Archive for December 10th, 2007

Dec 10

[MRS. PROFESSOR] Mrs. Professor Speaks! The Internets Will Never Be The Same

Mrs. Professor Cork Gaines 2 Comments »

Did you know that there is more to the internet than sports, porn and downloading stuff illegally? Or maybe you have wondered if a guy would grow boobs if he touches a woman’s birth control pill…No? You should.

In the past we have mentioned Mrs. Professor from time to time. What we have kept to ourselves, until now, is that The Professor is not the only one in this relationship with a website. I kept it under wraps because every once in a while Mrs. Professor decides to write something about me, and occasionally it is awkward/slightly embarrassing/fetal position-inducing. Whenever we would see she had written a new post, I would start sweating profusely and develop a nervous tick as if her blog was Pavlov’s Bell.

Well, Mrs. Professor recently decided to start a new blog. And while I have no doubt that at some point I will regret doing this, I decided it was a good time to introduce our readers to Mrs. Professor and her insight into the world around her (which is often considerably different than the world around everybody else).

For starters, unlike me, Mrs. Professor is actually a good writer and she is usually good for at least one “spitter” in each post. A “spitter” is when you are reading and eating at the same time and somebody says something so funny or so outlandish, you spit food all over your computer. And while she will occasionally make you shake your head in pure amazement and bewilderment, unlike the Sports Gal, Mrs. Professor writes all her own material.

If it is entertainment and enlightenment you are looking for, What I Absolutely Love is for you. If normal is your thing, well, I hope you can settle for entertainment…She is obsessed with things that you did not know you were obsessed with, or didn’t realize you should be obsessed with…like herpes, Texas, throwing produce from the top floor, omega 3′s, puking and pooping (at the same time), and in the first post on her new blog…”trying to figure out if anything weird would happen to guys if they just touched birth control pills”.

What could possibly go wrong?

Welcome (Back) + Man Boobs [What I Absolutely Love]

Dec 10

[THE HANGOVER] Michael Barrett Is No Longer A Free Agent

DRaysBay, Evan Meek, Michael Barrett, New Stadium, Power Rankings Cork Gaines 1 Comment »

Tampa Bay Rays (66-96)
The Rays are in the market for a veteran catcher to backup or split time with Dioner Navarro. One possible target that was mentioned in numerous circles is Michael Barrett of the Padres, a free agent. At the end of last week, Barrett decided to accept arbitration from the Padres and is now no longer a free agent. However, this does not necessarily mean that Barrett will not be on the Rays roster in 2008. In fact, this might have improved the chances.

For those not familiar with the process, the top free agents at each position are given a label of either a “Type A” or “Type B” free agent. If a team signs one of these free agents, they must forfeit either a first or second round pick in the next amateur draft. The top 15 picks are protected, so in the case of the Rays they would forfeit a second round pick in either case. In order for the former team to receive this compensation draft pick, they have to offer the free agent the option of arbitration. Of course, the risk to the team is that they are forced to keep a player they no longer want.

Barrett was a Type A free agent and losing a top draft pick may have been hurting his stance among potential suitors in the free agent market. Therefore, Barrett accepted the arbitration offer from the Padres. He now remains their property for one year. Most likely, the Padres will now trade Barrett, and the cost could be less than the second-round pick the Rays would have originally needed to give up. If a team trades for Barrett’s rights, they will have to go to arbitration or negotiate a long-term deal.

Last week we speculated that surrendering a second-round pick, was too high a price for a back-up catcher, and that in the end the Rays would pass on Barrett. The Rays recent second round picks have included Will Kline, Josh Butler, Chris Mason, Reid Brignac and James Houser. Now that the cost of Barrett will likely be a mid-level prospect, the chances of the Rays signing him may have improved. On the other hand, the number of teams that would be interested in Barrett may have gone up, especially from teams that would have had to originally surrender a first-round selection for the catcher.

Barrett accepts arbitration with the Padres [MLB]
The Professor’s Take On “Jake’s Take On The Winter Meetings” [Rays Index]

DEVIL RAYS WEBTOPIA…

  • DRays Bay has landed an interview with the Rays’ Vice President of Branding and Fan Experience. We would tell you the guy’s name, but we already forgot. So, if you ever cared about who’s came up with the idea for the “Rays Tank” in center field, or why the concession stands sell Yankees and Red Sox ice cream cups (they don’t anymore) then click the link. [DRays Bay]
  • The City of St. Petersburg has set a deadline of May 1 to pick a contractor for the redevelopment of the Tropicana Field site. [Florida Times-Union]
  • In one recent “Power Rankings”, the Rays were no longer the only worst team in the league. In fact they are tied with the other 29 teams for 30th. [Bugs & Cranks]
  • A sarcastic look at the new stadium proposed by the Tampa Bay Rays. [St. Pete Times]

One complaint has been that the team should be named “St. Petersburg Rays” instead of “Tampa Bay Rays”. This is a short-sighted viewpoint indeed. Most people associate St. Petersburg with a city in Russia that is very cold and undesirable in the winter. Why not be creative — St. Petersburg is the city of the Rays and it should be renamed Tampa Bay Rays City. I’m sure the Rays owners would agree to this.

  • Evan Meek, formerly of the Rays, was not shy about showing his excitement about be drafted last week in the Rule 5 Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. [Post-Gazette]