I know I'm not the only one thinking it. Taking a look at the diaries, there has been a total flatline at the activity on here ever since the site changed over. I'm not looking to blame John for this, as he was probably somewhat forced to do it, but the connection between the changeover and the steep drop-off in comments is pretty obvious. I accepted the excuse some people made at first that things were quiet and there was nothing going on in the minors, since the season hadn't begun yet, but...it has now, and has been for a few weeks, and there's no change in the level of activity. I know there's pretty much no turning back now, and this is what the site is, but I don't think I'm crazy. As strange as it is for a site's layout to discourage people from coming by or having discussions on here, I think it's happened.

Either that, or we had a lot more sockpuppets conversing with one another than we ever could have imagined.

As per RotoWorld:

Cubs manager Lou Piniella hinted that he could take Rich Hill out of the rotation until he works out his control issues.

"I'm going to sit down and talk to our pitching coach about that. I want what's best for Hill. We've got to get him straightened out. That's the important thing," Piniella said. Hill could trade places with Jon Lieber, who bailed him out after his second poor start of the season on Thursday.

Alright, maybe I'm just crazy, but isn't this a bit much? I realize Hill had a shaky spring, but he righted himself at the end, and tossed a strong game to open his season. Doesn't he deserve a bit more slack than this? I feel Piniella is being way too impatient, and felt that way when he pulled him last night after three innings. Some nights it's tough to find location when a guy's primary plus offering is his curveball. He throws more curves than anyone I've seen (I'd say even moreso than Zito when he was good), and actually seems to throw the curve to set up his fastball as an out pitch, which is backwards. However, it worked well enough that he was a better than average starter for the Cubs for 30+ starts last year. Does anyone believe Jon Lieber deserves a rotation spot over him right now? If this is the sentiment toward Hill, why wouldn't they just deal him to get Brian Roberts? Sorry for getting ranty, but I like the guy and believe his talent and success warrant a bit more respect than he's getting.

This is totally out of left field, but it's a quiet day at work, so I'll go with it.

During this past offseason, we heard a good amount of rumors involving Matt Kemp. We also heard toward the start of spring training some possible ideas involving the Rays dealing Scott Kazmir, with some expensive years lying ahead for him. I'm wondering if, come next offseason, a Kazmir to LA deal would be so crazy...I for one have a lot of trouble believing the Dodgers will ever find a taker for Juan Pierre's absurd contract, and will continue to keep all their outfielders unhappy this season. A trade for Kazmir centered around Kemp, and a prospect or two would be a pretty great return for Kazmir.

The Rays have so much pitching on its way up, and equipped with the #1 overall pick, they could grab Aaron Crow, who won't take all that long to rise to the majors. Factor in Price, McGee, Davis, Niemann (who can start until they realize he needs to be a reliever), and to an extent Hellickson, and a guy already doing well in the majors now (Shields), and this could be a very strong trade for both sides. I don't think anyone considers Cliff Floyd or Jonny Gomes the long term answer in RF for the Rays (I'm aware of the presence of Desmond Jennings, but he has a lot to prove).

As for LA, they have an offseason ahead where Derek Lowe is a free agent. I don't think it's crazy to think a Kazmir-Penny-Billingsley-Kuroda-Kershaw rotation would be DAMN productive.

Just a thought, what do you guys think?

12-8, 3.85 ERA, phenomenal 184:36 K:BB ratio a year ago. I consider him the AL's answer to John Maine. I happen to like both guys an awful lot. My question is, what do you see Shields becoming long-term? At 26, do you think this was only the beginning of a breakout, or did we already witness it? Ceiling of a pretty good #2 is what I'd say. With the control he's displayed, can he be an Aaron Harang (very good strikeout pitcher with strong control) type or do you see him going the way of a Dave Bush (also excellent control, but entirely too hittable)? The Rays do have a slew of arms on the way, but I see Shields as a mainstay in this rotation for a long time.

Any insight would be appreciated guys.

Looks like someone is skipping a grade.

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=On+Baseball%3a+Top+prospect+heading+to+Fisher+Cats& amp;articleId=44deb92c-aeeb-43fd-a4ed-1de015a6e289

Despite the fact that his name is misspelled in the second paragraph of the article, I think this is an exciting move, and the right move for Travis and the Jays. A September call-up is looking more and more likely by the day. Any thoughts on how he'll fare?

Take solace, Twins fans, you still have an elite player on your team. Joe Mauer wins with relative ease on the last one. A catcher with his defensive skill, game-calling ability, and pure hitting prowess is a pretty tremendous commodity.

Fantasy is not the focus of these polls. Overall play is the general thing to keep in mind when you value the player here. It's all about who you'd want to build a team around here in 2008 and for the next few years beyond it. Anyone that receives under 5% of the vote is subject to removal, with 2% being automatic. I have also now added the players' ages as of Opening Day 2008. The last spot on the poll is generally a spot where I test certain guys out to see how they do, so don't flip out about it.

If you vote "Other," please specify who you'd like to see on there.

