David Schoenfield

  (12:59 PM)

Welcome, everyone. The best thing about Wednesdays: We usually get some afternoon baseball to keep us occupied or sneaking peaks at box scores while at work. And that is always a good thing. Let's go ...

Bob (Denver)

Congrats David, you schooled Jayson Stark with a truly stellar All-Underrated Team! He had Braun in his outfield and no Choo. As you pointed out, Choo might be the All-Underrated MVP! But how about Brett Myers as a starting pitcher on your team? He's picked up where he left off last year, with a 1.25 WHIP and 2.39 ERA... for Houston! (Houston should cancel out his Philly years)

David Schoenfield

  (1:01 PM)

Oops, I missed Jayson's piece ... of course, these lists are fun and purely subjective since there's no way to measure underrated. Seems like Braun gets a little more attention than Choo. Good call on Myers. I think we forget that since he was just kind of mediocre for a long time that he had a really good with Houston last year.

Jon M. (Paducah, KY)

Do you feel sending Brandon Belt down is the right move?

David Schoenfield

  (1:03 PM)

I love Belt (he was my rookie of the year pick), but I have to give in and admit that a few weeks in Triple-A won't hurt. Giants have plenty of OF/1B options with Huff, Burrell, Rowand (playing well, although he won't keep it up), Ross and even Schierholtz. How about Pablo? Looks really good so far.

Kenny (FL)

Do you still want to write about how Josh Beckett appears out of shape or fat? I realize it's only 2 good starts but come on looking back on that post you have to admit it seems silly. I mean there are plenty of pitchers that have pitched well while appearing to be fat/out of shape (Sabathia, Zambrano at times, Clemens).

David Schoenfield

  (1:04 PM)

Fair enough. That's always the problem when you react to one start. Trust me -- he looked really bad that night, but I do think I wrote that it was very cold that night in Cleveland and that needed to be taken into consideration.

Jon M. (Paducah, KY)

Should the Marlins be looking for a real answer at third base?

David Schoenfield

  (1:06 PM)

Absolutely. This could be a good team but third base is a big black hole. By the way, is Matt Dominguez hurt? Looks like he hasn't played yet in the minors. Maybe they should try and get somebody from the Rockies -- they just sent Ian Stewart down and have Jose Lopez and Ty Wigginton.

David Schoenfield

  (1:07 PM)

I'll throw this out: What other contending teams have position problems?

Dan (DC)

Do you believe its best for the Mariners to deal Felix ?

David Schoenfield

  (1:09 PM)

I'll write a post on this at some point, but ... no. Felix is signed through 2014. How many of those superstar pitcher deals work out? Plus, Seattle *could* be good by then. A lot of ifs, but if Smoak and Ackley turn out, they have the No. 2 pick this year (probably Rice third baseman Anthony Rendon) and maybe the No. 1 pick next year. IF (big IF) they nail Rendon and next year's pick, you could be adding four really good players to Felix, Pineda and Ichiro (who is aging gracefully).

Alex (san diego, ca)

Any changes to your postseason picks yet?

David Schoenfield

  (1:10 PM)

I'm trying to remember who I picked -- Red Sox, White Sox, Rangers, A's ... Braves, Reds, Rockies and Giants. Obviously, not picked the Phillies was the controversial pick ... but they're only a half-game up on the Marlins, so I'll stick with choices for now.

David Schoenfield

  (1:11 PM)

And Oakland's rotation is looking very, very good. Starters have a 2.01 ERA and just five HRs allowed in 112 IP so far.

Brewer Fan (Milwaukee, WI)

Who are the REAL Milwaukee Brewers? The team that just beat Doc Halladay and the Phillies 9-0 or the team that got swept by the Nationals?

David Schoenfield

  (1:13 PM)

Well ... somewhere in-between I suppose. I wrote a quick note that the other day that the Brewers need to improve their bench. They can't play guys like Erick Almonte and Mark Kotsay and hope to win a division title. Corey Hart is badly needed.Brewers take 1-0 lead off Cliff Lee in the first.

