Just another reason to buy the 2009 Baseball Prospect Book, but Mr. Sickels a teaser please on how Alcides Escobar did not make your 50/50 Top Hitting prospects?  Thought for sure you would switch and give him a B+ or a top B grade after reading the December 10 post with the Brewers list?  Is it pitch recognition that held you back or the fact that you want to see him repeat his 2008 performance before having "somethin' to believe in".   Thanks, eagerly await the book again this year.

Pittsburgh legend Myron Cope has died.  As a Pgh fan, it makes me reflect on how much an announcer, regardless of sport, can make the game that much more special.  He made so many catch phases come to life, most notable, the Immaccuate Reception.  He was the force behind the terrible towel. God rest your sole Myron.
Yoi, and double Yoi!

Pirate President Kevin McClatchy will step down after this year and a collective cheer can be heard out of Pittsburgh.  With Kevin gone will this spell the end to the silly protection Dave Littlefield has had for a decade?  Will the Pirates open up, spend some cash and become a contender in the weak NL Central?  Awesome park to play and watch a baseball game. Go Bucs!

A first baseman that can steal 20 bags and bring power is pretty hard to pass up.  Which Votto is the real player: 2005 vs 2006 vs somewhere in between?  Hatteberg is not a major road block, and if he plays decent again this year is an ideal candidate to get dealt from Cin.  Are Votto's SO's a concern?  Do you really believe that the 40+ doubles can project into even more power, and where did the speed come from?  I do not know whether to bump Votto up my NL only auction board, or wait until he proves he can repeat his numbers at AAA. I just do not have a solid feel on him either way.

I realize he has 90 pro innings, but he still feels like a rookie to me.  What does the minorleagueball nation think of Billingsley in 2007 and beyond.  As it stands, I guess he battles Hendrickson for the 5th rotation spot(Schmidt, Penny, Lowe, Wolf).  Do you guys see him as a 5th guy this year and maturing into a #2?
Or do they handle him as last year and groom him into a bullpen/long relief guy with the stable of young guns behind him?  I personally believe he has earned a shot at being handed the ball every 5th day, "let's see what you got kid". After a bery impressive minor league resume, I'm not convienced he will not get the Edwin Jackson treatment.

I know that he had 166 AB last year and no longer qualifies as a minor leaguer, but I need some insight into why NYM are giving Milledge such a hard time in NY?  Starting with Randolph openly criticizing him over the "high five's" with the fans after hitting a 9th inning HR, then left off of the NLCS roster even with Floyd going down, and now he has seemed to have really fallen out of favor this offseason (David Newhan will be the 5th outfielder for God's sake !!). Can't use the excuse that they want him to get everday AB at AAA as he wasted away on the bench last year. I drafted the guy with high hopes in '06, and now do not think he will contribute till '08. In a $275 NL 13 team keeper league, is he now a bust at $5 (could I get him for $2)?  Puzzled with his treatment.