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Originally published on Dec. 31, 2009 @ 1:38 pm.
The "mystery reliever" has been revealed. According to Jon Heyman (via Twitter), the Phillies are aggressively going after Danys Baez, and have agreed to sign the right-hander to a two-year deal.
The 32-year old had a 4.02 ERA in 71.2 innings with the Baltimore Orioles last year.
The Phillies also signed Tagg Bozied. Bozied spent last season with the Pittsburgh Pirates' Triple-A club, where he batted .288 in 240 plate appearances. Bozied, 30, is a corner outfielder and first baseman.
Bozied was a big-time power prospect for the San Diego Padres. However, he tore a tendon in his knee while celebrating a walk-off home run in 2004.
UPDATE (1:03 pm 1/5/09): Baez has signed for $5.25 million over two years, according to multiple sources. Not a bad figure for a decent relief pitcher.
170 Comments
Hi Amanda. Happy New Year. Do you have a number on Baez? I'm very excited about the Bozied signing also.
The Dipsy
I hope it is no more than 2yr/5m.
The Dipsy
Hey Dipsh*t you actually agree with something the FO did, I am shocked, it is a New Years Eve miracle.
Is Bozied an outfielder or what
thanks Amanda, I have do not follow other teams farms that well, have a hard time keeping up with the Phillies farm.
shag beta smegma – Why are you such a strap?
The Dipsy
because you are such an idiot, I can not help myself. To see that you actually like something the front office did amazes me, I thought for sure you would hate this signing, just like you hated the Raul deal, and the PP deal, and the Halladay/Lee deal, and pretty much everything they have done in the last two years. You are the poster child for JRoll's comments about frontrunning fans
You're such a strap beacuse I'm an idiot? Ummmm….OK. I don't recall voicing a problem with the Ibanez deal or the Polanco deal. And I love the Halladay deal. The Lee deal, as we all know now, was an abomination, so I'm no different than anyone else. Sooooooooo….please try and be accurate before you bash. Thank you for your courtesies.
The Dipsy
I do recall you saying they overpaid for Raul and he was not much of a defensive up grade over Pat around this time last year. And not everyone is as short sighted as you and others on here about the Lee deal that had to be done for the sake of the future of an affordable, competitive team past 2010. You want to win one year and then start over again cheer for the Marlins
They did overpay. You disagree?
The Dipsy
I watched Tag play in Portland and he was certainly a crowd favourite. What a bad break he had at the end of the 2004 season. I am glad to see him re surface.
told you you had a problem with it, and no I do not think so as of now, if he was not hurt last year in the second half anyone would have a hard time saying they over paid him. And if he puts up similar numbers next year I would not say he was overpaid. And there is something to be said about getting a guy early and not waiting til the last minute to sign him, and if that 1 million more it is not a bad thing.
My point is you seem to find some fault in every deal and criticize something about every move the FO makes, even though they have brought together 3 straight NL EAST titles, 2 Straight NL CHAMPIONSHIPS, back to back WS appearances, and ONE WFS. Along with a wonderful product on the field for next year and the years to come. And like some Phans it is not enough and you have to find fault or you feel you life is not compete
They overpaid. But its OK. Thats the guy they wanted. If you recall, last year around this time there were tons of guys out there and some had to settle for below market value because the free agent pool was oversaturated and everyone was all hype about the economy. I was one of the guys in the "wait until the end and get a good guy on the cheap" see: ABREU, Bob. I think the Phils overpaid but I didn't think it was the end of the world. The reason I care is beacuse I know that if the Phils overpay in one area, they're gonna tell you that they don't have money left when its time to address another area. If the Phils weren't on a "strict budget", I could care less if they their players anything they wanted. I think they overpaid for Polanco, too.
The Dipsy
dipsy the raul signing this year will bite them in the ass, he will do nothing watch the league caught up to him in the second half. and his outfield play was bad too in the second half. baez and tag are low risk high reward guys no big deal. But anyone who says lee was a bad move is either a idiot or works for the phillies. a bad arm prospect with hip conditon, a low level a ball pitcher with a 5.30 era and a fast guy who a lot of scouts said the ground balls he hit to short and beat out in the california league wont happen when he goes to reading, his project numbers converted to clearwater was 270 hitter is that worth a true number one starter?????? only if you are a ass kissing employee of the phillies would you support that salary dump deal.
I am glad you have the crystal ball that can foresee the future of all baseball prospects MikeMike. I do not work for the Phillies PR department. So Raul's injury had nothing to do with his poor second half, interesting. Again the short sightiness of guys like you who know everything about how a prospect is going to turn out. Check you almighty prospect list from 10 even five years ago, how many of the top 20 are All Stars? Check those list daily and they change with the wind. You will never know what these kids can do until they do it. Sorry I have a little more faith in the FO of this team who have been competitive for the last 5 years, more than in guys visiting blogs or talking on sprotscenter. I am not saying they are always wrong, but I would venture a guess that more often then not they are. There was a sprots Illustrated article on can't miss pitchers over the last 40 years, and almost all of them missed.
Let's have a reasonable debate here, people, and not a bunch of childish name calling and barely disguised swearing. This is supposed to be a civilized and intelligent site.
I'll wait on critiquing the Baez signing until I hear some dollar numbers. But I won't be too disappointed if Baez signed high. Too many other relievers have already pushed prices up, and Baez is better than most of them.
The other guy is a minor leaguer, and probably won't be a factor yet.
Phils overpaid Raul and Polanco in $$$ and years. I can say that and be a huge Phillies fan. I wanted Kouzmanof so what do I know, LOL. Bozied out hit Lastings Mileadge in AAA and hit about the same as McCutchen so he has a nice stick. 8 errors though.
I like the Baez signing if the price is right.
Why did the Phils have to give Baez a second guaranteed year? Is it written in Amaro's contract that he has to give every single free agent one more year than anyone else is willing to offer? (Ibanez, Moyer, Polanco, Baez).
Danys Baez should be given an invite to spring training somewhere and if he pitches well, he gets a 1 year deal. Giving him a 2 year deal is ludicrous.
I didn't say anything when Amaro gave 3 years to Polanco and then Derosa only gets a 2 year deal, but 2 guaranteed years for Danys freaking Baez? Who was Amaro bidding against for this crappy middle reliever?!?
were doe sit say 2 year deal?
Todd Zolecki on twitter said it's a 2 year deal.
The thing I don't understand is that you can get a middle reliever from the minor leagues who makes league minimum and they will get you similar production to Baez for a lot less money.
When you're overpaying a million here and giving an extra year there, these things add up to the point where you have to dump Cliff Lee because of finances.
Rube isn't effectively using the option year. Why not say something like if Baez pitches in 35+ games he gets a second year or something. SHould've been an option year with Moyer for sure. Same with Raul and Polanco in year 3.
baez is a great set up man who had an off year in the best offensive division in baseball…just throwin in my 2 cents
Baez's ERAs the last four years: 4.53, 4.35, 5.40 and a nice 6.44 last year.
Thank goodness we locked him up for 2 years!
Whoops sorry, he actually had a 6.44 in '08 and a 4.02 last year. He still sucks.
He did pitch in the AL East so those numbers better drop!!! 2 years, blows my mind… a bit. A million here and there and boom… you get up to $9MM… and we all know who costs $9MM! aaargghhh
Just kidding.
No, but seriously…
I am not sold on this signing. He is talent wise somewhere in between Park and Durbin. Since Park is not coming back I would call it a downgrade. While I know he can close games, he does not represent the significant upgrade the team needs in the pen. With Lidge and Romero's health in question, they still need two more quality bullpen arms. Will Ruben Amaro come through or will the pen be an achilles heel again in 2010?
Griffin: The way I see it, Amaro gives extra years only for players who are being pursued by others. The Cubs had a huge interest in Ibanez, and Moyer was being courted some by the Rockies. He was wise to lock up Polanco as the cheapest viable third base option even if the extra year didn't appear to fans as being necessary–he certainly wasn't going to get Beltre or Figgins cheap. And lets face it, with multi-year contracts going to every semi-decent, or even totally worthless, free agent reliever this year, he may have lost out on Baez without that second year.
You may say that a minor leaguer could replace someone like Baez, but Escalona's ERA was higher, and Bastardo's was way higher. Neither of them have Baez's MLB closing experience, either.
They say " the proof is in the pudding" and someone said earlier 3 Div, 2NL champ, 1 WFS!! I guess the Phillies F.O. makes a good puddin!!
YOu dont even know the numbers yet and youre already all complaining….HAHA. hes a reliever, hell have another good year and now it will be here…
Bastardo will be on the squad. Park is out. Baez upgrades over Condrey. They may sign a cheapo reliever, maybe a cheapo starter. but theyre mostly done I think.
People around here expect every move to be an earthshaking deal and they STILL complain. You had an earthshaking deal. The rest of the moves have been solid, and they have improved the team ove last seaon NOTICEABLY.
A significant upgrade will always cost significant dollars. Unless Lidge gives back his $11 million, the Phils can't afford significant.
Any year, there can be health issues. You can't sign three or four closers just in case. We'll just have to hope that this bullpen does its job, like they did in 2008. We'll have to bear in mind that although Baez may not be the significant upgrade over Park, that Park didn't even pitch for that great 2008 'pen.
I still believe mathieson will make this team and help. i am more concern with the starters, all these moves mean nothing if Hamels doesnt come back, and moyer is a waste, happ is really unknown yet, so i really hope we get better pitching out of hamels and kenrick maybe
My point is that if you are going to sign mediocre middle relievers, sign them to 1 year deals. Amaro did a great job with Park last year, but giving Baez a 2 year deal when there are plenty of mediocrities left (Calero, Condrey, Tyler Walker and tons others) is just not good fiscal sense.
With that said, I wish everyone here a healthy and happy New Year. Let's go Phils.
I think people are just getting ready to hear Baez signing for 2yr/11m and then going nuts because we could have spent that money elsewhere, and you know where. And they would be right because Baez is NOT a significant upgrade over Bastardo/Escalona/Kendrick or whatever one year guy they can sign. What was Park last year, 1y/1m?
The Dipsy
Only 5 hourse 46 minutes left to bitvh about the Lee deal, LOL. Baez is a nice pickup so lets just wait and see the $$$ damage.
We can bit*h about the Lee deal as long as we want.
I hear 2 years/11 million.
LOL Manny!
2 years 11 million is way over paying IMO. WOW that would suck.
Happ is unknown but kendrick isnt? Wtf?
There's no way the Lee deal was about money if they just spent 11 million on Baez.
Park got 2.5 million last year.
Here's a crazy though. Just throwing it out there.
Trade Blanton and Victorino for prospects. Should net what Lee did.
Keep Lee.
Sign Byrd for 5 million a year. Byrd hits in the 7 hole.
Out about 1.5 million, but huge upgrade in the starting rotation, same prospects and a puch in CF or minor downgrade.
Wait a second, I just threw out 11m for the hell of it. I hope like thats not the contract. Thanks for the correction on Park. Guys on the internet are saying two years at around 6m. Who knows?
The Dipsy
Baez could be a great signing. He has success as a closer and despite several bad years, he appears to have recovered from arm troubles last year. Also, he has serious strikeout stuff. I hope he is the answer to some of our bullpen needs and he could be just that if he returns to form. possible diamond in the rough.
So was there some team out their willing entertain Park's starter fantasy, or did we give up on him or did he sign as a reliever else where for mo' money? I don't know much about Baez, but if he had arm problems last year I hope we're getting a discount.
If they spent 11 million on Baez we could bring in the New Year with a riot.
Wouldn't you all rather have Scott Eyre for 1 year and $3/$4 million?
I have no idea why they won;t sign Eyre for 1 year 2.5-3 million. Eyre would do it, but Phils only offerred a minor league deal.
2/6 is more realistic.
Baez isn't bad, but the D-backs just signed Howry for 1 year 2.25 million with a 3 million club option for 2011. I'd take that over Baez 2.6, wouldn't you?
