Top Players to Build Around

I really, really like this guy.

Nate Silver gave his version of the Top Players, but I figure I would disagree with a few spots. My picks are first with Silver's in parentheses.

1) Grady Sizemore (Hanley Ramirez)
Both players are very similar offensively. Good sticks, good OBP, great power, and great speed with which to steal bases. So why Sizemore even though he's a year older? First, he's a much better defensive player, and although shortstop is more important than center, Sizemore is that much better defensively and will probably stay in center, whereas Hanley will probably move to third in a few years. Second, Sizemore is a much better base stealer (31/34 as opposed to Hanley's 29/41).

2) Hanley Ramirez (David Wright)
Again, both players are comparable offensively. Ramirez does steal more bases, but Wright has more doubles. The difference? Wright is a year older and at a less important position. Although Ramirez will probably move to third (maybe center?), having him at short for three more years to find another shortstop is worth it.

3) Evan Longoria (Albert Pujols)
Tough call here. Between Wright and Longoria, there really isn't much of a contest. Both are very good offensively, but Longoria is three years younger and a better defender. With Pujols, I really wanted to pick him, but Longoria is six years younger. That much youth has to count for something, even though Pujols is the best hitter ever.

4) Albert Pujols (Evan Longoria)
Not counting his elbow (anyone can get injured and Pujols has dealt with this elbow for awhile), Pujols is the next best player. He's a Gold Glover at first and is the best hitter in the majors. He is probably the most feared hitter in the majors, and without missing two weeks, his power numbers would look better.

5) Jose Reyes (Grady Sizemore)
Shortstops just don't grow on trees. He and Wright are impressive. Reyes gives the speed and Wright gives the power, so why Reyes? They are the same age, but again, it comes down to position. Reyes is a good defensive shortstop who won't have to move, and it's not like he's a Juan Pierre lead off guy.

6) David Wright (Jose Reyes)
After bragging on Wright, he had to be here. Mauer seems close due to equal age and the fact that his position is much more important, but Wright's power is too much. Granderson is also close with him playing center, but Wright is two years younger.

7) Curtis Granderson (Joe Mauer)
Besides the OBP, Granderson really is better at everything else offensively, even with more pop. Plus, they both play important positions, with catcher being more important due to his being involved in every play. Tough call, but I'd rather have Granderson.

8) Felix Hernandez (Alex Rodriguez)
At age 22, Hernandez is younger than every other big pitcher. He's also really good (don't let the 7-8 record fool you). If someone gave me him to start a team around, I'd take him in a heartbeat. Why not Lincecum? He's two years older, and I guess there could be something to the herky-jerky motion and injury thing, although I'm still not sold on it. But it's really close, especially with Hernandez possibly having more mileage on his arm.

9) Tim Lincecum (CC Sabathia)
Talk about mileage, and Sabathia's name is the first to come to mind. Lincecum is also three years younger. While Sabathia is having a monster half with the Brewers, I'd still take Lincecum over Sabathia.

10) Joe Mauer (Johan Santana)
At age 25, there aren't too many better catchers in the game. McCann's name pops to mind, but Mauer is much better defensively. McCann has the edge offensively and that makes things close, but I'll take Mauer over McCann, I guess (damn, that was painful to say).

11) Brian McCann (Brian McCann)
For the reasons named above. Greatest offensive catcher in the game, by far and away. Too bad he can't throw out base stealers. He also makes too many errors, but he's a good receiver and game caller. Future manager might add a little value to him, too.

12) Miguel Cabrera (Jake Peavy)
In the fight between A-Rod and Cabrera, I'll take Cabrera. If not only for the fact that he's eight years younger, he'll probably, if he isn't already, be as good offensively as A-Rod. He's not good defensively, but he could plausibly learn. I doubt it, but the guy's 24. That has to count for something.

13) Alex Rodriguez (Chase Utley)
He's the second-best hitter in the game. Why does he fall here? He's 32.

14) Ryan Braun (Miguel Cabrera)
Great offensive player, and left field may be the best spot for him defensively. If he was more patient, he would be higher. If he was better defensively, he'd be higher. He hits that well.

15) Scott Kazmir (Tim Lincecum)
In a battle between the three lefty pitchers (Kazmir, Hamels, Lester) at age 24, Kazmir wins. Lester's K rate isn't as good as the other two. Kazmir's is better than Hamel's. Everything else is eerily similar.

