Juan Uribe was placed on waivers by the white sox he'd be a great pickup for the nats he could be a backup or even a starter if lopez and belliard are traded he's a good homerun hitter and would help the nats offense.

How dare you leave the Nationals to go watch basketball. This is an offense to me, my family, my family's family, and America. I demand compensation.

Uribe's a good home run hitter because he plays in a good homerun park.

He's basically Tony Batista with a better glove and a smaller butt.

DJ 26-

I am sorry Uribe was let go, since it may take away one potential trading partner. I have read that the O's could be interested. I have a feeling the Nats won't pick up another middle infielder at this point.

Touche, Barry. Touche.

Enjoy your well-deserved weekend off, and welcome back to Dave.

See, this is why Forsythe's video was so good. Everyone's going stir crazy and itching for Opening Day so a little goofing off was the perfect touch. More, Jonathan, more.

One more thing that needs to happen before the opener, nighttime lows need to climb into the 50s.

For your info Positively Half St.(What ever the heck that's suposed to mean) Our middle infielders stink and jimbo is dumb enough to trade belliard and keep lopez and when lopez is stinking and Guzman's hurt you'll be begging for someone besides pete orr and willie harris there not the 2 starters you want in your middle infield trust me.

I think Powerboater69 hit the nail on the head that's exactly what's going to happen.

So glad Duke will have at least one fan cheering them on. I was at a Wizards- Orlando game a few weeks ago and JJ came out and the crowd (Maryland fans, no doubt) booed him. Pretty juvenile. Baseball fans are much classier.

Go Blue Devils! Now back to baseball.

DJ 26-

Wasn't looking to cause offense, pal. I don't know Uribe. I just know that up to now the team has worried more about a glut up the middle.

As for my "name," I won't bore you beyond saying that Half Street leads to the entrance of the new stadium.

DJ 26-

OK, I looked at Uribe's statistics, and I am not impressed with his 112 K's, and .284 OBP. The 20 homers do look good, and I guess he didn't make an inordinate amount of errors.

In any case, I think I would stick with the guys we have. Flame away if you want, but I'm just laying out my opinion, not slapping you with a glove.

I don't think we need another aging middle infielder. We have plenty of those as it is.

I;m sure JimBo is trying to move Belly. That way, Lopez could start at second, and if Guzman gets hurt, Lopez moves to short and Orr or Harris plays second. That makes the most sense for the team, if Belly could net us a decent prospect or two. Or, you just stand pat deal with Lopez moping on the bench.

Just got the ticket to the Saturday night exhibition game with the O's.

I was listening to WTEM on the way home and Czaben asked Boden if Boden was going to deal Johnson or Young. Boden said he was going to keep both. Which, of course, led to a long phone in discussion about how neither Johnson and Young are the future at first and how the Nats should try to trade both for pitching and prospects. I had a very interesting thought. Has Justin Maxwell ever played first base? This kid can hit like a freight train. I don't think he should spend any more time in the minors. From what I remember, he was called up when rosters expanded and he did quite well.

I don't get why people would say that Nick Johnson is not part of the future. He's only 29 years old for gosh sakes. The guy, when healthy, is one of the five best offensive players in the National League. Hitters frequently are productive well into their mid 30's - particularly those who don't rely on speed for their production. Obviously Nick's had some injury issues, but he could be the 1B here for another 6 or 7 years. We are all excited about Marrero, but he hasn't played above High A. Now we're wondering if Maxwell can play 1st?

I think NJ's going to be the first baseman until Marrero is ready. And he can be a backup/bench guy for a few years after that. That said, I'm sure JimBo would trade him if the offer was good enough -- but I think that true of everyone on the team except Zimmerman and maybe Milledge.

"baited breath" ?? Nooooooooooooooooooooo...

Well, maybe if Uribe had half of ½Sts plate discipline, he'd be a better pickup.

And the man's name is Bowden. James Bowden.
With a curly w in the middle.

Weirdest post ever. Enjoy the Redskins beat, it was nice knowin' ya!

Trade Belliard? When? I haven't heard about it.
What? You say it hasn't happened yet? Oh. So you have no idea who he'd get for Belliard. I see.

