Cup of Coffee

December 8, 2011: So Close

167 Comments

I don't want to give away everything yet because I'm waiting for it to fall apart as always, but a show I helped develop a few years ago has been picked up by Fox (70% of their American markets are committed) for 13 episodes. I'm one of the leads, and will be in Washington state shooting from February to August for much, much more money than I've ever made doing anything, let alone acting.

Contracts are signed...just waiting for the money to finally change hands. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting.

167 thoughts on “December 8, 2011: So Close”

  1. So, as I mentioned in the book post, my laptop died again. My Windows 7 recovery disks didn't work (again). Right now I'm running the latest Ubuntu off of a CD. I can't get it to install. The HD made the most gawd-awful clicking when I tried to install the Ubuntu. So I need a new hard drive (again). I'm thinking I will keep running the Ubuntu dist. over the weekend then take my computer back to the repair shop on Monday. That way at least I can use the computers at school during the week while I'm waiting for mine to be fixed, instead of being high and dry all weekend. So far I'm enjoying Ubuntu and I'm seriously considering making it my primary OS.

    2. Here are the screenshots from SMART Data

      Pic 1
      Pic 2

      So it looks not good for me. I'm almost worried to turn it off, fearing it won't turn back on. But I also know constantly running isn't good for trying to lengthen what little time I have left on this either.

            1. I'll buy the DVDs so you can make a movie a couple years later that doesn't really resolve anything.

                1. When you're all chummy with Fox execs, if you could put in a good word and get them to give Netflix a sweetheart deal to bring back Terriers I'd be forever in your debt.

    2. aye. here's hoping ethnic mismatch comedy #645 turns out better than ethnic mismatch comedy #644.

      i keed, i keed! best wishes, spoons.

    3. Hot dang! Yay for (II)!
      So, there's my plans for Fall 2012: watch Spooky's show on Fox.
      Maybe Joe Buck and Frick Award-winner Tim McCarver will push your show.

          1. It would be if you can get him to do the thing with his arm to prove he's made by Cyberdyne.

          2. spoons, must I direct your attention here?

            Edited to add: oh and congratulations! Maybe you can get Corey Hart to cameo down the road so he can add it to his Wiki page.

    6. Ditto on the good luck, Spooky. I know how you must be feeling. I'm still waiting for that deposed Nigerian prince to send me my million dollars.

  3. Tentative congrats pending all things going through, Spooky. I will drink a beer in your honor tonight.

  4. Hope all goes well and the money appears where it should. Spooky-drama log on the horizon at the WGOM?

    1. Nothing I've ever done gives me more downtime than being on set. Once I'm working 15-hour shooting days, I'll probably be around here for about twelve. I'll dish on everybody!11!1!!!90210!111

  5. Went to the Wilco show last night at the State Theater. Great show as expected. Nick Lowe was the opening act and he was so cool. I'm so glad I got to see him, even if he played for only 40 minutes. Love to see Lowe in a bar sometime. He also came on during the 2nd encore to play Cruel to Be Kind with the band, which was awesome.

    Wilco sometimes gets lumped into the "dad rock" category, which I get. But I will also maintain that Wilco plays a bunch of music that is really out there, including the opening and closing cuts from their new album. If Wilco is dad rock, we got a nation full of dads rockin' out to some petty cool music these day.

    1. The MLBTR writeup mentions that Pujols' OBP is second among active players. That got me wondering who was first. Anyone else want to try to guess?

        1. Nope to all three (ranked 31, 15, and 6 respectively) and there's a minimum of 3000 PA to be on the active list.

          1. I felt like a homer for saying Mauer, pleasantly surprised I was in the ballpark. Guess he doesn't suck as much as the Stribbies would like!

      2. I think its Todd Helton.

        and wow, the Angels must be flush with cash if they can pay Vernon Wells, Torii Hunter, and Albert Pujols

        2. Hunter, Santana, Haren, and Abreu all come off the books next year. That Wells contract is just absolute lunacy, and that trade was so bad.

    2. I wonder if this means the Cardinals and Marlins will become interested in signing Cuddyer.

          1. But not more expensive than Pujols. To me, if a team was seriously in the hunt for Pujols and lost out, the most logical next place to look for a first baseman is Fielder. Obviously it depends on what Fielder costs in the end, but Fielder projects to something like 5, 4.5, 4, 3.5, 3 fWAR over the next five years. Call it a "fair" value of $80M over 5 years, more if you think Fielder will age better or has some quality that fWAR isn't valuing. Figuring Cuddyer gets 3 years and is worth 2.25, 1.75, 1.25 over those years, that'd be a "fair" value of $21M over 3 years.