So why not the young-ins Bruce and Justin Upton? Both are having their growing pains, and I need production now.

So why not the big lefty pitchers Santana and Sabathia? righties Peavy and Webb? Age and pitchers are not like age and wine, and all of them have lots of miles on those prized arms. Still, they're all really good, and I wouldn't mind having one ... or two.

So why not Hamilton and Utley? Both are older (27 and 29 respectively). They're also not great defensively in their important positions. Hamilton really needs to be in left or right. Otherwise, they're just a tad out of it.

Pedro Saves Mets Bullpen

I'll never remember Pedro for anything more than this moment.

The Braves seem to be allowing this to happen quite a bit lately. The Braves have scored four (once) or less (five) six times in their past seven games.

Quick note: I think the word "blow" is a bit much for Delgado's game-winning "hit" last night.

Arroyo Knows What Ails Reds

This explains everything.

You mean, more than your pitching? Your huge contract? The disappointment watching you pitch every five days?

Sorry. Anyway, Bronson suggests a new catcher and two new outfielders, but the pitching staff is fine. Uh dude, your pitching staff is 24th in the Majors this season. That's not getting it done. If all you needed was some offense, you would have been good this season considering you had two good hitting outfielders.

What really ails the Reds? Yes, they do need a new catcher and two new outfielders, but they could use a new shortstop (Gonzalez really isn't that good) as well. But that's not all, folks. They also need Harang to stop sucking, Arroyo to stop sucking, and Cueto to not be so bad. Also, pray that Volquez really is this good. As for the bullpen, it really is pretty solid as it's seventh in the majors. So overall, they need a new catcher, two outfielders, a shortstop, and two more starting pitchers. Actually, make that four new ones (unless you want to count Harang as good which would be fine with me).

Instant Replay to Lengthen Time of Games

We all wait eagerly ...

Duh. Who would've figured?

I've already commented on how I don't like instant replay, but my stance has changed a little bit. First, I've come to grips with the fact that instant replay will happen, and there's no use complaining about it. Second, why only for home runs? Why not plays at the plate? I've seen wrong calls there before. I'm not being sarcastic or "slippery slope" here. I genuinely want to know why only home runs. If it is, it shows that Selig and the MLB is only reacting to pressure and the outcry over a few miscalled home runs. Third, to be "slippery slope", what would've happened if this happened last year? Would we see the "slippery slope" take effect after a Matt Holliday slide? Fourth, don't you think they should have taken a bit more time to go through this? They should've taken at least the postseason and offseason to consider the possibilities and ramifications of adding this on. In doing this in about three months, they've hurried this along to appease everyone, and I can't wait for the first boos when the umpire takes too long even though he correctly overturns the call on the field. That'll be priceless. I hope it happens to the Mets. You complain about it not being there, but when it interrupts the game and takes too long, you know you're going to complain. But oh well, let's see if you were careful for what you were wishing.

Guys on the Way Back ... If They Don't Get Hurt Again

So where's the other half of the card?

Carl Pavano is actually slated to pitch on Saturday, but whether he makes it or not is a completely different story. Also, Bartolo Colon threw 4 no-hit innings in a rehab start, and if he can get healthy for September, that would be great news for a team in dire need of some starting pitching help. Pavano is pitching for pride at this point (and for a contract next season) as the Yankees probably aren't going to make the playoffs, but Colon could legitimately help the Red Sox hold off the pesky Twins and maybe even overtake the Rays.

I'm taking bets on who actually gets to pitch in the Majors and on who makes it the longest. I'll take both get in the Majors by season's end, but Colon actually pitches more.

Hum Dum

This is kind of a boring part of the year. My Braves are already out of it, so I don't really have a team to cheer for. There really aren't too many trades to worry about (unless Jose Bautista to the Jays counts). The season won't be exciting until the last week of the year when we really have to watch for the playoff push. So ... I don't know what to really write about. Add on that I'm moving back to college on Saturday, and the next few days may be a little slow around these parts. I'll probably add on a few posts later tonight, but I'll be packing tomorrow and unpacking Saturday. Therefore, there might not be much on here until Sunday. I'll try in the mornings and late at night like usual, but I can't guarantee anything.

Brett Myers a New Pitcher?

Everybody do the wave. Brett Myers is sort of good, again.

