And Even More Stuff Going On...

Orioles Fans Hate Cito Even More Now...

Loewen too, it would seem. Some great comments at O's blog, Camden Chat-- and on the original article in the Baltimore Sun.

Lowen and Kubatko Speak

Well, Roch Kubatko at least kind of almost has a sense of humour about being staggeringly wrong on where Loewen would end up. And I can't shit on him too much, because he actually spoke with Loewen-- who's on his way to Hawaii to play in their Winter League-- this afternoon.

"I looked at their organization and where I felt that I fit in, and I saw a chance in the next few years to crack the starting lineup," he said. "That's essentially my goal. I had to look at that. And I can't explain how difficult a decision this was. It really tore me apart. But it's been my dream to play for the Blue Jays. Obviously, you can't say that when you play in Baltimore.

"I really cherish the time I spent in Baltimore. Everybody up and down the organization really treated me well. It's bitter sweet for me, but I do have to move forward and look at my future and where I saw myself fitting in.

"They were really excited about the chance of getting me and told me where they saw me fitting in. They saw me having 1,000 at-bats before I would be major league ready. And I think they were leaning toward taking me as a hitter in the draft when I was coming out of high school. I think that played a lot into it, and obviously the fact that I'm Canadien. But I can't stress enough how difficult this was. I know I let a lot of people down. But I had to do what I felt was best for me."

When I told Loewen that fans here might be more understanding because he didn't sign with the Yankees, he chuckled and replied, "I'd never do that."

Arencibia Nailing It
JP Arencibia, the Jays top catching prospect-- or as I prefer to call him, that "Aaron Cibia" guy-- is tearing up the Arizona Fall League.

Jordan Bastian on BlueJays.com points out that the prospect is on a six game hitting streak, posting a .320 average, with 8 RBIs over that stretch. Small sample size, of course.

In the same piece, Bastian takes a look at how several other Jays farmhands are faring in the AFL, and in the Dominican, Venezuelan and Hawaiian Winter Leagues.

Bullington In, Mench Out

The Jays claimed former number one overall pick, the utterly hopeless Brian Bullington from Cleveland today. To make room on the roster, they've politely asked Kevin Mench to leave the buffet.

Gibbers Scouts the Rays

Good chat between the Royals' new bench coach, John Gibbons, and Dick Kaegel, the MLB.com writer for Kansas City, about the Tampa Bay Rays.