There’s concern in Houston about the defense, or lack thereof, of the infield. Here’s a brief bit from a report on The Astros Dugout.

[Y]ou are right about our gawd awful infield defense – bobbles and bad throws (Tejada nearly got Newhan killed on a routine DP toss us the line right into the runner), missed pop-ups (Wiggy and Loretta both missed pops to them in fair territory on the infield dirt – unreal), and we have no range up the middle It is downright ugly.

That could make for a long year for the Astros. However, it’s not entirely unexpected. How good could the defense up the middle be when you switch out Adam Everett, arguably the best defensive shortstop in the league, with Miguel Tejada. Sure Tejada’s bat was better by far than Everett’s, but the whole steroids spectre has made it difficult to predict how much offense Tejada will produce.

That trade continues to look worse and worse.

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Milwaukee LHP Chris Capuano tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow during the Brewers’ spring training game against the Seattle Mariners a week ago, and was told yesterday that he will probably need Tommy John surgery.

Whether he has the surgery or not, Capuano is unlikely to pitch at all this season. Capuano previously had Tommy John surgery in 2002 while he was a Diamondbacks farmhand, and it took him 11 months to return from that one. However, considering that Capuano lost his last 12 decisions last season and pitched in 18 consecutive Brewers losses before being demoted to the bullpen, this may not be as serious a loss for the Brew Crew as it sounds.

Currently, right-handers Ben Sheets and Jeff Suppan are locks for the rotation, with right-handers Dave Bush, Claudio Vargas, and Carlos Villanueva competing with southpaw Manny Parra for the remaining three spots. Yovani Gallardo, also a right-hander, had been in the mix earlier in the spring, but was lost to a knee injury that required arthroscopic surgery and is not expected back until April. That injury could have opened the door for Capuano to return to the rotation, but now, of course, that’s out of the question.

Boxscore

The Cubs marched to spring training victory today, beating the Padres 7-3 in Peoria, AZ.

The Cubs were led in their effort by Jason Marquis, the sucky ex-Cardinal who’s having a surprisingly good spring with the Cubs. Marquis is rocking a 1-1 record and a 2.95 ERA this spring. Kerry Wood made his second-consecutive appearance, allowing one hit and striking out two in his one inning of work.

On the other side of the mound was the excellent (in an aggregate sense) ex-Cub who’s having an equally surprising good spring, considering he’s almost 42 and working on season number 22 in the majors, Greg Maddux. Alas, he didn’t have a surprisingly good game, allowing seven runs (two earned) on seven hits and two walks in four innings.

Patterson (Eric, not Corey) led things off for the Cubs going 1-for-5 with an RBI. Aramiz Ramirez contributed two RBI. Ryan Theriot brought in three runs, and Marquis himself knocked in a run to bring the total to 7.

Adrian Gonzalez hit in all of the San Diego runs and was the only Padre with more than one hit on the game, going 2-for-3 with a run scored.

The win brings the Cubs’ Cactus League record to 11-14. Tomorrow the Cubs go up against Jonathan Sanchez and the Giants at 3:05 p.m.

News broke Saturday concerning Pirates 2nd baseman Freddy Sanchez that brings dread to any fans heart. Sanchez will be flying to Alabama to be examined by Dr. James Andrews.

Sanchez had shoulder surgery in September 2007, and this is supposedly unrelated. But judging by these quotes that Pat rounded up, it doesn’t sound good.

Perhaps the Pirates DFAed Ray Olmedo too early.