Cody (Oregon)

Do you think that Nova,Garcia and Colon would be one main reason why the yankees arent considered as contenders for the world series?

David Schoenfield

  (1:14 PM)

Well, yes, I believe that would be a reason. By the way, Rivera and Joba have pitched in 10 of the Yankees' first 15 games and both are on pace for 100 innings. Girardi will have to start trusting some of his other relievers a bit more.

John (Virginia)

Are there any moves the Phillies can make to improve their offense? This looks like more of the same from last year. A bunch of punch and judy hitters and a Ryan Howard who is easy to pitch away from his power.

David Schoenfield

  (1:15 PM)

You know ... the Phillies were actually second in the NL in runs last season. Of course, they don't have Werth and Utley. Steve Berthiaume wrote about the Phillies' offensive woes today on the blog. I do believe they have real offensive issues as you say, John. But I also think this is they team they have ... all indications are they don't really have the ability to add payroll.

Jonny (Atlanta)

I think Brian McCann is gonna have a huge year and be a sleeper for the MVP. Why is it he seems overlooked by Molina and Posey? I could argue he's the best all around catcher in baseball. The Best easily in the NL.. what gives?

David Schoenfield

  (1:17 PM)

I put him on my all-underrated team. He's a five-time All-Star, but never voted in as a starter and I don't quite get why he doesn't receive more pub.

Mike (San Diego)

Condenders with problems: How about the Brewers at short? Anyone with Yuni Betancourt starting at short has a problem there.

David Schoenfield

  (1:17 PM)

Can't disagree with that one.

Nate (St Louis)

Assuming he becomes available, I know King Felix is one of the best pitchers but if I'm the Yankees why would I gut the farm by getting rid of 2 of the 3 killer B's plus Montero and who ever else they want? Oh wait its that word potential and they're the Yankees.

David Schoenfield

  (1:21 PM)

But why would Seattle make that trade? OK, Montero is going to be a very, very good hitter .. but he's also a DH. Banuelos and Betances still have a lot to prove at higher levels of the minors. If Felix is a 6-WAR player and Montero is a 4-WAR player at DH, you need Banuelos and/or Betances to be pretty good pitchers to improve your team.

Ted (Dallas)

David, seriously, isn't it time to have the coaches stop wearing a uniform.

David Schoenfield

  (1:23 PM)

What, you don't like seeing Charlie Manuel trotting out to the mound? I guess the argument is that managers (and coaches) have to be on the field of play and that's why they wear uniforms. But couldn't they just wear athletic pants and shirts, kind of like NBA coaches? Did Connie Mack make trips to the mound in his suit? (I actually don't know the answer to that -- maybe he just sent out his pitching coach.)

Twins Fan (Iowa)

Would it be smart for the Twins to start shopping Nathan? His salary could be best spent elsewhere and it's probably already a hot market for closers. STL for starters

David Schoenfield

  (1:24 PM)

I don't think any teams are going to trade for an $11.5 million reliever who is off to a bad start. I can't think of a high-priced reliever like that ever getting traded.

Ryan (Murrieta, Ca)

What do you think will become of the angels back of the rotation? Do you see Chatwood or Palmer becoming a part of that rotation, if so what do the angels do with Kazmir?

David Schoenfield

  (1:27 PM)

I think it's a real issue. I don't know if we'll ever see a productive Kazmir again. Palmer -- good last night -- isn't really that good. Career ratio of 4.5 BB/4.7 K's per nine in the majors. Ugh. Chatwood -- saw a little bit of his major league debut and he flashed some decent stuff at times. But his minor league strikeout rates aren't very good and I have big doubts that he's ready for the majors. I think the Angels are a prime candidate to pick up a starter in June/July if they're in the race.

Austin (Jackson, MI)

What's your take on Austin Jackson? Sophomore slump, just a bad stretch at the plate, or legitimate cause for concern?

