On another note… How come mlb.com doesn’t have the league leaders on the main page this year?
Howard batting .524 should be front and center, IMHO.
[quote]therajraj wrote:
[quote]WestCoast7 wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
So what’s with the Giants so far? They still hungover from last year?[/quote]
I would be if I just won the World Series. Wouldn’t you?
We definitely need to get rid of Tejada and find a replacement for Huff in the outfield, both of them are really hurting us right now.
Tejada is simply awful though, on both sides of the ball.
[/quote]
But you’d think a 1-4 start would be sobering.
I was saying that in the offseason Tejada was a terrible signing. That guy is well past his expiry date.
As for Huff, I’ve seen him play a bunch since he use to be on a couple AL East teams, but do not recall him playing outfield. To make the transition from 1B/DH to outfield is tough. Especially in your mid 30’s.
[/quote]
Huff played OF a bunch in TB, Bal and Det and he also played somewhere around 40 games in the outfield last year as well. He’ll be fine. He’s not spectacular, but (aside from a couple plays this year) he makes the routine plays and he plays smart.
Tejada will be fine also. He’s average at SS and he won’t hit 300 with 25-30 homers ever again, but that’s not what the Giants signed him to do and it isn’t the kind of money they’re paying him. When all is said and done he’ll hit about .280 with 10-15 HRs and provide solid leadership in the clubhouse. That’s what he was signed to do and a slow start on the road doesn’t indicate to me at all that he’s incapable of doing so. He’s healthy and he’s proven that even though the power is pretty much gone, he can still hit.
[quote]Cuban32 wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
[quote]Cuban32 wrote:
[quote]Einzakin wrote:
Anyone think the Jays have a chance of competing in the next couple years? Good power, young pitching… Or will the AL East just keep buying their way into the postseason…:([/quote]
NO WAY SORRY[/quote]
…
Look at the talent on this team before you jump to NO WAY. It’s very possible this team could make the playoffs next year. More Likely in 2013 but far from NO WAY in 2012.
Sports writers in the US do not follow the Blue Jays very well because they are located in another country. All they see is the Jays lost Marcum, Wells and Buck during the offseason and assume they’re going to tank. But anyone who follows the team closely knows they are loaded with talent (3 top of the rotation guys all 26 and under, Jose Bautista, two 2009 Silver Slugger award winners and a few others).
Oh and last year, everyone in the US was picking the Jays to lose 90-100 games and they went 85-77. Food for thought.
[/quote]
I dont like to be ignorant when it comes to talking about other people teams. In this case we have the Jays, playoffs in the near future? possible. This season no. There is SOME hope for the Jays right now. No team that has ever started out with the record of the Rays and Red Sox has ever made it to the World Series, also only a few teams have made it to the playoffs starting off a season like that. If you are into stats like this, you can say it will be difficult to break this trend, however, if any team can, its the Red Sox.
The reason i dont think the Jays will make the playoffs this year is because of the steady diet of good teams they have to play. The Red Sox, Yankees, Rays, and Jays are all good teams this year and have to play each other constantly. This is why I argue that THIS YEAR the wildcard may come out of the AL Central, in my eyes that is a two horse race. The White Sox and Minnesota both have a chance at winning around 90 games this year, and in the meantime their in division games are against Kansas City, Detroit, and Cleveland, a lot easier than being in the AL East where the only cupcake is Baltimore.
So if you look above at my prediction which i feel will come true I feel my logic is sound.
AL WEST CHAMPS- OAKLAND A’S
AL CENTRAL CHAMPS- CHICAGO WHITE SOX
AL CENTRAL EAST CHAMPS- BOSTON RED SOX
AL WILD CARD CHAMPS- MINNESOTA TWINS/NY YANKEES
Where are the Ranger’s you ask?, not in the playoffs this year the way I see it, Oakland is the ultimate sleeper team to me this year, a lot of young no name guys that can play, solid pitching rotation.[/quote]
I was referring to the Jays of 2012, the discussion was whether they would be able to make it to the playoffs within a couple years.
Barring injury, next year will be a very different story than this year.
I took issue with “NO WAY” implying that they have no chance. Next year they will make it or fall just short
Even though Boston is 0-6 now I’m going to miss calling them B0-5ton!
I really hope the Yankees destroy the Red Sox this upcoming series.
