Downey: Cubs last, Sox first.

[J.R.]

And the interest and respect for the White Sox isn't coming anywhere close to a "Boston-like fever pitch."

 

That's an insult to Boston.

 

There hasn't been anymore interest or respect for the White Sox than for the Diamondbacks or Marlins when they won.

 

There was more interest/respect for Florida and Arizona. Both won exciting Series and had several marketable, bonafide stars.

 

The White Sox won a snoozer of a Series and nobody knew/knows who they are.

 

Here we sit just days from the opener, just days from the Sox hoisting their championship pennant, and no one is talking about it nationally. The Sox crushed MLB's ratings in October, and they're going to do it again Sunday night.

[Soul]

I think the Cards & Stros will come back to the Pack a little, but the Brewers will be better (maybe even much better).

 

I still think we're looking at 3rd or 4th place, though I wouldn't pick us to finish with fewer wins than last year.

[Blueheart05]

Every team in the division has holes but my feeling is that the Cubs are going to prevail and win the Central because:

 

1. I see them scoring more runs this season than in recent years.

 

2. The starting pitching will be just enough early to sustain them until Wood, Miller, and Prior make their debuts.

 

3. The rotation will be dominating by June

 

4. The bullpen is going to be the best in the division

 

 

They are going to surprise a lot of people this year.

[soccer10k]

Every team in the division has holes but my feeling is that the Cubs are going to prevail and win the Central because:

 

1. I see them scoring more runs this season than in recent years.

 

2. The starting pitching will be just enough early to sustain them until Wood, Miller, and Prior make their debuts.

 

3. The rotation will be dominating by June

 

4. The bullpen is going to be the best in the division

 

 

They are going to surprise a lot of people this year.

 

I agree completely.

 

I think the NL Central could look a lot like the NL East from last year, with the exception of the Reds. I could easily see the first and fifth place teams finishing within 10 games of each other. No team stands out ahead of the rest, like the Cardinals the last couple years, and the Brewers and Pirates are improved. I wouldn't call them the favorites, but in 2003 everybody said the Cubs were a year away but then they won the division. I think the NL Central will be the most competative division in the league.

[JWD]

The Cardinals lost ALOT of talent and have an injured Rolen back....and Edmonds isn't looking very healthy either.

 

If only the Cubs' injuries were more like Edmonds':

 

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/22E597C2E97C1B688625713B0016A1D4?OpenDocument

 

An MRI showed only some inflammation in his elbow, and Edmonds was cleared to play. He went two for three in the Cardinals' 4-2 win over the Dodgers at Holman Stadium and made a couple of running catches in the outfield, including one against the fence in the third inning.

 

"If the worst I have is a numb forearm, I'm doing OK," Edmonds said. "That's why I'm not concerned. It's not going to bother me too much. ... They said the inflammation is around the nerve, so it's kind of cutting the nerve off. This whole area (has no feeling) there; it's a weird feeling. Never had it before."

 

Edmonds said he's being treated by applying heat and by moving the arm.

 

He said that while the numbness is troublesome in daily life, it does not adversely affect his baseball.

 

"It's not too bad," he said. "I've learned to deal with it. It's more like the fingers. I'm not using my fingers when I'm hitting. ... It's not baseball bad. If it's not baseball bad, what's the point (of sitting out)? I don't want to sit in the training room all day and make those guys work."

 

 

BTW, Edmonds spring stats;

 

26 AB, 13 H, 4 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .500 BA, .552 OBP, .769 SLG, 1.321 OPS

[soccer10k]

The Cardinals lost ALOT of talent and have an injured Rolen back....and Edmonds isn't looking very healthy either.

 

If only the Cubs' injuries were more like Edmonds':

 

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/22E597C2E97C1B688625713B0016A1D4?OpenDocument

 

An MRI showed only some inflammation in his elbow, and Edmonds was cleared to play. He went two for three in the Cardinals' 4-2 win over the Dodgers at Holman Stadium and made a couple of running catches in the outfield, including one against the fence in the third inning.

 

"If the worst I have is a numb forearm, I'm doing OK," Edmonds said. "That's why I'm not concerned. It's not going to bother me too much. ... They said the inflammation is around the nerve, so it's kind of cutting the nerve off. This whole area (has no feeling) there; it's a weird feeling. Never had it before."

