Jake T.'s Daily Top Five Thread - Surprise MLB teams

5. Seattle Mariners

They have two #1 starters in Felix and Eric Bedard, along with a stud closer. Injuries killed themlast year but if Beltre and Branyan can get going, this team has the pitching to do things this season.

4. Minnesota Twins

Another squad who has the pitching staff to compete. Liriano should be healthy and their rotation has an outside chance to have the best ERA in the bigs. The young starters are only getting better and Casilla and Span should give them speed at the top of the lineup and Mauer and Morneau are quality. Good for WS futures...

3. St Louis Cardinals

They will still have some issues against left-handed pitching but any team with Albert Pujols has a chance to make the playoffs. Chris Carpenter is getting healthy and Wainwright appears ready to dominate again. If the bullpen holds up, this team could definitely win the Central.

2. Philadelphia Phillies

Surprise, but in a bad way. Look for a big falloff from the WS champs Hamels is obviously a stud but Myers has issues, Blanton can't pitch in their home park, Moyer is 80 years old, and Kendrick showed that his 2007 was a fluke. The offense is still there but this could easily be a .550 team that misses the playoffs when their pitching lets them down.

1. Oakland Athletics

They traded for Matt Holliday but the big reason this team will be successful is the emergence of their starting rotation. Duchscherer and Gallagher are going to be top notch #1 starters this season while Eveland and Braden are at an age to make big jumps. Jason Giambi is back and Daric Barton should help a ton if he stays healthy. Eric Chavez was injured last year and still has 25 HR power and could bat 8th. This team is ready to make a run.

I don't follow MLB closely but it's very clear that it's the # sport in which teams can surprise the most & suddenly become contenders after a disastrous season the year before.....

Jake T. said:

5. Seattle Mariners

They have two #1 starters in Felix and Eric Bedard, along with a stud closer. Injuries killed themlast year but if Beltre and Branyan can get going, this team has the pitching to do things this season.

4. Minnesota Twins

Another squad who has the pitching staff to compete. Liriano should be healthy and their rotation has an outside chance to have the best ERA in the bigs. The young starters are only getting better and Casilla and Span should give them speed at the top of the lineup and Mauer and Morneau are quality. Good for WS futures...

3. St Louis Cardinals

They will still have some issues against left-handed pitching but any team with Albert Pujols has a chance to make the playoffs. Chris Carpenter is getting healthy and Wainwright appears ready to dominate again. If the bullpen holds up, this team could definitely win the Central.

2. Philadelphia Phillies

Surprise, but in a bad way. Look for a big falloff from the WS champs Hamels is obviously a stud but Myers has issues, Blanton can't pitch in their home park, Moyer is 80 years old, and Kendrick showed that his 2007 was a fluke. The offense is still there but this could easily be a .550 team that misses the playoffs when their pitching lets them down.

1. Oakland Athletics

They traded for Matt Holliday but the big reason this team will be successful is the emergence of their starting rotation. Duchscherer and Gallagher are going to be top notch #1 starters this season while Eveland and Braden are at an age to make big jumps. Jason Giambi is back and Daric Barton should help a ton if he stays healthy. Eric Chavez was injured last year and still has 25 HR power and could bat 8th. This team is ready to make a run.

Click to expand...

Who is this "stud closer" that the Mariners have? Mark Lowe? Brandon Morrow will be in the starting rotation this year. Plus, Bedard has one (mostly) healthy season under his belt and their offense is deplorable.

Neither Duchscher (another guy with a laundry list of injury issues) or Gallagher (shitload of walks and well below average gb rate) will be worthy of #1, or even #2 on most teams, consideration, but the A's probably will win a very weak West.

Jake T. said:

5. Seattle Mariners

They have two #1 starters in Felix and Eric Bedard, along with a stud closer. Injuries killed themlast year but if Beltre and Branyan can get going, this team has the pitching to do things this season.

4. Minnesota Twins

Another squad who has the pitching staff to compete. Liriano should be healthy and their rotation has an outside chance to have the best ERA in the bigs. The young starters are only getting better and Casilla and Span should give them speed at the top of the lineup and Mauer and Morneau are quality. Good for WS futures...

3. St Louis Cardinals

They will still have some issues against left-handed pitching but any team with Albert Pujols has a chance to make the playoffs. Chris Carpenter is getting healthy and Wainwright appears ready to dominate again. If the bullpen holds up, this team could definitely win the Central.

