Bloviatin' Bowden

Jim Bowden 'writes' a column in Florida Today ahem today.

While he doesn't especially tell us anything new, he does give some insight into how the team will look when it comes north, and how the player's option-status really makes a huge difference.

If a player is out of options, he'd have to be exposed to waivers, where any team could freely pick him up, before being sent down to the minors. In the case of Alex Escobar, JJ Davis, Francisco Beltran and Claudio Vargas, it probably gives them an inside track at the majors. (Actually, Beltran's gimpy arm and Vargas' stinkiness probably preclude coming north, but that's another topic!)

It works the other way. Players with options can be sent back to the minors with no risk.

We have players who are major-league caliber (outfielder Ryan Church and pitchers Joe Horgan, Gary Majewski and Jon Rauch) that are at a disadvantage because they do have options and could be sent to the minors without first passing through waivers.

Bowden also says that the infield is mostly set, as we've already figured out. Wil Cordero backs up first base and Jamey Carroll bounces around the rest of the infield.

George Arias, Brendan Harris and Carlos Baerga!? are vieing for the last spot. Obviously Harris is the only one of those with long-term value, but he still has options and will likely start in New Orleans. If he has a decent spring, I'd imagine George Arias will rejoin the major leagues. Egads.