I see a lot of people on the forum already proclaiming the AL Champ to be the Red Sox or Yankees. I would like to point out there is a team equally as strong as both who is under the radar in the Anaheim Angels. This team has an offense that includes Vlad Guerrero, Glaus, Anderson, Erstad, Salmon, and Jose Guillen who had 31 homers and 88 rbi's while playing injured the last 2 months. This offense is better than Boston and equal to Yankees. Their pitching staff consists of Bartolo Colon, Kelvim Escobar, John Lackey, Ramon Ortiz not to mention a bullpen of Percival,Weber,Rodriguez, and Donnalley. This staff from top to bottom is better than Yankees and at least equal to Red Sox.They have a top 5 manager in Mike Scoscia who is better than Francona but in the same class as Torre. This team will handily win West. The only problem is that they would have to beat probably both teams to go to Series which would be a tall task. But in terms of this discussion, on paper, Angels belong in the same class as Yankees and Red Sox!
Good team though I think you're overrating the starting staff. The bullpen is strong but the rotation is solid, above average, but not outstanding. I don't think Colon is really an ace. Escobar, Lackey, Ortiz pretty good not great. Who's the 5th? Certainly not as good as Boston's rotation. Oakland will slug it out with them for the West. Wow, the AL East and West are so good and the AL Central is gonna really suck azz. Top by 4 league:
AL
1. Yanks
2. R. Sox
3. Angels
4. A's
NL
1. Cubs
2. Giants
3. Astros
4. Phillies
That's my prediction though either Ana or Oak will be aced out by a lousy ALC team (Indians?) with 10 fewer wins.
AL
1. Yanks
2. R. Sox
3. Angels
4. A's
NL
1. Cubs
2. Giants
3. Astros
4. Phillies
That's my prediction though either Ana or Oak will be aced out by a lousy ALC team (Indians?) with 10 fewer wins.
d2,
I wouldn't rank the As as high as you have them. They will be one of the worst in the league in offense followed up by a very suspect closing situation. If I were to rate the teams, I would go:
AL
1. Red Sox-based on pitching
2. Yankees - need more pitching
3. Angels- closer to the top than you expect
4. Toronto- nice offseason improvements
NL
1. Phillies - 5 quality starters and a bullpen with Wagner and Worrell to match up late in games.
2. Astros- Slight edge on Cubs based on bullpen and better offense
3. Cubs- Still not sold on Borowski closing games
4. Diamondbacks- Being wrote off too early as they have a lot of quality young players. Expect big bounce back years from Alomar ( supposedly in best shape of his life) and Johnson.
5. Cardinals- Under the radar. Like Toronto, Jocketty made some quality moves in offseason without breaking bank. May have chip on their shoulder for being overlooked in Central. Still best all around lineup(Both offensively and defensively) maybe in all of baseball and that includes the Yankees.
Giants have no pitching with Schmitt questionable and Nen out for the year and no Worrell to back up. Also, if Angels won division, would not face AL Central if Yanks and Red Sox both make playoffs which is what we are assuming.
I wouldn't rank the As as high as you have them. They will be one of the worst in the league in offense followed up by a very suspect closing situation. If I were to rate the teams, I would go:
AL
1. Red Sox-based on pitching
2. Yankees - need more pitching
3. Angels- closer to the top than you expect
4. Toronto- nice offseason improvements
NL
1. Phillies - 5 quality starters and a bullpen with Wagner and Worrell to match up late in games.
2. Astros- Slight edge on Cubs based on bullpen and better offense
3. Cubs- Still not sold on Borowski closing games
4. Diamondbacks- Being wrote off too early as they have a lot of quality young players. Expect big bounce back years from Alomar ( supposedly in best shape of his life) and Johnson.
5. Cardinals- Under the radar. Like Toronto, Jocketty made some quality moves in offseason without breaking bank. May have chip on their shoulder for being overlooked in Central. Still best all around lineup(Both offensively and defensively) maybe in all of baseball and that includes the Yankees.
