Baseball Beat: Wednesday, March 5th

Here is the rundown for the Wednesday, March 5th edition of Baseball Beat. Holden Kushner is hosting today as Charley Steiner is broadcasting a Spring Training day game with the Los Angeles Dodgers. All times Eastern.

1:05 p.m.
Guest: Jorge Arangure, ESPN Magazine
1:25 p.m.
Guest: Jim Reeves, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
1:45 p.m.
Guest: Matthew Leach, MLB.com (Cardinals Beat)
2:05 p.m.
Guest: Bob Brenly, Broadcaster, Chicago Cubs
2:25 p.m.
Guest: Art Thiel, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
2:45 p.m.
Guest: Nick Piecoro, Arizona Republic (Diamondbacks Beat)

Guest Summaries:
Arangure discussed national headlines including how young players are wrong to complain about their contracts being picked up prior to their arbitration years, how Nick Markakis would benefit from a trade, and a debate about whose the worse team in Major League Baseball in 2008. Reeves discussed the Texas Rangers including his article on Josh Hamilton, how the Hamilton trade could make or break Jon Daniels, and how the farm system holds promise for the future. Leach discussed the St. Louis Cardinals including Joe Buck not broadcasting Cardinal games this year, Colby Rasmus looking great this spring, and Albert Pujols health. Brenly discussed the Chicago Cubs including how Brian Roberts would help the club, Fukudome’s looking promising, Alfonso Soriano finger injury not an issue, and future ownership changes. Thiel discussed the Seattle Mariners including how Erik Bedard will impact the rotation, Felix Hernandez having less pressure, Ichiro in the first year of his new long-term contract. Piecoro discussed Arizona Diamondbacks including Randy Johnson’s latest throwing session, Dan Haren’s impact in the rotation and camp, and Justin Upton’s first full season in the majors.