OT: Major League Baseball 2006 Season Discussion

Programmed2Kill · Post by **Programmed2Kill** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 3:53 pm

Pat Gillick already told me that the Phillies aren't good enough to win the division. So basically, no baseball for me this year.

It's going to be a slow summer

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 8:04 pm

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2336586

Barry Bonds to retire after 2006 season.

"Is it going to cost me in endorsements? Whoop-de-doo. I never had any endorsements, anyways. I don't base my life on that. I go to work like every other American."

LOL

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 12:41 am

when are the sox going to dump fatty wells?

AJColossal · Post by **AJColossal** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 1:27 pm

People, could we get back on topic? I believe this was the Official 2006 Facial Hair Thread.

fatheadX · Post by **fatheadX** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 2:11 pm

You heard it here first: the under-the-radar 2006 Colorado Rockies will finish 80-82 this year! They have lots of young talent and many question marks, but the trend it upward.

Kazuya · Post by **Kazuya** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 3:28 pm

fatheadX wrote:You heard it here first: the under-the-radar 2006 Colorado Rockies will finish 80-82 this year! They have lots of young talent and many question marks, but the trend it upward.

I don't know, they suddenly have problems scoring runs of all things. And they have a better staff now, but outside of Cook (kind of) and Kim, their starters are unreliable. Jennings is Jennings, and Francis somehow led the staff in wins despite being terrible 75% of the time. His having 14 wins with an ERA+ of 83 was one of the weirdest stats of last year.

lexbur · Post by **lexbur** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 3:35 pm

snaz16 wrote:Ohh my Central Division foes..how soon you forget the Cleveland Indians

Hey snaz, I'm curious about your thoughts on the Coco Crisp deal. I was really surprised how Shapiro got raked over the coals by both the fans and the media around here when news of that deal started breaking.

I don't get it, what's a guy gotta do? Back during the big fire sale a few years ago he promised we'd be contending again by '05, and he delivered. Not only that, he was MLB's Executive of the Year. Yet all winter people have done nothing but b*tch about him and Dolan, not signing any "big name" FA's while the White Sox are busy doing their Baltimore Orioles impersonation, throwing money everywhere, and then the whole Crisp deal.

The way people were squealing about giving up Crisp, you'd thought we were trading away Tris Speaker or something. Heck, last year at this time those same people were b*tching Coco was even was in our projected Opening Day lineup.

I may be a lemming, but I'm giving Shapiro the benefit of the doubt all the way this offseason. If he says it was a poor FA class this winter, hardly any of them worth what they were asking (except for Hoffman, he wanted him bad), and if he says we can't pass up an opportunity to get Marte, who am I to question it?

BTW, looking down the road a little, a lineup that's got Marte, Peralta, Martinez and Garko in it? Are you kidding me? They'll make those lineups of the '90s look like lightweights. Especially since that's just the infield!!!

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 4:39 pm

The only problem is that Marte looks overmatched by Major League pitching. He hits a ton in the minors and just looks silly when he comes up. Hopefully for the Indians sake, he figures it out.

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 4:52 pm

RobVarak wrote:As usual, the Cubs will go as far as Prior and Zambrano can take them. Adding Pierre was nice, but Dusty-approved veteran barnacles like Marquis Grissom and Jacque Jones will help make sure that I have plenty of reason to scream at the TV all summer.

On the bright side, only a couple weeks until my annual Spring Training pilgramage. Watch for me on the news, as I'm considering civil disobedience in the form of an arrest stemming from my hurling copies of Baseball for Dummies at Dusty during a pitching change.

I haven't felt this bad going into a season since Don Baylor was wearing lettuce under his Cubs cap. Pierre was a good acquisition and I liked their bullpen additions, but I'm still scratching my head at replacing Corey Patterson with an older, more expensive version of Corey Patterson in right. If they wanted strikeouts and power, why not keep Burnitz?

They're going to need at least a A- performance from their pitching staff to stay competitve. That's possible if Prior stays healthy, but that's a big if.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 5:40 pm

Brando70 wrote:I'm still scratching my head at replacing Corey Patterson with an older, more expensive version of Corey Patterson in right. If they wanted strikeouts and power, why not keep Burnitz?