Giants have no pitching with Schmitt questionable and Nen out for the year and no Worrell to back up. Also, if Angels won division, would not face AL Central if Yanks and Red Sox both make playoffs which is what we are assuming.
wilhelm,
I agree about your assessment but how long has it been since the Cubs have been in postseason 2 years in a row? Realistically, can the Astros expect Clemens to stay healthy all year and they have a new closer in Dotel. Dotel will find out it is a different animal than setting up the closer. I have been down on Cards but rotation not as bad as I once thought and they actually have some depth now. Also, bullpen is better than Houston's and Chicago's. If their starting pitching can make it through 5-6 innings , Cards have a big edge on Houston and Chicago.Starting pitching staff as of now is:
1. Matt Morris
2. Woody Williams
3. Cris Carpenter
4. Jeff Suppan
5. Jason Marquis
Others who could fill in: Simontacchi, Dan Haren ( pitched well as a rookie), Wainwright (Braves #1 pitching prospect) and possibly even Ankiel(who actually was getting it back together before arm injury). Carpenter was Toronto's #1 2 years ago. Suppan is a solid 12-15 win bottom of the rotation type. Marquis has very good stuff (97 mph fastball with good curve and slider). Dave Duncan might get more out of these guys than expected. Most importantly, this team has no expectations so I expect them to be loose as opposed to tight with all the expectations. Even with their subpar pitching last year, sporting news had them picked to win National League. They have improved over the offseason on top of it.
I agree about your assessment but how long has it been since the Cubs have been in postseason 2 years in a row? Realistically, can the Astros expect Clemens to stay healthy all year and they have a new closer in Dotel. Dotel will find out it is a different animal than setting up the closer. I have been down on Cards but rotation not as bad as I once thought and they actually have some depth now. Also, bullpen is better than Houston's and Chicago's. If their starting pitching can make it through 5-6 innings , Cards have a big edge on Houston and Chicago.Starting pitching staff as of now is:
1. Matt Morris
2. Woody Williams
3. Cris Carpenter
4. Jeff Suppan
5. Jason Marquis
Others who could fill in: Simontacchi, Dan Haren ( pitched well as a rookie), Wainwright (Braves #1 pitching prospect) and possibly even Ankiel(who actually was getting it back together before arm injury). Carpenter was Toronto's #1 2 years ago. Suppan is a solid 12-15 win bottom of the rotation type. Marquis has very good stuff (97 mph fastball with good curve and slider). Dave Duncan might get more out of these guys than expected. Most importantly, this team has no expectations so I expect them to be loose as opposed to tight with all the expectations. Even with their subpar pitching last year, sporting news had them picked to win National League. They have improved over the offseason on top of it.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Kojak:
d2,
NL
1. Phillies - 5 quality starters and a bullpen with Wagner and Worrell to match up late in games.
2. Astros- Slight edge on Cubs based on bullpen and better offense
3. Cubs- Still not sold on Borowski closing games
.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I'm more sold on Borowski than Dotel as a closer. Borowski proved he could close all last year after a strong 2002. It's new territory for Dotel, though I think he'll do OK. Plus the Cubs have Latroy Hawkins waiting in the wings as well as Kyle Farnsworth. Astros losing Wagner coupled with Hawkins in place of Alfonseca and these bullpens are basically equal, with maybe a slight Cubs edge IMO. Asros bullpen last year was clearly better but those two switches tilt that balance of power.
Borowski vs. Dotel
Latroy Hawkins vs. Brad Lidge
Kyle Farnsworth vs. Ricky Stone
Only arguable Astros edge there is Dotel and he's a ? too. And who does Houston have from the left side? Robertson and Gallo? I'll take Remlinger and Mercker. Man for man Astros have an edge -- maybe -- only with Dotel. Cubs bullpen overall is superior. Sorry to go off an a tangent. Just a misconception I think here because of the last few years. Things change.
d2,
NL
1. Phillies - 5 quality starters and a bullpen with Wagner and Worrell to match up late in games.
2. Astros- Slight edge on Cubs based on bullpen and better offense
3. Cubs- Still not sold on Borowski closing games
.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I'm more sold on Borowski than Dotel as a closer. Borowski proved he could close all last year after a strong 2002. It's new territory for Dotel, though I think he'll do OK. Plus the Cubs have Latroy Hawkins waiting in the wings as well as Kyle Farnsworth. Astros losing Wagner coupled with Hawkins in place of Alfonseca and these bullpens are basically equal, with maybe a slight Cubs edge IMO. Asros bullpen last year was clearly better but those two switches tilt that balance of power.
Borowski vs. Dotel
Latroy Hawkins vs. Brad Lidge
Kyle Farnsworth vs. Ricky Stone
Only arguable Astros edge there is Dotel and he's a ? too. And who does Houston have from the left side? Robertson and Gallo? I'll take Remlinger and Mercker. Man for man Astros have an edge -- maybe -- only with Dotel. Cubs bullpen overall is superior. Sorry to go off an a tangent. Just a misconception I think here because of the last few years. Things change.
d2,
I agree that Hawkins is waiting in the wings but before last year he couldn't hack it as closer for Twins and was replaced. Remlinger is coming off of arm surgery and is 40 so how much does he have left. Mercker is average at best. Astros still have a lot of quality arms to back up Dotel specifically Lidge. It is for the arguement that you just made that Cardinals can not be written off so fast. Their everyday lineup is not only second to none but also fairly young except for Edmonds 33-34? I do think Cubs have big edge with Dusty but his edge is motivation not necessarily in game strategy. I think this will be a 3 team race with teams ranked in the order I put them in above. Cardinals bullpen of Isringhausen,Eldred,Kline,Tavarez,Simontacchi,etc I would take over either the Astros or the Cubs.
I agree that Hawkins is waiting in the wings but before last year he couldn't hack it as closer for Twins and was replaced. Remlinger is coming off of arm surgery and is 40 so how much does he have left. Mercker is average at best. Astros still have a lot of quality arms to back up Dotel specifically Lidge. It is for the arguement that you just made that Cardinals can not be written off so fast. Their everyday lineup is not only second to none but also fairly young except for Edmonds 33-34? I do think Cubs have big edge with Dusty but his edge is motivation not necessarily in game strategy. I think this will be a 3 team race with teams ranked in the order I put them in above. Cardinals bullpen of Isringhausen,Eldred,Kline,Tavarez,Simontacchi,etc I would take over either the Astros or the Cubs.
d2,
A perfect example of how the Cubs could fall flat on their face is in the NCAA College Basketball. Missouri,imo, had equal to better talent on paper than nearly everyone in all of college hoops, but really have underachieved until today. Missouri also mirrors the Cubs in that they have the longest streak of college teams to make appearances in the Big Dance at 21 who has never made the Final Four. The Cubs collapse in the NLCS could have some lingering mental and emotional effects and don't discount possible slow starts or breakdowns by Prior or Wood due to the number of innings pitched down the homestretch last year. Neither one has ever pitched that many innings and imo were overused (Prior-Game 2 vs Marlins). Sometimes when a team never has big expectations suddenly has them it totally different. With that said, I will go out on a limb and predict Cubs miss playoffs and will underachieve though I have them ranked 3rd. I don't think they will handle the expectations.
A perfect example of how the Cubs could fall flat on their face is in the NCAA College Basketball. Missouri,imo, had equal to better talent on paper than nearly everyone in all of college hoops, but really have underachieved until today. Missouri also mirrors the Cubs in that they have the longest streak of college teams to make appearances in the Big Dance at 21 who has never made the Final Four. The Cubs collapse in the NLCS could have some lingering mental and emotional effects and don't discount possible slow starts or breakdowns by Prior or Wood due to the number of innings pitched down the homestretch last year. Neither one has ever pitched that many innings and imo were overused (Prior-Game 2 vs Marlins). Sometimes when a team never has big expectations suddenly has them it totally different. With that said, I will go out on a limb and predict Cubs miss playoffs and will underachieve though I have them ranked 3rd. I don't think they will handle the expectations.
I'd put the Cards bunch behind both Cubs and Astros. Eldred, Tavarez, Simontacchi -- ouch. And Remlinger will be 38, not 40, in March and can still pitch. I mean 54 hits and 83K in 69IP last year, not really the numbers of somebody who's lost it. He came through in many big situations. He walked too many though. I think he'll come back stronger. Mercker is average but they're both veterans and better than Robertson or Gallo.
Man, baseball is fun.
Man, baseball is fun.
d2bets,
Baseball season starts I believe this week and I think it will be a great year. I am looking forward to it. Based on your posts, I am assuming you are a Cubs fan and live in Chicago. I am from St. Louis but live in Chicago. Maybe we can have a gentleman's bet and bet a drink on who finishes higher, Cards or Cubs? Give me 2-1 on Cards. Two drinks to my one?
Baseball season starts I believe this week and I think it will be a great year. I am looking forward to it. Based on your posts, I am assuming you are a Cubs fan and live in Chicago. I am from St. Louis but live in Chicago. Maybe we can have a gentleman's bet and bet a drink on who finishes higher, Cards or Cubs? Give me 2-1 on Cards. Two drinks to my one?
