It could be worse.

So...I hear a lot of people complain about how KT has done some crazy things, and I agree with a lot of those people.  I was looking around, however, and let's take a look at what some of the guys KT let go this past offseason have done for their new squads.

Area 1 - Bullpen

Nice little note by Jayson Stark on our old friend Chris Hammond:

"...three season-opening outings by Reds reliever Chris Hammond:

April 3 vs. the Cubs -- 0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
April 7 vs. the Pirates -- 0 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
April 8 vs. the Pirates -- 1/3 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

So that's three outings, eight batters faced, one out, seven runs and a 189.00 ERA. Yikes"

Miss him yet, maybe Rudy's doing better, eh?

Rudy Seanez - 4 Inn. 7H 4R 9.00ERA  - not exactly tearing it up, eh?

A couple lefties who spend some time in our bullpen last year, Craig Breslow and Dennys Reyes, both failed to make their ML teams out of spring training.  The Red Sox and Twins, respectively.

Area 2 - Bench

Mark Sweeney has started the season 3-15 (.200) for the Giants, but is getting a bit more playing time than he would have here.  He's more splitting time with Neikro 70-30.

Robert Fick is still recovering from surgery, and has not made a plate appearance for his new club in Washington.

Blummer and EY are back (though I'm not sure why).

Area 3 - Starting Position Players

Nady is having an outstanding start for the Mets, hitting with average and power.  

Ramon Hernandez is hitting well over .500 for the Orioles, but is only hitting for marginal power.  That will undoubtedly come as it warms up in the capital region.

Sean Burroughs is on the DL for Tampa, but was not going to make the team out of ST, anyway.  Though, Aubrey Huff's recent injury may give Sean one more opportunity to prove himself of value.  Joe Randa's hitting .226 for Pittsburgh.

Mark Loretta got off to a hot start, but is not hitting .263 with 4BB, 4RBI, and 4 doubles.

Finally, Phil Nevin is resembling the player he was in '04.  He is taking walks, hitting for pretty good power, and decent average.  Would I trade AGon straight up for him?  Not a chance, but we probably couldn't convince Texas to take Chan Ho for him either.

All in all, I think KT did a pretty good job making this team younger at many positions, and filling holes with veterans in others.  I think I am most concerned with our catching (not a typically offensive position, anyway), the back end of our starting rotation (understanding that we haven't yet seen Chan Ho make a start), and our middle infielder's offensive contribution.  Khalil is flailing at the plate and Josh is yet to find any luck.  I think they'll both be fine.