Fox can object if Dodgers sell TV rights (AP)

A federal bankruptcy judge says Fox will have a chance to challenge the Los Angeles Dodgers if the team attempts to sell future television rights along with the franchise. Fox’s Prime Ticket subsidiary, part of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp., holds the team’s broadcast rights through the 2013 season and has the exclusive rights of first [...]

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Tribute to Joe Frazier

 I know this isn't Mets related, But I felt I had to honor a great champion.


I met Joe Frazier back in 1975 when I was 17. He was amazing. Very impressive. He autographed a few drawings for me. He said, " Wow, You're like LeRoy Neiman.Keep at it. I'm sure I'll see you again. " I left feeling great.

Now, I believe there are things that are meant to be. People meet because they are supposed to meet. Things happen for a reason. Nothing is a coincidence.

This past week I was supposed to do a signing with him on a limited edition piece from a painting I did. The other day I got a call from my publisher, who told me to send the pieces back. Joe wasn't going to be signing them.

Last night when I heard the news , a chill ran thru me.

I didn't get to see him. I guess it was almost meant to be.


Rest in Peace Smokin' Joe. I will see you again.

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Marlins make Logan Morrison (mostly) "off limits"

The Marlins have been heavily represented in the rumor mills since the start of the free agent season, but it has not all been associated with signings. The Fish also have ties in the trade market, as the team is interested in picking up starting pitching and has a surplus in available first basemen. With Logan Morrison struggling in left field, the team has the ability to trade one of either Morrison or Gaby Sanchez for a pitching return, thus avoiding (or enhancing?) an expensive free agent signing.

But according to Jon Heyman, the Marlins are basically shutting the door on a Morrison trade -- almost.

@SI_JonHeyman
Jon Heyman l exec says #marlins told him @LoMoMarlins is off limits. exec opined fla would trade lomo for james shields but no 1 else
Nov 08 via webFavoriteRetweetReply

That is one tough stance that the Marlins would be taking regarding Morrison, especially with him coming off a sub-standard season. But it would seem that the Marlins value Morrison very highly, as well they should. Last season was a struggle, but he did still hit decently (.247/.330/.468, .344 wOBA) and his tools in terms of plate discipline and power potential are well known. What Joe Frisaro mentioned earlier may have been a tad on the superlative side:

@JoeFrisaro
Joe Frisaro Not surprising the #Marlins aren't shopping LoMo. Talked to a scout the other day who says LoMo may develop into a lefty-hitting Ryan Braun
Nov 08 via TweetDeckFavoriteRetweetReply

Morrison fits the profile of potentially prolific hitter who is just awful in the corner outfield like Braun, but of course Braun hit .324/.370/.634 when he was 23 years old and is not nearly as patient at the plate as Morrison so the comparison is more than jumping the gun. Nevertheless, Morrison is promising, and the Marlins have good reason to 

Then again, they did make it know that they are interested at least in Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher James Shields, who would be a worthy acquisition. Would the Marlins benefit from a swap of the two players?

I talked to Steve Slowinski, managing editor at DRaysBay, via Twitter earlier today regarding a possible Morrison / Shields swap. He mentioned the Rays would be reluctant to do a one-for-one trade, but that such a deal may actually be more likely to be favored for the Marlins based on the numbers. The numbers in the link show the likely surplus or trade value of these players, both in conservative and aggressive estimates of Wins Above Replacement. As you can see, even if you take an aggressive approach with Shields and a conservative development with Morrison, the Marlins are still providing a lot of surplus value to the Rays in return, on the order of $7 million in surplus value.

So why would the Rays not do it? Shields is coming off a strong season and the Rays want more than just one player in return, even if that player is a good young first baseman who was a top prospect just a few years ago (ranked #20 by Baseball America before the 2010 season). Why would the Marlins do it? They would be trading a potentially great hitter now, but they would be acquiring a strong starting pitcher on a cheap contract for three years. Shields is still highly affordable on his current team-friendly deal. And with Morrison in left field, the Marlins would be getting less value from Morrison than other teams would by playing him at first base.

