MLB 2012

Off Topic
41

[quote]therajraj wrote:
One thing I really dislike is how we have no choice but to take prospect discussion on faith. I haven’t seen any of the Jays prospects on that list play, only heard their names over and over from writers and reporters.

Take for instance Jesus Montero and Austin Romine. Before Montero was traded, I kept hearing how the Yankees had two great catching prospects in their system. For that reason I assumed they’d be roughly around the same talent level. Looking at this list, Montero is ranked 7th while Romine isn’t even on the top 100 list.[/quote]

Romine stunk it up at the plate in the few ABs he got late last season.

42

[quote]therajraj wrote:

[quote]Maiden3.16 wrote:
2012 World Series prediction

Rangers vs [insert suprise team that makes the playoffs on the last day of the season and becomes the team of destiny]

Team of destiny in 6 (marlins? or dare I say…cubs?.. no that is a bit much[/quote]

lol - and what spurred this pessimism in February of all months?

The Ron Washington extension?

Think Yu Darvish is a fraud?

ESPN writer and former Major League Scout Keith Law released his rankings of MLB farm systems. He’s basically the only baseball writer I like, he generally gives great insight on prospects.

*Rankings as follows:

  1. SAN DIEGO
  2. Tampa Bay
  3. TORONTO
  4. St. Louis
  5. Kansas City
  6. Arizona
  7. TEXAS
  8. Pittsburgh
  9. Oakland
  10. NEW YORK Yankees
    ~
  11. SAN FRANCISCO

*BTW this list excludes players that have lost their rookie status. So no Bret Lawrie but includes Mike Trout and Jesus Montero.

So you guys are looking like you will be in good shape for a long time to come, reinforcements are on the way. I’d be VERY happy with the direction the Rangers are going. They have arguably the best GM in baseball.

[/quote]

Oh dont get me wrong, I am very excited with the team especially coming from where they were 4-5 years ago. I aslo think their rotation is in beter shape this year with the maturation of harrison and holland plus the addtions of darvish and feliz. I Just wanted to get my prediction out there before it happens again.

43

[quote]pat wrote:

[quote]therajraj wrote:

[quote]DBCooper wrote:

I like how you listed them 1-10 and then BOOM #26 Giants. Wonder who you were trying to bait with that one…

I agree though, their system is dogshit. Never should have traded Zach Wheeler either. [/quote]

Everyone else who follows this thread has their team listed in the top 10.

I was actually being courteous.[/quote]

No they don’t… :frowning:
My team hasn’t done shit and won’t do shit until Liberty Media does us the kind courtesy of selling us. [/quote]

Your team might have the best group of core young players ready to break out though.

44

[quote]BONEZ217 wrote:

[quote]therajraj wrote:
One thing I really dislike is how we have no choice but to take prospect discussion on faith. I haven’t seen any of the Jays prospects on that list play, only heard their names over and over from writers and reporters.

Take for instance Jesus Montero and Austin Romine. Before Montero was traded, I kept hearing how the Yankees had two great catching prospects in their system. For that reason I assumed they’d be roughly around the same talent level. Looking at this list, Montero is ranked 7th while Romine isn’t even on the top 100 list.[/quote]

Romine stunk it up at the plate in the few ABs he got late last season. [/quote]

He also did a top 10 for each organization:

New York Yankees

  1. Manny Banuelos, LHP (23)
  2. Mason Williams, CF (34)
  3. Gary Sanchez, C (55)
  4. Dellin Betances, RHP (83)
  5. Tyler Austin, 3B/1B
  6. Jose Campos, RHP
  7. Dante Bichette, 3B
  8. Austin Romine, C
  9. J.R. Murphy, C
  10. Slade Heathcott, OF

1-4 made the list. There are players in the organization ahead of Romine who aren’t on the list either. He must’ve really dropped.

