Q:  After two World Series hangover induced sub-80 win seasons, LCC was back in the thick of things last year, is this a 90 win franchise from here on out? 

A: I made a conscious (and perhaps misguided) effort to put together a big winning season in '07.  The preseason trade of Brad Penny for AJ Pierzynski (who in turn got flipped for Casey Blake after Brian McCann slid to me at #6) helped fill offensive holes in the short term.  On the pitching side of the house, the Block III James Shields for Curt Schilling deal provided a huge short-term burst to the pitching staff, but like the Penny trade, it cost us a big arm for 2008.  So in retrospect, 2008 would've been much better if I had written off 2007 when I should have.

Questionable trades aside, the last few drafts have netted a pretty solid base of young players to go with the veteran sticks of Chipper, Papi, and Thome.  The 4 first rounders from the 2006 draft (Jeff Francoeur, Edwin Encarnacion, Jonny Gomes, and Ricky Weeks) haven't been superstars, but they're all still on the roster and have provided 2 years of productive enough stats as part timers.  Our top 2 picks from last year (Brian McCann and Curtis Granderson) look like they'll be solid NASBL players up the middle for a few years.  A couple of other fairly young recent draftees and acquisitions (Jeff Francis, Wily Mo Pena, Corey Hart, Erik Bedard) have various injury and effectiveness concerns, but again I have hopes they'll be productive for the next few years.

Q:  How is clubhouse morale coming off missing the playoffs last season despite an impressive 97 wins? 

A: It was a fun run.  I honestly thought I had a chance to catch Doug's SPR team, but things just didn't work out.  I think right now Kevin's (LVI's) morale is lower than mine, because even though his adopted team finished 27 games behind me, I pick before them because I missed the playoffs! 

Q:  Who should LCC fans expect to see toeing the rubber this season?  The rotation as presently constituted is thin to put it nicely.  Will help be arriving via the #10 pick? 

A: With my 13 picks, I need a backup 2b, a backup catcher, at least 3 starters, and at least 6 relievers.  That leaves me 2 mystery picks to take whatever player I want.  If the best player available at #10 is not a pitcher, he's going to be a Cannibal. 

Q:  Is Vermont a big enough state to sustain two NASBL franchises?  VFS has been around longer, but LCC does have the World Series title – what team do the citizens of the Green Mountain State consider to be the big brother and who’s the little brother (i.e., Cubs vs. White Sox and Yankees vs. Mets), and why? 

A: I would never equate myself with the Yankees.  I look at it more like I'm the Dodgers and VFS is the Angels.  Unless one of us pulls an Arte Moreno and changes the city name without actually moving the team, there's no real conflict (other than the annual bragging rights accorded the winner of the I-89 Series / VT State Championship).

Q:  When looking ahead five years, what player on your team gives you the most cause for optimism?  

A: Probably Francoeur or Weeks.  They're young enough that they'll be hitting their nominal career primes about that time.  Plus, by 2013 Francoeur should be approaching 100 career NASBL walks, which will be a big cause for celebration.

Q:  What do you enjoy to most about NASBL? 

In no particular order, bs'ing with Red over some Netplay, playing head to head with VFS and a rack of cold ones, and what for me is the sustained excitement of the Rookie / FA Draft.