            Since it's an auction and the "winner" is the one who is willing to pay the most, they could each likely get higher than what they would reasonably be valued at, but (provided I had anything close to the payroll space to participate in the Pujols sweepstakes) I'd probably rather overpay for Fielder than Cuddyer, just because Fielder is way more likely to turn in an elite-level season and it's generally hard to find players like that.

            2. The Cardinals were going after Pujols basically because they had to. I don't know if they are willing to spend that much, or a lot, on someone else. They may decide it is better to get a good player to fill that hole and spread the money around for a more balanced team. Also, they probably want to take Berkman out of the OF and stick him at first base, so they are probably more in the market for a RF. Plus, Cuddyer's versatility would be real valuable for an NL team. If La Russa was still managing, I would think Cuddyer would be exactly the type of guy he would love to have. I'm sure he wouldn't complain about bringing in Prince Fielder. But it really doesn't matter. The Angels were never considered a player for Cuddyer and with Pujols off the market, it can only help Cuddyer's position.

        2. And probably in line to make a contract 5-6 times what Cuddy will get. I don't think he'll be considered a second place prize for Pujols, but I could see this somewhat expanding his market. Who knows. Honestly, I'm a bit surprised we haven't heard more since the Twins gave him their 3 year, $25 million offer. He needs to give an answer before everyone is off the board.

      1. and this was supposed to be one thread down...

        anyway, from MLBTR:

        Turpen, 25, posted a 4.83 ERA in Double-A this year. He was taken by the Yankees from the Red Sox in last year's Rule 5 draft, then returned to Boston and later traded to Colorado.

        sounds about right.

        1. No, I think it works better under the Pujols post in an over-value/under-value dichotomy sort of way.

        2. Glancing at his numbers, I'd guess he was pitching hurt this year, just given that his previously consistent K and BB rates both went the wrong way. Looks like he has experience closing (89 GF in 204 GS), so the Twins probably figure he's got a shot at developing into a good set-up guy. If he returns to his 7 K/9 and 3 BB/9 rates and translates that to the majors (obviously not a given), he could end up something like Crain. (Crain is a really curious case, though, and I probably shouldn't be making comps with him. He's had a pretty odd career.)

    4. So apparently the Marlins offered him $275M/10yrs, but Pujols wouldn't bite because they wouldn't give him a NTC. On the one hand, I'm disappointed because a strong Angels team is an issue for the Twins. On the other hand, the Marlins are tossing out $275M/10yr contract offers? I feel like that angle is getting a little under-played.

    2. Sounds like they lost Shooter Hunt. He's going to the Cardinals. I assume Dave Duncan will work his magic on him and he'll become awesome. Too bad, he had an amazing baseball name.

        1. Here's another name I like, Yu Darvish...have the Twins have been frightened out of Japan after the Nishi experiment or are they still after the likes of Iwakuma?

          1. My guess is that Darvish is going to be way above Nishi in terms of total compensation, so it's really unlikely they'll post anything significant for him.

          2. It sounds like after posting fee + contract, he's going to get something close to Dice K money. I'd love to have him on the Twins, but I just do not see them spending that kind of money. I'd be elated, of course.

            1. I see at least that much. Darvish is everything Matsuzaka is, but younger, less wear on the arm from high school, and way better.

                1. I'm gonna guess he ends up with Rangers, who just saw their closest division rival sign away their pitcher and sign the best hitter in baseball right now, are going to win the Darvish sweepstakes. I'd be fine with him going there.

                  I haven't followed him that closely, but gosh he sure looks dreamy.

    4. Big college pitcher, 37th rd out of BC. Great control, low HR rate, mediocre K rate. Has had good results when he's pitched. Career 2.94 ERA. Never higher than 3.07. Never pitched above AA. Had only 10 starts and 2 relief apps in what should have been first full season in Rookie league. Not sure if he was injured or just not given opportunities since he was such a low draft pick. He has been given midseason promotions last two seasons to go from low-A to AA.

    5. His minor league numbers actually look pretty good. He's 26 and only has half a year above Class A, so obviously there's something the White Sox don't like about him, but he seems like a guy worth taking a chance on.

    6. Couple things from LEN3:

      Doyle opened eyes this year in the Arizona Fall League, where he went 4-0 with a 1.98 ERA and 22 strikeouts and only five walks in 27 1/3 innings.

      There's a chance that the Twins have swung a deal and have selected Doyle for someone else. Stay tuned.

      1. Another guy who's barely played above class A, although he's a couple years younger. His A numbers aren't eye-popping, but they're not bad. Can't hurt anything by taking a shot.

        1. I'd actually say that other than a bit of a tendancy for allowing HRs, he's got pretty solid numbers. He could be a useful pitcher for the Red Wings if nothing else.

    8. Doyle looks pretty good on the surface, to be honest. K rate was a little low last year, but his walk rate was really low and he barely allowed any HR. Probably has a good sinker or a good slider or both. As long as he's got one good pitch, he could stick out of the bullpen. (And he's compiled his numbers as a starting pitcher, so moving from starting to relieving should offset some of the minors-to-majors adjustment.)

    9. BA's John Manuel:

      Minnesota followed Houston and selected righthander Terry Doyle out of the White Sox organization. Doyle threw 200 innings in 2011, counting his stint in the Arizona Fall League, and his durable body and track record of throwing strikes helped attract him to the Twins. He has walked 2.07 batters per nine innings in his minor league career since the Sox drafted him in the 37th round out of Boston College in 2008.

      "The separator for us was command," vice president of player personnel Mike Radcliff said. "We saw him in the AFL thoroughly, and he kind of dominated out there (4-0, 1.98). We had a lot of history with him, good report from him in college. The durability was another strong point.

      "We had some concerns in the past where his fastball velocity was marginal. It's hard to judge that in Arizona, for a variety of reasons, but we saw average velocity this year, which was important. His command is good, his makeup is good, and we think he's got the ability to be a fourth or fifth starter."

      Doyle considers his durability a strength as well. He said he got a bit tired in mid-to-late August, but his Double-A Birmingham team got an extra couple of days off heading into the Southern League playoffs due to rain, and the extra rest rejuvenated him.

      "Once I was in Arizona, I felt like I could throw nine innings every time out," he said. "(Twins general manager) Terry Ryan called me and welcomed me to the organization . . . and he asked if the White Sox had asked me about my innings pitched, because he said it was unusual for a minor leaguer to throw 165 or whatever I have back-to-back years. (Editor's note: it's 341 the last two regular seasons.) But I think I've been able to be more efficient than most guys."

      Doyle said he throws his two-seam fastball more than his four-seamer and mixes in a curveball, slider and changeup. "The White Sox gave me a lot of opportunities to play pro ball, and I'm thankful to them," he said. "I know this is how the business is. I guess not getting protected was a blessing in disguise."

    1. If it's purely about number of films, I'll never be leapfrogging her. Er, I'll always be right behind her. Um...

      ...in all seriousness, it might be time to change my stage name. I love my name, but the last thing Fox wants is for people to Google or IMDb my name and come up with porn results, thinking I was involved in the stuff.

        1. Hey a one word moniker works for McG. Why can't you just be known professionally as Spookymilk? These days it's all about the brand.

          2. After you register spookymilk.com/.org/.net/.everything. Once you strike it rich, then register various misspellings as well.

                1. I really want for there to be a way to use my online nickname or even a nickname of that nickname, but I don't think it's possible. That'll have to be the name of my eventual vanity production company.

            3. My mother gave all us kids middle names that could also be last names in case any of us ever wanted to take a stage name, or ever needed an alias.

  12. Holy Crap, I just noticed that Man U and Man City out of Champions League play. I suppose they will be fresher for EPL but it looks like the field will be wide open for a team to lose to Barca in the finals.

    1. Yeah, I chuckled at that yesterday. Chelsea and Arsenal are the only representatives from the Premiership. FC Basel is to this tournament as the Netherlands was to the 2009 WBC. I wish I'd watched their match with Man U.

  13. I wonder what kind of contract Pujols could have gotten if he was a free agent two years ago? Anywho, doing the whole 5-4-3 projection with .5 WAR/year decline could make an Angels fan at least a little worried, right? 6.9, 6.4, 5.9, 5.4, 4.9, 4.4, 3.9, 3.4, 2.9, 2.4 and $4M/win puts Pujols at $186M over 10 years. Since it's a longer time horizon, maybe $5M/win makes more sense, which would put Pujols at $233M over 10 years, which, really when it comes down to it, is awfully close to what he got. Damn. If the Angels are at a $160M payroll now, they'll probably be at least around $200M in 6-8 years, at which point you can still build an awfully good club even while you're drastically overpaying Pujols.

    1. Really, the pay-per-year isn't all that bad. He's only getting $2.4M per year more than Mauer. I would be more concerned about the length. He will be in his age 41 season at the end of that deal, if he makes it that far. How many players are elite hitters into their 40s, or even late 30s for that matter. Cuddyer is only one year older than Pujols and people are wary of giving him three years and he started as a shortstop and is supposed to be pretty athletic.

      1. Sure, they're going to overpay at the end, but so what? They'll be just like the Yankees: carrying some dead weight on the payroll, but still with such a huge pile of cash that they'll have more than enough opportunities to put together a championship team.

        How many players are elite hitters into their 40s, or even late 30s for that matter.

        How many players are as good as Albert Pujols? The idea that he's worth $233M over the next 10 years is with him "merely" being worth about 3 wins/season in his age 39, 40, and 41 seasons. Is it a long shot? A bit of a long shot, sure. Of his age comparables on bb-ref, 2 of 10 played 11 years after their age 31 season--Hank Aaron and Willie Mays. Sure, those are ridiculously good players, but Pujols has done enough to merit comparison with them. Hank Aaron had a 132 OPS+ in his age 39-41 seasons.

        Not to mention that as long as Pujols is good enough to crack the lineup in his advancing age, how much would it be worth it to the Angels if he breaks Barry Bonds' career home runs record (provided that by that point it's not Alex Rodriguez's career home run record) in an Angels uniform? Again, absolutely not a given, but that's a huge, huge opportunity for publicity.

      2. In the end, this isn't like the Reds locking up Griffey to a long-term contract, which was a really legitimate risk for them because they didn't otherwise have a lot of budget to work with. It's a lot more like the Yankees with A-Rod, where A-Rod can putter about and they can still win 95 games.

        1. The Yankees? Seriously? In 2009, the Angels weren't even in the Top 5 in revenue and the Yankees pulled in $200M more than the Cubs, who were fifth. Since then the Angels haven't even made the playoffs. Yes, they are in a large market with a big payroll, but they have some of the worst TV ratings in baseball. Now, I'm sure part of this deal was made possible because of the projected increase in revenue of just having him here, plus it helps having Abreu and Hunter off the books next season with Mike Trout on the way, but still, no one can compare to the Yankees.

          1. Sure, but that just means the Yankees can have 2 or 3 huge deadweight contracts whereas the Angels can have 1 and, say, the Reds can't have any.

  14. Chris Paul to the Lakers for Gasol and Odom....what was that lockout thing all about anyway?

    1. I don't believe that rumor for a micro-second.

      Here's what Sam Amick is pedaling today (an hour or so ago):

      The Lakers, Hornets and Rockets have discussed a three-way trade that would send Chris Paul to Los Angeles and Pau Gasol to Houston, league sources told SI.com. New Orleans would receive Rockets shooting guard Kevin Martin and forward-center Luis Scola.

      Frankly, the only part of that deal that sounds remotely plausible is Paul for Gasol. Gasol for Martin and Scola? I don't think that makes a lot of sense for Houston.

      Here is the 4ltr's latest spew:

      The New Orleans Hornets are engaged in trade talks with the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets about a three-team trade that would send Chris Paul to the Lakers and Pau Gasol to the Rockets, sources said.

      The Hornets would receive either Luis Scola or Kevin Martin, and possibly both, as well as draft picks. Houston owns the New York Knicks' first-round pick from 2012, as well as its own.

      The Rockets also have young assets to offer New Orleans in players like Chase Budinger, Patrick Patterson and Jordan Hill.

    2. How this happens without Bynum blows my mind. This is ridiculous. If the Lakers get Howard for some combination or Bynum/picks/pu pu plater I am going to go bonkers.

      I don't understand how Paul is even 1/2 as valuable to the Lakers as Howard would be. Who is Chris Paul going to create shots for? Kobe? I understand he is aging but Bryant has never had a problem creating shots for himself (or caring if there was someone in his face anyway). Luke Walton? Steve Blake? Metta World Peace? Do you want any of these guys shooting? I don't get this move.

      Then again, they did this without giving up Bynum, which keeps them in the running for Howard. Ugh. This is so dumb. The Lakers are jerks. Even when they screw up they win.

      1. And now rumors that Okafor is included to LA, too?!?!?! He is a big contract but they can role him into an asset moving forward, I can't believe this. I imagine a team well under the cap would give up a 1st rounder to LA for Okafor to reach the salary floor, then LA can offer, Bynum, 2012 1st round from team X, 2012 1sr rounder from LA, 2014 1st round from LA for Howard. Who tops that deal? The Clippers? Do they give up Jordan, Aminu, Kaman's expiring and the Wolves first rounder? That would get it done but I don't see the Clippers doing it.

        1. well, if Okafor is going back to LA in the deal, then it actually makes some sense for the Lakers. Some.

          I'd still rather have Gasol and Odom. I mean, c'mon! He's an incredibly skilled, legit 7-footer just entering his age-31 season. Yea, his contract is fat. But 18-10-3 per 36 minutes, with a high FG pct and FT pct? The "concern" about his relatively poor postseason is just stoopid.

          And Odom is coming off very possibly the best season of his very good career. I just do not see how this trade makes the Lakers better. And as much as I like Gasol, the Rockets paid too much for him.

              1. Oh, wait. What am I saying? The Rockets have the Best GM in all of sports. Of course they are winners here!

                  1. I think someone must be holding Daryl Morey's children hostage. Isn't he supposed to be an "advanced stats" guy? The guy that made Shane Battier a household name in basketball metricians' mothers' basements?

        2. An underbudget team would give up a 1st-rounder just to get to the floor? It doesn't take that much creativity to sign a free agent to a huge contract without giving up a pick.

          1. If you can get a half way decent center for 3/36 instead of 5/50 I think it might be worth it, yeah. In the past it has not been uncommon for teams to trade away first round picks to get under the luxury tax. I wouldn't be totally surprised if a team like NJ, who is way under the cap and expects to make the playoffs, to give up a first. What about Denver if Nene leaves? Don't they have like 3 Knicks first rounders to spare? I could see it happening, sure.

            1. They can't sign anyone on a big-money 1- or 2-year deal? It just seems crazy that anyone would trade away a first-round pick just to make the salary floor.

      2. I still don't believe it. (a) giving up quality bigs for quality small almost never pans out; (b) seriously? Gasol AND Odom? For just Chris Paul?

        The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to surrender Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom in a trade for New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul, sources tell ESPN.com's Marc Stein.

        Sources close to the process tell Stein that the Houston Rockets remain part of the talks and are trying to complete a deal that would send Gasol to Houston and the Rockets' Luis Scola, Kevin Martin and Goran Dragic to New Orleans, along with Odom.

        So, the Rockets get Gasol, New Orleans gets Odom, Scola, Martin and Dragic, and the Lakers get Paul? That is hilarious. How in the world are we supposed to believe that the Hornets are screwing TWO teams in this deal?

        1. All kidding aside, looking at the Rockets roster who do you like other than Gasol in that lineup. I really like Martin and Scola as players. Who is left? Buddinger? Jordan Hill? I don't like this move for Houston, and I like Gasol, a lot.

          As for NOLA, I don't like Odom that much, he has a track record of showing up for big games/teams and sleeping through bad teams/games. NOLA might not do him well. As I said above, Martin and Scola are great. If they turn Odom into something this move could be even better. It also signals that David West is not coming back, right?

            1. What did I tell you? "Best Interests of the Game".

              'cept this is one where the League-owned team was robbing other teams blind.

              1. I'd have to imagine taking on a lot of salary, too. Salary that other owners would have to pay.

          2. Wow. This has to be unprecedented that a league would prevent an L.A. team from making a bad deal.

  16. K-Rod accepted arbitration with the Brewers after making it clear he was upset at not being at least a part-time closer last year. So, he most likely is a trade candidate since I'm sure the Brewers were just wanting to get a draft pick or two. I wonder if the Twins would consider trading for K-Rod, assuming they truly are committed to contending this year. I'm not sure if they promised Capps he would be the closer.

    1. please, no. I'd rather have Capps.

      F-Rod made $13.5M last year and has been worth less than 2 fWAR/year each of the last four seasons. I see no reason to expect him to be worth more than about $4M-$8M this year. So I wouldn't want to give up much of anything of value to get him in a trade. Plus, I can't stand him.

      1. Subsequently, it might be understood by all clubs involved that K-Rod is only worth $4-8M and the best deal the Brewers can make is to eat $6M on his contract and trade him for a low-level PTBNL. A lot depends on whether or not the Brewers were expecting him to decline arb.

          1. If the Twins gave up a worthless PTBNL and were only on the hook for $6M of his contract, would you stand him more or less than Dumatrait's -0.6 fWAR last year? Or Dusty Hughes' -0.4 fWAR last year?

          2. I had forgotten about his assault incident in New York. I can't imagine the Twins taking on a player with that kind of a past.

  17. For those to those who enjoy seeing record books rewritten.

    NHL record for shutout streak to start a career - 100:21 (Gatherum, 1953).

    Matt Hackett's (still active) shutout streak to start his career - 98:37

    Wild lead 3-0 after the second period.

      1. Matt Hackett is the dude in the goal tonight with the Wild Jersey and a helmet designed for his Houston Aero team. His Dad was the first goalie for the San Jose Sharks back in the day. The same San Jose Sharks Matt Hackett shut down 2 days ago. 🙂

        I know you aren't really asking, but it sure is an interesting story.

  18. Just got done watching the boy skate in practice, and I get home to see the Wild take a 3-zip lead... nice!

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