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Yesterday I pulled up to our local Wal-Mart Super Center and parked my white Ford Taurus next to a black GMC Yukon. As I looked to my right I said “they are NASCAR fans” to which she replied “but of who?”. Well she didn’t know I had noticed the two Carl Edward stickers on the back but I quickly told her of the fact.

As she was getting our 20-month old out of his car seat she said something that made us both chuckle. “Who’s Steve Park?”

Well it turns out this truck also had a sticker that said Steve Park. Now Steve Park hasn’t raced in #1 Pennzoil Chevy since 2003 but there it was, his name on this clean black GMC Yukon.

It’s been known for a while but NASCAR is a sport unlike any other. If you put a Pittsburgh Pirates logo on your truck then, it’s safe to say your a fan of the team no matter whose on the roster. Professional NFL, MLB, NBA teams aren’t going away no matter how bad they preform. In NASCAR if Steve Park does bad he’ll be replace by someone else. Those who have supported Park or a driver in such a situation will either have to search for a new favorite driver or hope he gets another ride.

In fairness Park does still race in the lower levels of NASCAR competition, but six years after his last ride in NASCAR his name still rides on this SUV as the driver of the #1 Pennzoil Chevy.

Sure stickers are a mess to remove, maybe the driver doesn’t even realize it’s even on there anymore, or perhaps he’s proud to call himself a fan of Steve Park. Whatever the case is driver branding in NASCAR is unparalleled by any other sport.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Ken Rosenthal broke news that the Atlanta Braves signed closer Billy Wanger to a one year $7 million contract last night. Wagner  returned from Tommy John surgery last season to appear in 17 games for the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox.

There is also a vesting option for 2011.

Signing Wagner will undoubtedly ease the pain from the probably loss of both Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez but comes with great risk as Wagner has yet to throw a season worth since his surgery and is 38 years old.

The Braves offered both Gonzalez and Soriano arbitration, as they are both Type-A, but never really got engaged in contract talks with either. The Braves have also shyed away from multi-year deals with relievers in the past and injury concerns about Soriano and Gonzalez are as great of a talking point as those same concerns about Wagner.

Should Soriano accept arbitration he’d make in the neighborhood of $8 million, as for Gonzalez he’d figure to make $5 million.

This does little to change the fact that the Braves are still seeking to trade either Javier Vazquez or Derek Lowe. Should Wagner stay healthy the pen would be pretty solid for the Braves with sidearmer Peter Moylan, lefty Eric O’Flaherty and reliever/spot starter Kris Medlen also in the fold.

Popularity: 2% [?]

The Kansas City Royals are interested in bringing back journeyman reliever Jamey Wright for the 2010 season according to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star. Wright was 3-5 with a 4.33 ERA and 1.48 WHIP in 65 relief appearances with Kansas City in 2009 after joining the club as a non-roster invitee.

Wright who has never had dominating stuff on the mound has been helped out by his ability to induce ground balls. Last season he recorded a 59.1% ground-ball rate.

As far as middle relievers who can operate as swing men in a pinch, Wright is about as effective as any on the open market. Should he not return to Kansas City his laid back attitude and recent success as an early relief option make him an attractive option for a number of teams looking for arms at low cost this winter.

Over a 14 year career he has pitched at the big league level for six different organizations. Since 2003 he has joined Kansas City, Colorado (2004, 2005), San Fransisco (2006), Texas (2007, 2008) and Kandas City (2009) all on one year deals. In the majority of those situations he had to earn a roster spot out of spring training.

His best season during that span came in 2007 while with Texas. Wright initally won the fifth starters role for the club but was later moved to the bullpen. He finished that season 4-5 with a 3.62 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP.

Of the 420 career games Wright has pitched in 246 have been as a starter. His last start came in 2007.

Wright certainly won’t demand a large amount on the open market but may accept a contract guaranteeing a roster spot. It’s unclear how the Royals plan to fill out their bullpen.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Veteran kicker Jason Elam has been cut loose by Atlanta. Elam, 39, who enjoyed fifth-teen seasons in Denver was in his second season with the Falcons but had connected on just 12 of his 19 attempts this season.

With 1,983 career points Elam figured to be either the fifth or sixth player (depending on what happens with Matt Stover in Indianapolis) in NFL history to top 2,000. Now he’ll have to wait by the phone to see if there are any teams interested in his services.

Elam’s biggest struggle this season were kicks from 30-39 yards where he was 4-for-8. From 40-49 yards Elam connected on 3-of-5. Over Elam’s last three games he’s connected on just 5-of-8 and had a miss in each game. Over his last five games he’s had five misses.

Matt Bryant who was cut by Tampa Bay during the preseason has been signed as the replacement. Bryant lost his job in Tampa in part due to a hamstring injury and in part due to his complaining that Mike Nugent, his competition for the kicker job, was offered $2.5 million compared to his $1.2 million.

As for Elam there is no market for him at the moment.

