Rob Neyer

  (12:00 PM)

It's Oscars season, so today it's all about the movies!

Nick (Cleveland)

Can the Indians expect to compete without a power hitting LF/RF/3B/1B. They still have no real power hitting and their starting line-up is looking extremely worrisome. How do you think they'll fair in 09?

Rob Neyer

  (12:02 PM)

Well, we probably shouldn't discount the possibility that Hafner and Martinez will come back strong. But I would agree that the Indians are still a couple of players short.

Heather Philadelphia PA

Hi Rob, How is what is happening to JC Romero fair? He was obviously not a cheater and tried to do all the right things to make sure he was following the rules and he still gets 50 games? How is that right?

Rob Neyer

  (12:03 PM)

It's a rigid, sometimes Draconian policy . . . which, as I recall, is what everyone (except the players) wanted.

Dave, Atlanta

So is Lowe sitting out this year or what? Boras wont let him sign with anyone left that needs pitching.

Rob Neyer

  (12:04 PM)

Here's a question: When's the last time an established major leaguer spent a year on the sidelines because he couldn't get the money he wanted? I will submit that it's been quite awhile.

Tommy (philly)

How bad does the Ibanez signing look now that the Rays got Burrell for 2 years and 16 Mil? The Ruben Amaro era has been frightening so far. Good thing we didn't lose our first round pick as well, errr umm

Rob Neyer

  (12:06 PM)

It doesn't look good, that's for sure. But then, it didn't look good when it happened. Burrell's contract is just the cherry on top.

Ray (NJ)

You think anyone will bite into the Jason Giambi sandwich? What kind of salary should he expect?

Rob Neyer

  (12:07 PM)

He should get Burrell money, give or take a million per season. And most sources seem to believe the A's are first in line.

Michael (Syracuse)

What about the Curious Case of Jason Giambi? He -seems- past the steroid question (per his performance) and still performed at a high level. A couple of more years such as the past one and does he actually become a Hall candidate?

Rob Neyer

  (12:11 PM)

First he'd need to pick up about 500 more hits, which for him is roughly three seasons. Then he'd need to wave a magic wand and get the voters to treat him differently than they've treated everyone else who's been busted.

Rob (Portland, OR)

THe Mariners seem to have done a complete 180 from last season in how they evaluate talent. How long do you think it will take them to contend for a playoff spot?

Rob Neyer

  (12:13 PM)

With some contract coming off the books after 2009, one can imagine them doing something interesting in 2010. But that's probably optimistic, especially considering that their farm system is not all that impressive.

Bob, IL

Good job espn.com hiding the chats with the new format

Rob Neyer

  (12:17 PM)

Based on the number of questions queued up, it seems that people are finding this chat none the less. Anyway, I'm sure this new design is a work in progress. And I like what I'm seeing so far.

Brett (LA)

Top movies of the year? Mine are Slumdog, the wrestler, and the visitor. Care to add?

Rob Neyer

  (12:20 PM)

I'm still working on seeing all the best movies of 2008, will have my Top 10 list in the blog soon. But Slumdog's great, I missed The Visitor, and The Wrestler hasn't come to my town yet (soon, though). Last night I saw Benjamin Button and was blown away.

Richard (Holland, Pennsylvania)

Rob, have you had a chance to see Gran Torino. Fantastic Eastwood performance. He carried the film on his sturdy shoulders. My vote for Best Actor.

Rob Neyer

  (12:21 PM)

Also not in my town yet, but also soon. Don't worry, it's on my list.

Brian (Philly)

You didn't answer the Romero question. Do YOU think it's fair that he took a substance that was approved by Baseball and the player's association, went the extra mile to find out if was really okay, told to get a second opinion, got a second opinion, was told it was okay again, before anything was found out about it causing you to test positive, immediately stopped taking it and got suspended 50 games for his trouble.

Rob Neyer

  (12:22 PM)

Well, that's *his* story, right? I mean, in this case I'm inclined to believe the player. But we have to allow for the possibility that players do occasionally lie about these things.

john (memphis)

The A's have been saying all along that Jack Cust is a cheaper Jason Giambi. Now they have both. Where exactly does Giambi fit in that lineup?

Rob Neyer

  (12:29 PM)

Supposedly Giambi at first base (not a good thing) and Cust DHing. Which maybe isn't the worst plan ever, except for Giambi's defense and discarding Daric Barton. I'm fairly sure the A's would be better with Giambi. But what they really need is a shortstop or a third baseman.

Jeff (LA)

Rob, didn't Kenny Lofton refuse to sign last year because he did not want to play for the low salaries being offered? I know being close to retirement makes him a different case than if Lowe sat out, but that is a player choosing not to play over a low salary recently.

Rob Neyer

  (12:30 PM)

Point taken. I should have added the qualifier.

