Sorry for the delay. Lots of stuff going on, so haven't had much time to sit and gather thoughts.

Springfield didn't fair too well against Northwest Arkansas at home, hoping to split the series, they took the loss last night. I won't go into much of the details, but DK put in 6 scoreless innings and walked away up 2-0. The bullpen blew up, and 5 runs that scored after that were all unearned. Too many errors on routine plays.

It was a big game for DK, pitching against the Royals top pick from 2009 (Aaron Crow) and he did well and is happy with his performance (and so were we and his manager and pitching coach), but another no decision. As a friend said to me, baseball is a business and he took care of his, that is so true! He went another 6 and hit his highest pitch count since the beginning of the season, too many walks, but that's gonna happen, he pitches low and inside often and sometimes it's just too low and sometimes it's just too inside.

Thursday night is dollar bratwurst nights, so you can imagine the attendance, Dave loves it. They also have HR derby night and run the bases during innings, holds the game up a bit, pitchers don't love that. But that's part of milb, entertainment and cheap food for the whole family.

Heading to Springfield on the 11th, gave in and bringing up the truck. Looking forward to it and to reporting back on my first AA game!

I have had some emails regarding the upcoming draft, picking up on some topics, so I will do that, please send emails for anything you want to discuss, I'll do my best, but please remember it is from a parent's perspective.

The draft is a bit more than a month away, that seems close, but really it's not. Many, many things will change, many top plyers will falter and many unknowns will move ahead. You'll see, that's how it happens. My son's agent told me that the last thing that a scout, a crosschecker or a GM remembers about a player is the last performance. Keep that in mind. During the ACC championship in 2007, son pitched a gem, his first complete game, one run scored late in the game, 121 pitches. The pitcher he was pitching against had not lost a game all year. That following week, son's stock went up and that pitchers stock went down.

The image added is from last nights game, Dave and pitching coach Denis Martinez.

Pitch and Hit Night

When two national teams get together in AA, the pitchers hit, so tonight Dave was in the lineup.

Dave had 3 plate experiences and got on base all three times, on a bunt past the pitcher, single and a walk. His BA is 1.000 and so his his OB% but they don't keep those stats for pitchers. Game went well, he got the W, broke two bats (pitching way inside) and working on throwing first pitch strikes, and it sounded like he was pounding the zone pretty well. I watched the ERA go up and down, but overall with a 11-4 win and Springfield record of 11-4 things are going well for the team. One more night in Tulsa and then back home.

When Dave was at Clemson, his teammate's dad used to come down to work with the pitchers. His dad is Bryan Harvey, ex MLP now the pitching coach for the Rockies AA team. Dave said it was great to meet up with him, for as many players Dave has played with, either in HS, travel team, at school or at the cape, it's always fun to run into a friend and familiar face.

NFL draft

Have been pretty interested in the NFL draft and where players that were big stars in college were drafted. Pretty different than the MLB draft, as these players have already done their apprentice time in college and go to work right away, but as always the creme gets the first picks. It was great watching CJ Spiller (Clemson) get a top spot, and Gruden predicts him to be the NFL rookie of the year. He just missed being a candidate for the Heisman and drafted before others for consideration, which goes to show, just like in baseball, the best stats from college (or HS) doesn't mean that you are going to excel at the next level. And of course, injuries will always pull you down lower than your actual talent deserves to be picked at.

Speaking of injuries, there is a player drafted last year by the cards, 4th round paid 75K, who was predicted to move quickly through the system as a reliever ( not high velo but a devastating cut FB). His low signing bonus was due to an injury that everyone knew about, the cards tried rehab, but to no avail had surgery on his capsule this week. Have no idea when he will or if he will ever return.

Dave takes the bump tonight, Springfield has a 10-4 record, won 3 in a row, let's keep it that way son. :)

There he is, have no clue about that thing on his face! Ugh!

The cardinals allow facial hair, but has to be neatly groomed and no one in the organization is allowed a Tim Lincecum doo. They are what you would say old school, but Dave is used to that from Clemson. A very good friend of mine told me the older the organization, with more history, the more they have their certain way of doing things. Like pants rolled up for milb players, that goes for everyone, coaches and managers included. You don't see that in every organization, the Marlin milb guys (some of them) don't roll their pants up. Of course they don't have the fancy socks (that look like stirrups) like the cards do. :)

The team is doing well and Paul said that this is the first time since college that he's heard him so excited about "winning". I think that a lot has to do with the atmosphere, 7-8K in attendance, promotions, loyal fans that love you no matter what you do, he didn't have that in the FSL. A few hundred here or there in the stand, a bit busier when they played the Marlins.

