Odds & Ends: Nady, Loewen, Torrealba

"but he's probably better off just stepping aside and giving another player the opportunity and just getting on with his life."

If he was a quitter he wouldn't have made it this far in the first place. You don't give up on your dreams when you hit a setback and make it the majors in the first place.

He's 24 years old this isn't a 38 year old journeyman AAAA player.

I wish the Pirates would let John Van Benschoeton go back down to A ball and convert to a position player.

He is pretty much one of the worst pitchers ever. I think he has some major league record for highest ERA among starters with at least 8-9 starts or so.

But he led the NCAA in HRs as a collegiate. So it's not like he's never hit before. I'd put a bat in his hands and give him a shot. He's useless as a starter.

Look, we're talking about a guy who, by his own admission, basically hasn't picked up a bat in nearly six years. Your 'rah-rah he's not a quitter' routine is all well and good, but it seems selfish to me. Somewhere out there is a guy who also hasn't given up, and has made a lot less money (Loewen got a $3.2 million signing bonus in 2002) than Loewen who is going to be cut now, just so Loewen can pretend to be Babe Ruth for a couple of years before realizing he can't hack it. Maybe you find that admirable, but I find it sad and selfish.

Loewen will never be heard of again, but he'll make his millions, then hang it up...the sign with an Independent league.

"Did everyone forget Ankiel's name was linked to PED's?

Sure he was immensely talented, and what he did is pretty incredible considering it rarely happens; but it also seems he didn't do it on his own."

Rick Ankiel got caught with proof that showed that he received HGH. There is no proof that HGH has any benefits to a professional baseball player. It in now ways improves your strength or stamina, and in most ways is simply a placebo. It is highly likely that Ankiels performance is pure, and if it isn't well then he's a dickhead

Chris Iannetta is having his breakout season, which is further indicative of the idea that the Rockies shouldn't have given Torrealba that contract in the first place. I know Iannetta had a terrible year last year, but they could have done the smart thing and let another team pay for Torrealba's 2007 postseason. He should just collect his unearned money and keep quiet.

"Look, we're talking about a guy who, by his own admission, basically hasn't picked up a bat in nearly six years. Your 'rah-rah he's not a quitter' routine is all well and good, but it seems selfish to me. Somewhere out there is a guy who also hasn't given up, and has made a lot less money (Loewen got a $3.2 million signing bonus in 2002) than Loewen who is going to be cut now, just so Loewen can pretend to be Babe Ruth for a couple of years before realizing he can't hack it. Maybe you find that admirable, but I find it sad and selfish."

First of all. this is a guy that had frequent batting practice during the interleague games so dont tell me he hasnt picked up a bat in 6 years. Second, how is that selfish at all. Please explain it to me because i would love to hear it. And no they are not cutting him AM already came out and said they are going to terminate his contract and make a new one so he can go back to the minors. Plus how do you know he cant hit the ball? Have you seen him hit? Or maybe its just pure speculation and alot of guessing by a person that has no clue what they're talking about.

Agreed, MattyMets. But weren't you the team that turned him away anyway? ;)

Iannetta is the Rockies catcher of the future, and the sooner that Torrealba is given his walking papers, the sooner that Hurdle can stop starting him and start starting Iannetta everyday.

Oh believe me oo nrb, I am certainly happy that the Mets backed out of the deal with Torrealba and got Schneider and Castro back as a platoon instead. Torrealba has never been any more than a solid backup (even with San Francisco), and he definitely didn't deserve that money in the first place. I think Iannetta is going to be a top 10 catcher in this league for years to come.