 

Edmonds said he's being treated by applying heat and by moving the arm.

 

He said that while the numbness is troublesome in daily life, it does not adversely affect his baseball.

 

"It's not too bad," he said. "I've learned to deal with it. It's more like the fingers. I'm not using my fingers when I'm hitting. ... It's not baseball bad. If it's not baseball bad, what's the point (of sitting out)? I don't want to sit in the training room all day and make those guys work."

 

 

BTW, Edmonds spring stats;

 

26 AB, 13 H, 4 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .500 BA, .552 OBP, .769 SLG, 1.321 OPS

 

A Cub with an inflamed elbow means at least half the season on the DL.

Jim Edmonds with an inflamed elbow means a .500 ST batting average. Some things are just unfair.

[JWD]

The Cardinals lost ALOT of talent and have an injured Rolen back....and Edmonds isn't looking very healthy either.

 

If only the Cubs' injuries were more like Edmonds':

 

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/22E597C2E97C1B688625713B0016A1D4?OpenDocument

 

An MRI showed only some inflammation in his elbow, and Edmonds was cleared to play. He went two for three in the Cardinals' 4-2 win over the Dodgers at Holman Stadium and made a couple of running catches in the outfield, including one against the fence in the third inning.

 

"If the worst I have is a numb forearm, I'm doing OK," Edmonds said. "That's why I'm not concerned. It's not going to bother me too much. ... They said the inflammation is around the nerve, so it's kind of cutting the nerve off. This whole area (has no feeling) there; it's a weird feeling. Never had it before."

 

Edmonds said he's being treated by applying heat and by moving the arm.

 

He said that while the numbness is troublesome in daily life, it does not adversely affect his baseball.

 

"It's not too bad," he said. "I've learned to deal with it. It's more like the fingers. I'm not using my fingers when I'm hitting. ... It's not baseball bad. If it's not baseball bad, what's the point (of sitting out)? I don't want to sit in the training room all day and make those guys work."

 

 

BTW, Edmonds spring stats;

 

26 AB, 13 H, 4 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .500 BA, .552 OBP, .769 SLG, 1.321 OPS

 

A Cub with an inflamed elbow means at least half the season on the DL.

Jim Edmonds with an inflamed elbow means a .500 ST batting average. Some things are just unfair.

 

Your statement would be funny if there wasn't so much truth in it . . . :shock:

[Blueheart05]

The Cardinals lost ALOT of talent and have an injured Rolen back....and Edmonds isn't looking very healthy either.

 

If only the Cubs' injuries were more like Edmonds':

 

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/22E597C2E97C1B688625713B0016A1D4?OpenDocument

 

An MRI showed only some inflammation in his elbow, and Edmonds was cleared to play. He went two for three in the Cardinals' 4-2 win over the Dodgers at Holman Stadium and made a couple of running catches in the outfield, including one against the fence in the third inning.

 

"If the worst I have is a numb forearm, I'm doing OK," Edmonds said. "That's why I'm not concerned. It's not going to bother me too much. ... They said the inflammation is around the nerve, so it's kind of cutting the nerve off. This whole area (has no feeling) there; it's a weird feeling. Never had it before."

 

Edmonds said he's being treated by applying heat and by moving the arm.

 

He said that while the numbness is troublesome in daily life, it does not adversely affect his baseball.

 

"It's not too bad," he said. "I've learned to deal with it. It's more like the fingers. I'm not using my fingers when I'm hitting. ... It's not baseball bad. If it's not baseball bad, what's the point (of sitting out)? I don't want to sit in the training room all day and make those guys work."

 

 

BTW, Edmonds spring stats;

 

26 AB, 13 H, 4 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .500 BA, .552 OBP, .769 SLG, 1.321 OPS

 

His health is still a concern. BTW, 26 ST ABs isn't too much to get excited about. I wonder what his numbers would have been had he been healthy enough to play in more games?

 

In either case, the best team will win...

[dalgreen]

I hate the Cardinals as much as anyone on the planet;however, when are some of you going to give them the benefit of the doubt? I think three of the last six years they've "downgraded" from the previous season yet they continue to play in October. Until Carpenter, Mulder, or Pujols miss significant time, in my opinion, they should be the favorites. In fact, I think their three best starters from last season Carpenter, Mulder and Suppan all return. Something I wish I could say about the Cubs. I don't know what it is but they miss Rolen for half a season, Walker for half a season and Sanders for a third of the season and don't miss a beat. We miss ARam for two weeks and it seems to go all to hell. It wouldn't surprise me if Ponson gets comeback player of the year. Gosh, I hate the Cardinals.

