MLB Off-Season Discussion

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 7:53 pm

sfz_T-car wrote:Am I the only one who misses the World Baseball Classic this year?

Carlos Silva is going to miss using it as an excuse when his ERA baloons over 5 again this year.

I want to hit my head against my desk every time I think about the Twins spending $7+ mil for two pitchers with well-over 5 ERAs last year (Silva and Ramon Ortiz).

jLp vAkEr0 · Post by **jLp vAkEr0** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 9:58 pm

sfz_T-car wrote:Am I the only one who misses the World Baseball Classic this year?

Nop.

It was a great event and went fairly well consideing it was the 1st one.

jLp vAkEr0 · Post by **jLp vAkEr0** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 10:09 pm

Diablo,

What makes the Mets 06 rotation better than this years?

Actually, the Mets rotation for 07 isn't even set.

Remember, the Mets, thanx to injuries ended up with a rotation of Maine, Glavine, Perez for the playoffs. They didn't even get to pitch El Duque.

Hey, I'm the 1st to admit that the Mets starting rotation ain't scaring anyone, but last years team was fueled by a good(not great) offense, the best bullpen in the NL and 5-6(3-4 runs) inning starting rotation. And they won 97 games with this.

Looks like the formula for 07 is the same, will it work AS well? I don't know.

We'll see.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 10:24 pm

jLp vAkEr0 wrote:Hey, I'm the 1st to admit that the Mets starting rotation ain't scaring anyone, but last years team was fueled by a good(not great) offense, the best bullpen in the NL and 5-6(3-4 runs) inning starting rotation. And they won 97 games with this.

I wouldn't just start rattling off stats to backup the fact that the Mets won their division. That's well and good, but it doesn't mean sh*t when you don't win a World Series (see the Braves for 13 of 14 years). If you don't have a well-rounded team you don't win championships. The Braves are a wonderful example of sacrificing one area to strengthen another, preventing them from winning more rings than the 1. They had dominant pitching for so long, but not enough offense. Then in the later part of the run, they had the offense, but not enough bullpen pitching. If you have one weakness...it's gonna be exploited in the playoffs. Not to mention that there is no bigger crap shoot than the baseball playoffs. Just take it into account...

Oh yeah...and I just bought my tickets to opening weekend in Atlanta...against your boys.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 10:29 pm

jLp vAkEr0 wrote:Diablo,

What makes the Mets 06 rotation better than this years?

Actually, the Mets rotation for 07 isn't even set.

Remember, the Mets, thanx to injuries ended up with a rotation of Maine, Glavine, Perez for the playoffs. They didn't even get to pitch El Duque.

Hey, I'm the 1st to admit that the Mets starting rotation ain't scaring anyone, but last years team was fueled by a good(not great) offense, the best bullpen in the NL and 5-6(3-4 runs) inning starting rotation. And they won 97 games with this.

Looks like the formula for 07 is the same, will it work AS well? I don't know.

We'll see.

I see your point. My big things are Pedro is on the shelf, the rest of the projected rotation isn't scary (see below) and the Phillies are a MUCH better team from a pitching standpoint. If the Mets get the same output they got last year from all parts of their team there is no doubt they will be scary. However, if the Phillies improvements (rotation is immensely better and we actually have a productive 3B, and no Mike Lieberthal!!!) pan out and they get the same offensive production they got last year they should be able to stay with the Mets. Beat them for the division? Who knows. I think they have a chance. I'm hoping for 90+ wins. Again, my original point was the disrespect the columnist gave the rest of the National League by saying the Mets were basically the only team with the parts to win. Bare with me dude, I haven't seen the playoffs since 1993

Mets Projected Rotation:

1. T. Glavine (tip my cap)
2. O. Hernandez (maybe, old as dirt)
3. J. Maine (unproven)
4. O. Perez (are you kidding me?)
5. C. Park (can you say inconsistent?)
6. P. Martinez (healthy?)
I respect this rotation but it doesn't strike fear in me at all.

