Odds & Ends: Kennedy, Rays, Bonds, Wagner

I think Cashman should go to the Giants!! He should also team up with Ron Washington, after they both get fired from their respective posts. =)

gogopalehose, Skipworth is more advanced and projectable than Mauer at a comparable age. His level of competition is significantly higher in California than Mauer in Minnesota.

Most of all, there is zero doubt that Skipworth can stay behind the plate, while many predict Wieters will have to move from behind the plate to first base sooner rather than later.

The only comment I've heard about Wieter's ability to remain behind the plate is that he's unusually tall for a catcher. There are no real question marks on his defense. Do you have any sources on your comments on Wieters? I'm actually curious, not being argumentative.

The reason many want Weiters to move to first base has nothing to do with him being bad defensively at catcher. It's because he has such a power bat that I think it would be in the best interest of the O's to move him to first base to extend his career. This guy can flat out hit and I'd rather see him at first as well. Quiroz should be given a chance as our full time catcher. He is an excellent defensive catcher and used to be one of the best catcher prospects in baseball, but his bat never developed in the majors. I think there's a chance he comes around enough to catch for us full time, but that would be after Ramon is traded, whenever that happens. I don't have sources for the Weiters info, it's just the "word around the campfire" with the group of O's fans I talk to and it seems to be a shared sentiment.

The AL teams that were interested in Frank Thomas reveal a general need to improve in the areas that Bonds' offense brings, esp. in the form of DH. Yet, Bonds is still unemployed.

Im sorry, but I dont buy the clubhouse cancer, media baggage hype, or pending litigation specter (which wont affect this season anyway). When it comes down to it teams and players want to win, and every team has some form of cancer, baggage or legal crap on their current roster anyway. The added media attention is only going to attract more viewers, readers, coverage, advertisers, merchandise sales, etc. Has SF suffered a PR backlash as a result of Bonds' presence? No.

Bonds, as quoted, will put butts and balls in seats, not too mention a few extra wins that may spell the difference for a post season appearance.

Kennedy was just overused last year. This is his year after and it's showing already. The injury to Hughes is a blessing in disguise because now, it's going to be hard to overuse him. He is starting to look like an injury risk. Chamberlain would be much easier to overuse at around 150 innings. The Yankees better be careful and yes, they definitely should have traded for Johan. The Yanks are in trouble and will probably end up getting into some more trouble with Joba for next season.