It’s tough to see a guy like Elam get the boot after being such a good kicker for so many seasons but the Falcons are making the right choice here. He’s had plenty of opportunity to turn things around this season but having an unreliable kicker and teetering on being a playoff team is not a combination that goes together well.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Penske Racing began a search for two crew chiefs at the end of the 2009 racing season. A day after reports swirled around Steve Addington, formerly Kyle Busch’s crew cheif on the 18, moving to the #2 car it’s now been reported that Jay Guy, formerly of the #78, will be the man on top of the pit box for Brad Keselowski in the #12 for 2010.

Guy spent the last 3 years at Furniture Row Racing where his job was mainly to make sure the #78 car would be able to make the field on a weekly basis. While at Furniture Row Racing he worked with youngster Regan Smith this past season as the team qualified for 18 events, averaged a 27.7 finish and was running at the end of 15 races this season.

Moving to Penske presents a similar role for Guy, he’ll be working with rookie Brad Keselowski as he navigates his way in his first full season at the Sprint Cup level. In Guy, Penske Racing is getting an experienced crew chief to work with a talented but young drive. In Penske Racing, Guy will be getting an opportunity to race on a weekly basis which in turn should look better then the numbers the #78 car produced last season.

Fox Sports reported that Guy made the following comment about his future driver Keselowski and Penkse Racing.  “There’s a great upside to him. This is what I’ve worked for the last 20 years, to have an opportunity such as this with a company like Penske Racing.”

Popularity: 3% [?]

It appears that Marco Scutaro is one man in high demand this winter. After having a career year in Toronto last season the 34-year old is seeking a two year or three year deal according to early reports.

In an article on MLB.com Scutaro made mention of the following.

“If an offer is made for two or three years, of course I would like to sign a contract like that,” Scutaro was quoted as saying. “But I have to leave the door open [with the Blue Jays], because you never know what might happen.”

Scutaro must know that he’s leaving Toronto. Afterall the team has already signed Alex Gonzalez and John McDonald to play shortstop next season but he’s doing what any smart free agent does, compliments his former club to appeal to his future one.

And boy are there teams interested in his services. Seattle and Texas are both interested in him at third base, while Boston would like him to play shortstop and the Los Angeles Dodgers are seeking him to play second.

Scutaro is versital in the infield, he’s able to play each position and defensively speaking is an upgrade over the majority of the league. However at the plate he’s coming off a season that saw him hit a career best .282/.379/.409 with 12 homers and 60 RBI. It marked the first time he’s topped 600 at-bats in a season and in truth his two seasons in Toronto are the only in an eight year career that has seen him top even 500 at-bats in a season.

In terms of offensive production at second or short Scutaro is average at best, while at third base he’d be an obvious downgrade considering a career .365/.337/.384 line. He’s proven to be a solid doubles hitter and could be in line to reach double digit homers for the second time in his career next season.

I’ve always thought Scutaro is a solid utility man but hearing rumors of a multi-year deal and that teams were looking for him to man the hot corner obviously have come as a surprise to me.

Popularity: 5% [?]

I have to admit the first I heard of Andruw Jones going to the White Sox happened today when I opened my email box and found out the club had signed him to a contract worth $500,000.

I have to admit the first thing I did was laugh when I read it. Jones started hot with Texas last season but by the end of the year had faded his average was horrible and well honestly had he pulled his groin and missed the whole second half the public opinion of him would be higher.

Jones signed with the Rangers last season and earned a spot on the clubs opening day roster. After a hot start he cooled off as the season went on and by the time the second half rolled around was pretty much useless to the Rangers.

In the first half of the season Jones compiled a .231/.332/.538 line, in the second half those numbers were down to .185/.310/.333. Of the 17 homers he hit last season, 14 came in the first half as did 34 of his 43 RBI’s.

In total Jones had 281 at-bats last season and should he produce like he did in the second half of last season the White Sox will undoubtedly hope that total is lower in 2010. General Manager Kenny Williams has started that Jones is being looked at as a right handed power hitter off the bench and that the club is still exploring other options in the outfield. I suppose that statement didn’t exactly need to be made as well, had Williams said he was signing Andruw Jones to DH or play right field we’d of laughed him out of town.

Jones has 388 career homers, and very possibly could have 400 by sometime summer should he prove productive. Even with those career totals, Jones is no longer the threat he once was at the plate or in the field where he has won 10 gold gloves in his career.

At one point I wondered if Andruw was going to be a hall of famer. Perhaps that was in part because I am a Braves fan but he did have the stats to support my argument. Then midway though the 2006 season things started to go south and well they haven’t picked up too much.

Last Mother’s Day we happened to be in Chicago and stopped by to see the White Sox and Rangers play. Of course before the game we went down by the dugout and well Andruw came by to sign a few autographs. I didn’t particularly care to get his autograph as I had it on a card before but couldn’t resist to ask him if I could get a picture with my son. He obliged and I’ll post that photo once I find it later.

Popularity: 5% [?]

