ESPN’s baseball beat writer and author of The Stark Truth: The Most Overrated and Underrated Players in Baseball History, was nice enough to give me a few minutes on MLB’s China trip, Spring Training ERA’s and a Francisco Liriano prediction.

Todd Kaufmann: Should fans or the media pay any attention to a pitcher’s ERA during spring training?  We always hear that pitchers are working on spotting different pitches, working on new pitches.  Is their ERA overrated when it comes to the Spring?

Jayson Stark: Spring-training stats are fun to look at. But ALL stats in spring training have dubious meaning. If Ichiro is 0 for spring training, if Cole Hamels has a 12 ERA, if Alejandro de Aza is third in the Grapefruit League in homers (after hitting zero last year), well . . . any more questions?

Todd Kaufmann: I had heard yesterday that there was no timetable on the return of Josh Beckett to the rotation.  Do you have the latest on his condition and is it possible he won’t be ready for Opening Day?

Jayson Stark: It’s just about impossible for Beckett to pitch opening day now. They don’t even know when he’ll throw again, and he hasn’t pitched in an “A” game all spring. And that opener is less than two weeks away. So even though they’re not ready to say that yet, I’m ready to say no chance.

Todd Kaufmann: What’s your take on the China trip for the Dodgers and Padres?  Is this an important trip for Major League Baseball?

Jayson Stark: China is the future. MLB is putting a big investment, with more than just dollars, into China. So absolutely, this is more than just your average 18-hour road trip.

Todd Kaufmann: Out of the pitchers coming off surgery this past offseason, who makes the biggest impact to their team?

Jayson Stark: I’ll go with Francisco Liriano. Wouldn’t shock me if he won the Cy Young. That’s how good he is. And he’s one of the few pitchers in recent history who DIDN’T rush back from Tommy John Surgery.

Todd Kaufmann: The Baltimore Sun had reported that the Orioles had interest in Astros’ utility man Mark Loretta.  Does this mean the Orioles are close to trading 2nd baseman Brian Roberts?

Jayson Stark: I don’t think it’s “close.” But I do think it’s just about inevitable. Should happen in the next two weeks, according to people I’ve talked to.

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