Orlando Cabrera "Could go to Twins"...Do we want him?

Buster Olney has reported that the A's and Twins are "making steady progress" toward a trade for A's shortstop Orlando Cabrera.Ken Rosenthal has also reported that "The teams continued their discussions on Thursday and plan to continue talking Friday."

No specific Twins prospects are noted in either report, but previous reports have indicated that Billy Beane has asked for Danny Valencia in a deal. It is not clear whether Beane has reduced his asking price or if he's standing firm. What I can say is that the Twins open affection for Cabrera (from Gardy to Mauer and Morneau - allegedly) hasn't helped our bargaining position.

LEN III and many others have noted that Cabrera's OPS is pretty much the same as Brendan Harris and that he's not really worth pursuing. I disagree. While Cabrera is NOT worth the price of a Danny Valencia or other top 10 minor league prospect, I do think he's worth a lower tier prospect such as Trevor Plouffe or Luke Hughes just to get Alexi Casilla off the field (though his performance Wednesday was promising).

The real question regarding Cabrera (or Marco Scutaro, who the Twins are also pursuing) is the degree to which they would upgrade the ballclub. In an attempt to answer this, I did a quick and dirty analysis of the two players, plus a number of additional alleged targets (including Freddy Sanchez for comparison) and our current trio of Nick Punto, Alexi Casilla and Brendan Harris. Using fangraphs batting and fielding runs above average, weighted 50% / 30% / 20% over the last three years. Since we're only talking about middle infielders, and since we're comparing only to each other, I disregarded replacement and defensive position value for the purposes of this analysis.

Player	Batting	Fielding	Total
Marco Scutaro	3.15	5.32	8.47
Freddy Sanchez	(2.20)	3.40	1.20
Adam Kennedy	(3.29)	2.28	(1.01)
Nick Punto	(12.09)	7.13	(4.96)
Orlando Cabrera	(7.17)	1.85	(5.32)
Brendan Harris	(3.56)	(5.76)	(9.32)
David Eckstein	(3.82)	(5.60)	(9.42)
Alexi Casilla	(10.17)	(4.48)	(14.65)

According to these numbers, we should be all over Marco Scutaro, as he's nearly 10 full runs (assuming a full season) better than any other available player on the "shopping list". Plug him in at shortstop, move Punto to second and you end up with an astounding +23.2 runs. Accounting for the fact we're roughly 2/3 of the way through the season, and we're still talking about a more than 7 run improvement. Do the same with Orlando Cabrera and we're talking about a 3 run improvement from here on out. Not a whole lot in either case, but an improvement like this can mean an extra win or two. Obviously, players can over or under-perform these numbers, but at least they give us a baseline we can work with to evaluate options.

Regarding Valencia, there is absolutely no way I give him up one for one, even for Scutaro. However, I would at least listen if it meant the Twins getting not only a middle infielder, but also a solid bullpen arm we would keep beyond this season. Valencia + lower level prospect for Scutaro and Scott Downs? Perhaps...

Big Brother 11: Week 4 HoH Endurance Aftermath

Last night was a great night for Big Brother 11. By the time the live feeds came back on we already had three of the 9 competing houseguests down from the competition. After three hours we were down to just two competitors: Jeff and Russell. Finally, at the four-hour mark, a deal was made and one man dropped…

Russell is the new Head of Household this week after agreeing with Jeff that they both wanted Ronnie out of the house. Russell has promised Jeff safety and even said that he’d let Ronnie compete in the PoV competition. While that of course makes me nervous there’s also no reason Ronnie couldn’t end up in the PoV fight anyway, but at least this route will put him in the hot seat for the entire week.

Other worthy notes from the Big Brother 11 endurance competition:

* Kevin won the $5,000 gift
* Jordan won a “Have” pass for this week and had to select 3 Have-Nots. Kevin, Natalie, and after pulling Jeff’s name the other HGs made Jordan pull someone else and Jessie ending up being selected.
* Russell still seems to be targeting Ronnie

Also there is big news in regards to Big Brother’s Coup D’Etat power play. CBS has announced that all voting before 12:20AM EST has been nullified due to technical errors on their end. The voting page was all messed up last night and had the wrong pictures at one point, then the wrong message at another time. That means all the Jeff fans need to get back on there. If you were planning to vote for Ronnie or Jessie, then you don’t need to do anything at all (snicker).

