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Spring Training Notebook #4

Decisions, decisions. When will the clubs make some decisions? Not yet! We'll know more next week.

We may be waiting another week to find out who's going to close for the White Sox. Every day it's a different story. We've all heard for sure it's Matt Thornton. Nope, it's Chris Sale. Frankly, it could end up being both or even a spot close here and there for Jesse Crain or Sergio Santos. I would guess every club in baseball wishes they had the problem of having a number of guys capable of closing. So you may want to load up on White Sox relievers-especially if your league counts "holds" as well as saves.

I haven't talked about him yet, but remember the name of Mariners 3B prospect Alex Liddi. He comes to the park with impressive power but with a loose cannon for an arm. If he can ever learn to play defense at a big league level he could have an outstanding future. He's on the Mariners radar-- they put him on the 40 man roster. We just don't hear much about Mariners prospects other than Dustin Ackley and Michael Pineda. Liddi will grab some attention with another good minor league season.

Hisanori Takahashi, the new Angels reliever from Tokyo has a wicked assortment of breaking pitches. He'll cause some heartburn in the AL West. Looks like the real deal to me and a good investment for the Angels. I think he will be pitching closer and closer to the 9th inning as the season progresses.

Danny Duffy, Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer were all sent out today. It surprised a number of the Royals media types who felt that Moustakas and Hosmer had a good shot to make the club. They'll be back after there's no threat of them becoming "Super 2's" or having their arbitration clocks start too soon.

The Brewers are going to really, really miss Alcides Escobar. I saw Yuniesky Betancourt twice again this week and I promise you Manager Ron Roenicke is having nightmares. I can't really describe how poorly Betancourt is playing. He has no range. That's n o as in none. I still say the Brewers gave up too much to get Greinke. And believe me when I tell you that Lorenzo Cain is going to steal bases for Ned Yost and the Royals. That team will run when they can.

Shaun Marcum was shut down today with a bit of a shoulder problem. Nothing serious mind you. Or so they're saying. Shoulder? That's the third rail in my vocabulary. I hope it really isn't anything serious or the Brewers are in deep trouble with Greinke already out. But the team is hoping Zack will "rebound" from his rib injuries. I knew you'd like that.

I used to think David Huff had a future as a soft tossing lefty. I saw him get shelled again today. His awful outings are becoming very commonplace and I think his spot on the Indians roster is in jeopardy.

Matt Maloney is a 6'4" left-handed Reds pitcher that I think most teams would love to get their hands on. He's very smooth on the mound and he's a pitcher, not a thrower. With the depth on the Reds staff, it's tough for guys like Maloney to crack the rotation. For me he's a better option than Mike Leake.

Grady Sizemore slid several times today on the back fields at the Indians complex. That's a big accomplishment since his micro-fracture surgery. The team thinks he may play in a game Sunday.

Nelson Cruz is scuffling a little at the plate. His swing still looks a little slow and he's behind on pitches. I think he'll be fine. Some guys start slower than others. I think he'll have another awesome season. But right now, he doesn't look like Nelson Cruz.

What to do with Chris Davis? He's playing more and more at 3B with Mitch Moreland getting time at first. If Moreland's going to be the guy at first, and Beltre will be playing third, where does that leave Davis? And of course the club still has Michael Young.

The Phillies say they don't have enough money to pay Michael Young unless of course they traded a large salary back to Texas. The name most often mentioned is Joe Blanton. But everybody includes Joe Blanton in every rumored deal. The Phillies will have a decision to make about Chase Utley very, very soon. Utley went for under $20 in a draft I was in this week.

Somebody will end up taking former Met Luis Castillo. You just hope it's not your favorite team.

Sometimes I forget what I've already told you so be patient with me. The days and nights are a blurrrr. Wily Mo Pena is still hitting the ball very hard for the Diamondbacks and he may hit his way on to the club. Even though Xavier Nady can't throw a lick, the club still sees Nady as their left fielder. But man, Gerardo Parra is having a great spring at the plate and in the field.
Keep your eye on Pena if you need a sleeper power hitter for your bench.

Loudest boo heard this spring came when one Alfonso Soriano air mailed a throw from left field into the dugout. Now that's not easy.

I just have to tell you this. I visited Culver's Restaurant (glorified and upscale fast food) in Surprise after today's game. I had the pot roast with mashed potatoes and cole slaw. Outstanding! Now you know I'm picky, right? Very picky. If there's a Culver's near you, you have to try it. I guess they're known for ice cream, but I laid off. Just a really good place.

Now back to baseball.


Scouts I've spoken with say that Cargo doesn't have his swing yet. He hasn't shown the 2010 power, but he's still putting the ball in play and taking pitches where they're thrown. These same scouts indicate that he flashed more power last spring. It's strange because he's actually gained muscle during the off-season.

Jonathan Herrera is getting lots of playing time and he looks very smooth in the Rockies middle infield. And he's hitting.

Those of you who are my faithful readers will know that I really like Rockies catchers Jordan Pacheco and Wilin Rosario.
Especially Pacheco. Both, especially Pacheco, have shown much more behind the plate and at bat than Chris Iannetta.
Don't forget about Pacheco when you think catchers of the future.

Brandon Belt may just hit his way on to the Giants. He's causing the brass to really think about having him break with the club. And why not? The guy can hit. But we've liked him for a long, long time.

The best concession stand in Arizona spring training parks? None other than "CRUST" at Salt River Fields, the home of the Rockies and the Diamondbacks. They have garlic fries that people rave about. Your favorite scout here won't go near them. I get the second hand "after glow" anywhere I walk in the ballpark. I'm more of a butter fat type guy myself.

Good luck in your drafts this week. Ask me if you want another opinion about someone your thinking or wondering about.
I may not have the answer, but you can bet I'll try to help.