Randy (St. Paul)

RIP Carl Pohlad, thanks for saving baseball in Minnesota, then trying to destroy it, before saving it again.

Rob Neyer

  (12:31 PM)

Some epitaph, huh? Accurate as far as it goes, I suppose, though I've always suspected that the contraction threat was merely a bargaining ploy. I don't believe the Twins were ever really going anywhere.

Vic (Atlanta)

Can MLB actually continue to be a league without a hard salary cap and actually expect more than 8-12 teams to be able to compete as organizations on and off the field against the B.B.C. (billionaire boys club) who are clearly dictating baseball's survival?

Rob Neyer

  (12:32 PM)

No, clearly it's impossible. The 2008 Rays were merely a pleasant dream...

Jason (Philly)

Why are the Yankees stopping their spending here? If you are trying to buy a championship shouldn't they sign lowe and manny and whoever else they want?

Rob Neyer

  (12:34 PM)

At some point you run out of roster spots. And Brian Cashman does have a budget; it's just considerably higher than everyone else's.

Mike (Denver, CO)

Do the Giants really have a legit shot at Manny? It would put them over the top and would make them the favorite in the NL West.

Rob Neyer

  (12:37 PM)

I think the Giants are mostly a negotiating tactic right now, but could turn into a viable option if the tactic doesn't work. I do not think he would make the Giants the favorite in the West, but he certainly gets them into the conversation in a hurry.

Mitch ( LA , CA)

Gran Torino is not in your town yet? Are you living in the middle of no where and still watching silent movies?

Rob Neyer

  (12:41 PM)

I live in Portland, Oregon. Gran Torino got a slow roll-out and doesn't open here until Friday.

dustin (pittsburgh)

many people assume that athletes are very rich and wouldn't notice a difference between 10 & 12 million, what percentage of ball players do you think will be in "trouble" a year or so after retirement.

Rob Neyer

  (12:42 PM)

Oh, I don't know. A small minority, I would guess. Most of them are smart enough to have agents and advisors who are smart enough to make sure nobody goes broke.

Cory (Atlanta)

Any thoughts on the move of DeRosa from the Cubs and the imminent addition of Milton Bradley to the team? What else does the team need (besides a spine in the playoffs) to go further this year than last?

Rob Neyer

  (12:44 PM)

There's nothing wrong with the Cubs that a little luck won't fix.

Gray (Chicago)

Give me one reason not to hate every single move Jim Hendry has made this offseason.

Rob Neyer

  (12:48 PM)

Milton Bradley's a pretty good player when he's actually able to play. Three years does seem like a long time...

Ben (NJ)

See Frost/Nixon yet? If so, what did you think?

Rob Neyer

  (12:51 PM)

I saw it Saturday -- it was one of four movies I saw Saturday -- and was worth seeing if only for Frank Langella's performance.

Annan (Houston, TX)

I actually thought Benjamin Button was a tad overrated. Good movie but I wasn't "blown away." It was a lot like Forrest Gump (in fact it was written by the same screenwriter). I think Slumdog is superior.

Rob Neyer

  (12:55 PM)

I can't disagree more, Annan. Yes, there are some vague similarities, and I would also throw Titanic into the mix. But where those earlier movies struck me as gimmicky stories with people attached, Benjamin Button reversed that equation. David Fincher's skills are subtle while Jim Cameron and Bob Zemeckis employ theirs as blunt instruments. There's no better way to show this than to compare the hummingbird in Button to the feather in Gump.

Don (NY, NY)

Did you know that Charlie Kaufman was given a crack at Benjamin Button and the studios balked? Can you imagine what he would have done with the story?

Rob Neyer

  (12:56 PM)

It's funny that you would mention him, Don, because in a sense BB and Synecdoche are about the same thing. I think both directors found the right film for themselves.

Jeff (LA)

I'm with Gray from Chicago, I don't think the Cubs have improved at all. Subtract Kerry Wood, Mark DeRosa, Jason Marquis, Bob Howry and Jim Edmonds. Add Milton Bradley, Aaron Miles and Luis Vizcaino.

Rob Neyer

  (12:57 PM)

It might be true that they've not improved . . . but did they need to, really? The Cubs did win 97 games this year. And they play in a pretty weak division, last I checked.

Patrick (City of Angels and Smog)

Not to harp on Giambi too much - but if it is 1 year $4 million with a $4 million team option for year two, isn't this a Great deal for the A's? I figure sign him then worry about how the lineup shakes out - it's a bargain.

Rob Neyer

  (12:58 PM)

I doubt if he would sign for half what Burrell got. But sure, that would be a fantastic bargain for any team.

BEAR (PHX, AZ)

Rob - You're missing the point. Yes they are still the division favorites, and have a shot to get to the Series, but they have not done what they need to do to have a good shot to WIN the WS, which should be every team's goal.

