Goodbye Dodgertown, Hello Beijing

Thanks Josh for all the updates :)

scott - found a website with the potential FAs for 2009:

Catchers

Michael Barrett (32)

Johnny Estrada (33)

Kenji Johjima (33)

Jason Kendall (35) - club option for '09; vests with 110 games played in '08

Paul Lo Duca (37)

Ivan Rodriguez (37)

David Ross (32)

Jason Varitek (37)

Gregg Zaun (38) - $3.75MM vesting option for '09; vests with 160 games played in '08

First Basemen

Ben Broussard (32)

Carlos Delgado (37) - $16MM mutual option for '09 with a $4MM buyout

Nomar Garciaparra (35)

Jason Giambi (38) - $22MM club option for '09 with a $5MM buyout

Scott Hatteberg (39)

Kevin Millar (37)

Richie Sexson (34)

Mark Teixeira (29)

Second Basemen

Mark Ellis (32)

Mark Grudzielanek (39)

Orlando Hudson (31)

Tadahito Iguchi (34)

Jeff Kent (41)

Felipe Lopez (29)

Mark Loretta (37)

Shortstops

Orlando Cabrera (34)

David Eckstein (34)

Adam Everett (32)

Rafael Furcal (31)

Cristian Guzman (31)

Cesar Izturis (29)

Felipe Lopez (29)

Edgar Renteria (33) - $11MM club option for '09 with a $3MM buyout

Juan Uribe (30)

Omar Vizquel (42) - $5.2MM club option for '09 with a $0.3MM buyout

Third Basemen

Casey Blake (35)

Hank Blalock (28) - $6.2MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout

Joe Crede (31)

Nomar Garciaparra (35)

Wes Helms (33) - $3.75MM club option for '09

Chipper Jones (37) - $8-11MM vesting option for '09

Left Fielders

Moises Alou (42)

Garret Anderson (37) - $14MM club option for '09 with a $3MM buyout

Milton Bradley (31)

Pat Burrell (32)

Carl Crawford (27) - $8.25MM club option for '09 with $2.5MM buyout

Adam Dunn (29)

Cliff Floyd (36) - $3MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout

Raul Ibanez (37)

Jacque Jones (34)

Jason Michaels (33) - $2.6MM club option for '09

Craig Monroe (32)

Jay Payton (36)

Wily Mo Pena (27) - $5MM club option or $2MM player option for '09

Manny Ramirez (37) - $20MM club option for '09

Juan Rivera (30)

Center Fielders

Rocco Baldelli (27) - $6MM club option for '09 with a $4MM buyout

Mike Cameron (36) - $10MM club option for '09 with a $750K buyout

Jim Edmonds (39)

Jacque Jones (34)

Mark Kotsay (33)

Right Fielders

Bobby Abreu (35)

Casey Blake (35)

Milton Bradley (31)

Brian Giles (38) - $9MM club option for '09 with a $3MM buyout

Ken Griffey Jr. (39) - $16.5MM club option for '09 with a $4MM buyout

Vladimir Guerrero (33) - $15MM club option for '09 with a $3MM buyout

Jacque Jones (34)

DH

Milton Bradley (31)

Pat Burrell (32)

Adam Dunn (29)

Jason Giambi (38) - $22MM club option for '09 with $5MM buyout

Vladimir Guerrero (33) - $15MM club option for '09 with a $3MM buyout

Raul Ibanez (37)

Manny Ramirez (37) - $20MM club option for '09

Juan Rivera (30)

Frank Thomas (41) - $10MM option for '09; vests with 376 PAs in '08

Jim Thome (38) - $13MM club option for '09 with $3MM buyout

Jose Vidro (34) - vesting option for '09

Starting Pitchers

A.J. Burnett (32) - can opt out after '08 season

Paul Byrd (38)

Ryan Dempster (32)

Jon Garland (29)

Tom Glavine (43)

Orlando Hernandez (43)

Randy Johnson (45)

John Lackey (30) - $9MM club option for '09 with a $0.5MM buyout

Esteban Loaiza (37) - $7.5MM club option for '09 with a $0.375MM buyout

Braden Looper (34)

Derek Lowe (36)

Greg Maddux (43)

Pedro Martinez (37)

