Because of the rainout in DC, the Gnats did not have an opportunity to serve notice on the Feesh that a massive offseason spending splurge that nevertheless fails to address critical needs and balances on a team, run production being foremost amongst them, is no innoculation against dying of offensive anemia on a regular basis, making adequate pitchers look good and good pitchers look bulletproof. At the same time, Josh Johnson did not prove conclusively that his arm isn’t moribund by digging himself a thirty pitch hole in the bottom of the first; Gaby Sanchez did not turn in a couple of sparkling plays to atone for his game-euthanizer the night before, the Iron Giant did not bust out of his gimpy-kneed offensive swoon, Jose Reyes did not finally start putting up the kind of offensive numbers Scrooge McLoria paid for during his offseason tennis court oath, Tweeter did not line a couple more hits to demonstrate that he has conclusively recovered from his nightmarish 2011 performance, Omar Infante’s mysteriously sore groin did not heal sufficiently to permit him to rediscover the hot hitting he exhibited in splendid isolation amongst his teammates to open the season, and the Hanster did not have an opportunity to reanimate the hot streak he enjoyed against the hapless Cubbies back at Macondo Banana Massacre Field last week, and finally, Slobbering Ozzie had to get on the bus and flee to Gotham too precipitously to find time to go to a local bar and get himself drunk and say something stupid and inflammatory again.

Meanwhile, I am en route to Cincinnati on the expectation that Over the Rhine will sit in with Cowboy Junkies tomorrow night. I noticed that there seem to be a lot more really hot looking TSA cuties guarding the gates of aeronautical freedom these days – when did that happen? – but when you need a pat-down, no luck – they still call for the one who looks like a minotaur with scabies to do the honors.

Ah well.

A swinging strike needs to be better defined, and stop having the home plate umpire make the determination, he has enough to do, and does not have a good angle.

The traditional breaking your wrists is still the best, but the language is fuzzy to some, so something like “past the point of perpendicular with the plate” is the best indication of a swing. If the bat ever goes past a 90 degree angle to the plate it is a swing. The only problem with this, and why “breaking your wrists” is better is it allows for swing that are started, then stopped, on pitches that come close to hitting the batter. Theoretically, a player’s bat could then go past perpendicular, in an attempt to avoid being hit, but perhaps a caveat clause could be added.

The reason nobody wants Abreau is cause he is out of shape, a defensive liability, can no longer steal a base, and doesn’t have the power for a DH. He is in the last year of his contract, so a release, is what he wanted in Spring Training, then maybe with his salary team, somebody might have taken a platoon flier on him, if he came free (being the major league minimum.)

But Wells is another story, he is signed through 2014. Talk about an Albatross. He can no longer play center, isn’t even a good corner outfielder anymore. He no longer even steals 10 bases a year, and is a OBP nightmare. The only way the Angels can rid themselves of him is to eat the majority of his $63 million contract. If they are willing to pay say $15 mil per year, then perhaps some team would be foolish enough to swing a deal, but if he fails to produce which is highly likely, they would still be on the hook for $12 in 2013/2014.

I just cannot see any team going there. The Angels must be hoping they can somehow play him enough to showcase him, pray he gets hot, and move him with the least amount of burden. But my guess is, he matches last year’s numbers, plays about 1/2 the time, and finally is either released or moved for an single A play with marginal upside, eating $40-45 mil while doing so.

2) “Appear to have spent poorly” is probably a little over the top after 16 games.

The most prudent play would be to dump them ASAP. No one can be sure that Trout will excel, but he is the #1 rated prospect for a reason, and the odds are better for him than anyone else.

Third, St. Louis has only played two series against a traditionally “bad” teams in their first 16 games, a 3 game set vs the Cubs. So far their schedule has had them play 6 games vs Cincinnati, 3 vs Milwaukee, three vs. the Pirates and one against Miami, and the 3 vs the Cubs.

Fourthly, Cincinnati and Milwaukee are currently more talented than these American League teams, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Kansas City, Minnesota, Seattle and Oakland.

Yes, there are 4 good teams in the AL East, and to date their respective records indicate that. So if you wanted to make the point that St. Louis would not be 11-5 in that division, I would agree, but comparing them to cellar dwelling Boston in inane. The point of the post (and I should not have to spell this out) was that unlike teams like Boston the Cards have overcome a handful of early season injuries with excellent reinforcements from young role players, which Boston obviously does not have or plan for.

And you should know by now, I am an ardent Rays fan, and am well aware of the difficulties they overcome. But in all honesty the Rays have not played particularly well early. Outside of Shields the starting pitching has been mediocre, still no production from the middle infield, no real catcher to speak of, and a bull pen that is a mess.

Although extremely hypothetical, were the Rays to have replaced the Cards, and played the same schedule as St. Louis has played, I can guarantee you they would be no better than the 11-5 record St. Louis sports, and this goes for any other team in the AL East.

With a last place start, that plan may have to change, and move he and Trumbo for a starter and bull pen help. There won’t be as many takers for either of them as there would be for Hunter. If Hunter can still play center, the Nats have a surplus of MLB ready arms and a need for a center fielder.

One thing is certain. The Angels are in a bind as far as their trade possibilities go. They want to move aging players with big salaries for MLB ready talent. The time to do that is the offseason and the deadline, not 2 weeks into the season. The takers for those players will be teams vying for playoff spots, and won’t want to help the Angels. That makes Abreu untradable in my view. Trumbo has value to a NL team, but I doubt any NL team would give up much for Morales, as he is better suited for DH until he proves he can stay healthy.

If I’m running the club, I’d let things play out. Wells may bounce back, and Pujols will be Pujols. Santana and Williams won’t suck all season, and are very acceptable 4 and 5 starters. I’d leave Trout in AAA all season. I’m reminded of what Tampa did to Upton. They brought him up at 19 without having a need for him. It killed his progression. He had to lean a new position, and fix his flaws at the MLB level, which turned a top prospect into an average #6 hitter. Trout likely won’t add anything that Wells and Hunter can’t, except for SB. It’s not like he’s a guaranteed .800 ops guy at 20 years old, so he’s not really an upgrade. If they are still below .500 in July, make some changes, but they only have to be better than either the Jays or Rays in the end when it is all said and done.

Both teams, at this point, are looking like pretty solid bets to head to the postseason, so a blown call on April 22 is most likely not going to affect the fabric of the space time continuum to the extent that people are suggesting.

Pujols, for all his greatness, is 32. I’m sure he’ll improve over his start, but 32 is past prime. He only has 3 non-intentional walks this year. His walk rate has been declining the last few years; teams have been pitching to him and he’s been expanding the zone…that has gotten worse.

Morales has never walked much; he has yet to walk this year.

It is a team with little power that doesn’t get on base much.

With that lineup, they have to be carried by their pitching nearly every game….and the pitching has been struggling to dominate like everyone expected it to….they are a healthier version of the Phillies.

I love this by the way. It’s so simple.

Cricket has a guy in a small booth, next to a television. When called upon, he looks at the replay on TV. Presses a green or a red light. Pretty bloody simple really.

Meanwhile, I await the inevitable Lohse return to reality. Look at his stats– he’s young Roy Hobbs in April most years, and then he metaphorically goes off to spend time in a hotel room with a woman in black around cinco de mayo. Shame he doesn’t come back from that and hit the cover off the ball…

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/04/01/for-the-1000th-time-baseball-does-not-need-fixed/