2.6 = 2/6.
Joe – I think because Eyre is a "situational lefty" who, while he pitched well for the Phils, has not had a star studded career. That said, I would rather give 2/6 to Baez. He can pitch more innings. I think the Phils will still sign Eyre for less and for one year, unless another team steps up. I would like our bullpen then if J.C. pans out.
The Dipsy
The Dipsy,
Wouldn't you take Howry for one year 2.25 with an option over Baez 2/6?
I'd be hesitant to sign Eyre, too. He's a situational lefty, nearing 40 years old, and just had elbow surgery. $2.5 million would be too much.
I haven't seen anything about the Baez signing except that it was for two years. Therefore, I can't say he was overpaid.
Howry might have been fine, but if he required an option year from Arizona, the Phils would have had to beat that offer either with initial pay or a second year guarantee. I'm not sure he'd have been worth it.
I really don't think the bullpen will be a major issue now with Baez on board. Last year's call-ups, Escalona and Bastardo, also now have some ML experience. I worry about the fifth starter. Moyer still needs knee surgery, and at his age, will probably require a six week recovery or more. He's no lock to start the season healthy. Kendrick, though healthy, is a bit of an unknown. The only other options are still getting their lumps in Lehigh Valley or Reading. I hope there's enough money left for another major league experienced arm.
Baez isn't a bad pickup at all, but honestly I agree it is downgrading significally from Park. I can't see Baez's contract being anywhere over 6 Mil for 2 years.
What is the deal with people talking about these crazy Victorino trades? It makes me sick just listening to such idiotic gestures.
Great so Moyer is close to 50 and needs knee surgery after sportmans hernia surgery. If that's not a sunk cost….What about Pinero or does that bust the budget which is already busted. Other than his "I'm a starter" fanatsy, is Park asking too much. What's going on with him? Or does signing Baez mean Park aint gonna happen?
The Baez signing I understand, but what do the Phillies expect to get out of a 30 year old Tagg Bozied who has never tasted the majors before? His minor league numbers are pretty damn solid though…so I wonder what the Phillies are up to.
Tagg Bozied sounds like a Stars Wars character
actually, yeah it kinda does!
Like the name of one of the Jedi Master's or something, only that this guy is apparently not even a full Jedi yet, but a very old Padawan!
That said…I think Bozied could be another surprise story waiting to happen.
I was thinking more like a shady cargo hauler who works out of Mos Eisely.
tagg was signed to hit behind brown in triple a and to be a call up if they need him off the bench
I would be interested to see how Tagg does in the majors, so maybe he'll get his chance pretty soon.
Why is it idiotic to consider trading a Victorino? He's going to hit 7th in the lineup and he's gone after 2010. I'd trade that to keep a Cy young pitcher any day.
You are right Joe. Look at it this way. Both Lee and Vic walk after this year. So who do you wanna keep for the season? Lee makes 9m and Vic probably will make 5.5m after arb. Keep Lee. I think that Vic could bring you a blue chipper and a guy with a shot. That would be fine by me. Capable free agent outfielders are a dime a dozen. So you sign one. I love Vic but what would have made more sense?
The Dispy
Absolutely. You wouldn't need Blanton if you keep Lee either so Vic + Blanton saves you 4.5 mil to get another OF or a reliver and you have Halladay, Lee, Hamels, Happ and whoever. Vic was much more important in the 2 hole, but Polanco will be there so his value decereases, IMO.
Wow the Lee talk continues… "It's like the Soprano's, it's over, find a new show"…
It really wasn't 'that' bad a deal, no team in the modern era has been to three straight WS except the Yanks late 90s mega-team. It's going to be near impossible for this team to replicate that but with a smart front office they can replicate and maybe surpass what the 90's/00's Braves did.
I like Danny Baez I have to admit but I'm so sick of the relying on free agency every year to patch a hole in the bullpen instead of making minor additions. We've come a long way from the days of guys like Rick White but this is getting tedious now. I've constantly touted or front offices development of our minor league system but there has been too many names there to accept just two prospects could stick in Matheison and Zagurski both who've spent entire years out. If this team is set on making every back of the rotation viable prospect a starter we better get finding our own Moylan and Balfour's instead of chewing up salary in free agency. It's getting tiring and there's too many guys who've been injured or have pitching a lot of games in our pen to not start getting young guys up to help share the load.
Well, NJ – I'll take the counterpoint. Firstly, do the 72-74 A's count as "modern era". Wow…what a team. I think that if you have a team poised on the brink of a third WS that this is exactly the move you make. Baez (lets all call him Danny, please) makes sense because he is a good bullpen arm, who can pitch multiple innings and, most importantly, can fill in for Lidge if he blows up again. He's got closer experience and I think Ruben wants him as a hedge. There is currently no one in our system who can fill that role. So, in that sense I thinks its a good sign if its 2y/6m. AND, as a bonus, we probably won't be bitching next year that we're stuck with him. I think Eyre will come back, too. Come on. Who is he kidding. But…the Phils could at least not insult him and offer him a major league contract. Now, offering Durbin arbitration was unnecessary. I like Bastardo, Escalona, Kendrick, and maybe Mathieson to round out the pen. Is it New Years there yet?
The Dipsy
I wouldn't qualify that A's team because it preceded free agency. (How much of a black mark is it on baseball history that the A's have been one of the most successful teams when they can barely draw a crowd…)
My point with Lee is I see this team being good for a decade with the stars still being around (give or take) with an infusion of role and everyday guys from the system and other players being brought in via other routes. I wish we had kept Lee I really do, but I understand the move and think what is being said about the prospects acquired was the same things being said about Drabek, guys like Michael Bourn and I want to see 5-10 prospects start becoming role players on this team over the next 2+ years in the same way teams like the BoSox and Angels have developed some of their prospects into viable major league players and in some cases stars. I don't believe in baptism of fire for baseball prospects and I think the attitude inside Philly can be counterproductive because this is the most intense sports town in the US.
As I said I like Baez I really do I'm just saddened by the fact I see so many major league teams grooming prospect arms in middle relief (not talking the Feliz's and Bard's) with some kind of consistency. As much as I love what this team is doing it doesn't have a commitment to giving young players more than a cup of coffee to prove they can stick at the major league level. I understand why we can't bring these guys up to fill the roles created right now but I want to see Amaro commit to slotting some of these guys in at the bottom of the roster. Don't care how un-sexy names like Carpenter, Naylor and Savery are, some of these guys are going to be major league players at some point in their career at the very least and our bullpen year on year as good as it is ends a season looking like the social room for a retirement community.
On Durbin I think he can be a very decent arm but he needs the support to work in a crew rather as a primary reliver like in '08 when he was incredibly overused (what did we expect from guys like him and Hamels last year after thing innings they threw in '08). Charlie is HORRIBLE at managing a bullpen and he rides the viable middle relievers into the ground. I agree It is ridiculous how Eyre has been treated, with his elbow looking like Mike Lieberthal's knees he was still one of the best LOOGY's in the game and more last season and almost saved us in the WS.
I have never seen baez pitch, but his numbers aren't bad , relief pitcher era i dont go by because i or two bad outing and they it could take a long time to get it down. if you come in and give up 5 runs in less than a inning you need 9 innings or 9 one inning appearance to get it down to 5 runs a game , guys like this had one stretch of 9 appearance without giving up a run good number against right handers, but never saw him so only going by what i could read.
Nj the phillies as you know i will attack. when they are wrong, but they have address the bullpen issues in the draft, two kids you can follow are swimmer and rosenberg both college relief pitchers who arent that far away, mathieson is a stud if he is healthy which it looks like he is especially after the arizona fall appearances, bastardo is a relief pitcher too so they are trying to correct the problem of not addressing relief pitchers in the draft. I believe one of the issue they see is relief pitchers are getting paid big dollars and demanding longer years, which is a bad thing for teams on limited budjects to have to take, make a mistake on a billy wagner and be a middle of the road budjected team and it kills you.
It's about prospects! Dave Cameron co- founder of Fangraphs said of these prospects:
"The Cliff Lee to Seattle portion of this trade just seems very light in return for the Phillies. They're getting two power arms with a lot of questions marks and a speedy center fielder without a lot of power. None of these guys are top tier prospects. This is the best Philadelphia could have gotten for Lee? Really? A pu-pu platter of interesting, high-risk guys not really close to the majors for a Cy Young-quality pitcher who is already well on his way to Type A free agency?"
I know what Indians fans felt like. At least if you get a top prospect you have a tradeable chip. Outside of the context of the trade, these guys don't get you much but hope. They only have value as a package. And that's quanity other quality which just by the failures rates of top tier to second tier prospects still favors one top tier to 3 2nd tiers No, what happened is the owners low balled Amaro with the budget nonsense. You don't go to the table crying poverty in a no cap system…when you do you chips lose their value since teams know your desperate to off load them. Embarassing. And we just lost to the Bruins at Fenway…I hope we don't have to watch another NE rivalry loss there because someone lacked the no- brainer imagination to see Lackey, Lester, Beckett beating out Halladay, Hamels and Blanton. I am sick of my city playing second fiddle to Boston and New York. Just sick of it.
Reed I second your thoughts, but don will say we both are nuts, he is montgomery or giles or maybe there kid, because they didnt get a thing for a guy who could bring you a ring.
Sorry ,I'm behind on all this…
Did somebody pull the trigger on Chan Ho Park?
mikemike – what is scary is the lack of attention the ownership gets in the Philly sports media. They just accepted it. I can only think it comes from years of focusing on the Eagles. They are much more capable at covering football than baseball. Even their player analysis is dated. I don't expect them to suddenly dive into sabrmetrics but they're whole approach to the game is still in '90's. Their concept of baseball economics seems governed by their understanding of football contracts. When you have a cap, a budget is relevant because you know the bottom line. In a no cap system how can you prove that it's the budget when no one knows the team's net earnings. And who convinced this city that its a mid-range market esp. when sports economists across the board agree that it is a big market and until the last few years has been considered the worst performing team relative to it's market. People are so used to going without that when the team spends the money it should proportionate to its success, they think their being spoiled. It's like some city -wide stockholm syndrome. I don't get it.
NEPA – yeah, I've been asking the same stuff about Park. Don't know, but Baez is a decent pick-up with his closing experience esp. in light of Bi-polar Brad who is also coming off of surgery. I just heard that Amaro didn't see Park as a Phillie next year. Too bad. He had a wicked two-seamer.
j reed – I get it. Because you just explained it.
The Dipsy
Dipsy – Whoops. I just "no sh*t sherlocked" myself. Do you know how much Baez is gonna get yet?
The Phillies portion of the Lee deal seems light because everyone now expects you to win every part of every trade! The most credible names in baseball say Toronto only 'saved face' with the deal we gave them so if we got a 'very light' haul from Seattle then we outright stole from Toronto for Halladay (and we know that wasn't the case). It wasn't bad, it wasn't good… Lets move on!
I gotta tell ya, I don't know how anyone can look at Gillies' (who I keep calling Clark Gillies) stats and not come away impressed. The guy hit .341 last year with a .430 OBP and 44 steals in high A ball. .341 is .341. Is he a slap hitter who legs out hits? Maybe. But he did hit 9 hrs. He was also hitting .313 in A in '08 before he got moved up. And he's supposed to be super fast. Perhaps a Michael Bourne with a bit more pop? A Juan Pierre type (non switch hitter)? These are the type of guys the Phils don't produce. But thats OK. I'd love to have a speedster who will take a walk batting leadoff for me someday. Am I missing something with this fella or what?
