Rottino told reporters yesterday that he would prefer to be traded than return to Triple-A. He feels like he's proven himself repeatedly, done everything the club has asked of him, and is disappointed that they aren't giving him a starting job, especially with so few options at third base.
Kidding! Vinny, if you're reading, I know you're a good guy with a great attitude; I picked you because there's no one on the team I think would be less likely to pull a Menchkins than our super-utility man of the future.
Still, despite the gallons ink being spent on the early days in Maryvale, nothing's really happening. Here's a Bill Hall puff piece; here's one on Graffy, which has this unrelated tidbit:
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Braun does not appear built for speed or power but has both, and much more, according to Yost.
Here's another entry in the puff piece brigade, about Zach Jackson and Carlos Villanueva, including this good stuff about Zach:
Jackson said he worked with some of his college coaches on a few minor adjustments during the offseason, related to getting his front foot down more quickly and not "flying off" during his delivery. He'll continue to work this spring on his changeup, and he tweaked his slider during the offseason so it has more depth and downward break. Before, Jackson's slider was too similar to his cut fastball.
"The average fan is still going to see how Zach still goes over his head [during his delivery] and has that quirky motion," Jackson said. "My changes have been a little more specific. I want to limit the walks and all the other little things that add up.