Double Whammy

Joey Votto has homered three bloody times off Cub pitching today.

Not only is that depressing as a Cubs' fan (they're down 9-0 right now), but (while I was bright enough to pick up Votto on two of my fantasy teams, after seeing him hit a ton @ AA last year) Votto is sitting on my bench today in two separate leagues.

If you're going to light up my Cubs, the least you could do is help out "Sutcliffe's Beard" and "The Lollygaggers," Votto.

Honestly...

Squeeze Bunts...

* The Baltimore Sun is reporting that trade talks between the O's and Cubs have stalled. Like we had guessed, it appears Ronny Cedeno and Sean Gallagher would likely be involved in any deal for Brian Roberts (along with pitching prospect Donald Veal). But the sticking point, according to the Sun, is a fourth player. And the Birds are dreaming big, asking about Felix Pie and Tyler Colvin.

Two words: No way.

* There's also talking of adding in aging veterans Jay Payton and Jason Marquis to the deal, with Payton heading to the Windy City and Marquis getting moved to Baltimore.

When you trade crap for crap, you still have crap.

* Why does everyone have a problem with Joe Buck? Was reading a message board on CBS Sportsline, where the question was posed: Who are your favorite and least favorite broadcasters? Scores of people were listing Buck as the worst. I don't get it. Even if he does have a St. Louis pedigree, I think the guy's among the best in the game (and he's just as good at football as he is at baseball). Smart. Incisive. Doesn't get in the way of the game. Maybe someone can clue me in...

* Chalk it up to Dusty being Dusty. Two days ago we were singing the praises of rookie first baseman Joey Votto. Yesterday, Dusty was bashing the guy.

* Aramis Ramirez saw his first spring training action on Friday. I say his health is among the top 10 keys to a successful 2008...

Genius complexes...

Lou Pinella is a genius. He moved Kosuke Fukudome into the No. 2 spot on Tuesday. Fukudome responded by going 3-for-3 with his first homer of the spring.

Dusty Baker is not. Apparently deciding that Adam Dunn doesn't strike out enough on his own, Baker's brought in ex-Cub Corey Patterson to rack up a few K's this spring.

For good measure he brought in ex-Cub Jerry Hairston too, a utility guy with no pop (who, according to the Mitchell Report, still did steroirds -- I'm guessing they didn't take). Now I'm just waiting for Dusty to ruin the young careers of the talented Joey Votto and Homer Bailey.

(By the way, if Baker does somehow let Votto play first base over Scott Hatteberg, Votto will win Rookie of the Year. Saw him play last year at AA against decent pitching and he hit lasers all over the field).

(And, according to the Dayton Daily News, Bailey's some kind of prick...)