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It was Eric Karabell and Keith Law on Tuesday’s Baseball Today podcast and we had a good ol’ time with no cat noises, discussing many issues including these…

1. At the risk of beating the drum too many times, when Randy Wells throws a two-hit shutout at your offense in your stadium, you need more offense. Still.

2. Why is Kevin Kolb more popular these days in Arizona than Justin Upton? It’s sad, in a way, but the Diamondbacks keep on keepin’ on.

3. The AL Central race is still a race, as a rotation of Mark Buehrles takes on another led by the potential Cy Young winner. Can Ozzie’s bunch make this interesting?

4. Who is the young Texas Rangers outfielder replacing Nelson Cruz? KLaw tells all about him and fellow Cuban Dayan Viciedo.

5. An emailer ranks the managers, and while we don’t necessarily agree with how he did it, it’s an interesting list.

Plus: More excellent emails, a tired Jered Weaver, an awesome Desmond Jennings, the future for Lance Berkman and Andrew Cashner and a whole lot more on a packed Tuesday edition of Baseball Today! Download now!

Injuries were the lead focus of Thursday’s Baseball Today podcast, but Keith Law and I also found time for some upbeat discussion as well. Here are a few of the reasons why you should listen:

1. The Diamondbacks lost Stephen Drew, but their offense will survive. The question is about their defense.

2. The Tigers picked up a key player and again the question is about the team’s defense.

3. If KLaw was running the Mets, would he be showing Jose Reyes the proverbial door along with Carlos Beltran?

4. Ozzie Guillen went nuts -- again -- on Wednesday, but we kind of like his behavior. Should the White Sox?

5. It’s a day of aces in baseball, but our focus starts with a right-hander with an ERA on the wrong side of 5.

Plus: Excellent emails, the not-so-excellent Aubrey Huff, late-developing lefty pitchers, prospect Leonys Martin and a ton more on Thursday’s Baseball Today podcast!

The Texas Rangers signed Cuban defector Leonys Martin this past week to a five-year, $15.5 million contract. Martin, 23, is a left-handed hitting center fielder who profiles to be their future leadoff hitter. The Rangers continue to be disappointed in the jumps and angles Julio Borbon takes in center and feel that for longevity sakes that Josh Hamilton will be better served staying in left field. Martin is expected to start in Double-A Frisco, with a September call-up not being ruled out this year if he hits enough.

Definition of scouting grades:

80 -- Hall of Famer
70 -- Superstar
60 -- All-Star Caliber player/Silver Slugger/Gold Glove
55 -- Above-average major league player
50 -- Average major league player
45 -- Below-average major league player
40 -- Role player
35 -- Minor league player

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels gave me his scouting report on Martin:

"6-2, 190 -- could have been a wide receiver. Left/Right (has actually played some shortstop in the past, but we feel is true CF). Plus runner (3.7 on drag bunt yesterday) but not a burner. Instinctive in field and on basepaths. Has some pull power and will drive ball, but is more of a line-drive gap to gap approach. True leadoff guy with feel for strike zone and understanding of his role and value of getting on base. 6 arm (60 on our scale). Smart, aptitude and driven."

Here is a summary of the evaluation of Martin that I received from multiple teams and other evaluators:

DEFENSIVELY: He is an above-average defender in center field with first-step quickness with good jumps and angles. His arm is above average and accurate.

OFFENSIVELY: Line-drive hitter with sweet spot contact. Has good strike zone awareness. Stays back well on secondary pitches. Not a lot of preliminary movement and has direct path to ball. Knows how to work counts and can draw walks. Has pull power that has the potential of developing in time. Potential leadoff hitter who can steal bases.

MAKEUP AND CHARACTER: Intelligent player with good baseball instincts. Knows how to play the game. Aptitude is off the charts.

SUMMARY: Long-term solution in the leadoff spot and center field. Chance to be an impact top-of-the-order bat with above-average, but not burner, speed. Estimated time of arrival is 2012 with the possibility of a September call-up this year.