The Dipsy
j reed – All I am reading seems to point to a 2y/6m contract. Which is fine, I guess. We're on a budget, ya know.
The Dipsy
This is the last time I'm going to say anything about the Lee deal.We got bamboozled on it.No doubt…
But if I were ownership with a chip for ,say $100 worth of equity,why would I trade it for $50? Wouldnt you want $100 in return?
And lets say not too many competitors had a $100 chip,why would you give it away?without waiting to see who could bid for it?Maybe try to get even $120.
This is the essense of the Lee deal for me….it was simply stupid.Whether the chips are current ballplayers or future prospects(with low pricetags) it doesnt add up.
And… ..its a rare thing either here in Philly or anywhere that you get that $100 chip to play with.
Lets move on lee is gone. amazing isnt it a salary dump like this and people say forget it. The marlins salary dump but get value why cant we , a bag of donuts and we should forget, sounds like eagles talk just make the playoffs and hope we get lucky. The ownership in this town for a big market, has small minds, no matter what the phillies do its okay, season ticket holders should have told them you unload lee for nothing we leave. We need a infield prospect a middle reliever and got none of that in a trade to " restock our system" restock my ass salary dump.
Dipsy gillies played in the california league, when they translated his number to clearwater he is a 270 hitter.. he wont beat out ground balls to short in doublea and above. plus we are loaded with outfield prospects, why no infielder where we have just one prospect galvis?????? salary dump. outfield propects , brown gose santana, d"myers , hudson, and more gillies we didnt need. and a bad hip sore arm pitcher like aumont is a risk for a top major league starter.
.341 in the High Desert League is .270 in Clearwater? Thats quite the drop off. You sure?
The Dipsy
Dipsy – 2y/6m is about right. I think it's a sound deal. I watched some clips of him pitching and he looks pretty good. I think he'll also benefit from the league change at least until he's be around the block once. Also pitching in the AL East isn't a pinic. Yeah budget…just say the word and your suddenly a beacon of fiscal responsibility. Just friggin' smurfy. I guess the budget for the Phillies is all about "context".
mikemike – is it true that we could have gotten Saunders from the Mariners?
PSU over LSU so my day is awesome.
Halladay and Lee's value should've been similar. Heck, let the Mariners negotiate with Lee for a long term deal and them jack up the price.
j reed, the Phillies swapped Saunders out for Gillies so it was their choice.
psujoe – I thought as much. I think it was you where I heard this. I thought it was mikemike. I just wanted to make sure. Great for PSU, but our toothless canadiens lost at Fenway so I am grumpy.
Joe – I don't think thats true about Saunders. I don't think the M's were giving him up. Just what I heard.
The Dipsy
Dipsy – check out this link
I don't know how much of it's true but if it is I'll need 5 times the L-dopa to get out of the catatonic state I'll probably lapse into
Well, ya know, if thats true I can half understand it. Saunders is ready to play and he would have been blocked here. You might have taken him and flipped him somehow, right?
The Dipsy
"I gotta tell ya, I don't know how anyone can look at Gillies" stats and not come away impressed."
That's the first POSITIVE thing you've said about the Lee trade…at lesst that I've read…
Are you resigning yourself to the fact that it had to be done….for the LONG-TERM betterment of the team….??
Just askin'…
I would've liked to see the Phils try to flip Saunders to the Jays if Oakland would take him instead of Taylor for Wallace. The problem with taking Saunders is the Phils already signed Glaud(sp?). Saunders could've been used in conjunction with Saunders to spell Ibanez, Werth and Vic because Ibanez needs a lot of rest and Vic and Werth get tired, fast.
Everything is contingent on Brown being ready in 2011 and Gillies 2012 at the latest. Saunders could've been plugged right in in 2011.
Yeah…looks like that IS the plan, huh?…. Brown 2011 and Gillies 2012…
Soooo….who goes?? We know that Ibanez is done after 2011…and that Werth is gonna command a HUGE contract….
Do the Phillies let Werth walk after this year….or….somehow move Victorino…and resign Werth…if they can negotiate with him for something reasonable??
Personally….and I've said it before….Werth is MORE valuable…but I would totally understand it if the Phillies couldn't afford his pricetag…
Cmon Chuck. You know how I feel about the trade. I never busted on the prospects. My feeling is that in this instance, as in life, some things you just have to worry about LATER. I would have worried about what to do with the team after the big run in 2010. Remember too, that if things were not working out for the Phils by the trade deadline they could have traded Lee and gotten close to what they did from the Mariners. Look at it this way, and this is a rough analogy: You're out on a Tuesday night and you have a big presentation or whatever at work on Wednesday morning. You meet the best looking girl ever and you're having a great time. You got a sweet buzz going and she wants to go home with you. Do you say "I can't, I gotta big presentation at work tomorrow?" No. You worry about the presentation in the fog of the massive hangover you have the next morning. The presentation may be terrible but you'll forever have the memory of the big trophy buck you bagged the night before. And guess what else? When your boss asked you what happened you can tell him the truth and I'd bet he'd understand. Pictures would help.
The Dipsy
I hear ya'…I totally get the fascination with having BOTH of them on the team….
When I first thought about it…after the trade was announced….I was as disappointed as anyone on here…I LOVED what Cliff Lee did for this team….this CITY….in a very short space of time..
Cliff Lee will forever be part of Phillies lore..no one will forget what the guy did and what he gave us…NO ONE.
But the more I understood what happened…and the more I thought about the OVERALL health of the team…and that includes BEYOND this year…the more I realized that this deal had to be done…(or at least some kind of deal)
Ok…maybe $9 Million over budget isn't that big of a deal…except that if you go over that amount this year…it just opens the door to over next year…at a bigger amount…and year after year…the precedent will be set…
Next thing you know…tickets…nosebleeds…are totally unaffordable for most fans…and we start looking like the Yankees and Red Sox. Is THAT what you want??
By the way…your analogy is pretty funny..
Dips, you may have a little problem with that story if your boss happens to be FEMALE. You and your dirty little pictures would end up on the hood of HER car like a trophy buck.
Georgie – Just havin a little fun with Chuck. No offense intended.
The Dipsy
Can someone PLEASE find out how much this guy costs? AMANDA! Where are these tweeting reporters when we really need them? I'd even take a Ken Rosenthal report right now. It would be dead wrong, of course, but it would be something.
The Dipsy
Dipsy – As to Saunders, yeah that's idea to flip him for either a top tier starter to replace Drabek or perhaps a top tier third basemen prospect or infielder or catcher. To me the trio of blah we got only has value, currently that is, as a package. Even in this package, we should have dropped a pitcher (who have the worst failure rates of any prospect esp at the 2nd tier) and gotten a 2nd tier catcher.
Not if his boss was the girl? Just messin.
FEMALE, sorry.
If you look at Gillies numbers, they're great. The guy hit .341 for god's sake. 44 SB and a .430 OBP. I mean, I don't care what league you're in, those are numbers. And Chuck, I love my analogy, too. Thanks. I think it is spot on! As a man, you've been there (I hope). Regret is a horrible thing to have to love with. Ladies, (Georgie, Philsgurl, Amanda) perhaps you have been there, too. In an inverted way, of course.
The Dipsy
I was wondering when one of the woman on here was gonna say something about the analogy, Dipsy….and I'm not surprised it was Georgie….
And Georgie….I have to say I agree with you…but I also know Dipsy was kidding and messing around….as he is sooo good at doing.
So Dipsy…seriously….this sudden "fascination" with Gillies' numbers…what are you sayin', man…??
I mean….think about it…this COULD translate into us all forgetting about Cliff Lee, huh?? Not tryin to jump the gun…but…like I have been saying…if just ONE of these three prospects pans out….then the trade is successful
When I heard that Lee got traded for the prospects, I looked up their stats and saw Gillies' #s. I know its hard to get excited about a guy that in high A ball but from everything I've read, the guy can hit, run, and is a gamer. He's deaf, too…for what thats worth. I would love too see one of these guys pan out. Whether it be Gillies or one of the pitchers. If you are trying to get me to swing my position on the trade (which is fine), I can't. At this point, when its all over but the cryin, all you can do put some in hope into what the Phils got back. The trade has been made and I am at peace with it. Until we get in the Series and we have no 3rd starter to pitch. The I'll be pissed off all over again. You better watch the Braves' starters, i'll tell you that much. Jurrjens is a flat out animal.
The Dipsy
Yeah… the Brave scare me a bit…they are DEFINITELY an improved team.
As far as the third starter… this is the way I see it…Halladay is a given…Hamels is improved….and Happ is actually used as a starter this time in the series….something that probably SHOULD have happened this past year…but I understand why Cholly put him in the pen…to have that left-hander..
I just think Happ is a starter…and excels in that role..I look for BIG things from him this year..
Check out what Rube could've garnered from tha Angels:
Burgess(contributor day 1, club control for 5 years)
Bourajals(sp?) excellent CF prospect.
2 of their 5 2-3 major league starter prospects not including Reckling.
which is better? A deal with no help until 2012 at least or a deal with 2010+ help, 2011 help and maybe more?
Joe – Your source, please?
The Dipsy
Dipsy, no source, but the only chips really not on the table for the Angels were Saunders and Aybar(sp). I'm just thinking out loud because the Phillies never talked to any other team besides the MAriners.
IF that was true then they would have done it.
If there was a better deal out there for Lee they would have made it. Hes not an IDIOT. Hes not going to intentionally make a worse deal for some reason. People just need to realize that the guy has no trade value until he brings his contract demands down.
Geoff, Rube didn't talk to anyone else. From all the write-ups it's clear it was Seattle or no one. Why not contact the Angels after the Mariners offerred Saunders, Aumont and Ramirez? Other than not keeping Lee in the first place that's what bothersme the most. I'm sure the Angels didn't want Lee going to the Mariners.
I agree Rube's not an idiot, but he has demonstrated a lack of patience many, many times. Why not make the call to the Angels? Worst case they say no.
If he's demonstrated such a "lack of patience many, many times," then why did he T A KE H I S T I M E with getting either Lee or Halladay last July??
If he was so impatient…he would have traded away EVERYTHING for Halladay….like Toronto wanted him to do..
Give the guy some credit, for God's sake!!
Geoff – Lets say that Ruben talked to everyone in the league and Seattle's offer was the best. If I'm Ruben I say, "No, thanks" and hold on to Lee a while. There is something VERY screwy that we don't know about this deal that made it go down the way it did. When Ruben writes his memoirs maybe we'll find out. I think the million dollar question is "Why didn't Ruben just hold on to Lee and trade him later?" There is no way that we would have gotten to April 1 without Ruben getting a much better offer from another team. Ruben is a good GM. This move was stupid.
The Dipsy
But I think I know the answer. If you make the Halladay trade and then hold a Lee sweepstakes for the highest bidder, all of Philly goes nuts on Ruben during the whole process, complete with death threats. I think by giving the illusion that the Halladay was somehow contingent on the Lee deal, RAJ figures it would take most of the sting out of it from a P.R. perspective. He's probably right. But is that a reason to take a lot less value for Lee that if he would have done it differently? Who knows. Maybe I'm belabouring the obvious here and if I am I apologize.
The Dipsy
Chuck, many, many times is not ALL the time.
Over Paid Ibanez to lock him in early.
Two year deal on Moyer for fear he would go somewhere else.
3/18 for Polanco with 5-6 3b choices out there.
Halladay not going anywhere fast, Phils give up what Tpranto basically wanted last year.
1st offer for Lee, done deal.
2 year x deal for Baez with Park still on the market.
Castro 750K when noone else intersted.
Not a bad point, Dipsy….he HAD to tie the whole thing together…to make it seem as if it was a 4 team deal….when in fact, it was THREE SEPARATE DEALS!!
Thing is…most fans have figured it out by now….but the "sting" is indeed less.
the dipsy, YOU ARE THE MAN. i think bill conlin said that it is more then a coincidence that pat gillick was the g.m. for all 3 teams involved.
