Spring Training 2015

The Braves look so bad they might invite Julio Franco back.---even to pitch.

Terdoslavich should get a shot this year in a corner OF spot.(He is a natural 1B, but Freeman in the way)

The Padres do look a lot more competitive: much better hitting (it's mostly RH, but that's a plus in Petco), a solid and proven front four in the rotation (Shields, Cashner, Ross and Kennedy) and a very good bullpen. Oufield defense likely to be a problem in Petco, minor questions at ss and 3b, and their No. 2 catcher is now out for the season, leaving the job open (their best prospect, c Austin Hedges may not be quite ready for the show, and Wil Nieves is a career backup and weak hitter). Figure on yet another deal here. Team looks ready to compete with the Giants, and maybe even the Dodgers.

Well spit. Zach Wheeler torn elbow ligament TJ surgery on the horizon, guess Gee is staying put after all

I agree Bryant having a nice spring. Read where he has DH'd some games though due to shoulder fatigue. Never have quite understood how someone can rest all winter and then start the spring with fatigue.

My bet though is he will start in AAA to give Olt a chance to put it together. If he does then he is trade bait. If he does not then Bryant gets his chance once enough season is passed that this year will not count toward arbitration and FA eligibility.

There is no future for Mike Olt with the Cubs, and--considering his recent struggles--his getting it together is unlikely. The Cubs might pull the skinflint move and send send Bryant to AAA until June. However, considering the money they spent for Lester, and their decent chances to compete last year, that would be a foolish move that would rightfully incense most Cubs Fans and damage their chances.

I LIVE NEAR MONTREAL AND I MISSED THE EXPOS BUT WE GOES TO SEE BLUE JAYS AGAINTS THE REDS AT OLYMPIC STADIUM IN SPRING TRAINING GAME IN APRIL.

Nice!! Miss the Expos!! (Winnipeg)

After seeking a third opinion and getting same answer Darvish has decided to have Tommy John surgery.
Been expecting this for a while. Had assumed when I heard he was seeking a third opinion maybe he had got mixed opinions from first 2 experts.

This is on top of news about Holland's shoulder. Derek has been ruled out for the opening series and word is Rangers are hopeful he can pitch the home opener. This song is sounding familiar. Could be a long hot summer here in the DFW metroplex.

I'm hoping darvish makes a full recovery, and gets back to his top form. I traded for him in a keeper league. I can afford to have him out for a year, but I hope he comes back strong!

The Padres do look a lot more competitive: much better hitting (it's mostly RH, but that's a plus in Petco), a solid and proven front four in the rotation (Shields, Cashner, Ross and Kennedy) and a very good bullpen. Oufield defense likely to be a problem in Petco, minor questions at ss and 3b, and their No. 2 catcher is now out for the season, leaving the job open (their best prospect, c Austin Hedges may not be quite ready for the show, and Wil Nieves is a career backup and weak hitter). Figure on yet another deal here. Team looks ready to compete with the Giants, and maybe even the Dodgers.

I am going to put the Padres with the Cubs. Get there on time, show up for the game and figure out how to win when you need to. The lineups are good and I was a BIG Cub fan once but the last time these teams were relevant they played each other in the post season. I had a bet and the Cubs went up 2-0 and he was crapping his pants. I told him the Padres has the Cubs right where they wanted them.

These 2 teams will disappoint again this year as always. No facts or Stats or anything more than well that. They keep holding onto Carlos Quentin for god knows why. Can the Cubs grab some speed or OBP other than the guys that hit for power and walk.

Can the Cubs grab some speed or OBP other than the guys that hit for power and walk.

I don't see the Cubs, or anybody else, grabbing OBP from guys that don't walk. Most OBP players usually do. That being said, Fowler had a .375 OBP last year, and he has some speed. Alcantara is speedy, and while he struggled a bit with the Cubs last year, he did have OBPs over .350 his last two minor league seasons.

As to the rest of the team, Rizzo and Bryant are obviously excellent OBP guys with keen batting eyes, and Coghlan and Soler are solid there, too. So, with the addition of Lester, Bryant, and Soler--and, hopefully, a more disciplined Baez--the Cubs should have no problem competing in the mediocre NL Central this year.

Q remains a Padre because he's getting paid $8mm a year and they're hoping to get something from him in a trade and only have to pick up part of his salary instead of cutting him outright. And, to his credit, he had two solid (half)seasons with the Padres before totally clanking last year. If he can stay healthy enough to play, say, 50-60 games and slug his soul out, the team is more than deep enough to carry him.

That said, he should be in the AL as a DH. He's a terrible outfielder, really one of the worst I've seen in my life. No range, can't jump, can't much throw.

tws