Pretty Girl 07.30.11 - Jena Malone

It helps that she will look forever illegal.

Indians Acquire Ubaldo Jimenez

The Tribe sends LHP Drew Pomeranz, RHP Alex White, RHP Joe Gardner and C/1B/OF Matt McBride to the Rockies.  That is a steep price to pay for a man that has gone 9-15 with a 3.83 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP over the past 365 days. Ubaldo has experienced a noticeable drop in velocity on both his fastball (97->93) and his slider (87->83).  He explains,

"I didn't pitch well early because of my thumb and groin (hip flexor) injury. I didn't build up my arm strength in spring, so I didn't have my velocity or breaking ball. That's why I struggled. Right now, I feel like I can dominate again.''

His velocity has begun to rise, though it is still not back to the level of 2010.  If you would like some good news, in 2011 Jimenez is 3-4 with a 2.83 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP away from the the hitters' haven of Coors Field.  His 2010 road numbers were equally impressive (10-6, 2.63, 1.08 WHIP).

While McBride is a throw away and we have been listening to the ballad of Alex White all summer long, Pomeranz is a huge piece to give away.  Recently listed as the 14th best prospect in the Baseball America mid-season rankings, Pom cannot be officially traded until the one year anniversary of his signing date (08.16).  Thus, he is currently listed as a PTBNL in the deal.  Just to be clear, the Tribe has given up their pre-season #2 (White), #4 (Pomeranz) & #9 (Gardner) prospects.  This had better work out.

Let us cross our fingers that the physical on Jimenez comes back clean.  The Rockies have refused all askers the opportunity to examine Ubaldo before completion of a trade.

Cheers.

Good Idea!

A light bulb just lit up above my head.  Hide your iPods, ladies.

Pretty Girl 07.29.11 - Maria Sharapova

She plays tennis or something.  I dunno.

Pretty Girl 07.28.11 - Vanessa Branch

She'll have a dirty mouth when I'm done with her. (It's the Orbit gum girl)

Indians Acquire Kosuke Fukudome

The Tribe sends RHP Carlton Smith and OF Abner Abreu to the Cubs.  Everything is official now.  Smith has lingered at AAA for the past two seasons, producing a brilliant start to the 2011 campaign then regressing back to mediocrity (at best).  It would have taken a slew of injuries for him to ever see the bigs with the Indians.  Abreu was ranked in the organizational top 10 prospects in 2009, coming off of an .839 OPS season with Lake County.  The multi-tooled outfielder has done little since, striking out 232 times over the past two seasons at Kinston.  He had been on a tear recently (.352, 8 HR, 17 RBI in July) and is the reigning Carolina League player of the week.  Abner needs a ton of work to even be considered big league worthy, but he is still just 21.  This is a bargain price to pay for a player that can certainly help the team contend and can be counted with only a select few of his new teammates as a "true" big leaguer. 

The Indians will pay just $775k of the $4.83mil remaining on Fukudome's $13.5mil salary for 2011.  The 34-year old outfielder will waive his no-trade clause in exchange for as yet undetermined "perks."  His contract includes an odd clause that the controlling team must sign him to an extension by 11.14.11 or release him into the free agent pool.

One would expect Kosuke to play his natural RF until Shin-Soo Choo returns.  Ezequiel Carrera moves to the bench, with Michael Brantley moving back to center and the platoon switching to left.  The odd man out is Travis Buck, who has been DFA'ed to create space for Fukudome on both the 40 and 25-man rosters.  What a shame.  After his monster spring, I honestly expected Buck to be of great help.

Cheers.

Pretty Girl Update! - Kristin Cavallari's Back On the Market

I'm on way, Kristin.  I'll make it all better.

To Err Is Human?

I've stated before that the key to co-existing is to accept the idiosyncrasies of our fellows as they accept ours.  In practice, this is an outstanding method, yet, in the philosophical context human endeavor, it is simply a the coach and the bag of potato chips.  Whether the other person (friend, parent, wife, whatever) doesn't return messages, fails to fulfill commitments, cannot make use of logic or runs his mouth when he's had a few, allowing these tendencies to continue just encourages each of us to expect less of everyone.  As I grew, I held myself to very high standards and applied the same standard to those around me.  These days, having experienced so much disappointment from those around me, I find myself unable to hold myself to any level of excellence whatsoever.  With each forgiveness that I gave, each flaw that I shrugged off, I became less and less worthwhile.  Now, I forgive everything.  Bobby won't give me a straight answer to any question?  That's fine.  He has other redeeming qualities.  That's something that I would never do, but I have other imperfections.  It doesn't matter.  It all balances out in the end.  The boundaries have become indistinct.  If, when I get up in the morning, I don't do what I am supposed to, don't contribute in the ways that I am expected to, I don't hold it against myself.  I feel no guilt.  It's just part of the human condition.  Whatever I do is ok.  I'm not killing anyone or mistreating a child, so who the fuck cares?  How do I make myself care about any of this shit?  I'd like to sit here and reject everything about the world around me.  A wise man once told me to stop whining about the unwashed masses around me, suggesting that I do something about them instead.  Unfortunately, I can't talk to them.  We do not speak the same language.  I cannot lead them, they desire slovenly idiocy for their respect.  I cannot ignore them, they permeate every instant of my life.  I cannot serve them, they don't deserve it and I am simply too tired to want to.  There are plenty of morons to do that.  Does this mean they won?  Sure, fine, take it.  I'm going to play a different game.  We'll see how that goes.  As of right now, I am letting go.  If anyone out there needs me to do anything, let me know.  I can do pretty much anything.  Except care about petty, banal bullshit.

Maybe Kurt said it best...



Cheers

Pretty Girl Update! - Emily Browning

Take your top off!  Oh, wait, you did.  And your pants...

Pretty Girl 07.27.11 - Dilshad Vadsaria

I'm not sure why I dig the Indian chicks.  Exotic skin and western features?  Ah, the halibut.  Just enjoy.  And check this one out in 30 Minutes or Less.