It's getting close

[KeepTheFaith1229]

Okay. Fine. The D-Backs will probably win more games than KC this year. I just really wanted to see how hard it is for a Royals fan to argue in favor of his team. <_>

 

God bless them.

[jsinger121]

its not pretty being a royals fan and the future is not brighter either. well at least they have the top overall pick and most likely will draft Andrew Miller the lefty out of UNC.

[Manny Goes Boom]

Okay. Fine. The D-Backs will probably win more games than KC this year. I just really wanted to see how hard it is for a Royals fan to argue in favor of his team. <_>

 

God bless them.

 

I don't know why you even tried. The D'Backs have guys who are ready THIS year. Conor Jackson had his crack last season (didn't play great but should be better this year) Javier Vasquez won't be a huge loss and expect (like Jsinger said) Brandon Webb to benefit from Hudson's defense. Sinker ball pitchers need great gloves behind them, otherwise they will suck. I agree that losing Glaus is a hard one but that lets Tracy get back to his natural position and frees up 1st base for Conor Jackson and Tony Clark to platoon at. Gonzalez is getting older but Carlos Quentin is a hot name around these parts and could play this year, I dunno for sure. Their pen had a s***** year last year with the only rock being Jose Valverde, who should kill people again (I watched a DBacks Cubs game last year and he K'd Lee, Ramirez, and Burnitz all in a row and made them look FOOLISH. I mentioned here a few months back that I wished we could get him, but they would have to be like braindead to even consider a trade involving him now.) They have another guy Justin Nipper who made a few starts at the end of the year last year who's supposed to be promising and may make the rotation as a 5th starter. Young guys with promise and talent who on a team like them will get their hacks and beatdowns but grow on the major league level and play decent, especially in the NL west. I don't expect wonders out of them but they should have quite a few more wins than KC will. I just don't see losing Glaus and Vasquez making the D'Backs lose 19+ more games. Just don't see it.

[RedSoxRooter]

Wally sending off the truck.

http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2006/02/13/1139871926_7558.jpg

 

You know, when they first started the whole Wally thing, I hated the idea. Hated him.

 

Now I don't mind him. It actually provides me with some comic relief during games. He's just so retarded looking....

 

Can you believe this year is his 9th year already??? 1997.

 

 

(I still hate the whole Remy/Wally bit though. <_>

[yankeessuck013]

Remember Jason Kendall? How bout Jason Schmidt? Kris Benson? Jon Lieber? Esteban Loaiza? Jose Guillen? Aramis Ramirez? Just to name a few. We've had this so called "bright future" for a long time. Either Spin Williams destoryed our pitchers or we just let the hitters go.

 

I'm not saying this group can't succeed, especially since we have a new coaching staff, I'm just saying we've been here before.

 

The Pirates payroll is just now reaping the benefits of finally climbing out of years of neglect and mismanagement. That's what makes it different- a 30% INCREASE in payroll because of the benefits

 

Jason Schmidt is solid.

 

Kris Benson is a bum.

 

Jason Kendall is an overpaid catcher who only hits for a good average- no power.

 

Esteban Loaiza wasn't all that good until the past year or two.

 

Jose Guillen is an inconsistent player.

 

Trading Aramis Ramirez and Jon Lieber was a HORRIBLE decision. That stuff happens.

[kreinbihl34]

Pirates will make a little noise for a few years before people sta.rt getting traded or are free agents and then will wait for another ten years

[Cityofchampions33]

Bay is wicked underrated, I always draft him in fantasy leagues, he's one of the most consistent hitters in the league.

[jsinger121]

Do people even realize that Jason Bay has been traded by 3 different teams already. The expos, mets and padres all traded him.

 

June 5, 2000: Drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 22nd round of the 2000 amateur draft.

 

March 24, 2002: Traded by the Montreal Expos with Jimmy Serrano to the New York Mets for Lou Collier.

 

July 31, 2002: Traded by the New York Mets with Josh Reynolds (minors) and Bobby Jones to the San Diego Padres for Steve Reed and Jason Middlebrook.

 

August 26, 2003: Traded by the San Diego Padres with a player to be named later and Oliver Perez to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Brian Giles. The San Diego Padres sent Corey Stewart (minors) (October 2, 2003) to the Pittsburgh Pirates to complete the trade.

[stocker323]

Do people even realize that Jason Bay has been traded by 3 different teams already. The expos, mets and padres all traded him.

 

David Ortiz was friggin waived by the Minnesota Twins. Great hitters can come out of nowhere all the time.

[MC Hammer]

The Pirates payroll is just now reaping the benefits of finally climbing out of years of neglect and mismanagement. That's what makes it different- a 30% INCREASE in payroll because of the benefits

 

Jason Schmidt is solid.

 

Kris Benson is a bum.

 

Jason Kendall is an overpaid catcher who only hits for a good average- no power.

 

Esteban Loaiza wasn't all that good until the past year or two.

 

Jose Guillen is an inconsistent player.

 

Trading Aramis Ramirez and Jon Lieber was a HORRIBLE decision. That stuff happens.

I'm not saying they all worked out for the best. I'm saying they were all "the future" at one point.

 

I'll believe the payroll thing when I see it. If you ask me, theres a good chance this team is going to have a different owner shortly after the All Star Break.

[jsinger121]

David Ortiz was friggin waived by the Minnesota Twins. Great hitters can come out of nowhere all the time.