Matt Morris (34) - $9MM club option for '09 with a $1MM buyout

Jamie Moyer (46)

Mark Mulder (31) - $11MM club option for '09 with a $1.5MM buyout

Mike Mussina (40)

Brad Penny (31) - $8.75MM club option for '09 with a $2MM buyout

Oliver Perez (27)

Andy Pettitte (37)

Kenny Rogers (44)

C.C. Sabathia (28)

Curt Schilling (42)

Ben Sheets (30)

John Smoltz (42) - $12MM club option for '09

Tim Wakefield (42) - perpetual $4MM club option

Woody Williams (42) - $6.75MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout

Randy Wolf (32)

Closers

Joe Borowski (38)

Ryan Dempster (32)

Brian Fuentes (33)

Eric Gagne (33)

Trevor Hoffman (41)

Jason Isringhausen (36)

Todd Jones (41)

Brad Lidge (32)

Joe Nathan (34)

Al Reyes (38)

Francisco Rodriguez (27)

Middle Relievers

Doug Brocail (42) - club option for '09

Juan Cruz (28)

Alan Embree (39) - $3MM club option for '09

Scott Eyre (37)

Kyle Farnsworth (33)

Aaron Fultz (35)

Tom Gordon (41) - $4.5MM club option for '09 with a $1MM buyout

LaTroy Hawkins (36)

Matt Herges (39) - club option for '09

Bob Howry (35)

Steve Kline (36)

Brandon Lyon (29)

Damaso Marte (34) - $6MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout

Guillermo Mota (35)

Will Ohman (31)

Darren Oliver (38)

Juan Rincon (30)

Russ Springer (40)

Mike Stanton (42) - $2.5MM club option for '09 with a $0.5MM buyout

Mike Timlin (43)

Salomon Torres (37) - $3.75MM club option for '09 with a $0.3MM buyout

David Weathers (39)

Dan Wheeler (31)

Kerry Wood (32)

Pretty slim pickins and a huge amount of end of the line guys you shouldn't touch with a 10-foot pole.

Even with a decent year, I see the D's picking up the option on Penny. And if we don't resign Lowe, I'd look for Ned to go after Ben Sheets if he's healthy. No way the Yanks or Sox get outbid for Sabathia, plus the contract would be too long. Think Sheets takes a 3-year at a slightly inflated price. Looking at this mess, Kershaw HAS to be in the rotation by '09.

Pretty bleak at second as well, which to me makes you almost HAVE to resign Furcal and either move him to 2nd or play Abreu/Hu at that position.

Luckily we won't need much. We can get by on Hu and Abreau at short and 2nd if Furcal proves too expensive. Really need LaRoche and DeWitt to come thru, the pickings for a 3rd baseman are crummy. Atlanta will pick up Chippers option and he is the only one of that bunch I would want and at that he is getting along in years. If Kuo can stay healthy it would be awesome to have him and Kershaw (2 lefties)in the rotation next year if Schmidt doesn't come back. Future looks rosy. Especially if we play the best 8 most of the time.

Our new rallying cry.
Play the best 8, in 2008!

Pulled these numbers out - found them interesting:

Pitcher / JP / AE

M. Cain .273 .545

Hoffman .200 .200

N.Lowry .263 .125

J.Peavy .222 .158

B. Webb .194 .545

C.Young .250 .308

B. Zito .231 .000 (3 AB)

Obviously JP's faced these guys a lot more in his career than Andre. Ethier sure owns Webb and Cain though.

And the Pierre bashing goes on....

Until his OBP is above .360 Ed, it will. And it will be factual and deserved.
Cheers!!!

Starting pitchers: Barring something really unfortunate and unforeseen, Penny and Lackey renewals are mortal locks. If Kuroda is $11.2M /year average to be a 4th starter, Penny for $8.75M (really $6.75M since the $2M buyout would have to be paid) is a steal. If A. J. Burnett can demonstrate some health (46 starts the last two seasons total), he will opt out and try to get a big contract (don't want him at that price.) A good year should yield a bonanza for Oliver Perez. Sabathia, duh. If he makes 25 or less starts for SD, I wouldn't be surprised to see Randy Wolf back on a one-year deal, again, for "depth" (he command more years from someone else if he makes 30 starts).

