Rob Neyer

  (2:02 PM)

Happy birthday, Alexander Cartwright! Without him, none of us would be here right now...

Radical Ryan, Arizona

You linked to a blog that posted Ned Coletti's history of trading young talent. Couple that with the signings of Andruw Jones, Jason Schmidt, Juan Pierre and to some extent Nomar Garciaparra, how does he have a job? Not only does he trade away good, young talent but he gives gobs of money to has-beens who can't even stay healthy!

Rob Neyer

  (2:02 PM)

Well, yes ... there's also that. At least he didn't have a bad winter, right? Though I suppose Randy Wolf could change that.

Paul (Milwaukee)

If Ortiz is done for, would the Red Sox entertain a Fielder-for-Buchholz swap? The Brewers could use the pitching, and they're going to have to find a non-3B spot for Mat Gamel soon.

Rob Neyer

  (2:04 PM)

I don't think Ortiz is done for, but it would take more than Buchholz to get Fielder, I think. Unless Buchholz is just absolutely dominant w/Pawtucket.

Matt (DC)

What happened to you on Tuesday, Neyritz?

Rob Neyer

  (2:05 PM)

I was on a train, which would have been fine except I left my wireless card at home.

Chris (Ann Arbor)

The Royals have to be pleased with their nice start. How much will they miss Gordon at 3B?

Rob Neyer

  (2:06 PM)

They'll miss him a lot, as they don't have a real replacement on hand.

Vincent (NYC)

Pedroia shouldn't have made that video game commercial exposing his weakness, huh?

Rob Neyer

  (2:08 PM)

I love that commercial, but not because of Pedroia; Jerry Lambert is an unknown (except to commercial casting directors) comedic genius.

Jim Hamilton NJ

Rob, Please tell me you are as appalled at the Josh Beckett Suspension as I am. An absolute disgrace by MLB.

Rob Neyer

  (2:09 PM)

I think I wasn't there, but that looked an awful lot like a purpose pitch to me. I prefer to err on the side of safety.

Andre (Seattle, WA)

The M's have gotten off to a great start, we. Everyone knows about the offensive struggles they will go through, but can pitching and defense keep them in contention past the All Star Break?

Rob Neyer

  (2:10 PM)

Today's Prediction ... If Bedard is healthy for the next three months, M's will be within three games of first place at the All-Star break.

Vincent (NYC)

That commercial is hilarious! Seriously though, Pedroia will turn out to be very good but not the great player Peter Gammons would like for him to be, correct?

Rob Neyer

  (2:11 PM)

No, he's going to be great; he already IS great, and might even get a little bit greater.

Luke(Brookings, SD)

Is this outfielder rotation the best way to go for the Twins, or would they be better off just deciding on three players and putting them in set spots?

Rob Neyer

  (2:12 PM)

A good manager should be able to find plenty of work for four moderately talented outfielders.

Shane (Knoxville)

hey Rob, everyones been talking about the new Citi Field and new Yankee Stadium, but no one is talking about the "new" Kauffman stadium! I didn't think they could make an already great looking ballpark look even better! Have you had a chance to see it first hand?

Rob Neyer

  (2:12 PM)

No, but I'm actually shocked at how different it looks on TV. I guess you really can spend $250 on a renovation.

ari (Toronto)

Who is the best pitcher in baseball? Ignore contract, age, and projectability.

Rob Neyer

  (2:14 PM)

I think I'm sticking w/Santana for one more year ... plenty of contenders, though. Might well be CC.

Ron (Anaheim, CA)

Hey Rob, quick question about the Angels. Been watching every game and not happy with Kendry Morales. Any word on whether or not they are going to bring up Brandon Wood? I think that's just the jolt they need especially with Vlad hurting.

Rob Neyer

  (2:15 PM)

Wood's too good to spend much more time down there ... What do you have in mind? First base for him? I'm not sure if he'll hit *that* much ... Morales deserves more time, and should be good enough to platoon, at least.

Kevin (San Diego)

Rob, no way Bradley gets suspended, right? Yes, he blew up, but he made his point and quickly retreated to the dugout. I'd actually argue that he restrained himself better than he has in the past. If MLB comes down on him it will finally be obvious that they hold a grudge. Not to mention that that pitch was at least a foot inside.