Dipsy, I don't think Rube is dumb enough to trade Lee simply because of the fans perception. That would be assanine. You do not let fans run your clu. I have to think it was something else.
Is there something we're, I'm, missing about Lee that he goes cheap all the time?
Yeah, but RAJ knew he had to SELL the idea to the fanbase….cause he knew there would be a revolt….
It really has nothing to do with the fans "running the club."
I'm not a rocket scientist, and there are a lot of smart Phils fans on here so, why the hell didn't we figure this out before? And Joe, to answer your question, if I'm RAJ and I am in this "mode" I speak of, I would probably make the deal he did, because its not horrifying, as opposed to going through the equivalent of the Bataan Death March that would have been the process of waiting for the "best" deal.
The Dipsy
Chuck, I just don't think the fans are that stupid. Also, it would only take an hour ot two to see if the Angels were interested in upgrading while preventing the Mariners from upgrading. Seems the Phillies just didn't have "a good book" on the Angels prospects so they went with the "known".
I agree with "not waiting" for the best deal. The Halladay signing could've waited 24 hours to scope the Angels, IMO. Who leaked it anyway? The Mariners? If they did, escellent move to make the Phillies pull the trigger quicker.
One thing I just thought of was maybe Rube feared contacting the Angels because they may have gotten back in touch with the Jays. I just think Angels had a need and prospects/mlb players superior to the MAriners.
Agreed Joe. But you're right. If you want Halladay for 4 years and know that you can't keep Lee in the process, you can't contact the Angels and risk blowing the whole thing up.
The Dipsy
I think that's what probably precipitated staying with Seattle.
It's over now and we'll just have to accept the fact that Lee will replace Pettite in 2011.
We have to get back to the WS this season.
Still….as I've said WAY to many times….if just ONE of these three prospects works out…then the trade is at least successful enough to say it wasn't a failure (if that makes any sense)..
And Dipsy has already crowned Tyson Gillies as the next Philly sports hero….so there you go!!
Makes sense. I actually have high hopes for Aumont. I like Saunders, but will wait and see how Gillies does at Reading.
Aumont seems like he could be a stud in the back end of the bullpen..I have high hopes as well.
And I've heard…but not sure what it's based on…that Ramirez was actually necessary to be in the deal in order for it to be made..heard that on the radio the day after the trade was announced, but I forget who said it.
Ramirez has nasty stuff by all accounts. Appareantly that hitters league got to his head.
psujoe – doesn't getting back to the WS series this year present the same possible stituation that I think you fear with Lee going to the yankees in so far as the Red Sox will have Lackey, Lester and Beckett. Granted CC, Lee, Burnett is might be more fearsome because of the lefties but, Beckett and Lackey (which everone you'd substitute for Burnett in the comparsion) are better than Burnett.
Glad I'm not a football fan. Fugly game by the Beagles
RAJ – Great sign.
The Dipsy
Wow….The Dipsy approves!!
Offtopic, but the rumor is Beltre turned down a three year 24million dollar deal from the Phils which is right about what I wanted them to pay for him. If that's the case then it makes the Polanco move make sense. If you take Beltre & Figgins out of the mix Polanco is the only one who helps improve the team.
Baez is a good signing, looks like the team is all but set. Seems like the Phils should have enough cash still to sign Eyre or another potential starter within the budget. I wonder if they could convince Wang to sign a cheap deal since he's still hurt and hasn't been getting much interest. Would be a nice gamble if the price is right.
I would like to see that PHils pursue Mike MacDougal to go with Baez. Both are groundball pitchers with closers experience. Both will be 33, which is a good age for a reliever because they are accustomed to the pressure of the position and know how to get prepared to pitch every day. WE NEED A GOOD, EXPERIENCED BULLPEN. We could add one of our minor league lefties to round things out.
We will already have at least 5 experienced bullpen guys – Lidge, Madson, Romero, Baez and Durbin…if we can re-sign Eyre, we only have room for one more guy (I would guess either Bastardo or Mathieson) – and that assumes that Moyer is the 5th starter. If you want to take a flyer on a reclamation project (like Sheets or Wang) to potentially upgrade the 5th spot in the rotation, then Moyer either has to be cut, put on the DL or go to the pen as a long-guy…
And if Moyer goes to the 'pen, your entire bullpen is made up of vets over the age of 30…which is not exactly ideal. I would love for Bastardo or Mathieson to make the big club, but if they sign Eyre, that only happens if Moyer is in the rotation or released.
Seems like it is bad judgement to coax a pitcher to pitch despite the fact he would make only about $1.5 million. Eyre wants to retire. I seriously doubt that his heart is into pitching. Let him get a job in the "REAL" world. He's made a ton of money compared to average folk being a mediocre pitcher in the majors. He should enjoy his family.
I disagree. I think Eyre wants to pitch. Why would a still effective LOOGY ever wanna retire from baseball, especially if he plays for the Phils. The Phils will give it up. Havoc – I do not believe that rumor about Beltre. We'll see how much he signs for now. If he's not careful he may fall prey to the "Abreu/Lohse Squeeze".
The Dipsy
Anyone know what the last 4 comments were on this website?
Not too high but I was hoping they could get him for $4M total. That's more than we paid Park last year (assuming he did not meet any incentives).
I would like to sign Bastista to a Minor League deal and Eyre to $1M deal. Give Herndon first shot at the last spot. Leave Kendrick and Bastardo as starters in the minors with Mathieson closing.
There used to be that Last 4 Comments section on the left of the screen.. and everyone keeps mentioning that its not there anymore, but nobody knows what happened to it
Eyre would rather retire and spend time with his kids than play for $1 M …. which is why there is an issue and Eyre isn't under contract right now
Phillies need to make it worth his while for him to pass up retirement, not sure what the number is but my guess is $3-4 and thats more than the Phillies want to pay him
If healthy, Scott Eyre should, and will, get 1.5m from the Phils, Thats what he's worth. Don…would you wanna retire if you were Scott Eyre? He's got the greatest job in the world. And if he gets 3m from anyone, I will run naked up and down Cottman avenue.
The Dipsy
I CAN'T understand why no condrey, I thought he pitched better than durbin last year.
I liked Condrey alot .. did everything asked of him..
Im not Scott Eyre and I don't have little kids that i'm away from for half the year … so maybe $1.5 M isn't enough for him
which is fine.. he said he would either play for the Phillies, or retire
Phillies won't pay $3 + to everyone in their bullpen.. which is why no Eyre and Park for next season
PLEASE…..the LAST 4 COMMENTS!!!!!
Brian, Pat, Amanda……WE WANT IT BACK!!!!!!
The Phillies have a minor leauge deal out on the table for Eyre…I guess its safe to say that he wont be returning to the Phils in 2010. I like Sheets or Smoltz to add to the roster to play it safe.
As for Vic being traded…In all reality anything is possible. If we lose him, we lose a HUGE key figure on our team. I mean, it all depends on what we could get for him, and if it would benefit us than sure. But we would have to get alot in return, and a player of his caliber we should. Vic is like the Ichiro of the NL (IMO)
Chris – While I like Vic, I would harken you to look at Ichiro's stats. Shane Victorino is not in the same universe at Ichiro. Before its all said and done, Ichiro will go down as the greatest leadoff hitter of all time, better than Ricky. Too bad he plays in nowheresville Seattle. If he played here, we would name a bridge after him. While Shane is a real good player, he would be the logical guy to go in a trade. Perhaps for a right handed line drive machine to put in the three hole?
The Dipsy
I like Shane Victorino a lot….but he's no Ichiro.
Better that Rickey..ehhhh…I'm not so sure about that, Dipsy..But you're right…it's really hard to compare Shane to Ichiro.
Ichiro and Rickey are REEEEEEAAAAALLL close. Quite frankly, I don't know who I would take.
The Dipsy
I would say that Ichiro is definitely better than Rickey ….
Ichiro has like 79,345 hits in his pro career.. and plays Gold Glove defense in an age where the competition is much much better at every position.
Victorino is probably as good as Ichiro's translator is at baseball, but nowhere near as good as Ichiro himself
Aumont is to the Mariners what Carrasco was to the Phillies. They both fell hard after everyone thought they were the next big thing…
So those of you who think that Aumont will be a stud as a closer, that's about as likely to happen as Carrasco becoming a solid No.2 starter…
it might happen, but don't bet on it!
And I like the Baez signing for $5.25M. Seems like a good deal.
Don M. – Thats pretty funny stuff. Ricky walked, stole, and scored (the sole goal of the leadoff man) more profficiently that Ichiro. Ichiro has the higher BA. Ichiro IS a machine though. And Ricky won.
The Dipsy
I've always liked Rickey….but Ichiro IS damn good.
Noone is a better hitter than Ichiro, thats for sure…Vic sure is close however. What I mean to say is that Vic has a japanese style of batting…He bats for contact. Ichiro is just the man
I def aint saying he's better than Ichiro…That just came out wrong! TOTALLY wrong lol. All Im saying is…IMO he reminds me of Ichiro from his batting style, speed, arm, etc….Ichiro def is a machine thats for sure. Noone in baseball could compare to him, but in the NL you have to admit that Vic would be the only one close.
Another retarded move by Ruben…the man is on fire this offseason….we are giving Baez a 5.25 million contract…for what exactly? Closing experience? It can't be his above 4 ERA..or his negative win probability the last 3 years…..or maybe it's his negative clutch rating the last 3 seasons?….No..hmm
I may be a little bit bias, but I think Ricky is better than Ichiro as a led off hitter. Maybe not as a pure hitter, but Henderson, stole more bases, was an on base machine, a scored a ton of runs. I am not positive but I think Ricky's OBP was well above Ichiro's. Ichiro is like a .370 and only over .400 once , and Henderson for his career was over .400 and was like .420 or above for four or five years. And had more power, I know that is not essential in a lead off guy, but it helps.
Not that it matters since this is Phillies Nation but I am a fan of Rickey so I wanted to put my two cents in
John have you seen what averge middle relief guys are getting this off season. This is a good price anything under 3 million a year is a good deal. Plus he played or Baltimore in one of the best division in the league I think it is a little different pitching against Washington, Florida, and the Muts compared to Boston NY Yankees, and Tampa Bay. Comparitivly he is pretty cheap. I live by wait and see, despite what people are saying on here. This FO office and scouting team has built a 3X NL East, 2X NL Championship. and 1 WFS to Philadelphia so I will cut them a little slack at their moves. And wait and see if they pan out
Anyone that thinks Ichiro is the better lead off man than Rickey is on crack. Go look at the SB's and OBP and get back to me.
Gee your right John, I mean the ultimate in "retarded" moves "this offseason" was signing Doc Halladay. LOL. You do also realize this contract wasn't 5.25 for 1 year, but for 2? You might want to look at alot of other contracts. 5.25 for one year I would balk at, but come on, do some research.
Lets not forget the other "retarted" moves of not re-signing Bruntlett (who signed with the Nationals to a MINOR league deal), and Stairs, who yes had a few NICE homers, but notice a few. I think he had 4 this past season. The bench had a nice BA of what .220, and it was only that high because of the addition of Francisco mid last season. But what would being a Phillies Phan be without complaining about something (me included). I mean for the first time in Phillies History we are back to back NL champs, including 1 WS and 3 NL East, and from what most analysts are saying favorites to win the NL East and NL again, and some are even saying a re-match of the WS with the Phillies winning again. I dont know that I agree and its not because the Phillies arent awesome. I think the 2010 Phillies team is better then '08 and '09, but it is just VERY hard to have sustained success these days.
I said that Ichiro was BETTER
not that he was a better "leadoff man", "base stealer", or anything like that..
Rickey Henderson used to steal bases just for the hell of it.. similar to Jose Reyes now
Was he a great player, yea..
I just think that Ichiro is better All-Around player.. I'm sure lots of people would agree.. and I'm sure lots of people would disagree.. that's just my opinion
and if Ichiro played on the East Coast, and people actually got to watch him play, they would see how amazing he is
Anyone that bitches about adding a veteran, with closers experience, to your bullpen .. is a jackass
because its not Fernando Rodney, John Smoltz, or Ben Sheets .. people are going to bitch
but I'm 100% positive that people would bitch if we had signed any of those three too..