The 2008 Community MLB Top 100 List

1. Alex Rodriguez, 3B, New York Yankees [32]
   
2. Albert Pujols, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals [28]
   
3. Johan Santana, SP, Minnesota Twins (pending physical and contract) [29]
   
4. Miguel Cabrera, 3B, Detroit Tigers [24]
   
5. David Wright, 3B, New York Mets [25]
   
6. Hanley Ramirez, SS, Florida Marlins [24]
   
7. Chase Utley, 2B, Philadelphia Phillies [29]
   
8. Jose Reyes, SS, New York Mets [24]
   
9. Jake Peavy, SP, San Diego Padres [26]
   
10. Grady Sizemore, CF, Cleveland Indians [25]
    
11. Vladimir Guerrero, RF, Los Angeles Angels [32]
    
12. Joe Mauer, C, Minnesota Twins [24]

The controversy ends, as Vlad leaves the poll with a victory over Mauer, Rollins and Holliday. The guy may not be 25 anymore, he may not be hitting 40 HR, but he is beyond feared when he steps to the plate. He's also still out in right field more often than not, so I wouldn't rate him defensively as equivalent to a DH, as has been said.

Fantasy is not the focus of these polls. Overall play is the general thing to keep in mind when you value the player here. It's all about who you'd want to build a team around here in 2008 and for the next few years beyond it. Anyone that receives under 5% of the vote is subject to removal, with 2% being automatic. The last spot on the poll is generally a spot where I test certain guys out to see how they do, so don't flip out about it.

If you vote "Other," please specify who you'd like to see on there.

The 2008 Community MLB Top 100 List

1. Alex Rodriguez, 3B, New York Yankees 2. Albert Pujols, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals 3. Johan Santana, SP, Minnesota Twins (pending physical and contract) 4. Miguel Cabrera, 3B, Detroit Tigers 5. David Wright, 3B, New York Mets 6. Hanley Ramirez, SS, Florida Marlins 7. Chase Utley, 2B, Philadelphia Phillies 8. Jose Reyes, SS, New York Mets 9. Jake Peavy, SP, San Diego Padres 10. Grady Sizemore, CF, Cleveland Indians 11. Vladimir Guerrero, RF, Los Angeles Angels

Vlad puts up a resistance, but Grady gets a push at the end to come out on top, rounding out the top ten.  The way I would judge voting at this point, if the players on the poll were available in free agency right now, who would bring in the biggest contract?

Fantasy is not the focus of these polls. Overall play is the general thing to keep in mind when you value the player here. It's all about who you'd want to build a team around here in 2008 and for the next few years beyond it. Anyone that receives under 5% of the vote is subject to removal, with 2% being automatic.
If you vote "Other," please specify who you'd like to see on there.

The 2008 Community MLB Top 100 List

1. Alex Rodriguez, 3B, New York Yankees
   
2. Albert Pujols, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals
   
3. Johan Santana, SP, Minnesota Twins (pending physical and contract)
   
4. Miguel Cabrera, 3B, Detroit Tigers
   
5. David Wright, 3B, New York Mets
   
6. Hanley Ramirez, SS, Florida Marlins
   
7. Chase Utley, 2B, Philadelphia Phillies
   
8. Jose Reyes, SS, New York Mets
   
9. Jake Peavy, SP, San Diego Padres
   
10. Grady Sizemore, CF, Cleveland Indians

Jake Peavy joins Johan as the only pitchers selected thus far, winning by a decent margin over the man that inspired Grady's Ladies. Joe Mauer steps into double figures, while Ryan Howard is bumped again.

Fantasy is not the focus of these polls. Overall play is the general thing to keep in mind when you value the player here. It's all about who you'd want to build a team around here in 2008 and for the next few years beyond it. Anyone that receives under 5% of the vote is subject to removal, with 2% being automatic.

If you vote "Other," please specify who you'd like to see on there.

The 2008 Community MLB Top 100 List

1. Alex Rodriguez, 3B, New York Yankees
   
2. Albert Pujols, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals
   
3. Johan Santana, SP, Minnesota Twins
   
4. Miguel Cabrera, 3B, Detroit Tigers
   
5. David Wright, 3B, New York Mets
   
6. Hanley Ramirez, SS, Florida Marlins
   
7. Chase Utley, 2B, Philadelphia Phillies
   
8. Jose Reyes, SS, New York Mets
   
9. Jake Peavy, SP, San Diego Padres

The lightning quick Reyes takes it over the dominant arm of Jake Peavy. Grady saw some improved results this time around. Let's see if that continues...

Fantasy is not the focus of these polls. Overall play is the general thing to keep in mind when you value the player here. It's all about who you'd want to build a team around here in 2008 and for the next few years beyond it. Anyone that receives under 5% of the vote is subject to removal, with 2% being automatic.

If you vote "Other," please specify who you'd like to see on there.

The 2008 Community MLB Top 100 List

1. Alex Rodriguez, 3B, New York Yankees
   
2. Albert Pujols, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals
   
3. Johan Santana, SP, Minnesota Twins
   
4. Miguel Cabrera, 3B, Detroit Tigers
   
5. David Wright, 3B, New York Mets
   
6. Hanley Ramirez, SS, Florida Marlins
   
7. Chase Utley, 2B, Philadelphia Phillies
   
8. Jose Reyes, SS, New York Mets