The boys have off tomorrow then a short 4 hour trip to Oklahoma to play the Tulsa Drillers, DK pitches on saturday.

Draft Stuff

Yes sireeee a good day for the Springfield Cardinals.

http://springfield.cardinals.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100418&content_id=9411574&vkey=news_t440&fext=.jsp&sid=t440

Just wanted to write some stuff about the draft. IMO, don't ever try to figure it out.
Teams are still out watching players, I read yesterday where a scouting director was at the UVA game, pretty much indicates there is someone there who is going to be drafted high, or he wouldn't be there. But the draft is weeks away, things change, and not until teams get together and plan out their draft board (week of the draft), no one knows anything. Pre draft deals used to be done, I doubt that anyone now with the way the NCAA is on everyone's back that this is done (maybe). My son had 2 friends drafted first round, they didn't know anything until their names were called, no discussion beforehand about money, but both had indicated they were going to sign (college juniors), I guess that's what teams want to know, are you going to sign quickly or is it going to be long and drawn out. The best thing to do is follow some of teh info provided on sites such as PGCrosschecker, they indicated son would be around 81st, and they were not far off (at 71). That's the only way you might be able to figure it out and gives you an idea of where you might fall. Maybe.
My son's advisor is one of those who believe that, it is in a players best interest to sign quickly and get out and play asap. wasted time is wasted money, myson likes that philosophy. Many of his players have gotten good money to sign, but in reality the real stuff comes later when they help to negotiate your contract. That to me is what is important, for those that have advisors, what can you do for me later, will you sitck by me even when hurt, and do you beleive that I have the stuff for the highest level or am I just good for you to collect some money when I am drafted. Keep that in mind.
For those interested this is how son's last draft went, he was at practice in Mississippi for the super regionals, he got a phone call around the 68th pick by the Cardinals to tell him that he would be their next pick was he willing to take slot money (which was down that year 10%). He had an idea of which teams were interested, but had not heard from the Cardinals until the day before that they were interested, he never even met his drafting scout until he got to his first spring training. So it doesn't matter who you talk to, who said what, who came to a game or didn't, it all comes down on draft day.
A few months before the draft, I got a call from the yankee area scout in South Carolina, looking for son, who had not answered his phone because he was in practice. He wanted to make sure he had the right number, and went on to tell me how much the organization loved him, how they wanted him to be a yankee, blah, blah. Perhaps they were going to draft him, but someone got him first. I also found out later that the mets had a huge interest, he would have been their next pick at pick 77. But no one form the mets organization called him to tell him they were going to draft him, again that's just how it goes. So don't expect the scout to call, telling you that you might be drafted, what round, perhaps until a few names before they want you, or not at all. Scouts have no clue and have no authority to tell you were you will be drafted, perhaps a call the night before (as the padres did when son in HS) to see if you are still hot on going to school or going pro, remember it's about signability.

A Happy Dad

When DK played in Omaha, he was given his home jersey with the ACC championship and CWS patch. This was a big deal to my husband, one of those keepsakes that you keep until your son has a family of his own to share with someday. He also inherited most of the purple and orange t-shirts, running shorts, underarmours as well as hats, hats and more hats.

So recently at lunch when up to see DK, Paul was wondering where his Palm Beach Cardinal practice jersey was (since son was moving up).

It went like this...

P: So can I have your practice jersey?

D: No dad, my practice stuff follows me wherever I go (red).

P: So can I have your Palm Beach Cardinals jersey?

D: No dad, they recycle those. You can go to the gift shop and buy a replica jersey.

P: But it had your name on the back and I want one that you wore.

D: Sorry dad, they take the names off and they don't give out jerseys for you to keep.

P: Oh (damn).

So today, when son gets to the locker room, there awaiting for him is his comemorative jersey to be worn today, and to be auctioned off during the game for the Haitian Relief efforts, you know like the big boys did.

DK takes a pic, sends it to daughter who sends it to dad, who sends it to me. I see it and tell Paul, "all of those player's jerseys are being auctioned off today during game time" (you could bid or buy it outright for $200).

