11-10 CUP O' JO

TOMMY EVERIDGE - Los Gigantes de Carolina, Puerto Rico (1B, Oakland A's Organization - Midland Rockhounds, AA)  Tommy had a big game Friday night, "exceeding the horsearmour of the garden" with a 2 run homer in the first and another RBI late in the game for a 2 for 3 night as Carolina beat Ponce 10-9. Saturday, the boxscore says Tommy was hitless as Carolina blasted Arecibo 19-6 but a few newspapers credit him with another home run.  Officially, he lifted a sac fly, drew a walk and scored.   In yesterday's 8-5 loss to Arecibo he was 0-3 with 2 walks, a run scored, a ground out, two Ks and a truckload of good defensive work at 1B.  A little early to be talking about averages, but he's hitting .231 with an OPS of .912 if you've just gotta know ;-)  Sunday's loss finds Arecibo in first place with Carolina dropping into a two way tie with Santurce for second.  The local papers are excited about winter beisbol returning to Puerto Rico.  One Google-ator headline exclaimed, "With different balls in Puerto Rico also get the bulk." 

CHATTER...

• Kudos to American League Rookie of the Year Evan Longoria.  He led the class in home runs and his defense is shaping up to be Gold Glove caliber.  A unanimous selection and the first Ray to receive the honor after near misses by Rocco Baldelli and Jonny Gomes and some dude named Delmon Young in recent years.  Teammate Eric Hinske won the honor as a Toronto Blue Jay.  Tommy Everidge's Gigante teammate, Geovany Soto, won the 2008 National League ROY award becoming the first catcher to win since Piazza in 1993.
• Matt Holliday appears headed to Oakland in a trade that involves Huston Street, Greg Smith and Carlos Gonzales. If the deal happens, it quashes weekend Rays and Mariners rumors involving Holliday. There were reports of Rays interest in Holliday. Love Matt, but don't think the Rays need to spend the money with Fernando Perez, Carl Crawford, BJ Upton, Ben Zobrist, Eric Hinske and Rocco Baldelli more than capable of patrolling the outfield.  2009 could well find Rocco locking up the everyday DH spot. The grassroots "Free Jonny Gomes" campaign is revving up. If ever there was a change-of-scenery candidate, he is it.  The Yankees were also rumored to be interested in Holliday via a three way trade that would send Brandon Morrow's teammate Ryan Rowland-Smith to Colorado via the Yankees, Matsui to Seattle and a Roland-Smith/Cano package to Colorado. The Morrow and Rowland-Smith rotation combo is too tantalizing to tamper with. I say leave 'em be.   Stay tuned.