Well, at least now we know for sure Jason Kendall will be back for 2009. He made his 100th start yesterday, vesting his option for next year at $4.25 million. He celebrated the milestone by picking up one single in 4 plate appearances yesterday, raising his OPS to .645.

Win Expectancy Graph
BR Box Score

Now that it's been 10 days and the ensuing winning streak is over, can we finally stop talking about Prince Fielder shoving Manny Parra? Baseball Digest Daily called it "The Shove of Inspiration."

Two-fisted Slopper isn't buying the hype on a possible 2008 return for Yovani Gallardo. Maybe there aren't enough innings to go around, but if a guy with a career 132 ERA+ wants to come back and try to pitch, I'm guessing the Brewers can find an opportunity for him from time to time.

Cardinals Diaspora is waving the white flag. They no longer think the Redbirds can catch the Brewers or the Cubs. In the meantime, The Cub Reporter asks if the Cubs should tank the NL Central to set up a more favorable playoff matchup.

Last night I was in attendance as the Iowa Cubs (managed by Pat Listach) defeated the New Orleans Zephyrs 6-3. Today, The Official Site's "Where are they now?" feature caught up with the former Rookie of the Year.

I may have been a little too hard on Big League Stew yesterday. They recently added a tattoo combining the retro logo and the Grateful Dead logo to their collection. Love or hate the retro logo, it's cool ink.

On injuries:

Blue Jays RP Scott Downs will be out at least a few more days with a rolled ankle, but may avoid the DL.
Yankees RP Dan Giese has rotator cuff tendinitis and should hit the DL any minute now.
Angels SS Maicer Izturis has an injured thumb that has kept him out of action for most of the last 10 days.
Troy Percival left yesterday's game after spraining his knee fielding a bunt. Grant Balfour came in and blew the save for him.
Aaron Rowand left last night's game with a back injury.
Brad Penny has been placed on the DL with shoulder inflammation.
Aramis Ramirez suffered a hip contusion and had to leave last night's game.
Dodgers RP Cory Wade has been placed on the DL with shoulder inflammation.
Padres SP Chris Young has been placed on the DL with a forearm strain.

Via Skyking162, I found this Lookout Landing post gathering way more stuff than I have time to read on the topic of statistical analysis in baseball. Years ago a professor friend of mine asked if I thought there would be enough interest to do a semester class on baseball statistics. Dan, if you're reading, there's your textbook.

Today is the last day to sign 2008 draft picks. Marc Hulet of Baseball Analysts has a nice roundup of what's remaining to be done.

It appears the Giants might have a hard time signing their top pick, Yonder Alonso, as he has an invitation on the table to play in the Atlantic League and live with Alex Rodriguez.

It looks like Zach Jackson had a solid but unspectacular debut with the Indians: He gave up three runs on eight hits in five innings and did not factor in the decision in Cleveland's 11-6 loss to the Orioles.

The Cubs did win yesterday, but they did it despite the efforts of Mark Kotsay, who was the first Brave in 21 years to hit for the cycle.

Oh, and this guy posted something unintelligible in the comments of a Youtube clip. (h/t Aaron Gleeman)

Drink up.

When talking to Cutter Dykstra, it becomes immediately apparent that while he treasures his father's wisdom and advice, he's out to make a name for himself. That said, if you saw Lenny Dykstra play, you have a pretty good idea of Cutter's game: one hundred percent all of the time. He may not end up having the same career as his dad, but it won't be for lack of effort. I caught up with him on Tuesday afternoon.

BCB: How’s it going?

CD: I’m in Arizona rehabbing now; should be back in Helena soon. I’ve been on the DL.

BCB: Your groin right?

CD: Yeah, I’m healthy again though. I play tomorrow [He went 0-2 with two flyouts on Wednesday].

BCB: I heard your groin injury rubbed off on Josh Romanski. He said you were good buddies, though.

CD: Yeah, yeah we are. [Logan] Schafer had a groin, too.

BCB: So before the draft, when did you first know the Brewers were interested in you?

CD: The Area Code Games. I was on the Brewers’ team for that, and they could really see the way I play the game.

BCB: What other teams were most interested?

CD: Pretty much every other team. It was exciting.

BCB: Did you go about where you expected to in the draft?

CD: Yeah, that’s where I expected. I was very happy where I heard my name called.

BCB: You got a pretty hefty bonus--did you dad have any sage financial advice for you?

CD: (laughs) I just gave him my check, and he will invest some of it for me.

BCB: It's a good thing your dad knows a little bit more about money than Price Fielder's. Did you hear about that?

CD: No, I didn’t hear about it. What happened?