David Schoenfield

  (1:29 PM)

Definite cause for concern. As many of you probably know, Jackson had a very high strikeout rate last year, but still hit .293 (I think), thanks to a very high BABIP (average on balls in play). A lot of analysts predicted a big decline for him this year unless he cut back on his K's. Which he hasn't. Good fielder in CF, but the bat is going to be a big problem.

Mike (San Diego)

Ummm, I'm pretty sure getting a 3B from the Rockies wouldn't solve the MArlins problem seeing as 3rd base is the Rockies biggest problem too.

David Schoenfield

  (1:31 PM)

But at least the Rockies have three options to sort through. I'm not saying they're good ones -- I'm no fan of Jose Lopez -- and I have no idea what's wrong with Ian Stewart. But the Marlins are screwing around with guys we KNOW aren't any good.

Chad (Iowa)

POPULAR DISCUSSION: Best position for Mauer outside of catcher. Not enough power for 1B, I say 3B. He could easily handle it, and he could still catch 50-75 games a year.

David Schoenfield

  (1:33 PM)

Thoughts from the readers? Eric Karabell and Keith Law discussed this on the podcast today. I think they ended up with "DH." 1B is the logical answer, but they obviously have Morneau. Plus, outside of Craig Biggio, can you think of a catcher who switched mid-career to another position besides 1B? Johnny Bench tried 3B late in his career and it was a disaster. Yogi Berra did play some LF late in his career when the Yankees had Elston Howard at catcher. I would say LF is the best bet. Heck, he'd probably be better than Delmon Young out there.

Jared (Panama City, FL)

I have an issue with the use of a humidor in Colorado and Arizona. I feel like every flyball that dies on the warning track should be listed with an asterisk, "Had we not artificially affected the balls this would have been a home run." Why is it OK to artificially deflate numbers, but it is a hand-wringing sin to artificially inflate numbers, a la Bonds, McGwire, and Clemons. Would it be fair for San Diego or Seattle to artificially juice their baseballs to make their fields play more hitter friendly? Why can't we just let the game happen naturally? MLB cannot cry about PEDs as long as the continue to allow the use of a humidor.

David Schoenfield

  (1:34 PM)

Good post, Jared. I have nothing to add other than I think I agree 100 percent.

Twins Fan (Iowa)

I like Mauer at 3B too. Bring up Revere, and move span over to right. That ballpark screams for defense and Young and Cuddyer/Kubel at your corners makes me cry.

Scott (Reno)

Wigginton would be best option of those 3, yuck. I say the Marlins trade for a CF, bump Coghlan to 2B or 3B with Infante in the other.

David Schoenfield

  (1:35 PM)

That might actually make the most sense. I just don't see Coghlan being a good defender in CF. Hmm ... would they have been better off just keeping Cameron Maybin?

Tarek (NYC)

Rays at every offensive position outside of 3b, CF. Just kidding, but what about 1st base? Johnson looks preety bad out there.

David Schoenfield

  (1:36 PM)

It's amazing that Felipe Lopez is now hitting cleanup for them. FELIPE LOPEZ. He didn't even make the team out of spring training. And suddenly they're only 2 games out of first place.

Greg (Delaware)

Regarding the Felix to the Yankees question, a super star is much more valuable to a large market team than a bunch of potentially average to above average players. Realistically, the replacement level for a team with a nearly limitless budget is higher than it is for a small market team. Right?

David Schoenfield

  (1:38 PM)

I think that makes sense, yes.My problem with those trades is that the team getting the prospects is the one taking the risk, and unless all three prospects work out, you usually end up on the short end of the deal.

Mike (San Diego)

I bet if you asked the folks of Minnesota, they would say the best position for Mauer outside of catcher would be QB for the Vikings.

Frank (South Carolina)

Hey David, is there anything wrong with Heyward at the plate? He seems to be hitting way to many balls to the right side on the ground...

David Schoenfield

  (1:41 PM)

A couple posts here about Heyward. Funny, everybody railed to move him up in the order, Fredi Gonzalez does that, and then he stops hitting. I haven't watched the Braves in several days, so can't really say what's going on there. If he's hitting a lot of groundballs, it usually means a guy is trying to pull outside pitches and maybe outside breakign balls in particular. But I'm not worried about this little slump.