If you missed last night’s exciting Big Brother 11 HoH Endurance competition then you can still get on the live feeds and use the Flashback times I’ve listed to see all the vomiting and brutal conditions the HGs had to endure.

Funny side note: Had anyone else never heard of ‘Shiantology’? Apparently Shia LaBeouf has developed quite the cult following. Good for some Friday humor.

Bruce Rossmeyer, Harley Davidson dealer, killed in a motorcycle accident on the way to Sturgis

Harley Davidson dealer and icon

Bruce Rossmeyer died in a motorcycle accident

Legendary Harley Davidson dealer, Bruce Rossmeyer was killed in a motorcycle accident yesterday. Rossemeyer was headed to Sturgis when he was killed while trying to pass a pickup truck.

According to the Wyoming State Patrol, Bruce Rossmeyer tried to pass a truck that was pulling a trailer. The truck was trying to turn left when the accident happened. Rossmeyer was thrown from his Harley after striking the driver side door and landed under the truck.

The police said the driver of the truck had his turn signal on. Rossmeyer was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

News of Rossmeyer's death has shaken many of those attending Sturgis. Rossmeyer has been a beloved icon to the motorcycle community.

Woody Woodruff, owner of Buffalo Chip Campground, spoke with the Orlando Sentinel about Rossmeyer's death. He said "His death is going to change the entire motorcycle industry," He also stated, "You have movers and shakers, and Bruce was definitely a mover and shaker. He made things happen. You lose someone like that and it creates a big void."

Bruce Rossmeyer leaves behind his wife Sandy, five children and grandchildren.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Rossmeyer's family.

At the time of this report funeral plans for Rossmeyer have not been announced.

Bruce Rossmeyer's Geico commerical

Video of Bruce Rossmeyer interview

Omer Bhatti Michael Jackson Love Child Says Joe Jackson

Omer Bhatti Michael Jackson Love Child - Joe Jackson did an interview with NewsOne where he confirmed that Omer Bhatti is indeed Michael Jackson’s son.Jackson said:

“Yes, I knew he had another son, yes I did.He looks like a Jackson, acts like a Jackson, can dance like a Jackson.”

Bhatti spent about 14 years living and traveling with Jackson.Joe Jackson: “Omer Bhatti is Michael’s Secret Son” video is after the jump.




That’s all we have for now on Omer Bhatti Michael Jackson Love Child.

Ben Brown Baton Rouge

LOS ANGELES—Detectives from the Office of Sheriff are searching for a Baton Rouge man named “Ben Carey Brown”, who disappeared on Wednesday morning. Ben Brown was last seen while entering into his office located at “United Plaza Boulevard” on Wednesday morning. It is very tough time for his wife “Ragan Brown”, who sit at house while hoping that her love will be alright.

“I just miss him so much and I love him and I just want him back,” she said.
“I got up about 6:30 a.m. and realized he was gone and I called his cell phone and he didn’t answer,” she said.
“He would never go anywhere or do anything without telling me or letting me know what he’s doing,” she said.
According to the Authorities, 28-year-old Ben Brown entered into the “Postlethwaite”& Netterville Building” situated at 8550 United Plaza Boulevard at round about 5:20 AM. Casey Rayborn Hicks (spokeswoman from Office of the Sheriff) said that video which they got from Surveillance camera doesn’t show him leaving the office.
Casey Rayborn Hicks further said that Detectives also found his car in the parking lot and his several personal things in the office. Officers searched for him in the office, grounds nearby the office building and also tried to locate Ben through calling his mobile phone but all in vain.
Ben Brown is a white man with 5’ 7’’ height and 170 pounds weight. He is an accountant if anybody has information regarding his location can call the Sheriff’s Office at (225) 389-5000 or Crime Stoppers at (225) 344-7867.

