jaysfan2014

LaFromboise gets Collabello. But boy, he stunk! Imagine if he struggled like this with the MLB roster and not the minor leaguers.

While we're playing the Pirates, the O's are getting shellacked by the Tigers.. of course, it's Spring Training, but Jimenez really hurt his hopes of keeping a roster spot..

Ubaldo Jimenez of the O's is in prime form right now.. already 4 runs given up vs. the Tigers. Gausman looks like he's a roster spot locked up.. just imagine if the O's hadn't blown that money. They could've kept Cruz or Markakis, or brought someone decent in with that sunk cost Jimenez is.

And they're neutral on Boston, which is fair. There's no telling if Victorino and HanRam will stay healthy (doubtful), Pedroia continuing to decline (and forcing Betts into the OF because of that contract Pedroia got last year), how Sandoval will adjust to the AL, and that weak pitching staff of #3-#4 starters, many who were either from big ballparks or coming off awful seasons in 2014. And the biggest question--how much does Ortiz have left? If he declines badly, Boston will not contend, as he is the most important piece on the team (only 30/100 threat on the team.)

Phillies minor leaguers and Darin Ruf lost to the University of Tampa 6-2! (Aumont didn't help matters either.)

Not until Tuesday. What I meant was that there's some actual baseball today.

Today's finally the day (unofficially). We finally see some baseball, with the Phillies playing an exhibition vs. the University of Tampa. Of course, the real thing starts Tuesday.

Now we wonder why the Jays voided their contract with Belisario:

http://www.csnphilly.com/baseball-philadelphia-phillies/brewers-out-toronto-blue-jays-interest-jonathan-papelbon-more Do it AA. We need a closer in the worst way.

More likely Mike Crouse.. he's expected to be in AAA. But with Smith Jr. expected to be in AA, you never know.

We might be able to get him for very little. He's out of options, and must make the roster or Boston will lose him.

Our system has Dickerson, Carrera, Gindl, Dirks once healthy, and who knows, maybe prospect Mike Crouse will be an option if he does well in Buffalo this year. And I expect AA will be looking for help via the wire. But still, this hurts. And he stepped on an underground sprinkler to tear his meniscus.. curse that grounds crew!

Damn! Saunders just can't catch a break.

Only Alvarez has been decent, and d'Arnaud to a lesser extent (if only his defense would improve.. can't just depend on pitch-framing. Jury's still out on Syndergaard, as he has yet to get out of AAA, and is still blocked by a deep Mets rotation.. when he could be used right to trade for a big bat that the Mets desperately need to contend, if he's not going to reach the majors in New York. And remember, Barreto is a long ways off, Nolin is not really a decent prospect, and Brett Lawrie has never been able to stay healthy in Toronto due to his hard play, which has resulted in various injuries. Graveman is difficult to call. And Nicolino, BTW, is in AA, but is now questionable as a prospect, as his K numbers plunged in 2014.. And Wuilmer Becerra isn't out of rookie ball yet.. he's too far off to project. And regarding d'Arnaud, he's a great pitch framer, but his defense is Arencibia level bad(2013). It's going to have to improve or Kevin Plawecki will likely steal the starting job by mid-season, and d'Arnaud will likely be moved to the outfield(he does have a decent bat.)

Boston signed Cherington and Farrell to extensions. Better hope their moves this year get them to contention..

And to think 2 years ago he was the #1 prospect in baseball, and expected to be an All-Star by now. The Rangers were supposed to have a dynasty, which included Profar.. then it all crashed and burned. And thanks to the awful Fielder and Choo deals, they're screwed for the next few years.. And the talk is that Profar will miss the 2015 season as well due to this surgery. Can we declare him officially a huge prospect bust?

If you think we've got depth problems, look at the question marks on other AL East teams not named the Boston Red Sox.

You forgot we still have Tolleson and Kawasaki as well. And BTW, Weeks is REALLY bad defensively at 2B(a career -9.9 dWAR), and is being moved to the OF in Seattle. Goins/Izturis actually is about equal to Weeks in WAR. And Cabrera couldn't sign here due to his pending trial, which may see him get released by the O's if he is convicted.

Flaherty and Schoop have options. Flaherty, as he was a former Rule 5 picks, has options remaining, and Schoop has at least 2 remaining.

Cabrera has legal issues and probably can't leave the US at the moment with his trial coming up in April. And there's a reasonable chance Cabrera may not last long in an O's uniform if he is convicted.

Of course, whether he ever plays for the O's depends on his pending case regarding his misdemeanor charge for resisting arrest and his DUI while possessing marijuana(his trial is April 13, and he faces a year in prison). Not to mention his injury history. Is it a wonder nobody signed him?

Giants fans know about Sandoval's girth.. and as he ages, his weight is going to force him to 1B or DH, possibly sooner than later. Years where he's had weight issues have hurt his defense (see 2012, 2013).

Major blow to the Dodgers bullpen. And it's 8-12 weeks actually. But don't expect them to go after K-Rod or Soriano.. they have no room on the 40 without DFAing or trading someone. It'll likely come in-house, likely Joel Peralta. Of course, the Dodgers bullpen was a major weakness last year.. and it doesn't look that much improved. Hope those elite starters in LA can pitch a ton of complete games..

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-fangraphs-top-200-prospect-list/ A number of Jays listed, including Sanchez, Norris and Pompey.