BCB: Cecil took $200,000 of Prince’s signing bonus and most likely gambled it away.

CD: (laughs) Yeah, that’s brutal.

BCB: You've been playing the outfield so far, but you played the middle infield in high school. What do you think your best position is?

CD: I love the outfield because I can really use my speed, but I also love the infield still because I’ve played there my whole life. I could see myself at second base a lot during instructional league, but we’ll see; either way will be great.

BCB: You don't enjoy one more than the other?

CD: Right now I like playing both equally.

BCB: So just how fast are you?

CD: (laughs) Well my dad says I’m faster than him.

BCB: Do you think that's your best tool?

CD: I would say that’s my best tool.

BCB: What part of your game do you feel like you have to work on the most?

CD: Every baseball players wants to have consistency, and now that I’m playing every day I really need to work on consistency.

BCB: You've been complimented on your "baseball IQ". How much of that awareness comes from your dad?

CD: Almost all of it has come from him. I’m fortunate to be able to talk to him about the game whenever I want to, and players have told me he’s the smartest player they have ever played with. We always talk about the mental game, never physical stuff. He’s helped me a ton, and I still learn from him every day.

BCB: How often do you talk to him?

CD: We talk almost every day. My parents are very supportive.

BCB: How hard is it to make the transition from high school kid living with your parents to professional athlete all on your own?

CD: I love it. This has been my dream since I was little. Now it’s here, and now it’s a grind, and it’s time to shine.

BCB: Do you have a timetable in your head?

CD: No. I just take it an at-bat at a time.

BCB: The Brewers' first-round draft pick, Brett Lawrie, seems to have a similar swagger and aggressiveness as you. He thinks he can be in the Majors in a year and a half.

CD: Yeah, I heard he’s a great player. But that stuff is out of my control. I’m just gonna play the game hard and everything will work out.

BCB: Did you know anyone in the organization before getting drafted?

CD: Actually, Dave Bush was my older brother’s best friend all through high school in Pennsylvania, so we go way back, and me and [Ryan] Braun have the same agent, so we work out together during each offseason.

BCB: Did your brother play ball too?

CD: Yeah he played for a year at [Cal State-Northridge].

BCB: Do you have any other big league connections?

CD: Well, my dad is still friends with a lot of his old teammates, and I know them, but not too many other players now.

BCB: Does your dad keep up with Darren Daulton?

CD: No, he stays close with Dave Hollins and Pete Incaviglia.

BCB: Darren Daulton is kinda nuts. Like, really nuts.

CD: (laughs) Yeah, really off the rocker.

BCB: So did you grow up a Phillies fan?

CD: Yeah I did. [Lenny] was traded there two weeks after I was born.

BCB: Still cheer for them?

CD: A little bit, not as much.

BCB: Would it be safe to say that after some polish in center field you'd like your game to resemble Aaron Rowand's?

CD: Yeah, that’s a good player to resemble. He plays the game right.

BCB: Is there any particular guy you do model your game after?

CD: Chase Utley is a payer I love to watch. Eric Byrnes, also.

BCB: Do you think you have a chance to develop Utley’s power?

CD: I really do. I think I will.

BCB: You're 5'11", right?

CD: Yeah, about, maybe six foot.

BCB: But you don't think your height will hinder you from developing more power?

CD: No, not at all. Height doesn’t mean anything to me.

BCB: It doesn't seem to bother the Brewers, either. They've taken a couple shorter outfielders high in the draft recently, like Caleb Gindl and Erik Komatsu. Speaking of Komatsu, who on Helena's club impressed you the most?

CD: Komatsu has a great bat. He’s really impressed me and plays the game hard.

BCB: How about for the Arizona Brewers? Who looks good?

CD: All the Latins have a lot of talent. Once they get a lot of at bats, they’ll be good.

BCB: How about [Shawn] Zarraga?

CD: I’m not sure who that is. (laughs) What position?

BCB: Catcher, the guy from Aruba. He's a big dude.

CD: Oh yeah. He’s a good player and has a lot of passion for the game.

BCB: Okay, one more question--it's a fun one. What's it like to get your ass written about in the New York Times?

CD: That was awesome! Very exciting.

BCB: Well, thanks for your time, and best of luck in the future. And go to the D'backs game tomorrow and cheer against the Cubs!

CD: (laughs) Okay, thanks dude.

I know you'll all be very disappointed, but today's Trash Day was uneventful, so I don't have an anecdote to lead off the Mug.

Win Expectancy Graph
BR Box Score

So, if you've been watching the games, you probably realize that Rickie Weeks is hitting .273/.467/.636 in the three games since the Durham trade. This one, however, snuck up on me: Bill Hall is hitting .405/.444/.833 with 4 home runs in his last 12 games. Adam Charles of Bugs & Cranks has a theory to explain it: Magic Skoal.

