April 3, 2017 (BNN)
PRE-SEASON PREDICTIONS
Talk about disrespect! Louisville will limp home with only 83 wins? These so-called experts have under-estimated our offense, and they have significantly under-estimated our pitching and defense. No players OR pitchers in the top 10? That’s ridiculous. Boy, will they be embarrassed when we pull this rag back out of the trash in October.
The world champion New York Monarchs must be feeling the same animosity as we do. These stupid predictions are really not worth discussing any longer.
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FYI… there are 94 players on waivers; 71 position players and 23 pitchers. Veteran catcher Gregory Gardner (currently with San Diego) is the only player with unused minor league options.
Gardner is 32 years old. He is signed for two years at $640K per season. He has a career stat line of .255/.312/.425 in 627 major league games, and his skills have not diminished. He is an excellent defensive catcher, winning the Gold Glove in 2015 while with Salt Lake City. He has great intangibles, including the leadership skills needed to be a valuable catcher on a winning ball club. Phil Green rates him at 2 stars overall.
I see no good reason why I shouldn’t claim Gardner to be my third catcher and/or trade material. I have an open roster spot, room in my budget, and he has two minor league options. I put in a claim for him.