Rob Neyer

  (2:16 PM)

I haven't seen the film yet, but if he did make contact w/the ump, he has to get suspended. I hope he didn't. I kinda like the guy.

Mike, Platt, UT

Robinator - I keep hearing various pundits saying Boston might target Matt Holliday for a July trade. Does this make any sense to you given that, barring a major injury, Theo wouldn't trade any valued prospects for a 1/2 year rental, Bay is almost equivalent statwise, and Holliday is a Boras client, which in Boston, hasn't been a great thing since late Dec.

Rob Neyer

  (2:18 PM)

I don't see where Holliday would fit in the lineup, unless Ortiz is on the DL or something.

Ben (Lincoln, NE)

Rob, how does Mike MacDougal still have a Major League contract? Isn't it about time the ChiSox give Aaron Poreda a shot on the big stage?

Rob Neyer

  (2:20 PM)

Man, it's hard to believe this is MacDougal's ninth season in the majors. I remember when ... Anyway, in these last three seasons he's walked 51 and struck out 54 ... hard to see how that plays in the MLB.

Greg (KC)

If the Royals play DeJesus, Crisp and Maier in the outfield, will it be the best defensive outfield in baseball?

Rob Neyer

  (2:21 PM)

I don't know about Maier, but I know the M's outfield looks pretty fantastic with Endy Chavez, Franklin Gutierrez, and Ichiro!

Eric IA

Please tell me that once the Twins hitting and pitching stabalizes at the same time, they are still going to be very good this year, and that they aren't going to be a flop this year.

Rob Neyer

  (2:22 PM)

Sorry, but I'm going w/flop. Unless Mauer's himself, and soon.

Tony, Chicago

Rob, you version of erring on the side of safety would be akin to cops shooting first and asking questions later. The gravitas of the Bckett situation is not nearly the same, but The principle certainly is.

Rob Neyer

  (2:22 PM)

Worst. Analogy. Ever!

Chris (Dallas, TX)

What do you think of the redesign at baseball-reference.com? It irks me.

Rob Neyer

  (2:23 PM)

I am not irked. We just have to adjust, my friend.

Mark (NYC) [via mobile]

Really? No love for Doc as the best pitcher? Putting in his kind of work in the AL East has to count for something while Santana gets to carve up the NL in a good pitching environment.

Rob Neyer

  (2:23 PM)

Fair point, Mark.

Elliott (Chicago)

Rob, I have had this debate numerous times. Who goes down as the greatest right handed hitter of the 90s-00s generation? Manny, Pujols or A-Rod?

Rob Neyer

  (2:23 PM)

Pujols is going to win that one.

roger (pasadena, ca)

I love how Zach is dealing right now, but don't you wish that we could see the same results with all the crazy stuff he was throwing back in the day? I want to see every speed from 55-95! I want to see the eephus!

Rob Neyer

  (2:24 PM)

Yeah, I miss that pitcher. But I'm happy for the man, who was terribly unhappy when he was throwing the crazy stuff.

Mike (Chicago)

Hi Rob, I have a questions here about the Tigers. They have started off pretty well while the rest of their division only looks so-so. The big problem coming into the season was pitching, but i think that they have answered those questions pretty well. The starting pitching has looked pretty good minus a bad outing by Miner in terrible conditions. How do you think they will fare?

Rob Neyer

  (2:29 PM)

I'm still a bit leery about Galarraga, and I'm not giving up on the Indians yet. But, yeah: If Lee/Carmona don't get going (and soon), the Tigers are my pick for sure.

Billy (Des Moines)

No respect for Doubleday?

Rob Neyer

  (2:30 PM)

Kidding, right? If not, look him up sometime...

Joe (San Diego)

Rob, how is it that every who remotely pays attention to baseball knows Milton Bradley has never been able to play the field every day and yet the Cubs sign him for 3 years to play OF? Isn't that madness? And how can they spend millions and millions on mistakes like that?

Rob Neyer

  (2:31 PM)

Well, they have a lot of money to spend. But yes, that did seem to me a strange one. He can hit, but in the National League that's just half the trick.