It's going to take more than chewing tobacco to get him back to the big leagues, but the Brewers signed Jay Gibbons to a minor league deal yesterday, ending his 27-game career with the Long Island Ducks.

After I complained in yesterday's Mug about the Whisnant rankings and suggested their ranking system could use a little work, I got an email from Paul Kuo of Whatifsports.com, who wanted to make sure I had seen their most recent power rankings. On the strength of the Sabathia trade the Brewers skyrocketed up the charts to fourth this week, so obviously the WIS rankings are better.

Also, CBSSports.com ranks the Brewers sixth, and second best in the NL.

TheJay is working to quantify Vulture Wins, and discovered that both Salomon Torres and Brian Shouse are among the league leaders. Reall,y, if you just start checking Recondite Baseball every day, you'll be one step ahead of everyone else when the Mug comes out.

On injuries:

White Sox 3B Joe Crede was scratched from last night's lineup with back stiffness.
Cards OF Chris Duncan has been placed on the DL with a bulging disc in his neck.
Reds SP Josh Fogg needed 30 stitches to repair damage done to his upper lip after being hit by a ball in batting practice.

Certainly, yesterday's most puzzling transaction was the Astros' decision to trade for Randy Wolf. The Astros are 12 games back of the Cubs and BP Postseason Odds gives them a .08% chance at making the playoffs, roughly 1 in 1220. R.J. Anderson of Beyond the Box Score is one of thousands who didn't like the move, but Astros beat writer Brian McTaggart defended it.

In other transactions, the Diamondbacks traded a prospect to the Nationals for Jon Rauch, meaning two of the tallest players in MLB history (along with Randy Johnson) are now on the same roster.

Here's a puzzling decision: Skyking162 has ranked the top 25 position players of right now. Well, really he's ranked the top 23 and given 18 more honorable mentions to get to 41. Here are some names on the list so far:

Evan Longoria, who has yet to finish his first big league season.
Brian Roberts
B.J. Upton
Mark Ellis
Rick Ankiel
Scott Rolen
David DeJesus
Aaron Rowand
Adrian Beltre

Yet somehow, Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder are nowhere to be found. With the possible exception of Longoria, there's not a single guy on that list who deserves to be ahead of Braun and Fielder. And Mark Ellis? That's a joke.

Francisco Rodriguez is threatening to become the first closer ever to reach 60 saves in a season. 6-4-2 has the math on what it will take for him to get there.

These seem to tie together nicely: In-Between Hops has a list of the greatest living players in the history of 29 franchises. Joe Posnanski takes a look at players who posted more than three "great" seasons in their careers.

If you're looking for a lesson on somewhat advanced statistics, this debate between Tangotiger and Geoff Baker is pretty instructive on the strengths, weaknesses and correct uses of ERA+.

Oh, and here's a hurricane prediction that's as accurate as any you'll see today.

Drink up.

I'm not exactly an authority on grit, but it was about time someone named an All-Grit Team.  All-Star Week seemed appropriate. 

• C Jason Kendall
• 1B Platoon: Doug Mientkiwicz / Kevin Millar
• 2B Mark Grudzielanek
• 3B Ryan Freel
• SS David Eckstein
• LF Scott Podsednik
• CF Aaron Rowand
• RF Eric Byrnes

If a DH were needed, the all-grit team would do one of two things:

• Bat the pitcher, because truly gritty players are throwbacks to when pitchers could hit for themselves
• Go with Willie Bloomquist.

The bench is a little unbalanced--in addition to the eight starters, 1B platoon, and Bloomquist, that leaves four or five spots.  Again, these guys are throwbacks, so a 10-man pitching staff would have to do the job.  That leaves two roster spots for Craig Counsell (team captain) and Nick Punto and three more for backup catchers.  Doesn't really matter which ones, though I think Paul Bako has to be on the team. 

It doesn't matter that there aren't any backup outfielders, because any truly gritty player can play anywhere in the diamond.  In that sense, there are twelve backup outfielders.  Similarly, it doesn't really matter which outfielders are assigned to which position, since any of the three could play center, but they, of course, will play wherever they're needed.

I haven't figured out what to do about the pitching staff, since pitchers aren't generally considered gritty in the same way that position players are.  It seems that gritty pitchers are generally guys who have hung on past their prime (like Jamie Moyer) or lefty relievers (like Brian Shouse) or both.

You may note that I didn't include a batting lineup--the list above is just the fielding alignment.  That's going to be a serious problem for manager Gabe Kapler--left to their own devices, everyone on this team would bat second.