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Kojak:
d2,
A perfect example of how the Cubs could fall flat on their face is in the NCAA College Basketball. Missouri,imo, had equal to better talent on paper than nearly everyone in all of college hoops, but really have underachieved until today. Missouri also mirrors the Cubs in that they have the longest streak of college teams to make appearances in the Big Dance at 21 who has never made the Final Four. The Cubs collapse in the NLCS could have some lingering mental and emotional effects and don't discount possible slow starts or breakdowns by Prior or Wood due to the number of innings pitched down the homestretch last year. Neither one has ever pitched that many innings and imo were overused (Prior-Game 2 vs Marlins). Sometimes when a team never has big expectations suddenly has them it totally different. With that said, I will go out on a limb and predict Cubs miss playoffs and will underachieve though I have them ranked 3rd. I don't think they will handle the expectations.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I wouldn't cpompare college hoopsters to major league ballplayers, but fair enough, we'll see. Add UConn as a disappointment so far. On paper I thought they were the best.
With 88 wins last year and the additions of Derek Lee for Choi/Karros, Hawkins for Alfonseca, Todd Walker, Ramirez for a full year and probably Maddux for Estes, I think they should push 100 wins. And Sammy also probably won't get hit in the head twice and suspended. I'll say Cubs 98-64. Astros get the WC with 92 wins. St. Louis will struggle to break .500, maybe 83 wins. Phillies wn the East in the low 90's.
Time will tell.
d2,
A perfect example of how the Cubs could fall flat on their face is in the NCAA College Basketball. Missouri,imo, had equal to better talent on paper than nearly everyone in all of college hoops, but really have underachieved until today. Missouri also mirrors the Cubs in that they have the longest streak of college teams to make appearances in the Big Dance at 21 who has never made the Final Four. The Cubs collapse in the NLCS could have some lingering mental and emotional effects and don't discount possible slow starts or breakdowns by Prior or Wood due to the number of innings pitched down the homestretch last year. Neither one has ever pitched that many innings and imo were overused (Prior-Game 2 vs Marlins). Sometimes when a team never has big expectations suddenly has them it totally different. With that said, I will go out on a limb and predict Cubs miss playoffs and will underachieve though I have them ranked 3rd. I don't think they will handle the expectations.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I wouldn't cpompare college hoopsters to major league ballplayers, but fair enough, we'll see. Add UConn as a disappointment so far. On paper I thought they were the best.
With 88 wins last year and the additions of Derek Lee for Choi/Karros, Hawkins for Alfonseca, Todd Walker, Ramirez for a full year and probably Maddux for Estes, I think they should push 100 wins. And Sammy also probably won't get hit in the head twice and suspended. I'll say Cubs 98-64. Astros get the WC with 92 wins. St. Louis will struggle to break .500, maybe 83 wins. Phillies wn the East in the low 90's.
Time will tell.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Kojak:
d2bets,
Baseball season starts I believe this week and I think it will be a great year. I am looking forward to it. Based on your posts, I am assuming you are a Cubs fan and live in Chicago. I am from St. Louis but live in Chicago. Maybe we can have a gentleman's bet and bet a drink on who finishes higher, Cards or Cubs? Give me 2-1 on Cards. Two drinks to my one?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
lol, OK, 2 drinks to 1. That's fair. Yep, I'm from and in Chicagoland. Lifelong Cubs fan so I can tell you straight up I've never seen a Cubs team anywhere near this game. And it's significantly upgraded over last year with those handful of changes made. And Maddux is about 95% to sign in the next week -- does that change your thoughts at all? I don't think hell will freeze over and I do think Maddyx will win 15+. Should be good right there for an extra 3-5 wins over Estes.
d2bets,
Baseball season starts I believe this week and I think it will be a great year. I am looking forward to it. Based on your posts, I am assuming you are a Cubs fan and live in Chicago. I am from St. Louis but live in Chicago. Maybe we can have a gentleman's bet and bet a drink on who finishes higher, Cards or Cubs? Give me 2-1 on Cards. Two drinks to my one?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
lol, OK, 2 drinks to 1. That's fair. Yep, I'm from and in Chicagoland. Lifelong Cubs fan so I can tell you straight up I've never seen a Cubs team anywhere near this game. And it's significantly upgraded over last year with those handful of changes made. And Maddux is about 95% to sign in the next week -- does that change your thoughts at all? I don't think hell will freeze over and I do think Maddyx will win 15+. Should be good right there for an extra 3-5 wins over Estes.
