Short post while traveling today.

Craig Monroe?  Jeff Salazar?  Luis Gonzalez?  Eric Hinske?  

“Huntington also said he is hopeful of adding a free agent this week to compete with Brandon Moss and Nyjer Morgan for the two corner outfield spots flanking center fielder Nate McLouth.  Those two are expected to compete in spring training along with Craig Monroe and Jeff Salazar, who were signed as minor-league free agents earlier in the offseason.” — John Perrotto, The Intelligencer 

Compete with Morgan AND Moss?

Does that sound like yet another possible ”Brandon Moss won’t be 100% on opening day” red flag to you? 

Anyway, signing Hinske isn’t too bad an idea.  I mean, think about it like this.. if McLouth was fed so many fat ones he could put up 26 home runs over the year, then Hinske surely would get 15 home runs in half the at bats, right?  And his arm is much better than Morgan’s for left although he’s not exactly a great cover guy. 

I’d offer him a split contract (minor league/major league) since he’d be the corner IN/OF utility guy, but I wouldn’t hand him a major league deal.  The roster space could be too important with all the youthful players that might get jettisoned off 40-man rosters here shortly.

And does this officially mean we will not be pursuing any “better” free agents even if their price drops as time runs on?  That’s a bit worrisome. 

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Chase Wright — the Pirates next John Grabow?  He was DFA’d by the Yankees today.

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Better move fast – Allegiant Air has some $29 flights to Florida out of Allentown, PA, in March. 

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So tell me, why is Snell being allowed to pitch in the WBC?