text:
Dallas-based Nieman Printing pays $96,335 in overtime back wages to employees after a U.S. Department of Labor investigation
The U.S. Department of Labor said Dallas-based Nieman Printing Inc. has paid $96,335 in overtime back wages to 101 employees following a department investigation.
The company violated the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, according to the Labor Department. In addition to the overtime wages, civil penalties totaled $26,000.
"This company knowingly used illegal employment tactics to avoid paying workers overtime," said Cynthia Watson, regional administrator for the Wage and Hour Division in the Southwest, said in a statement.
No one answered the phone at Neimen Printing.
Nieman agreed to comply fully with the FLSA, and paid back wages and civil penalties in full, according to the Labor Department.
An investigation conducted by the division's Dallas office found that Niemen Printing required employees to record hours worked on two different time clocks at the same site, but did not combine those hours to determine when overtime was due. As a result, employees did not receive overtime pay of 1.5 times their regular wage for working more than 40 hours a week.
Investigators found that employees were under contract to Niemen by two separate staffing agencies at the same time, with hours worked Monday through Wednesday charged to one agency and hours worked by the same employees Thursday through Sunday charged to the other agency. Investigators also found that some Niemen salaried employees were wrongly classified as exempt from receiving overtime when they were due overtime pay.
Neimen's website says the company opened in 1979. It provides printing services for everything from brochures and pamphlets to corporate reports and marketing materials as well as turn-key mailing and fulfillment services.


text:
Saturday, September 14, 2013
A concerned citizen called police to report a hit and run in her neighborhood. She explained to the officer that a female had been driving the car and she got out and started walking father into the neighborhood. Police ran the tag and the owner lived at a nearby address. They went to the residence and the person who answered the door was extremely uncooperative. The officer could smell booze on her breath. She said she had not been driving but her roommate had and that the roommate was not there. After questioning her and not getting anywhere, the suspect told police she was willing to go to jail for her friend. She said she was protecting her because the roommate had a newborn child.
After some convincing the owner of the vehicle appeared at the door to speak with the officer.
She too had an odor of alcohol coming from her breath.
A witness positively identified her as the driver and said he wanted to pursue charges.
This suspect said she had no idea what happened and had no idea where her car was.
However, her father arrived on the scene and told police his nephew had called him and said his daughter had been in an accident.
The roommate again admitted that her friend was driving and she was just trying to protect her.
The roommate was charged with interfering with officers, and the driver was charged with leaving the scene.
© 2016 Moultrie News an Evening Post Industries company. All Rights Reserved.
Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Parental Consent Form.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
UNIVERSITY PARK - After Saturday's thrilling 24-21 overtime victory over Wisconsin that triggered a wild midfield celebration, Bill O'Brien grabbed a microphone and yelled to the Beaver Stadium student section, "I only have one thing to say: 'We are!'''
Then O'Brien hustled up the tunnel to the Nittany Lion locker room, where more emotion awaited.
The players chanted, "Coach O-B, Coach O-B," and tears flowed - O'Brien's and his players - after a roller-coaster season unlike any in college football history ended with Penn State's eighth victory in 10 games and a championship feeling.
Article Video
"We've had some good victory celebrations, but this one was special," linebacker Glenn Carson said. "Lot of tears of joy."
O'Brien told the Lions that he's coached many teams, but this one, because of the adversity it overcame in staying together, recovering from an 0-2 start and finishing strong, "is special."
And it was - because of him.
Article Photos
Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski
Bill O'Brien went 8-4 in his first season at Penn State.
Though O'Brien likes to credit the players, especially the seniors, the manner in which he handled replacing a legend in Joe Paterno and the NCAA sanctions resulting from the Jerry Sandusky scandal, was exemplary.
He not only kept the team focused, but he involved the players in important decisions, such as putting names on the uniforms and honoring the injured Michael Mauti by placing the No. 42 on each helmet for Saturday's game.
"It's a players' game," O'Brien said.
He also brought an exciting offensive style, the likes of which Penn State fans had never seen.
He took a borderline talent in quarterback Matt McGloin and made him the best passer in the Big Ten.
"Saved my career," McGloin said Saturday.
He brought the tight end into prominence with Jesse James' three catches for 90 yards and a 41-yard touchdown among the keys to beating Wisconsin.
He installed a fast-paced NASCAR offense that kept the Big Ten on its heels and showcased a punishing running game behind Zach Zwinak while
embracing a gambling defensive style that featured considerable blitzing and man-to-man coverage.
"He makes the game so much fun," Carson, who will be a team leader in 2013, said. "I just had a blast playing for him."
O'Brien also nurtured placekicker Sam Ficken, fragile from an 0-for-4 performance in an early-season 17-16 loss to Virginia, back into reliability that was rewarded - for the player and the team - with a game-winning field goal that beat the Badgers.
It was one more example of the home-run hire Penn State made in January.
"He's was the right man for the job," McGloin said.
Mauti called O'Brien "a great leader and a phenomenal head coach. I think the program is definitely going in the right direction, and that's a testament to him.
Then Mauti added, "That's the [national] coach of the year."
Though there are no current openings in the NFL, where O'Brien spent the last five years as offensive coordinator with the New England Patriots, and despite a long-term contract here, his name likely will come up when the Sunday league starts its annual housecleaning in January.
Saturday, though, he sounded like a coach who expects to be back on the Beaver Stadium sidelines.
He said he and his staff plan "to hit the ground Monday," on next year. That will include a recruiting trip Wednesday through Friday and welcoming a large number of prospects next weekend.
A one-on-one with each returning player in the upcoming days will be a priority, he said, as "kind of an exit interview from this year - a 15-minute talk of where they are academically and what they have to do to be better [on the field]."
He said this year's schematic template may be much different by the spring.
"Who knows? Maybe we'll come out in the wishbone next year," he said. "Whatever suits us. It takes time to evaluate that, but as far as our coaching staff and myself, we're ready to go to the next stage, which is recruiting."
A whirlwind year that began with his hiring, a trip to the Super Bowl, a coaches' caravan to stir/rebuild interest and dealing with the disappointment/disbelief of the NCAA sanctions, O'Brien emerged Saturday eager to build on 2012.
"I feel we've accomplished a lot this year," he said. "Hopefully we can go into the offseason and figure out what we can do better."
That would be called an encore.
Rudel can be reached at 946-7527 or firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
|Back to Main Print This Page Email to a Friend
Primary biliary cirrhosis is irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the bile ducts of the liver. This blocks the flow of bile, which damages the liver cells and leads to scarring called cirrhosis.
The cause of inflamed bile ducts in the liver is not known. However, primary biliary cirrhosis is an autoimmune disorder. That means your body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue.
The disease more commonly affects middle-aged women.
Long-term bile obstruction is believed to lead to liver cirrhosis. The disease may be linked to autoimmune disorders such as:
More than half of patients have no symptoms at the time of diagnosis. Symptoms most often come on slowly and may include:
The doctor or nurse will do a physical exam.
The following tests can check to see if your liver is working properly:
Other tests that can help diagnose this disease are:
The goal of treatment is to ease symptoms and prevent complications.
Cholestyramine (or colestipol) may reduce the itching. Ursodeoxycholic acid may improve removal of bile from the bloodstream. This may improve survival in some patients.
Vitamin replacement therapy restores vitamins A, K, E and D, which are lost in fatty stools. A calcium supplement or other bone medicines may be added to prevent or treat weak or soft bones (osteoporosis, and rarely osteomalacia).
Liver transplant may be successful if it is done before liver failure occurs.
The outcome can vary. If the condition is not treated, most patients will die without a liver transplant. About a quarter of patients who have had the disease for 10 years will have liver failure. Doctors can now use a statistical model to predict the best time to do the transplant. Other diseases such as hypothyroidism and anemia can also develop.
Progressive cirrhosis can lead to liver failure. Complications can include:
Call your health care provider if you have:
Afdhal NH. Diseases of the gallbladder and bile ducts. In:Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 158.
Angulo P, Lindor KD. Primary biliary cirrhosis. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2010:chap 89.
Mayo MJ. Natural history of primary biliary cirrhosis. Clin Liver Dis. 2008;12:277-288.
Lindor KD, Gershwin ME, Poupon R, Kaplan M, et al. Primary biliary cirrhosis. American Association for Study of Liver Diseases. Hepatology. 2009;50:291.
On a mission to heal body, mind and spirit


text:
Double UV mesh sun cover & single PVC storm cover for your hammerhead stroller.
Not currently available in this region.
hammerhead sun cover is HOT! because:
- custom fit UV filtering mesh
- prevents sunny daze, bugs & rays
- main seat & double kit coverage
- compatible with your hammerhead stroller only
hammerhead storm cover is HOT! because:
- venture out, whatever the weather!
- smart custom fit design for airflow & breathability
- waterproof - don't let the risk of rain stop you!
- dry & demist - fancy that!
- main seat & double kit coverage
- compatible only with your hammerhead stroller


text: Knitwear is a key part of any girl's wardrobe when the weather takes a chilly turn, but you can forget about frumpy jumpers when shopping at Lavish Alice. The way Lavish Alice does women's knitwear is to take inspiration from the latest catwalk looks, add a dash of celebrity-inspired chic and create bold and beautiful knits to brighten up even the dullest of winter days. Think ladies sweaters and cardigans can't be edgy? Think again. Don't forget we also have items such as skirts, trousers and leggings, jewellery and bags which could be the essential piece to accompany your Lavish Alice jumper!


