Post Count Padder

Not that I expected a solid start, but man he was bad yesterday.

Well now it looks like Slowey to the DL

I wouldn't mind buying low, but I doubt the Twins would sell low for a return of Casey Coleman or Scott Maine.

Well, looks like we finally get something out of the 3rd overall pick from the 2000 draft.

Saved from our own stupidity. I would've been in favor of this if we didn't already have Davis/Coleman/Russell/Ortiz/other mediocre spot starter.

I was just thinking the same thing. At least he came to peace beforehand. Still sucks. Definitely a legend.

Didn't we get Campana in a trade? Or am I totally wrong?

Interesting. I've wondered about that too, if players grow to hate what they do. I do remember thinking he retired a little young, considering his success. I guess there was a good reason for it.

Last year, his BABIP indicates he was a bit unlucky. However, his FB rates the last two years have been 44.9% and 42.0%. That's not a good idea in Safeco. But even beyond that, his plate discipline seems to be eroding as quickly as his mental state. His strikeout rate is up over 30% and his once-prolific walk rate has dipped as well. He's already burned through 8 teams in the league, none of which is likely to welcome his return. Of the remaining teams, I can't imagine more than a couple would have any more than a passing interest. The way I see it, it's likely Tampa Bay or bust. They're a saber-oriented front office which makes them more likely to value his potential contributions, they are in contention and trying to make due with a Fuld/Damon/Johnson trio across LF/DH, and Bradley's league-minimum pricetag matches up nicely with their thrifty ways. Also worth noting is that the media coverage is pretty light. Of course, the wildcard in that proposal is Desmond Jennings. The Rays will delay free agency by a year if they keep him in the minors until this Saturday, but it will likely take into July to avoid Super-2 status. If they're inclined to think Bradley may rebound, it may do them some good to pick him up and give him a shot until July or so. But ultimately, I think they'll pass. As will the rest of the league. Baltimore needs help at 1st. What's the thought process there? Bench DLee (who has been a notorious slow starter), move Scott to 1B, and Bradley in left over Pie/Reimold? I wont put anything past the O's, but considering how close MacPhail and Hendry are, I'm sure he's privy to all the awful things Bradley did in his tenure with the Cubs that never made it to the press. Besides which, it seems awful early to pull the plug on a "big FA acquisition" like the O's sold DLee as being to the fans. I was just hoping to see what would happen with Scott and MB in the same locker room. That would be just awful.

He's off to a slow start. So are a lot of other batters. I'd give him time, though I never expected him to be a superstar, let alone this season.

Well I guess we'll just have to take Kemp and Kershaw off their hands.

I don't know if I wanna scroll back through all the posts, but my thoughts on Titans and Vikings picks: Titans: Not thrilled, considering Fairley, Gabbert and Prince were available. But it could have been worse. I think he'll turn out fine with Palmer working with him. Vikings: I was pissed. Not a fan of Ponder at all. Maybe it'll turn out OK if he stays healthy. But that he gets compared to Chad Pennington doesn't give me much hope.

That's so bad it's funny.

At least with Berg we can say we got borderline value in that epic Matt Lawton trade.

Probably should have stepped in awhile ago. This mess has been going on too long.

But they can't read. How would they know what they're looking at?

Guess those teams are Schlit outta luck.

I always liked him and thought he'd make a decent platoon/4th outfielder. Didn't expect this and I doubt he keeps it up much longer. But good for him.

At least he hasn't murdered his arm.....yet.

I like this better than Ramon Ortiz. At least Davis has had some success in the past.

He had only one good year in his "prime" (if he ever had one). I don't see how he's better than any other free agent pitcher out there. I hope he stays in AAA.

Wouldn't mind Aaron Hill if he can start hitting again. I didn't realize how good defensively he is. He's had only one season of a negative dWAR in his career. Kelly Johnson might come cheaper though. And regarding Hill's options, didn't the Jays just decline all of them?

Don't have WGN, so I'm watching this with a Pirates broadcast on some new station called Root. Free trial on MLB Extra Innings. It's pretty meh.

First game thread post of the season. It's nice to see Pedro Alvarez get the run for us. He was a pretty solid pickup.

Sucks to be them: