This week on the podcast we talk with Joel Luckhaupt, former blogger, frequent contributor to Red Reporter, and guy quoted in Cincinnati-area papers for his expertise on baseball statistics in general and the Reds in particular.

We discuss the regular team stuff: additions since last year, rotation, bullpen, offense, and defense. Since it’s the Reds, we also talk about the likelihood of a third catcher breaking camp with the team, the folly of leading off the order with Corey Patterson and Juan Castro, and the wit and wisdom of Thom Brennaman.

We also discuss the benefits of changing the name of On Base Percentage (OBP) to Not Out Percentage (NOP). Not only is the acronym a convenient single syllable, but people would have a harder time being taken seriously when they say stupid thing about it. For example:

I don’t care about Dunn’s OBP. It’s not his job to get on base.

Sounds like the sort of quote that would end up in a newspaper article in a serious discussion of defending the plate. Versus:

I don’t care about Dunn’s NOP. It’s not his job to not get out.

Sounds like the mad rant of a raving lunatic.

Something to think about as you ponder the Reds inevitable fourth place finish.

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Our Brewers preview interview was postponed last night due to our recording equipment picking up an errant AM radio station. We’ll try again tomorrow, but in the meantime, the Crack Technical Staff and I catch up on what’s been going on around the division.

Ruh-roh, Astros

• Kaz Matsui has undergone surgery to repair his anal fissure. He’ll be out two to three weeks, and will miss the opening.
• Utility man Mark Loretta will replace Matsui.

Trouble Brewers
Manager Ned Yost has interesting plans for his lineup.

• Mike Cameron will bat 2nd when he returns from his drug suspension. Yost wants Cameron’s replacement to also bat 2nd, so as not to disrupt the delicate order of the line-up.
• Yost will have the pitcher bat 8th.

Tweet tweet Cardinals

• Finally signed Kyle Lohse for 1 year and $4.25 M. What the hell happened to the consensus best free agent starting pitcher? Collusion? Backlash against Scott Boras?

Da Cubs

• Rumors that the Cubs will trade with the Orioles for lead-off hitter Brian Roberts continue to abound and be squashed.
• Kerry Wood looks to be the closer for this season.
• Ryan Dempster might not make the starting rotation.

Ahoy! Pirates

• Steve Pearce, one of the Pirates best prospects was cut and send down to AAA camp.
• Starter Ian Snell signed a long-term deal ($8 M over three years). With options, could buy out a year of free agency.

Watch out for McCarthy, Reds

• Jeremy Affeldt has been moved to the bullpen.
• Rotation looks to be Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, Josh Fogg, Johnny Cueto, and Edinson Volquez

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Tonight on the podcast we talk to a Red Hot Mama favorite, Bellyscratcher (aka Rebecca). Tonight it wasn’t about the smack talk, though, just some friendly discussion of how the St. Louis team is looking for 2008. On this episode we discuss:

• The antics of Tony LaRussa, Scott Spezio, and Rick Ankiel
• The future of the outfield without Jim Edmonds and So Taguchi
• The impact of injuries. Will anyone really notice Chris Carpenter being out?

You’ll have to listen to find out.

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Tonight on the podcast we talk with Pat Lackey, writer of Where Have You Gone, Andy Van Slyke?, contributor at the Fanhouse, author of a chapter for the Hardball Times season preview, and all-around media darling. We talk about:

• The front-office changes the team has made this off-season and how long it will take for them to impact the team.
• The strengths and weaknesses of the Pirates going into 2008. Alas, mostly weaknesses.
• The likelihood of Jason Bay bouncing back and Adam LaRoche hitting over .100

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This week on the podcast we talk fantasy baseball with Brad Stewart of MLB Front Office. I’m no fantasy expert, but the advice he gives sounds pretty sound, and the breadth of information available on the site sure couldn’t hurt your extensive baseball research time.

Dusty Baker should stop talking

Prince Fielder is a Vegetarian?

• “I tell people I don’t eat meat, and they’re like, ‘Oh!'” Fielder said, raising his hands and making a sour face. “They forget there’s so much other food out there. Beans, rice, tofu. You’ve got a lot of good food, baby!”
• Fielder made the decision to cut out meat after reading a bestselling book, Skinny Bitch.

The Cubs Mark DeRosa is undergoing heart tests

The Pirates signed Byung-Hyun Kim

• A $1 M Major League deal.
• Ray Olmedo DFA’d to make room.

The Astros signed Shawn Chacon to help with their rotation

The Cardinals signed Ron Villone.

Cincinnati signed Josh Fogg.

Joe Nuxhall didn’t win the Ford C. Frick Hall of Fame award

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