text:
almost unprecedented. We haven't seen something quite like this, since --
well, the days of the great Sony Corp. (6758) battery
recall. It seems like every day there's a new Sony web
property that's been compromised.
In recent weeks the company's two largest databases -- the PlayStation Network (PSN) database and
the Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) database -- were
fully compromised, multiple music sites/databases [1] [2] were compromised via SQL injection, $1,225 USD
in points were stolen from a Sony ISP subsidiary, and Sony's servers were found
to be hosting a malicious phishing page.
Now yet another attack has struck the befuddled company.
This time around hackers have struck Sony Ericsson's Eshop online
store for mobile phones in Canada, making off with 2,000 customer records.
The records include names, email addresses and encrypted passwords,
Sony wrote in a statement it released late yesterday.
Idahca, a Lebanese hacking group, has claimed
responsibility in a Pastebin dump of user records for the
attack. The hackers said that they could have gathered more sensitive
details like credit cards, but declined to.
Sony sites in Thailand and Indonesia were also compromised, bringing the total
of major breaches to 10 or possibly 11, based on our accounting. It
appears that all of these sites were infiltrated using the same SQL injection
attack route (affectionately nicknamed a "Little Bobby Tables"
attack), which took down the Sony BMG Greece and Japan sites earlier this week.
Sony appears to have done nothing effective to prevent its other sites,
even after the earlier compromises.
Credit card information is stored on an e-commerce website, a standalone
platform. This platform is separate from the servers on which the user
database is found. Idahca's comments indicate that the group claims to
have had access to the e-commerce servers as well. Sony has shut down
both the user server and the e-commerce servers, while it tries to investigate
the breach.
Phil Lieberman, CEO of online security consulting firm Lieberman Software, said Sony
made a fatal mistake in the flagrantly hostile approach it took towards the
hacking community, with regards to Linux on the Sony PlayStation 3 --
a use it initially promoted. He states, "Telling them to bring it on
is not the best strategy. I think Sony is beginning to understand it horribly
underinvested in security."
He said Sony's decision to sue beloved hardware hacker George "GeoHot" Hotz provoked
"nuclear responses" from hackers. Sony's suit against GeoHot
was particularly controversial as the company sought -- and was granted access
by federal courts -- to GeoHot's personal Twitter, Facebook, Gmail, and other accounts --
seemingly a gross invasion of privacy.
Sony is confident it will pay only $2 USD per lost record from its various web
properties. That's less than 1 percent of the average payout of $318 USD
per lost record that was the average in 2010. And in recent years the
cost of data lost has tended to increase by a factor of 1.5 each year.
Clearly Sony is hoping for some sort of miracle to save it financially.
Sony also needs some sort of miracle to prevent more attacks. Even with
plenty of forewarning, Sony still looks as inept as ever; utterly clueless at
securing its online properties. The company clearly is lost as to what to
do. Of course -- worst case scenario -- Sony could always quit the
The company is currently facing returns
of its products internationally and class action lawsuits from disgruntled former
quote: Verizon suddenly turns off all it's cell towers, and the phone is now completely useless.
quote: Or closer still - you buy a 3G phone and are using it, until suddenly AT&T tells you they are turning off all their 3G towers because people are pirating stuff over the bandwidth it provides and now you have to live with slower service.
quote: Yeah - I've probably agreed to EULA's that say I owe someone a kidney.
quote: That doesn't necessarily mean anything legally
quote: Sony did not turn off the PS3, it's fully functional.
quote: If anyone turned something off, it was the hackers.
quote: That would break key functionality. STOP!
quote: Wrong, EULA's are exactly legal.
quote: Tell me something, has a federal judge looked into Sony for this supposed illegal removal of the "heavily advertised" Linux feature? NO. That might clue you in. A company as heavily over sighted as Sony couldn't pull this off if it wasn't completely above board.
quote: First, Sony turned off a key feature in the PS3.
quote: If Sony decided to remotely disable one of the games you are trying to play on the PS3 and defended it by saying you had agreed to the EULA you'd be screaming bloody murder.
quote: YOU ARE NOT THE SOLE ARBITER OF WHAT IS USEFUL AND WHY OTHERS BOUGHT THE PS3.


text:
Chocolate Creme Brulee (Yield: 8 dishes)
- 1 quart heavy cream
- 8 oz sugar
- 1 oz godiva liquor
- .5 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 oz cocoa baking
- 11 eggs yolks only
- 10 oz bittersweet chocolate
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a medium sized sauce pan over medium-high heat, add the heavy cream, sugar, liquor, and vanilla. When the mixture is warm add the cocoa powder and chocolate and whisk until blended.
Place the egg yolks in a large stainless steel bowl. Slowly add the warm chocolate mixture to the eggs a little at a time while whisking. Strain and pour into individual dishes. Place the dishes in a large baking pan. Pour enough hot water into the pan to come half way up the sides of the dishes. Bake until firm in the center, 20-25 minutes. Remove the dishes from the water bath and let cool completely.


text:
The American adjective. A concept, object or act whose worth lies somewhere between non-objectional and life changing.
Use: in leiu of all other adjectives.
Use: in leiu of all other adjectives.
We defeated Hitler. Awesome!
We have kettle chips. Awesome!
We have kettle chips. Awesome!
de FD200 22 mai 2012
An adjective used to describe a person who surpasses all human expectations, whose genius blinds all those around, who sets the supreme standards for humans to strive for, who is an Ideology all by himself.
Yoganand is Awesome.
de sailor_jupiter 7 septembre 2011
Extremely impressive or daunting; inspiring great admiration, apprehension, or fear.
Extremely good; excellent.
Extremely good; excellent.
bhagya is awesome
de OpethFTW 13 avril 2013
Prussia is awesome.
de qedrftgyu 20 septembre 2014
An Inspiration for an overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration, or fear. Causing or Inducing "Awe"
de Link8417 12 octobre 2013
Someone who is absolutely amazing and exhibits the traits of being worthy of awe! Perfection at it's greatest. When one is considered to be amazing, it can be inferred that they are also amazing, cool, beautiful, and fantastic. See Example.
Bob- "Isn't Lauren awesome?!"
Jim- "Of course! She's the most amazing person in the world! How couldn't she be?"
Jim- "Of course! She's the most amazing person in the world! How couldn't she be?"
de LaurenFan123 6 juin 2010
Used to only mean great or extremely cool, but now used as much sarcastically to mean something bad or unfortunate.
Guy 1. I just spilled beer on your f&(*n iPhone.
Guy 2. Awesome : /
Guy 2. Awesome : /
de redmontage 1 février 2011


text:
Roché wed actress Alicia Hannah in the south of France at Chateau Les Bouysses in Mercues on May 31.
The weeklong celebration culminated in an intimate ceremony attended by 50 guests of close friends and family. The Mummy actor Oded Fehr, who acted as their officiant, said the festivities were a French fantasy.
"Picturesque rolling grape orchard hills, with a river lazily flowing between them. A 700-year-old castle. Local wine. Baguettes with brie that tastes of heaven. A group of strangers whom will forever be friends … All just a lead in to the most incredible wedding," he told PEOPLE.
The groom, who was born in Paris, said he knew Hannah was special when they met.
"I was smitten and knew she was 'the one,' I gave Alicia my number and she never called me!" Roché, 49, told PEOPLE. "We stayed friends nonetheless and thank goodness, turned into something more 2½ years ago. I proposed on the eve of her birthday in Topanga Canyon last year."
Alicia, who recently filmed an episode of Chasing Life, wore a custom gown of silk organza and Chantilly lace by Los Angeles designer Seo Ho Seok.
David One
Reporting by RENNIE DYBALL


text:
Getting upset with your child for an indiscretion or disobedience is one thing. Saying these hurtful words is quite another. read more
Page 36 of 127
5 Areas That God Lets Men Know He's There for Them
God gives us these five things. All we need to do is to receive them. read more
7 Suggestions for Raising Boys Who Welcome Your Input as Adults
How do you get your sons to want to come to you for wisdom, long after they leave home? read more
The Impact Paying off Debt Has on Your Marriage
What has been your No. 1 tool in leading your family through financial crisis? read more
Your Story Is His Story, So Share It
You can leave an eternal legacy when you share your testimony. Here are a few tips to make it easier. read more
One Thing Sons Need From Their Fathers
More than anything, sons are looking for this from their dads. Many don't ever get it. read more
The 5 Best Gifts You Can Give Your Children
More than any material that you can give them, these things are invaluable for your kids. read more
5 Common Areas Where Women Want Men to Take Initiative
How does showing initiative help our relationships? read more
How to Evaluate Your Relationship With Your Spouse
What are the key questions you and your spouse should ask each other when assessing the state of your marriage? read more
Why Women Are Reconsidering Their View of Men
The next time you feel like you are facing a challenge alone, why not partner creatively with strong women who, together with you, can win a bigger prize than you ever could by yourself? read more


text:
La Terrazza Apartment
מספר אנשים מקסימלי5
חדרי שינה2
גודל65 מטר רבוע
Floor No.3
- מיזוג אוויר
- אינטרנט/ אינטרנט אלחוטי
- מרפסת/ טרסה
- חדר הניתן לנעילה
- מגבות
- מתאים גם למשפחות/ ילדים
- מטבח
- מותר להביא חיות מחמד
|Vicolo Levizzani, 47921 Rimini, איטליה
|סוג נכס
|פרטי הזיהוי של מקום הלינה
|Acceptance rate
|< 50%
|Response time
|Within a week
|Calendar updated
|A few months ago
The center of Rimini is full of museums and archaeological excavations that will take you back in ancient Roman times; then we think the many shops that offer splendid shopping, restaurants and the typical Romagna wine cellars to bring you back to the twenty-first century. The building has been carefully restored respecting the architecture and materials of the past and furnished so that guests can really feel "at home away from home". Our guests will have at their disposal the use of bicycles, thanks to which they can reach the sea in a few minuti.Naturalmente there are no time limits, the guest has his own key to return at any momento.La structure is suitable for all needs, from those seeking peace and privacy for those who prefer leisure and entertainment the hostess is available both for all your needs related to the stay, both to suggest and offer you the opportunity to live the right way Rimini recommending restaurants monuments to visit and offering a real service of "advice" to the tourist being situated in a central location is easy to reach from the train station from the highway and the airport. Also within walking distance you will find several bus stops that connect the city center to the sea, the exhibition, congress center and the neighboring countries along the coast or inland.
|תעריף שבועי
|Check-in before
|עזיבה לפני
|מדיניות ביטולים
We booked 10 months in advance. 2 weeks before our arrival we had some nice conversation with Carlotta. When we arrived, the apartment was already given to other people. The alternatives offered to us were clearly worse, nevertheless we accepted one after many discussions as we did not want to sleep in the street. A price was agreed but Wimdu did not pay back the difference; now we have to go to the court to get our money back. If you don't like lots of trouble during and after your stay, we recommend to avoid this "host".
een mooi appartement in oude centrum Rimini. Prima verzorgd,
- הבטחת איכות מקומות הלינה
- כל מארח מאושר טלפונית
- תשלום מאובטח


text:
TechNet Radio: IT Time–An Introduction to Forefront Online Protection for Exchange
- Posted: Sep 20, 2011 at 9:38AM
Right click "Save as…"
Its IT Time and in today's episode, Blain Barton and John Baker welcome Curtis Parker from the Forefront Online Protection team. Tune in as Curtis gives us a tour of Forefront's new features for Exchange, as he explains how Office 365 customers can simplify the management and security experience through this innovative service.
Click here to Download Microsoft Private Cloud Evaluation Software
If you're interested in learning more about the products or solutions discussed in this episode, click on any of the below links for free, in-depth information:
Follow @technetradio
Become a Fan facebook.com/MicrosoftTechNetRadio
Oops, something didn't work.
Comments have been closed since this content was published more than 30 days ago, but if you'd like to continue the conversation, please create a new thread in our Forums, or Contact Us and let us know.