Know what else is factual? The Earth is round. But if I repeated "The Earth is round, the Earth is round, the Earth is round..." 50 times a day, that would only make me look like a madman or a fool. Factuality doesn't necessarily equate with pertinence, especially at the point of saturation where anyone who's read this blog has heard the same argument a thousand times.

Oh, but I sure hope his OBP hits that magical .360 number! Then the bashing will stop!

Oh wait. No it won't. Then people will mock his arm. Or his hat. Or whatever it is they want to hate about him.

****!!

The earth being round is not detrimental. Unbelievable.

SCOTT****I had to leave just after I made my post on the other thread but if you get to see this my answer to your question is, and I assume you meant after Kent is gone, I think it will be Abreu if he is healhy enough but if he isn't I think it could be Hu if raffy returns next year or it will be DY. If the Dewitt kid is as good as he looks he might grab or at lease challenge LaRoche for 3rd.

i just cant wait for Josh Bell to get to the majors. he is gonna be a beast at 3rd...so im not that worried about if laroche will live up to wait we hope he will. he prolly could, but being injured this many times at such a young age, i dont think it is gonna happen

Right now we have Nomar and we got a lot of talent behind him. LaRoche, DY, HU, Dewitt, etc...etc...etc, we don't need help from the outside.

puppyhead, if people kept saying "the earth is flat", you might ignore it for awhile, but every once in a while feel the need to recite the proof that the earth is round.

Blake DeWitt has played 71 AA games. The 45 last season went like this: .281 .306 .466, the season before .183 .241 .221. He's probably starting this year in Jacksonville, but at 22 is still young and probably a couple years away.

Josh Bell may be a good beast with the bat but a bad beast with the glove. You'll be waiting a while since he's 21 and sniffed high-A ball for the first time last year, for 20 games. There are huge questions about his glove, at 3B he has 55 Es in 160 games.

The exciting really young kid is June draftee Andrew Lambo. Check out what the 18-year old did in rookie ball in the GCL last season:

218 PAs, .343, .440, .519, 29 BB, 34 K.

It will be interesting to see how he progresses.

Forgot to say that Bell does mash though.

http://www.dodgerblues.com/gallery/albums/userpics/normal_FriendCommentingOnSFGiantFans.jpg

Someone has just told her that Pierre deserved to start over Ethier and that she complained about Pierre too much.

http://www.dodgerblues.com/gallery/albums/userpics/normal_PH20.jpg

Thanks pierres

jhall,

What's this talk about Pierre getting over .360 OBP? Right now, the Dodgers are praying he gets over .300 OBP.

puppy,

50 times a day sounds about right for the Dodgers to get sick of hearing the truth from the fans and make the right call.

The sad thing about Pierre having a starting position is the effect on Ethier's and possibly Kemp's development. Both Ethier and Kemp are at the stage where they should be regarded as worthy major leaguers, and they both could be expected to develop rapidly in every aspect of play by PLAYING, not substituting or platooning. Every time they sit diminishes their maturing into star quality players, and I think they both have that potential. Just how do we expect Pierre to improve his skills by comparison, and what is his upside for the team? Does anybody in management even consider this? I don't see any evidence of it so far.

great post messagebear!!!!!!!!

Yea, I guess the Front Office and a couple of the bloggers here think we should just roll over and accept the unacceptable and absurd notion that Pierre is a better option than Ethier/Young/Repko. Injustice and stupidity should not be rewarded with silence.

puppyhead I agree with you about the pierre argument...Enough already..all of you bring up valid arguments over and over, lets talk about something else.

old fogey you mentioned Lambo, he is a great looking hitter, as is Pedro Baez, I saw him last week in a minor league intrasquad game take one deep. He is also a plus fielder and only 19. Silverio who led the GCL in hitting last year is a good looking player.

This is exciting to talk about and refreshing.

lambo would have been a higher selection if not for the trouble he got in in 10th grade. He has matured and he works his butt off and will be a star.

Today's line up... anyone see what I see?

LA Dodgers AB R H RBI BB SO LOB AVG

Pierre, LF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .200

Furcal, SS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .357

Loney, 1B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .355

Ethier, RF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .267

Repko, CF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .250

Dewitt, 3B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .300

Bennett, C 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .250

De Jesus, 2B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .200

Billingsley, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

yeah billingsley is a slug...lol...

