Of these teams

[Youk Of The Nation]

Now, I know that the odds against it are staggering, but I mean this poll as a way to facilitate some conversation about teams that don't get more than a passing mention around here.

 

Of these ten teams, who I count as the worst teams in baseball, which has the best chance of a season much like Tampas', where everything seems to come together for an improbable playoff run?

 

 

I have omitted teams that were very close to October this season (Houston, Florida, Arizona, Minnesota (mostly because those last two have a shot still), as well as several good teams that just were outplayed within a division, such as the Yankees, Jays, Cardinals, and suprisingly the Rangers who had no chance against an LA team that had the division from basically mid-May.

 

So, who has the best shot at a monumental turnaround?

[Youk Of The Nation]

I'm going to have to go with the Padres, based on some of their talent and the conditon of their division.

[Paradisecity]

I dopn't think Tampa's run is improbable at all- I think that they've built themselves to be solid for a few years, but that is neither here nor there.

 

I'm going to say Pittsburgh in a couple years, once Alvarez kicks up and they have a couple more pieces collected.

[Youk Of The Nation]

I dopn't think Tampa's run is improbable at all- I think that they've built themselves to be solid for a few years, but that is neither here nor there.

 

I'm going to say Pittsburgh in a couple years, once Alvarez kicks up and they have a couple more pieces collected.

 

The only players they have added since last seasonwho have had a seasonlong impact are Garza, Longoria, Bartlett, Hinske, Floyd, and a few others.

 

Did anyone really sit down and predict that guys who are past their 'prime' (Floyd) or who never amounted to an everyday player (Hinske, Gross) or never really had an outstanding or even above average season (Bartlett) or guys like Fernando Perez, Willy Aybar, and pitchers like friggin Grant Balfour, unretired Troy Percival, Dan Wheeler, or anyone else would be enough to push this team from last to first and win 30 more games this season?

 

I'd call it unexpected if not outright improbable based on the Al East.

[riverside sluggers]

Youk's team, the Reds. Theyve got a closer in Cordero, and great young talent (Bruce, Votto, Phillips). In the rotation they have promising young arms in Volquez, Cueto, Ramirez (Bailey is up in the air), and Arroyo seems set to have a bounce back 2009 season after posting a 3.13 ERA in the 2nd half (5.97 ERA in the 1st half)

 

Ditto "Youk of the Nation", I was thinking they were 2 years away from contending for the wild card. Here they are at 95 wins with still 5 games to go!!

[Youk Of The Nation]

Youk's team' date=' the Reds.[/quote']

 

 

My team?

[Paradisecity]

It wasn't just who they added, (and Longoria and Garza are HUGE additions), its the progression of the young guys - Shields, Upton,etc.

 

I guess the word improbable could work...I just think of "the impossible dream" every time I hear that. We saw the writing on the wall for them getting good- it just happened a little quicker than we thought it would.

[riverside sluggers]

My team?

 

well I meant Kevin Youkilis's hometown team

[Youk Of The Nation]

well I meant Kevin Youkilis's hometown team

 

Oh. I was like, 'I'm a Rockies fan you son of a bitch!'

[TheKilo]

I think the Reds will always struggle in that bandbox of a ballpark.

 

I'm going to say the Giants. If Zito rights himself that's the best staff in the NLW, and the division is terrible.

 

Lincecum is off the charts good, as good as the game has seen since Pedro in his prime.

[Cocos Disciples]

Well Oakland could always do something, they seem to always surprise people. And as Kilo said, Lincecum and Cain are damn good pitchers for SF, they could make something happen in the West.

[TheKilo]

Lincecum

Cain

Sanchez

Zito

 

Spectacular top 2, solid LHP for 3, enigma for 4.

[Soxfan1]

I was thinking the same thing. Lincecum and Cain are great and if Zito turns it on then that is an amazing staff.

[msubulldogs21]

Of those 10 teams, I'd say San Fran. Like it was already stated, they have a great 1-2 punch with Lincecum/Cain and if Zito can get it back together they could be pretty good. Sanchez isn't bad either. Plus, they've got some pretty good young position players.

