It’s not like they’re eliminating Porcello’s inning count or anything- they’re breaking him in the same way they would have had he started in the minors.

And I don’t see what all the fuss is over them sticking Porcello into the majors now. I get that there’s risk involved, but Detroit seems to think they can contend this year, and if Porcello struggles while they’re trying to contend, he’ll get sent back down for more work. And do AA starts matter that much? Clayton Kershaw had 5 and still served as a reliable #3-#4 starter. Why are the only comps we’re using for Porcello Jeremy Bonderman or Edwin Jackson?

Besides, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him sent down when Bondo goes back to the rotation and Leyland/Dombrowski realize Nate Robertson isn’t a total bum.

They picked up Juan Cruz didn’t they?
So they didn’t absolutely need Leo Nunez

Just Watch The Royals WILL surprise you

the Mariners have had an amazing offseason.

Likes him a speedy leadoff hitter with no power, and absolutely no plate discipline.

My god I thought Walt Jocketty would reign in some of the ridiculous methods that Dusty Baker uses to manage. I guess not. I’m guessing Dusty will be asking Walt to trade Bruce and Votto for Ichiro by the trade deadline.

I was dumbfounded

the perception was that Rasmus would probably make the club. He instead got sent to the minors and proceeded to bomb due to by many accounts his mental state going into the crapper. I don’t think it would be a smart move to jack him around - if he’s close to ready, let him play.

but still… heck of a risk to take.

Oh wait…

If you do the calculations, Ransom over ARod costs the Yanks about 1 win for the year. Making a trade or playing someone else MIGHT only cost 0.75 wins. Is it worth it? Probably not.

and not one of the “yesterday’s managerial decisions” that you asked us not to list…

I think Tony LaRussa feels like he owes Rick Ankiel something for basically ruining his career. He knows Rick Ankiels value is greater as a center fielder going into free agency than a right fielder.

Rasmus will be the starting center field, just not this year.

The bullpen was without Mike Gonzalez, Rafael Soriano, and Peter Moylan for most of last season, which forced Boyer to be severely overworked. Those additions should probably offset most of their woes (today being the exception). Also, I agree that bringing Glavine back was not a good idea but Hanson needs some AAA starts. The kid has never pitched an inning above AA.

that Strasbourg is going in THIS YEAR’S draft, not next year.

I wouldnt be surprised to see them both back in AAA.

Why don’t they have a backup catcher again?

Renteria is definitely being paid too much, but his contract was only for 2 years and he isn’t blocking anyone from getting playing time. The only other SS candidate in the org who’s ready is Burriss and he’s the starting 2b, so he’s not rotting away on the bench or in the minors, and his minor league track record, what there is of it, isn’t that impressive either.

Molina very well could be gone after this season as a free agent, if they don’t trade him before that. the Giants aren’t being dumb for keeping him. Posey can spend a year in the minors. I don’t think the Giants are in a rush to promote him before Bengie moves on. I could see the Giants “anointing” Posey the starter in 2010, but then pulling a Wieters and making him wait 2 months before calling him up. In that case, they probably won’t re-sign Bengie.

I don’t see the harm in letting 2008 draftees like Posey and Gillaspie play at least a year or so in the minors.

They also failed to offer Burrell arbitration, forfeiting the draft pick they would have received when the Rays signed him.

So……

In total, they gave up 2 draft picks to sign an older player who is worse both offensively and defensively to a longer contract for more money per season.

Again:
Forfeited draft pick by not offering Burrell arbitration
Signed a player who’s Older
Worse Offensively
Worse Defensively
to a Longer Contract
costing them More Money per Season
and cost them another draft pick

I’m a Reds’ fan, so the Darnell McDonald/Johnny Gomes move referenced above caused me to throw things, and curse Dusty Baker’s name for the millionth time. But this was such a perfect storm of stupid from the Phillies’ end (and so easy to see coming at every step), that it may be the all-time winner. There is simply no justification for any portion of it.

He’s terrible. Imagine how much tighter the AL Central would be if there werent two manager who had absolutely no clue how to construct a friggin lineup? At least Carlos Gomez no longer bats leadoff. I dont know which would be worse… a 1-2 of Gomez and Casilla or a 1-2 of Wise and Getz. Ugh. I would ban these two managers from the game. If I was a fan of either team it would drive me nuts. I dont care what they do well - and they do have strengths - they are directly taking runs away from their teams with these idiotic lineups. Theyve shown a five year old’s understanding of how runs are scored in baseball. Lets take a 100 ABs away from Paul Konerko and Jason Kubel and give an extra hundred ABs to DeWayne Wise and Denard Span. Stupid.

then you dodged a bullet you didnt see coming. He’s a mirage.