Wait whaaa?
What are you talking about no farm system? They have some excellent pitchers in Dellin Betances (#43), Andrew Brackman (#78), Manny Banuelos (#41) who looked like a real stud this spring training. Ivan Nova also pitched well in limited duty last year and has looked pretty good in his first start this year. Not to mention Jesus Montero (Ranked #3) , Gary Sanchez (#30), Austin Romine (#98), Eduardo Nunez, and Brando Laird.
Thats 6 prospects in the top 100 baseball prospects according to baseball prospectus
Will all these prospects make it? of course not, but the yankees are great at selling their prospects for proven talent.
There A, AA and AAA all had great years as a team and and the A affiliate went to the state title.
If this is having a shit farm system Id love to see what a good one has.
Dont hold your breath waiting for the yanks to suck
LETS GO EVIL EMPIRE
[quote]MattyXL wrote:
Wait whaaa?
What are you talking about no farm system? They have some excellent pitchers in Dellin Betances (#43), Andrew Brackman (#78), Manny Banuelos (#41) who looked like a real stud this spring training. Ivan Nova also pitched well in limited duty last year and has looked pretty good in his first start this year. Not to mention Jesus Montero (Ranked #3) , Gary Sanchez (#30), Austin Romine (#98), Eduardo Nunez, and Brando Laird.
Thats 6 prospects in the top 100 baseball prospects according to baseball prospectus
Will all these prospects make it? of course not, but the yankees are great at selling their prospects for proven talent.
There A, AA and AAA all had great years as a team and and the A affiliate went to the state title.
If this is having a shit farm system Id love to see what a good one has.
Dont hold your breath waiting for the yanks to suck
LETS GO EVIL EMPIRE[/quote]
Yeah I was going to say they rebuilt their farm system and are in much better shape. Though from a report I read, they are high on pitchers but low on position players.
Either way, it will be very difficult to replace, Jeter, A-Rod, Posada and MO
Of course you just mentioned 3 hall of famers and one possible one of course they will be hard to replace. They do have some position players in Nunez, Laird, Romero and Romine. As long as baseball rules remain the same. The yanks will never “suck” they may have a few years of being simply decent…but again the yankees yeah as Cuban mentioned are old crotchety, really, old maybe but they have been doing pretty well this year and the past couple of years…Ill hold on to Tex, Arod, Granderson etc…AARP card and all.
I can’t see them ever being horrible but missing the playoffs for 2-3 years straight is a realistic possibility. But if they expand the Wildcard in 2012, maybe not.
The thing is basically everyone in the AL East has good to great farm system except the Red Sox. Even though the Rays lost a shit ton of players during the offseason, it wouldn’t surprise me if they bounce back quickly either.
Everybody hits!!!
It is great to see the Phils putting together runs in multiple innings and not relying on the big inning and looking like shit the rest of the game. If they can keep playing small ball I will be very happy.
Today is shaping up to be a damn good day.
[quote]SmilingPolitely wrote:
[quote]veggiestrong wrote:
Wow. Anybody watch the Phillies-Mets tonight? WTF???!!! Very frightening how quickly things deteriorated. Although the Phil’s bullpen isn’t stellar they managed to pull it off. [/quote]
That’s why I HATE Blanton. Anytime after the 4th inning he is susceptible to implosion. When they picked him up we were told he was an “innings eater”. 3 years later and I have yet to see it.
With this rotation, the Phils shouldn’t need an outstanding bullpen. In a majority of the games, we should only need it for the 8th and 9th inning. I’m more excited that it looks like we might actually have a decent bench this year.[/quote]
Innings eater is just another name for a shitty pitcher used to rest the bullpen. King Felix is the definition of an innings eater, along with Sabathia but niether get labeled that primarily because theyre actually good pitchers.
And anyone complaining about any part of the Phillies rotation is a raging pessimist. What I mean is, forget about Blanton; he can break his arm tomorrow and that organization wont blink twice.
[quote]BONEZ217 wrote:
[quote]SmilingPolitely wrote:
[quote]veggiestrong wrote:
Wow. Anybody watch the Phillies-Mets tonight? WTF???!!! Very frightening how quickly things deteriorated. Although the Phil’s bullpen isn’t stellar they managed to pull it off. [/quote]
That’s why I HATE Blanton. Anytime after the 4th inning he is susceptible to implosion. When they picked him up we were told he was an “innings eater”. 3 years later and I have yet to see it.
