All Things Bubba

In yesterday's comments, an anonymous tipster reports that the Mariners have offered Bubba an invitation to their Triple-A spring training camp. The Mets and Rangers are also interested, and we'll likely know in a day or two.

Well, it's great to hear some news on the Bubba front. Though the Mariners wouldn't be my first choice for him. They are an AL team; he's said he thinks his skills are better suited to the NL, and I agree. And from my purely selfish point of view: they're on the left coast, which means their games will be really late for us east coasters. Their Triple-A team, the Tacoma Rainiers, are also in the west coast, and play in the PCL, meaning it won't be easy for New Yorkers to get to their games. And their spring training is in Arizona - again, not as convenient for New Yorkers as Florida.

They reportedly didn't offer him a spring training invite to the big league camp because it's already full. But they have only one non-roster invitee who is an outfielder: Bronson Sardinha. So Bubba might have as good a chance of being called up with Seattle as anywhere. And if he is called up, we Yankee fans may get to see him, since the Yanks play the Mariners pretty often.

The Mets are an NL team. They have their spring training in Florida. And their minor league team is the New Orleans Zephyrs. They are a PCL club, but at least they're not on the west coast. New Orleans is in the Central Time Zone, which would be much easier on east coasters than the Pacific Time Zone. And of course, should Bubba be called up, we New Yorkers would get to see every game.

And then there's the Rangers. They are also an AL team. Their spring training is in Arizona, and their Triple-A team is the Oklahoma Redhawks, a PCL club. They're also in the Central Time Zone. The Rangers have a ton of outfielders, including a couple who, like Bubba, were in the Reds organization last year. (Josh Hamilton and Jason Ellison.) They also have David Murphy, recently of the Red Sox, and just signed Kevin Mench.

I'll be very happy Bubba is playing this season, no matter where it is. Though I'm hoping for the Mets. Just because it would be easier for me to follow the games.

Plus, it would maintain his eligibility for Red Hot Mama's NLC's Hottest Baller tournament. (Arroyo is gaining on Bubba. It's Crosby 75%, Arroyo 25% at the moment.)

Speaking of which, the Cincinnati Reds really were a very good choice for us fans last year. In the Eastern Time Zone, spring training in Florida, Triple-A team in the IL. Too bad it didn't work out. Hopefully, it will work out for Andy Phillips this year.