We can add Aaron Cook to the ever-expanding “best shape of his life” list, because the 31-year-old right-hander shed 20 pounds during the offseason and Jim Armstrong of the Denver Post is now calling him “Aaron Cook Lite.” Armstrong notes that Cook lost so much weight that he actually “planned to gain a few pounds before the start of the season,” but now he may just stay at his new-and-improved 200 pounds:
That was kind of the plan, but I’m having a hard time putting it on. This is the first year I’ve ever had that problem. I usually gain five or 10 pounds at spring training. I feel good. My legs feel good, my body feels good. I’m thinking, if I can stay at 200, it would definitely help.
To recap: Not only is Cook in the proverbial best shape of his life, he’s having trouble getting back into worse shape. Almost makes me want to root against him, but I don’t really have energy for rooting thanks to the new 1,000-calorie-per-day diet that has me looking as svelte as Prince Fielder on a bad day. Must be nice.