Baseball roundup

The first World Baseball Classic ended last night with Japan defeating Cuba 10-6 to take the first gold medals in the event (I hate to say I told you so, but...). I have to say, this thing really exceeded my expectations for it. Besides Oliver Perez being setback another month and the semi-bizarre tiebreakers and format that allowed Korea to beat Japan 2 out of 3 times, only to be consoled with third place, I think it was a success. Besides the US team, every single team in the tournament played like it was their World Series. All the worries about the games being Spring Training games and the players not caring were seriously proved false. And to add on to it, it gave us an extra month of meaningful baseball. Somehow I don't think there will be as much trouble filling up the US team in 2009.

On one hand, we do have a GM who burned a ton of money on old guys who don't the Pirates any better. On the other hand, we could be run by a complete moron who loves "toolsy outfielders" so much that he goes out and trades for a second baseman with the intention of turning him into a toolsy outfielder against his will, knowing full well that the player doesn't want to be moved. Then, said player could be penciled in to start a spring training game in left field, and just not take the field. I don't know who's more of a moron in this deal, Bowden for trading for Soriano after Soriano explicitly stated he wouldn't change positions, or Soriano for acting like a six year old. Even Jason Kendall trotted out to the outfield on a few occasions, no matter how against his will it was.