mlb 2011

[Sueven]

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?

[Leonaerd]

The Yankees sit back and remember a time when their stadium was interesting and their fans fanatics, as Jeter leads them into 3 years of contractual mediocrity.

The Tigers, meanwhile, are bolstered with Victor Martinez to add that middle-of-the-lineup punch that will drive in all the runners that were left on base last year. I'm very pleased to see Raburn getting a lineup spot, as he's always better when he is a starter for weeks at a time. Right field will be a battle between Boesch and Wells, hopefully with one of them becoming consistent so no money needs to be spent on a veteran.

It's going to be a sad day for the Tigers when Illitch kicks it, and probably the dawn of a really shitty future for the team's World Series hopes, given how much he spends out of pocket on free agents.

[Boogahz]

Too bad they will still be the Detroit Tigers

[Canelek]

My team is not even fucking competitive.

At least they hired Mookie Wilson to coach 1B.

Go fucking Mets, AMIRITE?

[Sueven]

The Mets have dropped from a disappointment to an embarrassment over the past two years. At least you cleaned house this year and can start over. Hopefully it helps; it's fun when the Mets are at least competitive.

You've got to think that the Brewers are a 2011 contender now. Obviously the looming free agency of Prince Fielder is a problem, and they're not strong at every position, but they have enough talent to make a run now.

[Kilmoll the Sexy]

I hope the Phillies bring Dusty Baker in as their manager and blow out every pitcher on their staff. Seriously....when the fuck is there going to be a cap in baseball to stop this bullshit?

[Canelek]

This year is pretty much a wash for the Mets since they have a ton of money tied up. Next season will be the real rebuilding project.

[Chidoro]

They should have never even let Randolph go way back when. Still can't believe they screwed that one up

[Canelek]

Wasted money that is still on the books for this season:

Carlos Beltran
Ollie Perez
Luis Castillo

And Jason Bay if last season was just an aberration.

[Canelek]

Well, at least Perez and Castillo are gone!


HOLY FUCK THE METS ARE STILL HORRIBLE!!!!

This is perhaps the worst pitching staff I have ever seen.

[Bubba Grizz]

Go Brewers!


Sorry only MLB team that has any meaning to me and even that is slight.

[miir]

Jose Bautista is having an insane year so far.... leads in AVG and homers and has a ridiculous .841 slugging percentage.