Still, there is no such thing as a bad minor league signing. Worst case, he can give them passable production as an emergency call-up.

Kearns has been a disappointment. I had such high hopes for him earlier in his career…as did the Reds of course.

Actually, I don’t think Jackson is ready to be a major-league starter at the moment… he might be in a year, and maybe I’m wrong, but like Brantley, he looks like a 1 WAR guy at this point. I don’t know tons about him other than a couple prospect reports and the projections, so I’m willing to cede to others, but if he’s got a future, why rush him in a rebuilding year, especially when you have cheap options like Kearns and Duncan?

LIke I said, originally I thought LaPorta was going to be the full-time 1B< but then I got the impression that I might be jumping the gun on that. Agree that he'll get 500+ PAs fashion.

As for corner positions and power…. well, when it comes down to it, for all outfield positoins, you want a guy whose offense + fielding outstrips the position adjustment, however that works. If Ellsbury is only average deffensively left (just hypothetically), but he's a +10 hitter (my projection, but again that's just an example), it doesn't really matter whether he gets it through power, or just getting on base… he's above average there.

CHONE has Brantley as a -9/150 hitter for 2010, and also has doubts aobut his OF defense (-6 in CF, or -4 position neutral OF) — I think CLE's better off letting him develop more.

I was half joking when I said “expect more from fangraphs.” Sorry to come off as a d-bag, not the intent.

As for the post, I read it as “Left field was slated for the likes of Michael Brantley and Trevor Crowe — bench fodder at best.” Which means only 1B was available for Laporta, which you suggest he “might be needed.” All I’m saying is Laporta, assuming healthy, is getting 550AB’s next year, most likely at 1B. I also wouldn’t be so quick to call Brantley “bench fodder” unless your definition is completely different than mine. For example, is Austin Jackson, Det’s likely CF for 2010 also bench fodder in your mind? The players are very similar, so I think you may be selling Brantley short right now. His combo of plate discipline and speed is attractive. And before anyone suggests he doesn’t have the pop to play LF, what does that say about the Red Sox front office who just made the decision to put a player with similar pop in a corner?

Neglect? He was injured ALL THE TIME. Abuse? Well, maybe that would explain the injuries.

@longgandhi: How good of Keans to re-dedicate himself.