45

More gossip news than anything: Kevin Youkilis is getting married to Tom Brady’s sister

http://deadspin.com/youkilis-brady-sister/

46

Ryan Braun is innocent:

47

Romine is probably dropping because he is known for his defensive abilities more than anything else…he has a strong arm but not much power…Gary Sanchez is the real catching jewel for the yanks, Ive heard they like him more than Montero but he is a knucklehead.

48

[quote]therajraj wrote:
Ryan Braun is innocent:

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7608360/ryan-braun-wins-appeal-50-game-suspension[/quote]

Goddamnit. I just set my pre-draft fantasy rankings with that fucker dropped way down. Now I’m gonna have to rearrange everything again.

49

Pretty interesting. First guy to appeal testing positive to a banned substance and get it overturned. They said it could have to do with the way the sample was sent to the lab. Looks like he might have gotten away with it. He will always have that cloud of doubt over his head.

50

[quote]Maiden3.16 wrote:

[quote]pat wrote:

[quote]therajraj wrote:

[quote]DBCooper wrote:

I like how you listed them 1-10 and then BOOM #26 Giants. Wonder who you were trying to bait with that one…

I agree though, their system is dogshit. Never should have traded Zach Wheeler either. [/quote]

Everyone else who follows this thread has their team listed in the top 10.

I was actually being courteous.[/quote]

No they don’t… :frowning:
My team hasn’t done shit and won’t do shit until Liberty Media does us the kind courtesy of selling us. [/quote]

Your team might have the best group of core young players ready to break out though.[/quote]

Can that out way the knack to steal defeat from the jaws of victory?
I am keeping my bar low. Are pitching looks good, but our offense… I struggle to call it that. I think I’ll just call it, ‘not defense’. If 1 - 9 are floating mendoza for 2/3’s of the season, uncle.
I pray Chipper retires next year…

51

[quote]therajraj wrote:
Ryan Braun is innocent:

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7608360/ryan-braun-wins-appeal-50-game-suspension[/quote]

Is innocent the right word here? As I understand it, the suspension was lifted because the guy who collected his pee took the sample home and stuck it in his fridge over the weekend instead of bringing it straight to FedEx (which admittedly is pretty bush league for a billion dollar organization in situations where a guys reputation and possibly career are on the line…)

But anyway, either:

A) The sample was switched or otherwise tampered with at this dude’s house
B) The lab messed up
C) Braun cheated and got off on a technicality

I think C is the most likely.

52

Big news:

We’re having 2 wildcards/league this year.

53

I figured it was going to happen, but not this year.

54

[quote]overstand wrote:

[quote]therajraj wrote:
Ryan Braun is innocent:

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7608360/ryan-braun-wins-appeal-50-game-suspension[/quote]

Is innocent the right word here? As I understand it, the suspension was lifted because the guy who collected his pee took the sample home and stuck it in his fridge over the weekend instead of bringing it straight to FedEx (which admittedly is pretty bush league for a billion dollar organization in situations where a guys reputation and possibly career are on the line…)

But anyway, either:

A) The sample was switched or otherwise tampered with at this dude’s house
B) The lab messed up
C) Braun cheated and got off on a technicality

I think C is the most likely.[/quote]

Well the tamperproof seals were not broken, so A is out. Braun and co have not even accused the lab of messing up nor have challenged the results, there goes B. Ya, pretty much C. He owed it to his team to try to get of on a technicality though and not miss 50 games.

Not sure about the new wild card system, the fun from the last day of the season last year doesn’t happen with the new rules. oh well is not going to ruin the game, it will be fun to see a one gameplayoff every year.

55

Okay, time for some preseason predictions. MVPs, Cy Youngs, ROTYs, divisional rankings, postseason matchups and anything else you might think will happen (will Kemp go 50/50? Will Darvish win 15 games?).