The Baseball Tonight crew thinks Brett Myers has turned the corner since his demotion because he's 3-1 with a 1.94 ERA. Pretty good, but is he the real deal? Is this the Real Slim Myers? I doubt it. At the beginning of the season, I wondered why everyone thought he was going to be this great no. 2 or ace pitcher when 3.72 was the best ERA he'd ever had as a starter. Granted, he could be better this season, but he wasn't going to be spectacular. When he had a 5.84 ERA before the break, it was probably just a bad half, which makes this one his good one ... which evens out his season. Even Barry Zito has a good stretch now and then, so Myers is going to have a good stretch. He is a fairly good major-league pitcher, so he has talent. However, he isn't good enough to be great all the time. Can we say small sample size? His starts now will most likely bring him back to his average ERA. Baseball and 162 games has a weird way of averaging things out, but they always even out differently.

Dude ... Matt Joyce

Can he sing, too? That's just not fair.

How many of us have heard of Matt Joyce? I saw a Tigers game with him, but I haven't paid any attention to him otherwise. Anyway, he's an outfielder for the Detroit Tigers, and he's done really well. For the season (60 games), his line is .276/.335/.580 with 12 HR, 31 RBI, and 13 DB. For 162 games, that would be roughly 32 HR, 83 RBI, and 32 DB. Pretty good, and he's in his first year at age 24 (just turned on August 3rd). Add Brent Clevlen who is raking at AAA Toledo, and Magglio Ordoñez may find himself the odd-man out if the Tigers want to really cut costs next year. Oh, he would bring back pitching, pitching, and maybe some offense, too. Anyone else think this is a good idea? Or am I freaking out about small sample sizes? Probably the latter, but don't think the Tigers haven't thought about it.

Brett Wallace Moves to AA

I have no idea why, but this came up when I typed in Wallace's name. Nickname! Brett Wallace is now known as Mr. Pickles.

The Cardinals moved their number one pick from low A to AA without a stop in high A. Why do I care? Well, I like to watch the College World Series, and he was a player that caught my eye. Also, this has 2009 implications. Troy Glaus is the current third baseman in St. Louis, and he's having a spectacular season. However, counting on it happening again next season might be more than the Cardinals are willing to bet. Therefore, they'll need a replacement. As a college player, Wallace should be more polished and able to move quickly. He hit well in A ball, and if he hits well in AA, he might be the front-runner for the job. He'll be 22 and cheap, but he also has power. With Ankiel and Ludwick back next season, they don't need Wallace to be a middle of the order guy. The problem is that Wallace isn't a brilliant defender, and with Duncan's philosophy on sinker-ballers, that could be a problem. Yet, I think they'll manage. Watch Wallace. If he does well for the next month and in Spring Training, he could be the starting third baseman next year.

A Pain in the Yankee's Neck

We don't know, either. We don't know, either. At least, you've had some really hot chicks.

Carl Pavano's comeback has been put on hold again. This time, he had a stiff neck in the bullpen. All I can say is ... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Sorry. But seriously, HAHAHAHAMIKEHAMPTONHAHA. Really? A stiff neck? I guess if Mike Hampton can eventually work his way back, then Pavano can as well, but Hampton at least pulled something instead of having a stiff neck. How does that affect your pitching anyway? If all it does is make it uncomfortable, then he has to understand how uncomfortable his contract his. Seriously though, a stiff neck? That might top Hampton's pulling a groin while walking (walking) on a treadmill. Nope, but it's close.

Baseball Hell

Update: I now realize the levels don't match up exactly, but my descriptions are in line with Dante's Inferno.

Get them Satan. Get 'em.

I saw this earlier today on Boys of Summer, so I created my own.

Dr. James Andrews
Circle I Limbo

Bud Selig
Circle II Whirling in a Dark & Stormy Wind

The New York Mets, The New York Yankees
Circle III Mud, Rain, Cold, Hail & Snow

Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens
Circle IV Rolling Weights

Hank Steinbrenner
Circle V Stuck in Mud, Mangled

River Styx

Joe Morgan, Steve Philips
Circle VI Buried for Eternity

River Phlegyas

U.S. Congress, Donald Fehr
Circle VII Burning Sands

Latin American Scouts
Circle IIX Immersed in Excrement

People Who Hate Baseball
Circle IX Frozen in Ice

Design your own hell

Dr. James Andrews didn't do anything wrong (much like the non-baptized in Dante's), but he is a by-product of time, place, and occupation.