 

As far as Downey goes, he was probably laughing as he was writing his column just knowing how many people he would rile. And it looks like it worked.

[Blueheart05]

I hate the Cardinals as much as anyone on the planet;however, when are some of you going to give them the benefit of the doubt? I think three of the last six years they've "downgraded" from the previous season yet they continue to play in October. Until Carpenter, Mulder, or Pujols miss significant time, in my opinion, they should be the favorites. In fact, I think their three best starters from last season Carpenter, Mulder and Suppan all return. Something I wish I could say about the Cubs. I don't know what it is but they miss Rolen for half a season, Walker for half a season and Sanders for a third of the season and don't miss a beat. We miss ARam for two weeks and it seems to go all to hell. It wouldn't surprise me if Ponson gets comeback player of the year. Gosh, I hate the Cardinals.

 

As far as Downey goes, he was probably laughing as he was writing his column just knowing how many people he would rile. And it looks like it worked.

 

 

I'm not sure who this is addressed to because I never mentioned the Cardinals in my Cubs assement but, I do think they have holes and that you're giving them too much credit. It goes without saying that they have been good but the team they are breaking camp with is far from impressive. Ponson will be serviceable but his outing today reminds everyone that he has a career 4+ ERA. He isn't going to turn into a dominant pitcher overnight. Furthermore, their bullpen looks beatable and who's playing 2B for them and what kind of production can they expect? LF ? Encarnacion in RF isn't any better than Jacque Jones...

 

Picking them to win is safe but that doesn't make it accurate. My pick is the Cubs.

 

No matter which team wins the division, I expect a lot of parity.

[dalgreen]

I hate the Cardinals as much as anyone on the planet;however, when are some of you going to give them the benefit of the doubt? I think three of the last six years they've "downgraded" from the previous season yet they continue to play in October. Until Carpenter, Mulder, or Pujols miss significant time, in my opinion, they should be the favorites. In fact, I think their three best starters from last season Carpenter, Mulder and Suppan all return. Something I wish I could say about the Cubs. I don't know what it is but they miss Rolen for half a season, Walker for half a season and Sanders for a third of the season and don't miss a beat. We miss ARam for two weeks and it seems to go all to hell. It wouldn't surprise me if Ponson gets comeback player of the year. Gosh, I hate the Cardinals.

 

As far as Downey goes, he was probably laughing as he was writing his column just knowing how many people he would rile. And it looks like it worked.

 

 

I'm not sure who this is addressed to because I never mentioned the Cardinals in my Cubs assement but, I do think they have holes and that you're giving them too much credit. It goes without saying that they have been good but the team they are breaking camp with is far from impressive. Ponson will be serviceable but his outing today reminds everyone that he has a career 4+ ERA. He isn't going to turn into a dominant pitcher overnight. Furthermore, their bullpen looks beatable and who's playing 2B for them and what kind of production can they expect? LF ? Encarnacion in RF isn't any better than Jacque Jones...

 

Picking them to win is safe but that doesn't make it accurate. My pick is the Cubs.

 

No matter which team wins the division, I expect a lot of parity.

 

My post wasn't addressed to anyone in particular, but I was just mentioning that everything that's been stated about the Cardinals for '06 has been pretty much said about them throughout the millenium, and yet they still find a way to play into October. I hope they finish last. But starting the season off with a healthy Carpenter, Mulder and Pujols goes a long way. Yeah, Junior Spivey should be Junior Spivey, but I thought the same thing about Tony Womack, Abraham Nunez and So Tguchi. Yet they still get production out of what should be crappy players.

[nolanwood]

I hate the Cardinals as much as anyone on the planet;however, when are some of you going to give them the benefit of the doubt? I think three of the last six years they've "downgraded" from the previous season yet they continue to play in October. Until Carpenter, Mulder, or Pujols miss significant time, in my opinion, they should be the favorites. In fact, I think their three best starters from last season Carpenter, Mulder and Suppan all return. Something I wish I could say about the Cubs. I don't know what it is but they miss Rolen for half a season, Walker for half a season and Sanders for a third of the season and don't miss a beat. We miss ARam for two weeks and it seems to go all to hell. It wouldn't surprise me if Ponson gets comeback player of the year. Gosh, I hate the Cardinals.