Does Burnitz continually hit into double plays and smile, though? Ahh...no Jacque Jones for me this year.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 5:42 pm

I really look forward to watch the Jays do some damage this year. At least, finally they can be at par with the likes of NYY and BOS. They spent a lot of dough as owner Rogers wants to take the next step and with their latest signing in catcher Molina from the Angels, they have to put all those new players and see how they gel on the field.

AJColossal · Post by **AJColossal** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 6:09 pm

I know a lot of Cubs fans sound pessimistic here, but I'm not. Part of this might be insanity, but I'm looking forward to this season.

I think a big part of this is that Prior will be healthy. He's had a TON of freak injuries the past few years, and I think he's just due for some good luck. A full year of a healthy Prior will make a big difference.

And everyone is just assuming that Wood will break down again. While I think that might be a fair assumption based on his history, I would think there's also a fair chance that he simply won't. He's also due for a change in fortune. So (in theory) a healthy Wood adds another big boost.

I like the bullpen, I think that Pierre will add a big spark to the offense overall, and Miller is a nice insurance policy.

Fine, call me crazy. Then go f*** yourself.

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 9:09 pm

theo is back, bitches...LOOK OUT!

SoMisss2000 · Post by **SoMisss2000** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 9:44 pm

don't know how true this is, but the Rangers seems to be putting lil pressure on Coco Cordero and Vicente Padilla to skip the WBC. Both are currently undecided. Throw a lil cash at them Hicks!!!

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 9:49 pm

AJColossal wrote:I know a lot of Cubs fans sound pessimistic here, but I'm not. Part of this might be insanity, but I'm looking forward to this season.

I think a big part of this is that Prior will be healthy. He's had a TON of freak injuries the past few years, and I think he's just due for some good luck. A full year of a healthy Prior will make a big difference.

Will Carroll at BP:

You can't have spring training anymore without pitcher problems or at least rumors of said problems. Those usually start with the Cubs, and this year is no different. Reliable sources--the same ones that tipped us early to Mark Prior's Achilles problem--now tell us that Prior is having shoulder problems. The Cubs deny this and point to Prior's work on the mound. Prior was doing towel drills on Saturday, but this is the same type of work he was doing last year when there was a problem. According to our best sources in Mesa, Prior looks "weak and sick." Until he throws, we just won't know, though I'd like to believe Larry Rothschild.

TheGamer · Post by **TheGamer** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 10:06 pm

RobVarak wrote:
AJColossal wrote:I know a lot of Cubs fans sound pessimistic here, but I'm not. Part of this might be insanity, but I'm looking forward to this season.

I think a big part of this is that Prior will be healthy. He's had a TON of freak injuries the past few years, and I think he's just due for some good luck. A full year of a healthy Prior will make a big difference.
Will Carroll at BP:

You can't have spring training anymore without pitcher problems or at least rumors of said problems. Those usually start with the Cubs, and this year is no different. Reliable sources--the same ones that tipped us early to Mark Prior's Achilles problem--now tell us that Prior is having shoulder problems. The Cubs deny this and point to Prior's work on the mound. Prior was doing towel drills on Saturday, but this is the same type of work he was doing last year when there was a problem. According to our best sources in Mesa, Prior looks "weak and sick." Until he throws, we just won't know, though I'd like to believe Larry Rothschild.

I believe you take this story with a grain of salt. This guy is just trying to get some hits on his website and sell subscriptions. Baseball Prospectus is a pay website. And they also have an annual book coming out soon that he is trying to push. I listened to this guy yesterday on the Score with Boers & Bernstein and he was saying his sources were stating Prior had shoulder problems for sure, and then after the Cubs, (Hendry and Prior) were disputing the story and saying there was nothing to it, the same guy was on Sports Central with Dave kaplan and Tom Waddell later in the evening saying that his sources were saying it was a A"possible" injury. This guy was backpedaling big time last night.

snaz16 · Post by **snaz16** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 10:07 pm

lexbur wrote:
snaz16 wrote:Ohh my Central Division foes..how soon you forget the Cleveland Indians
Hey snaz, I'm curious about your thoughts on the Coco Crisp deal. I was really surprised how Shapiro got raked over the coals by both the fans and the media around here when news of that deal started breaking.

