Brad Penny

On this the 233rd anniversary of this country's independence from the tyrannous British (current company of Englishmen here excused, of course), my gift to the American people is simple, simple I say. I give you the gift of Quality. Quality Starts, that is. Quality Starts backed by research, tireless hours, and wearing my fingers down to the bone. So America, here is the gift I give you to as we celebrate our freedom. Who would've thought that in July we'd have a Yankee and Red Sox pitcher who both qualify for this? Not I...

Russ Ortiz (R), HOU (8% Owned) @ Tim Lincecum (R), SF

Alright, so we've gone across the league, both leagues in fact, coast to coast and looked at a dozen pitchers who have a great chance of having their names make 'The List' this season. There may be one day the entire season where they could be of value to you, but that's our goal here - to identify that day. But certainly there's more than a dozen under analyzed, under appreciated arms out there, so let's take a division by division approach and try and find some more diamonds in the rough that we may have missed our first time through...

Up first, the American League East, which was originally touched upon in Part I of this series...

The Dodgers were sure busy today. a $75m offer to Manny, Penny gone, Kent gone.

Those of you that wanted big bucks tossed at Manny, there you go. I bet Manny turns it down though. Manny won't sign anything without hearing the Yankee offer first. Scott Boras inc. would never let it happen. His is 10 days away from true free agency, and Scott Boras dreams of days like this. Its why Manny asked out of Boston in the first place, or so we have been told.

Glad to see Jeff Kent isn't hanging them up yet. Second basemen are in demand right now, and Kent has another year or three left in him.

Maybe a return to San Fransisco is in order?

The piece is a few weeks old, but still a great read.

Alex Eisenberg Brad Penny and the Intent to Throw Hard:

I have two clips below. The clip on the left is of Penny on August 8th, in his first start back after injuring his shoulder. The clip on the right shows Penny in a start on May 13th. The May 13th clip shows Penny throwing a 97 mph fastball (which was Penny's max for that day) and the fastball thrown during the August 8th start was clocked at 90 mph

As you may or may not have noticed by now, I am not the worlds most consistent blogger. I don't even consider myself to be a blogger to be quite honest.

But in the past I have tried to link everyone to the different things that i come across on a daily basis, through my "Chatters"

I have a plan on how to help fix he Dodgers.

Wait, don't panic, this isn't one of those columns where a blinkered fan suggests acquiring A-Rod in return for a backup catcher and a bag of balls.

I think these proposed moves make sense and could well happen - qualities which are not often found together as the trading deadline approaches. 

Most teams have now played at least one game. Your Ace has been roughed up and your stud hitter went 0-5. Is it time to panic?!

Of course not! But here are a few early reflections on yesterday's games.

How does Chan Ho Park and Esteban Loaiza keep finding work? Oh thats right, the Dodgers traded for Loaiza ... That kills me. :)

Here's your 2008 Los Dodgers Rotation.

1-Penny.
2-Lowe.
3-Billingsley
4-Some old Japanese dude.
5-Some old Korean dude.

Huge props Jake.
It should have been back to back Cy Young awards for the Friars, but I have no doubt you will make up for that and earn another one in 2008.