 

As far as Downey goes, he was probably laughing as he was writing his column just knowing how many people he would rile. And it looks like it worked.

 

 

I'm not sure who this is addressed to because I never mentioned the Cardinals in my Cubs assement but, I do think they have holes and that you're giving them too much credit. It goes without saying that they have been good but the team they are breaking camp with is far from impressive. Ponson will be serviceable but his outing today reminds everyone that he has a career 4+ ERA. He isn't going to turn into a dominant pitcher overnight. Furthermore, their bullpen looks beatable and who's playing 2B for them and what kind of production can they expect? LF ? Encarnacion in RF isn't any better than Jacque Jones...

 

Picking them to win is safe but that doesn't make it accurate. My pick is the Cubs.

 

No matter which team wins the division, I expect a lot of parity.

 

My post wasn't addressed to anyone in particular, but I was just mentioning that everything that's been stated about the Cardinals for '06 has been pretty much said about them throughout the millenium, and yet they still find a way to play into October. I hope they finish last. But starting the season off with a healthy Carpenter, Mulder and Pujols goes a long way. Yeah, Junior Spivey should be Junior Spivey, but I thought the same thing about Tony Womack, Abraham Nunez and So Tguchi. Yet they still get production out of what should be crappy players.

 

First, a healthy Carpenter, Mulder and Pujols aren't going to carry the Cardinals by themselves. I don't think Mulder should even be included in the same sentence with Pujols and Carpenter in regards to production.

 

Second, I was under the impression that the last few years the Cardinals have improved their team each offseason and spent more $. This being the first year that they cut their budget in some time.

 

Take 05 for example:

 

Williams

 

Lost Renteria, but replaced him with Eckstein who's no slouch.

 

Lost Womack on a career year and replaced him with Grudz.

 

06, however, there has been a substantial amount of downgrading. Sure, they're gonna have guys step up and they're gonna have average players perform at their career best...as they always do. However, don't underestimate the amount of downgrading they have done.

 

Walker>Encarnacion

Sanders>Taguchi

Grudz>Miles

Morris>Ponson

Tavarez>Looper

King gone

 

Then take into account an Injured Rolen who's resuming his role at 3b after a crazy career year by Nunez.

 

Rapidly aging Edmonds

[jjgman21]

I hate the Cardinals as much as anyone on the planet;however, when are some of you going to give them the benefit of the doubt? I think three of the last six years they've "downgraded" from the previous season yet they continue to play in October. Until Carpenter, Mulder, or Pujols miss significant time, in my opinion, they should be the favorites. In fact, I think their three best starters from last season Carpenter, Mulder and Suppan all return. Something I wish I could say about the Cubs. I don't know what it is but they miss Rolen for half a season, Walker for half a season and Sanders for a third of the season and don't miss a beat. We miss ARam for two weeks and it seems to go all to hell. It wouldn't surprise me if Ponson gets comeback player of the year. Gosh, I hate the Cardinals.

 

As far as Downey goes, he was probably laughing as he was writing his column just knowing how many people he would rile. And it looks like it worked.

 

I don't think people have said they downgraded in three of the last six years. people said that about 2004, and with good reason. then Marquis, Suppan, Edmonds, Carpenter, Womack, Eldred, Tavarez, etc etc go on to have career years.

 

I will give them the benefit of the doubt when they stop putting bottom feeders out there. I don't care if the bottom feeders always seem to come through, they are still bottom feeders and they are still flukes. see Hart, B.; Simontacchi, J.; Matthews, M.; Benes, A.; Smith, B.; Womack, T.; Tavarez, J.; Reyes, A.; Nunez, A; Rod, J.

 

if you don't see the differences between the Cardinals downgrades this offseason and the moves they made in other seasons, I don't think you are looking carefully enough. the Cardinals have three big boppers, but other than that, where is the offense coming from? even if those three repeat their romp of 2004, there isn't another position on the team that will even approach league average production.

 

they can expect much worse performance out of at least three slots in the rotation after Suppan and Carpenter both had career years and with the terrible Ponson replacing the average Morris. one of the biggest strengths of the team from last year, the bullpen, is decimated.

