Thoughts at a great time of year...

Some thoughts I have at the end of the last weekend without real football for several months...

Somehow the Braves are still in the Wild Card hunt. I thought after the debacle at home Wednesday against San Diego to fall 5.5 games out, they were done. Now, the next 2 weeks needs to produce a record no worse than 9-5 to become a legitimate threat the final 10 days or so...

The Hawks have put together a pretty good 2-deep depth chart. I asked back in mid-July if the acquisition of Joe Smith made the Hawks a 50 win team. They might be if they stay healthy, but I am still skeptical if they are good enough to make the jump to the Eastern Conference Finals. That is the state of a life-long Hawks fan. We are not greedy - just get us to the Conference Finals for the 1st time in franchise history and we will be happy...

Falcons offense looks as good as I can ever remember and Matt Ryan is quickly becoming a top 5 Quarterback in the league. He emerged into the top 15 last year pretty quickly, but right now after Brees, P. Manning, and Brady it is hard to think of someone better...

I think the Angels made one of the better waiver-wire pick ups in MLB history by acquiring Scott Kazmir from Tampa on Friday. LAA has a tremendous offense and an above average bullpen, but just 2 quality starters. Now, with Kazmir as their #3, they match up much better with the Yankees. Joe Saunders or Ervin Santana in a game 3 against Chamberlain/Pettitte would be a huge mis-match. I picked the Angels to win the World Series before the season, and now they seem in really good shape to make a strong run. PS, if you click the last link, don't look at my NL pick...

I think the Pac-10 will pass the Big 12 as the 2nd best conference in college football this year. USC will be a bit down, but I think Cal and Oregon are top 12 teams. UCLA should be much improved and a healthy Oregon State team will finish in the top 25. The top 2 in the Big 12 are strong, but Oklahoma State and Kansas are the next best 2 and they have serious issues with defense and depth...

Interesting to see that Rich Harden was claimed of waivers by Minnesota. I wouldn't think Chicago would give him up without a solid return, and Minnesota is barely hanging on in the NL Central race. And why give up anything for this guy when you know you won't be able to resign him at a reasonable rate? Someone will overpay for Harden, who has only topped 150 IP once in 7 years in the bigs...

If you are unfamiliar with the Matt Purke story, he was the highest pick not signed in this years MLB Draft. Purke was taken out of Klein HS in Texas by the local team, the Rangers, with the 14th pick. He was offered a generous contract above slot, (reported to be 4 million). Purke insisted on getting 6 million, more than everyone outside the top 3. Texas held their ground and Purke did not sign and has enrolled at TCU. He now has to wait 2 years (he is already 19 so he is eligible again in 2011) to be drafted again and I am sure teams will stay away next time. Purke's dad reportedly said that the non-signing was a business decision. I agree, it was a business decision. A bad one...

I am now completely convinced that Frank Wren will trade Vazquez/Schafer this off-season for a right handed hitting corner outfielder. Vazquez is a case of "sell high" and Schafer does not fit into next year with the emergence of Heyward. An outfield of Schafer/McLouth/Heyward next year is too scary at the corner spots. Heyward may start off in AAA and be replaced by Diaz for a month or so, but the job will be his by mid-May. Who do you want to pursue with this attractive combo this winter? My vote goes to someone that is under 30, under contract until at least 2011, and a proven power hitter. Any suggestions??