Phil 'er up

Take a look at this. Pitchers and catchers report in 4 days. 4 days until we get to see shots of Ron Baker playing long toss with Anibal Sanchez. It's a time of excitement for baseball fans all over the country. Unfortunately, thanks to the economy (or common sense in some cases) experienced/slightly used players are still looking for jobs. Phil Rogers has the story. Phil?
(His words in italics/mine in regular face type)

Potential difference-makers still on market

• Johnny Damon, who last was seen helping the Yankees win the World Series.

I already covered Damon on the blog but Phil demonstrates a lack of context here. I mean yeah, he 'helped', but A-rod helped a little bit more. Just because Damon happened to be one of a hundred players who went to the Yankees and grabbed a ring does not mean the Cubs should run out and sign him.

• Jermaine Dye, whose disappointing second half in 2009 has caused talent evaluators to act as if his rock-solid 2008 totals (.292-34-96) were put up in 1998.

I'm just going to link to this article here by Matt Carruth and leave it at that. Needless to say, Dye is not a good signing.

•Russell Branyan, who should have been more receptive to re-signing with the Mariners, whose general manager, Jack Zduriencik, gave him a chance to increase his at-bats.

Eh, lots of home runs with a low OBP. I am not enthused.
Annnnnd.....apparently that's it.

K so I'm going to help Phil out here and link to this page where you can view a list of the 52 other free agents and 'potential difference-makers' which is a term so generic you can apply it to Peter Gammons as a player.