zisk

If you're the second best lead off hitter for 10-15 years (Rickey Henderson) and steal 800 bases you're a hall of famer. If he were on the 1970s Reds team instead of Pete Rose, He'd have been a first ballot member. Some people forget how terrible a place to play for stats Olympic stadium was.

I don't think there is a comparison with Fulmer. Hansen can be dominant when healthy. Last season started out with fore arm tightness followed by a long layoff, followed by baby step throwing. I'll bet all that was accompanied by large doses of fear. He had a terrible year in college the same way. The question I have is whether or not he'll lose his career to injury.

20 years ago we couldn't follow minor leaguers so closely. Although it's a good thing we can now, it definitely makes for nervous nellies whenever some one has a tough week. Try and wait until May 15th or so to panic.

Are the Royals and Orioles 5 years away from competing again? If so they might be amenable to a draft and trade next year with the Sox. Pick Rutchman and trade him next June for 3-4 minor leaguers. Catchers usually burn out faster then position players so it might work time line wise.

Sounds like he deserved it too. It seems like the baseball life style is tough on relationships in general.

I believe the phrase is "stink or swim".

Nice post. Dick Allen and Wilbur Wood did it for me. 1972 and 1977 still mean a little more to me than 2005, but it was great to win it all.

Can you get around that by offering him a minor league contract with a 12 million bonus for making the major league team?

true dat.

Add Nova as a.500 pitcher, and Santana,Cease and others. Pitching might be OK.

Am surprised by his defense, but he's been playing 3rd for a while. He'll bounce back.

Agreed. On the other hand, JR has more potential than 90% of our pen. Maybe they ship some one else back when TA returns.

Is any body old enough to remember Jim Kaat going from a fading player to a star again with nothing more than a new delivery?

I like that we're talking extension. It's better than 5 minutes ago when we were all calling him a bust.

steel walker low a. I hope it's for 3 weeks or so.

I always try to wait until 30-40 games played to form opinions, but Abreu and Moncada look good at the plate. Maybe the pen will be good by midseason, especially with a new manager.

pitch full time matt.

Birmingham. lambert, flores and sheets. also rutherford

Good to hear. Can't believe any one would want McCann more than Smith. especially for more money.

I'm sorry you're sad.

lighten up francis.

shields was our 2nd best starter last year. if some one pitches like shields did last year, he'll be our 3rd best this year.

adam dunn was in the majors 2 years ago compared to collins. it's catcher or nothing for ZC.

Fulmer was picked the same year and barring a miracle, "he gone". How bout Jay,Fulmer,Adams and a reliever for Happ?

One thing going for him is the injuries that he's had are minor things. No knee or broken ankle or shoulder. Things that debilitate a career.