Hey, Chris Coste, Big Stats Don't Fool Pat Gillick

Chris Coste tried to send a message to Philadelphia GM Pat Gillick last year by hitting .292 with 29 homers and 89 RBI for AAA Scranton-Wilkes Barre. The 33-year-old career minor leaguer wanted to prove he was finally ready for The Show. Ah, but Gillick was too smart to fall for that old ploy; you know, putting up big numbers to try to trick people into thinking you're good. Not having learned his lesson, Coste tried to fool Gillick again by hitting .463 with a .500 OBP and .slugging .805 in 41 AB during spring camp. Whom did he think he was kidding? Good thing Gillick was smart enough to cut Coste in favor of giving a roster spot to Alex Gonzalez with his splendid .243 lifetime average. Unfortunately, Gonzalez, batting .204, threw a wrench into Gillick's plans by suddenly announcing his retirement. Poor Pat Gillick. Now he has been forced to call up Coste with those deceptive, misleading, big numbers that mean absolutely nothing, nothing whatsoever. Good thing Coste will almost never get to play anyway as reserve catcher and backup to slugger Ryan Howard at first base. Abraham Nunez figures to get most of the playing time at shortstop unless another player is acquired.