Get Flash !	WITH ARCHIVES
	March 23, 2001
	Welcome back all you Ace-oholics, for the C.R.A.B.S. Free Agent Draft Review Part Deux, featuring more scantily-clad women, more explosions, and a guest appearance by none other than Regis Philbin. When last we visited the review, yours truly, the future Pulitzer Prize winner, gleefully eschewed the virtues of the five teams that I- The future Mr. Yasmine Bleeth- deemed to be the best. Now, come along with me as we travel through the drafts of the remaining five teams. Let's Go! Lord, knows I can't keep faking this enthusiasm for long….. ROSEVILLE- The Rowdies' have fallen on hard times the past few seasons, after ranking as one of the league's top teams it's first four years in the league. Well, this draft won't rectify that sitchiation anytime soon, my brutha's. Roseville revamped the league's worst pitching staff (Thank God!!), with the likes of (Yawn!) Bobby J. Jones, Steve J. Woodard, , and Jose J. Mercedes. Certainly not ace material (Or Ace material, for that matter), but better than what they gots- which is NOTHING! ADDRESSED NEEDS: C TALENT: C+ IMPACT: B- FUTURE: B+ They did cash in with 2B Todd Walker and C Mitch Meluskey, who should greatly improve the offense. The one area the Rowdies' scored in is the future. Ryan Kohlmeier is the future closer, Pedro Feliz the future power hitting third sacker, Joe Borchard the future league MVP, and again, yours truly, the future King of Siam. Things should be looking rosey in Roseville (I've been waiting two years to say that!), in a few short years. GRADE: B- CHICAGO- The Cinderella Chisox came into the draft trying to establish that their 2000 playoff berth was no fluke. We'll see about that. Secondbase- long a Chicago weakness- was addressed with the arrival of Mark Grudzielanek and David Bell. I figgered they'd go after Jose Ortiz, but Grudzielanek should be their best answer at second since Carlos Baerga was kicked out of town in '94. Darrin Fletcher- A solid pickup- was brought in to battle the always injured Sandy Alomar, Jr. for the catching honors. ADDRESSED NEEDS: B TALENT: B IMPACT: B FUTURE: F The Sox also picked up probably the best pitcher in the draft, Rick Helling. Brian Bohannon, Dave Mlicki, and Pat Hentgen were also added to the beleagured rotation. This draft brought in some pretty solid talent- albeit lacking in star quality- But, there were no real prospects added. And that makes Ace sad. Possibly trying to copy success, Chicago did draft three former Surgeon's (Helling, Fletcher, and Bell, OH MY!), who bring along their combined six World Series rings. We'll see if it works. GRADE: C+ CRABAPPLE- The two-time defending champs didn't have a lot of holes to fill, yet they had a most interesting draft. After losing longtime starter Rick Helling to Chicago, the Surgeon's reunited with Brian Moehler and Pedro Astacio, and added Mac Suzuki and Julian Tavarez. We'll call that, Advantage: Chicago. ADDRESSED NEEDS: C- TALENT: C+ IMPACT: C+ FUTURE: B- The real surprise was the arrival of 3B Phil Nevin, who ostensibly will replace the disappointing production of Robin Ventura. Robin, thanks for helping us win two championships, NOW GET THE HELL OUT! Ouch! The aging outfield was radically altered with the young, fresh legs of Chris Richard, Juan Pierre, and Milton Bradley. A good looking group. I hear they can play a little, too. Other than Nevin, nothing much to rock the boat- they should remain the early favorites. GRADE: C+ ORANGEVALE- Now, here's an aging team that just needed a little giddyup. They didn't get it. Again, they added capable replacement parts, but no surefire starter. The woeful production from shortstop led to the drafting of Rey Ordonez and Kurt Abbott. Yes, that Rey Ordonez and Kurt Abbott. Wow, what a battle this is going to be! First one to .200, wins! ADDRESSED NEEDS: C- TALENT: C+ IMPACT: D+ FUTURE: C- With Travis Fryman questionable for Opening Day, the Crush brought back Vinny Castilla to try and rekindle some old glory, along with Greg Norton and Herbert Perry. Oooowie, the stars are out toonite. Roger Cedeno was brought in to try and show his fellow outfielders that there is more to the game than three-run homers and strikeouts. Britt Rheames, Hidecki Irabu, and Omar Daal come into a rotation that looks to be a sports doctor's dream come true. Pete Harnisch (Ouch!), Wilson Alvarez (Ouch!), Gil Meche (Ouch!). Maybe after everyone drops dead, they'll let Ordonez pitch- if he can't hit 'em, maybe he can throw 'em! I like the Tony Torcato selection for thirdbase, but he's two years away at least (If he can stay healthy), This is the kind of draft that tries to keep you out of the cellar, not striving for the playoffs. GRADE: D+ SACRAMENTO- In the last column I promised you a stinker, and here it is, ladies and gentleman the Sacramento Giant's 2001 draft! Where do we start? How about 2B Jose Ortiz. I like him. Good kid. What the hell did Sacramento need him for? Hello? Ray Durham, anybody? Durham's got another 10 years of quality ball in front of him, I could certainly think of other positions the Giant's could have went after, which leads me to: CATCHER! Bobby Estalella is a fine offensive catcher, but he's the only one on the roster! That poor man is going to be bunkmates with the Orangevale pitching staff in the recovery room. OK, OK, I'm calmed down now. ADDRESSED NEEDS: D- TALENT: C IMPACT: F FUTURE: C- Glendon Rusch was added to the rotation, taking the place of Bobby J. Jones (No, they're not the same player). I did like the drafting of RP's Tim Crabtree and Felix Rodriguez, who should comprise the bullpen. But, if we compare it to the John Wetteland-John Franco bullpen of the last few years, well, all I can say is, ADVANTAGE: CHICAGO. Yeah, I don't know what it means either, but then again, I still can't figure out the Giant's draft, so we'll call it square. If I had to say one nice thing (this is gonna kill me), it would be this: Sacramento is probably the one team that could afford to have this kind of draft. GRADE: D- Time for me to go, peeples, (Yasmine's calling), I'll catch up with you next week for the 2001 C.R.A.B.S. Preview. Come early, and save me a seat. Oh, and one for Yasmine, too. Until then, Aces everyone……