AUTUmike

Yep, unless you're talking about Opening day for any of the other 29 clubs.

It can't be here soon enough. Always one of the best days of the year

Read an interesting article today from MLBTradeRumors saying that A-Rod isn't expected back until July at the best, but that there is a good chance he won't play anymore. If he's basically able to medically retire then insurance would cover 85% of the $100+ million the Yankees still owe on his contract.

You see the Yankees are looking into voiding Rodriguez's contract over the latest issue of PEDs? It's not like A-Rod is bad but honestly I think it would be a convenient excuse to dump some salary...although we are talking about the NYY...

Yankees lose 3-4 to Oakland on Thursday.

The Braves are still looking to add a top-of-the-rotation SP before the trade deadline. Grienke is still an option but the Angels seem to be closer to offering a sufficient package to Milwaukee. Ryan Dempster--who I'd rather have--is said to favor the Dodgers and then the Braves over other teams.

Yeah Nats got clobbered by the Mets today. The Braves are 3.5 GB heading into a huge 4-game series with Washington. The Braves also miss Gio Gonzalez in this series which is nice (yes that means they face Strasburg but the Braves have handled him). I think the Braves will improve at home as they play more and more home games this summer. The first half of the year was just so road-heavy that I think they never really got into a rhythm at home.

The reason I made my post...Atleast the Mets just took the lead on the Nats. Mets took the lead in the ninth...Nats tied it. Mets took the lead again in the 10th...Nats won it 5-4 in the bottom of the 10th

The Braves are looking into trading for Zach Grienke, but only if they could sign him beyond 2012. Frank Wren also said they were unlikely to pursue Francisco Liriano.

That's what a $196 million payroll will get ya

They're on the DL.

I FINALLY caught up on all my Braves games today (I was about 2-3 weeks behind). Pretty great to see everyone on offense get clicking. The only possible exception would be Uggla, but I think he's breaking out of his slump now with a couple big hits over the last few days. And what a start for Ben Sheets. I'd forgotten about him because he's been away from the majors for two years but I remember how dominant he used to be. Things are all starting to fall into place for Atlanta--looks like it'll be an exciting summer.

I'm liking this team with the exception of the bullpen. The moves late in spring training to acquire Livan and Durbin are just as curious now as they were then--both have sucked. As I think I said a couple weeks ago, I understand the Livan acquisition a tad more but with all the arms we have in the farm system I'd rather see some of those up to round out the bullpen. And Livan is obviously a long guy in the pen--but we already have Christian Maritnez and Kris Medlen for those roles so

I see the Tigers getting to the World Series from the AL.

WORST TRADE EVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. Yeah I've got to admit I'm not impressed so far. I also think its curious that they mentioned Francisco was voted like best infield arm in the minors (or at least his league). Even on plays in which he didn't make an error I don't recall seeing one good throw. I know he pulled Freeman off the bag one time and I think he bounced 1-2 to 1B that were scooped.

I think having him in there defensively helped as much as the offense he provided. Francisco has been a defensive trainwreck so far. I've been pleasantly surprised with the offense from Pastornicky. The AB tonight in which he homered was a really great, long at bat. He's had a few of those and seems to be using the whole field.

I think the Braves will still be fine this year. Its a LONG season.

I agree with you there, although at least Teheran will still be able to remain in the rotation in triple-A.

Durbin sucks, but I think Livan is the definition of average (4.3 career ERA and 174-176 record). He's nothing special but he knows HOW to pitch. If he was left-handed we'd call him "crafty." Anyway, I didn't mind Livan's signing quite as much but I still would be surprised if either were still on the 25 man roster by July.

OK this I don't understand: The Braves just signed Chad Durbin (right-handed RP) after he was released from Washington. Durbin has a career ERA above 5.00. To make room for him the Braves sent the young lefty Yohan Flande to Gwinnett despite going 2-0 with a 0.83 ERA this Spring. Why in the world would we take a seemingly inferior right-hander over what looks to be a good lefty? I see Durbin getting released after a couple of months and Livan Hernandez being traded for some obscure prospect in a few months. There is just too much pitching talent in the Braves system for average or below-average veterans IMO.

Christian Martinez was booked for a DUI at 4:30 AM. No word yet on the ramifications.

To be honest I don't know a lot about either player. It actually seemed like both teams were exchanging very good prospects. If anything though, I'd say the Braves have a slight edge given that Francisco has a little MLB experience and performed well during that time. But, again, I'm not familiar with Hoover or Francisco.

The Braves traded a minor league pitcher (projected triple-A) to the Reds for a 3B with some pop. Apparently this guy hit a 502-foot HR at Great American Ballpark during one of his visits to the Majors. He's out of options and will begin the season on Atlanta's 25 man roster.

Correct The Braves' fifth starter will only pitch 3 times before Hudson is back, and they have the deepest rotation in the league, so I don't see it as any big deal.

I like that signing assuming he was cheap. Although I think he adds a lot less for the Braves then he would for most other teams with less pitching depth.