SIGNINGS AND RUMORS

Hey, there's been a dealy in information coming from my brain. Bank of American needed several hours of convincing that the $2045.66 deposited into my account was not mine. Amazing how much it takes to have a bank investigate an error rather than just cover it up.


Some poor sod was out $2045.66


'Course, now that he got 2,000 quid, he ain't so po' is 'e?


The A's signed Alan Embree, Ricardo Rincon's less flashy, but more effective twin today with a two-year deal and a team option for a 3rd. Embree made $850,000 last year, so the total deal has to be in the $2.25 Million area, including buyout. Embree isn't exactly a LOOGY.

	ERA	W	L	SV	SVO	G	GS	CG	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	AVG
Total	5.00	8	10	1	4	211	0	0	157.2	161	96	87	21	40	128	.264
	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	HBP	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
vs. Left	309	0	82	15	1	9	45	16	2	67	19	4	.265	.299	.408	.706
vs. Right	302	96	79	24	4	12	53	24	1	61	6	0	.262	.311	.487	.798

Embree was decent as a reliever last season in San Diego and he was incredibly lucky away from PETCO. Embree is another one of those arbitrary pitchers that teams historically, "need to have in order to round out a bullpen". Embree doesn't provide much of an advantage over any other situational reliever even with his portsidedness. Hopefully David Forst is stocking the shelves with tradeable commodities.


The A's are also close on a decision by Mike Piazza. All things being unequal - Piazza more than likely will sign with Oakland. Would you want to sign with Texas for more money to catch in 100 degree heat? Yah, I didn't think so. Piazza's agent is smart enough to see what Frank Thomas did for his career in one season with Oakland. Imagine two.


There are some rumors swirling about the Mets with Aaron Heilman and Lastings Milledge for Rich Harden or Joe Blanton. I'm not sold on Milledge, he's 10 pounds of hype in a 5 pound sack. Harden or Blanton, can you tell me with some sound data analysis which will be the better pitcher in 2007 and in 2008? Heilman we know is good. Solid K/IP numbers and a groundball pitcher. I'd take Heilman over Blanton and Harden based on injury risk. The Rockies have long been wanting Milledge; Jason Jennings or Brad Hawpe or Matt Holliday sound like good compensation if he were to be spun off in another deal.