Guess who finally has a Cardinals jersey worn by son? :)

Opening Day at Hammons field

Below is an article from the News-Leader in Springfield.
Dave has never had much press written about him, and lately because at this point most think he's not a true prospect anymore. Two surgeries means you are slightly damaged goods to many. DK sent it to me the other night, as I decided I wasn't going to read any of that stuff this year.
http://www.news-leader.com/article/20100415/SPORTS02/4150387/1002/SPORTS/Cards-rotation-seeks-to-enter-prospect-radar-for-thin-farm-system

Nice article, however there is something I would like to point out. Two of the 5 pitchers have had some really serious issues, one a psychological problem where he couldn't throw the ball without hitting someone( the yips) and another an addiction problem. The organization worked with them both, so I don't want anyone to think that players are regularly discarded like a piece of paper in the trash. If someone has given you money, they are going to try everything in their power to make it work, as long as you also show the effort. If you haven't been given the money, they will try to make it work also if you show that you also want to make it work.

Springfield is off to a good start, considering the farm is thinned out with real "prospects". I think a lot also has to do with the management, I do beleive the manager at AA will someday replace TLR. The cards have a certain way of doing things (like every organization), especially the TLR way and I do believe Ron "PoP" Warner does it that way too. Dave likes him alot, he said he is a player's manager, you don't always find that to be the case. DK has been very fortunate to have some really good coaching and managers, he didn't always like all of them, but none the less they were all top notch.

Opening day was fun, as related to me and from listening on the radio, the players got paraded around in red cars, the entire stadium was filled with everyone wearing red. The cards do a good job, it's the closest team to the home team, so tht means lots of fans attend nightly.

For those that have been asking, the next start is Sunday afternoon.........

A call up

Today the AAA Memphis catcher got a call up to the ML game because Jason La Rue is hurt. When I spoke to DK he said some guys were coming over to see if he gets in, these guys live for this stuff, someone gets hurt, that means a chance, they love watching their teammates and friends get the chance.
Back home and into their new apartment, trip to the grocery store, hook up the x box and check out if the beds were big and comfy enough, and a reminder that tomorrow is opening night at Hammons field, big night.

Son also had to tell me that Lauren will be up mid May, we can come up in June.

Thanks son, I guess we know your priorities. :)

First road series finished

The cardinals lost tonight but had a pretty good road series with a record of 3-3 and won one of the series they played while away. Tonight after the game they will shower, pack up, eat and drive 14 hours back to Springfield for their first home series on Thursday, then leave again in another week for another road trip.
That's just the way it will be for the rest of the summer.

Ugh!

DK has always had a rough start out of the box, no excuses but a lot of it has to do with a lot of adrenaline pumping and a live arm that is sometimes hard to control but last night was THE worst I can ever remember. He's been working on it through breathing excercises and mental preparation, but I guess last night was just one of those nights. He was missing by a hair, and that becomes frustrating, and he is one of those that needs to have complete control and forgets there are 8 other players behind him.
But the good part was he settled down nicely, after teh firs tinning, he adjusted, unfortunetly at the end of the 4th inning his team was ahead, but he had almost reached his max pitch count, so he had to be replaced and he didn't get the win. Something he will have to learn to work on, and I am hoping with the first start done and over, he's over it. He's a pitch hit groundout pitcher, all he has to do is let them hit it, who cares about how many you strike out! Let your defense do the work!

He didn't get ragged on because he did make the adjustment, and that is what this game is all about, making adjustments, if you can't do that, learn from your bad days, you will never move forward, and this is why most don't move forward. Luckily he's got a lot of velocity, so sometimes that makes it forgiving. Even at the AA level there is lots ot learn.

The good thing is that we haven't heard one thing about the arm, so that in itself is a plus. :)

Springfield has a young team, they seem to be coming together, which is good because it's a looooooong season ahead.

milb levels

I realized last night while chatting with someone on facebook, not everyone is familiar with the different levels found in milb.
That's ok, I didn't know either at one time. :)
So here ya go.
Instructional league, that is also known as complex league, found at each (most)teams spring training facilities. Most HS players getting drafted head to instructional league. For most teams, this is where they also bring in their young dominican and venezualan players for the summer.

Single low A, this might include a rookie level, short season (where most 4 year college players go when drafted) and full season. Every team is different as to where they send their newly drafted players and in some cases their college guys. Some teams have rookie level, some don't, some have short season and others don't. Then there is high A.

Then comes AA and last but not least AAA also known as the parking lot. Here is where you wait to be called up, and sometimes it takes years before that happens (as in the case of Dirk, the non prospect). Most of the players in AAA become organizational guys or reserves. They can get called up and optioned out (sent back) numerous times in a year but after 3 years must be placed on the 40 man or given free agency.