 

they are probably the favorites, but bare in mind that all these statistical formulations that predict the finishes include accounting for injury risk. the Cardinals have been relatively injury free, save Rolen, the past couple years, and the Cubs have been injury riddled. that is worked into these equations, yet the Cubs still finish within a game or two in most of these analysis.

 

the prognosticators are all making their predictions without Prior, Wood and Miller in the picture, and not taking our leftfielder as any kind of offensive threat or recognizing how much of an improvment Pierre will be over last year, even if he only repeats his career worst performance.

 

I truly think the division comes down to which team is healthiest, which recent history suggests is not a good sign. the Cubs are off on the wrong foot, just like the past couple years. IF our big guns come back by mid May, the Cubs will give the Cards a run for their money in the division. while you don't want to count on it, there still is not a rotation in the major leagues that matches a healthy Z, Prior, and Wood. throw Miller into the mix with Maddux in a contract year, and you're back to the 'where does it rank among the all time best rotation' talk of pre-2004.

 

if two of the three come back AND any Cards star misses significant time, or Rolen doesn't come back to form, or Edmonds slips a little more from what he did last year, the Cubs in my mind are clearly the favorites for the division.

[dalgreen]

I hate the Cardinals as much as anyone on the planet;however, when are some of you going to give them the benefit of the doubt? I think three of the last six years they've "downgraded" from the previous season yet they continue to play in October. Until Carpenter, Mulder, or Pujols miss significant time, in my opinion, they should be the favorites. In fact, I think their three best starters from last season Carpenter, Mulder and Suppan all return. Something I wish I could say about the Cubs. I don't know what it is but they miss Rolen for half a season, Walker for half a season and Sanders for a third of the season and don't miss a beat. We miss ARam for two weeks and it seems to go all to hell. It wouldn't surprise me if Ponson gets comeback player of the year. Gosh, I hate the Cardinals.

 

As far as Downey goes, he was probably laughing as he was writing his column just knowing how many people he would rile. And it looks like it worked.

 

 

I'm not sure who this is addressed to because I never mentioned the Cardinals in my Cubs assement but, I do think they have holes and that you're giving them too much credit. It goes without saying that they have been good but the team they are breaking camp with is far from impressive. Ponson will be serviceable but his outing today reminds everyone that he has a career 4+ ERA. He isn't going to turn into a dominant pitcher overnight. Furthermore, their bullpen looks beatable and who's playing 2B for them and what kind of production can they expect? LF ? Encarnacion in RF isn't any better than Jacque Jones...

 

Picking them to win is safe but that doesn't make it accurate. My pick is the Cubs.

 

No matter which team wins the division, I expect a lot of parity.

 

My post wasn't addressed to anyone in particular, but I was just mentioning that everything that's been stated about the Cardinals for '06 has been pretty much said about them throughout the millenium, and yet they still find a way to play into October. I hope they finish last. But starting the season off with a healthy Carpenter, Mulder and Pujols goes a long way. Yeah, Junior Spivey should be Junior Spivey, but I thought the same thing about Tony Womack, Abraham Nunez and So Tguchi. Yet they still get production out of what should be crappy players.

 

First, a healthy Carpenter, Mulder and Pujols aren't going to carry the Cardinals by themselves. I don't think Mulder should even be included in the same sentence with Pujols and Carpenter in regards to production.

 

Second, I was under the impression that the last few years the Cardinals have improved their team each offseason and spent more $. This being the first year that they cut their budget in some time.

 

Take 05 for example:

 

Williams

 

Lost Renteria, but replaced him with Eckstein who's no slouch.

 

Lost Womack on a career year and replaced him with Grudz.

 

06, however, there has been a substantial amount of downgrading. Sure, they're gonna have guys step up and they're gonna have average players perform at their career best...as they always do. However, don't underestimate the amount of downgrading they have done.

 

Walker>Encarnacion

Sanders>Taguchi

Grudz>Miles

Morris>Ponson

Tavarez>Looper

King gone

 

Then take into account an Injured Rolen who's resuming his role at 3b after a crazy career year by Nunez.

