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Post by CT on Dec 12, 2010 12:59:22 GMT -5
You know the drill. Spring training isn't so far off. |
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HNT
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Post by HNT on Dec 12, 2010 15:35:01 GMT -5
Hey, slow down there champ. Some of us are excited about the upcoming NFL playoffs and still have plenty to cheer for.
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Post by CT on Dec 12, 2010 18:18:37 GMT -5
LOL nobodies closing that thread  |
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Post by GL on Dec 13, 2010 11:00:33 GMT -5
I'm calling it right now: if Boston doesn't score at least 5 runs 5 games a week, then they're season is a monumental fail.
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HNT
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Post by HNT on Dec 14, 2010 10:11:53 GMT -5
I dunno. Boston should be nice, but it is clearly the Phillies that made the biggest free agent pick-up of the year so far, and probably not one that's gonna be easily topped
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Post by GL on Dec 14, 2010 11:02:11 GMT -5
From a shocking stand-point, Crawford to Boston was one that got me quite surprisingly since he doesn't need to go there, they still have Ellsbury and Cameron for those two positions and having a man that fast is wasted in a park with those dimensions, plus with all the rumors that he was going to Anaheim that made sense made that signing a pretty shocking one, to me.
Frankly, I don't think Lee going to Philly is a good move. They proved last year exactly what I thought of them: they're too streaky offensively and they're quite easy to pitch to, since now that Werth's gone, you really only have Howard in that line-up which scares anyone. Utley's fine, but Ibanez is on the downside of his career, Polanco and Ruiz are situational hitters and the power surge from Victorino didn't really help all that much. Plus, now, you've got a platoon in right with a career benchwarmer and a rookie, a largely unproven and overrated bullpen, and I see way too many holes in that roster. Atlanta, to me, is a much more solid team in the East, you've still got a great Cincy team that didn't get broken up all that much San Fran and LA made some nice improvements. I don't see them as the world beaters of the East this year.
I'd rather see Lee back in Texas. He fit the climate, he had a greater supporting cast around him in the field and now, he's part of an ensemble, not the man. If he was going that route, just go to New York for the money.
And what they're going to do now that they lost is going to be very interesting, though I'm personally laughing like anything now that they haven't won out.
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HNT
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Post by HNT on Dec 14, 2010 12:42:36 GMT -5
From a shocking stand-point, Crawford to Boston was one that got me quite surprisingly since he doesn't need to go there, they still have Ellsbury and Cameron for those two positions and having a man that fast is wasted in a park with those dimensions, plus with all the rumors that he was going to Anaheim that made sense made that signing a pretty shocking one, to me. Frankly, I don't think Lee going to Philly is a good move. They proved last year exactly what I thought of them: they're too streaky offensively and they're quite easy to pitch to, since now that Werth's gone, you really only have Howard in that line-up which scares anyone. Utley's fine, but Ibanez is on the downside of his career, Polanco and Ruiz are situational hitters and the power surge from Victorino didn't really help all that much. Plus, now, you've got a platoon in right with a career benchwarmer and a rookie, a largely unproven and overrated bullpen, and I see way too many holes in that roster. Atlanta, to me, is a much more solid team in the East, you've still got a great Cincy team that didn't get broken up all that much San Fran and LA made some nice improvements. I don't see them as the world beaters of the East this year. I'd rather see Lee back in Texas. He fit the climate, he had a greater supporting cast around him in the field and now, he's part of an ensemble, not the man. If he was going that route, just go to New York for the money. And what they're going to do now that they lost is going to be very interesting, though I'm personally laughing like anything now that they haven't won out. I see what you are saying, but I also am not sure how with Lee and Halladay available to pitch tyhey would ever be in danger of losing a four game playoff series. That is too much pitching firepower for just about any club to overcome |
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Post by GL on Dec 16, 2010 11:22:10 GMT -5
But you don't score any runs striking anybody out. You give up one or two runs but can't score it back, you'll still lose.
Take a look at the Giants early last year. Phenomenal pitching, bolstered by Lincecum, Cain and Sanchez (Bumgartner's not called up yet) but they had no offense. Only Huff was the threat in that lineup, and by midseason, they had to call up Posey and sign Burrell, Ross and Gillien so that they had some offense to ekk out a few runs for their pitchers to have a lead every now and then.
