The organization thinks Kozma is a good prospect. Regardless of how we feel, we can’t wishcast away the decision makers in the front office and there is a reason they drafted Kozma with their first pick last year.

The other problem is acquiring any of those truly high ceiling SS requires something in return. Another team isn’t going to take some relief pitching for their stud SS prospect. So unless you want to move Rasmus, good luck getting any of those players.

The pitching was solid though. In game 1 of the DH we saw Brian Broderick. He was solid through 5 striking out 3 while walking 2 and giving up 5 hits and 2 runs. He had some solid pitches and a nice delivery.

In game 2 we saw Nick Additon. He was dominating through 4 strikingout 9 walking 1 and giving up 2 hits with no runs. There was no speed gun on today but both guys were throwing really well especially Additon.

Also we got to watch Phillippe Aumont of the Mariners pitch. He was pretty solid but sometimes seemed like he had no clue where his pitch was going.

The attractive thing about Lillibridge, to name one, is that his ceiling is really in star territory. So is Brignac’s, although I don’t think Tampa Bay is likely to trade him for anything less than the moon and the stars. In fact most of the guys on the VEB list have ceilings higher than Martinez’ or Ryan’s, and probably Kozma’s as well. A minor-league system with useful filler at every position is exactly that, useful. Our system has to be better than merely “useful” for the long-term health of the franchise.

1). You are probably noticing the piggyback system at PB and QC. They have two starting pitchers assigned to each day and each one will throw around 4 innings or so. It’s something they are doing to protect young arms. I don’t think many (if any) of the FR writers, including myself, are fans of it, at least at PB.
2) There aren’t really any prospects on that list that are 100% bets (Lillibridge would be close though). We’ve got enough in the way of middle infield both short term (Brendan Ryan) and long term (Martinez, Kozma) that I doubt the club feels any need to acquire other prospects at this point. They still believe in Kozma as the long term answer.

Incidentally, based on the limited data so far, who are the candidates for demotion once some of the injured pitchers come off the DL and join the major-league team? There will presumably be some trickle-down of demotions, right?

The new format is just fine, erik, but I didn’t have a problem with the other one either. Love the logo. The green before didn’t bother me. The content is the thing, baby.

Joe Mather is an absolute beast. They can’t keep him down forever.

Does anyone know exactly how serious the club really is about making Arnoldi Cruz into a catcher? I have no idea what sort of defense he would bring back there, but the offensive numbers he generates would make him an awfully intriguing prospect. Are they committed to it?