And when (oh I'd love this) Pete Orr, not to mention Felipe, is hitting .300 for somebody else, guess who'll be screaming about letting him get away?
*****************
jimbo is dumb enough to trade belliard and keep lopez and when lopez is stinking and Guzman's hurt you'll be begging for someone besides pete orr and willie harris there not the 2 starters you want in your middle infield trust me.
Posted by: DJ 26 | March 19, 2008 06:42 PM

"So, I do my duty and report to you that Jason Bergmann threw five innings in a minor league game today, and Paul Lo Duca -- who caught him -- said he threw well."

According to Ladson over at MLB Bergmann threw 6 scoreless innings "the most by any pitcher in Spring Training"

Thats pretty good...positive sign even though it was against the minor leaguers...also good that Lo Duca is making good strides and catching our guys who are probably in the Rotation

Still getting the creeps, but

...it is so cool that this year we are talking about which players would be best to get rid of.

At this time in 2005 we were anticiating Tony Blanco and JJ Davis making the team.

In 2006 we were looking at Matt LeCroy.

In 2007 it was Kory Casto, Josh Wilson, Larry Broadway, and Michael Restovich.

This year we are looking at who we can't keep.

And just a reminder, the only player of consequence that JimBo had to give up to get Kearns and FLop was Bill Bray and he has yet to have an impact for his team. Chico and Mock for Livan. Milledge for Shneider and Church. Pena for Fruto. Dmitri and Belliard for nothing. Can anyone name a GM who has gotten more for less in the same period of time?

Ya think Barry got a bit of a head start on that Day Off?
*******
Weirdest post ever. Enjoy the Redskins beat, it was nice knowin' ya!
Posted by: Ron | March 19, 2008 08:01 PM

Well posted, NatsB

Barry - you missed probably the biggest story of the spring. An in depth feature on the hamate. A photo essay of Ryan Zimmerman's hamate problems. A historical perspective on prior hamate surgeries. A point / counterpoint with evolutionary biologists on why the hamate is still a part of the human body if you function normally without it. Wily Mo Pena's memories of growing up with a hamate and then, as a young man, the emotional scars having to live life without it. A sidebar speculating on what the hamate would be like without the hook in the hamate. Speaking of hooks, perhaps you could discuss celebrity hamates (P Hilton, J Canseco, P Diddy, E. Sptizer, the D. Lama). This is a must feature.

Positively half street: If you miss this reference, you are obviously a young pup. Check out some old Bob Dylan and look at the street signs around the new stadium. Maybe you'll get it....maybe you won't.
I think the moniker is pretty cool myself, since I am an old fart...

The above was for Dj26, who misses the humor and reference by Positively half street...

NatsBisquit - in fairness, Brendan Harris had a pretty good year last year for the D-Rays and may end up as starter for the Twins. A decent utility guy. But the Reds were not smart enough to keep the best guy they got in the trade.

As for Juan Uribe, he's liekly to end up either on the other side of Chicago or the other end of the BWParkway. Very good glove, no plate discipline, big time pop regardless of ballpark. But, at $4+ million, not someone this team can bring in as a back up (JayB will say "because we already have too many expensive backups).

Oh, in case we do move a middle infielder, did Neifi Perez hook on with anyone?

Have fun Barry.

That being said, I hope Duke loses by a million.

Josh Smoker!

Barry, why not Lannan over Perez? Stay homegrown, we don't need another 6.00 era retread...

Barry,

I know it's your alma mater but Jeez, you're killing me with the Duke references. If you tell us you went to Grad School at VA Tech I just may throw up.

Go Terps!

Thanks, TimDz.

The story in the Washington Examiner today about the Nats considering trades for John Patterson was a shock. This apparently came from Steve Phillips on ESPN. After we all rent our clothing and gnashed our teeth after JP's last start, it is interesting to read the following line:

"I have not heard that Patterson was on the block," said an assistant general manager for a team that has dealt with the Nats in the past. "But if he is, please have [Nats general manager] Jim Bowden give me a call."

I guess those with Major League scouts watching are still impressed with Patterson. It makes me feel more optimistic.

Bartolo Colon, whom the Red Sox signed when the Nats beat them to Odalis Perez, has been sent to minor league camp. It sounds like they might need to send him to Fat Camp instead.

Nonetheless, it is evidence of why some veteran pitchers have had so much trouble catching on with teams this year. Teams were apparently sick of throwing millions in Major League contracts in the hope of catching lightning in a bottle. You have as much a chance of doing that with younger players from the minors, apparently.

