Bah, work blocked Foxsports.com.  Fortunately, my laptop came in and it is sweet.  Windows Vista does take some getting used to, however.

Anyhow, here's what I was going to post on Friday.  The Rangers Report will be up later.

So, to borrow from Will Carrol, powered by Dell, onto the show...

On The Block – Jon Garland

I decided to bring back On The Block, partially because I missed doing it, partially because the trade market has become a bigger factory nowadays, especially since free agency is starting to suck in terms of sexy names.  It just won't appear as often.  So, let's check it out.

The Why:  Garland has actually been heavily shopped as far as last off-season, and was mentioned in a trade to Texas (for John Danks and Nick Masset, which ultimately was done for Brandon McCarthy) and was nearly traded to the Astros for Jason Hirsh, Wily Taveras, and Taylor Buchholz (until Kenny Williams blew the deal by asking for Hunter Pence at the last minute, when the deal was done.)  Now, however, there is more of a movement to move Garland, who is entering his walk year and has been displaced in the rotation by Javier Vazquez and Mark Buehrle, the Sox’s two co-aces.  Garland himself has already announced that he doesn't expect to be in Pale Hose next season.

The Rumored Asking Price:  Apparently, all that Williams is asking for is two relievers, though one of them has to be a proven commodity and needs to have closer potential.  Evidently, Williams feels that he was burned when he acquired Masset, Andy Sisco, and David Aardsma.

Can A Trade Be Done:  Yes.  With the coming winter being bare in starting pitching, Garland, despite a bit of a collapse after the All Star break, will be very attractive, especially with that asking price, which is likely going to be improved upon as the market develops.

The Good:  Garland has proven to be a major league innings eater, something that is becoming quite valueable with pitchers spending more and more time on the DL due to various ailments.  However, one other thing that makes Garland attractive is that he is a groundball pitcher and keeps the ball in the park, a benefit for many teams, especially those that have homer friendly parks.  Overall, he’d be a quality middle of the rotation guy for most of the teams around the league.

Potential Hang-ups:

• Money –Garland is due $12 million dollars in his final year. 
• Health – The only other one I can think of is that the two White Sox pitchers moved last off-season, McCarthy and Freddy Garcia, have both spent time on the DL, making one wonder if Garland may be headed to the DL at some point in the season. 
• Kenny Williams – Williams is ambitious to a fault.  No, that's not quite right.  I feel he tries to screw you as royally as possible (which is why the Astro deal imploded).  He's not a stupid man by any means, I just think that he tries to go for the big splash far too often. 

