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The Keystone...Corner
You'll understand in just a few seconds why this is important, but I wanted to throw in my league settings real quickly. I've turned off the DH, made the league slightly more favorable toward pitchers, and, of course, turned off all ratings and stars, which finally explains my enigmatic, mysteriously vague posts.
The reason that the lack of a designated hitter is important is because it's banished Paul Konerko to the bench in deference to the greatest Pale Hoseman of them all, Frank Thomas. "The Big Hurt" received a 3-year extension totalling over $12 million after socking 46 home runs last year, a deal that will likely allow him to retire in the black and white. I'll chalk this up as a plus for good ol' Kenny W., as it saves me from having to cut the esteemable Thomas - with his salary, it's kind of out of the question. He predictably slowed this year, still pasting left-handers for a home run every 9 or so at-bats, but hitting just .239 with moderate power against right-handers. It'll be really tough to platoon him, though, even if OOTP only knows numbers. I've got a tear in my eye just thinking about the virtual Thomas. Paul Konerko, on the other hand, just makes me want to yak. He's devolved into a lefty-masher making nearly $6 million a year. Luckily, his contract expires, so I won't have to deal with a guy that gives our club almost no value. He could be an asset somewhere, but it ain't gonna be here.
I'll talk about Dave Hansen here because I won't want to later. Hansen is a first baseman in name only, but remarkably, he's also a major leaguer in name only. He's one of those guys who's kicked out for a bunch of years without doing much, you know? He's still a disciplined hitter, but has no power, no position, and would have to hit .300 or so to have value as a pinch hitter. That ain't gonna happen, though. Of course, he received a one year extension at $440,000, but that may just be a tidy little severance package, if I have any say in it.
Jeff Liefer can hit the long ball (53 big flies over the last two years), but he's 31, and it's been in second-rate towns in the midwest and deep south, and much as I dislike Kansas City, that's not what I'm referring to.
Craig
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