Bud Selig, for all his faults, really isn't that bad, but it's his desire for everything to be perfect in baseball and its resulting effects that land him here.

Yankees and gluttons just fit, don't they?

For all the demonizing, Bonds and Clemens aren't the worst people in the world, but they're desire for material wealth and glory, and the illegal means that brought them those, put them in hell.

Hank Steinbrenner and wrathful? A match made in ... hell.

Joe Morgan and Steve Phillips are heretical saying they know anything about baseball (Joe Morgan gets a slightly easier punishment for being a Hall of Famer while Phillips gets an extra flaming bomb up the rear).

U.S. Congress and Donald Fehr have each taken aggressive steps to hold baseball back. Congress for investigating every tiny thing wrong while they could be looking at education, health care, etc. Fehr just tries to make the players greedy while hiding their dirty laundry. They get a boiling blood river for making my blood boil.

The Latin American scouts who have been skimming bonuses from the less-fortunate Dominicans are definitely guilty of fraud and trechery and deserve every whip, human excrement, burning sole, and biting snake they get.

Finally, those who hate baseball deserve the worst fate for not attempting to understand, comprehend, enjoy, relish in, and lavish the best game on Earth. I hope Satan chews on them for all eternity.

Tipping the Scales

Sausages beware.

I'm sitting here watching Sportscenter and just saw the Brewer highlight. Aside from Yost continuing to abuse Sabathia, Sabathia's hit made me wonder something as Prince Fielder scored. Has there ever been a scoring duo (one that scored and the other who knocked him in) that weighed as much as those two. Sabathia is a listed 250 pounds, but I seriously doubt that. Prince Fielder is 260, but again, I doubt that. Okay, Baseball-Reference let me down this time, but it doesn't happen often (I guess it can't be held responsible for weight). I looked at the Brewers' website (I know, I know. That should have been the first place I looked), and Sabathia is 290 and Fielder is 270. That's a combined 560 pounds shaking Miller Park. Anyway, anyone else know a heavier two-some?

The Thing Is ...

Jason Kendall attempting to explain that he can still be good. You just gotta believe.

Apparently, Jason Kendall's option for next year has been exercised due to the number of at-bats he has had this season, and he's happy he's coming back next season. The thing is do the Brewers want Kendall back? When most people thought the signing was a bad thing, the Brewers apparently had no one else because not only did they sign him, they gave him an easy-to-get option for next year. Now, they have to pay him around $4.5 million to be their catcher next season. I doubt that there will be better catchers next offseason in free agency, but I'm betting someone from AAA could pop in to hit .245/.328/.318. Vinny Rottino? Actually, Angel Salome, the AA catcher, seems to be the best option with his .367/.418/.564 line.

OH ... MY ... GOD!

No, you still need a few more fingers to count your losses.

Barry Zito combines with two pitchers on a seven-hit shutout of the Braves. WTF?!? Zito goes 7 while giving up five hits and 2 walks with 3 strikeouts. I mean, I love the Braves, but seriously, Zito? In a season, especially second half, where runs have been hard to come by, this is the time to friggin' get some back. He doesn't throw hard. His curveball is loopy. Just hit the ball! Okay, Mark, calm down. I don't get it. The Braves lost Teixeira, but we still have a lineup. Chipper and McCann are still there, but Chipper's been rather unspectacular since his average dipped under .400 and McCann just can't do it all the time. They shouldn't be this bad. However, I've been watching the games this season, and they have never seemed interested in the game. Certain things such as not throwing to the right base, dropping relay throws, and generally not doing the little things (Will someone teach Escobar to bunt for God's sake?!?) have been abundant. They don't even seem interested, and since the Teixeira trade, they seem less interested. I know it's hard. I was playing my brothers in cornhole yesterday, and when I got down 12-3 (my mom tries but is not a good partner), I just didn't feel like it. I wanted the game over so the next one could begin. I think that's all the Braves feel. Guys like Johnson, Francoeur, and Escobar aren't necessarily having the years they thought they would, so they just want next year to start. Do I keep watching this? Is it worth it? I still want to watch and cheer them no matter how much they suck, but it would make me feel better if it seemed as though they cared.

