EVIL~! alkeiper

A preseason ranking of teams. I don’t know if I’ll keep doing these, but it’s a diversion to excape boredom at the moment. 1. NY Yankees Despite Rumors to the contrary, the Yankees are not in a mode of crisis, at least not yet. This team will have serious problems remaining competitive in a few years, but as far as 2004 goes, they look like serious World Series contenders. They replaced Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte with Kevin Brown and Javier Vazquez. Vazquez is a terrific young talent, and Brown is a fierce competitor. They replaced Nick Johnson in the lineup with Gary Sheffield. Sheffield brings a .400+ OBP, along with 40 home run potential. 2. Red Sox The Red Sox acquired Curt Schilling from the Diamondbacks while giving up little of their current talent. They signed the best relief pitcher on the market. And they already had the best offense in baseball before this season. 3. Astros Yes, I’m serious. The Astros seriously underperformed last year, winning much less than their W/L record would indicate. This effect usually corrects itself. The ‘Stros have Jeff Bagwell, Lance Berkman, and Jeff Kent to provide hitting. On top of that, they have two terrific young starters in Roy Oswalt and Wade Miller, and Andy Pettitte becomes a solid #3. 4. Athletics 1-5, the best rotation in baseball. A much improved outfield will provide a boost in offensive production. 5. Phillies The Phillies solidified their rotation, and replace Jose Mesa (6.52 ERA) with Billy Wagner (1.78). Fun fact: Billy Wagner threw 159 pitches last year that topped 100+ mph. The next closest pitcher was Bartolo Colon, who threw 12 such pitches. 6. Cubs The best young 1-2 punch in the majors with Wood & Prior. Only concern is that Dusty doesn’t overuse them. 7. Marlinsp The defending World champions feature a solid pitching staff. Unfortunately, the Marlins lost their two most valuable hitters. They’ll need Hee Seop Choi to break through in order to repeat. 8. Giants Once again, its Bonds & Co. The Giants actually feature a great young pitching staff as well. Their hopes rest solidly on Bonds, and he hasn’t let them down in years. 9. Braves The Braves are in trouble, but they can’t be counted out quite yet. As with the Marlins, they lost their two best hitters. And as with the Marlins, they’ll need a new acquisition (in this case J.D. Drew) to step up. A third baseman wouldn’t hurt either. 10. Mariners The Mariners have made some questionable offseason moves, and one they didn’t make (Vizquel for Guillen). The Mariners are close to a decline, and this year could be the start. Their season rests on which Bret Boone shows up, and whether Edgar Martinez can defy father time for yet another season. 11. White Sox Roberto Alomar does not count as a loss. Their young hitters should improve. 12. Diamondbacks The D’backs feature Richie Sexson, along with a solid rotation, anchored by Randy Johnson and the REAL rookie of the year, Brandon Webb. 13. Blue Jays The Jays picked up some solid pitchers to solidify their rotation. With a few breaks, they could stay in the wild card hunt. A very underrated team. 14. Twins With a solid crop of corner outfielders in tow, they went ahead and spent money to keep Shannon Stewart. They need to cut guys loose like Stewart, Jacque Jones, and Doug Mientkiewicz. But instead, they insist on wasting their money. 15. Cardinals They improve their pitching slightly. Still, this is a team with absolutely no depth, no credible first baseman, and no credible second baseman. 16. Angels The Angels picked up Bartolo Colon to anchor their pitching staff. With no major losses, and a few breaks, their prospects for success should improve this season. Second place is a good possibility. 17. Orioles The Orioles have made a huge splash this offseason, signing Miguel Tejada and Javy Lopez. Their pitching is still suspect, but they are vastly improved. 18. Royals Last year was an aberration. As the Astros underperformed, the Royals drastically overperformed their W/L expectation. Look for the Royals to come back to earth this season. 19. Padres With an upgrade at catcher, and a much improved pitching staff, the Padres will make the biggest gains this season. 20. Dodgers As I’ve said before, Juan Encarnacion does not count as hitting help. Getting Jeff Weaver for Kevin Brown makes their pitching worse as well. 21. Mets With a real center fielder, the Mets will allow less runs this season. 22. Rockies They still can’t figure out how to pitch in Coors Field. The hitting outside of Helton and Walker is uncertain as well. 23. Indians A rebuilding in process. Look for an improvement. 24. Reds A healthy outfield will improve their prospects without the benefits of any additions. Note they are listed above two teams in their division. Keep an eye on Ryan Wagner, the future closer of the Reds. Wagner was drafted in the 2003 draft, and skyrocketed to the majors, striking out a batter an inning there. And he’s only 21. 25. Expos Losing Vlad will hurt badly. 26. Rangers Desperately need a pitching staff. Hitting can hang along with most teams in the majors. 27. Pirates Freddy Sanchez and Bobby Hill provide hope, but there’s still a ways to go. 28. Devil Rays Stuck in the toughest division in baseball. 29. Brewers A pox on baseball, thanks to bumbling ownership, and a corrupt commissioner. 30. Tigers Not all that bad. They essentially fielded a AAA team last year. They need to take advantage of cheap free agent stopgaps. They’ll grow better with time.