text:
Rep. K. Mark Takai is leading the charge to reinstate Jim Donovan to his position as athletics director for the University of Hawaii at Manoa and Rich Sheriff as the Stan Sheriff Center Manager.
Takai said Monday he sent a letter to Manoa Chancellor Tom Apple as the president of the UH Manoa Letterwinners Club, a group of former UH Manoa student athletes, asking for Donovan and Sheriff to be reinstated to their former positions.
Takai said he was upset to learn about the reassignment of Donovan after the school's internal investigation cleared him of any wrongdoing.
"Jim Donovan has done a great job as UH Athletic Director," said Takai. "Jim has brought reinvigorated UH athletics and has dedicated his life to his alma mater. We can't afford to lose Jim's passion and expertise at this important time of transitions for our athletic program."

subset: commoncrawl


text:
A rockslide in Manoa injured three hikers Saturday afternoon. The slide happened along the Manoa Tunnel Trail.
Fire officials said a 33-year-old man hurt his right leg, but he managed to walk out of the trail on his own and refused treatment.
A 13-year-old girl injured her wrist, but was also able to walk out. A 7-year-old girl hurt her back, and was air-lifted off the trail to Manoa District Park for treatment.
Fire officials said the victims were not related. It's still unclear what caused the slide.


text:
Polka Dot Fit & Flare Dress
Style: 570081393
Out of Stock
Matte satin jacquard dress has that after-six rustle, with a bateau neckline that changes to a drop-V in back. It's cinched with a matching adjustable belt and has pockets tucked into pleated folds. Shell: 100% Polyester. Lining: 92% Polyester, 8% Spandex. Dry clean for best result. Imported.
- Fit and flare silhouette.
- Princess-seamed bodice. Box pleats below a fitted waist opens up the skirt. Side-seam pockets. Hidden back zip with hook and eye closure. Thread loops at the waist.
- Reverse satin charmeuse lining (silky side to skin). Bra strap guides.
- Length: 37.25" from shoulder.
Read more… Read less…


text:
On this day: June 11
Published On: Jun 09 2013 01:41:01 AM CDT Updated On: Jun 11 2016 01:00:00 AM CDT
Sir Barton becomes the first horse to win the Triple Crown, George Wallace blocks the door at the University of Alabama, John Wayne dies, and the swine flu is declared a global pandemic, all on this day.
The views expressed are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms Of Service and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms.


text:
Tomorrow I am going out with my dad from 2-9. We're doing lunch and the ballet. I have enough milk for dd to stay with the sitter so if I must pump and dump I can. But I hate to waste milk (I'm donating excess and would like to keep what I pump to freeze).
What is the best way to pump and keep the milk good during this time period? Should I bring one of those lunch carriers and stock it with ice packs? How will it last up to the 7 hours? Can I just keep changing the ice (ballet and restaurant should have ice I can use).
On a side note, do you think the ballet will let me bring the pack in the theater. Clearly I'm not bringing food and drinks in for me and I won't pump during the performance (I'll go to the restroom).


