GordonNotDavid

No way. bunting is for losers. You play for 1 run, that's all you'll get (if that). Not swinging through 88 mph get me over fastballs, on the other hand, is a requirement. Hear that everybody not named Beckham?

Allen for Pena was indeed a stupid trade even though I think Pena can be a decent ML reliever -- hell, if David Aaardsma can do it, anyone can. But let's not overrate the contributions of Allen, Carter or Cunningham thus far. Quentin put up MVP numbers and almost singlehandedly saved 2008 from turning into 2007 nightmare. And I firmly believe, if not for foot injury, he'd be top 5-10 in MVP voting in 2009, as well. In other words, I am happy with Q. You can keep Carter.

Further proof that Peavy cannot.pitch.in.a.hitter's.park. Not only that but, he's practically allergic to so much as mere presence of a fungo bat. It's true.

I still check out Futuresox, believe it or not. Very easy on the eyes, good job. But be careful not to turn the site into just another organizational cheerleader's hype den; don't be afraid to emphasize the prospects' faults/down-sides --- afterall, as you know most will never sniff major league success.

If Cubs, the overwhelming favorites to win NLC for 3rd year in row, miss the playoffs.... it would be both mega-hilar and sufficient ground for dismissal of both Piniella and Hendry. Carlos Zambrano not getting back treatment is jaw-dropping idiocy.

Of course defense is a good thing. But it's notoriously difficult to quantify. (Fraud "stats" like Bill James +/- and UZR notwithstanding.) I'd like to have Ichiro, young Kenny Lofton and even younger Andruw Jones as a starting OF. Don't mean it will happen because Ozzie doesn't prize OF defense that much.

Adam Everett in his pime was Gold Glove SS. A faster Adam Everett at league minumum salary is nothing to be ashamed about. Add to that the fact that before the finger injury Getz can hit an inside fastball better than Everett ever good, not 2 Chevy.

Getz broke his finger. Getz strained the oblique. Too bad cuz the guy has underrated potential IMO.

I am skeptical of Flower's newfound defensive talent, but I agree: if Flowers can even be an average defensive catcher/pitchcaller, he can go places in the bigs. Now that we know that Flowers has the ability to manage the strike-zone, lay off junk in the dirt, the real question is: can he consistently turn on an inside fastball, and does he have the instincts/head-eye coordination to consistently rifle an outside pitches to RF. Or is he just a glorified Joe Borchard ?

How the mighty have falled. In 2005, Pods was one of the better baserunners in the game, but now while he's arguably as fast as he ever was, he runs into outs like he's Juan Uribe: Midwest.