I just can't spend all day in the doom-and-gloom - well, okay, so I can, but I'm going to choose not to - so here's a little something to perk you all up. While the various winter leagues aren't exactly pitching havens, we can all take some heart from the way our rookie (though ROY ineligible) shortstop is conducting himself in Venezuela.

Combining his regular season and postseason work thus far, Ronny Cedeno has put up a .349/.394/.478 line with 10 doubles, 4 triples and 2 homers in 186 at bats this winter. No, we aren't likely to see that level of play when he comes up north - a drop in his average and power would be likely, methinks - but I don't think it's unreasonable to look at that line combined with what he did last year and be reassured that he can be a help, not a hindrance, in 2006.

Is it a reach as far as good news goes? Sure. But I go with what I got, folks.