The non-guaranteed contract for Odalis Perez looks better all the time. In the meantime, David Wells sits on a couch somewhere, growing larger and viler.

"In the meantime, David Wells sits on a couch somewhere, growing larger and viler."

Have any large pieces of upholstered furniture gone missing from the Babe Ruth Museum lately?

"And just a reminder, the only player of consequence that JimBo had to give up to get Kearns and FLop was Bill Bray and he has yet to have an impact for his team."

Posted by: NatBisquit | March 19, 2008 08:44 PM

NatB:

In addition to Brendan Harris, don't forget Daryl Thompson. After recovering from labrum surgery, he pitched well at High A last year. He's only 22 years old and a local kid to boot (La Plata HS). I continue to say that unless Austin Kearns turns into a significant middle of the order hitter, something about which I remain dubious, this trade will end up being a net negative for the Nats.

I agree though will your general premise that Bowden on the whole has made some great moves. He's brilliant at finding scrap heap guys. However, when it comes to conventional trades that rely more on sound, sober judgment and less on his river boat gambler instincts, he's not as good.

#4 - the strange thing about that trade is I think the Reds thought they were trading spare parts for immediate help in Bray and Majewski. I don't think they were looking to dump money and pick up guys who would help a few years later. I liked the trade at the time because I thought it is a steal any time you could pick up 2 regulars and a guy who was still thought to be a possible closer for two middle relievers and a utility guy who could not crack your line up. In hind sight, Harris looks like a major leaguer, Lopez more than likely is not a long term help (he is gone if he's good or a bust if he isn't), and the 3 relief pitchers (Bray, Majewski, and Wagner) have yet to contribute to either team. Kearns is a contributor, but he really needs to be a .900 OPS guy to be a core building block rather than a piece that rounds out a team. Can a trade be a disappointment all around?

I think Bowden's moves after the Lerners were lined up to buy the team have been better than when he and Omar were the brain trust.

It seems to me that Cinci's grievance over that trade has withered on the vine because it is no longer clear who "won" the trade.

didn't Uribe have some legal issues last year or so? I seem to recall something about him in the DR involving the police or a shooting or something. If it's true, then I totally expect JimBo to sign him so that he would fit right in with all the other players with issues we've picked up this offseason.

#4, I don't know that Daryl Thompson can be counted as a gain for the Reds yet. If we are evaluating the trade today, Bowden still got a ridiculous steal. Sure in ten years we could be beating our heads against a rock, wishing we had him, but at that point, I'm willing to let Bowden off the hook. No one has that sort of foresight.

"I think Bowden's moves after the Lerners were lined up to buy the team have been better than when he and Omar were the brain trust."

Bowden and Omar were never together in charge of this team. Bowden was hired as GM by MLB after they announced the move of the Expos to DC, by which time Omar Minaya was long gone to the Mets.

Usually around this time, I'm reading the first of Barry's many daily posts.

Not today, apparently. My allegiances lie with another ACC team (Go Hoos!) and I have always had a incredible dislike for Duke. Great program with hall of fame coach. Still can't stand them.

And now that Krzyzewski has interfered with the NJ, I dislike Duke even more.

May they be bounced early in the tourney.

PTBNL:

It could end up being a "here's a bunch of guys we don't want for a bunch of guys you don't want" trade. We'll see. I was probably a little strong earlier by saying it will be a net negative. More accurately it will be a wash.

The guy I feel sorry for is Majewski. He's having a horrible spring (12.00 ERA) and appears to be done. In 2005, I thought he had the chance to be one of the best set up guys in baseball. It appears though that for whatever reason (lingering injury? no more steroids?) that he just cannot throw 94-95 MPH anymore.

I agree with you also that Lerner/Kasten have been a good muffler on Bowden's wilder side. My fear with JimBo was that he'd be dealing constantly and there'd be no continuity. The next few weeks will be interesting though. I'm sure the lesser angel on his shoulder is whispering, "Make a blockbuster trade. Draw attention to yourself." I hope he doesn't listen.

506:

Explain to me the "ridiculous steal" part. I don't see it. I suppose in the short term you could say that Kearns is the only somewhat productive big leaguer in the trade - emphasis on somewhat - but I wouldn't put his production WAY ahead of Brendan Harris. As for foresight, that's what GMs are paid for.