Now, take a look at the Mariners last season. You had King Felix, who's as good as having a pair of aces up there by himself and a decent supporting cast behind him, but nobody that could hit. They couldn't score at all, and finished the season last in MLB in nearly every offensive category.
Two different examples of why it's important to have more than just pitching and defense. You have to be able to hit as well, and there's tons of other examples I can point to that show it's as important to have a balanced club rather than exceptional ratings in one area.
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HNT
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Post by HNT on Dec 16, 2010 14:20:18 GMT -5
But you don't score any runs striking anybody out. You give up one or two runs but can't score it back, you'll still lose. Take a look at the Giants early last year. Phenomenal pitching, bolstered by Lincecum, Cain and Sanchez (Bumgartner's not called up yet) but they had no offense. Only Huff was the threat in that lineup, and by midseason, they had to call up Posey and sign Burrell, Ross and Gillien so that they had some offense to ekk out a few runs for their pitchers to have a lead every now and then. Now, take a look at the Mariners last season. You had King Felix, who's as good as having a pair of aces up there by himself and a decent supporting cast behind him, but nobody that could hit. They couldn't score at all, and finished the season last in MLB in nearly every offensive category. Two different examples of why it's important to have more than just pitching and defense. You have to be able to hit as well, and there's tons of other examples I can point to that show it's as important to have a balanced club rather than exceptional ratings in one area. Great point. Take a look at the Giants last season. How did it work out for them? I agree that the Phillies are gonna have to find some bats by changing things around a bit. Maybe even mid season. that is way easier than searching for pitching after season start, though. As much as I hate the Phillies, I think that they just became my front running choice to win it all unless there are some significant changes elsewhere. |
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Post by GL on Dec 17, 2010 11:12:23 GMT -5
They're bullpen still needs help and they do need another bat in their, preferably a right-handed one since now they're way too exposed to left-handed pitching as they are, but in the NL, I can see a potential 4th pennant in that roster, but the Giants took care of them last year quite handily so there's that right there.
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Post by GL on Jan 6, 2011 11:59:56 GMT -5
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Post by GL on Feb 28, 2011 11:18:01 GMT -5
So, since Spring Training games have started over the weekend, time to share thoughts, predictions, comments or whatever about the upcoming season.
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Post by GL on Mar 4, 2011 10:59:12 GMT -5
Well, looks like I need to get the ball rolling again this year, and it seems like time to offer predictions and hopeful turn-outs.
Division Winners:
AL East-Red Sox
AL Central-White Sox
AL West-Rangers
AL Wild Card Battlers-Yankees, Twins, Tigers, A's. I'm pulling for the Twins, personally, though I see those others in the race.
NL East-Phillies
NL Central-Brewers
NL West-Giants
NL Wild Card Battlers-Braves, Reds, Cardinals, Dodgers, Padres. I'm still not sure on the Braves or Reds, I'm looking hard at those two being the front-runners though any of the other three look like contenders.
So now that I've given mine, let's see your thoughts and such.
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HNT
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Post by HNT on Mar 4, 2011 11:29:13 GMT -5
Can't argue with that list. I think you're right. Only change I'd make is to putting the Twins as your AL Wild Card team. Personally, I think the more likely bet would be the YAnks and Athletics battling for it. Can't tell you which will pull it out. Also, while I think the White Sox are a good pick to take the AL Central, I personally wouldn't be too shocked if the Tigers won it.
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Post by GL on Mar 7, 2011 11:02:56 GMT -5
The Central for both leagues will be the dogfights throughout the season, because like you, I think the White Sox, Tigers and Twins as well as the Brewers, Reds and Cardinals are so close you could pick from a hat your choice and it wouldn't be so far off that you'd be run out of the debate. If Peavy can return to around 80-90% of what he was, I think the Sox should win it by a couple games as I like their offense a little more than everyone else, and I think the Brewers are a little more complete team than the other two teams, but they'll all compete pretty much all year long.
And I think the second-place team in the AL Central will be the Wild Card team, whoever loses it will take that spot. The Yanks will be there barring injury, but I think the Central is too good this year for two of those teams not to make it.
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