2. Philadelphia Phillies

Surprise, but in a bad way. Look for a big falloff from the WS champs Hamels is obviously a stud but Myers has issues, Blanton can't pitch in their home park, Moyer is 80 years old, and Kendrick showed that his 2007 was a fluke. The offense is still there but this could easily be a .550 team that misses the playoffs when their pitching lets them down.

1. Oakland Athletics

They traded for Matt Holliday but the big reason this team will be successful is the emergence of their starting rotation. Duchscherer and Gallagher are going to be top notch #1 starters this season while Eveland and Braden are at an age to make big jumps. Jason Giambi is back and Daric Barton should help a ton if he stays healthy. Eric Chavez was injured last year and still has 25 HR power and could bat 8th. This team is ready to make a run.

Click to expand...

You do need a pysche analysis...no Reds or Royals?

You keep knocking the World Champs, we will have serious problems@)

asufan550 said:

Who is this "stud closer" that the Mariners have? Mark Lowe? Brandon Morrow will be in the starting rotation this year. Plus, Bedard has one (mostly) healthy season under his belt and their offense is deplorable.

Neither Duchscher (another guy with a laundry list of injury issues) or Gallagher (shitload of walks and well below average gb rate) will be worthy of #1, or even #2 on most teams, consideration, but the A's probably will win a very weak West.

Click to expand...

I was assuming the Mariners are going with Heilman at closer when I wrote the article to be honest. I missed the news they traded him a week ago. Doh! Good thing it's still early in the season. PS, I think Heilman is a sub 3.00 ERA closer for what it's worth. Lowe or Corcoran would make very good closers either way I suppose. I'm guessing it goes to Lowe since Corcoran is more of a setup guy. Lowe can be VERY good if he gets his stuff back after his injury and I don't think the Mariners move Heilman unless they think Lowe is ready to go and realize his potential. He has a good fastball/slider mix. Mariners are banking on him... I really thought Heilman was ready to become an awesome closer this year. Kinda bummed about that deal...

Duchscherer does have that hip problem but the guy is one of the smartest and most dominant pitchers in the game when healthy. Gallagher is still very young and should show much improved command this season. Last year was his first time with a real starting gig and opponents only hit .263 against him and he should take a big-time leap forward this year with improved command. The guy has a nice fastball with a plus slider and curve and has all the making of a 3.40 ERA starter.

Sorry about the Mariners' closer mishap. Somehow I missed that deal.

Has Russell Branyan even had a good season in MLB? Guy has hit over .250 3 times, once in a year when he batted 72 times. It's a joke that he still plays in the Majors.