Potential Suitors – In Alphabetical Order

• Arizona Diamondbacks –The Dbacks have a surplus of talent in the farm system and lack any sort of reliable starting pitching coming into next year, with both Doug Davis and Livan Hernandez heading into free agency.  Plus, as a sinkerballer, Garland will thrive with a Gold Glove caliber middle infield behind him.
• Colorado Rockies – Rumor has it that the Rockies could offer Brian Fuentes in exchange for Garland, in an attempt to make the salaries balance out.  It’s going to take a lot more than that in my opinion, as Williams won't take a one year rental of Fuentes.  He'll probably insist on 3B Ian Stewart in the deal as well (who would fill a hole, allowing Williams to trade current 3B Joe Crede for the actual relief help) or 23 year-old reliever Juan Morillo, who has closer potential and, according to Baseball America, was reportedly clocked at 104 mph a few years back, to complete the deal.  There could be something here.
• Houston Astros – Ah yes, the Astros.  While I don't think the Stros need another starter (They could have a decent rotation of Oswalt, Backe, Williams, Wandy, and Sampson next year, which isn't bad), ownership may decide that they don't trust the young kids enough to compete, which would be a shame.  However, a deal involving Chad Qualls and RHP Paul Estrada, who many feel is a closer in the making, would work, though the Astros would likely insist on a window to negotiate a contract extension.
• Los Angeles Dodgers – The Dodgers may need some pitching depth, depending on how Derek Lowe and Jason Schmidt are doing, along with the troubles that have come with Esteban Loaiza.  Garland not only could be a horse in that lineup, he would also allow them to acquire a pair of picks by letting Garland leave.  While Kenny Williams would likely demand Jonathan Broxton in any deal, the Dodgers could instead offer him Rafael Furcal and Takashi Saito, filling two needs at once, along with allowing the Dodgers to allow their top shortstop prospect, Chin-lung Hu, to move into Furcal’s place at short.
• New York Mets – El Duque is likely done, leaving a potential rotation of Glavine, Martinez, Maine, and Perez, with some semblance of Mike Pelfrey or Philip Humber attempting to be the fifth starter.  Minaya likes to go for the big splash and, to be fair, Garland isn't a bad fit here.  However, New York doesn't have anything that fits with what Williams was asking for, unless a deal can be done for Aaron Heilman and Humber/Pelfrey.
• Seattle Mariners – Oddly enough, I do like the fit here with the Mariners.  Garland would move to a nice, spacious ballpark, would have an excellent infield defense behind him with Gold Glove candidates everywhere but first and he'd be an improvement over Horacio Ramirez, likely to be a non-tender candidate this winter.  One problem - The Mariners won't trade Brandon Morrow, who would likely have to be a part of any deal to work, though the Mariners could intrigue Williams by offering him Wladimir Valentin, a young outfield prospect that could handle centerfield, but would be a supurb outfield corner thanks to his huge power potential. 

If I Had To Make A Deal - I would do the following:

• Seattle Gets - RHP Jon Garland
• Chicago Gets - OF Wladimir Valentin (he's blocked anyway PF), LHP Eric O'Flaherty, RHP Sean Green

It's not a sexy trade, but it gives Chicago some decent relief help in the bullpen while giving them a potential centerfielder of the future, since it's looking like Ryan Sweeney's power won't ever come and that he might now be able to handle center.

On The Block:  Mark Prior

And now, to the inevitable conclusion to this rather Cub themed week:

Why He’s On The Block: The Cubs are beginning to give up on Prior.  Despite his talent, Prior has been on the DL several times in the past two seasons.  Without his presence in the rotation, the Cubs have fallen flat in the past two seasons.  The Cubs also are running against the clock as to how long they have left to contend.  Derrek Lee is getting older as is Arasmis Ramirez.  Plus, Prior has already been passed by Carlos Zambrano.  With more young pitchers ready to do the same, Prior's days could be numbered, especially with his inclusion in a failed deal with the Orioles.

Asking Price:  Medium.  The Cubs at this point are looking for whatever they can get for Prior.  If they can get a couple of nifty pitching prospects, it would be a steal. 

Negotiable:  Yes.  Prior’s medical history is going to put the scare on some teams.  However, Prior will have suitors because of his raw talent.

What He Offers:  While Prior has long been classified as a constantly injured starter or a bust, you must remember that when he's healthy, he's easily one of the best pitchers in the National League.  Here's what Prior offers:

Plus:  Great talent. 

Plus:  Power pitcher, could be an ace at any rotation.

Plus:  High amount of strikeouts.

Plus:  Issues low amounts of walks

Plus:  Decent hitter for a pitcher.

Minus:  Injury history will result in maybe half a season's work.

He Stay Or Will He Go:  40%-60% on him going, as Chicago is listening to offers.  However, teams are unlikely to jump on him unless they have a solid pitching program that could help rebuild him.  With that in mind, let’s see where he could end up.

Baltimore Orioles – 45%.   Baltimore is a decent fit for Prior.  Leo Mazzone would be able to properly put Prior back on track and undo some of the damage caused by his accelerated advancement to the Majors.  Because the Cubs covet Miguel Tejada, it's likely that the Cubs would have to package Nelfi Perez, cash, and perhaps Rocky Cedeno to gain him.  I'm not sure the Cubs would want to give up that much to gain Tejada and rid themselves of Prior.  On the flip side, gaining Tejada would make the Cubs the favorite to challenge the Cardinals for the division.