I guess the only thing that makes me feel better about today is that Zito hasn't been all that terrible since the break. I choose to believe that Zito is just re-discovering himself (like Christy Brinkley apparently) and not that the Braves just suck that bad/don't care that much.

Top 10 Headline

Naturally, he's the first guy I thought of when the word "underachieving" came to mind.

I love it when people come up with really good titles for their columns. Today, Carroll Rogers has one, despite what it means for my team. It's "Doh! Braves Homers Lacking". I'm not a huge Simpson's fans, but I'm sure some of you are.

Comeback Players of the Year

Oh yeah, he's pumped.

I like comeback stories. It's cool when someone re-emerges from the previous poor season to have a great season this year. It's also a hard category to figure out who is doing what in, so I'll do the work for you.

AL Comeback Player

Cliff Lee (CLE)
-> (2007) 16 starts, 97.1 IP, 5-8, 6.29 ERA, 66 K, 36 BB
-> (2008) 24 starts, 170.2 IP, 17-2, 2.43 ERA, 134 K, 24 BB

Justin Duchscherer (OAK)
-> ('07) 17 games, 16.1 IP, 3-3, 4.96 ERA, 13 K, 8 BB
-> ('08) 21 starts, 139 IP, 10-8, 2.59 ERA, 92 K, 34 BB

Jon Lester (BOS)
-> ('07) 11 starts, 63 IP, 4-0, 4.57 ERA, 50 K, 31 BB
-> ('08) 25 starts, 160.2 IP, 11-4, 3.25 ERA, 109 K, 50 BB

Mike Mussina (NYY)
-> ('07) 27 starts, 152 IP, 11-10, 5.15 ERA, 91 K, 35 BB
-> ('08) 25 starts, 153.1 IP, 16-7, 3.35 ERA, 106 K, 21 BB

Carlos Quentin (CWS)
-> ('07) 81 games, .214/.298/.349, 5 HR, 31 RBI, 29 R, 16 2B
-> ('08) 118 games, .292.395/.582, 34 HR, 95 RBI, 87 R, 22 2B

Milton Bradley (TEX)
-> ('07) 61 games, .306/.402/.545, 13 HR, 37 RBI, 37 R, 9 2B
-> ('08) 97 games, .317/.442/.584, 20 HR, 63 RBI, 64 R, 26 2B

There are lots of worthy candidates here. Lee was going to get traded last offseason. Duchscherer in the rotation seemed a desperation move. Lester was coming back from cancer, and no one knew how well he'd do. Mussina's career was over. Quentin was traded because of injury issues and under-production. Bradley just had a torn ACL, and everyone worried about his attitude. Needless to say, lots of teams are shaking their heads knowing they could have had these guys.

NL Comeback Player

Jamie Moyer (PHI)
-> ('07) 33 starts, 199.1 IP, 14-12, 5.01 ERA, 133 K, 66 BB
-> ('08) 25 starts, 151 IP, 11-7, 3.64 ERA, 95 K, 47 BB

Paul Maholm (PIT)
-> ('07) 29 starts, 177.2 IP, 10-15, 5.02 ERA, 105 K, 49 BB
-> ('08) 24 starts, 161 IP, 8-7, 3.69 ERA, 113 K, 41 BB

Cristian Guzman (WAS)
-> ('07) 46 games, .328/.380/.466, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 31 R, 6 2B
-> ('08) 110 games, .294/.324/.400, 5 HR, 34 RBI, 60 R, 28 2B

Stephen Drew (ARI)
-> ('07) 150 games, .238/.313/.370, 12 HR, 60 RBI, 60 R, 28 2B
-> ('08) 117 games, .284/.326/.482, 14 HR, 49 RBI, 68 R, 32 2B

Jorge Cantu (FLA)
-> ('07) 52 games, .252/.331/.357, 1 HR, 13 RBI, 12 R, 9 2B
-> ('08) 121 games, .282/.331/.472, 21 HR, 68 RBI, 70 R, 30 2B

Troy Glaus (STL)
-> ('07) 115 games, .262/.366/.473, 20 HR, 62 RBI, 19 R, 19 2B
-> ('08) 123 games, .276/.375/.489, 21 HR, 81 RBI, 57 R, 30 2B

This past offseason, Moyer's career was over. Maholm was not the promising rookie he once was. Guzman wasn't close to the guy he once was and probably wasn't going to start this season. Drew, like Maholm, had lost his rookie promise. Cantu hadn't been seen in a few years. Glaus was not the big-bopper from Anaheim and was traded for Rolen (oops).

