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Based on the fact that the starting pitcher market was predicted to be bad going back 2 years ago through next year, I think based on the available options Dipoto made some reasonable cost-conscious decisions. Clearly the Blanton signing has not worked out in any way, shape, or form, but I think he acquired two starters, Vargas and Hanson, without having to give up too much (Morales being the more significant trade over Walden). It's not like there was a whole lot out there to get.

Interesting sidebar about Ted Williams that I thought some of you might like: http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/hub-fans-bid-kid-redo/

Hi Eric, I don't think you realize that this was the plan. This is the core group of players for this season and at least next season. Pujols, Hamilton, Trout, Weaver, Wilson, Aybar, Kendrick, Trumbo, and Bourjos either have such large contracts that they are essentially unmoveable at this time or are pre-arbitration and/or signed to team-friendly extensions that it would not make a lot of sense to move them. This is made moreso by the fact that we do not have any ready replacements in our farm system, at this time, to replace their production. There is a plan and it was to build a core group of players through free agency and extensions now (this plan started nearly two years ago), forego our first round draft picks (because the last two drafts, including this year, were projected as having a "weak" class of players), and then really make a rebuilding effort starting with next years draft. I think this is pretty much what we are stuck with for the time being. You could trade Kendrick or Aybar for instance but who do we replace them with? I like Romine's defense but his bat is light. I don't think Lindsey is ready yet on the farm to handle a big league job next year as a possible replacement for Kendrick. They could trade Trumbo or Bourjos but it just seems like we'd be shooting ourselves in the foot for the most part by doing that as they are both good young cost-controlled players, which is exactly the type we need to build around? What we really need to do is trade Pujols or Hamilton but that ain't happening and we'd have to eat money, AGAIN, and I just think that we are caught in a tightly woven web.

Only if Babe Ruth was being compared to 2012 Peter Bourjos.

Actually Ray was right regarding the original phrase.

Well I have to disagree with you on this one ED. As of today: Iannetta: .209 AVG/.727 OPS Conger: .260 AVG/.746 OPS This is, of course, a small sample size and both have BABIP issues (Iannetta bad, Conger good). Beyond that though Hank has shown in the minors that he can hit for average, ability to get on base, and has some pop in his bat. Iannetta probably has a better eye but the differences aren't quite as wide as some would think. I think Conger still needs to prove that his defense is improving (and he has made some blunders this year too) but if he makes those improvements he is not just a back up catcher, he belongs in our starting spot moving forward.

Just saw this article on BP: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=20882 At the top of the "best" list, as far as out-of-zone strikes and in-zone balls, is none other than Baby Hank!?!? This is interesting because I noticed Hank, in his last start, was really making an effort to frame the balls when he caught them and I even thought in my head at the time that he appeared to be making a more conscious effort to improve his receiving. Hope he keeps it up as he definitely has a bat that can play in a starter's role!

Manny Ramirez.

LOL

Mike Trout could probably do that too.

This. ^^ Usually these guys aren't taken earlier because of the injury past so this is an opportunity to get higher upside talent albeit with a bit of risk involved.

I've been getting Swingers ads too.... oh wait.

What they aren't telling you is that along with the BBQ they are serving Greek yogurt so that you hallucinate and THINK you are seeing John Stamos.

Barrister Kriel approves this message. Please transfer wire £3000 to London, England to claim your prize.

Well some people around here live and breath small sample size.

Wasn't there a Star Trek episode about alternate universes?

Love the "Richards gets confused with Weaver".... totally true, brah! Nice job!

Maybe we should just be thankful we have a reliable starter to back up an injury/poor performance?

I'm glad they are finally doing something big to shake up the game. Players need to know that PED's are not a part of the game.

That doesn't prevent pregnancy by the way.

True but there are virtually no teams in baseball that have zero debt, like the Angels. THAT is smart business.

Hmmmm.... sad this makes Yoda. Keep Trout to yourself do you? Thanks!

Then I think you should put on your rubber slippers because the price of pitching skyrocketed this off-season and all it is doing is heading up. 5/60 might be too many years but $12 for a pitcher at his skill level is about right.