A few weeks ago sources reported that the Atlanta Braves had interest in reliever Billy Wagner to fill the role of the teams closer. Considering that Rafael Soriano who took over the role early last season, and Mike Gonzalez who also has experience in the position were free agents it was unsurprising that the Braves were looking to find an answer at the end of games.

Well the Braves are still interested in Wagner according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. Last year the 38-year-old left-hander posted a 1.98 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 26/8 K/BB ratio and limited opponents to a .174 batting average in 15 appearances after returning from Tommy John surgery late in the season.

Wagner is experienced as anyone at the end of ball games. After all he’s been a closer for three different teams in his career. After racking up 225 saves in 9 seasons with Houston, he was traded to Philadelphia prior to 2004. In two seasons with the Phillies he picked up another 59 saves before becoming a free agent and joining the Mets. In his first three seasons with the Mets he picked up 101 saves but late in 2008 tore the medial collateral ligament in his left elbow and his flexor pronator sending him to Tommy John surgery. Wagner hardly expected to be used by the Mets in 2009 and after two games was traded to Boston.

All and all, Wanger has pitched for 15 seasons in the majors and picked up 385 saves. He’s been a six time all-star and only once had an ERA above 2.85 and that came in an injury shortened 2000.

Wagner may not be the safest bet to avoid injury in 2010 but considering the histories of Gonzalez and Soriano he’s no worse a bet. Wagner may not have 10 seasons left in his arm but he still projects as a reliable option at the end of games.

It’s unclear how much money Wagner expects to make though, and while there have been other teams linked to his name there has been no dollar amounts next to them.

If Wagner was to sign with the Braves he’d be giving the team a proven closer, and he’d inturn be getting his best chance at a World Series ring should he be searcing for jobs as a closer only. It remains unclear if Wagner would accept only offers that gave him a chance to be the clubs closer or if he’d sign with a contender as a setup man.

The talks between Wagner and the Braves figure to heat up during the winter meetings.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Lyle Spencer of MLB.com is reporting that Robb Quinlan has interest from a handful of teams.

I suppose this could be correct. Of course Spencer is obvious vague about what the teams have said to Quinlan and well he got the information from his agent so believe what you want.

If I’m reading this I’m believing the interest in Quinlan is mainly made up of minor league offers with invites to spring training. Quinlan is capable of playing all four corner positions but he lacks any real power threat and his average has been down the last few seasons.

Over a seven year span with the Angles, Quinlan hit .281/.326/.408 with 25 homers, 119 RBI and 130 runs scored. His best year came in his rookie season of 2004 when he hit .344/.401/.525 with 5 homers and 23 RBI before suffering an injury during batting practice. In 2006 he appeared in a career high 86 games with 244 at-bats compiling a .321/.344/.491 line.

Since 2006 though his numbers have been 457 at-bats with a .252/.305/.333 line and 6 homers, 15 doubles. He collected 46 RBI and 49 runs scored during that three year span.

His biggest value would undoubtedly comes with NL clubs where he could pinch hit and remain in games as a defensive sub. Quinlan could hold out for guaranteed money if he’d like so there shouldn’t be much of a rush to accept a minor league deal right now as they figure to remain on the table.

Popularity: 5% [?]

On the surface signing Omar Vizquel on the heels of a season in which he hit just .266/.316/.345 in 177 at-bats while a member of the Texas Rangers may seem like a procedural move to round out the bench. However, this is the Chicago White Sox and while Vizquel will be behind Mark Teahen at third, Alexei Ramirez at short and Gordon Beckham at second he figures more often then not to be used as a defensive replacement considering Omar Vizquel at 42 years of age is a better defensive player then all three.

Last season the White Sox were 28th in baseball in fielding percentage only above Arizona and Washington. Only Washington, Arizona and Kansas City committed more errors on the year.

While moving around the infield for the Rangers, Omar appeared at three different positions last season and in 207 total chances committed 0 errors.

On the other hand Alexei Ramirez committed 20 errors at short in 650 chances and was right around average when it comes to range. Teahen had 11 errors in 248 chances at third base for Kasans City last season to finish below the league average for fielding percentage, he’s also a below average fielder in terms of range over the last three seasons. Gordon Beckham who played third last season made 14 errors and finished with a league average .957 fielding percentage. Beckham however did have a higher range factor then most third basemen but it’s unsure  how yet another position change will effect him.

Vizquel still has the tools on defense and manager Ozzie Guillen shouldn’t have any qualms about making late substitutions that bring Vizquel into games.

In a way it’s almost comical that Vizquel doesn’t still have a starting gig. Mind you only 7 times in his 21 year career has he posted an OPS above .700 and five of them came between 1996-2000. A career .273 hitter with a .338 on base percentage and a .355 slugging percentage Vizquel became a star in the majors with the glove and when you compare him to the guys playing today, he’s still a better bet with the glove then almost all of them.

Vizquel alone doesn’t fix the defense in an instant but he does when he’s on the field.

Popularity: 7% [?]