text:
Diaz-Bonilla, Carolina. 2007. "Choosing the Balance between Human Development and Infrastructure Spending in Malawi." Presentation given in Lilongwe, Malawi, June 20-21.
World Bank. 2007. Malawi: Public Expenditures Review 2006 (12 MB). World Bank Report No. 40145-MW. Poverty Reduction and Economic Management, Africa Region. September. (For MAMS-related input, prepared by Carolina Diaz-Bonilla, Hans Lofgren, Pavel Lukyantsau, and Antonio Nucifora, see pp. xv-xvi, 13-20, and 127-133.)
Return to Overview and News page.


text:
FAQ: Applying for Financial Aid
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I sign up for Financial Aid?
How do I sign up for NIC scholarships?
How do I know when my FAFSA has been received by Financial Aid?
I have been selected for verification now what?
How do I provide tax information for verification?
Where do I get a verification form?
How will I know when my financial aid has been processed?
How do I get a Pell Grant?
Do I qualify for loans?
What is work study?


text:
Barbour hosts first HOF event
Kids of all ages lined the banks of the Belington Reservior Saturday morning for the inaugural Hooked on Fishing event in Barbour County.
This event was sponsored by the Belington Police Department, but was a result of the tremendous cooperation from the community. The fact that it was a drug, alcohol and tobacco free activity was stressed throughout the day. Children received tickets, which were put into a drawing for a free fishing pole or fishing accessories.
More than 165 children were present throughout the morning.
"It's just a great event for the kids." said West Virginia Division of Natural Resources officer J.A. Prickett.
Rich Mace, from Mace's Pharmacy, said, "We're just here because we want to promote a drug, alcohol,and tobacco free activity for the kids."
Linda Watson, who conceived the event, said, "It's always good to promote a healthy lifestyle, and children need to see that there are things to do in this small town. This is our first time for Hooked on Fishing, but it won't be the last!"
Debbie Schoonover, from the Belington Wellness Center, Belington Medical Clinic, and Brandon Wellness Center, had a duck game and goldfish snacks for the children.
"We are a community based health center just trying to get to know more people in the community and educate them in a healthy lifestyle," she said. "Not only are our services available for when you are sick, but also preventative medicine for the entire family.
"Our educational material today is about safety tips, nutritional facts, and healthy eating," Schoonover said. "It's a great event because it promotes a healthy outdoor lifestyle. It's all about family and fun."
The event even featured a visit from royalty, as Miss Barbour County 2012, Bridget Booth made an appearance.
From the excitement on the children's faces when they caught a fish, to the happiness when they won a door prize, attendees said the event was a tremendous success. There were even volunteers present to fillet the fish, so the kids could take home their catch, all ready for the frying pan!
Councilman Richard Cox said that he would like to thank the Belington Police Department, Police Reserves, Belington City employees and all who worked hard to make the event possible.
"It was a success and I'm looking forward to next year," Cox said.


text: Programs of Study Home | Programs of Study | John Deere Tech | GERM-1010 - Beginning German I GERM-1010 - Beginning German I Introduction to contemporary German. Stresses oral and written communication, reading and aural comprehension. Academic Level Undergraduate Subject GERM-German Department Academic Transfer Credits 7.5 Prerequisites None Corequisites None Return to John Deere Tech


text:
Walk for peace
El Centro celebrates Cesar Chavez's 86th birthday with community Peace Walk
By André Coleman 03/28/2013
El Centro de Accion Social will commemorate Cesar Chavez's 86th birthday at the Villa-Parke Community Center beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday and concluding with its annual Peace Walk to Robinson Park on North Fair Oaks Avenue.
Chavez, co-founder of the United Farm Workers, died April 23, 1993, at age 66.
At the event, Pasadena Unified School District students will read essays written as part of the Cesar Chavez essay contest. Longtime civil rights attorney and Advancement Project co-founder Connie Rice will serve as the event's keynote speaker.
At 11 a.m., the group will begin what organizers are calling a walk for peace, which will start at the community center on Villa Street, near Los Robles Avenue, and conclude at Robinson Park, located in the 1000 block of North Fair Oaks Avenue.
The NAACP Pasadena Branch, the Flintridge Center and other local organizations will also take part in the event.
El Centro Executive Director Randy Ertll said he hoped the walk would bring attention to a spate of recent shootings, including one which left a 4-year-old boy in critical condition.
"We have to continue being involved and working toward peace and nonviolence in the community. It is not easy work, but it is necessary work," Ertll said.
"We have had more shootings. We need to be vigilant. When a 4-year old is shot and there is no outrage, we have a problem," Ertll said.
Last week, the Weekly reported four people, including the child, were wounded in two of three separate recent shooting attacks, the first one involving two Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies on East Orange Grove Boulevard, near Mar Vista Avenue. And that incident, in which an early release parolee was one of two men arrested in connection with a home-invasion robbery and allegedly opening fire on deputies investigating that crime, marked the third shooting in that neighborhood in less than three months, two of those separate attacks resulting in two deaths.
"People get outraged when there is a police shooting. There should be outrage across the board. A 4-year old child was shot and there was no outrage and there should be. We need to value life across the board," Ertll said. n
For more information, call (626) 792-3148 or visit elcentropasadena.org.
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text:
Kelli Lechnir
Spring Hill Middle School-Wisconsin Dells, WI
Published On: Mar 01 2012 09:07:11 AM CST Updated On: Mar 01 2012 09:07:47 AM CST
Phone number: 608-253-2468 ext 3130
Email: email@example.com
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Items do not need to be new, used books are perfectly wonderful too!
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They will get to select those books they like and take them home.


text:
Quest to be the best
Meanwhile, the number-five seeded Liberty boys bested number-four O'Neill 62-53, as Eddie Byrd posted 27 to go along with 16 from Ryan Henry. Liberty advanced to play number-one Burke on February 29. Top-seeded Livingston Manor advanced to the Class D finals to face number-two John A. Coleman Catholic behind the Wildcats' 84-47 win over Roscoe. In a rare Class C home and away two-game sequence, Tri-Valley and Fallsburg vied in quarterfinal clashes. In the day game, number four-seeded Fallsburg boys (14-5) defeated number-five seeded Tri-Valley 58-41 in the Comets' gym. Braiden DeGraw led the way with 16 points as the Comets withstood early Tri-Valley fervor. The Comets held a slim 15-14 lead at the end of the first quarter but eventually their speed, unselfish play and deft shooting enabled them to garner the convincing win. Fallsburg travelled to number-one seeded Pine Plains on February 28, hoping to pull off what would amount to a huge upset over the defending Class C Champions. In the nightcap, Tri-Valley girls improved to 17-1 behind a 68-54 win over Fallsburg, which ended its season at 10-9. Caroline Martin and Erin Smith led the Lady Bears with 15 points apiece and despite the heroic efforts of Fallsburg senior Sheryl Pinder, who posted a game-high 29, the Lady Comets allowed a close game to get away from them in the third quarter as Tri-Valley outscored Fallsburg 22-14 to create a 13-point lead. Katlynn Greffrath's three pointer with 3.1 seconds remaining in the third stanza would prove to be the dagger that sundered the proud Lady Comets. It was the swan song for Pinder and fellow seniors Shanice Mack, Celia Garcia, Samantha Rivera and Savonne Gillard. Tri-Valley advanced to a home semifinal versus number-three Tuxedo on February 28. The winner advanced to the finals to face John A. Coleman Catholic, which was Class D state champion a year ago. Tri-Valley is the defending Class C champion. In Class B girls play, number-five Liberty fell to number-four Onteora 61-34. Olivia Baum had 24 for the Lady Indians who ended their season at 8-11.


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The state Department of Public Safety says a suspicious package left at Circuit Court near Punchbowl Street and Halekauwila Street Thursday morning has been rendered safe.
Honolulu police say the roads were reopened just before 11 a.m.
Halekauwila Street was blocked at Punchbowl Street earlier in the morning, according to officials.
Police say the bomb squad detonated the package at 9:40 a.m. No word on the exact contents of the package.
The Circuit Court building was closed during the investigation.
State Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Toni Schwartz says a bomb threat was made to police at 6 a.m. Thursday. The call said a bomb would explode at noon.
A suspicious package in plastic was found outside the courthouse at about 6:30 a.m.
All nearby schools and businesses were notified. State labor and taxation buildings nearby were evacuated.
Judiciary spokesman Mark Santoki says no other courthouses were affected.
Click here to see more pictures from the scene.
A police robot inspected the package and a sheriff K-9 team searched the Circuit Court building.
Circuit Court is scheduled to reopen at 1 p.m.
Federal courts will be closed for the rest of the day.
Get breaking news alerts through email or through our KITV iPhone, Android and iPad apps.
You can also upload your breaking news photos or videos using our KITV iPhone or Android app.


