When I hear that the flu is sweeping baseball camps, I just want to send orange Gatorade, cough drops and fluffy blankets to everyone who is suffering. If it’s anything like what I went through, that’s what they are all going to need and I admire them for being able to function.
Cla Meredith had another great outing today. His spring ERA is 1.00 which is saying something because they play in the pitching hell that is Arizona and he had the flu. I cannot wait for the season to start so I can actually watch him pitch.
Jaret Wright didn’t make the Pirates. I’ve got to admit that I was very surprised to hear this. I think he had one (maybe two?) bad outing(s) this spring and really seemed to have made a good comeback as a reliever. He even put off his right to declare free agency for a day to help the Pirates out and this is how it ends? O_o I’m not sure what other teams are in the market for a reliever, but I hope someone picks him up. I’d like for him to have a positive end to his career.
John Lannan is starting the year in AAA which has got to be frustrating for him, no matter how classy he is publicly. I’m holding out hope for Shawn Hill’s return, but if he doesn’t, Lannan should be slotted into that rotation. I’m still completely unimpressed with Odalis Perez starting that first game. Hudson vs Bergmann would have been so much more enjoyable. I’m picking the Braves by 4.
Evan Longoria being sent to the minors is a total joke. The Rays management should be disbanded for being a disgrace to the game. It’s a money/service time thing and that’s disgusting.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia was sent down. I don’t know how his spring went, but it surprised me to see his name on the demotions list. Doesn’t that leave them with Laird as their catcher? I don’t know much about the Rangers, but why do I instinctively wrinkle my nose when I hear that? Also on the Rangers front, it’s awesome that Josh Hamilton seems to be thriving in Texas. He’s one of those guys that I just want to see do well. Everyone’s waiting for him to screw up again, I’m praying that he doesn’t. I like a success story. It’s a shame he’s not on the Reds anymore because I have no doubt that he and Andy Phillips would have been fast friends.
Speaking of Andy, no word yet on his status with the Reds. If he’s on the big club in June, I may very well extend my vacation a day or two and to watch him play. He’s another guy that I’ll root for no matter where he goes or what he does.
The Yanks released Chris Woodward. Not a huge surprise but I’m still holding out hope that we won’t have to suffer through a whole season of Wilson freaking Betemit. Ugh. I’d happily take Nick Green & Morgan Ensberg as the utility guys, but Betemit is one of Cash’s boys so I think we’re stuck with him. I should want to keep him so that I can say that the Yanks didn’t trade my Scotty in vain but…yick. I just can’t do it.
Sean Henn’s on the DL. It’s chuckle-worthy that Cash just doesn’t dare let him go so they’re hiding him on the DL. I honestly think that Traber is going to be fine in New York and that Sean will eventually be let go. I like Traber and I like Henn, but I think it’s Traber’s time to shine.
Speaking of Traber. Have you seen him? He acts, looks, and sounds older than he is. I almost fell over when I found out that we’re the same age. He also looks like he should be from a southern state, not from California. He’s such a deceptive lefty.
Joba had the flu last week, Johnny’s had it this week, and now Karstens and Shelley both are unwell. That’s not what Jeff needs right now. Hopefully it’s nothing serious and he can take the ball when Joe asks. And can we please get a bubble to put Moose in to keep him away from this flu?
Hmm, in reading back through I realized that I haven’t mentioned the awesome that is Scott Proctor in a couple of entries. I talk so much about him in my other blog that I forget to do it here. He’s had a really great spring and looks to get into 150 games this season. I feel like I should put up a warning that if I can keep it going, this blog will be Proctor-heavy when real games start…
Tags: andy phillips, billy traber, cla meredith, jaret wright, jarrod saltalamacchia, jeff karstens, joba, john lannan, johnny, josh hamilton, scott proctor, sean henn
