The lineup is the most fun to watch in years. Competitive seasons should be right around the corner when the pitching lines up.

That would be a funny looking 2B. HAHA, I have never seen a lefthanded 2B. We should probably try him at catcher too.

Giavotella has had pretty solid numbers all through the minors (except for the deadzone of Wilmington), and has been the “proper age” for each stop. Aviles had pretty solid numbers in the minors but was always 3-4 years too old for the level. Gio has improved defensively every year. The only thing he has left to work on his turning receiving throws. I still wonder if Getz is even better at defense than Gio is. Gio has better range, and a pretty good arm. What does Getz do?

Assuming ‘Mike Aviles 2.0′ is a player similar to what Aviles was in 2008 and 2010, I would gladly take that. Particularly when he is bracketed at short and first by two outstanding (or soon to be outstanding in the case of Hosmer) defenders.

By the way, what’s wrong with Pop Tarts? I had one yesterday with my daughter: freaking delicious.

Francour isn’t that far off Par, he still chases garbage pitches but as a fat-skinny guy (he’s so slow for being so thin ha ha) rather than a plane old fatty he’s getting some (many more) doubles that he was not in years past. Makes him a decent hitter with and OPS around 800. He’d added a percent or two to his walk rate as well when i looked last.

I like the extension gives me a whipping boy for when the royals go on a skid next year. I can blame almost anything on him.

You’ve got to think Melky is going to get moved for a pitcher, hopefully with better returns than we got for dejesus.

Is there anything more terrifying than GMDM in the starting pitcher FA market?

I just with there was someone adult at the top to keep the children from trading Butler, god knows Boston has their eye on him.

They should hire someone who’s one duty is to so NO and then grab the phone form GMDM when ever he starts talking trade about butler.

The title could be “Executive Vice president of Offensive preservation”

Just stating two facts of the matter. Gio isn’t bad but is hardly Dustin Pedroia. He may get better, he may be Mike Aviles.

“When you have to rely on splits with a small sample size to justify your preference for a player, you should just wave the white flag.”

The game is played on splits. Frenchy-haters use them quite often. In this case the split may suggest that Gio hits better against SP than he does against 95 mph RH relievers, which suggests slider bat speed.

As for my preference, my preference is for a complete 2nd baseman. Just pointing out why the utility infielder comes in late. You can write that off as latent homosexuality in Ned Yost, I can support it by pointing out some splits and reminding Gio is not yet a very good defensive 2nd baseman. Gio will get his time this year and next year in spring training, so will have a chance to win the job. I just don’t think it’s quite time to DFA Getz, no matter how hated he is by the Pop Tart Brigade, who have suddenly decided that Gio is the second coming of their lost Mike Aviles. Wonder if Melky can play 2nd? That would fix a couple of problems.

What a stupid rule to make games played be 9 innings. Getz should be batting 3rd if only the game started in the 7th and well on his way to a gold glove.