Chris (Miami)

Could we be talking about the Panda for MVP come September? That would have to be one of the most amazing turnarounds ever, right?

Shane (Knoxville)

David, the WhiteSox look pretty awful right now with Dunn hitting .200 and closers losing jobs... if they're out of it in July, do you see them selling some pieces?

David Schoenfield

  (1:42 PM)

I don't think any team in the AL Central will be out of it in July. I don't see Kenny Williams giving up like that either.

Chris (NJ)

Joe Torre went from catching to splitting time between 3B and 1B mid-career.

David Schoenfield

  (1:43 PM)

Yeah, good one. He was actually the 1971 NL MVP playing 3B for Cards. (Although he did play it very poorly, by all accounts.)

Dan (Detroit)

Brandon Inge switched from catcher mid-career. He's done a pretty fair job defensively since then.

David Schoenfield

  (1:44 PM)

Didn't Inge play shortstop in college? I think Detroit moved him to C in the minors.

Matt (Duluth)

Mike from San Diego is dead right!

Amy (Seattle)

I'm a seattle-ite and find the Ms among the worst sportsteam's to WATCH ever (and I'm a redskins fan too, so that's saying something). If you have a chance to turn Felix into 4 good-great players, I think you do it. My package would be Montero to DH, Sanchez to catch, and two-to-three SP. Add that to Ichiro, Ackley, Smoak, and perhaps Rendon (though I'm hoping Cole) and you have a decent chance.

Jason (St Louis)

Looks like the Big Puma is back. How bitter are Astro's fans right now? He thought it was just a formality to head back to Texas after getting traded last year and the Astro's wouldn't even make an offer.

Chad (Iowa)

Mauer can play anywhere, to compare his athletic ability to Craig Biggio is hilarious!!

David Schoenfield

  (1:46 PM)

What??? Don't agree with this at all. Biggio was a great athlete. Stole 414 bases, hit more runs than Mauer. In fact, I would argue that Mauer probably isn't in Biggio's same class as an ATHLETE. (Yes, I know he was a great QB, which has nothing to do with playing baseball.)

Matt (Duluth, MN)

More likely to turn it around, Adam Jones or Travis Snider?

David Schoenfield

  (1:47 PM)

I still like Snider. Not a fan of Jones. No pitch recognition at all.

Jim C (Houston)

Jason, where would Lance play? 2B? We're not bitter at all. We're rebuilding and wish Lance well. He's still one of us.

Matt (Duluth, MN)

Ever seen Mauer play basketball, dude got skills.

David Schoenfield

  (1:49 PM)

OK, both are great athletes. Just found it interesting that Biggio has more speed AND more power than Mauer. (Mauer, of course, is a better hitter for average.)I'll take wild guess that Biggio was probably a good high school basketball player as well.

David Schoenfield

  (1:50 PM)

With Ackley, it's all about service time. But, no, I don't quite get why Ackley was sent down, but not Pineda, other than Pineda looked so good in spring training that it would be difficult to tell the manager and team that he wasn't one of your best 25 guys.

Joe (DC)

Interesting Question: Which current player(s) do you see as future GM or manager in the majors ?

David Schoenfield

  (1:52 PM)

Good question. I think Kenny Williams is now the only former major leaguer who is a GM, so maybe that door is shut. Didn't Jeter say he'd like to run a team a few weeks ago? Maybe he'll buy one someday and make himself GM.Manager ... I'll open this one up to the masses.

Jon M. (Paducah, KY)

The Marlins can have Aaron Rowand all they want:) Same goes for the Nationals who are currently looking for a CFer. Cameron Maybin is a AAAA player.

Chad (Iowa)

Is Mauer's value only tied to him at catcher? Does it go down, all be it he's still all star caliber, but does it go down as a 3B or OF?

David Schoenfield

  (1:56 PM)

Sure, he's more valuable as a C in the sense that good-hitting catchers are harder to find than good-hitting 3B or OFers. Now, that's not to say he's value is ONLY tied to him catching. He's still a great hitter and could probably play a passable LF. I'm just not sure he's $23 million valuable at another position.

