...it being Jay Payton bitching about playing time. I didn't think this would happen at least till, y'know, the season started.

"Last year, I felt like when I came in, I knew if I had a good spring, that I might be able to win a job," Payton said. "This spring, all indications were that it wouldn't have mattered if I hit .700. It's been a little disheartening. I felt like I was pushed to the fourth outfielder's spot without having a chance to compete against two guys that have relatively little experience, even though they are good players and have a decent ceiling."

No Jay, it wouldn't matter, because there is almost zero chance, barring injury, of you matching the production of either Scott or Jones. And, more importantly, they'll be here in 2010, and you won't.

"I'm making more money than I've ever made in my career," Payton said.

   The Os fiscal irresponsibility shouldn't guarantee you playing time.

Teams decide to take directions and you kind of have to deal with it. Hopefully if I'm not going to play a lot here, they'll do right by me and look for me to go somewhere else.

   Believe me, Jay, we'd LOVE to send you somewhere else.

Who am I kidding, though? I'd bet that at the first sign of Scott struggling, Payton starts to steal his AB. Sigh.