Phillies Projected Rotation:

1. F. Garcia (Proven Stud, 200+ IP)
2. B. Myers (Will he reach potential this year?)
3. C. Hamels (if he remains healthy look out NL)
4. J. Moyer (200 IP in his sleep, at least .500)
5. A. Eaton (Unproven, health issues?)
6. J. Lieber (trade bait, still reliable)

I can't overstate how huge it is that Lieberthal is gone. I caught professionally for 7 years and I hated the way Lieberthal called games...so did the Phils staff over the last decade. His departure is one of the BIGGEST reasons I feel the Phils have a nice shot this year.

jLp vAkEr0 · Post by **jLp vAkEr0** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 7:46 am

dbdynsty25 wrote:
I wouldn't just start rattling off stats to backup the fact that the Mets won their division. That's well and good, but it doesn't mean sh*t when you don't win a World Series (see the Braves for 13 of 14 years). If you don't have a well-rounded team you don't win championships. The Braves are a wonderful example of sacrificing one area to strengthen another, preventing them from winning more rings than the 1. They had dominant pitching for so long, but not enough offense. Then in the later part of the run, they had the offense, but not enough bullpen pitching. If you have one weakness...it's gonna be exploited in the playoffs. Not to mention that there is no bigger crap shoot than the baseball playoffs. Just take it into account...

Oh yeah...and I just bought my tickets to opening weekend in Atlanta...against your boys.

All very true. But Diablo and I ARE talking about winning the East. Winning it all it's a whole different ballgame. Again, with all their starting pitching deficiencies, the Mets where a hit a way from going to the WS, and the core of that team is intact. Plus, you can only guess that Wright and Reyes are going to get better, and Beltran looks like he's settled in nicely after a awful 1st year.

I do see what you mean. All of this may end up meaning nothing, but they are facts.

jLp vAkEr0 · Post by **jLp vAkEr0** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 7:54 am

Diablo25 wrote:

Mets Projected Rotation:

1. T. Glavine (tip my cap)
2. O. Hernandez (maybe, old as dirt)
3. J. Maine (unproven)
4. O. Perez (are you kidding me?)
5. C. Park (can you say inconsistent?)
6. P. Martinez (healthy?)
I respect this rotation but it doesn't strike fear in me at all.

Phillies Projected Rotation:

1. F. Garcia (Proven Stud, 200+ IP)
2. B. Myers (Will he reach potential this year?)
3. C. Hamels (if he remains healthy look out NL)
4. J. Moyer (200 IP in his sleep, at least .500)
5. A. Eaton (Unproven, health issues?)
6. J. Lieber (trade bait, still reliable)

I can't overstate how huge it is that Lieberthal is gone. I caught professionally for 7 years and I hated the way Lieberthal called games...so did the Phils staff over the last decade. His departure is one of the BIGGEST reasons I feel the Phils have a nice shot this year.

Maine is not THAT unproven. He had a solid regular season followed by a impressive playoff run.

Peres is a huge question mark, but he did show he has the goods in the playoffs. Of course, he stunk it up in his 1st ST outing a couple of days ago so who knows.

I'm pretty sure the Mets will go out and get some pitching help if they are in the race late. They have some parts to deal, plus they get Pedro in august. Who knows what he can give you, but if he's healthy, that ain't a bad late season pickup. His numbers last year before getting injured where solid.

Again we'll see. But I'm with you Diablo, I enjoy talking baseball so we can keep going at it.

Sully · Post by **Sully** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 8:42 am

1 month until opening day.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 12:04 pm

The Grapefruit League opener for Jays had them beat Bosox 4-1. But more importantly is that the Doc Halladay felt good after his forearm problems towards the end of last season which sidelined him.

He's key to Jay's success along A.J. Burnett and G. Chacin. There will be plenty of offensive power this year.

macsomjrr · Post by **macsomjrr** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 4:17 am

sfz_T-car wrote:Am I the only one who misses the World Baseball Classic this year?

I miss it but only if Peavy doesn't pitch in it again. He had a terrible year (for him) after pitching his heart out for the US only to have them fail miserably.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 11:10 am

Phillies vs. Yanks on TV today

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 2:48 pm

Looks like IN Demand has matched DirecTV's offer for the Extra Innings package, so I guess cable subscribers will get to see the games now (assuming the deal is approved). Now if only Dish would fork over the cash so I don't have to stick my dad's slingbox on one of my receivers so he can watch Braves games...I'll be happy.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/stor ... NHeadlines

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 3:25 pm

Apparently Dupay doesn't think their offer is acceptable:

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/ ... ed=rss_mlb

grtwhtsk · Post by **grtwhtsk** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 4:42 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:Apparently Dupay doesn't think their offer is acceptable:

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/ ... ed=rss_mlb

I guess they still have till 3/31 to meet MLB's demands. As a cable subscriber, I'm really hoping this gets done.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 11:37 am

Cardinal fans...please tell your coach to stop falling asleep at stop lights. I mean if you're gonna drink and drive, at least DRIVE a little bit.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 12:05 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:Cardinal fans...please tell your coach to stop falling asleep at stop lights. I mean if you're gonna drink and drive, at least DRIVE a little bit.