And yes, I would take Repko in left over Pierre. Given the same amount of plate appearances, he would have an OBP as good or better than the declining Pierre. Much higher slugging % and vastly superior defense. He is also very fast and can swipe bases.

I'm kind of excited to see what Ethier does in the cleanup spot. Not that I think he's a normal cleanup hitter, but, this could be a good chance for him to shine a little. Again though, he's in Right, with Pierre in left, just another indication they've made up their minds on this a long, long time ago.

brandon,

on the bright side, Kemp is in China, so someone has to play RF and we know JP is LF or bust so someone has to play RF for now.

Although, I admit I'm very concerned over what will happen come opening day. Hopefully Mike Easler will put in a good word for Andre while Joe's in China.

He is in right because of 2 reasons, 1. yes Pierre it seems as if will be in the lineup as the LF and Kemp is in China.

Speaking of Ehtier, when I was in Vero I sat in front of Mrs Ethier. Andre picked a good one in her. She is pretty and has a great personality and a very good athlete. So he has things going on in his life that makes going home a lot easier.

In the long run he will either be the starting LF or will be traded for pitching depth. I hope the former but we will see.

Obviously all the extra work Pierre puts in showing up early isn't WORKING so they have to get him more AB's to try and work out the kinks. Good part about that is, the more they see of his pathetic act, the more likely someone will wake up and smell the coffee.

Jhall,
Ever hear of silent acceptance? Saying something 50 times that can be said well once is not going to change a **** thing.

I'm not a Pierre supporter. I'd rather he play off the bench, or be traded. But I did enjoy this blog to a much greater degree before the obsession began.

If DeWitt can play average or better defense he could give LaRoche a run for his money in the future for 3rd base.

It'd be nice to see a good outing by Bills today. He is going to play a huge role in our rotation.

No Puppy, you have to say it thousands of times, over and over. Most injustices and wrong thinking take months, years, and decades to change. And it is because people keep clamoring for it. Not just saying it a couple of times and shutting up. Granted, the Pierre issue is not really up there on the scale of wrongs with the world but it is the biggest issue right now for the Dodgers and their future success.

Perhaps silent acceptance isn't the term I was looking for...silent outrage? Silent defiance? You choose.

It will be interesting to see how the Ethier Pierre situation plays out. To see if Andre gets traded, or to see if they do put him in and or platoon, or if they trade Pierre, there's just a lot of things that could happen.

Besides Kemp, which front line players made the trip to China. I can't think of any others.

Good 1st inning by Bills, 2 flyouts and a strikeout.

I'm glad you acknowledged that Pierre is not a "wrong" in the moral sense of the word. Remember, we aren't political activists, we're baseball fans. I think in most sports, reasons for true outrage are really held to a minimum. Could it be that we may be simply feeding our own anger and discontent by talking about it so much? The vast majority of us can agree on Juan Pierre, so why do we need to sound off so constantly? We're certainly educating very few people in our point of view at this point, and certainly not changing anything.

Silent rage is not healthy, you have to let it out. Silent defiance just creates bad feelings and animosity(i.e. our clubhouse last year).

jhall,

I think Jones went, oh, and Mike Koplove!

I guess we are hoping it will keep it in the forefront of Ned and Co. Probably won't though. Hopefully, the team will prosper when the season begins with whomever is playing and it will be a moot point.

I don't know if letting rage out is healthy...usually leads to crime.

I hope you don't think I'm criticizing you specifically, jhall...I enjoy your posts and the majority of posts by the Pierre-haters. Just saying what I feel I should say.

puppy,

Wouldn't it be great if the Dodgers just played the best 8 guys and we could talk about something else?

Agreed jhall. Let's just hope for a great start to the season, and hope that Torre finds himself willing and able to field the best team, whoever that may be once April is actually here.

Your cool Puppy. I also enjoy your posts and contributions.

Of course, Scott. But even if they don't, talking about the same thing all day gets boring. Why don't we focus our anger on non-Dodgers? Why don't we talk about how awful the Gnats are, and how much we hate the Padres, and how we hope their stadiums collapse and all their fans expire tragically?

It will sure be nice when the Dodgers are back on the radio or TV.

Very true Jhall, or at least in the regular season, we can watch online too.