Atlanta Braves – 30%.  Atlanta, if it decides it needs more depth in the rotation, could deal for Prior to help solidify it further.  Prior would also do well in Atlanta because of the system Mazzone had laid down over the years.  Prior would be worked with by not only Roger McDowell, but also John Smoltz, who is a mentor to the young pitchers.  This would be a good fit for Prior, but the Cubs would like him out of the league so they won’t have to face him.

San Diego Padres – 20%.   The Padres want to add some depth in their starting pitching.  Prior would do well in the desert that is Petco park.  The question is, what do the Padres have to give in return?

St. Louis Cardinals – 5%.  The Cardinals, with their strong pitching staff and Tony LaRussa, would be able to help Prior along, but at the risk of him being a middle of the rotation starter.   However, it’s unlikely the Cubs will deal Prior to a division rival.

End Result – Prior will stay with the Cubs for this season, but if he fails to put up decent numbers, the Cubs will look seriously into getting rid of him.

Friday Morning Closer 

Dwight Gooden got a year and one day’s worth of time in prison.  This is a sad ending to what could have been a great story.  I remember back in the mid eighties, when Gooden and Darryl Strawberry first arrived on the scene.  Strawberry was seen as the next Ted Williams, with Gooden being projected to not just win 300 games, but to win 400.  Gooden was electric when he pitched, with his complicated delivery to that fastball and curve.  Perhaps New York was the wrong place for two impressionable teenagers with less than perfect family backgrounds back then.  Perhaps Gooden had inner demons all along that he could never hope to overcome.  All I can tell you is that Gooden was destined to one day make a speech in front of Cooperstown, with his plaque alongside him.  Gooden fell far short of that mark.  Still, his story and that of Darryl Strawberry should be told to generations of young ballplayers in the future, stories of how far God given talent can take you, and the things that can take it from you.

If you all get a chance, check out the specifications and available renditions for the new Mets stadium.  I love the fact that it looks like Ebbets Field, which was still in good condition when the Dodgers left for the coast (for reasons that teams want new stadiums today: newer stadiums to generate more profit.)  It sounds nice already too, from other details that are available.  It’s going to have a capacity of 45,000, down from the current 57,333, but with roomier seats, better leg room, and restaurants built into the stadium.  Sounds like quite an entertainment hub.  Also, it’s expected to be able to expand to accommodate football and soccer.  Nice!

Adam Eaton, more and more, is sounding like a man that is trying to protect his free agency payday instead of helping his team.   If he gets off to a decent start when he returns to Texas, I would begin looking into trading him by the Waiver deadline.  Jon Daniels never should have traded for Adam Eaton.  He had reservations coming here and vocally expressed his displeasure in the trade and coming over.  In my mind, if a player didn’t want to be here, such as Vicente Padilla and Kevin Millwood, then why bring them in.

I am mortally afraid of what Jim Thome will do to the American League this year.

God Bless You San Diego!   You didn’t let Barry Bonds off the hook.

And, finally, the best story I heard this week I saved for last.

When was the last time a closer entered a game with the Village People?  Brian Fuentes is the man!   Now for my long held hope:  that when Rivera enters the game, someone plays that song from the fifties, Mr. Sandman by the Chordettes.  I can see it now:

Now entering....Mariano Rivera!

(scat “bung, bung, bung, bung..........)

Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream (bung, bung, bung, bung)
Make him the cutest that I've ever seen (bung, bung, bung, bung)
Give him two lips like roses and clover (bung, bung, bung, bung)
Then tell him that his lonesome nights are over.
Sandman, I'm so alone
Don't have nobody to call my own
Please turn on your magic beam
Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream.

The Ranger Repot is tomorrow!  Have a good one everybody!