mlb 2011
Posted: December 14, 2010, 10:07 am
Phillies / Red Sox World Series???
Some big moves this offseason!
I'm amazed that Cliff Lee signed for less money than either Carl Crawford or Jayson Werth. Now the Phillies are going to roll out there with a Roy Halladay / Cliff Lee / Roy Oswalt / Cole Hamels rotation. Amazing. They probably have the best #1, #2, #3, and #4 pitchers in the game. They're the overwhelming favorites to win the NL East. If they're going to take the pennant and the World Series, though, it's really going to be necessary for Ryan Howard to have a big year. The Phillies pounded mediocre pitching last year but couldn't break through against studs. That's why they lost to the Giants. If they want to win playoff series against team like the Giants (Lincecum/Sanchez/Cain) or the Cardinals (Carpenter/Wainwright/Garcia) or the White Sox (Peavy/Danks/Buehrle/Floyd/Garcia) then they need Howard putting the fear of God into folks.
The Phillies need to sign a replacement-level right handed corner outfielder who can serve as insurance for age and injury (Raul Ibanez) and youth (Dominic Brown). They also need to nail down another decent reliever or two. If they do those things, nobody too important gets too serious an injury, and their everyday players play up to expectations, they should win the World Series. That's a lot of ifs, but not really all that many when we're talking about winning a championship.
You've also got to like the Braves for next year and beyond. That's a smart organization who's set themselves up well. They probably still aren't in a position to take the divisional crown from the Phillies, but they're positioned for another run at the wild card, at least, and could very well become the divisional big dog in a few years when the Phillies collapse under the weight of huge contracts and old players.
And: What do the Yankees do now?
Some big moves this offseason!
I'm amazed that Cliff Lee signed for less money than either Carl Crawford or Jayson Werth. Now the Phillies are going to roll out there with a Roy Halladay / Cliff Lee / Roy Oswalt / Cole Hamels rotation. Amazing. They probably have the best #1, #2, #3, and #4 pitchers in the game. They're the overwhelming favorites to win the NL East. If they're going to take the pennant and the World Series, though, it's really going to be necessary for Ryan Howard to have a big year. The Phillies pounded mediocre pitching last year but couldn't break through against studs. That's why they lost to the Giants. If they want to win playoff series against team like the Giants (Lincecum/Sanchez/Cain) or the Cardinals (Carpenter/Wainwright/Garcia) or the White Sox (Peavy/Danks/Buehrle/Floyd/Garcia) then they need Howard putting the fear of God into folks.
The Phillies need to sign a replacement-level right handed corner outfielder who can serve as insurance for age and injury (Raul Ibanez) and youth (Dominic Brown). They also need to nail down another decent reliever or two. If they do those things, nobody too important gets too serious an injury, and their everyday players play up to expectations, they should win the World Series. That's a lot of ifs, but not really all that many when we're talking about winning a championship.
You've also got to like the Braves for next year and beyond. That's a smart organization who's set themselves up well. They probably still aren't in a position to take the divisional crown from the Phillies, but they're positioned for another run at the wild card, at least, and could very well become the divisional big dog in a few years when the Phillies collapse under the weight of huge contracts and old players.
And: What do the Yankees do now?