text:
Fulltext TSBs
Technical Service Bulletins
|Publication Date: March 3, 2005
|1996-2000 Contour
1996-2004 Crown Victoria, E-Series
This article supersedes TSB 02-05-03 to update the vehicle model years.
Federal Law requires issuance of guidance for CNG tank inspection. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has mandated that natural gas fuel tanks for vehicles produced after December 2, 1996 be inspected for damage or deterioration every 36 months, or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first, or after a fire or accident.
It is the customer's responsibility to get their CNG fuel containers inspected by 3 years/36,000 miles and to be in compliance with FMVSS requirements and industry standards.
This is a relatively new requirement that applies only to fuel tanks that are classified as pressure vessels. Although it is new to the automotive industry, the requirement for periodic inspections of pressure vessels is a long established practice in the compressed gas industry.
The purpose of this TSB is to provide an overview of the CNG tank inspection procedures, to clarify the criteria for rating damage to natural gas tanks, and to identify the level of damage requiring tank replacement.
What is involved with the inspection?
The natural gas vehicle industry standard is Basic Requirements for Compressed Natural Gas Fuel Containers – ANSI/IAS NGV2. Paragraph 4.1.4 of this standard refers to the Compressed Gas Association (CGA) pamphlet C-6.4 (Methods for External Visual Inspection of Natural Gas Fuel Containers and Their Installations) (Figure 1). C-6.4 lists the visual inspection requirements in detail including the examination of the:
- Installation
- Containers
- Valves and relief devices
- Labeling
C-6.4 requires that an accurate and reliable written report be provided for each container inspected and that an inspection label be placed on each container stating:
- Date the container was inspected
- Inspection agency
What is required to conduct a cylinder inspection?
- A copy of CGA pamphlet C-6.4 (Methods for External Visual Inspection of Natural Gas Fuel Containers and Their Installations). This publication provides information and procedures for conducting visual inspections of natural gas fuel containers. It also contains industry general container inspection pass/fail criteria limits.
- A copy of CGA pamphlet C-6.2 (Guidelines for Visual Inspection & Requalification Fiber Reinforced High Pressure Cylinders) (Figure 2). This publication is not absolutely required, but it is highly recommended if type 2, 3 or 4 cylinders are being inspected. C-6.2 provides more descriptive detail regarding what is acceptable/non-acceptable damage to fiberglass reinforcement of type 2, 3 or 4 cylinders.
C-6.2 and C-6.4 can be purchased through the CGA located at:
|Compressed Gas Association
|Compressed Gas Association
|4221 Walney Road, 5th Floor
|Chantilly, VA 20151-2923
|Website – www.cganet.com
- A copy of Gas Research Institute (GRI) publication GRI-97/0250 (Natural Gas Vehicle Cylinder Care and Maintenance Handbook) (Figure 3). This publication, also, is not absolutely required, but is highly recommended. GRI publication 97/0250 provides a more detailed overview of cylinder inspection procedures than do the other publications, and is especially useful for training of cylinder inspectors.
GRI-97/0250 can be purchased through the Gas Technology Institute (GTI) located at:
|Gas Technology Institute
|Gas Technology Institute
|1700 South Mount Prospect Road
|Des Plaines, IL 60018
|Website – www.gastechnology.org
- Cylinder Supplier's Re-Inspection Criteria. Basic Requirements for Compressed Natural Gas Fuel Containers – ANSI/IAS NGV2, paragraph 4.1.4, states that, "requirements for re-qualification by inspection or testing during the service life shall be specified by the container designer." Accordingly, most cylinder manufacturers publish unique and specific re-inspection criteria that is closely tailored to their own cylinder designs. In the event of a conflict between the manufacturer's re-inspection criteria and C-6.4 criteria, the manufacturer's criteria shall take precedence. The C-6.4 criteria is industry general, and is typically more conservative than the manufacturer's criteria. This re-inspection criteria can be obtained from the manufacturer at the address printed on the cylinder label or at addresses listed at the end of this document.
- A High Intensity Light that is capable of illuminating all surfaces of the cylinder(s) to be inspected is required.
- Angled inspection mirrors will be required to view cylinder surfaces that are partially concealed in installation.
- Various hand tools will be required to remove covers, shields, etc. so that the external cylinder surfaces, brackets, valves, etc. can be viewed.
- A torque wrench is required to verify that mounting bracket bolts are properly tightened, and to re-install covers, shields, etc. that are removed to aid in the inspection.
- Depth Gages are required to determine the depth of any cuts, pits, and abrasions that may be encountered.
Who can do the inspections?
C-6.4 states that a qualified inspector should perform the visual inspection of a natural gas vehicle fuel container. C-6.4 states that a qualified inspector must have one of the following:
- Have a minimum of two years experience conducting container inspections
- Be supervised by someone with two years experience
- Be approved by the container manufacturer, or
- Be certified as an inspector by an appropriate organization (i.e., CGA)
C-6.4 also specifies that a qualified inspector must also have:
- Knowledge of the types of containers used in CNG vehicle systems, and damage allowances for each type
- Understanding of inspection requirements, tests, procedures, etc
Therefore, a qualified inspector does not have to go through any particular training or certification process as long as they can meet the criteria listed above and possess the level of knowledge or resources specified in the Compressed Natural Gas Association requirements C-6.4 (summarized above). An inspector could be a dealership technician, a utility technician, or anyone else that qualifies according to C-6.4. However, it is highly recommended that inspectors become certified, as Ford requires that final inspection reports must be signed-off by a certified inspector for warranty or other work paid for by Ford. To locate a certified inspector in your area, visit the CSA International website at:
- www.csa-international.org/
What is the CSA certification process?
The CSA certification process is a certification process for CNG container inspectors. This is the preferred way to become qualified to inspect CNG containers but is not the only way. To be come certified as a CNG cylinder inspector by CSA, an applicant must complete a 2-day training course and successfully pass the final examination given at the end of the course. Certification classes are taught periodically at several locations. At the present time, the normal tuition costs vary between 0 and 0 per student. This normally includes the cost of individual training manuals. With prior notice, it is also possible to arrange for on-site certification classes at a location of your choice. Those desiring such on-site classes must pay instructor's travel expenses in addition to individual tuition costs.
To learn about or enroll in up-coming certification classes or to learn how to arrange for a special on-site class, please contact CSA International at one of the following addresses:
|CSA International
|CSA International
|8501 East Pleasant Valley Road
|Cleveland, Ohio, USA, 44131-5575
|(216) 524-4990
|Website – www.csa-international.org/
|CSA International
|CSA International
|5970 Fairview Road Suite 416
|Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, 28210
|(704) 552-5125
|Website – www.csa-international.org/
|Cylinder Services Inc.
|Cylinder Services Inc.
|1427 S 70th St.
|Milwaukee, WI. 53214
|(414) 479-0500
What does all this mean to the dealer or customer?
It is the customer's responsibility to get their CNG fuel containers inspected by 3 years 36,000 miles and to be in compliance with FMVSS requirements and industry standards.
Cylinder Damage Classification Overview
There are three classifications of compressed fuel tank damage, as identified by the CGA: Levels One, Two and Three.
- Level One Damage is minor, and does not require repair.
- Level Two Damage is more serious. The fuel tank must be removed from the vehicle and repaired according to the tank manufacturer's guidelines or the C-6.4 criteria before it can be certified as safe.
- Level Three Damage is damage which cannot be repaired. Any fuel tank exhibiting Level Three damage must be removed from service and disposed of, as described later in this TSB.
The complete definitions of the three damage groupings can be found in the CGA C-6.4.
Damage Classification
Level One Damage
- Level One damage is any cut, scratch, gouge or pit which is less than 0.010 inch (0.254 mm) in depth.
Level Two Damage
Level Two damage is Cuts, scratches, gouges or pits which are greater than 0.010 inch (0.254 mm) in depth. Level two damage requires repair. Other instances of Level Two damage include:
- Minor dents in the tank
- Evidence of minor corrosion or chemical attack
- Minor abrasions
- Peeling paint on the tank coating
- Suspected gas leaks in lines or connections
- A label which lists only the manufacturer and the tank's serial number, but does not have a build or service date
Level Three Damage
Level Three damage is more severe than Level Two damage, usually cannot be repaired, and normally requires that the cylinder be removed from service. Definition of level three damage varies between manufacturers. Consult the tank manufacturer's service re-inspection criteria for the specific natural gas vehicle you are inspecting. Other types of Level Three damage include:
- Dents greater than 2 inches (50.8 mm) in diameter
- Dents 0.625 inches (15.9 mm) deep
- Any bulging or bowing
- Any stress corrosion cracking
- Any gas leaks
- Any excessive abrasions
- A missing or non-legible label
- Damage due to fire or excessive heat
Special Notes:
- Hoop-wrapped type 2 cylinders are likely to exhibit a condition known as "Banding," which can be described as radial or circumferential cracks appearing in the fiberglass wrap. These cracks are a natural part of the cylinder manufacturing process and should not be confused with actual fiber breakage or damage. Banding is not normally considered to be serious. Should a question regarding what is acceptable/non-acceptable banding, please refer to the cylinder manufacturer's re-inspection criteria, or consult a certified inspector.
- When measuring depths of cuts, scratches, scrapes, gouges or pits, it is important to thoroughly clean the surfaces around the area being measured to insure as accurate a measurement as possible. Cuts, scratches, gouges or other damages to the fiberglass wrap will most frequently require only a small amount of cleaning. Corrosion pits in the metal may require more extensive and careful cleaning away of any red rust or other corrosion residue in the area of the pit.
- When taking measurements, the inspector should be careful to hold the tool or gage as straight and level as possible, especially when measuring curved surface areas. Should a question arise regarding acceptable/non-acceptable methods of measurement, please refer to the cylinder manufacturer's re-inspection criteria, or consult a certified inspector.
Inspection Procedure
- Refer to the appropriate tank inspection procedures in the vehicle's Workshop Manual and the FCSD Compressed Natural Gas Tank Inspection Procedure Video.
- If Level Three damage is confirmed, the facility performing the inspection is required to notify the vehicle owner that the tank is recommended for replacement. Permission to replace the tank must be obtained – in writing and dated – from the vehicle owner. If the customer refuses to have the condemned tank replaced, the refusal must be well-documented in the service report or invoice.
- The vehicle's Workshop Manual includes procedures for removing the tank from service. These include verifying that the tank is empty, removing the tank solenoid valve and mounting strap assemblies from the tank, and purging the tank with compressed air for 30 seconds. Finally, a 0.50 inch (12.7 mm) hole is to be drilled in the sidewall of the tank.
Documenting a Cylinder Inspection
An inspection report needs to be filled out. The CGA has an example of this form in document C-6.4. It will ask for the technician's name, the date, the vehicle, the tank manufacturer, the part and serial number of the tank, and other important information. One copy is to be given to the customer and one is to be included in the vehicle's service records (Figure 4).
Information Only
Figure 1 – Article 05-5-6
Figure 2 – Article 05-5-6
Figure 3 – Article 05-5-6
Figure 4 – Article 05-5-6
NOTE: The information in Technical Service Bulletins is intended for use by trained, professional technicians with the knowledge, tools, and equipment to do the job properly and safely. It informs these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or provides information that could assist in proper vehicle service. The procedures should not be performed by "do-it-yourselfers". Do not assume that a condition described affects your car or truck. Contact a Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury dealership to determine whether the Bulletin applies to your vehicle. Warranty Policy and Extended Service Plan documentation determine Warranty and/or Extended Service Plan coverage unless stated otherwise in the TSB article. The information in this Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) was current at the time of printing. Ford Motor Company reserves the right to supercede this information with updates. The most recent information is available through Ford Motor Company's on-line technical resources.
Copyright © 2005 Ford Motor Company


