Miscellany

• I still hate Fox. Yesterday I was watching the Phillies-Mets match-up on that godforsaken network and was forced to endure the "stylings" of Mr. Tim McCarver. In the bottom of the eighth, the Phillies were down 4-2 with the bases loaded, one out, and pinch-hitter Geoff Jenkins at the plate. The Mets had Aaron Heilman on the mound. Heilman was clearly struggling with his location, and the Phillies looked like they were very close to tying things up. So why was Heilman - a righty - allowed to stay in against the lefty Jenkins? According to McCarver, it was because the Mets only had one lefty remaining in the bullpen in closer Billy Wagner and since it was the eight inning, it was "too early to bring him in." This was clearly the most important at-bat of the game. But because it wasn't within the prescribed duty of the modern closer, the Mets couldn't bring in their best pitcher. And Tim McCarver once again shows off his single digit IQ.
• The Blue Jays released Frank Thomas today, probably because he was complaining about his lack of playing time. He claimed he was benched because his contract contained a vestment clause that increased his pay if he attained a certain number of at-bats over the course of the season. He and GM J.P. Ricciardi apparantly had a sit-down and mutually agreed upon his release. He's going to be a valuable pickup for somebody - Detroit needs a DH while Sheffield is hurt, the Yankees might need someone (although both he and Giambi are DHs who can't really play first base anymore), the Mariners might want to improve on Jose Vidro...there's lots of options. However, the Comcast Sportsnet commentators I saw a few minutes ago arguing that the Royals could use him are just plain nuts. The Royals have young Billy Butler around to fill that role for the foreseeable future, and since neither Butler nor Thomas can play any other position, there's no need for the veteran on this club.
• It is very early in the season, and people should be careful about making too much out of the results up to this point. Any team can have a good (or terrible) two weeks, and the the fact that the Tigers are 6-12 is only so notable because the calendar reads "April." If the Tigers went 6-12 in, say, June, it'd be noted as a bad stretch of ball but ultimately something that can be overcome rather than as a portent of the remainder of the team's season. That said, I think I may have underrated the Diamondbacks and overrated the Dodgers. The Dodgers don't appear to be quite as youth-oriented as I'd like, and the injuries they've suffered have seemingly masked their unfortunate commitment to crummy vets (re: Nomar). The DBacks, on the other hand, have the feel of a young team whose players are all starting to mature at the same time. Like the early 90's Braves, but with most of the talent on offense rather than in the pitching staff, the Snakes have the ability to put together a dominant team in the relatively weak National League. As I said, it is early yet, but if everything breaks right I think this team could absolutely storm the league.