He knew he was drunk, so he was smart enough to sleep it off.

I admire him for that.

grtwhtsk · Post by **grtwhtsk** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 12:15 pm

sportdan30 wrote:
dbdynsty25 wrote:Cardinal fans...please tell your coach to stop falling asleep at stop lights. I mean if you're gonna drink and drive, at least DRIVE a little bit.
He knew he was drunk, so he was smart enough to sleep it off.

I admire him for that.

Good thing he kept his foot on the brake!

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 9:27 pm

My predictions (from my myspace blog):

http://myspace.com/sillynelson

Time to call that ex-girlfriend who moved to Vegas to strip and ask her to place some bets for ya.

NL East
---------
1. New York Mets 90-72
2. Philadelphia Phillies 89-73 [edit]
3. Florida Marlins 82-80
4. Atlanta Braves 80-82
5. Washington Nationals 59-103

[s.nelson] Yeah, Mets again. Their pitching will be worse than last year but still enough to hold-off philly. If the Marlins would have kept Girardi, I'd put them 2 games behind the Mets.

NL Central
------------
1. St. Louis Cardinals 88-74*
2. Milwaukee Brewers 88-74*
3. Houston Astros 80-82
4. Chicago Cubs 79-83
5. Cincinnati Reds 77-85
6. Pittsburgh Pirates 65-97

[sn]Note the "*", this means MIL & STL will tie at season's end and have to play a one-game playoff. Of which, St. Louis will win. How's that for detail!! Cubs improve greatly this year, and Jim Tracy is fired by July.

NL West
----------
1. Los Angeles Dodgers 90-72
2. San Diego Padres 88-74
3. San Francisco Giants 81-81
4. Arizona Diamondbacks 81-81
5. Colorado Rockies 70-91

[sn] Dodgers vastly improved an already good team with Schmidt and Brady Clark (& others). LA's great rookies from last year also get a year older. Padres are the trendy pick, but the bats just seem too weak SF, ARZ, and COL bore the nation to tears. Bonds breaks the HR record in...... May 2008.

AL East
--------
1. New York Yankees 88-74
2. Boston Red Sox 86-76
3. Toronto Blue Jays 85-77
4. Baltimore Orioles 80-82
5. Tampa Bay Devil Rays 61-101

[sn] Yanks win, yawn... But the entire division basically takes turns pounding on each other (and TB) all year. The last 2 weeks of the season should be a hoot. DiceK wins 14 games.

AL Central
------------
1. Minnesota Twins 95-67
2. Detroit Tigers 91-71
3. Cleveland Indians 88-74
4. Chicago White Sox 81-81
5. Kansas City Royals 71-91

[sn] Twins minus Liriano finally do what they could have done last year. Detroit starts off the season with a serious hangover, but ends up going 33-10 down the stretch to make it close. The W-Sox consider firing Guillen at season's end with a 4th place finish..

AL West
----------
1. Los Angeles Angels 97-65
2. Texas Rangers 86-76
3. Oakland Athletics 84-78
4. Seattle Mariners 66-96

[sn] Angels win the most games in baseball with a good staff and solid bats (w/ lots of speed on the bases). Could be the most fun team to watch this year. Texas will burst out of the gate, but has a horrible July and August when the pitching finally wears thin. Mariners prove to be one of the worst managed teams of the last decade...

Take it to the bank. Remember, I get 10%.

Next time... MLB Post Season predictions.

Sully · Post by **Sully** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 9:32 pm

I'm willing to bet the Phillies don't go 89-79. I feel pretty confident about that one....

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 9:54 pm

As a Twins fan, I don't see how a team that fills out the 3-5 spots of its rotation with Ramon Ortiz, Sir Sidney Ponson, and Carlos Silva finds a way to get 95 wins (unless Garza gets a May 1 call-up to take one of those stiffs' spot in the rotation). And they won the division last year, so I'm not sure what more than can do in the regular season this year . . . Baseball Prospectus actually finds White Sox prediction to be optimistic.

The NL East should be fun to watch--everyone except for Washington battling it out for a shot at the title.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 11:46 pm

And in the AL East I bet BOS comes on top this season with the Jays and Yankees fighting for second spot.

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 12:43 pm

Sully wrote:I'm willing to bet the Phillies don't go 89-79. I feel pretty confident about that one....

Ho ho, they are just gonna keep playing. Oh well, that's why I was a TV major (no math req.)...