text:
Large Size Small Mesh Hay Net
This Small Mesh Hay Net slows down hay consumption, allowing for healthier digestion and less boredom for non-pastured horses. Perfect for fast eaters, easy keepers, on the road, in the trailer and more! Read more...
This Large Size Small Mesh Hay Net features 2" square openings that slow hay consumption rate for healthier digestion. It also keeps your horse busy longer. Use it daily for horses that are rapid eaters or that are overweight, and on long trips to keep horses busy during hauling. Hangs easily anywhere and holds multiple flakes of hay. 2" x 2" mesh. 44" diameter, 46" length.
Overall Rating: 5 StarsAverage Based on 1 Reviews Write a Review
great product..can hold almost a whole bale of hay...small holes so dont have to worry about over eating...will buy another..
100% Satisfaction Guaranteed - Your Money Back Any Time, for Any Reason.
Smith Brothers is proud to offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our products. We stand behind the quality of our products, and should you not be satisfied with your purchase, simply return it and we will refund, replace or exchange it for you.


text:
LC-MS Gains Favor Due To the...
As Immunotherapy Revolutionizes the Cancer Treatment...
Developers of DTC Genetic Testing Are...
Quadruple Helices Appear To Have Role...
President Obama yesterday signed the $787 billion stimulus package into law, providing a bonus of $21.5 billion in science and research spending. The president called the measure "the biggest increase in basic research funding in the long history of American's noble endeavor to better understand our world."
The final numbers were higher than those proposed by either the House ($13.2 billion) or Senate ($17.8 billion). In good news for the biotech industry, the NIH will receive $8.5 billion for research grants and $1.5 billion to upgrade research facilities. Life sciences researchers and patient groups have been pushing for higher NIH funding in recent years, as the agency's budget failed to keep up with medical inflation after doubling from 1998 to 2003.
Dr. Richard Marchase, Ph.D., president of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, praised the stimulus funding but hopes it is only "the first step forward towards a long-term, sustainable investment in both biomedical and other scientific research."
In addition to the NIH boost, the stimulus package's R&D provisions also include $3 billion for the NSF, $4.5 billion for renewable energy research including bioethanol and other biotech solutions, $1.1 billion for grants for disease prevention, $1 billion for NASA, $830 million for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and $1.1 billion for comparative effectiveness research.
Expect that last item to generate controversy going forward. Comparative effectiveness research pits established therapies against one another to provide guidance to physicians and patients. The biotech and pharmaceutical industry has supported comparative effectiveness research that focuses on clinical outcomes but has consistently opposed cost- or value-oriented research, which will be the focus under the stimulus package.
The stimulus package also provides $17.2 billion in incentives to promote the adoption of improved healthcare information technology systems in clinics and hospitals receiving Medicare and Medicaid. In addition, tens of billions have been provided to shore up Medicaid and help unemployed workers pay for extensions of their health insurance coverage under federal COBRA rules.
Altogether, these measures, totaling $152 billion, could have a major impact on healthcare as administration and Congress prepare to take on reform in earnest.
Debbie Strickland is a GEN freelance writer.
Debbie Strickland is a GEN freelance writer.
To save this item to your Favorites,
log into GEN Select.
We'll be sure to take you back here after you do.
Not a member of GEN Select?
To comment on this article,
log into GEN Select.
We'll be sure to take you back here after you do.
While Zika continues to garner a lot of news coverage, a Mayo Clinic survey reveals that Americans believe the country's most significant healthcare challenge is cancer. Compared to other diseases, does the possibility of developing cancer worry you the most?
Be sure to add [email protected]
to your Address Book or Safe Senders List.
here for instructions.
If you have any questions about your subscription, click
here to email us or call at (914) 740-2189.
You may also be interested in subscribing to the GEN magazine, an indispensable
resource for everyone involved in the business of translating discoveries at the
bench into solutions that fight disease and improve health, agriculture, and the
environment. Subscribe
today to see why over 60,000 biotech professionals read GEN to
keep current in the areas of genomics, proteomics, drug discovery, biomarker discovery,
bioprocessing, molecular diagnostics, collaborations, biotech business trends, and
© 2016 Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News All Rights Reserved


text:
Come and meet Narciso Rodriguez (the brand)
A little birdie has recently told us that Narciso Rodriguez Perfume House is setting up a lounge at Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Mall for a three-week roadshow to accommodate guests who are keen to discover the A-Z of Narciso Rodriguez's essences.
The Narciso Rodriguez brand of fragrances is just entering the UAE market and we're inviting you to be among the very first to know the history, the offerings and the details that make the brand so unique.
Visit the Narciso Rodriguez Lounge in Dubai to discover the universe of the Narciso Rodriguez Perfume House. Here's the schedule for you to remember (the first lounge opens tomorrow!):
- October 26th to October 31st at Mall of the Emirates
- November 1st to November 5th at The Dubai Mall
- November 24th to November 28th at Mall of the Emirates


