July 30

I listened to the last inning and a half of the Twins game last night on the way home from our fastpitch game in Steen. I expected to hear news about what the Twins did with Adam Everett, but heard nothing. I read today that they first designated him for assignment, then changed their minds when Casilla went on the DL with a torn tendon in his finger. I've read that its the same injury that Matt Tolbert suffered in May, and he's still not back. Hopefully its not as bad.

On many of the blogs I read, they have campaigns to "free" a player, or in other words, let them play in an everyday role. For example, Aaron Gleeman had a "Free Jason Kubel" campaign earlier this season (April 1). I've seen a couple others, but like an amateur writer/blogger, its not my job to remember everything, is it? Anyways, I am going to propose my own "Free" campaign..."Free Alejandro Machado!"

Machado was picked by the Twins in the 2006 Rule 5 draft, but tore his labrum during Spring Training in 2007, and was out for the entire season after surgery. Since coming back from the DL this season, he has hit .333 in 23 games with an OPS of .829. Although he hasn't showed it this season, he has averaged 22 SB's a season in his 9 minor league seasons.

I realize that the case study isn't that great, but using the Minor League Equivalency Factor, that gives him a line of .293/.301/.419. Now I'm no rocket scientist, but I know that those stats are far superior to Adam Everett's. I don't want to undermine the thinking of the one and only Bill Smith on this one...wait, yes I do...but Everett better be either picking up right where Casilla left off, hitting over .300 or be laying out for balls heading to Canada or he'll be calling Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens for job-searching info.

Another update on the Five-Tool Performer's bid for $10k... After two days of play in the league playoffs, FTP holds an astonishing 52 point advantage over WWC. Biggest reason: the pitching staffs. My Rays hold a 31-4 point advantage over his White Sox.

If you made it through all those numbers and all those terms...don't you just feel the least bit more intelligent, a smidge smarter, even a little enlightened??

Maybe you just can't believe that this guy's going to be teaching a fantasy sports class to 8th graders this fall...