I don't get it, what's a guy gotta do? Back during the big fire sale a few years ago he promised we'd be contending again by '05, and he delivered. Not only that, he was MLB's Executive of the Year. Yet all winter people have done nothing but b*tch about him and Dolan, not signing any "big name" FA's while the White Sox are busy doing their Baltimore Orioles impersonation, throwing money everywhere, and then the whole Crisp deal.

The way people were squealing about giving up Crisp, you'd thought we were trading away Tris Speaker or something. Heck, last year at this time those same people were b*tching Coco was even was in our projected Opening Day lineup.

I may be a lemming, but I'm giving Shapiro the benefit of the doubt all the way this offseason. If he says it was a poor FA class this winter, hardly any of them worth what they were asking (except for Hoffman, he wanted him bad), and if he says we can't pass up an opportunity to get Marte, who am I to question it?

BTW, looking down the road a little, a lineup that's got Marte, Peralta, Martinez and Garko in it? Are you kidding me? They'll make those lineups of the '90s look like lightweights. Especially since that's just the infield!!!

Lex....You pretty much summed up my feelings on the trade,and Shapiro.To do what he's done in 3 years,recognize the talent and reel it in,i.e. Sizemore,Hafner,Lee,Crisp,etc. has been nothing short of impressive. Is Marte a risk? What trade for a prospect isn't. But considering Marte is the top ranked 3rd base prospect in baseball,been named the top rated defensive player at that position, the last few years,and put up impressive numbers at AAA at the age of 21 when most of his peers at that level are 3 to 4 years older. With Boone at 3rd,there is no rush,although most observers feel he is ready now. I don't put too much stock in last years call up,there have been many who have stumbled on thier 1st cup of coffee. The Tribe has
Brad Snyder,Franklyn Gutierez,and Ben Fransico waiting in the wings,in the outfield. 3rd base was another story. This fills a major hole in the organization,and yes,the thought of Marte and Peralta on the left side of the infield is intriging.

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 10:31 pm

kyle snyder KC royals will kick ass this year former UNC product. same w/ tyrlee goodwin... mark it down, bitches!

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 10:53 pm

snaz16 wrote:I don't put too much stock in last years call up,there have been many who have stumbled on thier 1st cup of coffee.

In case you're wondering, Marte has been up before (in '04)...last year he was up multiple times. Sometimes you just gotta cut your losses. Schuerholz has messed up on one prospect in the last 15 years...Jason Schmidt. That should help your confidence in Marte.

snaz16 · Post by **snaz16** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 12:16 am

dbdynsty25 wrote:
snaz16 wrote:I don't put too much stock in last years call up,there have been many who have stumbled on thier 1st cup of coffee.
In case you're wondering, Marte has been up before (in '04)...last year he was up multiple times. Sometimes you just gotta cut your losses. Schuerholz has messed up on one prospect in the last 15 years...Jason Schmidt. That should help your confidence in Marte.

According to baseball reference,Marte made his debut last year:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/martean01.shtml
Whether the Braves lost confidence in Marte at 21yrs is debatable. More perhaps that Chipper Jones is locked in at 3rd for the forseeable future,blocking Marte's path. After losing Furcal,Renteria became a natural move for Marte,and it was not a secret that the Indians coveted Marte for some time. Like I stated before,any prospect's a risk,but I doubt the Brave's were giving up on a 21 yr old kid thats hit at every level he's been at. It made sense for the Braves to move Marte to plug the shortstop hole. And its hard to side against the Tribe's thinking,given their recent record on securing young talent.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 12:26 am

They gave up on him. Just watch...

Chipper offered to move to First Base to make room for the kid. They obviously thought LaRoche was more of a prospect than Marte.

And I could have sworn I saw Marte in '04 for the September call-ups. Maybe they don't consider that a debut since the rosters are just expanding and he's not really being called up.

AJColossal · Post by **AJColossal** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 12:43 pm

RobVarak wrote:
AJColossal wrote:I know a lot of Cubs fans sound pessimistic here, but I'm not. Part of this might be insanity, but I'm looking forward to this season.