With this rotation, the Phils shouldn’t need an outstanding bullpen. In a majority of the games, we should only need it for the 8th and 9th inning. I’m more excited that it looks like we might actually have a decent bench this year.[/quote]
Innings eater is just another name for a shitty pitcher used to rest the bullpen. King Felix is the definition of an innings eater, along with Sabathia but niether get labeled that primarily because theyre actually good pitchers.
And anyone complaining about any part of the Phillies rotation is a raging pessimist. What I mean is, forget about Blanton; he can break his arm tomorrow and that organization wont blink twice. [/quote]
Hi. I’m a Phillies fan. We are the definition of raging pessimist. It’s kinda what we do best.
If Blanton hadn’t been signed to a 3 year $24 million dollar deal I could care less what he does. But he’s getting paid to pitch more than 4 solid innings. If the Phils are going to be able to make a deal by the deadline, he needs to keep his value up.
[quote]therajraj wrote:
I can’t see them ever being horrible but missing the playoffs for 2-3 years straight is a realistic possibility. But if they expand the Wildcard in 2012, maybe not.
The thing is basically everyone in the AL East has good to great farm system except the Red Sox. Even though the Rays lost a shit ton of players during the offseason, it wouldn’t surprise me if they bounce back quickly either.
[/quote]
Bro, honestly I wouldnt be shocked if they missed the playoffs this year, to me if you dont win the east there is a very good chance you wont make the wildcard because the east is going to beat the shit of each other and the twinkies, white sox, tigers can sneak in. I wont speak on any team I dont know about and honestly I could give a shit about the NL I mainly follow the AL east, but I know the yankees and to say they have no farm system is just ignorant. I know most people hate the yankees I get it, but they have rebuilt their farm system and they have a strong one.
And one more thing I am fully aware that many prospects wont reach their supposed potential and thats why they are called prospects…Brien Taylor anyone? Alex Gordon anyone? shit Kevin Maas anyone? Sean Burroughs anyone? Ruben Mateo anyone? Paul Wilson anyone? I could go on and on…
[quote]MattyXL wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
I can’t see them ever being horrible but missing the playoffs for 2-3 years straight is a realistic possibility. But if they expand the Wildcard in 2012, maybe not.
The thing is basically everyone in the AL East has good to great farm system except the Red Sox. Even though the Rays lost a shit ton of players during the offseason, it wouldn’t surprise me if they bounce back quickly either.
[/quote]
Bro, honestly I wouldnt be shocked if they missed the playoffs this year, to me if you dont win the east there is a very good chance you wont make the wildcard because the east is going to beat the shit of each other and the twinkies, white sox, tigers can sneak in. I wont speak on any team I dont know about and honestly I could give a shit about the NL I mainly follow the AL east, but I know the yankees and to say they have no farm system is just ignorant. I know most people hate the yankees I get it, but they have rebuilt their farm system and they have a strong one.
And one more thing I am fully aware that many prospects wont reach their supposed potential and thats why they are called prospects…Brien Taylor anyone? Alex Gordon anyone? shit Kevin Maas anyone? Sean Burroughs anyone? Ruben Mateo anyone? Paul Wilson anyone? I could go on and on…
[/quote]
I think you’re confusing what I wrote with what Cuban32 wrote. I didn’t say they have a shit farm system.
I’m saying the Yankees could miss the playoffs down the road 2-3 years straight once their core retires.
Also 2011 farm system rankings:http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/organization-talent-rankings/2011/2611472.html
This year I can’t see anyone but the Red Sox and Yankees winning the AL East and the Wildcard.
[quote]therajraj wrote:
[quote]MattyXL wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
I can’t see them ever being horrible but missing the playoffs for 2-3 years straight is a realistic possibility. But if they expand the Wildcard in 2012, maybe not.
The thing is basically everyone in the AL East has good to great farm system except the Red Sox. Even though the Rays lost a shit ton of players during the offseason, it wouldn’t surprise me if they bounce back quickly either.
