SweetSpot Roundup 9/24

Pro Ball NW (Mariners): Look Ahead to the Offseason, Part 2
"All in all, the potential roster for 2011 looks like it could be another long year.  Next season looks like a rebuilding year for sure, and in all honesty it could wind up being even worse from a wins and losses perspective than 2010 has been."

The Ray Area: It's Just Too Bad
Mark with some perspective on Carl Crawford's imminent departure.

Fire Brand of the American League (Red Sox): Coveroo Trivia
Trivia. Prizes. Fun.

Royals Authority: Extending Billy Butler
"Now is the time, I think, for the Royals to enter into negotiations to lock up Butler to a fair, but reasonable long-term deal.   Something along the lines of four years and $26 million might get the job done."

Nick's Twins Blog: Fourth Starter in the Playoffs
I'm not going to lie; that Twins fans can write articles like this right now, makes me pretty damn happy:  "Right now, the choice appears to be between Nick Blackburn, Kevin Slowey, Scott Baker or the Game 1 starter on short rest. None of those options seem all that unappealing, which is a good sort of conundrum to face."

Sox Machine (White Sox): Flowers can build off first start
"I don’t think he’ll get enough of an opportunity to start planning on him, but they still have to keep him as a big part of the picture. One bad season shouldn’t sink a guy like Flowers, especially at such a tough position."

It's About the Money, Stupid (Yankees): Deep diving on AJ Burnett
More than you ever wanted to know about AJ Burnett using some wicked cool (and pretty) heat charts.  Check this out.

Austin's Astros 290 Blog: Wandy Rodriguez gets hosed again
"How many times in a year can one possibly be forced to write the same story?  Wandy Rodriguez has been hung out to dry time and time again by his teammates.  He’s putting up some of the best numbers in baseball and has a horrible record to show for it."

Capitol Avenue Club (Braves): Off Day Notes
"I think it’s about time to try something else in the lead off spot.  Omar Infante simply doesn’t get on base enough to warrant hitting in the top-half of the order, much less the lead off spot....Infante’s season .367 on base average (falling fast, BTW) is entirely a product of his .330 batting average, which is entirely a product of his .368 BABIP, which isn’t sustainable in the least bit."

Disciples of Uecker (Brewers): I Miss Ben Sheets
Jack waxes nostalgic about one of his favorite pitchers.  This is the kind of article you point assinine sportswriters and fans to who say that statheads can't be real fans.

The View from the Bleachers (Cubs): Drinking With George Wendt (A Book Review)
"At some point, as I was reading the book, I looked closely at the cover photo of George Wendt and I thought: 'Holy Moly – He looks bloated and puffy and fat and terrible. Like he’s been out drinking all night and then, at 6:00 am, they told him to sit at the bar and have his picture taken.' Then I looked in the mirror and realized: Hey, he looks just like me!!"

Dodger Thoughts: Jamey Carroll Wins Roy Campanella Award
Obviously, this is not for hitting.  It's for "most inspirational Dodger."  Given James Loney's comments on Tuesday, it doesn't sound like it was a crowded field.

Mets Today: Marlins 7, Mets 3
"The Fish swept the Mets, but at least the pain was quick. A two-game sweep is less painful than a three-game sweep, isn’t it?"

Ducksnorts (Padres): Seat Belts Fastened, Tray Tables in an Upright and Locked Position
"I can’t say enough good things about Tim Stauffer. He has done whatever was asked of him this year and done it well. I think I’ve mentioned this before, but to my way of thinking, Stauffer has become a viable mid- to long-term option in the rotation."

Crashburn Alley (Phillies):  Jack McCaffery Wears Bad Idea Jeans
Jack McCaffery thinks Wilson Valdez might make Jimmie Rollins expendable.  Bill (deservedly) gives him the FJM treatment.

Redleg Nation: Not-So-Random Thoughts
Chad channels his inner Kanye:  "Yo St. Louis Cardinals, I’m really happy for you and Imma let you finish, but Richard Nixon was the greatest quitter of all time."