The High Heat Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 Pitchers and catchers report! Interesting season ahead! Will there be more top prospects making an impact this season? Will last years rookies keep up their progress? Will they regress? Will each teams' Hot Stove plans work out or blow up? And will the Albert Pujols contract situation become a season-long St. Louis soap opera, or will the two sides work it out? In the NL, the Phillies appear to be the only dominant team, but it's baseball and anything can happen. The Braves and Marlins look competitive. The Nationals look a little better, but may only surpass the Mets in the East. The Reds still have strength in pitching, but the central is always tight. The Astros played very well in the remaining weeks of 2010, but can they compete with the deeper teams of the Cardinals, Brewers and Cubs? The West has no dominant team, but the Giants still have that dominant rotation. It may be enough, unless the Dodgers, under rookie manager Don Mattingly, take a major step forward. The Rockies have proven to be a team to never overlook. The Red Sox appear to be the team to beat in the AL after a stellar off season of All Star acquisitions. The Yankees didn't do much in the Hot Stove, except sign a closer to set up Mariano Rivera. The Rays lost their bullpen and more, but still have a quality rotation that should keep them at least hopeful if not competitive. The Blue Jays are always tough and the Orioles have much to look forward to with Buck Schowalter entenched as manager. The Central could be a three way war between the Twins, Tigers and White Sox. The Indians might improve, but not enough to compete. The AL West is interesting as no team stands out. The Rangers lost out on Cliff Lee, let Vladimir Guerrero go, and may soon have to trade the unhappy Michael Young, so they're relying on newcomer Adrian Beltre and a young pitching corps to get them back to the post season. They'll face stiff competition from the Angels, who are counting on a return to health from key players, especially Kendry Morales. Not to be overlooked are the A's, who made several moves that may provide enough depth to land themselves in the playoffs. The key to any season is usually health and the depth to overcome injuries. Solid bullpens are also a common difference maker. No matter what teams look like on paper, it's usually factors such as these that determines who plays in October. Play Ball! P.S. The Collective Bargaining Agreement expires after the season. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ms. yvon Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 this:...it's baseball and anything can happen. and this:...the Giants still have that dominant rotation. and this!Play Ball! woohoo! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The High Heat Posted February 15, 2011 Author Share Posted February 15, 2011 this: and this: and this! woohoo! Hats off to you and your Giants 2010 Championship! I wouldn't mind a NLCS rematch (but with a different outcome)! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The High Heat Posted February 16, 2011 Author Share Posted February 16, 2011 The Cardinals/Albert Pujols contract deadline has passed with no deal in place. Pujols is set to be a free agent at season's end. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
u2roolz Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 So when are the good people of St. Louis going to have a bake sale? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Duck-Billed Catechist Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 They buy 3 million tickets every year. I don't think it's their job to fundraise. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
u2roolz Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 They buy 3 million tickets every year. I don't think it's their job to fundraise. Yeah, that was for the most part a joke. Although, it is quite upsetting that I can think of one team that has the money to sign him, but nowhere to put him. Or a few teams come to mind with the same problem. $300 million for 10 years?!?! Good luck on that Albert. I'm assuming an AL team will take the risk of him not getting hurt and then swapping him over to DH towards the end of his career. 10 years down the road he will be 41. I don't know. This whole thing could put their whole clubhouse into somewhat "bad blood" mode. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The High Heat Posted February 17, 2011 Author Share Posted February 17, 2011 Tigers' Miguel Cabrera arrested for DUI. Probably a bad idea to take a swig of scotch in front of the police officer after being pulled over. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Duck-Billed Catechist Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 One of my favorite players since 2003. Glad he didn't hurt anybody. Hopefully he gets himself straightened out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The High Heat Posted February 17, 2011 Author Share Posted February 17, 2011 Blue Jays sign Jose Bautista to a 5 year/$64MM contract. They're hoping he's not a one year wonder, obviously. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The High Heat Posted February 23, 2011 Author Share Posted February 23, 2011 Adam Wainwright has a serious elbow injury, and may need TJ surgery and miss the entire season. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Duck-Billed Catechist Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 How many pairs of sunglasses does Kenny Williams need?No one knows. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