text:
Hawaii's Health Department Director Loretta Fuddy died in the plane crash off Molokai Wednesday, according to Maui County police.
Click here to watch the video report.
Gov. Neil Abercrombie appointed Fuddy to her position in March 2011.
"Our hearts are broken. Loretta was deeply loved and respected. She was selfless, utterly dedicated, and committed to her colleagues in the Department of Health and to the people of Hawaii. Her knowledge was vast; her counsel and advice always given from her heart as much as from her storehouse of experience," said Abercrombie. "We send our best thoughts to her family and will do all in our power to reflect her professionalism, her love of Hawaii and the high standard she set for herself and all of us."
"Loretta Fuddy embodied the very sprit and ethos of public service, dedicating her life to the health and wellbeing of all of Hawaii's people," said Senate President Donna Mercado Kim.
"Director Fuddy was a dedicated public servant with a passion for public health. She led with grace during difficult times, always rising to the challenge, and remaining focused on improving the health of all in the community," said state House Speaker Joe Souki. "She was especially passionate about the most vulnerable in our communities, a champion for mothers, newborns, and early childhood care. Her warm, caring spirit for the people of Hawaii will truly be missed."
"Loretta Fuddy was one of the finest, most capable, and most caring public servants I have ever known," said U.S. Senator Brian Schatz. "This is a sad day for Hawai'i. My condolences and aloha go to Loretta's ohana and the Hawai'i Department of Health family. Loretta was one of the very best."
"Loretta dedicated her life to improving the well-being and health of Hawaii's people, and we are grateful for her decades of selfless service to others. She was a fierce advocate for our keiki and kupuna, working for more than 37 years to create a safe and healthy environment for our residents," said Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.
Sen. J. Kalani English, who represents Molokai in the State Legislature, said, "On behalf of the people of Hawaii, I would like to extend my most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the Department of Health Director Loretta Fuddy, who tragically passed away in a plane crash late Wednesday afternoon. Loretta was a true public servant and friend of the people. As the Director of Health, Loretta demonstrated an unwavering support for Hawaii and the people she served. She will be dearly missed."
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Loretta Fuddy, Director of the Department of Health and a member of the Hawai'i Health Connector's Board of Directors. I cannot even begin to convey what a terrible loss this is for Hawai'i," said Tom Matsuda, interim executive director for the Hawai'i Health Connector. "I worked closely with Director Fuddy on the Affordable Care Act and came to know and respect her as a passionate advocate for public health and a warm, caring human being. It is difficult for me to believe she is gone so suddenly. Our heartfelt condolences to Loretta's family and loved ones."
Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa extended his condolences to Fuddy's family, including her sister, who is a part of the Maui County family and works as a Maui Police Department Chaplain on Molokai.
"We are extremely saddened to hear the news. Loretta's life was dedicated to improving public health in the community and the entire state suffers from this loss," said Arakawa. "At the same time we are very grateful for the efforts of our men and women of the Maui fire and police departments, as well as the U.S. Coast Guard. They managed to get the rest of the crash survivors to shore safely and we thank them for this holiday miracle."
The plane went down about 10 minutes after takeoff from Kalaupapa to Honolulu.
Nine people, including the pilot, were on board the plane. Eight of those on board were rescued alive.
Fuddy was raised in Kaimuki and was a graduate of Sacred Hearts Academy. Her degrees are from the University of Hawaii and Johns Hopkins University.
Fuddy was on KITV on Tuesday talking about Hawaii's designation as the healthiest state in the nation. She was 65 years old.


text:
Ruth Silver Taube Now LAS-ELC Senior Staff Attorney
We are delighted to announce that Ruth Silver Taube has joined us as a Senior Staff Attorney, shifting from her prior role as Special Counsel. She will continue to oversee the Workers' Rights Clinic in the South Bay; conduct outreach and education on human trafficking, equal pay, and disability rights issues; and to provide expert consultation on ERISA disability benefits. She will also now oversee outreach and legal service provision to Vietnamese American workers in the South Bay.
Ruth first joined LAS-ELC as a volunteer at the Workers' Rights Clinic in San Jose in the mid-1990's. She was subsequently appointed as an Adjunct Professor at Santa Cara University School of Law and became the principal supervisor at the Workers' Rights Clinic in San Jose. In the past 10+ years as LAS-ELC Special Counsel, Ruth has initiated and implemented many academic and community-based projects and activities related to the employment law issues of our clients. She also trains students and attorneys so that they can provide advice, information, and representation to clients, primarily before the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, the California Unemployment Appeals Board hearings, and at U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) mediations.
Ruth also works on human trafficking, equal pay, and disability rights issues, and she regularly conducts education and outreach to community partners on these topics. She is Chair of the Legal Services Committee of the South Bay Coalition to End Human Trafficking, a role which has included organizing and presenting at a Human Trafficking Litigation training; co-presenting at a human trafficking training at the EEOC; serving as a panelist at the "Not for Sale" human trafficking FREEdom Expo; and testifying on human trafficking issues at the San Jose City Council.
In 2012, Ruth testified as an expert witness at Santa Clara County's Commission on the Status of Women and Human Relation's Commission's Vulnerable Worker's Forum to inform the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors of issues that impact marginalized workers. Ruth is a founding member of the Bay Area Equal Pay Collaborative and authored an op-ed in the San Jose Mercury News in late 2012 entitled "We Must Continue the Fight for Equal Pay". She has been a panelist on equal pay issues at San Francisco State's Annual Women's conference, at San Jose State, and at De Anza College.
Ruth also specializes in ERISA disability benefits. She has been a guest speaker on ERISA for Employment Lawyers at the Santa Clara County Bar, Labor & Employment Section's Sexual Harassment Roundtable and the Contra Costa County Bar's Labor and Employment Section. She also presented on ERISA for Workers' Compensation Lawyers at the San Francisco County Bar, Workers' Compensation section and published a companion article in CAAA's publication.
Ruth recently worked with the Vietnamese American Bar Association of Northern California (VABANC) to establish a South Bay VABANC clinic, and she has served as an employment law instructor for law students from the Vietnamese Law Student's Association. She is now the supervising attorney of LAS-ELC's new fellow, Betty Duong, who was awarded this year's VABANC fellowship to work with low-wage Vietnamese American workers in the South Bay.