I think a big part of this is that Prior will be healthy. He's had a TON of freak injuries the past few years, and I think he's just due for some good luck. A full year of a healthy Prior will make a big difference.
Will Carroll at BP:

You can't have spring training anymore without pitcher problems or at least rumors of said problems. Those usually start with the Cubs, and this year is no different. Reliable sources--the same ones that tipped us early to Mark Prior's Achilles problem--now tell us that Prior is having shoulder problems. The Cubs deny this and point to Prior's work on the mound. Prior was doing towel drills on Saturday, but this is the same type of work he was doing last year when there was a problem. According to our best sources in Mesa, Prior looks "weak and sick." Until he throws, we just won't know, though I'd like to believe Larry Rothschild.

This is also the same author who said in 2003 that a deal had been reached to reinstate Pete Rose to baseball.

I'm not saying that Prior is 100% healthy, because how would I know? All I'm saying is don't believe everything you hear, especially from a source with a history of questionable reporting.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 4:26 pm

Kip Wells probably out for the season with a blood clot. This team has no (good) luck. I hope he's OK.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06057/661691.stm

AJColossal · Post by **AJColossal** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 1:28 pm

AJColossal wrote:
RobVarak wrote:
AJColossal wrote:I know a lot of Cubs fans sound pessimistic here, but I'm not. Part of this might be insanity, but I'm looking forward to this season.

I think a big part of this is that Prior will be healthy. He's had a TON of freak injuries the past few years, and I think he's just due for some good luck. A full year of a healthy Prior will make a big difference.
Will Carroll at BP:

You can't have spring training anymore without pitcher problems or at least rumors of said problems. Those usually start with the Cubs, and this year is no different. Reliable sources--the same ones that tipped us early to Mark Prior's Achilles problem--now tell us that Prior is having shoulder problems. The Cubs deny this and point to Prior's work on the mound. Prior was doing towel drills on Saturday, but this is the same type of work he was doing last year when there was a problem. According to our best sources in Mesa, Prior looks "weak and sick." Until he throws, we just won't know, though I'd like to believe Larry Rothschild.
This is also the same author who said in 2003 that a deal had been reached to reinstate Pete Rose to baseball.

I'm not saying that Prior is 100% healthy, because how would I know? All I'm saying is don't believe everything you hear, especially from a source with a history of questionable reporting.

Many media sources are reporting that Prior is having his shoulder looked at, after reporting pain and stiffness.

So I guess the moral of the story is actually this: when it comes to Prior and Wood, believe ANYONE but Cubs management, until it is proven otherwise.

I know we don't have any luck whatsoever, but sometimes it boggles the mind.

Kazuya · Post by **Kazuya** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 1:53 pm

AJColossal wrote:
AJColossal wrote:
RobVarak wrote: Will Carroll at BP:

You can't have spring training anymore without pitcher problems or at least rumors of said problems. Those usually start with the Cubs, and this year is no different. Reliable sources--the same ones that tipped us early to Mark Prior's Achilles problem--now tell us that Prior is having shoulder problems. The Cubs deny this and point to Prior's work on the mound. Prior was doing towel drills on Saturday, but this is the same type of work he was doing last year when there was a problem. According to our best sources in Mesa, Prior looks "weak and sick." Until he throws, we just won't know, though I'd like to believe Larry Rothschild.
This is also the same author who said in 2003 that a deal had been reached to reinstate Pete Rose to baseball.

I'm not saying that Prior is 100% healthy, because how would I know? All I'm saying is don't believe everything you hear, especially from a source with a history of questionable reporting.
Many media sources are reporting that Prior is having his shoulder looked at, after reporting pain and stiffness.

So I guess the moral of the story is actually this: when it comes to Prior and Wood, believe ANYONE but Cubs management, until it is proven otherwise.

I know we don't have any luck whatsoever, but sometimes it boggles the mind.

They shoulda cashed out Prior for Tejada if that deal was indeed on the table. Prior will always be a 150 inning pitcher with Dusty around. Only Zambrano seems impervious to Dusty abuse, which probably makes him the toughest pitcher in the game physically.