I will be you like 5,000 dollars the Marlins average more than 70 wins the next decade. You game?

Not my bet, but that indeed may be too low of a bar. That's mismanaged expansion team/Pirates/Royals territory there. The Marlins averaged 70 wins over their first ten seasons and they won the World Series once during that time (granted there was a work stoppage artificially lowering that average!).

Just to beat a dead horse, in 2006 there were 31 languages spoken as the primary "at home language" by 10,000 or more Toronto residents. The diversity of Toronto's diversity is what's so impressive about it. We tend to call a city "diverse" if it has big white, black, and Latino populations, but Toronto is made up half of white Canadians and half of a sampling of about everyone else on the planet. That's diverse diversity.

While we're on the subject of diversity, and I know this is very tangential, I thought a recent experience I had was pretty great and hilarious. I'm a teacher and this past Wednesday night we had parent teacher conferences. In back-to-back-to-back conferences, I had to get three different translators (French then Spanish then Arabic) in order to talk with my students' parents. This involved me running around the building three separate times. Central Harlem is becoming a more and more diverse place every day.

And speaking of Toronto, I really want to visit a Canadian city this spring. It's Toronto vs. Montreal. Which should I do?

And speaking of Toronto, I really want to visit a Canadian city this spring. It's Toronto vs. Montreal. Which should I do?

Do you like strip clubs? Then Montreal.
Do you like speaking English? Then Toronto.

:)

Don't leave Vancouver out of the equation. You can even take a drive up into the mountains.

Spring starts about a week earlier in Toronto.
English is fine in either city, both have enough to do, & quality places to eat.

And speaking of Toronto, I really want to visit a Canadian city this spring. It's Toronto vs. Montreal. Which should I do?

Toronto is a better city to live in, and Montreal is a better city to visit. Go to Montreal. And don't worry about any issues with language. If you're mostly in the downtown area and old Montreal, and you will be, you'll find almost everyone speaks English. If it's still around, go to Le Nil Bleu. I haven't been in years, but it was excellent when I last went.

Be sure to pop into the Lounge before your trip, as we'll be able to stuff you full of recommendations as to what to do/see/eat/drink in either city.

For a visit? Montreal.

In the eighties when Toronto rolled up the sidewalk at midnight, & there was no chance for a teenager to get beer or bo obs, maybe there was a clear choice, but now I think both cities can show someone a good time.

Trade approved.

There are rumors the Jays and Rangers are talking about moving Arencibia or Buck.

There are rumors the Jays and Rangers are talking about moving Arencibia or Buck.

Great. Another Frank Francisco.

There are rumors the Jays and Rangers are talking about moving Arencibia or Buck.

I'm hoping Kinsler.

You can probably get Michael Young back.

If the Blue Jays are making a run for the playoffs we will take Arencibia in exchange for Ryan Howard. Carlos Ruiz isn't going to be young forever.

If it's Arencibia, I'd be worried that Buck will end up with a lot of playing time in the event that d'Arnaud struggles. Is the plan at this point to have him in the majors for the start of 2013?

Of course, if they're moving buck, they're probably getting nothing, or next to it, in return.

If the Blue Jays are making a run for the playoffs we will take Arencibia in exchange for Ryan Howard.

Seriously? I've heard worse ideas.

Assuming that I am the Phillies GM, I would definitely consider it.

Assuming that I am the Phillies GM, I would definitely consider it.

Assuming you were actually Ruben Amaro Jr, you'd still be convinced of your brilliance in signing Howard, and you'd never consider it.

Seriously? I've heard worse ideas.

No thanks. Unlike the contracts the Jays took over from the Marlins, the Howard deal is going to be terrible every year going forward.