EVIL~! alkeiper

Take it to Hardcore Discussion children.

Shut up.

Ortiz may have just saved the Red Sox' season.

Until the next time he strikes out of course.

That's correct. There's no way all four teams can collect 96 wins. If there is a three way tie between the White Sox, Indians, and an AL East club, all three would advance, with the Central division winner determined by the Head-2-Head records. The White Sox are 11-5 against the Indians this year.

They went 82-79 with one rainout not made up. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> You're right. My apologies.

The '73 Mets went 83-79.

And while I'm thinking about it, I intend to start a separate Sox/Yankees thread this weekend.

You forgot Todd Pratt. He's been one of the best backup catchers in the league the last few seasons.

Epic underachievers? I don't see it. In any case, you don't overhaul an 86 win team unless their stars are about to fall over the edge, or you have a damned good reason otherwise. The Phillies have a core of talent under 30, including Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Pat Burrell, Ryan Howard, Ryan Madson and Brett Myers. Given that, you seek to build around them. Besides, knowing how this Phillies team is constructed, every position outside the bullpen is under contract through next year at least. If there is an major overhaul, next year is more desireable. Especially since there is a wasteland of talent on the free agency market.

I think their lack of depth caught up to them. They had just two starters pitching effectively down the stretch. As for Cabrera, he's fine as long as he has a work ethic. Yes, it is a stupid comment, but he's 22 years old. I'd be hard-pressed to find a 22 year old who DOESN'T make stupid comments.

You're an idiot.

Dugoutdollars.blogspot.com, but they haven't updated since last July. I can come up with a list, but not tonight. I can tell you Urbina, Wagner, Pratt, Lofton are free agents after this year, and Bell and Lieberthal are free agents after next year. I think Vicente Padilla's eligible for free agency after next year as well.

That would be a mistake. When you think about it, if Randy Wolf had not gone down would he have won two more games? Very likely. Sure, the Phillies may miss the Playoffs, but this team is not really a failure. They will win around 86 wins, good for fourth in the National League. There's a strong young nucleus of talent to build on, and this team is a patch or two away from making a good run. There's no reason to upset the boat at this juncture. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> What do you think will happen as it pertains to offseason moves? My guess is they'll try to move Thome, even if they have to eat a good amount of the contract. I'd like to see them resign Lofton, as he did a good job this year. Maybe another Lieber-like signing, as he was worth the contract this year. Wagner I'm not so sure what they'll do about him. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> There are very few quality free agents on the marketplace this year. The only realistic starter is Jeff Weaver, and he is not ideal for that park. The Phillies would be better off giving Ryan Madson a slot in the rotation. The big issue is Thome/Howard, and I'm not truly sure of the best course of action there. Jason Michaels can handle the center field job full time. I like Lofton, but I watched Shane Victorino all summer, and I believe he can play as the fourth outfielder quite well. Michael Bourn will play at Scranton and we'll see how center field shakes out from there. As far as Wagner goes, I would love to see the Phillies get bold and sign BJ Ryan instead. He's 90% as good for a few million less per season.

That would be a mistake. When you think about it, if Randy Wolf had not gone down would he have won two more games? Very likely. Sure, the Phillies may miss the Playoffs, but this team is not really a failure. They will win around 86 wins, good for fourth in the National League. There's a strong young nucleus of talent to build on, and this team is a patch or two away from making a good run. There's no reason to upset the boat at this juncture.

It's not you or anyone else on this board.

I hope not. I know many are frustrated with Ed Wade, but is there a good reason for hiring Brian Cashman besides change for the sake of change?

The Padres are a different team. Their pitching staff is really, really bad outside of Jake Peavy.

Someone's bitter. I've been in the baseball threads most of the season, talking about the Braves. I even debated Porter on Mike Hampton this past weekend, so I don't know what you're talking about. Just because the Phillies can't beat the New York Mets, well you don't have to take it out on me. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Who's the one going WOO-HOO! BRAVES CLINCH! after the Phillies lose? It's ok though. One more day and you can return your Mets hat. Alright, it's been a rough stretch. At the same time I have asshole Mets fans gloating over their meaningless wins. I just wish some fans would take winning with a little more dignity.

There's always a fan somewhere to make us wish ill-will on a team we haven't hated before. Barron, for showing up and celebrating when you haven't discussed shit here in months, congratulations. You could've at least waited until the Braves WON, but instead you piss on the grave of the Phillies season. Again, congratulations. I'll keep your name in mind when I go bezerk and start banning people for no good reason. As for the Phillies, again, one run losses equal massive frustration that you really can't do much about. The Phils have done well, the Astros slightly better. If it is not to be and the Astros make the playoffs, I look forward to watching Bagwell and Biggio's last push for glory. And considering the Phillies missing out means the Braves don't get the Padres in the first round, I don't know if Braves fans should be celebrating.

Fuck off.

I loved when this was the rule and not the exception. It's why Goose Gossage isn't in the Hall of Fame -- not enough saves because he wasn't always the last pitcher in the game, even though he was ALWAYS the guy facing the tough hitters late. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> No one really gets how to evaluate saves in a historical context. It is not that Gossage had more "tough" saves or whatever. It is that Gossage and his ilk frequently entered the game in tie games, or non-save situations. It was not until Eckersley that managers saved their pitchers exclusively for save situations. Managers are admittingly getting better. It was worse 10 years ago.

This one goes far beyond Charlie Manuel. 90-95% of managers are so addicted to roles that they are unable to adjust to game situations.

If the Mets score another and the game ends in the ninth, what's the point? It's just a matter of opinion, but my style is to worry about the current situation, and deal with the rest when you come to it.

As an aside, every time I see the ESPN.com scoreboard the Yankees/Orioles score changes. I've seen 11-3 Yankees, 11-2 Yankees, and 11-3 Orioles.