Rookies to watch: Vote for Votto, Buchholz is from a fantasy baseball perspective, but interesting. Buchholz is the top pick (for fantasy purposes). The Reds' Joey Votto is #2. MLB Trade Rumors thinks Scott Hatteberg, the Reds' first baseman and the most productive player on the team last year, may be traded to the Yankees.
I don't buy it. Yes, Giambi at 1B is a scary thought. But the Yanks don't need any more aging veterans. They've already got more than they know what to do with. Not to mention Hatteberg's a lefty, and they're already overstocked with those.
Plus, Hatteberg really only hits well at Great American Ball Park. Yankee fans have noticed this, and I have to assume Cashman has, too.
Now Batting, the Best Deal the Yankees Never Made is about Robby Cano's improbable success. The only reason he wasn't traded is that other teams didn't want him. His minor league numbers are actually much worse than his big league numbers - the opposite of the usual situation. Not really sure why that is. Except maybe that those projections should be taken with some NaCl. And Robby was very young, and apparently immature for his age.
Hall of Fame talents in unemployment line suggests that 2013 will be a bumper year for Hall of Fame candidates...because of all the veterans who still don't have jobs. They will likely retire rather than sign minor league contracts or sign with teams that aren't to their liking.
Jayson Stark's Some familiar faces back chasing their dreams is a silly piece about the hope that springs eternal in spring training. The article includes a roster for an "All-Invited To Spring Team." Bubba is listed on the "Reincarnation Taxi Squad" (bench). Except he wasn't even given an NRI, mutter, grumble.
And here's the 2008 Tacoma Rainiers schedule. If Bubba's still with the Rainiers in mid-summer, I might fly out to catch a few games. Maybe when they play in Las Vegas. Lots of cheap flights to Las Vegas from NY.
Though I'm really wondering if he'll still be in the Mariners system by then. Seattle is well-stocked with lefty outfielders. If Bubba does well, they may prefer to trade him. Or he may opt out, if he signed a contract that allows him to do that.
