moorecg

Colin Richardson R/R RHP 6'1 180 HS Winter Haven HS

Pierre LePage, R/R 2b, U Conn 5'8 168

Austin Reed RH P, Rancho Cucamonga HS 6'3 - 200lbs

Eric Jokisch -- Left-Handed Pitcher, Northwester, 6'2 180 JR

Aaron Kurcz -- RHP Col. of Southern Nevada.

Gotta love first pitch swingings on a guy who threw 30 pitches last inning....

Today is my favorite day of the year...the start of Spring Training. Today, all across Florida and Arizona, Pitchers and catchers are beginning to report. Every year on this day, I like to send out this quote, it describes the game better than I ever could. "Ray, people will come Ray. They'll come to Iowa for reasons they can't even fathom. They'll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they're doing it. They'll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past. Of course, we won't mind if you look around, you'll say. It's only $20 per person. They'll pass over the money without even thinking about it: for it is money they have and peace they lack. And they'll walk out to the bleachers; sit in shirtsleeves on a perfect afternoon. They'll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they'll watch the game and it'll be as if they dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick they'll have to brush them away from their faces. People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again. Oh... people will come Ray. People will most definitely come." Despite the snow, hope springs eternal. Happy start of spring training.

Exactly... I wonder if there is a way to structure contracts such that they back load the payments within individual years? If they sign him for the 8mm that's reported, but only pay him 2-3 mill early and then the rest at the end of the season they could possibly get some great prospects via trade if he works out and not really have to spend much money.

STL guys say he was coming off injury last year so that might explain something

Thoughts? Any chance he sticks for the year?

I know some don't like him...and I do like Len and Bob a lot...but I have to say, watching that game last night made me a little nostalgic for "Swung on Belted"...I still like Chip Carey.

I guess this is transactions...not sure if this has any bearing on the Cubs off season plans...

At least one team ahead of us in the WC race is going to lose tonight...no way around it... I'm not sayin...I'm just sayin.

Whoopee.

What he said. What is the harm really? We're out of it...Kenny gets some salary relief and maybe some pieces for the future...its a good deal for them.

How does a 25 year old, fairly highly touted, Left hander get through waivers?

at home.

Is it just me or do I remember hearing that AZ is becoming the generally preferred spot for ST for a lot more teams because of reduced travel in between games? If that's true I'd be surprised to see the Cubs move to FLA...somewhere else in AZ maybe...but not to FLA

I set the over/under at 3.5 save opportunities until Lou removes Marmol from closer role. 3.5 walks per inning

without looking it up, I would say it is not always true. I would assume though that there is a correlation between OBP and LOB. Probably so. I'm also not technically inclined enough to figure this out, but a similar # for us that I think we'd be near the bottom of the league for is the percentage of RISP <2 out that actually score...it just feels like oru LOB #s are off the chart this year.

That won't necessarily be true though will it? You can have a high OBP and not leave many on base...yes, you have a higher # on to begin with, but its a slightly different question.

Just checking in to confirm...we actually let Ryan Howard steal a base on us....did somebody leave a cheesburger down there?

This team makes preparing for Fantasy Football much easier this year.

Is there a cite out there where I can see which teams have left the most men on base this year?

Well Marmol has 2 great years under his belt, as opposed to 1 pretty good year for Hill. Even this year is above average when you consider ultimate results. Unless you are referring to complete loss of control, which I'm starting to think you are. Thats what I was referring to...he has no clue where the ball is going...he just can't be trusted in high leverage situations until he figures it out..Guzman has to be the 8th inning guy now (if not the closer)...marmol gets the up 4 / down 4 role until he can get through at least two appearances in a row without walking a guy.