing (his name rhythms with a Geiger, as in the counter used to detect radiation, if you don’t know who I’m talking about), it’s nice to know that there are still guys out there that we can all look up to. Of course I’m referring to Derek Jeter who was named Sports Illustrated’s Man of the Year. If you can’t see the picture that accompanies this piece, click on the link to BaseballGuys – you can see it there.

Is it me, or does anyone else ever wonder why when you look at the serving suggestions on the back of a can of soup it always says that it’s two or two and a half servings? Who is their target audience, gnomes?

I’m still in awe of the Rays’ bullpen arms now that Rafael Soriano is in town. You can read more about my thoughts in Winter Meetings Review – Pitchers.

Going to the Sharks game tonight with my pops. Yep, on top of it all I’m also a tremendous son.

The Giants are still trying to land their man to put in the middle of the lineup. Since this entire piece seems to be me simply linking to other articles I’ve written in the past 24 hours why not throw another one in here and send you all to my Five Questions piece where I take the Giants temperature vis a vis Dan Uggla.

Still looking for that last minute stocking stuffer? If you are let me point you toward our 2010 Baseball Preview Magazine that is already on newsstands. If you don’t want to fight traffic to pick one up, just order one from the comforts of your own home in the Fanball Store. That way you can drink some spiked eggnog and not have to worry about driving drunk. See, I’m quite the humanitarian aren’t I?

Oh, and in closing, those of you looking for some really in-depth reporting, check back on Monday. I seem to be spent this week.

By Ray Flowers