 

I know the Rangers weren't included but I would definitely pick them if they were. They have a TON of young prospects and guys like Chris Davis have already splashed onto the scene. If they can sign a decent pitcher or two, look out.

[CrespoBlows]

Giants can't hit.

[Youk Of The Nation]

That is a very good point. Cain and Lincecum are great young pitchers, so why have they not had more great young wins? Mostly because they keep losing 1-0, 2-1, 2-0, or getting no decisions after pitching nine scoreless. Until the Giants can pick up at least two players who can give them .290/25-30/100+, they will continue to lose games even with great pitching.

[BigPapiEnFuego]

I picked Other. The Tigers.

[TheKilo]

Tampa doesn't have a $100 million payroll - the Tigers are not underdogs.

[BigPapiEnFuego]

So what?

[TheKilo]

 

Of these ten teams, who I count as the worst teams in baseball, which has the best chance of a season much like Tampas', where everything seems to come together for an improbable playoff run?

 

That's what.

[Gom]

Padres shouldn't really be included. They are one season away from going down to the final day.

[BigPapiEnFuego]

"Other (Tigers, Braves, et cetera. I only have ten options)"

 

That's one of the options. I chose it. Is that wrong?

[Mr Crunchy]

Lincecum got smoked by the rockies wednesday night but both he and cain are up and comers.

too bad they invested 100M in barry zito or too bad he didnt work out as they planned or they'd have a pop in the woeful nl west.

The Padres and Seattle are 2 clubs that shouldve been in the hunt this year,each team has been THE biggest bust in their respectful leagues as far as im concerned.

The Reds went out and signed Harang and Arroyo to big deals,they got that kid from Texas for Hamilton and Johnny Cueto who maybe a decent pitcher next year,mix in Cordero and perhaps a set up guy and they could be in business next year but only if Harang and Arroyo pitch to form.

the NL central has the Cubs and then the rest of the division is meat,Milwaukee will be worse next year when Sheets and Sabby walk,Oswald and Houston arent that good and St Louis has essentially no pitching either...Cinci could threaten if all their ducks line up properly.What happened to Harang?

hes what? 4-15 now??

a disaster,a completely f***ing disasterous year

[Youk Of The Nation]

I'm bringing this back up now that Spring Training is starting...anyone want to change their votes now? Who is the most likely to come the hell out of nowhere and win 40 more games than expected?

 

I'm going to go with the Giants.

[Dojji]

Royals for me. I like their rotation, especially if Bannister can rebound from an off year, and they have the potential to hit if Butler and Gordon can break out. THeir GM made some expensive mistakes (he paid HOW much for Bloomquist and Farnsworth???) but also made a statement when he locked up Greinke and Soria to long-term contracts -- something the Royals have been rather short on for awhile.

 

If they can find their catcher and find a gem among the dross at 1B and 2B I think the Royals will make some noise.

[TheKilo]

My vote doesn't change. Giants.

[Cocos Disciples]

Braves and Giants. Maybe Texas, but that's more because of the division.

[CrespoBlows]

Giants can't hit.

 

They still can't do this, and I do not believe all five of their starters will remain healthy. I think it is likely that more than one will find themselves on the DL. Matt Cain has been pushed very hard the last two years, and Lincecum was abused in a fantastically stupid effort to win a meaningless award. If either of those two fall, the Giants will be in serious trouble. The rest of the staff are plagued with injury concerns. Sanchez had a rotator cuff strain in 2008, and who knows how a 45 year old Randy Johnson will hold up?

 

They need to have 2004 Red Sox luck with that staff, otherwise they are in for another long season. With or without Manny Ramirez.

[CrespoBlows]

I am picking the Reds.

 

They are playing in a very weak NL Central, boast an impressive young pitching staff, and have some pieces on offense.

 

Being managed by Dusty Baker might keep them out of the playoffs, but they could challenge for a Wild Card spot.

[BSN07]

I'm going with Seattle. Griffey coming back might be the spark the ball club needs. If Felix hits his stride and Bedard bounces back that's a very strong 1-2 punch. It's Beltre's contract year, and we all know what that sometimes brings out in a player. But they are most certainly a longshot. They need a lot of players to step up and play to their capabilities. But if the right pieces fall they could have a shot.