Joe Kennedy is a young pitcher with a lot of potential.

When I said he was a project, I didn't intend to imply he wasn't good. The A's look like they think he's got a chance to be a starter, and I'm sure he's got a live arm. As you note, just getting away from Coors does a lot for a pitcher's confidence. I think you're right - it's a low risk gamble with plenty of upside.

The A's look like they think he's got a chance to be a starter

He is a starter. He threw 162 innings, started 27 games with a complete game, had a 3.66 ERA and an opponents' batting average of .265 last year, and his ERA was under 4.00 in Coors. I think he's the first Rockies starter to achieve that. I don't know what's wrong with him this year, but he can't get righties out. I'd guess the A's think they can get him straightened around, and based on his track record, I think so too. Maybe he'll throw the curveball with more confidence away from Coors.

Anyway, I think if they get him going, the deal is a steal for Billy.

Sorry for the semi-rude awakening, though I'm sure JZ made it sweet.

I'm not very surprised either. As much as I love Byrnes, this year he seemed like he was just trying too hard. At spring training he couldn't catch a ball without flopping on the ground.

My daughter is a huge Chavez fan and I considered calling her at 6:30 to tell her the "The A's traded Eric". I resisted.

I trust in Billy Beane.

Awwwwwww. My bro just called me and asked me if I would read a poem at his wedding. (I said yes, of course.) He told me it was a Walt Whitman poem, and so I asked, "One of the gay-love ones?"

My co-workers think I am a HUGE freak.

My bro replied, "Oh, absolutely! And we're taking our wedding vows from Bukowski -- the piece about the Asian hooker with the sideways vagina."

I love my bro.

In any case, the poem is actually NOT about gay love; it's this poem:

I do not offer the old smooth prizes,
But offer rough new prizes,
These are the days that must happen to you:
You shall not heap up what is called riches,
You shall scatter with lavish hand all that you earn or achieve.
However sweet the laid-up stores,
However convenient the dwellings,
You shall not remain there.
However sheltered the port,
And however calm the waters,
You shall not anchor there.
However welcome the hospitality that welcomes you
You are permitted to receive it but a little while
Afoot and light hearted, take to the open road,
Healthy, free, the world before you,
Leading wherever you choose.
Say only to one another:
Camerado, I give you my hand!
I give you my love, more precious than money,
I give you myself before preaching or law:
Will you give me yourself?
Will you come travel with me?
Shall we stick by each other as long as we live?

BLESS. And Bless again.

billytea, I think you should sign up with The Guardian too. 'Cause it's cool.

t /dictatorial.

....however, you're only allowed to read 5 profiles before it cuts you off and tells you that you need to be a member to read more. Which means I seem to be enrolling. Which is very very silly, within the context of being in Egypt, and thus really not available to date any of the nice Guardian-reading boys and girls who may be enrolled. But. Er. I seem to be doing it anyway.

I'm a bit stumped about the "Why should people get to know you?" paragraph. Everything I write sounds either too self depracating or too arrogant. I'm filled with new respect for what a good job you did, billy. Fair play to you, mate.

Anyone give me any ideas?

....

....

?

Bueller?

I'm glad to hear the surgery went well, Connie.

Happy travels, Lilty!

Damn it, Teppy, you made me cry.

You could quote us, Fay.

Fay is a luscious fantastic lady with an incisive, bawdy, and whiplash-smart sense of humor and a heart as big as a ridiculously big thing that makes space look a bit cramped.

Next?

Damn it, Teppy, you made me cry.

Are you kidding me? *I* have to read it AT MY BROTHER'S WEDDING! I'm going to be a weeping, runny-nosed mess!

Teppy, that's awfully beautiful. I'd be a blubbering idiot before I got halfway through it.