<table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr class="ysprow1" align="right"><td class="yspscores" align="left" height="16">1998</td> <td class="yspscores" align="left" height="16">CLE</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">1</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">4</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">2</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.000</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.000</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.000</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.000</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16"> </td></tr> <tr class="ysprow2" align="right"> <td class="yspscores" align="left" height="16"> 1999</td> <td class="yspscores" align="left" height="16">CLE</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">11</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">38</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">4</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">8</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">2</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">1</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">6</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">3</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">19</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.211</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.286</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.342</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.628</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16"> </td></tr> <tr class="ysprow1" align="right"> <td class="yspscores" align="left" height="16"> 2000</td> <td class="yspscores" align="left" height="16">CLE</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">67</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">193</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">32</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">46</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">7</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">2</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">16</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">38</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">22</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">76</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.238</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.327</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.544</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.871</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16"> </td></tr> <tr class="ysprow2" align="right"> <td class="yspscores" align="left" height="16"> 2001</td> <td class="yspscores" align="left" height="16">CLE</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">113</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">315</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">48</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">73</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">16</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">2</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">20</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">54</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">38</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">132</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">1</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">1</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.232</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.316</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.486</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.802</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16"> </td></tr> <tr class="ysprow1" align="right"> <td class="yspscores" align="left" height="16"> 2002</td> <td class="yspscores" align="left" height="16">CLE</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">50</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">161</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">16</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">33</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">4</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">8</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">17</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">17</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">65</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">1</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">2</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.205</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.278</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.379</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.657</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16"> </td></tr> <tr class="ysprow2" align="right"> <td class="yspscores" align="left" height="16"> 2002</td> <td class="yspscores" align="left" height="16">CIN</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">84</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">217</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">34</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">53</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">9</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">1</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">16</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">39</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">34</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">86</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">3</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">1</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.244</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.349</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.516</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.865</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16"> </td></tr> <tr class="ysprow1" align="right"> <td class="yspscores" align="left" height="16"> 2003</td> <td class="yspscores" align="left" height="16">CIN</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">74</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">176</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">22</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">38</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">12</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">9</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">26</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">27</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">69</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.216</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.322</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.438</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.759</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16"> </td></tr> <tr class="ysprow2" align="right"> <td class="yspscores" align="left" height="16"> 2004</td> <td class="yspscores" align="left" height="16">MIL</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">51</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">158</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">21</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">37</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">11</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">1</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">11</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">27</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">20</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">68</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">1</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.234</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.324</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.525</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.849</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16"> </td></tr> <tr class="ysprow1" align="right"> <td class="yspscores" align="left" height="16"> 2005</td> <td class="yspscores" align="left" height="16">MIL</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">85</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">202</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">23</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">52</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">11</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">12</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">31</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">39</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">80</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">1</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.257</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.378</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.490</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.868</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16"> </td></tr> <tr class="ysprow2" align="right"> <td class="yspscores" align="left" height="16"> 2006</td> <td class="yspscores" align="left" height="16">SD</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">27</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">72</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">14</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">21</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">1</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">6</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">9</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">15</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">27</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.292</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.416</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.556</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.971</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16"> </td></tr> <tr class="ysprow1" align="right"> <td class="yspscores" align="left" height="16"> 2006</td> <td class="yspscores" align="left" height="16">TB</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">64</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">169</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">23</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">34</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">10</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">12</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">27</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">19</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">62</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">2</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.201</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.286</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.473</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.760</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16"> </td></tr> <tr class="ysprow2" align="right"> <td class="yspscores" align="left" height="16"> 2007</td> <td class="yspscores" align="left" height="16">PHI</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">7</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">9</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">2</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">2</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">2</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">5</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">6</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.222</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.222</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.889</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">1.111</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16"> </td></tr> <tr class="ysprow1" align="right"> <td class="yspscores" align="left" height="16"> 2007</td> <td class="yspscores" align="left" height="16">STL</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">21</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">32</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">4</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">6</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">1</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">2</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">7</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">15</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.188</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.333</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.281</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.615</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16"> </td></tr> <tr class="ysprow2" align="right"> <td class="yspscores" align="left" height="16"> 2007</td> <td class="yspscores" align="left" height="16">SD</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">61</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">122</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">16</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">24</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">5</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">1</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">7</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">19</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">21</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">48</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">1</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.197</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.322</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.426</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.748</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16"> </td></tr> <tr class="ysprow1" align="right"> <td class="yspscores" align="left" height="16"> 2008</td> <td class="yspscores" align="left" height="16">MIL</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">50</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">132</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">24</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">33</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">8</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">12</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">20</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">19</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">42</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">1</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">0</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.250</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.342</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.583</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.925</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16"> </td></tr> <tr class="ysprow2" align="right" height="16"> <td class="yspscores" align="left" height="16"> Career</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16"> </td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">766</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">2000</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">283</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">460</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">96</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">7</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">133</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">320</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">281</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">797</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">11</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">4</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.230</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.328</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.485</td> <td class="yspscores" height="16">.812</td></tr></tbody></table>

Branyan will never hit for a high average but if he can stay healthy for a whole season he does have 40+ HR potential. The Mariners have lots of contact hitters but no HR threat and I think Branyan is a good fit in their lineup against righties.

40 HR potential? The most he ever hit was 20 - and his inability to lay off pitches that are not strikes will never allow him to make contact enough times to even sniff 40 HR's.

He has 460 hits in his career, 133 of these HR's, which is 29%, a very high percentage.

However, he has made 1,540 outs in his ML career, 797 of them being strikeouts, 51.7%. This ratio has to be one of the highest in ML history. Not to mention that this guy is not very fast, and probably has ground into a good bit of double plays in his career.

This guy is a bucket of crap, and should be jettisoned from the team immediately.

Beltre, however, I believe, is one of the most under the radar players in the league. His contract was huge, which led to expectations that were difficult to match - his 2004 stats were unreal, and everyone expected 40 HRS and .330 BA after that year. However, he has been pretty darn good in a tough hitters park up there in Seattle.