Barry leaving? Here comes the NJ separation anxiety...

i don't get the love for uribe. he's a one-trick pony offensively, and he's so bad at everything else it completely makes up for it. i mean, how can a guy hit 20 HRs and have a slugging % under 400? the guy had an OPS of 678 with 20 HRs? more HRs than 2Bs (18). a 112/34 K/BB ratio. oh, and get this, he was 1 for 9 in SB attempts. he got on base so little that, even with 500+ ABs, he only scored 55 runs (20 of those he drove himself in). he's only had an OBP of more than 301 once in 7 seasons (it was *257* in 06). if you hate flopez offensively, you'll positively abhor uribe. they've both been on the same trend for a while, except uribe's been on that trend line for an extra year. that better be one h311 of a glove he has! ;)

#4, count me in as a guy who really likes NJ, but "one of the five best offensive players in the National League?" come on, we all know that's more homerism than truth. don't get me wrong, he's a very good, professional hitter who makes any team better. one who learned the right way to hit while he was with the yankees (a team that always seems to average more pitches per at bat than almost every team in the league). but people don't *fear* nick. i think a guy has to instill some fear in opponents to get a top 5 label.

Kearns is incapable of calling off first basemen and has horrible taste in music.

A lot of Bowden-bashing this morning for a guy who had a great offseason. Milledge for bums, Dukes for nothing, Perez for pocket change - all great work in my book.

If you want to bash him, mock his silly-a@# on the segway.

"Kearns is the only somewhat productive big leaguer in the trade - emphasis on somewhat - but I wouldn't put his production WAY ahead of Brendan Harris"

You apparently forget me.

Brendan Harris' Defense wanted me to add that you apparently forgot him too.

231/307:

In 2006, Nick Johnson was 8th in the NL in OPS, probably the best stat for evaluating a hitter's offense. The seven players ahead of him included Miguel Cabrera, now in the AL, two guys in Colorado (Atkins and Holliday) and one in Houston (Berkman) whose numbers were pumped up, particularly when compared to Johnson's in pitcher friendly RFK. Yes, 2006 did not include Prince Fielder, but that still puts NJ in the top five. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that I'm not sure people realize how good an offensive player a healthy Nick Johnson is. To dismiss him as not part of the future and to assume Marrero or Maxwell will be as good or better is at this point dubious.

Also, I don't think anyone is Bowden bashing, merely debating one trade he's made and discussing his strengths (making the kind of trades/pick ups you've noted) and his weaknesses (need for the spot light, leading to ill-advised moves).

#4 - Respectfully, I'd say "had an impact" is not the equivalent of "pitched well in High A after labrum surgery."

Tremendous steal - Kearns is an above average major leaguer - OPS+ career of 111 (100 is ML Average), and was 103 even in a "down" year last year. He's never going to carry a team by himself, but his BBRef comparisons through age 27 #1 and #2 are Kevin McReynolds and Torii Hunter which seems about right - Kearns has All-star level talent in a good year. He's clearly the best player now who was in that deal, and he was clearly the best player then who was in that deal.

Lopez hasn't played well, but Brendan Harris appeared in 8 games for the Reds, racked up a .200 average and was traded for a PTBNL in the off-season last year. He had a "breakout year" last year of .286/.343/.434. Felipe's 2005 (his one, and maybe only "breakout year) was .291/.352/.486. Harris played well, but not for the Reds, and not better than Felipe's best year. So at best, that's probably a wash.

The next year Bray or Majewski play well and long for the Reds will be the first year that happens. Meanwhile, we are entering year 3 of Austin Kearns being an above-average everyday player. Not to mention - exactly who gets bumped from the already-overcrowded bullpen to make room for Bray's 6+ ERA or Majewski's 8+ ERA from last year?

If you don't think getting an above average everyday player for spare bullpen arms is a steal, then I think you're expecting 29 other GMs to be a lot dumber than they really are.