As you move up there becomes a difference, the hitters are more patient and the pitchers are more polished and throw more pitches in the game. For most teams, you have to master a level before you are moved, which means a year. Most levels are age appropriate, except at the AAA level. In other words an 18 year old out of HS will not be playing with 23-30 year olds, unless he's a Rick Porcello. :)

Springfield won 2 in a row, now 2-2.

Bits and Pieces

While watching the AAA Memphis Redbirds last night (they won in 19 innings) I figured out ( I think correctly) not including my son, 16 former CU teammates are playing pro ball, that's pretty amazing. Two are ML players. Many in AA or above. Most were recruited by Kevin O'Sullivan (Florida Gators Head Coach). There have been other teammates, but they have either been released or moved on. One is a college coach, and another the baseball trainer at UT. Pretty talented group of players. Most of them had no pro interest before college or went undrafted. Things can change in a few years. And for what it's worth, probably the most successful pitcher in the program could never get past low A. That just goes to show that successful college players don't always make successful pro pitchers.

Son's team is 0-2 but have not gone without a fight, so I am hoping for a win soon. The Texas League is pretty tough, parks are hitters park, huge. The hitters are now patient at this point, they don't swing away at just anything. According to what my player says, for most pitchers if they can make it past that league to AAA they are almost there. That's encouraging.

Tyler Colvin

Just for the record, I am not negative about the pro game or pro experience.

It does have it's rewards.

Tonight we watched son's Clemson teammate, Tyler Colvin, on TV. Tyler was drafted by the Cubs in 2006, as their #1 pick. This spring, he lead all major league players in hits. He hit a HR on Thursday.

As far as I know, Tyler wasn't a draft consideration out of HS. Some how when no one was looking, he managed to move up the ladder. He didn't even play in the best leagues in summer ball. In the beginning of his junior year, he wasn't even ranked as high as a first round, first pick would be expected. But he had a monster year, and was a tremedous force in helping the team win our regional, super regional to get to Omaha. He quietly accepted what most first picks of a team probably wouldn't accept without further negotiation. But with 3 years of college under his belt, the money really didn't matter, what did matter was to sign quickly and get to work, which he did. Unfortunetly, he hit his elbow by accident his second year in pro ball and tore his UCL, had TJ surgery, so that set him back a while, then had some back issues and struggled, before going upto AAA. Last year he got a cll up for a few games. But this spring, now healthy, he ripped it up. We got a kick hearing about him sunday night pregame on ESPN.

Tyler was raised by his grandparents, two of the nicest, sweetest people you have ever met. A few weeks before spring training, his grandmother passed away. I am so sorry she was not able to be here to see her grandson (who she called her son) begin the 2010 season on the 25 man roster.


So how rewarding is that, watching your sons friend on TV?

Going pro after High School

Ok, so your players dream and goal is to play proball. The reality of this happening becomes quite real when you get those questionares in the mail, when the scouts begin to show up at games, begin calling home asking for home visits, etc., etc. The anxiety sets in when you think that this could possibly happen, the talk becomes serious, and for those coming out of HS it can become a big dilemma of what should he do or not do.

This is a very personal decision between the player and his family and his particular circumstances. Although I strongly believe that for most players, going to college first is the better option, it is and always should be a personal choice, not what someone else did or recommends. Everyone's situation is different.

For those that don't know, my son signed to go to school for a 90% scholarship, that right there put up a big concern for scouts, called signability. My son was a bit behind the 8 ball with that much in scholarship money, they knew that it would take a lot for him to give up going to Clemson, playing in the ACC under an A+ pitching coach and a successful head coach. Although he told most scouts he would consider going pro, I don't think that most really beleived him. They also knew that his parents were college educated and strongly believed that education is very important, so that was a negative also. We also were pretty honest, and probably pretty unrealistic (as most are) as to what it would take to sign out of HS (lots of money). Reality is, my son wasn't worth what he felt he wanted, and that is what it is all about. He had one offer to go pro, from the yankees, 125-150K and school, but not 90% of 3 years at Clemson. That amount for a projectible pitcher, throwing 90+ with more in the tank wasn't going to cut it for him. When he said no thank you, the scout said, good choice. He also was told that from quite a few other scouts, go to school, grow up, get bigger, get stronger, get faster, get most of your education and see what happens in 3 years. Most of them said, if you have it now, you will have it later. Just hope and pray you remain healthy. But we beleived that one has to move forward NOT being fearful but with positive thoughts, what will be will be.

