Baseball 2015 (4 Viewers)

[Warrior]

Don't know where I heard it but some are predicting the Os to repeat.

Pretty sure you heard that from Sammy.................:wink2:

 

[sammy719]

Pretty sure you heard that from Sammy.................:wink2:

Hell George, I been saying that for years

 

[maddadicus]

After following the way the O's have built the team back to a competitive level, I am not surprised that there were no big signings/deals. While still lacking a big name horse as a #1 pitcher, the O's have an abundance of good, competent pitchers that can be plugged in to get the job done and are perfectly suited to a long season. Their no-name rotation isn't glamorous but has been getting results the last couple of years and I see no reason that it won't continue. Sammy points out the O's strengths, and with their ability to always find contributors off the bench, I too like their chances in the AL East. But I'm still ticked over Markakis going bye-bye, even if it was the smart business move. Only a few days until the pitchers and catchers report.:wink2: -- Al

Buck is soon approaching his " mojo vanishing year", where his teams stop responding and he has to move on.^&grin...Michael

 

[Warrior]

I think the AL East is up for grabs, everyone has a shot to win it, maybe not the Rays though.

I've read a couple of different articles claiming the Red Sox have the best line up in the East and one of the best in all of baseball. Not sure about that one, I see question marks everywhere; will Ramirez do well in left and will he stay healthy, will Castillo be a boom or a bust in center, will Victorino bounce back and stay healthy, can they get another good year from Ortiz, will Bogaerts break through or struggle again, how will Napoli do at first and can he stay healthy?

Loads of questions, not to mention they have no ace now, no real #2 either, just a bunch of 3, 4 and 5 starters in Buchholz, Masterson, Smiley, Porcello and Kelly.

We'll see how it shakes out; Spring can't come fast enough around here..............

 

[lancer]

I think the AL East is up for grabs, everyone has a shot to win it, maybe not the Rays though.

I've read a couple of different articles claiming the Red Sox have the best line up in the East and one of the best in all of baseball. Not sure about that one, I see question marks everywhere; will Ramirez do well in left and will he stay healthy, will Castillo be a boom or a bust in center, will Victorino bounce back and stay healthy, can they get another good year from Ortiz, will Bogaerts break through or struggle again, how will Napoli do at first and can he stay healthy?

Loads of questions, not to mention they have no ace now, no real #2 either, just a bunch of 3, 4 and 5 starters in Buchholz, Masterson, Smiley, Porcello and Kelly.

We'll see how it shakes out; Spring can't come fast enough around here..............

Hard to know what to think about some of the things I've seen regarding the AL East. Fangraphs and Baseball Prospectus both have the O's finishing under .500, in last place. I don't believe that for a minute. I do have some questions about the O's in regards to Machado and Wieters coming back from injuries and especially the loss of both Markakis and Cruz, but I think the O's are in good shape overall. I don't see how they finish last. Like Boston, the O's have no ace, but they do have up to 6 solid starters of the 3, 4, 5, caliber. Depth counts for a lot over 162 games. I do think the AL East is going to be a tougher fight this year. -- Al

 

[Panzer ace]

Hard to know what to think about some of the things I've seen regarding the AL East. Fangraphs and Baseball Prospectus both have the O's finishing under .500, in last place. I don't believe that for a minute. I do have some questions about the O's in regards to Machado and Wieters coming back from injuries and especially the loss of both Markakis and Cruz, but I think the O's are in good shape overall. I don't see how they finish last. Like Boston, the O's have no ace, but they do have up to 6 solid starters of the 3, 4, 5, caliber. Depth counts for a lot over 162 games. I do think the AL East is going to be a tougher fight this year. -- Al

I said it last year and I will say it again, the AL East is the most interesting and entertaining division in MLB.

 

[lancer]

42 days until Opening Day.^&grin -- Al

 

[Panzer ace]

42 days until Opening Day.^&grin -- Al

Al:

It should be a great season. Lots of new faces in new places.

I don't have any predictions yet, just lots of hope for a Giants' repeat!

-Jason

 

[lancer]

Al:

It should be a great season. Lots of new faces in new places.

I don't have any predictions yet, just lots of hope for a Giants' repeat!