NL MVP: Votto
AL MVP: Miguel Cabrera
NL Cy Young: Bumgarner
AL Cy Young: Weaver
NL ROTY: Trevor Bauer P, Arizona
AL ROTY: Yu Darvish P, Texas

NL West: Giants, D’Backs, Rockies, Dodgers, Padres
Central: Reds, Cardinals, Brewers, Pirates, Cubs, Astros
East: Phillies, Braves, Marlins, Senators, Mets

NL wildcard: D’backs
AL wildcard: Texas

AL West: Anaheim, Texas, Seattle, Oakland
Central: Detroit, Kansas City, Minnesota, Chicago, Cleveland
East: Tampa, NY, Boston, Toronto, Baltimore

NLCS: Giants vs Phillies
ALCS: Detroit vs. Tampa

World Series: Giants vs. Tampa; Giants win in 7

I love both the Giants’ and the Rays’ pitching. Wilson is said to look like he’s back in 2010 form, which is the only question mark I have about their staff. Zito’s a guaranteed loss every 5 days, but the other four are arguably the best group of 4 starters in the bigs. I also think they’re going to score a lot more runs this year; Melky Cabrera looks like he hasn’t missed a beat this spring. Tampa is fucking loaded with quality arms, especially with Price, Shields and probably Moore fronting that staff. They remind me of a more talented version of the 2010 Giants. I don’t like Texas’ closer situation and I’m not convinced that Feliz will be a top-notch starter yet. If he has a huge year, I think Texas will win their division, but I love Anaheim’s pitching with Weaver, Harden and Wilson. I also like Detroit a lot. Verlander plus Fielder and Cabrera gives them three of the best players in the bigs at their positions and they have solid talent around them and a couple good young arms in the rotation.

56

You didn’t select enough wildcard spots.

I’m on my way out but I’ll throw up predictions a little later.

57

[quote]overstand wrote:

[quote]therajraj wrote:
Ryan Braun is innocent:

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7608360/ryan-braun-wins-appeal-50-game-suspension[/quote]

Is innocent the right word here? As I understand it, the suspension was lifted because the guy who collected his pee took the sample home and stuck it in his fridge over the weekend instead of bringing it straight to FedEx (which admittedly is pretty bush league for a billion dollar organization in situations where a guys reputation and possibly career are on the line…)

But anyway, either:

A) The sample was switched or otherwise tampered with at this dude’s house
B) The lab messed up
C) Braun cheated and got off on a technicality

I think C is the most likely.[/quote]

I don’t know if Braun cheated or not, but if some “tester” took my sample home I would be furious. That alone should invalidate any test. We have to trust these guys to do the right thing to a very high level. Being a drug tester doesn’t mean the dick has integrity. He could mixed things up, put things in the wrong container, mislabeled, etc. Bottom line if a lab sample ever enters a personal residence, the test should be null and void. The call was right, I support Braun.

58

[quote]DBCooper wrote:
Okay, time for some preseason predictions. MVPs, Cy Youngs, ROTYs, divisional rankings, postseason matchups and anything else you might think will happen (will Kemp go 50/50? Will Darvish win 15 games?).

NL MVP: Votto
AL MVP: Miguel Cabrera
NL Cy Young: Bumgarner
AL Cy Young: Weaver
NL ROTY: Trevor Bauer P, Arizona
AL ROTY: Yu Darvish P, Texas

NL West: Giants, D’Backs, Rockies, Dodgers, Padres
Central: Reds, Cardinals, Brewers, Pirates, Cubs, Astros
East: Phillies, Braves, Marlins, Senators, Mets

NL wildcard: D’backs
AL wildcard: Texas

AL West: Anaheim, Texas, Seattle, Oakland
Central: Detroit, Kansas City, Minnesota, Chicago, Cleveland
East: Tampa, NY, Boston, Toronto, Baltimore