text:
Many of us don't realize it (or think about it), but the point of sale (POS) is a remotely-managed application and it has been for years. Next time you visit a restaurant chain or an enterprise grocer, think about the technology behind the cash register and what must be involved in updating prices and software. In practice, the state of these enterprise systems run the gamut from off-the-shelf standalone registers backed by an army of key entry personnel to highly customized (proprietary) systems using various high-speed technologies to form vast private wide area networks (WANs). Few standards exist, and the implementation of those standards is ad-hoc at a best. One common theme is that all of the software is proprietary and expensive, which puts enterprise functionality out of the reach of smaller operations and single shop owners.
This article examines an open source POS application written in Java and the use of certain Java functionality to reduce complexity, in order to implement a broadly-applicable POS transaction engine. To many Java-literate readers, the Java features described may be old news, but it may be of interest to see how some of the more arcane Java features are used in this non-Web application. Also, since this article describes an open source project for enterprise retailers, it goes into considerable architectural detail regarding POS functionality as it applies to enterprise retail environments.
Java has emerged in recent years as a common platform used by retailers to reduce software complexity and management requirements. Why? Java supplies many of the tools we require to build applications in a smaller footprint -- examine the Java SDK at 50 megabytes, compared to the Windows SDK footprint. Java includes unique functionality not widely available in linked architectures -- dynamic class loading and serialization. As a footnote, it is possible to perform dynamic class loading in C++ under Linux, but it is not widely used and is not regarded as a fundamental language feature as it is in Java.
The resounding argument against the use of Java is its large memory footprint and slow performance. But in practice, this argument is losing its punch; it's no longer possible to buy a new computer that is too slow to use Java and smaller devices are beginning to be well-supported by the Java ME (Micro Edition) platform. To be honest, I can't say that Java is overwhelmingly poised to take the retail world by storm. Many retailers have a large installed base of older hardware that they are not ready to throw away, and if you were to look today, you would not find universal Java support for retail peripherals by the major hardware vendors. The industry is changing, though, and quickly. Most hardware vendors have recognized the advantages in the Java platform.
POS architecture provides a classic exercise in object orientation. First, you have something called an electronic journal, that is basically the memory version of your receipt. The journal contains lines for the various sub-components of a sale, such as an item, a tax record, or a tender (cash, check) record. They all have an amount, a quantity, etc. Are you starting to visualize the abstract interface? You also have devices: receipt printers, customer displays, scanners and scales. Look at these statements, if you still need convincing:
receipt().print (ejItem);
receipt().print (ejTax);
operatorPrompt().print (ejItem);
operatorPrompt().print (ejTax);
It's quite easy to design an object-oriented POS application, but you could do this in any OO language. Java, however, has some language features that, in a enterprise retail environment, are very attractive. These can generally be categorized in the context of remote support and generalized application-building. But first, let's look at some additional design criteria intended to justify the use of Java's other features.
If you want a POS application that can be applied across retail disciplines (grocery, hard goods, restaurants) and across international borders, what you want to create is an event engine. That is an application that is capable of processing generic events and realizing the results of these events in the context of arbitrary hardware devices. The event concept is pretty easy; many modern development tools revolve around the event model, and Java is no different. What is important about a generalized POS application is that the events need to be user-programmable, and, preferably, not statically linked. You also need a way of stacking them up to create dialogs.
Well, we still haven't examined anything that could not be implemented in any OO language, so let's do that now. POS applications makes use of dynamic class loading as part of their central event engine logic. Take a look at the following SQL POS key definition:
create table pos_key (
key_id integer,
key_type integer,
key_val integer,
key_code integer,
x_loc integer,
y_loc integer,
key_class varchar(100));
The Java class that is invoked when the key is pressed (
key_class) was
dynamically loaded into a
PosEvent object when the application
initialized (actually when the operator logged on).
PosEvent is an
abstract class that encapsulates discrete POS business
logic. When a key is pressed, the following code is invoked:
engage() method contains the business logic for the event;
posEvent() is the key that was pressed. Events in a POS application are things
like pressing the total key or scanning an item. But there are also
dialogs, such as a check validation, credit card validation, or simply
an operator logon. These are implemented by stacking events and
maintaining state through those events.
In its simplest form, dynamic class loading looks something like this:
Class class = findSystemClass(className);
PosEvent posEvent = (PosEvent) class.newInstance();
className is the string representation of your class,
com.globalretailtech.pos.events.TotalKey, that extends
PosEvent. The
class loader in this application extends
(findSystemClass()), and uses the
newInstance() method from Class to
instantiate an object. You also need to wrap it in exception handlers
to catch class not found and class cast exceptions.
Retail computing environments change daily. In the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) world, we call them the three P's: products, pricing, and promotions. It's the same thing in the retail world. New products are added and removed, prices change daily, and new and better (subtler?) promotions are always being invented by crafty sales types. It's this third category that makes dynamic loading very useful in retail environments.
A promotion may be a simple discount (i.e., % off an item), or it may be a more complex operation. Example: if a customer buys three or more bakery products, this may prompt the cashier to upsell the margarine that we double ordered last month. They both work the same; a promotion is applied to one or more items within the sale.
Do you see Java making a large impact in POS system development?
So what does dynamic loading do for promotions? It would be difficult to capture both of the above logical operations in a single promotion module and then use some parameter to activate them. Well it wouldn't be difficult, but it would be very ugly. This is typically the case in many POS applications in production today. A promotion module captures many of the various common promotions that enterprises like to use. Then the software vendor adds whatever custom promotion types the retailer requests, and they are all managed through heavy parameterization. Some vendors have scripting capabilities but this adds the overhead of the interpreter. In the end, you have a promotion module with a lot of stuff you don't use and too many parameters to manage.
On the other hand, if you load a promotion dynamically, linked to an item or product group, it is very easy to manage and you can pick and choose what promotions you like to use. Furthermore, if a promotion is linked to an item or product group (via the database), you have a consistent mechanism for managing this functionality in the field. A promotion doesn't need to be a promotion, either; it could also be used to collect demographic information related to an item or group of items.
Related Reading
Java Cookbook: Solutions and Examples for Java Developers
The POS application uses dynamic loading in many places, as previously said. All button/key logic and graphical components are loaded at logon. There are also a number of interfaces used to manage enterprise localization. These include a math interface, because an enterprise may want to add, subtract and round in their own way; a check digit interface for validating credit card numbers; an EAN/UPC (bar code) interface; and, as mentioned before, promotion and item modifier interfaces. I view interfaces as another way of saying "I don't want to get involved in this argument, just let me know when it's over." All of the implementing classes are either loaded at logon or when the associated class or data record is referenced.
Dynamic loading has no perceivable overhead; a class has to be loaded to be used anyway. A class is not loaded until it's referenced, so if you've been writing Java, you've been using dynamic loading already.
Dynamic loading allows us to architect a very flexible application, but there is also a very good business sense behind it. Since events are invoked through interfaces, the actual class can be changed underneath the application without re-linking. More precisely and more advantageous to retailers is that they can insert new logic into their remote locations in a very granular manner. This means not having to deliver a five-megabyte executable or DLL just to add a simple feature or fix a bug. Instead, they need only deliver a 5k class file. In this application, a 2500-byte Java source file compiles to a 1800-byte class file. Look at some of these file sizes and the granularity achieved using dynamic loading:
1203 CashTender.class
1997 CashTender.java
1206 CheckTender.class
2145 CheckTender.java
2917 ClearKey.class
4300 ClearKey.java
1896 CloseCashDrawer.class
2338 CloseCashDrawer.java
1209 CreditTender.class
2150 CreditTender.java
2196 Discount.class
2867 Discount.java
Every retailer has the requirement to update their store operation several times during the year (and many more, if they frequently change the business logic in the store). Since most of this updating is performed over dial-up lines, the size of updates is a serious consideration. As a result, scheduled software updates are limited to just a few per year (three to four). Of course, there are the unscheduled ones too. But again, we are doing more here than giving the retailer a way to reduce their software update task; we are giving them greater functionality.
Promotions can be delivered on an ad-hoc basis, since the promotion class is loaded when the item is looked up. This architecture and granularity also reduces regression testing requirements.
Another Java language feature is the
Locale class found in
java.util. This class, in combination with the
Number and
DecimalFormat classes, makes formatting monetary values in different currencies quite easy. A frequent requirement in a POS application is currency
conversion, the ability to take a payment in one currency and give
change in another. The following code sample formats a double value in
the requested currency format:
public static String toMoney (double value, java.util.Locale locale) {
if (locale == null) locale = application.locale();
Java.text.DecimalFormat decimalFormat =
return (decimalFormat.format(value));
If the locale is not provided, an application default is used;
application.locale() returns a static instance of the locale. The
NumberFormat factory returns a format object that is capable of
generating the local currency format including the currency symbol (if
your character set supports it) and even the local representation of a
negative value (a credit).
Further internationalization is enabled through the unicode character
set supported in the
String class and by maintaining all literal
strings in the database. And of course, the database also supports unicode.
What about POS peripherals? Output devices have been captured in two classes: one that handles spooled devices, those that generally just perform output (the receipt class), and one for those that interact with the user (the prompt class). Neither of these have any special properties enabled by Java, except for the fact that these and the devices they control are loaded dynamically. They simply provide an API for lower level devices. Some of their methods were used in the initial code sample.
Hardware devices that generate solicited and unsolicited input are
handled as part of the event engine enabled through the JavaPOS
DataEvent and
DirectIOEvent classes (JavaPOS is a Java retail-peripheral interface standard). For example, a credit card tender would
require an operator to enter the credit card number and expiration
date. This dialog manifests itself as a series of POS events. If a
card reader is present, it completes the required events for the
The POS application also includes a menu interface designed for use in
fixed size, touch screen environments. Panels of menu buttons can be
defined and attached to POS events or defined as navigation buttons
for moving about within the layered panels. Display-panel pseudo
devices provide operator feedback in the form of prompts and scrolling
operator receipts, and are updated using the same mechanism as hardware
peripherals. These devices can be of arbitrary complexity (that is,
they can implement their own dialog logic) and communicate with the
application by implementing the
PosEvent interface.
This is my favorite use of dynamic loading. A Java class may be serialized, that is, converted (state and logic) to a serial byte stream. The most common use of this functionality is in the storage of persistent objects in a database or file.
This application makes use of mobile Java agents to facilitate remote management functionality. Take a look at the Agent interface:
public interface Agent {
public void init() throws AgentException;
public void onArrival() throws AgentException;
public void migrate (String host, int port) throws AgentException;
Agents travel from host to host, or application to application within a host, do their duties, and either exit or travel to another location. They may accumulate data as they travel and return to their origin, or perform a task at each host and exit. It's all in how you program them. Agents provide a foundation for an extremely flexible remote management system. I have developed agents that search other POS nodes in order to retrieve sales information, to update data and to duplicate sales information on other systems. Since no logic resides at the target system, the possibilities are endless.
An agent is supported by a server process running on the target
system. The server listens on a well-known IP port, receives the
serialized agent, instantiates the agent, then calls the
method; the rest is up to the agent. If the agent has another host to
visit, it calls
migrate() itself. To start the whole thing off, a
standalone process or user interface loads an agent (dynamically), then
init() for it. This allows it to do any local initialization
before migrating; then,
migrate() is called.
The server in the POS application runs as a thread. This allows direct interaction with the application, simplifying much of the synchronization required in data updates. Example: an agent delivers price updates, once initiated within the POS application, and it uses the database connection owned by the POS application (synchronized, of course) to update the item database. Since you don't want to update a price in the middle of a sale, additional synchronization is used to block the update until the end of the sale.
Example: I have a user interface written in JFC with a tree on the left and a configuration panel on the right. The tree holds configurable objects, such as the item file, POS dialogs, and users. I choose an item from the tree, drop it on the configuration panel, and make some changes (i.e., changing the price of the an item, or adding a profile privilege to an operator). Then, through a pull-down menu, I can post the changes I make for delivery. This adds the current updates to a vector. Then I can select an agent and assign a list of hosts to that agent. This particular agent understands that it has a list (vector) of database items to deliver and update. Once I have selected the hosts, I press launch. The agent travels to the first host on the list and calls the update method for each database item, then goes on to the next host.
Security-minded readers are jumping up and down right now, and they are quite right. You will want to add additional security, such as signing your agents and securing the transport layer. You may also be able to assume that in a closed enterprise WAN environment, some level of network security exists.
IBM has developed a much broader agent implementation they call aglets. Information can be found at www.trl.ibm.com/aglets, and the project has recently been released as open source (see www.aglets.org).
If you have gotten this far, you may be wondering how Java and, perhaps, Linux are faring in the retail world. The answer is, quite well. Several large retailers have made the move to Java. Mens Warehouse and Home Depot are both running Java in their stores today. Linux is also doing well. The classic argument against Linux, in particular, is the lack of a user interface. In the context of retail POS applications, the application is the interface. Burlington Coat Factory has already rolled out Linux in all of their locations, both as a desktop and POS application. Go buy a coat using Linux. Here are links to some recent news:
The complete project described in this article is available at sourceforge.net/project/mercator -- join in.
Quentin Olson is an expert Java developer, focused on non-Web and client-side Java application solutions for the retail channel.
Return to ONJava.com.
Copyright © 2009 O'Reilly Media, Inc.


text:
Welcome to the Tarleton Cricket Club
Club Officials
The Tarleton Cricket Club, established in 2005, brings together international students and native students whose love of sport unites them. After Sabal Rimal, an exchange student from Nepal, determined campus interest would support a cricket club, by-laws and a constitution were drafted, players were recruited, and the games began. After breaks from time to time when key players have graduated, the Tarleton Cricket Club continues to hold exhibition matches during the year and has been featured during International Week celebrations. Contact Hank Jones, faculty sponsor, at email@example.com for additional information.
2011-2012 Organization President (Captain): Kapil Aggarwal
Vice-Captain: Ritesh Sukhani
Organization Advisor: Mr. Hank Jones
Approved by: Director of Student Activities


text:
Get ready for the brisk weather with the 'Morillo' by Sam Edelman. Slip into comfort and style with a bootie that will carry you through the upcoming seasons. Stunning suede is a must for this fall.
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Robust flavors and creative presentations enhance turkey offerings. These recipes demonstrate the possibilities. Deep-Fried Turkey Cobb Salad From: Chef/owner Aricka Westbrooks, Jive Turkey, Brooklyn, NY. Yield: 10 servings. Lemon Vinaigrette: 10 oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice 1⁄2 cup yellow mustard 1 tsp. sugar 4 cups extra virgin olive oil to taste, salt and freshly ground black pepper Salad: 30 oz. chopped romaine or mesclun greens, washed, dried, chilled 5 large ears supersweet ...
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This is spot on.
However, I think Duhon is better than a C. He should get a B to B- for going way past expectations and being one of the most important players on the team.
A season ago, Jameer Nelson might have been labled a C talent. Well now he's an all star and is on a premier team on the east. There isn't too many teams that would trade their starting pg for him and he has a rare contract that pays him what he should be getting paid.
This will be Duhon next season once the Knicks reach the playoffs.