text:
Bard to Be Non-Tendered
I don't know what's going on with the comments and sometimes it just ends up fixing itself. The site is due for a minor software upgrade that I'll try to complete tonight and I'm hoping that fixes the problem. If not, the twitter sidebar still seems to be updating as does the abilithy to write stories, so hopefully you won't be missing too much until I can fix it.
In the meantime, Daniel Bard will be non-tendered according to multiple Cubs sources. That one was a no-brainer of course. We still await the decision on the rest of the group and I'll update as the news trickles out.
UPDATE #1: Kottaras signs a $1.075M deal with incentives according to Jon Heyman.
UPDATE #2: AZ Phil's crystal ball is still working, Cubs will non-tender Mat Gamel.
UPDATE #3: The Nats trade Steve Lombardozzi, Robbie Ray and Ian Krol for Doug Fister. Fister's a year older than Samardzija but has the same amount of club control left. Samardzija may have a little more upside because of his K's, but Fister's been a lot better pitcher the last 2 years. Every situation is different of course, but imagine this will hinder Cubs trading Samardzija this offseason. That's probably not a terrible thing considering what they were still able to get for Matt Garza.
UPDATE #4: I believe the commenting issues have been fixed. In Cubs news, Donnie Murphy gets a 1/$825K contract and P Chang-yong Lim was non-tendered although he wasn't arbitration eligible. I believe he had a non-guaranteed contract for 2014, but now he's off the 40-man and free to sign with anyone while the Cubs are off the hook for his contract. Samardzija, Schierholtz, Strop, Wood, Russell, Valbuena and Barney were all tendered contracts and I'm sure most will sign before any arbitration hearings.
There were a total of 43 non-tenders according to MLB Trade Rumors and the list of interesting names is too numerous, but a few that may strike your fancy include RHP John Axford, RHP Andrew Bailey, RHP Ronald Belisario, RHP MItchell Boggs, OF Ryan Kailish, SP Daniel Hudson and RP Ryan Webb.
Edwin Jackson - $11M
Starlin Castro - $5M
Carlos Villanueva - $5M
Kyuji Fujikawa - $4M plus $2M performance bonus based on GF
Jorge Soler - $2M
Anthony Rizzo - $1.75M salary & $1.25M second-installment of signing bonus
Ryan Sweeney - $1.5M
George Kottaras - $1.075M
Donnie Murphy - $825K
OTHER (LEGACY PAY): Alfonso Soriano ($13M) and Gerardo Concepcion ($500K)
Darwin Barney - $2.5M?
James Russell - $1.75M?
Jeff Samardzija - $6M?
Nate Schierholtz - $4.5M?
Pedro Strop - $1.25M? ("Super Two")
Luis Valbuena - $1.5M?
Travis Wood - $3.5M?
Arismendy Alcantara
Jake Arrieta
Dallas Beeler
Brian Bogusevic
Alberto Cabrera
Welington Castillo
Justin Grimm
Brett Jackson
Junior Lake
Mike Olt
Blake Parker
Brooks Raley
Neil Ramirez
Hector Rondon
Zac Rosscup
Chris Rusin
Matt Szczur
Christian Villanueva
Josh Vitters
Arodys Vizcaino
Logan Watkins
11 pre-arb to fill-out 25-man roster (see NOTE) - PROJECTED ESTIMATED SUB-TOTAL: $5.775M? (average $525K per player)
14 players on optional assignment - PROJECTED ESTIMATED SUB-TOTAL: $1.4M? (average $100K per player)
NOTE: Fujikawa (2013 TJS rehab) and Soler (likely to start season at AA) are signed but are not projected to be on Cubs Opening Day MLB 25-man roster
The Cubs paid about $110M to players on their 40-man roster in 2013 (including salaries for players on optional assignment to minors, portions of signing bonuses actually paid in 2013, and "legacy pay" to players no longer on the 40), so the Cubs present (as of 12/2) estimated projected 2014 MLB payroll for players on the 40-man roster (including players on optional assignment to the minors, portions of signing bonuses actually to be paid in 2014, and "legacy pay" for players no longer on the 40-man roster) of $75M is about $35M below last season's MLB player payroll (what the Cubs actually paid out) and about $50M below what the Cubs actually paid out to MLB players (including players on optional assignment to the minors, portions of signing bonuses actually paid that season, and "legacy" pay) in both 2011 and 2012 (about $125M was spent each of those two season). .
So if you ignore the $13M to
So if you ignore the $13M to Soriano, the payroll is at $62M? That's a fucking disgrace. I hope I don't get thrown out of the season ticket holder event this week.
"In addition, the Cubs have
"In addition, the Cubs have been absent from big-game hunting since Tom Ricketts bought the team in August 2009, perhaps because the front office of Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer believe it was important to grow organically and not put expensive window dressing on a rebuilding program. But there are officials who say the sale contains provisions that financially handcuff Ricketts that would not be a factor for a posted player. For what it is worth, Epstein and Hoyer were the GM and assistant GM of the Red Sox when they gave a then-record $51.1 million posting fee to land Daisuke Matsuzaka."
At the prices of Doug Fister
At the prices of Doug Fister and Scott Kazmir, I wish the Cubs would have been in on both.
So if Bard, Gamel and Lim
So as Bard, Gamel and Lim were non-tendered... the 40 man roster now at 37 going into the winter meetings. That seems appropriate. I'd like to see them sign Gamel to a minor league contract though. I wonder if Barney could have brought Jim Johnson vs J Weeks? I'm not sure Johnson would make sense for 2014 though. A closer is lower on the totem pole given all the needs at the major league level right now.
j.johnson was basically given
j.johnson was basically given away. he's going to cost $8-10m and the O's weren't interested, evidently.
supposedly the O's are expected to go out and purchase another closer rather than move one up in-house...seems they didn't want to throw that kind of loot at johnson.
ARZ gave up d.holmberg in
ARZ gave up d.holmberg in that CIN/ARZ/TB trade...and they've already said there's no way in hell they're giving up a.bradley in any potential trade.
ARZ got back a 22yo A- reliever in return...unless the PTBN due ARZ from TB is something nice i don't understand this deal from ARZ's position.
Saved them from paying Heath
Saved them from paying Heath Bell? That's all I've got.
There are five
There are six "administrative" reasons why a PTBNL can't be named right away in a trade that occurs in the off-season:
1. Player was on Outright Assignment Waivers the day the trade was made (a player cannot be traded while he is on waivers).
2. Player is on TB 40-man roster and has a "no trade" right that will expire prior to MLB Opening Day;
3. TB is expecting to acquire the PTBNL from another club in a trade, and so AZ has to wait until this expected trade goes down.
4. Player was signed after being selected by TB in the previous Rule 4 Draft (First-Year Player Draft) and can't be traded until the first anniversary of signing his first contract. (NOTE: Since a PTBNL must be named within six months and the first anniversary of any player selected in the 2013 Rule 4 Draft signing his first contract would necessarily have to be longer than six months from yesterday, it can't be this reaaon).
5. Player is not on TB 40-man roster and is eligible for selection in next week's Rule 5 Draft and so he can't be traded until after the draft, (Very well could be this reason, The D'backs may like a young Rays minor league pitcher or position player eligible for the Rule 5 Draft but not yet ready for MLB--like when they selected Starling Peralta from the Cubs in last year's Rule 5 Draft--but don't want to have to waste a 40-man roster slot on him and then have to deal with Rule 5 restrictions on a player with talent but who is just not ready for MLB). Probably this guy
6. TB will make a Rule 5 selection for the D'backs and then trade the player to AZ. (Not likely, since AZ selects before TB in the draft).
The Cubs are really killin'
The Cubs are really killin' it this off season.
the rumor mill on 2nd bullpen
the rumor mill on 2nd bullpen catcher is heating up. i got it down between 3 hopefuls...one is scott baker.
Luke Gregerson to A's for
Luke Gregerson to A's for Seth Smith. Billy Beane's genius shining through this offseason again after getting Jim Johnson from the O's
Blistering stove the last 2
Blistering stove the last 2 days
per Bruce Levine tweet...
per Bruce Levine tweets...
Former Cub manager Mike Quade accepts roving outfielder instructor job with Yankees.
Hinske has been a winner everywhere he had landed. He has excellent communication skills which is congruent with the coaching group.
Tanaka talk...Wittenmeyer,
Tanaka talk...Wittenmeyer, Sun-times:
But some top Cubs baseball officials privately doubted they would be any more successful than they were in failed bids the last two winters for Yu Darvish and Hyun-jin Ryu, who went to the cash-flush Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers, respectively.
What puts Tanaka in play for
What puts Tanaka in play for the Cubs — who often are forced into mid-market decision-making because of debt-related restrictions — is that the often-exorbitant posting-bid price isn't subject to restrictions on player spending that have been in place since the Ricketts family's highly leveraged purchase in 2009, a source said.
They call it the Hendry Touch
They call it the Hendry Touch
@JonHeymanCBS ellsbury is to receive a no-trade clause in the $153M deal.
And such is the problem with
And such is the problem with complaining about the Cubs not burying themselves into the free agent market. I'm not saying complaining about it is wrong -- after all, I do it, but most of the posters here are really smart about baseball and would be all over TheoCorp for a signing like this. Even if this team finds a revenue source to help unleverage the team some, this kind of money for a player like this is insane. The reports say Ellsbury is injury prone but collisions - the basis of the two biggest injuries I remember, happen. But still, the guy plays pretty hard and would have been one ivy colored bruise from the disabled list had he signed with the Cubs. Another guy - Cano - would look good in Barney's place (but then, so would Arismendy Alcantara in comparison) but it will cost them in the $200 million range and the contract will make us long for the Soriano deal. It's really crazy. A part of me just wants to see the current free agent system dissolve from a lack of participation. In some sense that's beginning to happen as teams lock guys up.
Sucks being a Cubs fan right now. Ownership is shackled by ridiculous debt (why'd they buy this team again?) and I want them to play the free agent market. Then the question is, okay, who? And I say, beats the hell out of me.
I have to agree with you O &
I have to agree with you O & B. I was all giddy when the Cubs signed Soriano. Many here - "the Wise Ones" - pointed out just how asinine that decision was. But I was shell-shocked that any Cub team I followed actually signed the #1 FA of the time. It never happened before. I suppose Fred McGriff at the deadline was close - but he was WAAAYY past his prime and sucked balls for the Cubs, of course.
So - as I plunk down my money once again this year, I have resigned the feeling that it will be another 90+-loss team. I don't expect them to sign anyone that is one of the top FA's this year either.
The crazy thing is I keep reading Forbes account that the Cubs are one of the top - if not THE top - profitable baseball teams.
If this is true, why is this payroll at $70MM or whatever?
If the Cubs were geting .276/
If the Cubs were geting .276/.361/.518 out of Rizzo, we'd be building a statue.
Oh defensively? Oh yeah...McGriff was like a frickin' statue.
It's better to have a guy who
It's better to have a guy who's 23 hit 23 HRs and knock in 80 than a 38-year-old with 30 and 103, since after that season McGriff had 113 games left in the tank, with very little production.
People always assume it's about money, but I really think it's about sustained excellence. From the Cubs' point of view, Ellsbury was attractive for his left-handedness; but signing him would have been Cub-career ending for Soler, Lake, Vitters, probably Vogelbach and others you could name, since Bryant and Almora are going to occupy two thirds of the outfield fairly soon.
The "others you could name" might include Zeke DeVoss. The front office probably noticed that DeVoss, who played outfield last year at Daytona, had 39 SBs and 80 walks (.393 OBP).
Until they figure out where Baez is going to play and where/whether Alcantara is going to play, they really have no openings in the infield. I also think they're very high on Villanueva, but that might just be my own bias toward 3Bs who fit a job description calling for "great defensive skills plus some pop."
If the Cubs are going to pay big bucks for a position player any time soon, it will almost have to be at catcher.
Well of course the younger
Well of course the younger player is more valuable VP...just pointing out that he didn't really "suck"