Nothing like laying in the pool in the backyard, beer in hand, listening to the descriptive words of the amazing Vin Scully.

Know what I'm really excited about? How well Furcal has played in the winter and early spring. Having a struggling Furcal AND a struggling JP last year didn't help any. If Furcal is healthy, slugging, and getting on base, the D's should score a ton more runs.

MLBTV is goooooooooood!!!!!

Look at Pierre getting the walk and the run scored!

Nice, JP with a walk and 2 steals. Animosity aside, it's really fun to watch when he and Furcal both get on together.

I love the aggression on the basepaths, if they can do that all year, the two of them will impose their will on pitching staffs.

Puppy, I totally get your point about the negativity, but it's tough, man!

Well, Offensively, Pierre just did about the best he can do with a BB and 2 SB, so I'm rooting for that type of output if he's in LF.

At the same time, another RBI for Ethier.

It's always fun to score 2 runs without a hit

Obvious reason why Pierre needs to walk more. It is probably the only way he can raise his OBP to an acceptable leadoff level.

I love Ethier's swing and discipline.

Who batted in Furcal? Box score shows 1 RBI but 2 runs.

I'm hoping for continued success from DeWitt. Even though he will probably play in the minors for another year or two, this is great exposure and experience for him. Nomar will probably play 3rd until he gets hurt again. I'm afraid that LaRoche has probably missed his chance with his injury and operation. This would have been his year to prove that he belongs in the majors, and I fear that his injuries last year and this year will mean that time will pass him by. The same might be true for Abreu. There are just too many other promising talents coming over the horizon and looking for their opportunity. If you're not able to seize it when it's your time, it just may be over for you and time for somebody else.

Last year in 700+ PA's Pierre only walked something like 30 times. If he can get 60 he could be acceptable. Just 30 more walks Juan, about one more per week.

Pass ball scored Pierre. The ground out by Ethier scored Furcal.

puppy,

Some type of FC I assume?

I was thinking the same thing about LaRoche, messagebear. I think his only real shot is if Nomar gets injured July or later - any sooner than that and he might not be rehabbed enough to play at the MLB level.

Looks like Pierre might have scored on the passed ball and Ethier drove in Ferk.

Thanks dnelson.

Nice inning - a pop and a double play - awesome!!

Yep, we lost Werth because of his injury timing. It certainly hasn't helped Repko.

Go Billz!!

Good start for Bills today.

Has anyone seen Pierre in LF defensively this spring? Curious to know if he's camouflaging his weak arm out there so far.

3 SB in one inning is definitely Tommy's influence.

Make things happen, Tommy!

I wish the Giants had picked up Bombko and Timber. It would have been great to get our shots at them.

I think LaRoche will get his opportunity this season and if not, he's still only 24. Numbers talk in baseball and if he produces in Vegas during his rehab, he'll be back up with the big club in no time. Nomar will not stay healthy all year and our fallback options at 3rd do not have anywhere near the corner infield potential that LaRoche has.

Billz cruising.

Looks like Bills is having a great outing so far. It'd be awesome if this was his breakout year.

It very well could be Brandon.

We potentially have a double ace starting rotation in the future with Billz and Kershaw. Hope it pans out.

If he can keep his pitch counts lower, he will truly be an ace. Is he going right after guys today or is he working into deep counts?

Just by coincedence, "In My Life" by the Beatles was playing as I read Josh's post. Really surreal hearing that song while realizing that Dodgertown will soon be just a memory. I've never been there, it was never feasible, but it's still sad to me. The Dodgers are losing a major link to their past, I mean, I've never heard of Giantstown, Angelville or Pueblo de los Padres.

I liked that although they are the Los Angeles Dodgers (and I'm a native Californian), every season started in the same place where they've started since the 40's. Although they're here, they still had their roots on the East Coast. I know that's not practical in today's world, but sometimes the best things in life aren't practical.

And now "Let it Be" is playing.

Pierre worked another walk. Perhaps he is listening.

almost unbelievable. Must be Wild Thing from "Major League" pitching for Washington.

Hey guys, sorry about the extra long post up top - didn't think it would run that long. Sure going to be a a crummy year for FAs.

I like the sound of that drinkin - Pueblo de los Padres. 'Course being here in the SW may help a little. Hey, why not Pueblo de los Dodgers? Kinda rolls off the tongue...

