A Nice Pair
In response to HYPE.com
In the absense of a late spring ESPN.com article that this columnist could argue with, and take to task for his evident lack of research and judgement in his earlier edition (18th!?!?!? were you on peyote? Aren't you going to be embarassed to have to move us up 12 places? 
), we post another edition of the GC Express Journal.
We here at the GCEJ also wondered why 'Canes management paid maximum dollars for maximum age, but then we discovered what other management did during this last free agency round - that maximum talent (with maximum bucks, mainly) was only available from that end of the age spectrum during this free agency for SP's. It also appeared that Cane management was looking for sure things for a single year run - but whether they got that was another question, as the age question, especially for Dan Curcio, will obviously raise its graying, grizzled head soon.
Oh, What a Guy, Gaston!
While getting what was hoped for from the starters for the most part, the middle relief has been a significant issue, undercutting some strong work from the starters and limiting the brilliant work from recent closer aquistition James Gaston. Gaston has given up earned runs in only 2 of his 32 outings, is in the running for the saves lead and is generally unhittable. The most interesting stat is his effectiveness against lefties (Gaston is a right hander) as he has given up 5 singles and 4 walks against 53 batters, while striking out 13. James is already showing up in 47 local TV and radio commercials and is a regular on 15 national and local sports talk radio stations.
Spring Surprise from the Cane Fields
Normally slow starting second bagger David Washington has been red hot, supplying sorely needed power to the low line drive hitting Cane gang. David's 12 year major league career has been consistant, just under all star status (exceptions: '62 and '63), but 1972 at his new Biloxi home has given him new life, as his numbers attest (.323, 10 HR, 45 ribbies, .902 OBS). Strangely, the fans have not taken to him much - there was a autograph incident with a 9 year old boy widely reported in the local press - but he's a favorite in the clubhouse and with team management, with sage elder advice to go with his hot bat.
Maldonado Watch
Supes Current Rating: Robin - A young sidekick with evident skills but really, for now, just average except for his acrobatic field and a mild punch.