 

Rapidly aging Edmonds

 

The Cardinals hadn't increased payroll in the past. They consistently held between $82-$85 give or take a couple on either end. I'm not a Cardinal fan. I just think that after me saying the Cardinals shouldn't win the division for x number of reasons over the last four years, I am now simply saying, as I do with the Braves, I will pick them until someone beats them. I hope they lose 100 games. I just won't count them out just as I won't count out the Cubs or Astros

[nolanwood]

The Cardinals hadn't increased payroll in the past. They consistently held between $82-$85 give or take a couple on either end. I'm not a Cardinal fan. I just think that after me saying the Cardinals shouldn't win the division for x number of reasons over the last four years, I am now simply saying, as I do with the Braves, I will pick them until someone beats them. I hope they lose 100 games. I just won't count them out just as I won't count out the Cubs or Astros

 

I agree with you there....I'm not counting them out this year by any means.

[Soul]

The Cardinals lost ALOT of talent and have an injured Rolen back....and Edmonds isn't looking very healthy either.

 

If only the Cubs' injuries were more like Edmonds':

 

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/22E597C2E97C1B688625713B0016A1D4?OpenDocument

 

An MRI showed only some inflammation in his elbow, and Edmonds was cleared to play. He went two for three in the Cardinals' 4-2 win over the Dodgers at Holman Stadium and made a couple of running catches in the outfield, including one against the fence in the third inning.

 

"If the worst I have is a numb forearm, I'm doing OK," Edmonds said. "That's why I'm not concerned. It's not going to bother me too much. ... They said the inflammation is around the nerve, so it's kind of cutting the nerve off. This whole area (has no feeling) there; it's a weird feeling. Never had it before."

 

Edmonds said he's being treated by applying heat and by moving the arm.

 

He said that while the numbness is troublesome in daily life, it does not adversely affect his baseball.

 

"It's not too bad," he said. "I've learned to deal with it. It's more like the fingers. I'm not using my fingers when I'm hitting. ... It's not baseball bad. If it's not baseball bad, what's the point (of sitting out)? I don't want to sit in the training room all day and make those guys work."

 

 

BTW, Edmonds spring stats;

 

26 AB, 13 H, 4 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .500 BA, .552 OBP, .769 SLG, 1.321 OPS

 

A Cub with an inflamed elbow means at least half the season on the DL.

Jim Edmonds with an inflamed elbow means a .500 ST batting average. Some things are just unfair.

 

Your statement would be funny if there wasn't so much truth in it . . . :shock:

 

Well, Derek Lee has toughed it out quite a bit and so has Ramirez. It seems like when our players try to chomp on the bit and play through pain, it only hurts us in the long run. When the Cards' players do it, they continue to perform at usual levels and then the injury disappears one day and everything's fine.

[JWD]

The Cardinals lost ALOT of talent and have an injured Rolen back....and Edmonds isn't looking very healthy either.

 

If only the Cubs' injuries were more like Edmonds':

 

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/22E597C2E97C1B688625713B0016A1D4?OpenDocument

 

An MRI showed only some inflammation in his elbow, and Edmonds was cleared to play. He went two for three in the Cardinals' 4-2 win over the Dodgers at Holman Stadium and made a couple of running catches in the outfield, including one against the fence in the third inning.

 

"If the worst I have is a numb forearm, I'm doing OK," Edmonds said. "That's why I'm not concerned. It's not going to bother me too much. ... They said the inflammation is around the nerve, so it's kind of cutting the nerve off. This whole area (has no feeling) there; it's a weird feeling. Never had it before."

 

Edmonds said he's being treated by applying heat and by moving the arm.

 

He said that while the numbness is troublesome in daily life, it does not adversely affect his baseball.

 

"It's not too bad," he said. "I've learned to deal with it. It's more like the fingers. I'm not using my fingers when I'm hitting. ... It's not baseball bad. If it's not baseball bad, what's the point (of sitting out)? I don't want to sit in the training room all day and make those guys work."

 

 

BTW, Edmonds spring stats;

 

26 AB, 13 H, 4 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .500 BA, .552 OBP, .769 SLG, 1.321 OPS

 

His health is still a concern. BTW, 26 ST ABs isn't too much to get excited about. I wonder what his numbers would have been had he been healthy enough to play in more games?

 

In either case, the best team will win...

 

I didn't say I was excited about Edmonds. I was just pointing out that his "injury" wasn't hurting his production.

 

FYI, Edmonds didn't sit out a bunch of games because he wasn't healthy. He didn't play more because, like many veterans, he doesn't need much prep time to be ready for the season and it's a good opportunity for management to see more of the younger players.