The Reds signed Cory Lidle to a one year contract, worth $2.75 million. Lidle should improve over last season, but even if he doesn't, he's still better than most of the Reds' starters.

Oh great, here we go again. Forrest got OUT of the KKK within its first year. When he saw it becoming a terrorist organization he quit. So guess what? UBL remains unmatched as human scum. You misunderstand. My comparsion has nothing to do with the slavery issue. During the Civil War, Forrest was probably the most feared guerilla leader in the south. That's the basis of my comparison.

Its difficult just to go out and label it treason. You have to remember that when the country was founded, it was a collection of states. Alot of people felt it was not a permanant bond. NYC discussed succession a few times as well. As for the confederates and slavery, slavery was just about gone by 1865. Towards the conclusion of the war, the South discussed ending slavery in order to boost their armed ranks, and they looked headed in that direction. If anything, Nathan Bedford Forrest was the 19th century Osama.

Well, if George Steinbrenner can be gracious, I think you could too. In any case, Pettitte won't face the Yankees unless both teams are in the series (unless there's interleague I'm missing). You don't have to root for him, but you don't have to hate him either. He took the opportunity he liked the best.

Damn you to hell al, TO HELL In all seriousness, the Pettitte signing has little to do with the ranking. Maybe a slot or two, but last season is the primary factor in this ranking.

You'll notice that overall, none are likely to decline. And losing Alomar won't hurt them a bit either. Love the quote btw.

Yeah, but god help you if you need dental coverage.

Man, its just my luck that my #1 AND #2 picks go down with injury right when I face the better teams in the league. I've gone from 15 above .500 to (probably) below .500 in just two weeks.

Problem: You have hitting, but you need pitching Solution: Attempt to trade away your superstar player for less value in return, and sign a past his prime, overrated hitter. No wonder this team is losing.

Giambi, Cirillo, Henson and Ramirez were on my preliminary list, but they didn't make the cut. Giambi and Ramirez I couldn't justify listing as long as they were hitting. Same with Bagwell, who I didn't consider as just three years are left. Cirillo yes, but I felt that $15 million total isn't quite as bad as the other deals. Same with Drew Henson. Some guys make that much in a single year without producing. I'll call it the Mo Vaughn rule.

