vance_the_cubs_fan

Just a little updated on Sammy from rotoworld,

Over the last two seasons, I have paid $120 and $150 for the MLB EI package. It's nice to see it getting jacked up to $200. I can't wait to see the immense improvements to the program that warrant that incredible raise in price. I'll still pay. It looks like the early bird price is what the regular price was last season, but the savings from the regular price to the early bird is a little greater this time around. I'm paying.

Unless he's traded, Ohman will go north with the team. He doesn't have any more options and I doubt the Cubs expose him to waivers. Regardless of how he performs in Arizona, Ohman has the track record of being a very good lefty when used correctly. I wouldn't jettison him based on a poor spring.

Here's my guess at the 25. What we know for sure: C- Barrett 1b- Lee 2b- DeRosa SS- Izturis 3b- Ramirez LF- Murton CF- Soriano RF- Jones SP- Zambrano, Lilly, Hill, Marquis Bullpen- Wood, Dempster, Howry, Eyre, Ohman Bench: Theriot, Ward, Blanco, Floyd That's 21 players. I think the 5th starter will either be Prior or Miller with the loser going to Iowa or DL or traded if the loser is Miller. I think the Cubs will go with a six-man pen, so unless a trade happens Wuertz and Novoa will be in Iowa. I think Cotts has a leg up as the swing-man, long reliever but I'm not sure it has been decided. I think there may be a chance that Guzman wins that job, but that will depend on whether the club feels starting at Iowa will be better for him. There are two available spots on the bench. I think Pagan will win one of those because he can effectively back up CF. If Coats can cut down the defensive miscues, his hitting so far this spring might win the other one. I think the last spot on the bench will come down to Coats, Cedeno, or Perez. All are having pretty good springs. Of course, if the Cubs go with 12 pitchers instead of eleven, all three lose their spot. I'm still thinking a trade may clear up some of this near the end of spring.

I just hope Weiters falls the three, but my fear is that Weiters and Price go one and two, leaving the Cubs to choose between Brackman, Savery, and Burgess.

Mucho gracias

These are section 218-3, row 20 seats 7-10

218-3

If my seats are section 218, row 20, what kind of obstructions will I have in my view?

I'm glad Sammy is good at baseball again.

This is absolutely great news! Now I'm kinda split on what our draft needs are. I'm a big Pat Watkins supporter, and I'm really against drafting a CB in the first because IMO Henry is staying at CB and we've already got quite a bit of money invested there. The offensive line is solidified now, so there's no need for that. WR is interesting since it is such a deep draft for them, but I really like the group we've got with TO, Glenn, Crayton, Austin, and Hurd. We could use a nickel CB, but I like McCauley in 2nd/3rd round area. A backup C is needed too since Johnson left, but Young out of Fresno St. is decent and could be gotten on on day 2. There aren't really any prototypical NT's this year, but players like Soliai, Doughty, Dagunduro could all be had on 2nd day as well. Reggie Nelson is the only person I would really love to see in the first and I doubt he makes it that far. I think there's a decent chance Nelson falls to 22. It's not a certainty, but in this draft it could happen. I want that shut-down free safety. I'd love to get Landry, but he'll be picked with the 8-14 pick, I'm sure. Nelson has a chance to fall to 22, and if so Dallas should take him. If Nelson is gone, I'd like to see the Cowboys trade down. If they can trade the 22nd for two picks in the range of 30-40, they may be able to get Michael Griffin out of Texas and Meacham or Craig Davis.

The Cowboys re-sign Colombo today. That's big news because it moves Leonard Davis to guard where he should be pretty good. He would have sucked as a tackle. The Giants traded for Rueben Droughns. And according to ESPN, the Texans are interested in Quinn. Link.

Sosa is hitting 500 this spring. He's made the team for certain. I'm going to enjoy watching him as a Ranger this year.

Marmol was looking good until that pitch.

Marmol sighting.

Aramabomb!

Yep. The signing of Redman kills any idea of Miller to the Braves.

Game Notes.

Nope Damn.

Bruce, I'm guessing you're staying in Mesa?

If we have to keep it h2h, that's ok, but I think my team is a better roto team.

I'm fearful that you are right. I think it's more likely we draft Burgess than any of the three above.

I wonder if Sosa will be in the Rangers line-up against the Cubs...

Unless those are some really good prospects, the Braves aren't letting Salty go. They are extremely high on him. I know he's good, but what happens when he's ready for the majors with McCann already at catcher? If we were able to grab him it would make our draft decision a lot easier (Price over Wieters, assuming Price isn't grabbed ahead of us). My guess is one of those guys could move to firstbase. The Braves might trade Salty, but it would take a Pie or Veal level prospect to get him. They are that high on him.