So Who Wins the East?

[The Monster is my Mom]

I know that it is a little early (not even ST yet), but who do you think will win the AL East?

 

Yanks

 

Pros:Tons of offense, and now have two people (Damon and Jeter) who get on base alot ahead of all the mashers. Starting pitching has some questions, but could be good if the Unit, Mussina, Pavano stay healthy. And of course they have Mo at the end.

 

Cons:This is an old team, so injuries are bound to happen. As usual since the end of the dynasty (2001), no team chemistry. Starting pitching, and the bullpen between the starters and Mo.

 

Jays

 

Pros:Made lots of moves, spent lots of money. They should score lots of runs with Vernon Wells, Glaus, Overbay, Hillenbrand, Hinske, and the rest of those birds. Starting pitching should be good with Burnett, Halladay, Chacin, and Lilly. They overpaid for BJ Ryan, but he should be a good closer for them, and has proven himself (at least over one year)in a competitive East.

 

Cons:Not a great defense (except for guys like Wells), and I don't think they have much for middle relief, setup guys. Lack offense from certain positions like 2B, catcher, not much power from the outfield.

 

Sox

 

Pros:Big Papi, Manny, Tek and the guys that get on base like Coco, Youk, Loretta. The offense should be great. The defense is improved with guys like Lowell (whatever you say about his bat, he is a great defender), Loretta, and Youk/Snow. Shortstop and center field will see very little, if any, dropoff defensively. Starting pitching should be better this year with Schilling healthly (hopefully), Beckett, Wake, Papelbon and the bullpen cannot be any worse this year with Foulke healthy (hopefully), Timlin not getting worked so much, Seanez, Tavarez, probably Arroyo and/or Papelbon in long relief, and Riske.

 

Cons:Age.They are an old team as well, but actually got a little younger this offseason. The chances that Loretta, Lowell, Youk hit like we hope are probably not completely realistic. One or more of them probably will not hit well. Also, the assumptions that guys like Papi and Manny will continue to hit like MVP may or may not happen. They will both be good, but maybe not as great as last year. Lastly, pitching. Schilling/Foulke may not be good anymore, while the bullpen/closer is always a question.

[VA Sox Fan]

Tampa Bay

[The Monster is my Mom]

I just assumed the O's and Rays wouldn't be in contention, but I guess you never know.

[VA Sox Fan]

I just assumed the O's and Rays wouldn't be in contention, but I guess you never know.

 

I was just joking The Monster! Don't see either Tampa Bay or the O's as any sort of threat.

[The Monster is my Mom]

I think it will go:

 

1. Sox

2. Jays

3. Yanks

4. Rays

5. O's

[VA Sox Fan]

I think it will go:

 

1. Sox

2. Jays

3. Yanks

4. Rays

5. O's

 

I'd love that!

[TheRivernator]

I think it will go:

 

1. Sox

2. Jays

3. Yanks

4. Rays

5. O's

 

HAHAHAHAHA

 

1. Yankees again

2. Red Sox

3. Blow Jays

4. TB

5. Oriholes

wild card comes out of the central

[Americal Man]

It's all about healing.

 

is schilling's ankle finally stabilized and strong enough to push off?

 

is Clement's knee healthy enough to land on and is his head ok after the hit?

 

is wells going to start the season with us and is his back ok?

 

is foulke recovered from the surgeries on both of his knees?

 

is Loretta's thumb healed so he can swing a bat?

 

is gonzalez's elbow ok after his surgery?

 

if this MASH unit is in good shape then we will do well and be in the running for the AL East

[Americal Man]

mj,

 

you've got no pitching and thus no chance...

[The Monster is my Mom]

HAHAHAHAHA

 

1. Yankees again

2. Red Sox

3. Blow Jays

4. TB

5. Oriholes

wild card comes out of the central

 

 

I knew it wouldn't be long until the Yankee guys didn't like my list. I could see this list easily happening though. I also agree that the Wild Card will be Guardians/White Sox.

[riverside sluggers]

Im not sure what team will exactly bring it when its time to play baseball, im in the "one game at a time mode" The AL East is now looking like a 3 headed monster of the Blue jays, yanks and Sox.

[The Monster is my Mom]

I just read that MLB.com picked the Jays.

[TheRivernator]

how do we have no pitching? I find it extremely funny every time someone says that. We have a closer better than yours. You remember what I did on the Bh forum, well here goes. You take the projected rotation of both teams and put out their numbers from last season...

 

Johnson 225IP 207H 95ER 211K 47BB

Mussina 179.7IP 199H 88ER 142K 47BB

Chacon 79IP 66H 25ER 40K 30BB

Wang 116.3IP 113H 52ER 47K 32BB

Pavano 100IP 129H 53ER 56K 18BB

 

NYY Total 700IP 714H 313ER 496K 174BB 4.02ERA 1.27WHIP 6.4K/9IP 2.2BB/9IP

 

Schilling 93.3IP 121H 59ER 87K 22BB

Beckett 179.7IP 153H 67ER 166K 58BB

Clement 191IP 192H 97ER 146K 68BB

Arroyo 205.3IP 213H 103ER 100K 54BB

Wakefield 225IP 210H 104ER 151K 68BB

 

BOS Total 894.3IP 889H 430ER 650K 270BB 4.33ERA 1.30WHIP 6.5K/9IP 2.7BB/9IP

 

based off last yr's stats with their respective teams (e/c beckett whose numbers on here are when he was in FLA), the yankee starting rotation as is currently constituted was better than the sox one. How's about them apples....

[TheRivernator]

I just read that MLB.com picked the Jays.

 

you have to figure that the media will pick the upset pick over the big market favorite every single time. Why? Because it sells papers. Just remember who the majority of espn morons picked last yr, the twinkies and cubs....

[VA Sox Fan]

you have to figure that the media will pick the upset pick over the big market favorite every single time. Why? Because it sells papers. Just remember who the majority of espn morons picked last yr, the twinkies and cubs....

 

Yeah, I remember John Kruk of ESPN saying Randy Johnson would win 30 games..... LMAO!!!!

[The Monster is my Mom]

I hate John Kruk. He says the dumbest things on ESPN - Harold Reynolds and Gammons are worth their salt though.

[The Monster is my Mom]

how do we have no pitching? I find it extremely funny every time someone says that. We have a closer better than yours. You remember what I did on the Bh forum, well here goes. You take the projected rotation of both teams and put out their numbers from last season...

 

Johnson 225IP 207H 95ER 211K 47BB

Mussina 179.7IP 199H 88ER 142K 47BB

Chacon 79IP 66H 25ER 40K 30BB

Wang 116.3IP 113H 52ER 47K 32BB

Pavano 100IP 129H 53ER 56K 18BB

 

NYY Total 700IP 714H 313ER 496K 174BB 4.02ERA 1.27WHIP 6.4K/9IP 2.2BB/9IP

 

Schilling 93.3IP 121H 59ER 87K 22BB

Beckett 179.7IP 153H 67ER 166K 58BB

Clement 191IP 192H 97ER 146K 68BB

Arroyo 205.3IP 213H 103ER 100K 54BB

Wakefield 225IP 210H 104ER 151K 68BB

 

BOS Total 894.3IP 889H 430ER 650K 270BB 4.33ERA 1.30WHIP 6.5K/9IP 2.7BB/9IP

 

based off last yr's stats with their respective teams (e/c beckett whose numbers on here are when he was in FLA), the yankee starting rotation as is currently constituted was better than the sox one. How's about them apples....

 

I didn't say that you had no pitching. But they are a question mark, just like it is for us.

[Americal Man]

mj,

 

very impressive stats. I'm talking wins and losses which I believe is how you judge the way a team will finish. we are now ready for your annual predictions.

[Americal Man]

plus, wang is already damaged goods as well as pavano. and, yoiu left of wells who may end up pitching for us anyway.

[VA Sox Fan]

mj,

 

very impressive stats. I'm talking wins and losses which I believe is how you judge the way a team will finish. we are now ready for your annual predictions.

 

 

Gotta love the Riv's predictions that NEVER come true! Where's Brothah Guns when you need him?

[Americal Man]

I know guns is saving it and will produce it at the appropriate time......

[riverside sluggers]

Why doesnt the 06 yankee projected rotation include Jaret Not-so-Wright? Even Yankee fans gotta admit that 3 year contract is as good as toilet paper

[yankeessuck013]

True...you are paying the guy the big bucks

 

either put him in the rotation or trade him, because I'm guessign if his was in the BP, he would turn into a clubhouse cancer and would not be happy at all.

[He Hate Me]

plus, wang is already damaged goods as well as pavano. and, yoiu left of wells who may end up pitching for us anyway.

 

and Clement, Beckett, and Schilling are?

[He Hate Me]

Why doesnt the 06 yankee projected rotation include Jaret Not-so-Wright? Even Yankee fans gotta admit that 3 year contract is as good as toilet paper

 

I hated that signing from day one. We used to beat this kid around when he was an Indian, no way did I want him on this team when we coulda had Jon Lieber at half the price.

[TheRivernator]

mj,

 

very impressive stats. I'm talking wins and losses which I believe is how you judge the way a team will finish. we are now ready for your annual predictions.

 

Okay

 

Johnson 17-8

Mussina 13-8

Wang 8-5

Chacon 7-3

Pavano 4-6

Total 49-30 .620 win%

 

Schilling 8-8

Wakefield 15-7

Arroy 14-10

Clement 13-6

Beckett 15-8

Total 65-39 .625win%

 

not a significant difference.

[TheRivernator]

agreed on wright, but he will be voided at the end of the season. His stuff should translate well to the pen, but his lack of testicular tissue will likely make that a moot point....

[TheRivernator]

Gotta love the Riv's predictions that NEVER come true! Where's Brothah Guns when you need him?

 

VA, that wasnt a prediction, it was actual, real numbers from last yr. Try to keep up....

[Americal Man]

and Clement, Beckett, and Schilling are?

 

Beckett is the only one with arm problems (we really don't know yet) while Wright , pavano and Wang arm all arm problems. schilling should be healed and early reports are he is doing well. clement was only a scope job which again we Will have to see how that works in ST. much better shape than your pitchers. plus rj and mussina are always a crap shoot with their injuries.

[TheRivernator]

plus, wang is already damaged goods as well as pavano. and, yoiu left of wells who may end up pitching for us anyway.

 

wells will likely be traded in spring training. He has reiterated that we wants to be dealt and he also said that he wont be a jerk if he had to report to spring training. He did not say, however, that if he had to stay in boston for the entire yr that he wouldnt throw a hissy fit. He will be dealt, there just is no market for him yet. I have a feeling that the WBC will actually create a market for him. Someone will get hurt in that thing, and I think it will open up a slot for Wells to be wanted.

 

As for Wang, he is damaged goods? Did you see him in the playoffs pitch a gem against the angels? Guess not. He finished the yr strong unlike your supposed ace. Damaged good? Wang no, Pavano, yes as of right now. As is Schilling, Foulke, Clement, and even Beckett for that matter....