Dave (NJ)

What do you think of The Micheal Scott Paper Company? I think the episodes are still hilarious, but I fear TMSPC may someday go down as the moment that The Office JTS (depending on where they go with all this.) I hope I'm wrong.

Rob Neyer

  (2:33 PM)

Nah, they'll figure it out. Trust me. I thought they might have trouble resolving all those relationship cliffhangers last year. But they did.

John (Dallas)

Rob, the Dodgers look very good with both offense, even without Manny, and pitching. I still think they have the best offense in the NL, could they have been underrated?

Rob Neyer

  (2:34 PM)

Oh, I don't know ... I had them at 89 or 90 wins, I think, and so did most others once Manny signed.

Mark (OH)

What is there to like about Bradley?

Rob Neyer

  (2:35 PM)

I think he might be a decent guy whose passion obviously gets the better of him sometimes ... I can relate.

kevin (philadelphia)

Are the Marlins for real? who do you like in NL East?

Rob Neyer

  (2:36 PM)

I still like the Mets. But the Marlins could be good if their young starters are healthy. That's the big x-factor in the East.

Brian (Jersey)

A reference to Mose on my favorite TV show last night made me miss my favorite ultracritical baseball website. It's a weird world sometimes.

Rob Neyer

  (2:38 PM)

yes, but that's why you're supposed to be watching Parks & Recreation, which is gloriously, subtly funny.

SprungOnSports (Long Island)

With Joba Chamberlain struggling today and the Yankees bullpen doing so poorly, do you think New York should put him in the pen?

Rob Neyer

  (2:39 PM)

Not in April, friend. Another few starts like this, though, and the change will be made.

Andy (Denver)

So the Huston Street Closer days are over in Denver. Wow, didn't see that coming. . .

Rob Neyer

  (2:40 PM)

Already? Such a snap decision does not speak well of management.

Chris(NJ)

Does Damon have the worst arm in baseball?

Rob Neyer

  (2:44 PM)

Yeah, just was watching ... He's got to be very nearly the worst, right? Checking my Fielding Bible for illumination ... Doesn't actually show up as having been terrible last season.

Brian (Jersey)

Oh, Im watching Rob. Is there anything that Ken Tremendous does that is not funny?

Rob Neyer

  (2:45 PM)

I saw him stub his toe once, on a door jam. Not funny.

chris (hartford, ct)

Rob, the one thing w/ Beckett's suspension is that the ump called time while he was in the middle of his delivery (something I hate). I think he was in the wrong for what he did, but it's not like a human being can just stop a pitching windup and I really, really wish the umps didn't grant late time outs.

Rob Neyer

  (2:46 PM)

Sure, but did he have throw the ball almost exactly where the hitter's head had been?

Bosco (Philly)

Now that Harry Kalas has sadly left us, who do you think is the best announcer in baseball?

Rob Neyer

  (2:46 PM)

Trying to be objective about this ... I think Jon Miller might be the best announcer who's ever announced.

Mark (NYC)

Who wins the AL Roy? Snider, Weiters, Price?

Rob Neyer

  (2:47 PM)

As I "wrote" in my "blog" this "morning," my pick is Elvis Andrus.

Jon (NYC)

Why has Zito's performance fallen so dramatically since going to SF? Obviously, he was not worth the money he signed for but he was at least a league average pitcher or better. What gives?

Rob Neyer

  (2:49 PM)

He just doesn't have the same stuff, and he compensates by nibbling, which leads to more walks and more fat pitches when he's behind in the count.

Chris (Dallas, TX)

I've got to throw out some home town love for Josh Lewin as far as announcers go. He calls a great game and also gets Gus Johnson-level excited.

Rob Neyer

  (2:50 PM)

Definitely one of my favorites. There are a few broadcasters who will attract me to a game for no other reason, and he's one of them.

Scott (Hanover, PA)

Rob, you said, without analysis or backup, that the Phillies hitters are "past their primes", vis a vis the Mets. Isn't that the sort of lazy writing that you would pillory a newpaper coulmnist for stating?

Rob Neyer

  (2:54 PM)

I did? And if so, why not? In the absence of my analysis or backup, can't you just, you know, check their ages? Thanks for all the Q's, and I'll see you next Tuesday. Until then, don't forget: "Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent."