Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Trade Talk

I just thought that I'd give my thoughts on a few recent trades by a few of my favorite teams.

The Arizona Diamondbacks trade Ian Kennedy to the San Diego Padres.  It seems like only yesterday that the Diamonbacks appeared to be set at the top of their rotation for years to come, then Daniel Hudson goes down with a career threatening injury and now they trade Ian Kennedy, baseball is sure a crazy game.  Anyways, the Diamondbacks receive LHP Joe Thatcher, minor league RP Matt Stites and a Compensatory B draft pick next year from the Padres.  I'm okay with this trade, Kennedy hasn't been the same pitcher since 2011 and I don't think they wanted to deal with having to extend his contract.  The Diamondbacks got decent (not great) return, they really needed another lefty in their bullpen and Thatcher fills that need, they need a future closer and Stites appears to fill that need, and the draft pick is fairly high so that could turn out well too.  

The Phoenix Suns trade Luis Scola to the Indiana Pacers.  The Suns receive SF Gerald Green, C Miles Plumlee and a 2014 first round draft pick.  It appears to be a fair trade for both sides, Indiana needed another talented big man, the Suns got younger and more athletic.  The first round draft pick really seems like the key to the deal though, the Suns now have 3 number one draft picks next year in what appears to be one of the deepest drafts in years, they can now either select 3 players or they can package them up to move up in the draft, it really improves their flexibility.  The Suns also open up playing time for the Morris twins which will help in their development.  I like it, good trade by the Suns, those had been in short order prior to Ryan McDonough's arrival.

The Minnesota Twins trade Drew Butera to the Los Angeles Dodgers.  The Twins receive future considerations (i.e. a fringe minor leaguer or cash).  Why the Dodgers would want Butera is beyond me, how he stuck around with the Twins as long as he did is puzzling, the dude just cannot hit a baseball.  Congrats to him though, perhaps he can pick up a World Series ring. 

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Body By Victoria

You've got to love new Victoria's Secret commercials!


Monday, July 29, 2013

POTpourri

Sunday, July 28, 2013

July Flavor of the Month . . .

. . . is Xenia Deli!  She is so hot!  Facebook here.  Twitter hereEnjoy!

Saturday, July 27, 2013

NFL Training Camps Open!!

I'm so psyched!  NFL training camps are all now open!  Football is just around the corner, there is actually a preseason game next weekend.  Football is by far my favorite sport, I couldn't be happier. 

One thing I'm not real excited about is the Arizona Cardinals moving their training camp home from Flagstaff, AZ to Glendale, AZ.   I realize that it's cheaper for the Cardinals and it does probably open it up for more of the Valley area Cardinals fans to see them practice, I just don't think that it was a very well thought out move.  First of all, they are the Arizona Cardinals, not the Phoenix Cardinals, the fans in northern Arizona looked forward to watching the Cardinals practice every summer, why do those fans not count?  Secondly, many Valley fans loved the trip up north to escape the summer heat of the Valley, it was perfect cost effective, family friendly getaway for many.  Third, I would have to imagine that practicing outside, and at a higher altitude, would be much preferable, and beneficial, to the players than practicing inside the stale antiseptic atmosphere of the University of Phoenix Stadium will be.  Fourth, I'm guessing team chemistry is built much better in the small town, college atmosphere of Flagstaff than it is at some hotel in Glendale (yeah, I know, go ahead, bring up their track record).  Fifth, I can only imagine how chewed up the playing field will be at University of Phoenix Stadium after several weeks of two a day practices.  Lastly, it's tradition, why is everybody so quick to abandon a tradition, they should be building around their history and tradition not abandoning them.  Time will tell I guess. 

Friday, July 26, 2013

Be Lazy . . . .

. . . .  for 23 1/2 hours a day!


Thursday, July 25, 2013

POTpourri

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Middle Out is the Way!

It's long past time that we start to focus on building the economy from the middle out.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

AZ Tidbits

Monday, July 22, 2013

RIP Dennis Farina

RIP Dennis Farina.  A very underrated actor.  He'll be missed.


Sunday, July 21, 2013

TPSG 100 Most Influential People

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Friday, July 19, 2013

POTpourri

Thursday, July 18, 2013

R.I.P.D.

From what I can tell, there's really only one reason to go see "R.I.P.D." .



It opens tomorrow BTW.  

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

White Shorts

There's nothing quite like a hot girl in white shorts.
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Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Former Diamondbacks

Since I looked at former Twins last week, I thought I'd make a list of former Diamondbacks too.  This would be a pretty formidable team too don't you think?  

OF - Justin Upton - Braves
OF - Carlos Quentin - Padres
OF - Carlos Gonzales - Rockies
OF - Chris Young - Athletics
SS  - Stephen Drew - Red Sox
SS  - John McDonald - Phillies
1B  - Adam Dunn - White Sox
1B  - Adam LaRoche - Nationals
1B  - Lyle Overbay - Yankees
2B  - Kelly Johnson - Rays
3B  - Mark Reynolds - Indians
3B  - Chris Johnson - Braves
C   -  Henry Blanco - Mariners

SP - Max Scherzer - Tigers
SP - Dan Haren - Nationals 
SP - Trevor Bauer - Indians
SP - Chris Capuano - Dodgers
SP - Edwin Jackson - Cubs
SP - Jason Marquis - Padres
SP - Jarrod Parker - Athletics
SP - Joe Saunders - Mariners

RP - Craig Breslow - Red Sox
RP - Chad Qualls - Marlins
RP - Jon Rauch - Marlins
RP - Daniel Schlereth - Orioles

Monday, July 15, 2013

Sunday, July 14, 2013

POTpourri

Saturday, July 13, 2013

George Zimmerman Acquitted

George Zimmerman acquitted.  WTF?  Is this really what our justice system has come to?  We have a dead teen, he died due to the direct actions of George Zimmerman, yet nobody is going to held responsible.  Again, WTF?  How is this possible?  George Zimmerman's story was full of holes.  And why was Trayvon Martin put on trial?  Didn't Trayvon have the right to defend himself when he noticed an armed stranger following and then confronting him?  I'm just sickened by this verdict.  My heart bleeds for the Martin family.   The kid was just walking home from a convenience store, he was doing nothing wrong, he wasn't breaking any laws, now he's dead and nobody is held responsible.  WTF?  What a disgrace.

AZ Tidbits

Spring Breakers

"Spring Breakers" - starring James Franco, Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens.  This movie is now available on DVD.  It's not at all what I expected.  I figured it would be just another teen spring break comedy, it was not.  It was actually quite disturbing.  I'm guessing parents sending their teens off to see a lighthearted Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens flick would be quite perturbed if they were aware of all of the boobs, booze, drugs and gun play that were involved in this flick.  It's about a group of girls who fund their spring break trip by robbing a diner.  During an ensuing night of partying while on Spring Break they get arrested on drug charges only to be bailed out by a local thug/drug dealer/rapper wannabe (Franco). Their trip continues to spiral out of control from there, it's quite the ride, although I suspect it's not for everybody.  Franco was fantastic, he was hardly recognizable as the drug dealing thug.  I was entertained, I would recommend it. 

I will give it 4 out of 5 stars (*****).

Friday, July 12, 2013

Sharknado

Did you catch "Sharknado" on the Syfy Channel?   It was hilarious, cheesy television at it's best.


Thursday, July 11, 2013

Former Twins

I wonder how this group of ex-Twins would do against the current crop of Twins?  I'm guessing they'd do quite well.  Somewhere along the line the Twins may need to re-evaluate how they are making their player personnel decisions.

OF - Torii Hunter - Tigers *
OF - Michael Cuddyer - Rockies *
OF - Carlos Gomez - Brewers *
OF - Jason Kubel - Diamondbacks 
OF - Denard Span - Nationals
OF - Ben Revere - Phillies
OF - Delmon Young - Phillies
SS - J. J. Hardy - Orioles *
1B - Garrett Jones - Pirates
2B - Alexi Casilla - Orioles
3B - Nick Punto - Dodgers
C  - A.J. Pierzynski - Rangers
C  - Wilson Ramos - Nationals
DH - David Ortiz - Red Sox *

SP - R.A. Dickey - Blue Jays
SP - Matt Garza - Cubs
SP - Kyle Lohse - Brewers
SP - Francisco Liriano - Pirates
SP - Jason Marquis - Padres
SP - Kevin Slowey - Marlins

RP - Joe Nathan - Rangers *
RP - Matt Guerrier - Cubs
RP - Jesse Crain - White Sox *
RP - Jon Rauch - Marlins
RP - Grant Balfour - Athletics *
RP - Pat Neshek - Athletics
RP - LaTroy Hawkins - Mets
LP - Craig Breslow - Red Sox
LP - Jose Mijares - Giants 

* 2013 MLB All Stars

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Michael Smerconish on Prostitution

I couldn't agree more.  As long as there are consenting adults involved who is it hurting


Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Top 10 Pandemic Movies

Seeing "World War Z" got me to thinking about the best Pandemic movies that I've seen. 

Here are my Top 10 Pandemic Movies:
  1. Contagion - Matt Damon, Laurence Fishbourne
  2. World War Z - Brad Pitt
  3. 28 Days Later - Cillian Murphy, Naomi Harris
  4. Children of Men - Clive Owen, Juliane Moore
  5. Outbreak - Dustin Hoffman, Rene Ruso
  6. The Omega Man - Charlton Heston
  7. Twelve Monkeys - Bruce Willis, Brad Pitt
  8. The Andromeda Strain - Arthur Hill
  9. The Crazies - Timothy Olyphant, Radha Mitchell
  10. I Am Legend - Will Smith

Monday, July 8, 2013

World War Z

"World War Z" starring Brad Pitt & Mireille Enos.  Action, suspense, drama and a worldwide zombie pandemic, what more could you ask for in a summer movie.  I really enjoyed this one, in fact I think that it may be the best movie that I have seen so far this year.  It moves briskly through nearly two hours, the special effects were top notch, the acting was very good, there's really not much not to like.  It was also much more smart than gory, I didn't expect that coming from a zombie move.  Brad Pitt was also excellent as UN employee Gerry Lane who first must save his family then the world.  I'm finding that I generally like most movies that Brad Pitt is in, he's doing an excellent job of picking roles.  Anyways, I was highly entertained, I highly recommend.  

I will give it 4 out of 5 stars (*****). 

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Saturday, July 6, 2013

POTpourri

Friday, July 5, 2013

Inequality

Is this sustainable?  I say we can do better.


Thursday, July 4, 2013

Timberwolves Thoughts

Just a few thoughts on the Timberwolves offseason moves to date:
  • I'm very happy with the signing of Kevin Martin.  Of all of the available free agent shooting guards, Martin was at the top of my list. He's got good size, he can score, he can shoot from outside, he's a good athlete, he's played (and thrived) under Rick Adelman previously and he fills a huge hole in the Wolves starting lineup. If there's a weakness in his game, it's his defense, but I can live with that if he's lighting things up offensively.  
  • The re-signing of Chase Budinger was also a good move in my book.  He really is a great fit in the Adelman offense with his ability to hit the outside shot, he also adds some versatility in that he can play either the OG or SF spot.  I really wish he had been healthy last year, I think he would have helped them a lot. 
  • I'm sad to see Andrei Kirlenko go, not only does he have one of the best nicknames in all of basketball, he's also one of the most well rounded players in the game.  He just does so many things well, he is the consummate team guy too.  I do understand the reasoning though, his contract was less than ideal and his ability to stay healthy and in the lineup was a problem.
  • I wasn't particularly impressed with the drafting of Shabazz Muhammad.  He does fill a need for a wing player but his game has a lot of holes in it and it may not translate all that well to the pro game. He's a bit undersized to play the SF spot and probably not athletic enough to play the OG spot, his defense is spotty, his outside shot needs work, he's a black hole when he get's the ball and his ball handling skills needs improvement.  On the bright side, from everything that I've heard, he's got a work ethic that is second to none, and he doesn't shy away from taking the big shot, those are attributes that can be surprisingly rare.  Hopefully, I'm wrong and he turns into a quality player. 
  • I did like the drafting of Gorgui Dieng later in round 1 of the draft.  The Wolves are really lacking in athletic big men and they don't get much more athletic than Dieng.  He's a great shot blocker, solid rebounder, very effective defender and a surprisingly good passer from the high post.  I don't expect that he will be a perennial All Star but he can certainly become an important part of the Wolves rotation. 
  • I really like the selection of Lorenzo Brown in the 2nd round too.  I think he's got first round talent and may end up being one of the sleepers of the draft.  I know, I know, very few second rounders ever make much of an impact but I really like this guys game.  He can play either guard spot, he's a good ball handler, he's a got great vision, he's got some quickness and he's a good penetrator.  He does need to work on his outside shot though.  I can envision him taking Malcom Lee's spot on the team. 
  • I doubt that the Timberwolves are done making moves.  They still have too many point guards, they may want to add a SF who can defend and they really need to find a way to re-sign Nikola Pekovic.  I suspect that either Luke Ridnour or JJ Barea (not both) will be dealt soon.  I also wouldn't be shocked if Derrick Williams or Greg Stiemsma are dealt either (although, at this point, I'd personally like to see if Williams could handle the starting SF spot).    
  • Here's where they stand at this point.  Center:  Pekovic, Stiemsma, Dieng.  Power Forward:  Love, Cunningham.  Small Forward:  Williams, Budinger, Muhammad.  Shooting Guard:  Martin, Shved. Point Guard:  Rubio, Barea, Ridnour, Brown.  I think they could make a playoff run with that lineup.