[/quote]
Bro, honestly I wouldnt be shocked if they missed the playoffs this year, to me if you dont win the east there is a very good chance you wont make the wildcard because the east is going to beat the shit of each other and the twinkies, white sox, tigers can sneak in. I wont speak on any team I dont know about and honestly I could give a shit about the NL I mainly follow the AL east, but I know the yankees and to say they have no farm system is just ignorant. I know most people hate the yankees I get it, but they have rebuilt their farm system and they have a strong one.
And one more thing I am fully aware that many prospects wont reach their supposed potential and thats why they are called prospects…Brien Taylor anyone? Alex Gordon anyone? shit Kevin Maas anyone? Sean Burroughs anyone? Ruben Mateo anyone? Paul Wilson anyone? I could go on and on…
[/quote]
I think you’re confusing what I wrote with what Cuban32 wrote. I didn’t say they have a shit farm system.
I’m saying the Yankees could miss the playoffs down the road 2-3 years straight once their core retires.
Also 2011 farm system rankings:http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/organization-talent-rankings/2011/2611472.html
[/quote]
No I know you didnt say that, Im just expanding on my point, and compounding on your point by saying the yanks might not even make it this year, less 2 years down the road.
[quote]MattyXL wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
[quote]MattyXL wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
I can’t see them ever being horrible but missing the playoffs for 2-3 years straight is a realistic possibility. But if they expand the Wildcard in 2012, maybe not.
The thing is basically everyone in the AL East has good to great farm system except the Red Sox. Even though the Rays lost a shit ton of players during the offseason, it wouldn’t surprise me if they bounce back quickly either.
[/quote]
Bro, honestly I wouldnt be shocked if they missed the playoffs this year, to me if you dont win the east there is a very good chance you wont make the wildcard because the east is going to beat the shit of each other and the twinkies, white sox, tigers can sneak in. I wont speak on any team I dont know about and honestly I could give a shit about the NL I mainly follow the AL east, but I know the yankees and to say they have no farm system is just ignorant. I know most people hate the yankees I get it, but they have rebuilt their farm system and they have a strong one.
And one more thing I am fully aware that many prospects wont reach their supposed potential and thats why they are called prospects…Brien Taylor anyone? Alex Gordon anyone? shit Kevin Maas anyone? Sean Burroughs anyone? Ruben Mateo anyone? Paul Wilson anyone? I could go on and on…
[/quote]
I think you’re confusing what I wrote with what Cuban32 wrote. I didn’t say they have a shit farm system.
I’m saying the Yankees could miss the playoffs down the road 2-3 years straight once their core retires.
Also 2011 farm system rankings:http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/organization-talent-rankings/2011/2611472.html
[/quote]
No I know you didnt say that, Im just expanding on my point, and compounding on your point by saying the yanks might not even make it this year, less 2 years down the road.
[/quote]
I dont think the offense will be a ‘miss the playoffs’ cause at all. Burnett and Nova are the big factors. If those guys dont win 15 and 10 games, respectively (or pitch well enough to win that many) the yanks dont go anywhere.
I think Lackey and Beckett are done but Buchholz and Lester are legit. Dice k is a bitch but whatever. The RedSox will be around; too much prime talent to fail. The yankees have a deeper lineup than the Sox though.
People seem to forget that Swisher hit 29 homers 2 years in a row with 85+ rbi (in the 2 hole primarily). And Curtis Granderson is only 3 years rmoved from a season with 38 doubles, 23 triples, 23 homers, and 26 stolen bases (302 avg). Those are the 7 and 8 hitters in this season’s lineup.
Compare that to Jd Drew/Saltalamaccia/Scutaro/Cameron. lulz
I’m impressed with Texeira so far, normally he blows donkey balls the first month of the season.
[quote]SmilingPolitely wrote:
[quote]veggiestrong wrote:
Wow. Anybody watch the Phillies-Mets tonight? WTF???!!! Very frightening how quickly things deteriorated. Although the Phil’s bullpen isn’t stellar they managed to pull it off. [/quote]
That’s why I HATE Blanton. Anytime after the 4th inning he is susceptible to implosion. When they picked him up we were told he was an “innings eater”. 3 years later and I have yet to see it.
With this rotation, the Phils shouldn’t need an outstanding bullpen. In a majority of the games, we should only need it for the 8th and 9th inning. I’m more excited that it looks like we might actually have a decent bench this year.[/quote]
You’re totally right about how the bullpen shouldn’t be needed. But yikes! Cole was a hot mess on Tues. And Blanton is not known for pitching deep. 5 innings is about his max… on a good night.