HW

:howdy:

For what its worth..Aaron Heilman is a giant pile of dogshit. I could not have been happier when the Mets got rid of him. All the stuff in the world, but no head for even a set-up man, let alone a closer. He has been a huge disappointment in what looked like should have been a great career. Mets got a tremendous upgrade by grabbing J.J Putz.

Heatwave said:

40 HR potential? The most he ever hit was 20 - and his inability to lay off pitches that are not strikes will never allow him to make contact enough times to even sniff 40 HR's.

He has 460 hits in his career, 133 of these HR's, which is 29%, a very high percentage.

However, he has made 1,540 outs in his ML career, 797 of them being strikeouts, 51.7%. This ratio has to be one of the highest in ML history. Not to mention that this guy is not very fast, and probably has ground into a good bit of double plays in his career.

This guy is a bucket of crap, and should be jettisoned from the team immediately.

Beltre, however, I believe, is one of the most under the radar players in the league. His contract was huge, which led to expectations that were difficult to match - his 2004 stats were unreal, and everyone expected 40 HRS and .330 BA after that year. However, he has been pretty darn good in a tough hitters park up there in Seattle.

HW

Click to expand...

Branyan has also had over 220 at-bats once in a season... the guy can do damage against righties as a starter if the Mariners don't mind the strikeouts and low average. Not saying he's a good player but the guy can hit the deep ball.

thekid78 said:

For what its worth..Aaron Heilman is a giant pile of dogshit. I could not have been happier when the Mets got rid of him. All the stuff in the world, but no head for even a set-up man, let alone a closer. He has been a huge disappointment in what looked like should have been a great career. Mets got a tremendous upgrade by grabbing J.J Putz.

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The guy had a 3.62 and 3.03 ERA for the Mets before last year's problems. His stuff has 2.50 ERA written all over it once he gets his role set in the pen. I think he could be a talented started as well with a 3.40 ERA or so over the course of a year. I just wish they'd decide on him. Guy has a great fastball/change and if his slider ever gets some control he'll be amongst the best IMO.

Jake T. said:

The guy had a 3.62 and 3.03 ERA for the Mets before last year's problems. His stuff has 2.50 ERA written all over it once he gets his role set in the pen. I think he could be a talented started as well with a 3.40 ERA or so over the course of a year. I just wish they'd decide on him. Guy has a great fastball/change and if his slider ever gets some control he'll be amongst the best IMO.

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Hes hugely inconsistent and you are right he can go on rolls for a couple weeks at a time and throw well, but put him in a big spot and he folds. Im glad hes gone, I look forward to having KRod and Putz securing the 8th and 9th.

thekid78 said:

For what its worth..Aaron Heilman is a giant pile of dogshit. I could not have been happier when the Mets got rid of him. All the stuff in the world, but no head for even a set-up man, let alone a closer. He has been a huge disappointment in what looked like should have been a great career. Mets got a tremendous upgrade by grabbing J.J Putz.

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Aaron Heilman was traded to the Cubs from Seattle a week or two ago for Ronnie Cedeno.

Jake T. said:

Branyan has also had over 220 at-bats once in a season... the guy can do damage against righties as a starter if the Mariners don't mind the strikeouts and low average. Not saying he's a good player but the guy can hit the deep ball.

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Richie Sexson ring a bell? They have been that route before...cmon Jake,step up a little....

FairWarning said:

Aaron Heilman was traded to the Cubs from Seattle a week or two ago for Ronnie Cedeno.

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Please e-mail Jake with all transactions....spring break is getting to him...@)

I still don't get why the Mariners did that deal. They also got Garrett Olsen but don't have any room in the rotation for him anyway... Mariners already had Betancourt at SS... and Lopez at 2B who almost hit .300 last year... Maybe move Marrow back into the bullpen and let Olsen start? Seems like a good way to make the rotation AND bullpen worse IMO.

VIEJO DINOSAUR said:

Richie Sexson ring a bell? They have been that route before...cmon Jake,step up a little....

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Branyan is a ton cheaper though for what should be about the same production.

VIEJO DINOSAUR said:

Please e-mail Jake with all transactions....spring break is getting to him...@)

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Still not sure how I missed the Heilman/Cedeno deal. I check updates so freakin much but somehow it got by me. Oh well, at least I'm getting the kinks worked out before spring training starts. ^^

I would add SF to the surprise teams with their staff and a weak division.

If they land Manny, I would put them as the favorite.