I'm a fan of Villaneuva as well.
You're right about the Zell
You're right about the Zell demand - I forgot about that. Somebody should erect a Zell statue in front of Wrigley that has replaceable balls that can get cut off by the people as they go through the turnstiles.
I could be wrong but I was
I could be wrong but I was under the impression that the debt issue is a bit misleading since the Ricketts family essentially created a vehicle to loan themselves the money to make the purchase. So to say they can't increase the payroll because the left hand needs to re-pay the right hand is a bit disingenuous.
you can build a team without
you can build a team without shedding prospects.
in fact, there comes a point (especially when you've shed a lot of payroll) where you invest before you become better than the bottom 10. 8 wins is all that separates this year's #4 cubs pick from the #11 pick (which means you lose that draft pick if you sign a protected player).
people need to quit looking at signing FAs as something that's some awesome deal...they rarely are, and when they are it's generally for role players rather than stars. got money to spend...spend it...especially when you're in a draft pick advantage.
BOS and MIA have both shown very recently that there's some very good "insurance" out there for some over-reaching contracts.
i get the feeling the cubs are putting all their eggs in one basket for m.tanaka...and it's gonna be quite disappointing if they don't win the bid at the very least (even if that's a hell of a way to piss away a ton of money once bid+contract loot comes in for a team that's under no draft pick loss presure). if their interest in tanaka is overblown, they're just being cheap bastards.
Agree on the Tanaka point.
Agree on the Tanaka point. This front office isn't dumb. But they better have a plan B if things don't go their way.
giving ellsbury 22m a year
giving ellsbury 22m a year for 7 years is crazy even without the no-trade.
that's primo slugger loot...not "i hit over 10 HR in a season once" loot. sure he's got top-notch speed, but this pays for ages 30-36 of that speed.
that's c.crawford 7/$142m territory crazy.
Speaking of deep drafts, it's
Speaking of deep drafts, it's a deep QB draft this year, too and Emery says he isn't franchising Cutler - should be an interesting off season for the Bears and their QBs.
Cutler will be franchised,
Cutler will be franchised, and the Bears will use one of the first two picks on Qb.
Trestman wants his own mind and arm to meld.
I actually think this helps
I actually think this helps the Cubs. With the cap on the posting fee that means there's more money that can go to Tanaka. And that money counts against the Luxury Tax. That hurts the Yankees.
I tend to agree. This also
I tend to agree. This also hurts the Cubs a bit too as the high posting fee wasn't subject to their payroll restrictions. IMHO he's still a guy that's worth breaking the bank for. He's the right age, isn't subject to draft pick compensation, and should be around when the Cubs are ready to contend.
Just saw Matt Cerda on MLB
Just saw Matt Cerda on a MLB Network commercial plugging some swing development product.
Theo on CSN now-
Theo on CSN now-
Cubs he took over had tough contracts for "win now players" on a team that was not build to win now.
Gordon Wittenmeyer one of the panelist can't quite grasp who would pay Cubs more money for games. Must only think WGN exists. Theo said "you would want to buy stock in Cubs Tv". Said "intrigue" with Cubs going for championship.
Shark -"chances are good" he's in rotation in 2014. But said could do extension or a guy they move for young players.
i saw that too. Nick Friedell
i saw that too. Nick Friedell was my STH voice on the panel talking about jis 84 yo. grandma as a Cub fan and he is a STH, asking "why should we watch what is in Wrigley now" to which Theo stated the "ground floor" story, Castro and Rizzo..
Sure is a tough sell.
Rick Telender was also on the panel and had a funny analogy of a resturant can close for remodeling, and when ready re-open to "new and improved", but the Cubs have been keeping the doors open.
Wittenmeyer indeed is kinda a dick. He thinks there would only be one suitor for broadcast, and "they'll give you 10 bucks for it [the rights].
it was pretty interesting al in all. But confirmed what any of us believe nw with said "timeline".
I forgot Wittenmeyer writes
I forgot Wittenmeyer writes for a paper, so he obviously has his finger on the pulse of anything to do with electronic media.
This is funny ocal media
This is funny local media idiot Jesse Rogers raises the ire former local bad ballplayer Cody Ransom-
Jesse Rogers [email protected] 2h
Talk about tanking in Sept when you know there is a stud Japanese player on the market..you get No . 1 pick in draft AND first dibs on Japan
If the Cubs only knew this could happen. Cody Ransom would have played every day. #bettertolose
Few hours later-
Cody Ransom [email protected]_cody 2h
@ESPNChiCubs funny you never said that when u were standing in the locker room
Jesse Rogers [email protected]
@ransom_cody wanted to make sure this was you, Cody. My apologies. Bad joke. Was looking for a random name and used you.Again, my apologies
What a fucking tool!
What a fucking tool!
Cody Ransom. The poor man's Darwin Barney.
"With the new posting system
"With the new posting system proposal for Nippon Professional Baseball players, the Rakuten Golden Eagles are "leaning against" posting Masahiro Tanaka this offseason, said Peter Gammons of MLB Network."
sigh. whatever...etc.
Ben [email protected]
Rakuten is obviously opposed to a cap on posting fees, but the expectation is they will still post Masahiro Tanaka.
well, the cubs found their
well, the cubs found their lefty pen help...
"The Cubs and LHP Wesley Wright have agreed to a one-year deal believed to be worth $1.425 million, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today."
not bad. wonder what he'll fetch in june/july...sigh.
Good stats v. lefties.
Good stats v. lefties. Horrible career numbers v RH hitters, although actually fairly effective v. them in 2013 (small sample blah blah). Loogy? Or actual two-way relief pitcher?
I remember him mostly for Pat
I remember him mostly for Pat Hughes being perplexed that a Lefty pitcher could be named Wright.
"I grew up watching Cubs
"I grew up watching Cubs games on WGN [TV] back in Alabama," Wright said Thursday. "My brother and I were huge Cubs fans.
Theo on comcast sports talk
Theo on comcast sports talk live tonight...in three parts:
And doesn't Boston have some
And doesn't Boston have some kid who's about to take Ellsbury's place? I don't remember the name, although I do remember it was a good baseball name.
That's it!
That's it!
Jackie....ROOOOOGERS...JUNIOR....$100,000 JACK...POT...WAAAAAD!!!!!!
Ok...am I the only one who remembers that Martin Short character?
Will Smith plays baseball too
Will Smith plays baseball too?? Talented.
Game 1 1968 WS, Gibson v. McClain. Curt Gowdy & Harry in the booth for NBC.
I think my hate/jealosy for the Redbirds may have started here...
Bob Gibson was amazing.
Don't know if others have
Don't know if others have seen this, but I just stumbled upon it. Great video recapping baseball in the 1980s. A couple of Cubs stuff in there (Dawson, 1984, 1989, Lights a Wrigley), but just great all around:
Looks like there is one for the 1970s too.
Or - until his next surgery -
Or - until his next surgery - whichever comes first.
In his last Instructs outing
In his last Instructs outing in October versus SF in Scottsdale (which was both Vizcaino's only AZIL game and the Cubs last AZIL game) Vizcaino's fastball topped out at 94-95 MPH (off the guns of two scouts from other organizations).
Just because the Cubs agreed
Just because the Cubs agreed to forfeit their #4 overall 2013 Rule 5 Draft pick to the Philies to settle a grievance does not mean the Cubs cannot make a selection in the second round of the Rule 5 Draft (overall pick #34) or have another club make a selection for them in the 1st round and then acquire the selected player from that club after the draft.
BTW. MLB announced when the new CBA was signed in 2011 that (among other things) DL stints for Rule 5 draft pIcks would be scrutinized to prevent abuses. In order for LendyGate to happen the Phillies must have presented credible evidence to the Cubs and/or to MLB that either Castillo was not really hurt when he was placed on the DL with a "left groin strain" in May 2012 (in which case the Cubs would have also received a hefty fine from MLB) or that the Cubs waited an unreasonable period of time to send him on a 30-day minor league rehab assignment after he was clearly healthy enough to pitch (probably this, since the Cubs waited until July 11th to begin his minor league rehab assignment but yet he was healthy enough to throw 20 IP over the course of 14 minor league games before being reinstated from the DL on August 11th), and that the extra days spent on the DL as the result of having his rehab assignment delayed allowed him to fulfill Rule 5 obligations with a minimum of MLB Active List time. (If Castillo had fallen short of the required 90 days on an MLB Active List in 2012 to fulfill Rule 5 obligations, he would have remained a "Rule 5 Player" into the 2013 season, but only until he had accrued enough days on an MLB Active List to reach the required 90 days).
FWIW, if the Phillies really valued Castillo and wanted him back they could have just claimed him off waivers last January when the Cubs outrighted him to Iowa to make room on the 40-man roster for free-agent Carlos Villanueva, so the whole "grievance" thing is basically B. S. Just based on that (the Phillies failure to claim Castillo off waivers when they had the chance in January) should have been reason enough to throw the grievance out.
Plus, Lendy Castillo did not turn out to be Johan Santana. The Phillies were not victims of anything.
"Japanese pitcher Masahiro
"Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka's baseball future was thrown into flux Thursday when the president of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles told a newspaper that the team might not make the prized starter available to major league teams as a free agent this winter."
so what would be the cubs
so what would be the cubs plan b?
another impact player since they're in a position to pick one up longterm without losing a draft pick?
...bwhahahahah. good one.
more ads on the outfield wall? a second ad bridge over waveland? Pepsi presents The Chicago Cubs?
...sounds legit.
seriously, though...i hope the cubs get their japanese SP who has thrown many 130-160 pitch games throughout his career. dusty baker didn't manage him, he'll be all good.
The first 105 years of
The first 105 years of rebuilding are a gift. This is where it gets tricky!
CARLITO: Among other things,
CARLITO: Among other things, the Cubs are going to have some attractive International Signing Bonus Value (SBV) slots to trade after July 1st, since they can't sign any international free-agents subject to signing bonus restrictions for more than a $250K bonus in the 2014-15 International Signing Period as the result of going 15%+ over their assigned ISBP limit in 2013. And because they had the 4th-worst record in 2013, the Cubs four SBV slots (especially their #1 slot which will be the 4th overall highest-slot) is going to have a lot of value.
So any trade they make during the season (after July 1st) can be augmented by including some really nice SBV slots that the Cubs won't be able to use.
BTW, if he is posted, NPB RHP
BTW, if he is posted, NPB RHP Masahiro Tanaka will NOT be subject to international signing bonus limits, because he is at least 23 years old (he's 25) and has spent at least five seasons in a recognized foreign "major" league.
This is very interesting, I
This is very interesting, I hadn't though of the benefits of still having the picks. Do you think teams will leverage the Cubs a bit though, knowing the Cubs can't pay the slots appropriately, or will the players be seductive enough to render that fact mute?
CARLITO: I think the MLB
CARLITO: I think the MLB clubs that like to spend big internationally (like Texas, Toronto, Tampa Bay, and Boston) will be beating down the Cubs door for their SBV slots. It will be a seller's market, because the Cubs will be one of the few teams that won't be able to use their 2014-15 SBV slots to the fullest.
The Cubs will need to keep at least one slot to cover whatever prospects they do sign (albeit no player for more than a $250K bonus), but the others should be available to be traded.
Unfortunately, SBV slots cannot be traded until after July 1st, can't be sold for cash, and cannot be used to fulfill a PTBNL owed from an earlier (pre 7/1) trade, so the slots will probably be traded in July as part of a Trade Deadline deal or deals.
The Cubs can't include one of their 2014-15 international SBV slots in a trade right now.
Carlito: "Moot", not "mute".
