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Writing about them is like saying, "Hey look, it's 2002.  Will Ichiro and Olerud have good years?  Let's debate."
The only things I've written about Smoak this year (other than praying not to trade him if we got Fielder) were to say that I don't believe his struggles last year were talent related and I'm looking forward to him crushing it for us this year with two working thumbs, no broken face and no more personal tragedies.
And Ackley I expect the universe from as a matter of course.  In a couple of years I'll be like, "Yeah, so I can count on Ackley for 45 doubles, 20 homers, a run at the batting title, gold glove defense at 2nd, rescuing at least 3 kittens from trees and a nomination for the Nobel Peace prize.  But what about Burgoon's chances in the back of the pen?  That's what I wanna focus on.."
I'll be crowing about Ackley and Smoak in the regular season, but they're kinda the vets of this team right now.  Veteran hitters in the opening day lineup go Ichiro, Olivo, Figgins, Ryan... Smoak.  And all four of the first guys may be gone by 2013.
I expect a lot from Smoak because we need a lot from him.  We can't afford for him to fail, so why bother talking about it? ;)  I'm enjoying the hope of March and his swing looks May-2011 great.
So I've set my requirements for him at "decently productive out of the gate" and moved on to more pressing questions.
~G

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