Scott’s jokes were so bad, I shall never respond to them at all. (Also, I couldn’t think of any funny of my own.)
More cuts: Guzman, Cendeno, Kopitzke and Van Buren. We’re still not to the point of actually making roster decisions, though the Tribune wonders about them. Let me go over the sent down guys, and get back to that article.
Kinda wondering how a Sergio/Angel battle for a spot would’ve turned out if Guzman wasn’t predestined for some more work in Iowa. Gotta figure Mitre’s got three months to prove himself – either here or with the I-Cubs – as a useful quantity to the club before he’s passed for good.
I never saw Casey Kopitzke being listed as an NRI, so it’s kind of a surprise to see him being sent down. Kinda was wondering why they were going with only two catchers so soon. Obviously, they weren’t. What’s really weird is I know I counted the right number of guys left up till now, so I shouldn’t have someone unaccounted for. Maybe he had Williamson’s spot, since he hasn’t been around? I dunno.
The papers picked up on Dusty making positive comments on Van Buren. I think he’s still got to prove himself to join the rotating Wuertz/Wellemeyer/Leicester last RHP slot, but he’s at least going to get the chance.
Up in that article, Dusty throws in Calvin Murray (along with Dubios, Kelton and Dave Hansen – who’ll probably be around once they get down to 11 pitchers for good) as a possiblity of the last man in the bench. Let’s look at how that bench would stack up:
2004 SLG
Blanco: .368
Macias: .379
Hairston: .397
Perez: .336
Murray (Iowa): .200 (okay, 5 AB, .333 lifetime)
Whoa. Watch out with the wind blowing out! It’s not like they’re that much better getting on base either, but you’d like someone who could scare the other team coming off the bench. Good thing Dusty was (mostly) kidding. Just for fun:
2004 EQSLG (BPro2005)
Kelton (Iowa): .521
Dubios (Iowa): .378
Guess Dave would fit in.
In the game notes, Paul Sullivan gamely walks thru the logic, figuring out Prior can be put on the DL and still make his first currently scheduled start. Didn’t know you could backdate DLs till before the season, which is what makes it workable. That’d allow them to only bring 11 pitchers if they wanted to, not having to keep Prior around for ten days where he won’t be doing things. Also fun: Dusty gets touchy about saying DL and Prior in the same sentence.
I’ve moved Randolph in and Ohman out. Santo was on Ohman for his inconsitency on the radio broadcast. Not that Santo should be making these decisions, but he and Dusty are tight enough that I’m sure he’s repeated what he heard in the manager’s office previously.