I know it's only Spring Training, but I'm feeling real good about Choi and Castro right now. Offensively, it's looking like we are just as strong as we were last year. I felt the need to focus on the positive as well as the negative here and put the bullpen struggles aside for a moment to acknowledge the awesome spring these two guys are having.

You're right, we can drive ourselves crazy worrying about the pen (guilty here) or we can celebrate some of good things happening in spring training. Choi, Castro and Easley certainly have been positive surprises as has been the play of Wilson Valdez. Abraham Nunez, who looks destined to either spend the year on the bench or be traded finally looks major league ready. Bump has done well and Benitez finally is getting in shape and performing well.

 

We have alot going for us with essentially a $41 million payroll (52-11 in deferrals). I know it's only spring training but at this point (albeit with more ABs) Choi is has more H, 2B, 3B, HRs, RBIs and TBs than the departed DLee and is batting nearly .300. Not bad for a kid making $350K. That HR he hit yesterday into the wind was a HR anywhere.

Yeah I didn't even mention this before but when I saw the marlins in Viera, I was very impressed with Valdez. If Easley keeps tearing it up and somebody is willing to give up something significant for him in a trade, I would not mind having Valdez as 2nd Utility man. Choi is on fire right now and Castro's still putting up the power numbers and is hitting for pretty good average too. Very good to see.

Yes, things are going well. I really like Choi and I feel he could have a very good offensive season for us hitting at JRS. I like his bat and his ability to hit with power to the gaps.

 

Castro is going to provide some much needed muscle in the lineup. He is going to hit 20+ home runs fairly easy if he just stays healthy.

 

Easely has been a guy I am excited about when we got him. I think he could be a great reclaimation project, but I think he needs to be starting somewhere. We certainly could trade him because he seems to be generating some interest.

 

Also, you could put Abe Nunez in that same category. This kid has shown he is ready for a spot on a big league team. I think we could package Nunez and Easely, or even Neal (since he is out of options with some upside) to get us a piece we need. I would have liked to see us make a push for Juan Cruz, but those evil Braves got him.

 

All in all, not bad. I really think this team could surprise people with their offense. Our starting 5 is among the most talented in all of baseball. And that is before you bring AJ into the fold. Our pen, of course, needs some consistency which I think we will get eventually. This team is going to contend.

What are Choi's and Castro's SP stats as of now?

 

thanks.

choi and castro are playing like we all hoped...yes easley and nunez are great trade bait but if we trade them both we end up with gerald williams and banks...i say we only trade 1 either banks or easley and try to get an arm for him...

Yeah. The braves got Juan Cruz. But whats not good is that in past years we would scour the waiver wire and pickup players. But now since we are the Ws winners we get last dibs on anyone getting released so trading for an arm is the way to go. If not, our pen will look something like this. I would like at least one more "dependable" guy in the pen.

 

Armando Benitez

Chad Fox

Justin Wayne

Mike Tejera

Matt Perisho

Blaine Neal

I would like at least one more "dependable" guy in the pen.

I agree, although I trust in Benitez, Fox and Wayne, I don't think the others amount to s***. We need another strong figure in that pen!

Have you seen Choi swing...he reminds me of Palmeiro>>>

I have been raving about Castro since before the spring began, and I hope that Choi can live up to his potential this season.