NLCS: Giants vs Phillies
ALCS: Detroit vs. Tampa

World Series: Giants vs. Tampa; Giants win in 7

I love both the Giants’ and the Rays’ pitching. Wilson is said to look like he’s back in 2010 form, which is the only question mark I have about their staff. Zito’s a guaranteed loss every 5 days, but the other four are arguably the best group of 4 starters in the bigs. I also think they’re going to score a lot more runs this year; Melky Cabrera looks like he hasn’t missed a beat this spring. Tampa is fucking loaded with quality arms, especially with Price, Shields and probably Moore fronting that staff. They remind me of a more talented version of the 2010 Giants. I don’t like Texas’ closer situation and I’m not convinced that Feliz will be a top-notch starter yet. If he has a huge year, I think Texas will win their division, but I love Anaheim’s pitching with Weaver, Harden and Wilson. I also like Detroit a lot. Verlander plus Fielder and Cabrera gives them three of the best players in the bigs at their positions and they have solid talent around them and a couple good young arms in the rotation.[/quote]

Tampa is loaded with arms and they have the best manger in baseball. I do think the giants are good and have bolstered their offense.
I think you put the braves a little high in the rankings…
I am one pissed off braves fan, though. This 2-11-1 spring shows me that they took the collapse into the off season. My problem is that these guys are always satisfied with what they are doing and have no urgency to correct.
I don’t care about spring, but I do want to see a lot more movements on the bases and right now, I still see this reliance on the HR. The problem with that is we don’t hit that many.

Ah fuck, really I am pissed off and bitter.

59

[quote]pat wrote:

[quote]DBCooper wrote:
Okay, time for some preseason predictions. MVPs, Cy Youngs, ROTYs, divisional rankings, postseason matchups and anything else you might think will happen (will Kemp go 50/50? Will Darvish win 15 games?).

NL MVP: Votto
AL MVP: Miguel Cabrera
NL Cy Young: Bumgarner
AL Cy Young: Weaver
NL ROTY: Trevor Bauer P, Arizona
AL ROTY: Yu Darvish P, Texas

NL West: Giants, D’Backs, Rockies, Dodgers, Padres
Central: Reds, Cardinals, Brewers, Pirates, Cubs, Astros
East: Phillies, Braves, Marlins, Senators, Mets

NL wildcard: D’backs
AL wildcard: Texas

AL West: Anaheim, Texas, Seattle, Oakland
Central: Detroit, Kansas City, Minnesota, Chicago, Cleveland
East: Tampa, NY, Boston, Toronto, Baltimore

NLCS: Giants vs Phillies
ALCS: Detroit vs. Tampa

World Series: Giants vs. Tampa; Giants win in 7

I love both the Giants’ and the Rays’ pitching. Wilson is said to look like he’s back in 2010 form, which is the only question mark I have about their staff. Zito’s a guaranteed loss every 5 days, but the other four are arguably the best group of 4 starters in the bigs. I also think they’re going to score a lot more runs this year; Melky Cabrera looks like he hasn’t missed a beat this spring. Tampa is fucking loaded with quality arms, especially with Price, Shields and probably Moore fronting that staff. They remind me of a more talented version of the 2010 Giants. I don’t like Texas’ closer situation and I’m not convinced that Feliz will be a top-notch starter yet. If he has a huge year, I think Texas will win their division, but I love Anaheim’s pitching with Weaver, Harden and Wilson. I also like Detroit a lot. Verlander plus Fielder and Cabrera gives them three of the best players in the bigs at their positions and they have solid talent around them and a couple good young arms in the rotation.[/quote]

Tampa is loaded with arms and they have the best manger in baseball. I do think the giants are good and have bolstered their offense.
I think you put the braves a little high in the rankings…
I am one pissed off braves fan, though. This 2-11-1 spring shows me that they took the collapse into the off season. My problem is that these guys are always satisfied with what they are doing and have no urgency to correct.
I don’t care about spring, but I do want to see a lot more movements on the bases and right now, I still see this reliance on the HR. The problem with that is we don’t hit that many.

Ah fuck, really I am pissed off and bitter. [/quote]

Spring training records are absolutely meaningless.

60

[quote]therajraj wrote:
I doubt anyone following this thread cares but…

Prince Fielder just signed with the Detroit Tigers.

9 years/ $214M

Should point out that Victor Martinez is out for the 2012 season.[/quote]

Ridiculous amount of money. They’d do better with that money with other players.