Is there a worst contract in baseball right now than the one belonging to pitcher Matt Morris? The Pirates are paying him $9.5 million this season and he's 0-3 with a 9.15 ERA, his fastball averages 85 mph, his once-dominating curveball loops to home plate and he's giving every indication that he's completely shot. Too many innings and surgeries. He's toast. But it's the small-market Pirates who are getting burned.
So from everything I've read, it's apparent that the Ravens are going to draft a cornerback. Unless they take a quarterback. Or an offensive lineman. Or a defensive end.
Maybe they'll be the first team in history to use the eighth overall pick on a long-snapper.
The Sporting News' Clifton Brown projected that Virginia defensive end Chris Long would go No. 1 to the Miami Dolphins. Maybe they got confused when they worked out a pre-draft deal with Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long.
Brown has the Ravens taking Virginia guard Branden Albert at No. 8. Most "experts" have them snatching Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan if he's available.
I think he'll be gone. And I think the Ravens will wind up with Troy cornerback Leodis McKelvin, who's going to be a star.
He'll definitely be a better investment than Matt Morris.
The Sporting News allowed Washington Redskins tackle Jon Jansen to predict the first round. Somebody should have stopped him. This guy has the Ravens taking Michigan quarterback Chad Henne (with Ryan going to the Atlanta Falcons at No. 3, which is a distinct possibility). He has Arkansas running back Darren McFadden falling to the Denver Broncos at No. 12. Not a chance. And the Chicago Bears reaching for Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm at No. 14. Again, not a chance.
According to Jansen, McKelvin will stay on the board until the New York Giants take him with the final pick of the first round.
Yeah, and Billy Kilmer will start at quarterback for the Redskins in their opener.
Is it safe to start talking about how Daniel Cabrera has turned a corner, how the light bulb has clicked on, how he finally gets it?
Cabrera didn't walk a batter last night in eight innings. He didn't issue a walk through five innings in his previous start. His love affair with home plate is touching.
Cabrera is 2-0 with a 2.18 ERA in his last three outings. Maybe his head has caught up to his arm.
This guy always has carried the potential to be a No. 1 starter. We've waited – not patiently, but we've waited. Perhaps the reward is here.
Cabrera's pitch count stood at 95 through eight innings. He was rolling along and clearly had plenty left in the tank, but manager Dave Trembley went to his closer. It wasn't an automatic move, not with Cabrera in such control, but that's why Sherrill is here. And he's now 7-for-7 in save opportunities.
Everyone on the club continues to rave about Sherrill's demeanor on the mound. He's so calm and confident for a guy with four career saves before this season. And they love the way he attacks hitters.
A closer who throws strikes wins a lot of friends.
Down on the farm, Billy Rowell had a two-run single last night that broke a 1-1 tie, but Single-A Frederick lost to Wilmington, 4-3.
Mike Costanzo homered in the ninth to force Triple-A Norfolk's game into extra innings, and the Tides won in the 14th. Eider Torres had four hits, including two doubles, and is batting .357.
Torres is 25 and an intriguing middle-infield option if the Orioles decide to go in another direction.
Alex Cintron drove in four runs.
Remember how terrible Lance Cormier looked this spring? He tossed three scoreless innings last night, allowing only one hit, and lowered his ERA to 1.15.
Tim Bascom, a fourth-round pick in last year's draft, continues to throw simulated games at extended spring training and is nearing a return. He'll be assigned to Frederick, which already is loaded with prospects.