Trade Evaluations:

You make a strong argument. I would counter with two points:

1. How much salary have the Nats wasted as a result of this trade?

2. Let's see where we are in 5 years.

i'm not dismissing him, just debating your point of view that he's a top 5 guy.

even if he can match his best season ever (06) and stay healthy (06 is his only 500AB season ever), you left out a few guys on your OPS list when you mentioned just prince fielder (1013), like chipper jones (1029), pujols (997 in a down year), utley (976), howard (976), wright (963 + 34SBs), hanley ramirez (948 +51SBs). and that's not counting ryan braun, who only had a 1004 OPS last year.

again, i say this with a lot of love for nick. but i'm guessing that, even in 2006, he wasn't the most feared hitter on his own team. pitchers feared soriano at the plate more than nick.

if he can stay healthy, i'm all for keeping him around. he's not just a very good, professional hitter, he's also a quality guy and considered a very good teammate.

The Nationals acquired two everyday position players and a spec reliever prospect for a middle reliever, a spec lefty reliever prospect, a washed up shortstop, and a low minors pitcher who didn't even rate as a very good prospect in a very poor minor league system.

Short of both everyday position players the Nationals acquired admitting to crimes against humanity the day after the trade, it's a very good trade. You make that trade every day of the week.

Juan Uribe from DR...Manny Acta from DR...Lopez on his way out...Uribe as a backup sounds good!!!!

231:

You're right. You didn't dismiss him. My top 5 comment was made in the context of someone else who asked if Maxwell could play 1st and comments made on WTEM that neither Young nor Johnson should be considered part of the future.

It will be interesting to see what kind of year he has in Nats Park. Many of the players you listed ahead of him play in very offensive friendly parks thereby skewing the comparisons.

it's not a fair trade comparison to compare one player's pre-trade performance (lopez' 04) to another player's post trade performance (harris' 07). nobody got lopez' 04 stats after the trade, only his 07 and half of 06 stats.

i don't think bowden has made a bad trade for this team yet. he dealt from a position of strength and added two starters (possible leadoff/mi/all-star and a solid right fielder). our bullpen production doesn't regret that trade at all.

i voted for Bustin Loose/Twist and Shout/Celebration.

For those looking for a fix in Barry's temporary absence, ESPN radio profiled the Nats as part of their 'spring training cheat sheet.' Interview with Stan, etc.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=was#

bowden's bad trades were more in 05, when he dealt away a few pitchers for what turned out to be spare parts. he's done better since.

I just wanna again invite everyone up to the beautiful Oriole Park at Camden Yards to help the O's celebrate the beginning of the 2008 season. Come on out and watch us take on the exciting, upstart Tampa Bay Rays. Remember they're not the Devil Rays this year.

So come on out, support your local baseball team (the O's) and have some of Boogs delicious BBQ or some of our top-notch Baltimore crabcakes. Mmmm-good.

Hope to see ya there Opening Day.

A lot of Bowden-bashing this morning for a guy who had a great offseason. Milledge for bums, Dukes for nothing, Perez for pocket change - all great work in my book.

If you want to bash him, mock his silly-a@# on the segway.

Posted by: 307 | March 20, 2008 10:25 AM
__________________________________________

Yeah who else can he get who has a rap-sheet as long as War in Peace?

O's Exec, your posts would be much funnier if you signed them as me. Or as the Oriole Bird Slidewhistle.

Or as Louie Angelos's Spastic Colon.

AK's Defense: No argument AK is a premier defender and Harris is a subpar SS who might be an adequate 2d baseman. But, in terms of production (and without adjusting for league or ballpark effects), Harris was .286 BA with 12 HRS and an OPS of .779 over 521 at bats in 2007, while AK in 2007 was .266, 16 HRs, and an OPS of .766 over 587 ABs. Given that Harris is a middle infielder and Kearns is a corner outfielder, a case can be made that Harris had a more productive year when he had a chance to play every day. Kearns needs something of a bounce back to the 111 OPS+ level.

O's Exec, your posts would be much funnier if you signed them as me. Or as the Oriole Bird Slidewhistle.

Or as Louie Angelos's Spastic Colon.

Posted by: Jim Hunter | March 20, 2008 12:30 PM
___________________________________________

Or as me, or even John Lowenstein.

O's Exec sez: "Hope to see ya there Opening Day."

Plenty of good seats still available, to anyone logging into the Orioles' web site. Heh, heh.

Thirty to three.

According to the Examiner and Steve Phillips, the Nats are shopping John Patterson.

O's Exec sez: "Hope to see ya there Opening Day."

Plenty of good seats still available, to anyone logging into the Orioles' web site. Heh, heh.

Thirty to three.