Coming out of HS, son was ranked among the top 50 players in the country from his grad year, that changed weekly according to what publication you read or what scout talked to another. His projection was 5,6-10th round (the 125-150K was about 7th round money at that time). As much as I love Sully, I realize now with his contacts, he was most likely telling scouts, don't draft him. I asked him about that once, he just smiled his Sully smile and chuckled. Although we sought the advice of an advisor, the one person my son really liked said that he would NOT advise him out of HS. I didn't realize until later than he was a Clemson graduate, former player and drafted out of the program, and a very good friend of the Clemson coaches. But when all was said and done, when son was not drafted and showed up on campus, so did the advisor, who advised him through college and now his agent. For my son, going to school was a very good option, winning an ACC shampionship, playing in Omaha, playing at the cape, plus experiencing college life made saying no all worthwhile. He managed to stay healthy throughout college, and got drafted much higher than he would have out of HS. So for us, coming out of college with no debt, for him a second round recognition, and a nest egg was worth waiting 3 years, but I do realize, not all players have the win win situation he had.

As you go through this process, as a parent there are a few things I strongly suggest. First ask a lot of questions, all teams do things differently with young players. For example, the cards have an actual "rookie" team in the appalachian league that the player can go to, that is why so many from HS sign, some don't play in these types of leagues, so the player remains in their complex league. Complex ball is not a lot of fun. Up early, games within the league played early with long afternoons and evenings ahead of you. No one comes to watch.

Ask where each league is located, is sending your HS son across the country with no family close by going to make him happy, they all get homesick. Very homesick, even my college player going to the Penn League was homesick (not for home but for his coaches, friends at Clemson).

Is your player mature enough to go to work, because as great as it sounds, it's your job, you have to show up everyday, there's no calling in sick. Realize that baseball is an opportunity, but all opportunities are based upon your worth to the team and how they do business. And remember if you don't like your employer, you are not afforded the opportunity to go looking for another (employer).

Someone told my son something once, think about what might happen later on, if you are unhappy with the choice you made, would you rather be unhappy in school or unhappy stuck in the middle of nowhere. Of course my son's answer was that money would make him less unhappy, but he wasn't going to get what he wanted to make him happy. Money out of HS was the only motivation for him to sign. Some may say he really didn't want to play pro ball, but it is just that he took a different path.

Familiarize yourself with draft slotting, if there is talk he may fall in one round, understand that the bonus money can drop significantly after a certain round. Of course there are some players drafted low, who do end up getting what they want, but they should have been an early pick to begin with, they just fell in the draft, most likely for signabilty reasons.

Use an advisor only if your son needs one. That sounds strange but true, most do not need one to advise on the process, and make sure you trust that person. Too many stories of advisors talking to teams (which is actual representation), too many changes in the NCAA's stronger stance of what one can and can't do. Understand that for the advice given, your son will pay 4% (maybe less) if he agrees to use his services as an agent and sign. Is that advice going to be worth giving up some of his bonus money, he will need to depend on. I do suggest if anyone signs to make sure that agent is qualified to do business with MLB, that means at least ONE player on the 40 man roster. Some of these agents, have a stable of young ponies, but no real race horse (if you get what I mean), therefore, they cannot talk to anyone about your son. And a time may come when someone needs to talk to someone. The great part about having an agent you trust and knows his stuff is the he will be there for you asap when you call him, and that you can go about your job and he can take care of the baseball business. Priceless, IMO.

So I guess by now, you have figured out that I am for going to college first, but there are exceptions (nice bonus money) and sometimes position.

Let the games begin

Tonight is fan appreciation night in Springfield at Hammonds Field, season ticket holders get to come out and watch the team practice, get autographs, pictures, free food, etc.
I found that out on the Springfield Cardinals site, when I talked to Dave last night, he had no clue. I guess they don't get told much, just show up when you are supposed to and play ball. That's the way it will be for the next 5 months. In one way, life is simple, people are doing things for you, you only have to worry about being where you are supposed to be when told, other than that you don't have to think much about anything else.
In the case of tomorrow, be at the field at 12 for a 7-8 bus hour ride to your first season game. That's a short trip, the longer ones to Texas run about 14-15 hours to the farthest desination, which is traveled at night, but in AA you get sleeper buses, last man who joins the team has to sleep on the floor, if there is more than 25, but I hear they share this, pitchers who have to pitch the next day get beds. I guess it's a team effort.
I spoke to son last night, he felt comfortable and actually felt like he never left (he was there for two months last season). He is looking forward to the fan support not found in Jupiter, better clubhouse food and not having to carry his own bags. :) That probably will be the last nice chat we will have for awhile once games begin, different time zone. We wait for him to call. But I get lots of info from Lauren. :0 And the coverage is pretty good, being very close to the big team, there's an excitement for many fans about seeing future redbirds play in Missouri. The cards farm system in general was ranked pretty low this year, so it should be interesting to see how they all do in comparison to other teams.

