Nico:

I like your wit, and had to read the first part of this diary twice to realize that you did, indeed, know what you were talking about and weren't just making errors that bad writers make...when I realized what was up I had to laugh.

Anyways, about Bazooka Joe: Interesting analysis, and very thought-provoking in terms of how we can get the most out of him.  I hadn't broken down his stats ever, and your point about his Right/Left disparity is an interesting one.  Also very interesting about how managers stack the lineups against him: he has only had 177.1 career innings against LH hitters, verus 585.2 IP against RH's.  

I like the suggestion of perhaps converting him to a LOOGY if we're stuck with him (plus it allows us to get rid of Rincon!), but I'm hoping that BB can somehow convince some GM to take him off our hands as part of a package this winter.  In fear that we are stuck with BJ, the Loazia signing makes this possibility all the more likely-- and could have been a major motivating force in picking up Esteban-- so we'll see.

All in all, nice article.  Ok, it's midnight where I live, catch you guys on the flipside.

and feels he can be effective under the right coaching so doubt if he will be traded.  BB is that way, he tries to get guys that other teams don't appreciate, and turn them into productive players.  Nico is right about the stats, but Kennedy is not an old pitcher so there should still be an upward learning curve.  One out pitch against righties and you might have something special.

might be considered 'spare parts'; but, given the inflated value of pitchers these days, they (and maybe a mid-level prospect) might produce one of BB's 'under the radar' finds (as in cheap, right handed power hitter).  I must admit I have no idea who, but so many teams need pitching.  Maybe BB squeezes some needy GM.
I don't think he trades Zito.  When he traded H and M he pointed to '06 as THE year.  Does he think he has a better chance of winning a WS without Z then with?  Or with the prospects gained in a trade?  I don't think so!  And just maybe winning a WS improves the chances of resigning Z.  

Younger/more upside/better plate discipline/better athlete/cheaper.  

Mench is an average corner player, nothing more.  

O'brien is a fool if he think he can pry that much loose for Kearns, but Cruz and Kennedy is a joke.  Come on.  Both had ERA's north of 6 for most of the year, and Kearns is still a possible future all-star.

completely off topic with the main intent of this post, but...

there are many other cultures and religions here in the bay area.  i know that the majority of people celebrate christmas in some way, but i would like to point out that not all of us approach december with sugar plum fairies on the brain.

a few hastily researched examples:

• candles are lit for both hanukah and kwanzaa.
  
• independence day in finland has parades and parties,
  
• "quema del diablo" in guatemala consists of burning old trash to chase away the devil.
  
• the south african "day of reconciliation" is somewhat similar to our thanksgiving.
  
• wun por is celebrated in thailand to honor the king's birthday with decorations and candles.
  
• the korean holiday "dong-zee" is on the winter solstice with offering to chase away bad spirits and a festive meal and gifts for the family.

etc.

as a non-christian, it gets tiresome, year after year, to be bombarded with santa claus and christmas songs, invariably beginning earlier and earlier each holiday season (this year we were seeing xmas decorations up after halloween...).

let's try to either keep personal belief systems out of these forums or be sure to make it a general holiday sentiment.

so to all of you ANers, happy holidays, whatever it is you celebrate...

...and no disrespect was implied by your entry.  

it was not my intention to get into a discussion of belief systems here.  i did jump the gun a bit, but the references you made were still one-sided, and there is plenty of room to make jokes that include everyone else.

and belive me, a pony for channukah is not all it's cracked up to be.  especially when you live in an urban environment...  hay all over the house, hard to exercise the little bugger in traffic, not easily litter-box trained...

you can have mine from last year if you want...

In the situation that you described, following a righty.

I just hate seeing him come in with runners on base. They always seem to score.