Dallas (DC)

Chipper Jones would make a hell of a batting coach.

Bobby (Florida)

Mauer is overpaid.... rather have McCann for sure.

Brett (Texas)

In response to Jared's post about the humidors. In the case of Coors Field, the Rockies recognized the baseballs they were playing with slightly shrunk and hardened in the altitude, therefore making them easier to hit further. The game simply was not the same at Coors as other stadiums. By installing the humidor, the Rockies simply created a way for the games at Coors to be played with the same balls as elsewhere. I don't see this as odd. Before the humidor, the ball was juiced.

David Schoenfield

  (1:56 PM)

Thanks, Brett. I guess the question: Where the shrunken/hardened baseballs still within the regulation size?

David Schoenfield

  (1:57 PM)

Jonathan Lucroy hits solo home run to give Brewers 3-0 lead.

Mike (Ohio)

I like Berkman, but let's recall that he didn't start hitting until he got to feast on Arizona. As Keith Law would say "small sample size."

RJ (Pittsburgh)

The best move for Mauer, to help the Twins is to trade him while he has value. He has back and knee problems, playing a position that causes these injuries. The Twins will regret his contract, much like the Pirates did the Kendall deal.

Eric (Chicago)

Mauer can golf too.

David Schoenfield

  (1:58 PM)

But how is he on the half-pipe?

Joe (CT)

Todd Zeile also moved to 1B/3B after catching.

David Schoenfield

  (1:59 PM)

Another good one, although he only caught one year before moving to catcher. He wasn't great at third defensively, but held his own. (Better than Torre.)

Matt (IN)

David, what's this I hear about you being one of the candidates to replace Ryan Franklin as closer?

David Schoenfield

  (2:00 PM)

Are Cardinals fans panicking? No closer, Albert not hitting ... and yet they're only half-game out. Gotta love the NL Central.

J.B. (PA)

Sorry if I missed this as I got here late but did anyone mention Dale Murphy moving out from behind the dish and into the OF?

Daniel (CA)

Brian Downing went from C to LF for the Angels...

Matt (Duluth, MN)

What's never mentioned is Mauer's best quality... calling games

Dan (Detroit)

Inge did indeed play shortstop in college, good call. It was a good six years between getting drafted and converting to 3B, but I'm sure it was easier for him because of past experience.

Clay (Charlotte)

Think I'm going to jump on the Chipper for a coaching gig bandwagon. Hell, he spent more time with Bobby than most of the other coaches did, I'm sure he picked up some tips here and there.

Tony Hawk (via mobile)

I bow down to Mauer's half-pipe skills.

Karl (Akron OH)

I thought Amaro Jr. played

Matt (Duluth, MN)

Mauer won a Spelling Bee in the 5th grade.

David Schoenfield

  (2:03 PM)

Oops, previous question -- Amaro did play in the majors. Backup OF in the '90s. And of course Billy Beane played a few games in the majors as well.

Mike (San Diego)

I want Milton Bradley to manage someday just for the post game interviews. I think he would make McRae's outburst look like child's play on a routine basis.

David Schoenfield

  (2:03 PM)

Hal McRae -- one of the best outbursts ever.

Mike (Ohio)

Mauer once rescued a cat stuck high in a tree. Biggio could never do that. Chuck Norris wears Joe Mauer pajamas

Brett (Texas)

I am not sure a study was ever done on that. However, looking at pre and post humidor numbers at Coors reflects there was clearly a big enough issue to warrant reexamining the baseballs used.

Mike (San Diego)

To RJ in Pittsburgh: I'm guessing there are 184 million reasons teams might not want to trade for Mauer.

David Schoenfield

  (2:06 PM)

OK, good stuff today. Thanks for all the reminders on catchers-turned-fielders. I'll have to do a post on that and see who else we missed.I should be back next week on my regular chat day of Tuesday. And I believe I'm pinch-hitting for Keith Law again on the podcast tomorrow.