Wednesday Liftoff Links

While Astro fans were reeling from news that Brad Arnsberg was let go I was putting together these fire safe links.

These are Your Astros

Astros Fire Pitching Coach Brad Arnsberg - Baseball Nation
Rob Neyer's reaction to the firing of Brad Arnsberg.

Astros County: The Only Astros Blog That Matters: Key quotes about Arnsberg
This is some great research by Astros County. If you had told me that Arnsberg would be canned before the season was out I would of called you crazy, then showed you these list of quotes.

Expanding MLB Playoffs: Focus on Fairness | FanGraphs Baseball
David Cameron with his take on baseballs proposed realignment. He brings up some interesting points such as travel and a reduction in advertising money for teams who play on either end of the coast.

MLB Geographical Realignment: Jim Bowden's Crazy, Beautiful Plan - MLB Daily Dish
How would Jim Bowden's proposal for realignment impact some of the marquee franchises in Major League Baseball? Craig Williams at the Daily Dish discusses Jim Bowden's proposal for realignment.

Minor Leagues

Awesome Jose Altuve - Roto Hardball
Forget the size, it's time to give Jose Altuve his due as a fantasy relevant second base prospect to be reckoned with. A look at Altuve's future fantasy value.

Four Hooks Voted to South All-Star Squad | Corpus Christi, TX | KRISTV.com |
CORPUS CHRISTI - Outfielder J.D. Martinez, shortstop Wladimir Sutil and southpaw hurlers Xavier Cedeno and Dallas Keuchel have been selected to the Texas League South Division All-Star Team, announced today by league president Tom Kayser.

Power Rankings

FanGraphs Power Rankings – 6/13/11 | FanGraphs Baseball
Another week, another FanGraphs ranking at the bottom, this time with a Carlos Lee eating joke.

Beyond the Box Score Power Rankings: Week 11 - Beyond the Box Score
The Twins are the only team keeping the Astros from the bottom of this power ranking. Which I find interesting because I heard on MLB Radio on XM that out of all the division cellar dwellers Minnesota has the best chance of turning it around.

Books

A look at the inner workings of ESPN
A book review by The Hardball Times of James Andrew Miller and Tom Shales book Those Guys Have All the Fun: Inside the World of ESPN. If you've managed to make your way through the 745 pages feel free to post your thoughts on the book below.