With all the A-Rod hoopla, I've decided to explore some of the TRULY bad contracts in major league baseball to demonstrate that it can be worse. I've always maintained that A-Rod is not killing the Rangers. These players, however, are a drag on their teams. I give you the ten worst contracts in baseball. Years in parenthesis indicate an option year. For purposes of calculations, I assume these options are not exercised. 1. Chan Ho Park $42 Million through 2006. ERAs of 5.75 and 7.58 since joining the Rangers. Park has shown no indication of pitching decently, let alone justifying his exhorbitant salary. Park's is the true contract that hurts the Rangers. 2. Ken Griffey Jr. $66.5 Million through 2008 (2009). Quite simply, the Reds invest in a player who has problems making it to the field. Griffey still has talent when healthy. Still, until he can play full time, his contract is a stinker. 3. Mike Hampton Approxomately $60 Million through 2008 (2009). Hampton will really hurt the Braves from 2006-8, when the Braves absorb the full brunt of his salary. Hampton became a good pitcher again after leaving Colorado, but he's being paid an awful lot for an awful long time. 4. Denny Neagle $28 Million through 2005 (2006). Denny Neagle has to compete just to make the Rockies' rotation. 5. Darren Dreifot $24 Million through 2005. 4.36 career ERA, a losing record, and less than 100 IP the last two seasons. 6. Bobby Higginson $20.7 Million through 2005. Slugged less than .400 last year. Inexcusable for a $10 million player. 7. Pat Burrell $47.5 Million through 2008. I'm betting that he rebounds, but if he doesn't the Phillies still owe him a ton of cash. 8. Derek Jeter $145 Million through 2010. He gets paid nearly as much as A-Rod, hits worse, fields worse, but no one EVER mentions his contract. If he played anywhere else, the press would vilify him. No free passes here. Jeter doesn't deserve the money. 9. Todd Helton $130.9 Million through 2011 (2012). He's hitting well enough to justify his pay now, but his contract runs another seven years. It's silly to offer contracts of that length. If he slips, he'll take the rest of the team with him. 10. Mo Vaughn $17 Million through 2004 (2005). Quite simply, he's unlikely to play again. $17 million is alot to pay for nothing.

With non-guaranteed contracts, what's the point?

Indians sign Ron Belliard. Good for the Indians, as it'll keep Brandon Phillips in AAA until he's ready.

Hogan pinned Bockwinkel, but AWA president Stanley Blackburn rules Hogan DQ'ed for throwing Bockwinkel over the top rope earlier in the match.

Wrestling Observer in the current issue stated that Bobby Heenan indeed did voiceover commentary with Tony Schiavone. Schiavone said to Heenan he didn't talk to him because of lawsuits WCW had pending at the time.

Three things to take into consideration. 1. As Rant said, Helton is older than Rodriguez, by two years. 2. Helton's contract runs longer than Rodriguez's. Helton will be 38 when his deal expires, while Rodriguez will be 35. 3. Alex Rodriguez is currently the best player in his league. Helton is good, but not quite at that level. Rodriguez is possibly the best SS ever (outside of Honus Wagner). I'd hesitate to put Helton in the top 20-30 at his position.

Yes he can. I just assume he's unlikely to give up $65 Million in guaranteed money.

Without a doubt. However, they are also either the highest grossing league or the second highest (behind football).

Its funny how no one actually shows clipped of the booing Santa incident. I think maybe they booed because it was out of place at a sporting event. Much like Destiny's Child (Philly's finest moment). Anyone catch Tony Kornhiser on PTI yesterday. He just went off and said.... Spoiler (Highlight to Read): There is no Santa Claus

Miguel Oliva, Joe Crede, Paul Konerko, and Aaron Roward. There's definite concerns there, but I can't dock them for it until it actually happens. Yes. The Twins also lost their two best relievers, so I don't think the losses will affect their division hopes too much. It's hard to say. Unlike some fluke pitchers, Loazia's ERA is backed up by his peripheral numbers. Loazia's walk rate has always been good, but his K rate took a HUGE step forward. And K rate is a good indicator of future success. I think Loazia will continue his success.

The offense will benefit if the outfield is merely average. Sometimes fans don't realize that having a black hole in your lineup is every bit as harmful as a superstar is helpful. Replacing Long and Singleton with guys who can hit will do as much for the club as a big name free agent might have done. As far as Jermaine Dye goes, if he keeps hitting like that he won't get at bats. The A's are stockpiling corner outfielders. Looking over their roster I see Billy McMillon, Matt Watson, Jason Grabowski, and Mike Edwards. They only need one of those guys to break through. Besides, I don't think the rest of the West mounts a serious challenge this season.

True, but when I look at the Devil Rays, I see three utility infielders in the starting lineup, and a very unproven pitching staff. When push comes to shove, I could put them up a slot or two, but its iffy.

He had an option actually, so he wasn't. My apologies. I haven't had a chance to touch upon the Shawn Wooten signing. I like the deal. Wooten had an off year, but he can still hit a little. Plus, he can fill in at catcher, which is a good thing to have in a bench player.

They still have Alex Gonzalez at short. Honestly, Aurilia's merely an average hitting shortstop. Jose Valentin is better, and he got no wear near the attention Aurilia gets.