If you hadn't noticed yet, the Roundups will look a bit different from now on...

- A few shorter Roundups everyday to keep up with the news.  They will still offer a ton of links, comments and analysis.

- The Nerd Zone will be offered in a separate post and will complement the Baseball Research Project I started yesterday.  Please visit 'Baseball Research Project - Baseball Historians and HRs'.

BDD has a couple of gems for you on top of that new feature:

- Eric SanInocencio, our new writer, offers a look a the declining participation of African Americans in baseball - 'It's Not Dontrelle's Fault: A Look At The Declining Participation In Baseball By African Americans'.

- Mike Rizzo, the Nationals VP of Baseball Operations and Assistant GM will be on our radio show Saturday.  Read about it here.

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- Tom Tango and his gang are posting some wonderful analysis these days and none more so than this attempt to challenge the PAP (pitcher abuse point).  Take the time to visit the other articles.

- Does RHP Vincente Padilla have a drinking problem?  (tip of the hat to Matt watson at FanHouse).  From Keith Law's ESPN chat:

"Keith, for two weeks I've been trying to get your thoughts on Vicente Padilla and Devern Hansack, but you won't answer me. :( Is any Nicaraguan player in your 100 prospect?

SportsNation Keith Law: I thought I answered that one a week ago, but maybe not. Padilla's got the stuff to be a #3, but his command isn't good and he has a drinking problem. Hansack's an extra guy, an 11th or 12th man on a staff, but not a big-league starter or a setup man/closer - his fastball tops out around 89-90 and he doesn't have a great second pitch or anything else to help him overcome that."

- Baseball America's Ben Baldler exposes the best heaters in the game, then and now.

- Rob Neyer looked yesterday at the best third baseman in the majors.

- Payroll figures for all thirty clubs, by the Biz of Baseball.

"Most Efficient, but Ineffective

The Marlins are the most efficient team in 2007, but they were also woefully ineffective. With a $22,432,472 Marginal Payroll, which translates to 22.36 Marginal Wins, or $1,001,450 per Marginal Win, they spent the least, but went 71-91 (.438). Other teams that saved money, but didn't gain in the win column would be Tampa Bay ($1,217,070 per Marginal Win, but a 66-96 (.407) record), and Washington ($1,336,651 per Marginal Win, but a 73-89 (.451) record).

Most Efficient, and Most Effective

Here's where Bud gets to puff out his chest. This year saw three teams in the lower third by total player payroll make the playoffs, with the team posting the 26th lowest payroll (Colorado, 90-73 (.552)) going to the World Series. A team with a payroll that low going to the World Series is truly a remarkable bit of history. Cleveland (22nd) and Arizona (23rd) make the other teams that were incredibly efficient and incredibly effective by winning games with very little in the pocketbooks."

- J.C. Bradbury asks: 'How Informed Are Steroid Users?', by looking at some comments by Sylvester Stalone.

- Here are three options for Twins GM Bill Smith when it comes to the Santana situation.  (Now, where is that Santana Advisory System when you need it....)

"I realize that taking a new direction, that re-signing Johan Santana to a long-term contract, is a financial risk and that it alters whatever future plans Bill Smith may have had for the Twins entering the '07/'08 off-season.  But I also believe that adaptation is a requirement to survive as a competetor in baseball, and it's important to be able to make those adjustments when things don't go to plan.

If I'm playing Bill Smith, I'm re-signing Johan Santana.  There are pros on the list and there are cons, but when you weigh each of the options available I believe that going in this direction puts the Twins in the best situation going forward.  Take Santana off the table, and find a new way to make the plan work."

- Great post (!!) by our good friend Jim McLennan over at the AZ Snakepit on players coming from the State of Arizona.


Also, take the time to visit our Articles, Blogs and other BDD offerings.