Smells Like Mascot: The Sailorman

Carl’s latest:

http://www.smellslikemascot.com/2010/02/i-yam-what-i-yam.html

Fantastic! Awesome!

And a bonus strip by Southtown’s editor: Number 11.

First episode of the Sox TV show to be on the Thome decision

Levine:

The White Sox first reality show episode will feature an inside look at the team’s front office as they discussed the pros and cons of offering designed hitter Jim Thome a 2010 contract. Featured in the episode are general manager Kenny Williams, and assistant general manager Rick Hahn. …

The 2nd episode will be on Jerry Reinsdorf having lunch with Bud Selig.

Sabermetrics 101: Positional Adjustment

Graham @ LL. Per 600 PAs:

C: +12.5 runs
SS: +7.5 runs
2B, 3B, CF: 2.5 runs
LF, RF: -7.5 runs
1B: -12.5 runs
DH: -17.5 runs

More sabermetric concept explanations here.

MLB revenues

In 2009 MLB had a record $6.6 billion in revenues. In 2008 MLB revenues were $6.5 billion.

The NBA was $400 million in the red in 2009. The NFL revenues were $7.6 billion and the NHL revenues were $2.6 billion in 2009.

UPDATE: MLB’s revenue-sharing (big clubs to small clubs) for 2009 was $433 million.

2010 Wins Over/Unders

Vegas Watch:

Chicago W- 82
Minnesota- 82
Detroit- 81
Cleveland- 73
Kansas City- 71

Starting five to make most of spring training starts

Merkin:

All it would take is one brief look at a sheet of paper located in the coaches’ office at Camelback Ranch for Don Cooper to lay out the full Cactus League work schedule for his starting five.

The group of Mark Buehrle, Jake Peavy, Gavin Floyd, John Danks and Freddy Garcia is so crucial to the team’s success that they will stay as close to on schedule as humanly possible.

“I really could tell you the whole Spring Training, if nobody gets hurt,” said Cooper, sitting in his golf cart and watching workouts on Thursday. “We have some split-squad games, and we might have some ‘B’ games. You never know. Maybe Charlie Leesman or [Daniel] Hudson or [Carlos] Torres or [Daniel] Cabrera will get a start there, in those situations.

“Otherwise, our starting pitchers will be doing all the starting.” …

‘If Viciedo can get $10 million, then what am I worth’ ask Cuban ballplayers

Campbell @ Toronto Star:

Neither Morales nor Escobar was a full-time starter in Cuba, but each has excelled in the majors. And Krieger says eyes across the island opened wide when Viciedo signed with the White Sox.

Touted as Cuba’s next great shortstop, Viciedo entered the National Series as a 15-year-old in 2005, and hit 14 home runs the next year. From there, Krieger says, his production declined, yet after defecting in 2008 he still signed a four-year, $10-million (all figures U.S.) deal with Chicago.

“Viciedo had a very significant impact on the thinking of Cuban players,” he said. “They thought, `If he can get $10 million, then what am I worth?” …

Ozzie Guillen explains his pitching philosophy

Gonzales:

[Daniel] Cabrera will have to harness his wildness to have any shot of making the Sox’s bullpen.

“I want him to worry about one pitch,” manager Ozzie Guillen said. “Fastball right in the middle of the plate and then take care of the rest. I don’t see why this kid with that kind of arm is bouncing around all over the place.

“Maybe too much coaching. Maybe trying to be perfect. Too much stuff. Here, our philosophy is throw as hard as you can, try to hit the middle of the plate and go for it.”