I just wanted to pass along this link about Mike Stutes, who is one of the staff aces of the CWS-bound Oregon State Beavers.

I'm an Oregon resident, but I don't follow OSU's baseball program all that carefully (I used to attend the rival University of Oregon which has no baseball program.)  they've had quite a run in the past few years, however.  last year the Cardinals selected their catcher, Mitch Canham, in a late round pick with the knowledge that he was unlikely to sign.  the Padres drafted him this year as a senior, I believe.

in Matthew Leach's mailbag today, he said the following about Kip Wells:

...the Cardinals need Wells. They need him to get right, because he's demonstrated that he's able to be a well-above-average big-league starter. The Cards must exhaust every single possibility before they give up on Wells, because if he does get straightened out, he can be a major asset to this team.

I'm sorry, I just don't see it.  has he ever been "well-above-average"?  His career totals read "average" all across the board, maybe even below average in some respects (the teams he's played for probably contribute somewhat to that.)  I'm considering boycotting any games that he pitches in even though I shelled out my $160 to get Extra Innings this year.

so then my thoughts turn to Woody, as his ERA creeps up towards 6.00.  how long does he have left in Houston?  is he done?  am I just suffering from a bit of "well, he was good for us... kinda..." Jeff Weaver Syndrome?