Baylor has already made himself worthwhile.

I’m like everyone else is a little concerned about the starting pitching. Early Spring Training hic-ups are normal especially with vets, as they work on pitches and mechanics…but come this time they usually start showing major improvement, as they start to stretch themselves out for the season.

This is why I’m concerned about Jason Marquis. He’s not a #1, never will be, but he usually has been fairly consitently average. Average for our #3 pitcher would be fine…but he’s looked TERRIBLE. AND…we don’t have a replacement if he started the year on the DL (unless it’s for the first couple weeks and we break with 4 man rotation) as Smith, Fogg haven’t exactly wowed either.

 As for both Franklin Morales and De La Rosa, they look like I expected….flashes of brilliance…flashes of wildness…just what you expect from young lefties that throw hard (anyone remember Randy Johnson’s younger days?)

And I like our bullpen. When we get Bucky back, we will have very short games. With Bucky then Corpas and Street…that makes our games 6 innings long! That’s a formula for winning that I really like

On who on other teams might be on the trade blocks due to option issues like Baker? Also, who else on the Rocks is going to have to make the club or face the wavier wire.?

Not sure if need Baker or not, but I would love to get a guy like Thornton in a return.

Here’s my opening day roster and lineup. The assumptions are: (1) the roster has to be set today, (2) no trades are made prior to opening day, (3) no new substantial injuries, (4) all current minor injuries resolve prior to opening day, (5) Fowler makes the team, (6) they skip the 5th starter a couple times in April, (6) Atkins is traded before this year’s deadline, and (7) Helton is healthy but rests once a week.

Starting Pitchers
1-Cook
2-Jimenez
3-Marquis (by default I guess, hope for miracle and/or trade)
4-De La Rosa
5-Morales (makes a couple, planned, long-relief roles in April, confidence boost by being on opening day roster rather than CS)

Bullpen
Corpas (CL-TBD)
Street (CL-TBD)
Embree
Speier
Grilli
Rusch
Morillo (Morillo develops mysterious minor injury same day Bucky is ready to come off DL)

Starters (1-8 lineup)
1-Spilly (LF)
2-Tulo
3-Helton (frequent rest, spelled by Atkins)
4-Atkins (Stewart plays when Atkins goes to first, rearrange R-L middle of order)
5-Hawpe
6-Iannetta (~70% of starts)
7-Baker (2B) (the guy has paid his dues and needs a position, degrade in defense from Barmes is balanced with upgrade in defense from Fowler and more power and maybe OBP from Baker over Barmes)
8-Fowler (CF) (If he’s on the roster he has to start a lot, upgrade in defense and speed balances possible downgrade in offense compared to S. Smith starting, begin him in low stress spot in order)

Bench
Barmes – (lowest ceiling of the infielders gets the utility job in my book)
Stewart – (Primary sub at 3rd, pinch hits a lot, takes over 3rd when Atkins is traded by deadline.)
Torrealba – true backup catcher, not split
S. Smith – Top left handed pinch hitter, frequently in outfield rotation
Murton – Top right handed pinch hitter, frequently in outfield rotation

Notes
Q goes to CS if he has options (not sure), G Smith goes to CS – available for injuries in rotation or bullpen, Cargo goes to CS as long as necessary (hopefully long-term replacement for Hawpe, who is eventually traded for cost savings and pitching in a year or two or becomes 1B if/when Helton wears down).

I guess I’m going on the assumption that Fowler’s slightly overmatched to start, and then he’s moved to leadoff relatively soon. I think your scenario is actually more likely to happen, but I can envision Baker being a Jeff Kent at 2nd. I think the Stewart situation works out and doesn’t have to be forced. If they can get something good for Baker I’d move him. I’m just afraid we get a mediocre middle reliver, Baker finally gets at bats and drives in 100 somewhere.

Clint Hurdle praises Chris Iannetta’s defensive improvements:

I was never counting on CDI to be an above average closer. If he can follow Matt Holliday’s trend of improving all parts of his game to supplement hitting ability…..oh how juicy. Maybe CDI will be a 30-30 guy? ha. jk

“That package has tightened up,” Hurdle said

so Clint Hurdle thinks CDI has a tight package, eh? Dreamy indeed.