Crooked Pitch

Today’s pitch count is 5.

1. Bill Center of the Union-Tribune says that the San Diego Padres are stacked as an organization at third base. He gives some good info on 3B prospects for you guys in deep keeper leagues and leagues that use minor leaguers. He also talks about the injury to Kevin Kouzmanoff and how that’ll effect Chase Headley.
2. By trading Garrett Olson, the Baltimore Orioles have created a long list of potential rotation fillers. This reminds me of one of my favorite quotes from the 1989 classic baseball movie “Major League”
   

   Board Member 1: I’ve never heard of half of these guys and the ones I do know are way past their prime.
   Charlie Donovan: Most of these guys never had a prime.
   Board Member 2: This guy here is dead.
   Rachel Phelps: Cross him off then.

3. Upon being traded to the Orioles, Felix Pie said that he is looking forward to being able to play “every day”. I don’t see that happening, and neither do Baltimore Sun reporters Jeff Zrebiec and Dan Connolly. That is unless Pie is sure that he’s headed back to Triple-A in 2009.
4. Instead of playing winter ball, Colby Rasmus hit the gym this off-season and significantly bulked up. This seems like good news, and very well could be. But also remember that Jeff Francoeur did the same thing prior to the 2008 season. Also in that same article, Ryan Ludwick semi-jokes about his time in the gym this off-season, and what he hoped to accomplish from it, ”I’d like to hit 50”.
5. I’m sure that everybody has heard the Prince Fielder to Boston trade rumors. Gerry Fraley, writing for The Sporting News, doesn’t think a trade will happen this season, but gives a number of reasons why the Brewers should trade Fielder.