Slowinski also opined that this was likely a negotiating tactic by the Fish to inflate the value of Morrison to other teams. There are other available starting pitchers via trade, and a young starter like Gio Gonzalez might still be worth a look in return for Morrison; perhaps the Marlins are just "creating demand" for an already good player. Then again, a Morrison / Shields trade makes so much sense for both teams; both are trading players from surplus and acquiring players in areas of need. The deal is logical that it may be a recognition by the Marlins that this is the situation they want most. If so, I speculated that the teams could get a deal hammered down by December, and it would not surprise me if this happened.

What say you, fellow Fish Stripers? Do you approve of this "off limits" approach, and do you think the Marlins can make a deal for Shields? Would you be in favor of a deal?

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James Shields, Wade Davis, Gio Gonzalez, Trevor
Cahill, Jair Jurrjens, John Danks, Gavin Floyd,...

James Shields, Wade Davis, Gio Gonzalez, Trevor Cahill, Jair Jurrjens, John Danks, Gavin Floyd, Chad Billingsley, and Wandy Rodriguez are the pitchers "known or thought to be available in trades," according to the FOX writers.

MLBTR sums up the starting pitching trade candidates
Shields is coming off a career year, Gio is Jonathan Sanchez, Billingsley is having trouble living up to expectations, and the rest of them are pretty much non-tender candidates. Jurrjens has actually been pretty consistent compared to most of these guys, though none of them, even JJ are really top of the rotation guys.

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Maddux to interview for Cubs manager (AP)

Texas Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux is next up as the Chicago Cubs search for a new manager. Maddux is slated to interview on Wednesday. Milwaukee Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum and Philadelphia Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin have already been interviewed to replace Mike Quade, who was fired by new president of baseball operations [...]

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http://www.mlbnewsblog.com/2011/11/09/maddux-to-interview-for-cubs-manager-ap/

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BoSox to talk to Lovullo, Lamont, Alomar (AP)

The Boston Red Sox plan to interview Torey Lovullo and Gene Lamont for their managerial opening. They team said Tuesday they will be interviewed this week along with Cleveland bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr., whose interview Wednesday was announced earlier. Terry Francona left as manager two days after the regular season ended.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.mlbnewsblog.com/2011/11/09/bosox-to-talk-to-lovullo-lamont-alomar-ap/

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Brewers bring back entire coaching staff (AP)

The Milwaukee Brewers are bringing back first-year manager Ron Roenicke’s entire coaching staff next season after the group led the team to the NL championship series. That includes hitting coach Dale Sveum, for now. Sveum has interviewed for managerial openings with the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox.

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http://www.mlbnewsblog.com/2011/11/09/brewers-bring-back-entire-coaching-staff-ap
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Are These Really What The New Miami Marlins
Uniforms Are Going To Look Like

Are These Really What The New Miami Marlins Uniforms Are Going To Look Like??? Speculation about the new Marlins team logo and uniforms is running rampant here is South Florida.  And when I say rampant, I mean that I am … Continue reading →

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http://bapple2286.wordpress.com/2011/11/09/are-these-really-what-the-new-miami-ma
rlins-uniforms-are-going-to-look-like/

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The New Owner of the Dodgers

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http://www.ladodgertalk.com/2011/11/the-new-owner-of-the-dodgers/

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Ryne Sandberg 2001 Topps Archives

Ryne Sandberg 2001 Topps Archives As a lover of the history of the Chicago Cubs, most of my favorite legends have at some point worn the famous ‘C’ on their cap. You know my line-up:  Dawson, Jenkins, Williams, Santo, Banks, Grace, and … Continue reading →

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http://bapple2286.wordpress.com/2011/11/08/ryne-sandberg-2001-topps-archives/

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