dave:

good points - pretty amazing that the top two southpaws in the minors are guys just exiting their teens - normally they would need some more seasoning but from all the reports that i read, it seems like both are on the fast track - funny how there seems to be a big void of southpaws coming out of college....

2002 must have been a banner year for high school southpaws though.... i'm sure that there is a stud lefty for the Phillies that came out that season and there was another one (can't remember who it was though)....

and if memory serves me correctly, Kazmir's slide to the middle of the first round allowed the Mets to sign him to a very affordable bonus (of course more than we can afford but affordable for most of the major leagues ;) )....

on Rags, for some reason, i'm just not convinced that he uses technology to the extent of Rick Peterson to develop the pitchers - i may be wrong but i haven't read anything that indicates that Rags is anything but old school.....

and i agree on the value of Soriano, it would take a WHOLE lot to get him after the Rangers gave up ARod for him - just think of the PR hit the Rangers would get IF they gave up Soriano for....... Cain and Mohr....