calvino Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 Speaking of Williams: GM: $30M for 1 player 'asinine' Kinda have to agree with him, but I am sure next year Pujols will get it from someone. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Duck-Billed Catechist Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 Eh, Pujols will probably worth it for a few years yet. 10 years at 30 million might be regrettable. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
calvino Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 Eh, Pujols will probably worth it for a few years yet. 10 years at 30 million might be regrettable. I agree. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The High Heat Posted February 24, 2011 Author Share Posted February 24, 2011 Adam Wainwright has a serious elbow injury, and may need TJ surgery and miss the entire season.Wainwright will indeed have TJ surgery next week and will not pitch in 2011, therefore his vesting options will not kick in. If Carpenter goes down again, Pujols may be begging to be traded by the All Star break. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
calvino Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 Wainwright will indeed have TJ surgery next week and will not pitch in 2011, therefore his vesting options will not kick in. If Carpenter goes down again, Pujols may be begging to be traded by the All Star break. Which, I think, would be good for the Cardinals. They should get a lot for him. I don't the particulars of his contracts, though. At least it would be better than loosing him to free agency. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Smokestack Joe Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 i respect the STL fans so i feel bad for them about Wainwright. it is tough going into the season with key players hurt. but that is a part of the game, all teams deal with it. Cards still have enough to compete but losing Wainwright is a big deal. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
u2roolz Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 Yankees vs. Phillies right now on MLB Network. Live from FL.I guess that they are going to be broadcasting a bunch of games over the next month. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Oil Can Boyd Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 RIP Duke Snider As a kid I always had this fascination with the Brooklyn Dodgers and Snider was one of the guys who I admired. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Duck-Billed Catechist Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 White Sox extended Matt Thornton in a deal similar to what Bobby Jenks got from Boston. I read that Thornton has had the second-highest WAR amongst relievers over the past three years. First is Mariano. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
u2roolz Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Is anyone else watching MLB Network's amazing 30 Clubs in 30 Days? My best advice is to try and watch a couple of episodes a night or watch one a day if you can. It's extremely helpful to remember who went where and who left there etc. AND it's an excellent resource to get ready for Fantasy Baseball. I already know a lot about ball players, but I love their segment on a specific team's farm system. Some things that they educated me on:Arizona - They have a pretty damn decent looking pitching staff on paper: Joe Saunders, Ian Kennedy, Zach Duke, Daniel Hudson & Armando Galaragga. Not the best, but a bit better than the Rockies who MLB picked to win the NL West. Also, J.J. Putz as closer isn't a sure bet, but it's nice that they have a closer a bit more dependable than the last one. Justin Upton & Chris Young are a great young duo. I like their 2011 look. Colorado - Other than Ubaldo Jimenez, the Rockies pitching staff doesn't do much for me at all. Chacin, Cook, & Hammel aren't really .500 pitchers (especially last year). And I don't know enough about Jorge De La Rosa, but he did have a slightly better record (8-7) than the other 3 to make him their #2. It'll be interesting to see where they play Ty Wigginton. Edit: Yeah, I just don't see this team winning their division. Texas Rangers - I really like them again to repeat in the AL West, although it still should definitely be a 3 team race with the Angels and A's thrown into the mix. I don't think Dave Bush & Brandon Webb are a sure thing to be on the back end of the rotation. And Ron Washington please don't make Neftali Feliz start ball games for you. Please don't fuck up a good thing. It'll be interesting to see how well Adrian Beltre performs on a non-contract year. And I love C.J. Wilson, Colby Lewis, & Tommy Hunter as the main core of Texas' pitching staff. Kansas City Royals - I didn't remember Jeff Francouer coming here. Same for Jeff Francis. The big thing that they harped on was how much better this team is going to be over the next decade beginning in 2012 when their top prospects come up. They lost Greinke, Meche & Bannister, so the pitching is definitely up in the air. Luke Hochevar as your ace is a bit of a big risk. They also had huge boners over Vin Mazzaro who they expect to make a big impact in the pitching staff. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Turnips Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 let's go Jays! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The High Heat Posted March 9, 2011 Author Share Posted March 9, 2011 Zach Greinke cracks a rib playing basketball. Genius! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Zach Greinke cracks a rib playing basketball. Genius!Now I wish he'd signed with the Yankees. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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