 

ortiz was waived over money but i see your point....it just not often that players like bay get traded 3 times.

[MC Hammer]

Bay is wicked underrated, I always draft him in fantasy leagues, he's one of the most consistent hitters in the league.

He's ranked #10 for fantasy this year according to MLB.com

[yeszir]

ortiz was waived over money but i see your point....it just not often that players like bay get traded 3 times.

What, like 650k a year?

[jsinger121]

he was making 950,000 in 2002 with the twins and his arbitration number would have been over a million dollars something the twins were not interested in paying. their loss is our gain.

[KeepTheFaith1229]

he was making 950,000 in 2002 with the twins and his arbitration number would have been over a million dollars something the twins were not interested in paying. their loss is our gain.

 

Suckers. :harhar:

[Redguitar985]

Does anybody think the Rockies will surprise anybody this year? I've usually considered them a double-A team with Todd Helton, but cbssportsline.com is actually giving them some hope.

[ksushi]

Not me, but I think the Brewers will surprise everyone but me.

[jsinger121]

Not me, but I think the Brewers will surprise everyone but me.

 

i completely agree. i think if everything goes right for them then they can win the central. the cardinals have taken steps back the last few seasons. If Davis and Capuano can be solid and sheets great this season watch out they can take that division.

[Manny Goes Boom]

i completely agree. i think if everything goes right for them then they can win the central. the cardinals have taken steps back the last few seasons. If Davis and Capuano can be solid and sheets great this season watch out they can take that division.

 

OH OK, So I guess 2 100-win seasons is taking a few steps back...I see.

 

The Cardinals were 100-62 last year, the Brewers were 81-81, 19 game difference. Granted I agree that they are young and improving, but 19 games is a large gap for even a group of experienced guys, let alone a bunch of young guys who don't understand winning. It might be closer, but no NL Central for the Brewers but they could concieveably compete for the NL Wild Card.

[ahhchon]

i completely agree. i think if everything goes right for them then they can win the central. the cardinals have taken steps back the last few seasons. If Davis and Capuano can be solid and sheets great this season watch out they can take that division.

 

ben sheets is allready the best right handed pitcher in the game. he just needs to stay healthy.

 

john

[MC Hammer]

ben sheets is allready the best right handed pitcher in the game. he just needs to stay healthy.

 

john

He definatly has some of the best stuff in the game, but I wouldn't say he's the best right now.

[jsinger121]

OH OK, So I guess 2 100-win seasons is taking a few steps back...I see.

 

The Cardinals were 100-62 last year, the Brewers were 81-81, 19 game difference. Granted I agree that they are young and improving, but 19 games is a large gap for even a group of experienced guys, let alone a bunch of young guys who don't understand winning. It might be closer, but no NL Central for the Brewers but they could concieveably compete for the NL Wild Card.

 

cardinals lost matt morris to the giants, mark gruz to the royals, reggie sanders to the royals, larry walker to retirement. there only big signing was brandon looper if you call that big. they have clearly taken a step back. also if rolen doesn't come back to full health and right now its been speculated he is not fully healthy then the cardinals are going to be in trouble.

[riverside sluggers]

The Cardinals also signed Sydney Ponson. He will be good in the NL. Thats of course unless he can stay away from the drink, or the Law at the same time rather.

[ksushi]

I definetly think the Brewers could make a push for the wild card, but the division is stretching it. I think the Cardinals are a very good team. They are getting Rolen back this season, remember.

[seabeachfred]

Choosing between the Pirates and Royals for the worst team is like choosing between dog food or cat food to dine on. You're going to puke with either choice, but since I am a Red Sox fan I would rather diss the Pirates than the Royals. We have to face those guys and I would just rather let sleeping dogs sleep. Besides, the Pirates now have Jim Tracy as their manager and he is simply one of the worst ones around. The guy is a real stumblebum as he proved with the Dodgers, and all the Jason Bays and Craig Wilson won't help him at all.

[MC Hammer]

Besides, the Pirates now have Jim Tracy as their manager and he is simply one of the worst ones around. The guy is a real stumblebum as he proved with the Dodgers, and all the Jason Bays and Craig Wilson won't help him at all.

You have to realize that Jimmy is a 500% improvement over our last manager. Our last manager knew so little about running a team that we had to get a computer program to formulate lineups for him. The guy was batting Tike Redman 2nd ... 2nd!!! Talk about killing your lineup.

[Redguitar985]

cardinals lost matt morris to the giants, mark gruz to the royals, reggie sanders to the royals, larry walker to retirement. there only big signing was brandon looper if you call that big. they have clearly taken a step back. also if rolen doesn't come back to full health and right now its been speculated he is not fully healthy then the cardinals are going to be in trouble.

 

At least they still have players like Edmonds, Pujols, and Mulder though. They may be in trouble, but they'll still be a threat.

[jsinger121]

they will be good but they will not win 100 games....i think 95 is pushing it as well. edmonds is getting older and rolen is not fully healthy.

[stocker323]

they will be good but they will not win 100 games....i think 95 is pushing it as well. edmonds is getting older and rolen is not fully healthy.

 

Rolen has said that he will be at full strength for the 2006 season. I expect them to easily win the Central again but to fall in the 1st or 2nd round of the playoffs.

[yankeessuck013]

Foulke reports to ST early, good sign.