If the Orioles move into Dodgertown what will they call it? The bird cage. Gonna need alot of black and orange paint.

Man, how would you like to be in the Os division year after year knowing you can't compete?

Nevermind, I guess it'd be like being the Giants.

what a wierd boxscore...no hits and 2 runs.

How do you accomplish the equivalent of a solo homerun without hitting the ball fair?

W + SB + SB + PB = HR

Just trying to stir the pot.

whoa, good point shepherd.

****, Bills hit a rough patch there it looks like

I'd still rather have the HR - a lot cleaner on the scorecard :)

OF assist - Ethier

Rats, wheels came off..

Well, G.Jones sure didn't put that fire out. Sayonara dude.

Man, Ethier is making this point a very clear statement for himself. He is certainly showcasing himself if need be!

No, he did not, and he was looking really good this spring too. I thought he may have had a chance to make the pen.

Well, he still might. Brazobelly is going to have to spend some extra time at AAA losing weight.

Johnson throwing meatballs.

Abreu, I hope they find out what is ailing him. The Dodgers did not really believe him last year and what is happening now is not good for his long term plans. Hopefully the trip to Philly today will provide some insight.

Did we get a hit yet?

I hate to say it but Johnson needed to get lit up so the Dodgers did not do anything crazy and have him on the staff. Now we need to start hitting the ball...

Yeah, a hit would be nice. Johnson looked good before, but good point Dodgerboy.

dodgerboy you need to trust management!

LOL Scott.

touche Scott, but I believe Pierre has performed in the past and is not a total waste, I have watched Johnson pitch when he came up with the Os and the Tigers and it was not pretty. But point taken.

Another BB for Pierre.

Good for Pierre with his three walks, I hope he keeps it up.

Hey dodger,

I don't think Pierre is a total waste of a player, I'm just championing the cause of Ethier and Kemp is all.

Amazing Juan has walked 3 times in 3 Ab's. Look out for a meteor to strike the earth at any moment!

Remember the name Cory Wade, people. He is having an IMPRESSIVE spring (just added to the 40-man roster).

Pierre has got on base alot these last few games without hitting the ball. He has been hit by the ball in the last two games also.

It seems a little like a conspiracy - lol!!

So of course Ethier does what Pierre cannot do and hit the ball out of the yard for our first hit.

Andre just homered!! Yes!!!

The only fact that matters is that Ethier is younger, a better outfielder, and a better hitter than Pierre and it is ashame that he is being stifled by an inferior talent. On another team, where Pierre is actually the 2nd or 3rd best outfielder on the team, there is no debate. It just isn't the case on the Dodgers. Ethier deserves better.

Scott, I do not disagree with you, I am a big Ethier fan and was a Pierre basher (i can send you my blog) but just to rehash it everyday is fruitless, but your right. As for as trusting management, I believe I was referencing Torre. I have bashed Ned trades for Lugo, Hendrickson, Loaiza, etc...I truly believe that Ethier is the right fit for this team and it will work out in the long run.

If it is a Kemp/Ethier platoon then all bets are off and the public schlanging of Ned/Torre can begin. I do not think Torre will do that.

I am hoping that Pierre gets off to a great start and another team needs a CF/leadoff guy and we can get

a pitcher in return.

Totally agree jhall!! It is such a shame.

If you look at the box score, Ethier is the only one with a hit today and the two RBIs.

Ferk and Loney came back to earth today. That hasn't helped.

The A's were stupid for trading Ethier. I know, old news, but still.

Young is in for Pierre, Raglani is in for Ethier, and Maza is in for Furcal.

Hey, what do you want to drive? The Chevelle SS(Ethier) or the Corvair(Pierre).

Maybe we should be more like John Daly, get drunk and not worry about winning.

dodgerboy,

You know, I don't come to the blog each day ready to bash JP, but what usually happens is I read a quote in the Times or on MLB.com from Ned or Joe that gets my blood boiling. Too many ignorant columns from Plaschke and Gurnick, you know?

It's that elephant in the room, but I'm all for discussing other topics if they're here and let's hope this thing solves itself not too far into the season.

Where's Tonya Harding when you need her?

Guess we don't have to worry about Myers making the team.