Rob Neyer

  (1:00 PM)

I think if you have the best record in your league you have, by definition, a good shot at winning the World Series. As good a shot as anyone else.

Kenny (Fresno)

Here's a HOF questions that doesn't involve Jim Rice's ludicrous inclusion...What chance does Jeff Kent have of getting in? Do you think his abrasive personality will keep him on the ballot for 10 or more years before he gets in?

Rob Neyer

  (1:01 PM)

He's going to retire with nearly 400 homers and 1,600 RBI, right? Both of them records for second basemen? I have a hard time imagining a Hall of Fame without him.

Joe (Chicago)

Did you see Milk yet? I'll probably watch it just for the history lesson -- similar to Frost/Nixon.

Rob Neyer

  (1:03 PM)

Yeah. If you want a history lesson you should watch the outstanding documentary that was made some years ago. You should see Milk because Sean Penn, like Langella, makes the character his own.

Guy (My Desk)

Do you think the Hawk makes it in this year? I know you don't like his case, but thought you might have a idea what his chances are.

Rob Neyer

  (1:04 PM)

No, he's not going to make it this year. But he'll pick up a bit more support and I like his chances to reach 75% in 2010 or '11.

Larry Walker

So if Jim Rice makes it, you are telling me I have a shot, right?

Rob Neyer

  (1:04 PM)

LW, don't get me started on Jim Rice's comps!

Jeff (NYC)

Does The Wrestler make your top ten list? May have been Mickey Rourke's best performance ever...

Rob Neyer

  (1:06 PM)

Better than The Pope of Greenwich Village? Seriously, I haven't seen The Wrestler yet, which is why I can't seriously discuss the best movies of 2008. Next week, I promise...

Andy (Denver)

Is there any realistic scenario that you can think of in which Bonds is paying major league baseball again?

Rob Neyer

  (1:07 PM)

Not really. Seems like if any team was really willing to give him a shot, it would have happened last year. It's funny, now that he's been gone for a year and I've forgotten how much I don't like his personality, I would kinda like to see him play again.

Ken (Scottsdale, AZ)

I ask this question every year, but do you think that Jeff Kent's career achievements would be more appreciated if he didn't bounce around the league?

Rob Neyer

  (1:08 PM)

Yeah, that probably would have helped. But he did spend at least four years with three different teams. It's not like he just couldn't get along with anybody.

Jed (Portland, OR)

Speaking of 2B HOF candidates - do you think Robby Alomar will get in or was his career too short?

Rob Neyer

  (1:11 PM)

It ended early for a great player, but he also racked up more than 2,700 hits and scored 1,500 runs. I do get the sense that he's now terribly underrated, but I'm sure the Gold Gloves will carry the day.

Mike (Milwaukee)

Buchholz for Hardy?

Rob Neyer

  (1:12 PM)

Straight up? No way. The Brewers will need to move Hardy eventually, but they can do better than a young pitcher with head problems.

Ken (Scottsdale, AZ)

Is Jim Rice even up for discussion if he played for the Mariners?

Rob Neyer

  (1:14 PM)

Of course not. If he'd played for the Mariners he'd be Boog Powell or Frank Howard.

Alex (Princeton)

The 4 movies on Saturday. Were you one of those people who pays for the one ticket and then skips theaters?

Rob Neyer

  (1:15 PM)

Not yet. But I did realize how easy that would have been. I suppose they really don't care because most people can't tolerate so many movies in one day.

CC (Atlanta)

Heck... Dale Murphy would've been a 1st ballot HOFer if he played in Boston or NY.

Rob Neyer

  (1:17 PM)

I don't know if that's true, in fact I'm fairly sure it's not. Superficially, Don Mattingly's career is similar to Murphy's, and he hasn't done well in the balloting. I do think Murphy's lack of support is a bit odd, and playing for the Braves probably hasn't helped.

Brian (Brooklyn)

Any movies from earlier in the year that you really enjoyed?

Rob Neyer

  (1:18 PM)

Sure. The Dark Knight. A French film called Tell No One. Ghost Town. And the first 20 minutes of Wall-E.

Sam (Natick, MA)

Buchholz? Head problems? please explain

Rob Neyer

  (1:20 PM)

I don't mean that he's mentally ill. I just mean that according to everyone close to the situation, his problems have been not physical, but intellectual. He'll probably solve those problems. But he's not exactly a Cy Young candidate right now.

Jason (DC)

Why does Jack Morris have a better shot at the Hall than Whitaker and Trammell? I guess Chester Lemon should start getting an acceptance speech ready....

Rob Neyer

  (1:24 PM)

Someday the people are going to look back and wonder. I mean, *all* of the people. Gotta run and see what Mark Cuban wrote about trying to buy the Cubs. Until next time, don't forget: "When all is said and done, there's nothing left to say or do."