Steve Sharik to Leave the WBRL
For the second time in seven years, Steve Sharik (Cover Zero) has announced his departure from the league. Here are his statements:
First email, shortly after submission of Protected Lists:
…You guys should start looking for someone to replace me as an owner.
In a separate email, two minutes after the first:
I have had zero time to look over my roster, and I won’t have time to prepare for the draft. I am not going to spend $260 for a league fee and several hundred more for a trip to do something I can’t do the right way.
And then finally, the next day:
First, this isn’t a money issue in and of itself. I can afford to take the trip, pay for hotel/food/entertainment, and I can afford the league.
It just isn’t a wise expenditure if a) the trip is going to last only one or two days, and b) one doesn’t have time to do the research necessary to be competitive.
I mean, why spend $260 for a league fee where you have next to no shot at winning (or even any return on the investment) except for blind luck? That money is best spent doing other things.
So you know, the reasons my time is coonsumed is a) my employer gave me a class I have to build myself, and b) I am going to be the full-time D coordinator next year, so I am building a defensive package. (Off topic: For all you business types, I should send you a copy of the job description for the head coach at Milford and let you (especially SD) analyze that description for the salary level it requires.)
As for participation, I think you guys should only invite someone if they really want to be a part of it. If you don’t find someone, I will participate this year. I don’t want to ruin a good thing.
At this point, the lack of other communication on the site suggests that we let Steve play out the season, and spend a good amount of time finding a suitable replacement.
Cover Zero: Marcus Giles Signs with Colorado (NL)
Free agent 2B Marcus Giles has signed a one-year contract with the Colorado Rockies. According to the Rocky Mountain News, the deal is said to be non-guaranteed and pending a physical.
Cover Zero retains eligibility to protect Giles for the 2008 season for 2 years at $12.
Tags: Cover Zero, Free Agents, MLB Transactions
Cover Zero: Mike Lamb Signs with Minnesota (AL)
Free-agent corner-man Mike Lamb has signed a two-year contract with the Minnesota Twins.
Lamb has been removed from Cover Zero’s roster, and is no longer eligible for protection for 2008. Lamb’s signing comes one day after Cover Zero (and former Astro) Adam Everett signed with the Twins.
Tags: Cover Zero, Free Agents, MLB Transactions
Holy Crap!: D’Backs Trade 8 guys for 6 Other Guys!
The Arizona Diamondbacks unloaded their Top 10 Prospect List to the A’s for Dan Haren, and then trade their closer to the Astros for three reserves. Here’s the net:
To Arizona:
- Dan Haren (from Oakland)
- Connor Robertson (from Oakland)
- Chad Qualls (from Houston)
- Chris Burke (from Houston)
- Juan Gutierrez (from Houston)
- Billy Buckner (from Kansas City)
To Oakland:
- Carlos Gonzalez
- Brett Anderson
- Aaron Cunningham
- Chris Carter
- Greg Smith
- Dana Eveland
To Houston:
- Jose Valverde
To Kansas City:
- Alberto Callaspo
WBRL Impact:
- X-Men: Loses Carlos Gonzalez
- Cover Zero: Chad Qualls is back to a setup role, now with Arizona
- The Pi Train: Jose Valverde is now closer for a worse team
That’s really it. Exciting times here in the desert!
Tags: Cover Zero, MLB Transactions, The Pi Train, X-Men
Cover Zero: Everett Signs with Minnesota (AL)
Newly-minted free agent Adam Everett has signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Twins. Everett was non-tendered by the Houston Astros yestersday.
Everett is no longer eligible for protection in the WBRL, and he has been removed from the Cover Zero roster.
Tags: Cover Zero, Free Agents, MLB Transactions
Non-Tender Day: Meet the New Free Agents
With yesterday’s tender deadline, the following players are now free agents:
- The Pi Train:
- C - Johnny Estrada
- OF - Willie Harris
- X-Men:
- P - Mark Prior
- Atomic Roadrunners:
- 3B - Morgan Ensberg
- Cover Zero:
- SS - Adam Everett
- OF -Kevin Mench
- Misogynistic Padres
- Mark Hendrickson
- Uncle Lester:
- C - Miguel Olivo
- Stanimals:
- OF - Nook Logan
Tags: Atomic Roadrunners, Cover Zero, Free Agents, Misogynistic Padres, MLB Transactions, Stanimals, The Pi Train, Uncle Lester, X-Men
Big Deal: Tejada to Houston for 5 guys
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada was traded to Houston in exchange for five guys. Pitchers Matt Albers, Troy Patton, and Dennis Safarte, 3B Mike Costanzo (aquired from Philly in the Lidge trade) and OF Luke Scott.
WBRL Impact:
- Goodfellas loses Matt Albers
- Cover Zero loses Troy Patton
- Misogynistic Padres loses Luke Scott
- Cover Zero might also have SS Adam Everett traded or non-tendered, as Tejada takes his position.
Tags: Cover Zero, Goodfellas, Misogynistic Padres, MLB Transactions
Cover Zero: LoDuca Signs With Washington (NL)
Free agent catcher Paul LoDuca has signed a one-year contract with the Washington Nationals.
Thus, LoDuca can be protected by Cover Zero for the 2008 season with 2 years of eligibility and a $15 salary.
Tags: Cover Zero, Free Agents, MLB Transactions
Cover Zero: Percival signs with Tampa Bay (AL)
Free agent pitcher Troy Percival reached an agreement with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on a two-year deal for $8 million.
Percival no longer is protectable for 2008 for Cover Zero, and he will be removed from the Cover Zero roster.
Tags: Cover Zero, Free Agents, MLB Transactions
Free Agents No More
These guys have re-signed or have exercised options for 2008, so are eligible for protection for their 2007 team:
| Team | Pos | Player |
| Goodfellas | 1B | Scott Hatteberg |
| Goodfellas | C | Brad Ausmus |
| Cover Zero | OF | Adam Dunn |
| Shoeless Jews | C | Javier Valentin |
| Uncle Lester | 2B | Damion Easley |
| Atomic Roadrunners | OF | Moises Alou |
| Get Off Kong! | P | Greg Maddux |
Tags: Atomic Roadrunners, Cover Zero, Free Agents, Get Off Kong, Goodfellas, MLB Transactions, Shoeless Jews, Uncle Lester