-Jason

Jason, I have one prediction. The Nats had better win the World Series. If they don't, we here in the DC area will NEVER hear the end of it and neither will Matt Williams. No pressure there, thank goodness.:rolleyes2: Just figured out why Ted Lerner dropped $210 million on Max Scherzer. Ted is 90 years old and wants to win a WS before he passes on. It is a narrow window of opportunity. Gotta like the old guy and his attempt to make his dream come true but I would rather have seen him drop the money on signing Zimmermann, Fister, and Desmond. The contract to Scherzer probably means they will lose Zimmermann and Desmond for sure. Not happy about that at all. It's almost like the Scherzer signing is a one-shot roll of the dice. The 2015 WS or bust. We'll see. -- Al

 

[jazzeum]

Jason, I have one prediction. The Nats had better win the World Series. If they don't, we here in the DC area will NEVER hear the end of it and neither will Matt Williams. No pressure there, thank goodness.:rolleyes2: Just figured out why Ted Lerner dropped $210 million on Max Scherzer. Ted is 90 years old and wants to win a WS before he passes on. It is a narrow window of opportunity. Gotta like the old guy and his attempt to make his dream come true but I would rather have seen him drop the money on signing Zimmermann, Fister, and Desmond. The contract to Scherzer probably means they will lose Zimmermann and Desmond for sure. Not happy about that at all. It's almost like the Scherzer signing is a one-shot roll of the dice. The 2015 WS or bust. We'll see. -- Al

When you're 90, you probably don't think about tomorrow {eek3}

 

[lancer]

When you're 90, you probably don't think about tomorrow {eek3}

Exactly. And rightly so as he does own the team. I just hope this ring grab works.:rolleyes2: -- Al

 

[Panzer ace]

Exactly. And rightly so as he does own the team. I just hope this ring grab works.:rolleyes2: -- Al

My initial feeling is that the Nats will win the East, the Cards the Central and either the Dodgers or Giants will win the West.

 

[jazzeum]

My initial feeling is that the Nats will win the East, the Cards the Central and either the Dodgers or Giants will win the West.

If the Nats don't get to the Series, ole Ted may keel over {eek3}

 

[DMNamiot]

Wow guys predicting the Series already. You guys are too funny.

So why is everyone up in arms about the Yankees letting the Red Sox spend 30 Mil on a 19 year old player from Cuba? I personally think the Yankees letting this guy go for a while isnt a big deal but the press and some fans sure seems to think it was stupid to not spend the 60 mil it would have taken to get the guy. Now of course there are folks who think this new player will be amazing if he gets to the show but I think spending that kind of cash on a guy who isnt ready for the bigs yet as a risk. I have seen a ton of guys on Baseball cards listed as the next hot prospect and seen most of them not make it, so I have to ask why its such a hot button issue for fans? Not spending that cash was a wise move in my opinion. Thoughts?

Dave

 

[lancer]

Wow guys predicting the Series already. You guys are too funny.

So why is everyone up in arms about the Yankees letting the Red Sox spend 30 Mil on a 19 year old player from Cuba? I personally think the Yankees letting this guy go for a while isnt a big deal but the press and some fans sure seems to think it was stupid to not spend the 60 mil it would have taken to get the guy. Now of course there are folks who think this new player will be amazing if he gets to the show but I think spending that kind of cash on a guy who isnt ready for the bigs yet as a risk. I have seen a ton of guys on Baseball cards listed as the next hot prospect and seen most of them not make it, so I have to ask why its such a hot button issue for fans? Not spending that cash was a wise move in my opinion. Thoughts?

Dave

Have to agree with the NYY's on this. Never been a big fan of huge contracts for unproven prospects in any sport or on any team. You are right about the next hot prospect baseball cards. Going back to when I was a kid, there was always the next hot prospect that busted out and was never heard from again. In fact. it was this craze about the next hot prospect that drove the baseball card industry to incredible heights in the 80's and 90's, bringing in speculators who bought up large numbers of the prospect and rookie cards, and eventually caused the bottom to drop out of the baseball card market. Lots of money lost on cards and the real life players. -- Al

 

[jazzeum]

The Yankees are in saving mode. Right now, the team is retrenching somewhat and rebuilding for the future. Hal is not desirous of spending a lot of money and this was generally reflected in this off season.

The over under on the Yankees is 80.5 or 81.5, forget which, but the Mets have a higher over under for the first time in a long time. If the Yankees get a lucky they might win 85 or 86 but I wouldn't have a lot of hopes on this team as it's old and not that good. With Jeter's retirement, their era is over for now.

