As a follow up to the discussion about my Yahoo league, DT asked: "Can you expand on this concept: 'and rotating middle relievers with good match-ups into my roster' Is this something you widely employ in roto leagues? What are some of the tips to employing it successfully? You don't draft any middl...

Chris Jaffe at Hardball Times recently identified 50 great potential closer songs. Thus inspired, I’ve compiled a list of 71 awful potential closer songs. Why 71? Why not. This is actually an updated version of our original list from ‘06 with reader suggestions incorporated. Maybe we can...

Couple things. First off, I’m pleased to announce that The Hardball Times Season Preview 2009 is now available (details from David Gassko, our editor). I contributed the chapter on the Padres. Buy the book. It rocks. And it’ll give you something to read while you’re waiting for my ...

Before we get to the rest of the links, I have to call my own number. I’ve got a new article up at Hardball Times that looks back at some old projections I did here at Ducksnorts many moons ago. Good fun… Lots to cover this morning: Padres experienced relative success in Moores Era (San ...

I’m a little behind in my links, so some of these might be oldish. Hey, better late than never… Organization free of bad contracts and long-term financial obligations (San Diego Union-Tribune). Good stuff from Tom Krasovic: The Padres certainly are familiar with toxic player contracts...

I hope everyone had an excellent Thanksgiving. I’m finally settling back into my routine and almost caught up on emails. If I still owe you a response, this is probably the week it happens. I got a ton of work done in Hawai’i, which is good because I’ve been stressing about the who...

Hooray, it’s links: Giles and Hoffman (It Might Be Dangerous…). Paul DePodesta offers his thoughts on the re-signing of Brian Giles as well as the latest in the Trevor Hoffman negotiations (or lack thereof). [h/t LynchMob] John Moores to give $2.1 million to Scripps Research Institute (G...

My mind is in full-on draft mode, and I’ve been re-reading some old notes: In 2004, I’d favored Stephen Drew over the two pitchers being targeted. Of the pitchers, I preferred Jeff Niemann to Jered Weaver. Oops… In 2002, I’d wanted Cole Hamels over Khalil Greene. Then again, ...

Before we get started, I’ve got a new article up at Hardball Times about a few stories I’ve been tracking this season. I’ve also been interviewed over at Friar Nation. Yes, my revised win projection for the Padres is 73. Seems kinda bleak, but they’d actually need to break ev...

Quick reminder: The Ducksnorts 2008 Baseball Annual is on sale. People tell me it doesn’t suck, so go buy a copy or three. To the links… Jake Peavy has a mysterious substance on his hand (Yahoo!, h/t Kevin) and suddenly the “national” media knows where San Diego is. Solid eff...