I'm not a big fan of Thomas Boswell's (he likes to throw around statistics, but he doesn't really know how), but today's column in the Post, which was right next to a story about the Nats' managerial job that lists Mattingly and Valentine (and Bob Melvin, as well as Jim Riggleman) as active candidates, caught my eye. It's about Charlie Manuel, Manny Ramirez, and Jim Thome.

More than that, it's about the difference between players who strive for success and those who strive for excellence: "Don't get hung up on success and what people think of you; focus on excellence, play the game the right way, enjoy the moment and don't be scared of it." Jimmy Rollins is entered as Manuel's Exhibit A. The column made me think to myself, how many clutch players (i.e., players who strive for excellence, rather than success) are on the Indians' roster (now that Victor is in Boston)?

Elliott P. Legow of Youngstown, noting the injuries that have derailed Kelvin de la Cruz and Adam Miller, asked JIm Callis to rank the pitchers in the Tribe pipeline--guys like T.J. House, Hector Rondon, and Alexander Perez. Several other pitchers, such as Trey Haley, Zach Putnam, Bryce Stowell, and Eric Berger, are mentioned in passing. Not Jeanmar Gomez, though.

J.D. Martin has paid some serious dues, and it pleases me to see him have some success. Here is a link to his 2009 stats. 58 K's against 7 BB's is pretty awesome.

Baseball America lists Daddy Wegz #1 on its "Prospect Hot Sheet" this week. When he's hot, he's hot. When he's not, he's like Trey Haley, also mentioned in this BA piece (free content).

In today's Washington Post, Blake Gopnik reviews new installations of art at Nationals Park. Sorry about the earlier botched FanShot.

Baseball America is reporting that the Indians have signed UNC right fielder Tim Fedroff for $725,000, which is well above slot for a 7th rounder. Of this year's Cleveland's draftees, only first-rounder Lonnie Chisenhall ($1.1 million) has signed for more.

BA says that Fedroff "has strong forearms and wrists and packs a powerful punch at the plate." He has good speed, but his arm is likely to make him "more of a candidate for left field at the pro level."

Baseball America' is reporting (subscribers only) that 2b Cord Phelps, our third-round pick in the recent amateur draft, has signed for $327,000. Here is a link to his Stanford profile.

Tony Lastoria has posted his photo gallery (some 600 images collected in Winter Haven this spring). My mancrush on Santo Frias continues, but then there's (N.B. Voltaire!) Candido Jesus.

Jason Davis released by Rangers, 03/28/2008

P.S. Sorry, gang, I'm just trying to learn how to do FanShots.