Biggio Has Number Retired

Take another curtain call Mr. Biggio.

The Houston Astros retired Craig Biggio's no. 7 today. I'm really glad this happened. There a few guys I genuinely respect as both a baseball player and person, and Biggio is definitely one. He played hard every game and for 20 years. In a time where Jimmy Rollins, Manny Ramirez, and BJ Upton don't run out balls, you never had to worry about him. There were several things I loved about him. First, he was a catcher. I will always have a soft spot for catchers. Second, his helmet. It was always covered in pine tar, and to me, it symbolized his style of play. Third, he is second all-time in hit by pitches, only two back from Hughie Jennings (287) who played in the late nineteenth century. Anyone with the stones to stand in there to take a few 90 mph fastballs for his team is okay in my book. Fourth, he has 3,000 hits. In an age where the home run is the be-all and end-all, I still like guys who can do both (291 HR). He made seven All-Stars, won four Gold Gloves, won five Silver Sluggers, and led the league in doubles three times. If he isn't a first time Hall of Famer, I might go have a word with some baseball journalists.

KLaw Explains It All

Who pictures Keith Law like this?

I never really understood everything about the draft, but Keith Law explained what the difference between major league contracts and minor league contracts when players sign out of the draft. In the meantime, he also explains all about service time and how that leads to free-agency. I understood the service team leading to free agency (six years at 172 days a year), but he does a really good job explaining everything. At first, I really didn't like KLaw all that much because I thought he was kind of a ... well ... arrogant jerk, but after reading him for awhile, I realize that he has strong opinions. While I may not agree with it all, at least he has good reasons for it. I'm not sure why he is not working on a team now, but I think he should probably get a chance. Then again, maybe he doesn't want one. It might be a bit more cushy with less responsibility at ESPN.

Another Marlins Firesale?

A usual game in Miami.

After a surprisingly good season, the Marlins may still be looking to trade all their arbitration-eligible players. Even Uggla is up to be traded. This is the saddest story in sports not including the double "s" stories (steriods and skimming). In a world where baseball is making lots of money and low-payroll teams make money before the season starts, no one should have a $20 million payroll. It shouldn't happen. Why would you come to the games? How many people would you recognize? You gotta spend money to make money, right? It makes me wonder though if the Marlins make money outside of the revenue sharing. How many Marlins hats do you see people wearing? How many people come to games? Are the Marlins losing money by simply operating?

Outside of whether or not it's ethical, there is no doubt the Marlins will once again bring in a load of prospects. Uggla would bring in a boatload. Olsen would bring in a boatload. Willingham, Hermida, and Jacobs will bring in a few good ones. This sale may affect free agency. Especially with all the trades last offseason, teams may choose to deal with Florida instead of buying over-priced free agents. The problem for me may be that Florida will probably not deal with Atlanta because of the dumb "no trading within division" thing. I'd take Hermida, even Uggla. I'm not sure Atlanta has enough because Florida likes major league-ready prospects, and most of Atlanta's good prospects are in A ball.

So, following the pattern, Florida will be surprisingly good again next season, suck the next, and then be surprisingly good again when they then decide to sell all their players off for younger players.

It's Crow's Fault, Too

You'll have to go to Fort Worth to see this.

Well, the draft signing deadline passed last night, and all but three picks signed. One of the most controversial seems to be Aaron Crow choosing to go to an Independent League instead of the minor leagues for the Washington Nationals. Most, including Keith Law, have been bashing the Nationals for yet another blunder which doesn't help their team. I agree that it's a blunder. They reportedly only differed by $700K, but on such a small number, I imagine a major league deal was also a big difference between the two. Prospects seem to really want those these days. If it was just those small differences, then yes the Nationals made a mistake. But what about Crow? He was the ninth overall pick by the Nationals out of college. Now, he has to wait for next year's draft when he'll be a year older. So, instead of taking $3.3 million dollars, he'll go play in the independent leagues, and wait for next year. He could get hurt and lose his stock. He could simply lose his stock just playing against the Independent League and falling off the radar. Maybe he won't. The thing is this now keeps him away from the Majors for another season. He could have budged, too. Then again, who wants to play for the Nationals?