I don't think it's too far fetched to say that the Nationals could be the best team in baseball. They have a lot of expectations after generally under performing for a few years. They have the best staff is baseball and a potent offense so the time is now.

 

[lancer]

The Yankees are in saving mode. Right now, the team is retrenching somewhat and rebuilding for the future. Hal is not desirous of spending a lot of money and this was generally reflected in this off season.

The over under on the Yankees is 80.5 or 81.5, forget which, but the Mets have a higher over under for the first time in a long time. If the Yankees get a lucky they might win 85 or 86 but I wouldn't have a lot of hopes on this team as it's old and not that good. With Jeter's retirement, their era is over for now.

I don't think it's too far fetched to say that the Nationals could be the best team in baseball. They have a lot of expectations after generally under performing for a few years. They have the best staff is baseball and a potent offense so the time is now.

In regards to the Nats, all the pundits (and the DC fans) agree with you Brad. I would too, except I am the definition of a pessimist (blame SB III). I know the Nats are going to be good. With their personal they will be winners but we will see how far they go. I expect the WS, as do all the Nats fans at this point, but there are 162 games and playoffs that must be played and we all know how that can go. Lots of pressure on the Nats now, LOTS of expectations. Nothing short of the WS will be acceptable. It is going to be a fun, and a tension filled season. Truly, it is the WS or bust for this team. It's beyond me how this team is going to be able to relax, play ball, and enjoy themselves. Might have to settle for just playing ball.:rolleyes2: -- Al

 

[Panzer ace]

Wow guys predicting the Series already. You guys are too funny.

So why is everyone up in arms about the Yankees letting the Red Sox spend 30 Mil on a 19 year old player from Cuba? I personally think the Yankees letting this guy go for a while isnt a big deal but the press and some fans sure seems to think it was stupid to not spend the 60 mil it would have taken to get the guy. Now of course there are folks who think this new player will be amazing if he gets to the show but I think spending that kind of cash on a guy who isnt ready for the bigs yet as a risk. I have seen a ton of guys on Baseball cards listed as the next hot prospect and seen most of them not make it, so I have to ask why its such a hot button issue for fans? Not spending that cash was a wise move in my opinion. Thoughts?

Dave

I am not a Yankees fan but I have to say that they are always in a jam when it comes to spending. If they sign someone to a big contract they get accused of trying to "buy" a championship but if they pass on a big signing they get tagged as being cheap.

 

[Warrior]

So why is everyone up in arms about the Yankees letting the Red Sox spend 30 Mil on a 19 year old player from Cuba? I personally think the Yankees letting this guy go for a while isnt a big deal but the press and some fans sure seems to think it was stupid to not spend the 60 mil it would have taken to get the guy. Now of course there are folks who think this new player will be amazing if he gets to the show but I think spending that kind of cash on a guy who isnt ready for the bigs yet as a risk. I have seen a ton of guys on Baseball cards listed as the next hot prospect and seen most of them not make it, so I have to ask why its such a hot button issue for fans? Not spending that cash was a wise move in my opinion. Thoughts?

Dave

Dave,
That's a well thought out, lucid, calm post regarding the Yankees not signing this 19 year old kid and letting him go to the Red Sox.

Just keep those thoughts in mind three years from now when he's an MVP, has had back to back 40/120 seasons and the Red Sox have won back to back World Series while the Yankees have in the same timespan finished in last place.....................LOL..........:wink2:

Scouts are calling him a five tool player who's ceiling is Robinson Cano; if he were draft eligible, he'd be top 3 this year, anywhere from 1 to 3.

Other than that, he's nothing special.

 

[maddadicus]

Dave,
That's a well thought out, lucid, calm post regarding the Yankees not signing this 19 year old kid and letting him go to the Red Sox.

Just keep those thoughts in mind three years from now when he's an MVP, has had back to back 40/120 seasons and the Red Sox have won back to back World Series while the Yankees have in the same timespan finished in last place.....................LOL..........:wink2:

Scouts are calling him a five tool player who's ceiling is Robinson Cano; if he were draft eligible, he'd be top 3 this year, anywhere from 1 to 3.

Other than that, he's nothing special.

Thank goodness that the Red Sox have taken over the responsibility of buying pennants. Now they can be the EVIL EMPIRE for awhile. Of course, at least the Yankees play hard every year and do not tank seasons like a certain team we all know LOL Michael