Ben Carey Brown

Miami Beach Trying to Evict Mr. Clucky?!

The latest buzz on South Beach is regarding a local celebrity chicken named Mr. Clucky. South Beach residents are very familiar with Mr. Clucky as are many, if not most, visitors who have walked along Lincoln Road. He is a white chicken that is always perched upon his owner’s shoulder or bike handlebars while he bicycles his way through South Beach all day, every day. People also always easily spot Mark Buckley, Mr. Clucky’s owner, with his trademark jean overalls and a beanie hat.

Word is, someone complained about Mr. Clucky and, thus, began the feud. The City of Miami Beach is now saying that Mr. Clucky gets the boot! City code enforcement says that farm animals are not allowed to live in Miami Beach and that Buckley and Mr. Clucky must move out of their Jefferson Avenue studio apartment and get out of town.

Buckley is arguing that his long-time resident of Miami Beach has brought smiles to children’s faces for years and has become more like an ambassador of the city. In the past few months, Buckley has collected signed affidavits from neighbors promising that the rooster does not make any noise or act as a nuisance. People have gathered on Lincoln Road to show their support and protest with signs. On Wednesday night, July 29th, a news conference and candlelight vigil was held for Mr. Clucky. Mr. Clucky went into Miami Beach City Hall this Thursday morning at 9:00AM to learn his fate. Will he be evicted or accepted?

UPDATE: “A special hearing officer ordered Buckley on Thursday to pay a $50 fine and gave city code officers the authority to remove Mr. Clucky and his publicity-shy hen girlfriend, Wallflower, from Buckley’s first-floor condo on Jefferson Avenue.”

Tiger Woods struggles to a 71 at Buick Open

Trailing leader Steve Lowery by eight shots, Woods is in danger of missing another cut.

Tiger Woods played a lot like the guy who didn't make the cut at the British Open.

Woods shot a one-under-par 71 on Thursday at the Buick Open at Grand Blanc Township, Mich., and finished the first round eight shots behind leader Steve Lowery.

"Probably one of the worst putting days I've ever had," he said. "It was just terrible."

Tied for 95th, Woods is in danger of missing cuts in consecutive tournaments for the first time as a pro.

"I not only have to play well to make the cut, I got to play well to get myself back in contention," said the two-time Buick Open champion, whose worst finish in eight previous stops at here was a tie for 11th. "Guys are going to continue to go low. That's the way the golf course is playing right now.

"It's going to be 20-plus to win."

Lowery took advantage of perfect conditions in the morning by tying a course record with a 29 on the front nine and finishing at nine-under 63. John Senden made five consecutive birdies in the morning and finished with nine to end up only a shot off the lead.



U.S. Senior Open

Greg Norman birdied four straight holes on the front nine of the U.S. Senior Open, but a bogey on the final hole at Carmel, Ind., left him in a four-way tie with Joey Sindelar, Dan Forsman and amateur Tim Jackson at six-under 66. Andy Bean and Fulton Allem are one shot back at 67.

Jackson, a real estate developer from Tennessee, broke the record for low score by an amateur at this tournament, and he did it in his senior tour debut at Crooked Stick.

Norman and his senior tour colleagues had no problems playing on a cool, relatively calm day. Those atop the leaderboard made it look easy on the 7,316-yard course, the longest in Senior Open history.

"If you're going to shoot a low round at the U.S. Senior Open, this is the day," Forsman said.

Tom Watson, who lost the British Open in a playoff two weeks ago, shot a 71.



Gal leads Women's British Open

Sandra Gal of Germany shot a three-under 69 to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the Women's British Open at Lytham St. Annes, England.

After a nearly six-hour round, Gal was one better than Angela Stanford and Song-Hee Kim. Gal's best finish was a tie for fifth at the Corning Classic in May..

Michelle Wie coped well to shoot a 73. Paula Creamer had a 74 without a birdie, one shot better than Lorena Ochoa.