O.K., Semi-Hiatus

What, there's finally something interesting to put here.

Was reading an MLB article on Yahoo! that threw out three very interesting tidbits...

#1 "Pirates G.M. Dave Littlefield completed a quest of sorts when he acquired 1B Adam LaRoche from the Braves. Back in 1999, when Littlefield was an assistant G.M. with the Marlins, Florida drafted LaRoche out of a community college in the 42nd round but failed to sign him. The Braves grabbed him in the 29th round in 2000. " I knew that LaRoche had been drafted several times: perhaps this reveals DL's true motivation, above all else? Maybe.

#2 A little insight into our new buddy Adam LaRoche College: "Hitting isn't LaRoche's only strength; he also figures to improve the Pirates' defense. 'Having him at first is like having another shortstop on the field,' a rival scout says. 'He's a really slick, comfortable, fundamentally sound defender. He's agile and mobile. That's a big upgrade for Pittsburgh.'" I think that is easily the most glowing defensive review for LaRoche that I have seen. I will wait to see it with mine own two eyeballs, though.

#3 The Devil Rays are shopping bot B.J. Upton and Delmon Young, and not a single team has come forward with a serious offer. The article mentions several execs being turned off to Upton by an incident in Durham last year where he refused to collect balls after BP one day. Delmon Young is, of course, an ump-beater. Seriously, though, noone wants to make an offer for him?

#4 The Toronto Blue Jays are apparently mulling over trading CF Alex Rios and/or LF Reed Johnson, since both players are far apart on arbitration (3.1 mil to 2.0 for Rios, 3.6 to 2.5 for Johnson). The one that wins in arbitration is said to be destined for trade bait status - Toronto of course wants pitching in return.