Let Em' Play
The following is our list of players who would have solid years if they have the chance to play every day for their respective clubs.

Jeff Keppinger: This guy can flat out hit. He's not the most graceful player with the glove, but his defense has shown some improvement. If he were to play every day, he would hit >300 and drive in 90 runs with relative ease. He is a pure hitter. Cincy needs to let him play every day.
Angel Pagan: He could get his chance playing behind a brittle Moises Alou. His stats projected over a full season are pretty impressive...with stolen bases to boot. Pagan has impressed the Mets early on, and his hustle and ability to hit have surprised many. He's clearly a great fourth outfielder, and can probably perform on the same level as Alou or Ryan Church given a full season of at-bats. The question is whether or not the Mets give him a chance.
Mike Hessman: I know it will never happen with a loaded Tigers team, but over a full season, Hessman could hit 30 homeruns. His power is massive. The trouble is that you could get 30 homers with a .220 average and a ton of strikeouts. Hessman is destined to be a reserve/AAA player which is too bad. No one can hit the ball further.
Justin Huber: This is another guy who won't seem to get a chance to show what he can do. He was a catcher, and unfortunately, it was determined he was better suited for 1B. As a catcher, he could have found an opportunity to play, but as a first baseman, that chance is fading...even though he's just 24 years old. He needs a chance to show what he can do.
Craig Brazell: Who you ask? He's in the Royals organization, but may never see the majors again. Just remember the name... because if he ever gets a chance, he can rake. Ask Tim McCarver who once said the same thing. He has a smooth stroke, but his shaky defense has caused teams to keep him in the minors. This guy can hit.
Greg Dobbs: Dobbs had the 3B job all to his own until the Phillies signed free agent Pedro Feliz. Dobbs has 25 HR power, but will find playing time to be infrequent. A trade would help his case, but that's unlikely this season. He could be a real sleeper for his next team.
Ruben Gotay: Give him 500 at-bats, and we'll show you a better version of Luis Castillo. Gotay got the shaft from the Mets. He's average with the glove, but with regular at-bats, he could hit .290 or better. He'd make a nice number two hitter in many lineups. Then again, the Mets are notorious for not giving guys a chance to succeed. Will he get that chance in Atlanta? Doubtful...
Chris Burke: I don't know what it is about Houston, but they have a habit of ruining careers of young talented players (Ensberg, Lane, Hidalgo). They did their best to do the same to Burke, but luckily, he was dealt to Arizona, and he has shown them why so many were high on him. He's got talent, and can be a play-maker such as Ryan Freel was for the Reds. Burke is an exciting player, and it will be interesting to see how the Diamondbacks use him.
Ryan Doumit: Doumit is perhaps the one guy on this list who may just find the full time he needs to show what he can do. Over a full season, he's good for 20HR and 75RBI. He's a pure hitter who may finally have his chance. Odd to see the Pirates actually do something right.

Observations from the young 2008 season:
The Mets are off to a poor start, which doesn't bode well for Willie Randolph. It's still too early to panic, but I still think Randolph is the first manager canned in 2008.....Congrats to the Orioles for starting out the season 6-1. They have some nice young talent, but there's no way they avoid the cellar this season......There's much talk around the Yankees that Mike Mussina is done, but Johnny Damon doesn't seem to be far behind. He's started this season out slow, and seems to have lost something.....Nice to see good-guy Cliff Floyd off to a good start. He could hit 25HR if he stays healthy, and the DH spot will sure helps.....How the hell are the Tigers 0-7? Their starting pitching has been dreadful...that's how. Their best hitter so far is Brandon Inge, who will soon be back on the bench. Rushing Curtis Granderson back from injury seems to be a panic move by the Tigers, and they'd better hope it doesn't backfire on them.......The Royals have started off 5-2, and they're still a sleeper team. They won't make the playoffs, but they're a dangerous team that could surprise. They have good young talent, and an under-rated pitching staff. Keep an eye on them.....The Angels are in first place, and that's where they'll stay for the entire season......Erik Bedard is a fantastic pitcher, but his control has been way off so far in Seattle. He's starting to resemble Barry Zito in San Francisco.....Speaking of Zito, he'd better start watching Jamie Moyer and learn how to become a finesse pitcher. His fastball is clocking out at 86MPH, which is not good. With his lack of control, and with a bad ball club, he may lose 20 games. He's looked awful thus far.....Did you really think Mike Hampton would pitch this season? .....How much better is the AL than the NL? Odalis Perez, released by the Royals started opening day for the Nationals.... I still think the Pirates have the nicest ballpark in the majors....James Loney has one sweet stroke. He'll win a batting title before too long.....Watch John Bale and Brian Burress pitching for the Royals and Orioles respectively. They may just have break-through seasons (as we predicted)....



Court Adjourned!