Posted by: Section 419+1 | March 20, 2008 12:39 PM
-----------------------------------------

Puff puff give section 419+1.

I'm not sure of one essential player, Bowden has give up. He has obtained four potencially high end outfielders(Milledge was a coup)for Vidro(who was expensive and useless to the Nats.) Schneider, Church, and Gibson. None particularily significant considering the returns. Bowden was instrumental in signing Zimmerman, picked up Flores as a rule 5, brought in Martis and Nunez for spare parts (minor free agents he signed), has Smoker and Burgess for Soriano(where are the three players from that trade?). There's also the potential of Hanrahan and Colome. And I think he's been a bit unlucky with some of his acquisitions such as Guzman and Gullien but they didn't cost much (other than money) and the Nats now have Zimmermann. Also there was the selection of best draft. I know he had lots of help here but he was very much involved.
Now compare that to Minaya(yeah I know, I know, he didn't have much backing but how that excuses trading C.Lee, Sizemore, Phillips, J.Bay, Chris Young, and getting nothing(in the end) for any of them, is beyond me.
Bowden is doing a great job.

Minor correction: we have Smoker and Zimmermann for Soriano.

Whatever. You make an excellent point. Bowden's a hot trader.
________________
has Smoker and Burgess for Soriano...

Posted by: Jeeves | March 20, 2008 12:55 PM

Oh, and don't forget the amassing of perhaps the best bench in the NL. Young, Belliard/Lopez, Boone, that fourth outfielder, Estrada(if well, of course).
That might change, I suppose, but not without a return.

Thanks, Barry, for the piece on Marrero. Very timely as I was just thinking "what's going on with that guy?" Now we know.

Great shot today 12:59 web cam. Scoreboard showing a camera shot of the scoreboard showing the scoreboard.

Oh, and don't forget the amassing of perhaps the best bench in the NL. Young, Belliard/Lopez, Boone, that fourth outfielder, Estrada(if well, of course).
That might change, I suppose, but not without a return.

Posted by: Jeeves | March 20, 2008 01:02 PM
-----------------------------------------

You mean Bret "I'm the posterboy of the Steroid Era" Boone?

How about Aaron Boone, solid backup 1B/3B instead of the posterboy - thats probably what he meant there, smart guy

No, I bet he means Aaron F'in Boone.

War AND Peace. AND.
Illiterate troll.

Hey, it's a doggy-dog world out there, 'Skee.

LOL!!!

506, that you?
_____________

Hey, it's a doggy-dog world out there, 'Skee.

Posted by: Canis canophagia | March 20, 2008 01:35 PM

Going to see Duke
Leave behind the Nats Journal
Where is Dave Sheinin?

Patterson released?

Rejoining the fray after posting the defense for Bowden's trade record last night:

Brendan Harris does not suck, but I believe he was going to be released if not traded. I believe he had no options even then. Same reason the Reds had to dump him. Harris had an excellent first half last year, but really fell off hard the second time around the league. He is a valuable bench guy, but a marginal starter in the majors.

Kearns ranked third highest in the Majors last year in range factor for right fielders -- meaning he is an exceptional fielder. Too often we equate MLB value on offense alone. Kearns is a complete ballplayer who very likely still has his best years ahead of him offensively. Personally, I predict 25-30 homers this year.

You can count on one hand the number of shortstops in the major leagues who have had both a 20 homer season and a 40 stolen bases season on their resume. Let's not throw Felipe overboard yet. He does need to step up, but in terms of the trade with Cinncinatti I think it is obvious that 30 out of 30 GM's agree that Bowden got the better end of that deal. Not even the Reds are debating that.

To me the only trades that Bowden has made that I would evaluate as losses were Ohka for Spivey and Rivera/Itsuris for Guillen. The Ohka deal was a dump. Tomo Ohka did not get along with Frank and we had no 2B after Vidro went down. The trade for Guillen made sense at the time and I greatly enjoyed watching him play. But Rivera and Itsuris could both be starting for the Nats now if we still had them. But in 2005 Rivera had no glove, Itzuris had no bat, and Washington had no cleanup hitter. The wonderful 2005 season could not have happened without Guillen.

So, there. Jim Bowden is a GOOD GM.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but I think you mean "bated" breath. "Baiting" one's breath is asking for trouble on a number of levels.

re: baited breath
maybe BARRY is the troll???

(and the doggy-dog is mine)

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