As expected, some players are showing up on the DL after spring training. That's how they manipulate the roster #'s, very interesting.

Things change everyday in pro ball

Yesterday a list was posted of the milb rosters in son's organization and those that have been assigned a full season team. However, most rosters are above the number that has to be official for opening day on thursday, in the cards organization there are 16 more than needed on the rosters than allowed, that means, somewhere and in the next few days, more cuts might be coming.
Often during the season when rosters and teams expand, you see players moved to what is called the "phantom" DL. This allows a roster spot for the player and to be paid while on the DL.
I have heard from 3 people whose sons did not make a full season roster (extended), this is not uncommon for players drafted last year and either not ready for full season, or there is just no place for them at this time. That can change dramatically and quickly, due to injuries. This year, there has been surprisingly very few injuries reported during spring training, but sometimes there ARE injuries and the players just don't admit it because they want to make a team, then it comes out sooner than later. That's just the way it is. Players know that being injured creates a huge setback in a system that is overloaded to begin with, and a player cannot be released if he is hurt on the DL until declared able to play.
That's sometimes the not so nice side of the business, fix 'em up and release them.

Spring training is over!

It really doesn't stop though, pitchers needing to get in their work have to report for games tomorrow. We will go up and get the truck tomorrow, if games are later we'll watch him pitch. I guess he's decided that he can live without it for awhile, I think he learned last year that shipping it out, only to have to return two months later. was one big waste of money.
Son flies out Easter, gets the afternoon and Monday off, simulated game for bullpen on Tuesday and Wednesday leaves on the road for a week to begin the season. First start is on the 12th. We saw him tonight, over for dinner and he seems excited. The manager (Ron Pop Warner) is awesome, they say he is being groomed for TLR's job, and Denis (Martinez) is now the pitching coach in Springfield. Dave has been working with him for 2 years. He's awesome.

The one thing that you will find as you go through levels, is that the instruction, the management is not always consistant. That was one of the reasons why we felt that college would be a better fit for son out of HS.

Very strange, we sent son off to college very far away, it was an adjustment as our last to leave the nest, has been here in Jupiter (except for two months last year in Springfield until the arm started up) most of his professional career (although lots of it in rehab). It feels like going away for teh first time all over again.

At dinner one discussion was about optioning players from ML to minor league, and about the pay. He's never spoken about that before, so I guess his interests are broadening. I guess once you reach a certain level, you kind of taste it more, so you begin to think about those things. We also talked about the per diem increase on the road, now 25 dollars, strange part is that you have to pay 11 a day for clubhouse dues while on the road. That money covers before and after meal, so 14 dollars is left to spend on another meal, and any golden corral or all you can eat restaurant in any town is always high on a players list.

The business of baseball

No word on anymore cuts, but there still are games to be played today (intersquad). Everyone is on rotation, so I am assuming any more cuts will come after today as players are needed for games, that would be as far as pitchers, not sure about position guys. The cards traded Julio Lugo yesterday, which allows some players (prospects) in the system a chance to get into the highest level this year, instead of them being cut and allows more flexible room at the milb levels. Interesting also to watch is how they push some players up, on purpose, so that if a trade becomes necessarily they are seen at the higher level. Last year they traded some very high prospects (their number one pick from 2008 and second pick from 2007 as well as Chris Perez who I believe was a #1 pick years ago) for help needed to get through the playoffs, depleating much of the talent in the farm. You begin to see that movement about mid season, depending how the ML team is doing.

Most players know their assignment, or will go to extended, some starters are now relievers and that's better than getting cut for most. It's been pretty interesting watching them shaving down the numbers. But sometimes things happen and they happen early, Yadi is hurt, the backup now becomes the starter and now the AAA catcher becomes the backup MLB guy. So sometimes I imagine some releases to make room on milb rosters is held back.

That's a big part of the business of bseball.