Odds and Ends: Lowe, Arroyo, Chacon

Completely off topic: This site has become slow-loading in the extreme.

dont listen to them about the slow loading thing.

people like to complain. stick it out.

Tim - I am having the slow loading problem with Firefox too. It just started today.

"They're probably comparing Lowes 9MM average to Penny's 9MM option. Boras is probably saying Lowe deserves a lot more on his next contract based on that comparison alone - Lowe has never been on the DL during his time in LA."

Lowe did miss one start last year, but you are right about no DL. As for his contract issues, I really think it depends on how Penny comes back after some down time. If Penny finds his command and starts trusting his bender again, the Dodgers have bargaining power. If not, they may well give Lowe $10 mil a year, though perhaps not if Sabathia ends up signing as a FA.

As for the Saunders thing, I tend to believe his side on this. Every report indicates he is a top notch guy and the MLB signing process is all kinds of slimy. In any case, the Phillies lost out big time on this guy, because he has been pitching like a left-handed Greg Maddux with velocity.

I'm having no load time troubles using Opera.

The Joe Saunders story...I can't help believe Joe Saunders because WHY would a player hold an imaginary grudge? That would just make no sense.

"Saunders clearly made the right decision for himself. It looks like in the end both parties ended up fairing well (Phillies ending up with Hamels second time around and Saunders getting a $1.825M signing bonus instead of $150K). I don't know why they're bothering to argue this through the media."

Perhaps Saunders truly felt insulted. This is why I tend to believe him. Who would air such a thing now if it wasn't a big deal? This may well have cost Saunders a few years of ML service time. Then again, as an Angeleno, I am glad what happened happened.