Carlito: "Moot", not "mute". I don't mean to be a jerk -- it's just one of my English pet peeves.
Thank you! I understand...
Thank you! I understand...it's not as bad as you think, I know the difference - more of a mental typo; I work in pro audio and I occasionally type BASS instead of base ... and MUTE instead of moot etc. ugh.
"David Waldstein of the New
"David Waldstein of the New York Times was told by a source with knowledge of the Mariners' plans that the club will offer Robinson Cano a nine-year, $225 million contract."
also, cano is supposedly already on a plane to SEA.
"Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago
"Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com reports that while the Cubs "believe" in Javier Baez as a shortstop, the prospect will "move around" to different positions in spring training.
Levine said of Baez that second base "could be his" by the end of June."
cano 10/240 M's...
cano 10/240 M's...
Are they going to break the
Are they going to break the bank on Tanaka too?
How is it that a team in the
How is it that a team in the Seattle metro region (population 3.5m) can afford huge signings and the Cubs (metro pop ~10mil) can only afford Wesley Wright?
Nintendo money tops
Nintendo money tops Ameritrade money.
a billion dollars in personal
a billion dollars in personal wealth doesn't go as far as it used to.
Really? Haven't we covered
Really? Haven't we covered this? Are they gonna sign a 2nd baseman to a 10 year deal in the national league (where he can't play DH in his later years) when the middle infield is potentially stacked with some of our best prospects? Also let's remember that pretty much ALL the long overpaid contracts are going to the American League (ellsbury, cano, fielder, hamilton, pujols) because of the DH on these 7-10 year deals. The Cubs would be idiots to sign these players.
gotta spend the money on
gotta spend the money on something.
if you're waiting around for a great deal on a FA contract you're only gonna get support guys except for those rare exceptions...which doesn't happen much.
FAs cost loot...it's not about getting a great deal, it's about adding a piece to your team. there are very few great deals on the FA market that are high end impact players.
plus, this is the f'n cubs...in chicago...3rd largest TV market in the nation with nation-wide fan appeal.
it'd be nice to see something happen to this team aside from the advertising revenue gains the ownership is working hard on.
If they are going to go in on
If they are going to go in on like a Cano deal, it better be for Trout or Harper when they are 27.
much like assuming all the
much like assuming all the cubs kids in A/AA are going to contribute in the bigs in a meaningful manner...you can't count on trout/harper making it to being FA's.
this is a team that could easily spend $130-$150m and still bring a profit.
"gotta spend the money on
"gotta spend the money on something"
Ugh. Really? First, just throwing money at free agents because you have it is a stupid idea. Second, even if they did that all you would do is complain about who they got, how much they overspent, how these guys can't be traded when they are old and terrible, etc.
Josh Hamilton and Albert Pujols worked out so well for the Angels last year. The Blue Jays really took with their big spending spree last year. And so on.
The teams that are consistently good are doing so by developing their own young talent (Red Sox, Braves, Cardinals, A's, Rays, now the Pirates) and then supplementing that with free agents *when they are competitive.*
When the Cubs young core is ready, they will certainly spend money on free agents to fill the gaps and compliment them and put forward a winning team. But it makes no sense to spend the money now to get a free agent who will give the team 3 more wins next year, cost a ton, and then be in the way and old and ineffective when the young core is ready.
I think most people see that.
you can spend and develop.
you can spend and develop.
what's more, with the new system where you lose your draft pick signing guys who are protected after the 10th pick (only 8 wins separate the cubs pick 4 from pick 11 this past disaster season) it makes sense to spend when you know you're close to coming out of the basement...not when you're out of the basement.
they're already pissing away $26m on e.jackson having him pitch 2 punt seasons...you gotta spend the money on something. it's just like that. yeah, really...these aren't 2-3 year deals on the line...these are 4-8+ year deals on the line.
the core is close...baez is expected to get a taste this coming season...more aren't far behind. there's a #4 pick coming next season. the rookie to AA is slammed to the f'n gils with kids. it's there. not much more room left at the inn...core built and moving up...neat.
RSox spent like CRAZY (don't fall for that myth that they didn't) while developing talent. it wasn't either/or...it was both.
"they're already pissing away
"they're already pissing away $26m on e.jackson having him pitch 2 punt seasons"
My point that you would complain either way confirmed!
you missed the point of that
you missed the point of that inclusion...and ignored a lot of what surrounded it.
Go ahead and take a look at
Go ahead and take a look at how the Red Sox spent their money:
Virtually all of their big free agent signings over the past 5 years have sucked, whereas the one-year contracts to fill gaps before youngsters emerge and players acquired in traded when they need them with little contract/money commitment have been effective.
Terrible Investments:
Brad Penny: $5 million for a 5.67 ERA
John Lackey: paid $65 million so far for one injured season and a combined 2.7 WAR over the other three.
Ryan Dempster: $13 million last year for a -0.2 WAR
Mike Cameron: $14 million combined for 70 atrocious games over 2 seasons as a 37-38 year old
Carl Crawford: $14 million for an OPS under .700 and then traded
Adrian Beltre: $9 million for 7.8 WAR
Stephen Drew: got $9.5 million for a nice 3.1 WAR season
Mike Napoli: $13 million for 4.1 WAR
Many of the other guys, like Victor Martinez, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Jason Bay, Jake Peavy, Andrew Miller, Adrian Gonzalez, etc. they got in trades mid-season when they knew they needed them, and for many of them they inherited very little contract commitment.
They have focused on signing their young stars to long term deals, and have re-signed veterans who they know fit their philosophy.
The Victorino deal is looking
The Victorino deal is looking pretty good too. They nailed it last offseason. They didn't pay for the big money guys, they want for the 2nd/3rd tier guys for modest deals that didn't require giving up draft picks. Gomes and Carp were also nice scrap heap/low cost pickups too.
It would also be monumentally
It would also be monumentally stupid to strip the franchise down and have crap performance for 2 years for a big rebuilding effort and then screw that plan up by spending a ton of money too early. Last year the free agent value was in the 2nd tier players that didn't require crazy long term deals or giving up draft picks. It didn't really work for the Cubs as did for other teams with Jackson's first year performance but that deal could still work out ok. The Cubs front office isn't stupid. I have to think they're either going all in on Tanaka or waiting to see who falls through the cracks and can be signed as a good value play.
I think Keith Law described
I think Keith Law described him as more like Kuroda. Which is worth a 6 year 100mil + deal in this market.
"All in" was probably the
"All in" was probably the wrong phrase to use. But out of all the SP out there he's probably a guy where it makes the most sense to overpay for a couple mil per year to get him. If that indeed would get a deal done.
I'd prefer that they get
I'd prefer that they get Tanaka and extend Samardzija, because that would suggest they might be competitive soon. Foregoing Tanaka and trading Samardzija might be aiming for an even higher level of farm system, but it puts competition in 2016 at the earliest. And I don't know if I can take 2 more years of completely irrelevant baseball.
It wouldn't be difficult to
It wouldn't be difficult to replace the results he's produced so far. But I'm still anticipating him turning a corner in terms of consistency. If he doesn't do that, and if Tanaka's arm falls off, I'll of course be complaining that the Cubs spent money stupidly and didn't get blue-chip prospects when they had the chance. But my commitment to the rebuild is waning after having all but lost interest in the games.
sub-darvish, better than dice
sub-darvish, better than dice-K....with a ton of workload on his arm for a 25 year old from highschool all the way to the pros.
130+ pitch outings are nothing strange for him. he pitched 160+ in a game and came out the next day to throw 15 in relief...a few months ago.
We covered it. But the Cubs
We covered it. But the Cubs playing like a mid market team isn't going to cut it long term. Cano isn't the point here.
My thoughts about it are conflicted: http://www.thecubreporter.com/comment/218570#comme...
But at the end of the day I do get the sense that the Ricketts are in way over their heads and have no business trying to play this game.
So you are saying that the
So you are saying that the Cubs aren't spending because they can't? Not because they have a plan. Is that your point?
I think theo and friends have
I think theo and friends have a plan. I don't think the ownership group is going to have the chops to participate as a top 3 market team, and I also hope I'm wrong about that.
Cubs too cheap and don't care
Cubs too cheap and don't care about fans
also, Cubs not getting burned
also, Cubs not getting burned again giving a 10 year contract.
I think Cano is a great player, but let's see how this looks years 5-10.
Hiya Albert Pujols!
At the Cubs current stage it
At the Cubs current stage it's too much but there may be a time in the future where they need to get a player like that. I don't think the Ricketts have the financial chops to do it.
mets sign granderson....4yr
mets sign granderson....4yr
By the way - will Daniel Bard be non-tendered?
Yes ROB G. Just needling you
Yes ROB G. Just needling you as the topic has been up all week. All good. I know you were tring to resolve the posting error that I appreciate!
Damn right you will. And a
Damn right you will. And a smile wouldn't hurt, either.
Seriously, though, the work's appreciated.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Ha. Thanks for letting us all vent and postulate here. Thanks for turning us on to AZ PHIL. And Tim. And CUBSTER. But not for The Real Neal, or Silent Towel.
Who said we're enjoying it?
Who said we're enjoying it?
I kid, it's my only source for Cubs news, pretty much.
This pretty much sums up my
This pretty much sums up my opinion on signing big name free agents.
'"If the only priority is to get paid, there's always a sucker -- and Seattle was the sucker," an agent said. "Does this deal make them better? Yes. Does it make them formidable? No.'
Unless the deal makes you "formidable" don't be a sucker.
seattle has 3 players,
seattle has 3 players, counting the cano contract, making more than $3m next year...and one of those guys is iwakuma making $7m.
they've got some more moves in their future.
beltran/yanks 3/45
beltran/yanks 3/45
napoli/bos 2/32
...at this rate there's going to be no FA's left for winter meetings
also, the yanks have one hell of a crowded OF situation even with the DH in play...beltran, ellsbury, a.soriano, ichiro, b.gardner, v.wells
Gardner would look good in a
Gardner would look good in a Cubs uniform
So would Soriano at this
So would Soriano at this point.
So would Soriano at this
So would Soriano at this point.
the soriano trade was
the soriano trade was important.
it freed up $7m so the cubs could hire lawyers to fight the neighborhood for more revenue streams and architects to design advertising bridges over the streets outside the stadium.
the cubs way (tm).
Wait, you are unhappy with
Wait, you are unhappy with the Cubs spending? Hadn't heard that before.
Golf clap.
Golf clap.
i give humor, you only
i give humor, you only register angst.
yeah, it's a bit editorial, but it's not a diatribe.
also, doesn't this work both ways in multiple threads for your expressed point of view? we don't have guns here. the first person to fire doesn't win.
Sorry, no worries, I will
Sorry, no worries, I will stop calling you out on that. But FYI, from someone who has been posting on here for 7+ years with you now, I don't think your comments are registering as humorously as you think they are lately. Normally you add a lot to these comments and a lot of humor, but lately you just sound like a broken, very disgruntled, record...
feel free to do what you want
feel free to do what you want, i'm not trying to shut you up.
i'm just saying some stuff like this is always gonna be lulz and "dude, really" to me.