The bench is strong this season. Hopefully Charlie will be able to rest guys a bit. You know, so that nobody ELSE ends up hurt.
Did you get to watch the game today? Thur is my day off and I caught the 2nd half after the gym. My gran and I watched the encore on CSN during dinner just for feel good purposes!
[quote]DBCooper wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
[quote]WestCoast7 wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
So what’s with the Giants so far? They still hungover from last year?[/quote]
I would be if I just won the World Series. Wouldn’t you?
We definitely need to get rid of Tejada and find a replacement for Huff in the outfield, both of them are really hurting us right now.
Tejada is simply awful though, on both sides of the ball.
[/quote]
But you’d think a 1-4 start would be sobering.
I was saying that in the offseason Tejada was a terrible signing. That guy is well past his expiry date.
As for Huff, I’ve seen him play a bunch since he use to be on a couple AL East teams, but do not recall him playing outfield. To make the transition from 1B/DH to outfield is tough. Especially in your mid 30’s.
[/quote]
Huff played OF a bunch in TB, Bal and Det and he also played somewhere around 40 games in the outfield last year as well. He’ll be fine. He’s not spectacular, but (aside from a couple plays this year) he makes the routine plays and he plays smart.
Tejada will be fine also. He’s average at SS and he won’t hit 300 with 25-30 homers ever again, but that’s not what the Giants signed him to do and it isn’t the kind of money they’re paying him. When all is said and done he’ll hit about .280 with 10-15 HRs and provide solid leadership in the clubhouse. That’s what he was signed to do and a slow start on the road doesn’t indicate to me at all that he’s incapable of doing so. He’s healthy and he’s proven that even though the power is pretty much gone, he can still hit. [/quote]
I’m going to have to disagree with you on this one DB. Huff isn’t what he was in TB, Bal, or Det. He’s older and slower, which would be fine at 1B, but not in the OF.
As for Tejada, he is far below average. He’s lost his range and he’s lost his power. He’s also playing arguably the most important defensive position on the field, and he doesn’t have the athleticism to even be sub par there.
Hopefully Ross with take over in OF when he returns. As for the SS position, we definitely have to make a move, either a trade or bringing up Burriss.
[quote]WestCoast7 wrote:
[quote]DBCooper wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
[quote]WestCoast7 wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
So what’s with the Giants so far? They still hungover from last year?[/quote]
I would be if I just won the World Series. Wouldn’t you?
We definitely need to get rid of Tejada and find a replacement for Huff in the outfield, both of them are really hurting us right now.
Tejada is simply awful though, on both sides of the ball.
[/quote]
But you’d think a 1-4 start would be sobering.
I was saying that in the offseason Tejada was a terrible signing. That guy is well past his expiry date.
As for Huff, I’ve seen him play a bunch since he use to be on a couple AL East teams, but do not recall him playing outfield. To make the transition from 1B/DH to outfield is tough. Especially in your mid 30’s.
[/quote]
Huff played OF a bunch in TB, Bal and Det and he also played somewhere around 40 games in the outfield last year as well. He’ll be fine. He’s not spectacular, but (aside from a couple plays this year) he makes the routine plays and he plays smart.
Tejada will be fine also. He’s average at SS and he won’t hit 300 with 25-30 homers ever again, but that’s not what the Giants signed him to do and it isn’t the kind of money they’re paying him. When all is said and done he’ll hit about .280 with 10-15 HRs and provide solid leadership in the clubhouse. That’s what he was signed to do and a slow start on the road doesn’t indicate to me at all that he’s incapable of doing so. He’s healthy and he’s proven that even though the power is pretty much gone, he can still hit. [/quote]
I’m going to have to disagree with you on this one DB. Huff isn’t what he was in TB, Bal, or Det. He’s older and slower, which would be fine at 1B, but not in the OF.
As for Tejada, he is far below average. He’s lost his range and he’s lost his power. He’s also playing arguably the most important defensive position on the field, and he doesn’t have the athleticism to even be sub par there.
Hopefully Ross with take over in OF when he returns. As for the SS position, we definitely have to make a move, either a trade or bringing up Burriss.[/quote]
I agree with this 100%.