DownSwinging.com

Lots of things going on in the world of sports, so I’ll try and touch briefly on a lot of them.

My new favorite GM, Neal Huntington of the Pirates, admitted that his big signing of Ian Snell was in fact a mistake. It happens, he took a risk on a kid with a pretty high upside and it’s pretty clear it’s not panning out. I wouldn’t beat yourself up over it Neal.

Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune is sick and tired of Big Z, and thinks the Cubs should put him on waivers. I probably disagree, but its really not that bad an idea, especially if they wait until after July 31, and trade him to a desperate team that missed out in the first trade deadline (assuming he wasn’t picked up off waivers). At this point, you start to wonder if the Cubs could do better if they can get rid of Zambrano’s salary and go after some big name free agents in the offseason like Matt Holliday, Jason Bay, John Lackey or Cliff Lee.

This is just an awesome article on guys who’s curveballs have already won them the equivalent of one game already. What was more interesting was the analysis on whether the more movement a curveball has, means the better it is (Basically, yes). It highlights Roy Halladay and Adam Wainwright as two guys with very different curveballs, though both are effective, and also that Brad Penny has one of the flattest breaking pitches in the majors (Whether you are a fantasy owner or Theo Epstein I say this: deal him now!)

It appears that Daisuke Matsuzaka refused to participate in the Red Sox shoulder conditioning program. Wrong move my man.