Okay, I've been meaning to get around to tabulating the community projections we did before the season...

First one up is Vicente Padilla.

The average of the projections was 4.33 ERA, 189 1/3 IP, and 14 wins.

The most optimistic in each category was 3.78, 220, and 18.

The most pessimistic in each category was 4.80, 170, and 12.

Folks were feeling pretty good about Padilla before the season even started...

#37 -- Danny Darwin

#38 -- Pete Incaviglia

#39 -- Frank Tanana
#40 -- Dean Palmer
#41 -- Mickey Rivers
#42 -- Doc Medich
#43 -- Aaron Sele
#44 -- Hank Blalock
#45 -- Gary Ward
#46 -- Jeff Zimmerman
#47 -- Oddibe McDowell
#48 -- Roger Pavlik
#49 -- Mickey Tettleton
#50 -- Jim Kern

Just saw that this was up...there's a new DMN Rangers newsletter out...and a couple of regular LSB Eds, Richardson and Coffin, had their questions run.

Some really good stuff from Grant this week, including:

• Positive vibes from the Teixeira signing
• Grant thinks the second base job is Kinsler's to lose this spring
• Some thoughts on Fuson being forced out last year, and Hart not being able to be saved this year
• More analysis of the Padres deal
• Hicks and the rising payroll

Q: Did the Rangers keep Gerald Laird this off-season because other teams didn't desire him enough to offer good value in return, or because the club still thinks he has a future in Arlington as a No. 1 catcher?

Hunter Thornton, Denton, Texas

GRANT: The Rangers could have traded Laird to San Diego this winter instead of Chris Young in the Adam Eaton-Akinori Otsuka deal. That the Rangers decided to hold on to Laird over Young should speak volumes about the club's thoughts. They believe he will be their starter in 2007, when Rod Barajas can go to free agency.

That makes me very happy to see...hopefully, Grant is right...

Mark Teixeira was named the Gold Glove first baseman for the A.L. today, the first time he's won that award.  I think he deserves the award...he's a terrific defensive first baseman.

On the other hand, Derek Jeter also won his second gold glove.  Too bad for Juan Uribe, Orlando Cabrera, and Bobby Crosby, all of whom are much better defensive players than Jeter...but then, it just goes to show you how much reputation, highlight clips, and offensive performance play into these awards.

The always insightful Gerry Fraley has discovered the lesson to be learned from the ChiSox winning the World Series.

Chicago succeeded because they quit hitting homers this year and started playing smallball.

Because, according to Fraley, you can't beat great pitchers by hitting homers.  You have to steal and bunt to beat great pitchers.

I have to wonder what Fraley was doing during the past week...clearly, he wasn't watching the World Series...

The Baseball Crank with an analysis of what happens to relievers after they blow playoff games...

Not necessarily all that meaningful, in terms of looking at Brad Lidge, but an interesting read...

Well, Alomar has injured Ponson on a hard bouncer back up the middle that hid Ponson on the hand/wrist, and Ponson is now out of the game.

That should put an end to any Ponson trade rumors.

Kenny "The Pugilist" Rogers (9-3, 2.46) versus lefty Jamie Moyer (6-3, 4.88).  Remember when a young Moyer looked washed up while pitching for Texas in 1989-1990?

Regarding yesterday's game thread, I inadvertently used Gary Matthews' 2005 performance against Joel Pineiro rather than his career line.  In fact, Matthews has batted .533/.611/.867 against Pineiro in eighteen plate appearances, making the decision to start him over Hidalgo a no-brainer. Shame on me.