when they lower payroll, sign guys and trade them mid-season saving loot, shed vets to save loot, and the biggest news of the past couple years is all the new ad revenue streams for the ballpark + neighborhood fights over those revenue streams while the teams end up with george katarras and wesley wright as off-season pieces...well...lulz/sigh/c'mon.
i do seriously believe the cubs are going to be in heavy on m.tanaka...but i also wonder if my belief is misplaced and/or if they have a "plan b" for that unspent loot if he's not posted or they lose out.
they get the 4th pick next year. RK to AA is fillled and there's a nice trickle going into AAA next season. there's money freed up. new TV money is coming. it's time to start getting ready to get back into action rather than sitting on the sideline...8 wins is all that separated the trainwreck of a cubs team last year from a team who can't sign a protected player without losing a valuable draft pick.
Crunch I believe they are 100
Crunch I believe they are 100% not shedding salaries and saving 'loot'. It's VERY clear that every move is motivated by the desire to acquire talent. That seems pretty obvious. Characterizing it as a money saving move doesn't even make sense. They would make more money probably by half assing the lineup with crap expensive mediocre players and filling the seats winning 84 games a year.
the byproduct of this is
the byproduct of this is saved loot, though.
they have a lot of loot freed up, RK-AA are stacked, some kids are going to trickle in next year and a lot more expected in 2015...and we're not hearing about ubaldo or choo or etc...
it would be not-so-awesome if they have the 11+th draft pick next year and have to weigh getting in on it vs pissing away a high draft pick...especially since they've freed up enough loot to invest in the future.
I'm somewhat with you at this
I'm somewhat with you at this point, crunch. I sincerely hope that they plan to pick up Tanaka or an equivalent investment towards being competitive in a year or so and maybe pick up one more player as well, though I'm more doubtful of the latter. My hope is that by next offseason they have Baez, Bryant, Soler, Alcantara, Hendricks, Strop, Vizcaino, and maybe even Edwards all established or knocking on the door, Tanaka (or equivalent investment) entrenched alongside Samardzija, Rizzo, Castro, and Arrieta, and are ready to add the remaining couple of pieces to the rotation, bullpen, and bench to push them into contention. If they don't get a starter and maybe another substantial piece this offseason, though, and if they end up trading off Samardzija and maybe others, then it seems like they are putting off the end-date of the rebuild even farther, and I will start to wonder what the plan is for the payroll.
All this depends upon there being smart investments to make, of course. I was a little surprised we didn't hear many rumors of them pursuing other young-ish players, like Phil Hughes.
At the same time, I'm critical of a team like the Houston Astros, who seem to be jumping the gun on their rebuild. Dexter Fowler, Chad Qualls, and Scott Feldman don't make much sense to me at all for a team that has been incredibly bad of late. It's not like they dropped Cano money or anything, but I don't see Fowler or the 3-year contract to Feldman moving them in the right direction. This is a round-about way of saying that they are an example of why it doesn't necessarily make sense to spend money just to spend money.
But I don't think any of the
But I don't think any of the strategies employed have been motivated by the bottom line. Everyone they have dumped have been to acquire new talent and free space for championship caliber players ... Usually by dumping players who will be past their prime when we can contend. Theo didn't sign on with financial handcuffs - they've been incredibly transparent about the plan ... And it makes perfect sense in every way if you think of it that way. My point you didn't address is wouldn't they just throw a halfway competitive team on the field and act like contenders if they were motivated entirely by the bottom line. Fill the seats, big market, sign a name once in a while etc.? That's what we all watched our whole lives. This is the real deal, there's been no surprises, they said it would he slow and painful. Why would they tank so obviously if it wasn't about one thing: building a real contender and revamping the org. The penny pinching way would be to milk out wins etc, this owner / gm have done the opposite, done it honestly, and are taking a hit in the attendance. The ONLY possible motivation is to become consistent a real champion as soon as possible. There's no other reason a team does this. None. And it certainly ain't to save money.
"My point you didn't address
"My point you didn't address is wouldn't they just throw a halfway competitive team on the field and act like contenders if they were motivated entirely by the bottom line." + most all of the stuff following that line...
i'm not addressing it because i don't think they should either. this isn't where i'm coming from. i'm not saying buy-for-the-sake-of-buying. i'm saying cash is there, invest in the future...it's time and the money is available. this is chicago, not TB...not OAK...this is a $130-$150m market team without over-reaching. this is also a team that's supposedly going to have a flood of kids coming in not costing jack.
there is also no such thing as spending loot suddenly meaning you're incapable of developing a team. theo inherited a 93 win BOS team that spent a ton of money and managed to spend money + draft...i think he can handle it without shitting himself...i hope.
i also don't think moves have been motivated by the bottom line, but i also think now is an advantageous time to start investing back into the product before it costs high draft picks. e.jackson was signed to a 4-year deal, not a 2-year deal for a reason...
"The penny pinching way would be to milk out wins etc, this owner / gm have done the opposite, done it honestly, and are taking a hit in the attendance. The ONLY possible motivation is to become consistent a real champion as soon as possible. There's no other reason a team does this. None. And it certainly ain't to save money."
...we are talking about ricketts here. i wouldn't be so quit to lay noble intentions on their money management and main focus for the team given what we've been reading in the papers the past 3 years.
Ask about high-paid managers.
Ask about high-paid managers.
Jayson Stark makes multiple
Jayson Stark makes multiple predictions on the Winter meetings. Shark gets a few mentions.
With Beltan there, think
With Beltan there, think Yanks might try Sori at second for a year?
in the 22nd inning, when the
in the 22nd inning, when the entire 25 man roster has been used and Kelly Johnson breaks his ankle.
they got kelly johnson at one
they got kelly johnson at one of the best offseason deals that no one seemed to care about...1yr/3m
good D, 20 HR power, doubles...$3m
Patrick [email protected]
Patrick [email protected]
Rakuten is really balking at the $20m posting fee limit.
Patrick [email protected]
Rakuten is going to talk posting with Tanaka by the 10th. Exec: "asking him to stick around will be the priority" http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20131207-0000014... …
per Roto...
per Roto...
Andy McCullough of the Newark Star-Ledger reports that the Yankees are willing to listen to trade offers on Brett Gardner.
They have already received significant interest in Gardner since Friday's signing of Carlos Beltran, and though they aren't actively shopping him, the Yankees outfield is extremely crowded and he could net a useful return. The Bombers currently boast an outfield contingent of Gardner, Jacoby Ellsbury, Beltran, Alfonso Soriano, Ichiro Suzuki and Vernon Wells.
they'd probably want a
they'd probably want a pitcher or 2nd...
doubt the cubs have any pitching to spare for an OF'r.
Barney and Russell for BG?
Barney and Russell for BG?
could be fun to speculate on this even though I agree we probably don't match up.
i imagine it'd take more than
i imagine it'd take more than that...plus, they got b.ryan on a 2-year deal as their d.barney equivalent.
Brett Gardner will be a FA
Brett Gardner will be a FA after the 2014 season, so I doubt that the Cubs would give up players with more years of club control than Gardner just to get a one-year (or even half-year) rental... unless the plan is to try and sign him to a multi-year contract (which they have already done with LH OF Ryan Sweeney) or else flip him to a third team at the July Trade Deadline for prospects.
SABR Baseball Biography
"Ben Badler of Baseball
"Ben Badler of Baseball America reports that the Rakuten Golden Eagles will speak with Masahiro Tanaka about his desire to move to the MLB, and if he truly wants to do so they are expected to let him leave."
Remember, the player has to
Remember, the player has to request to be posted, then it's up to the NPB club to agree to post the player (which they do not have to do).
However, if Rakuten refuses to post Tanaka this off-season simply because they don't think $20M is a sufficient posting fee for a pitcher of Tanaka's talent, and decide to keep him for one more season and then post him and get their $20M post-2014 (Tanaka will become an unrestricted FA post-2015), Tanaka could spoil the club's plan simply by telling the Eagles that if they don't post him this off-season he will not request to be posted post-2014, and if that happens Rakuten won't get the $20M posting fee at all and they'll lose Tanaka after the 2015 season for nothing (although of course they would benefit from having him pitch for them in 2014 & 2015).
So it's understandable why Rakuten would have to get Tanaka on board first before they proceed with a plan to delay his posting until post-2014, unless they think it's worth sacrificing $20M to have him remain a Rakuten Golden Eagle for two more seasons.
"Astros signed RHP Chad
"Astros signed RHP Chad Qualls to a two-year, $9.5 million contract."
dude wut?
Chad Qualls...
Chad Qualls...
The Cubs should see if Ted Abernathy wants a 2 year deal?
Stay classy dumpster diver
With Egg on her face...
Recent comments
Meh, I messed that up. Mets are in.
Cards and Giants can still tie though.
Kershaw gets hurt by his defense and gave up 2 more runs. Blach has 8 shutout innings.
Mets already won as did Cards.
tomorrow is gonna be helluva fun if Giants hold on. We're all rooting for a 3-way tie I presume.
good news is now 5 K's for Lester through 4 (in a quest for 200 for season). Bad news is he's already at 86 pitches.
be curious how long Maddon sticks with Lester to try and let offense get back into it and get him the win (4-2 as I type, was 4-0)
Fwiw, he needed 2.1 IP to cross 200 for season so he got that at least. He also needs 9 K's for 200K's on season and he has 4 through 3.
cubs score 2 runs thanks to predictable reds pitching and horrible CIN defense...cubs only down by 1 now. heyward even got a gift 2rbi double out of an easy popout. neat.
something named Ty Blach has outpitched Clayton Kershaw through 6 innings (1-0 Giants).
not that finishing 2nd place will matter much nor did this game, but have to think if Hendricks pitches well tomorrow, he could leapfrog Lester in Cy Young voting. Don't see anyway Scherzer doesn't win it regardless and it doesnt' look like Lester has any incentive clauses that matter. Also might give Cueto some votes.
Rather remarkable how many teams have really good 1-2 options this year.
Nats: Scherzer and Roark (and Strasburg was great before injuries)
Cubs: Lester and Hendricks (and Arrietta is still damn good just not as consistently lately)
pretty much what I'm gathering from this thread is that it doesn't matter who you play in 5-game series, but no one wants to have to deal with Cardinal fans if we end up losing.
I can respect that.
first game for lester giving up more than 2 runs since july 24th. hell of a run.
doh, yes...dunno what happened there. jake arrieta is all "bro wut?"
lester going for #20...cubs haven't had a LH (thanks jpep for the correction) 20 game winner since d.ellsworth in 1963.
fwiw, all the games are free on mlb.tv
Short rest for MadBum would be 2 days. WC game is Wed., Games 1 & 2 are Friday/Saturday.
A left-handed one...
J-Hey not finishing with an offensive onslaught.
If Geoff Blum could be a Playoff hero, there is hope still...
Giants scare me. I think you're wrong about Bumgarner, he would pitch on short rest for Game 2 and then full rest for Game 5. Cueto would go Game 1, then short rest in game 4. Add in some really tough outs in that lineup and I want nothing to do with them. With that rotation they can easily steal a series.
Cards are a tough matchup. The rivalry evens out their comparable lack of talent. And like someone said, they love HRs, which is how to beat the Cubs. The upside is that I would feel really good about Lester twice against STL.