And it’s true, as long as we are close to the leaders, we have a chance. Webb isn’t going 32-0, all their hitters are going to stay over 850 OPS, and Andruw Jones will drag down the Dodgers because they need to play him.

A manager who goes out and publicly say, “You know, we are not that good really, some great parts, but we are just mediocre,” will either be canned immediately by the owners or, after the customers leave in droves, be canned by the owners when sales drop precipitously.

And Castillo is a solution. He doesn’t have Feliz defense, but his OPS is nearly 50 point higher and his OBP is nearly 20 points higher. Plus, Sabean said 3B has a solution. Aurilia has played 3B the past two nights, maybe it is the combo of the two that is the solution.

And again, solution. I’ll agree with you that he is not a long-term solution, not a great solution, but you must admit that he is a solution. At minimum, he is hitting better than the 3B we had the last two seasons, that solves a problem there.

And you left out the context. Here is what Sabean said next, “Between what people thought of us and how we’re actually performing, I think these guys have a lot to be proud of.”

And there is. Positives going forward is Vizquel much improved hitting over Bocock, Zito being half decent, and Lewis, Bowker, and Burriss have been nice surprises, and Ortmeier has done well in the thankless “we’ll use you when we feel like it” role that many young bench players struggle with.

Here’s a negotiating tip: you will get more in return when the other side wants something that you want to hold on to. If you publicly tell everyone that we are dumping players, you just cut the value you are going to get from anyone inquiring about your player. It is just good management practice.

You say that you are going in a new direction AFTER you did the deal, not before. You have more negotiating leverage that way.

I’m going to be renting a 17ft U-Haul Truck and driving it, that could prove interesting.

Not to be a downer for you, I’m sure your move will go better! :^)

Good luck, all the best on your move. It’s like gambling, you have to accept that there will be some losses along the way.

John at OBM says that Wilson (that is, Bochy) should have pitched around Burrell and gone after Feliz. Good point–Pedro is an out-machine. Nonetheless, I like what Wilson’s done so far. He’s going to rack up some BS & L numbers, that comes with the job. If he can tough it out against good hitters in homer-parks he will be that much better next year.

I’d rather lead the league in HR than SB, but if we get 1921 mojo by running like idiots, then run, baby, run!

Or is that the wrong George Burns? :^)

That logic works for me.

I agree with the high A for Tim. The lower % of fastballs is an encouraging sign because it shows he realy is integrating other pitchs usefully in his game.

I give Cain a B-. Given the large amount of 7 inning 1-2 run outings with no wins in the last year plus It seems inevitable he would either start nibbling or just plain old trying to over pitch. The teams current defense does little to entice into a different train of thought now days. If Botchy and /or Rags wants the enhance their “develops pitchers” chops now is the time for them to step it up.

Correia I give a C. I was rather hoping he would string together another 2+ months like this before the dead line. He could be a handy trading chit then.

Sanchez is well ahead of the curve. I give him a B+. He strings a couple months more like this and he is easily in the “A” territory. I just hope he keeps it up. I expect some real ugly games ( hey its were he is at in his development cycle not a reflection on his stuff) from him but I am excited to track him

On the Pasta Arm the less said the better.

On Misch I hope he can do well. But man his numbers the 2nd & 3rd time through the line up last year are not that encouraging to me. In any case I agree it worth a shot seeing if those improve or if his future is a lefty ‘pen guy.

Good call on Sanchez’s HR suppression in the minors, he’s always kept the ball in the yard. His control will be the difference between front of the rotation and back of the rotation starter for him.

Maybe I was too harsh on Correia? I think a C grade is perfect for him but I knocked him down a peg because he’s hurt and you can’t be an asset to the team unless you can actually play.