Guest OctoberBlood Report post Posted January 11, 2004 I'll mark those words and stick by my prediction. The Athletics will win the American League West. Tim Hudson, Barry Zito, and Mark Mulder all pitched better than Bartolo Colon last season. And Kelvim Escobar was the only other starter to pitch better than league average last season. But they still have no offense, a worse one than they had last year IMO. I believe the big 3 will carry them as far as they can go, but I believe the Angels have more of a complete package. Colon had an slight off year last year. Don't forget they still have Jarod Washburn, and Ramon Ortiz, who are two very solid pitchers. No, they don't match up to the staff of Oakland, but they certainly can carry there own, IMO. Colon Washburn Ortiz Escobar Sele/Lackey You all know they have a real good bullpen, and now their offense, which was real solid last year, just got waaay better. Just my prediction. Angles, A's, Mariners, Rangers. I do hope the A's take the Wild Card over the Yankees, though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LooseCannon25 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2004 I think Anaheim will give Seattle and Oakland a run for their money next year. A very good off season for Anaheim so far. I think my team (The Mets) have done pretty well also, really improving the defense and hitting up the middle with Cameron, Matsui, and Reyes. Then again knowing the Mets luck, MAtsui will be a total bust and hit .220 5Hr 30RBI......We already know what its like having a shortstop with those weak ass numbers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the pinjockey 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2004 Considering the Angels offense ranged from 17th-20th in most of the major offensive categories (OBP, SLG, OPS, HR, Runs scored) I wouldn't say they were really solid. Also, Peter Gammons is saying that they are looking to move some salary, probably in the form of Washburn or Ortiz. So lose a starter and that means they move Sele back into the rotation. All of a sudden their rotation looks to be a good bit worse than Oakland. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bored 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2004 But they still have no offense, a worse one than they had last year IMO. Actually its tough to get people to believe this but when you look at the average OPS of the A's regulars last year and the average OPS of their projected regulars for 2004 (not counting Bobby Crosby for obvious reasons) there is only a negligible difference. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the pinjockey 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2004 Are the A's planning on bringing up Graham Koonce and Mark Johnson? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bored 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2004 Koonce did get a late season call up last year and your thinking of Dan Johnson and he spent all but one game last year in Double-A so he doesn't figure in the mix for the A's probably until 2005. 24 of the 25 man roster is already pretty much set for the A's and I think Koonce has the best shot at the final spot. They need someone to be the back-up first baseman besides Durazo since he is pretty much a disaster with the glove. Also they probably want to free up first base at Triple-A for Johnson. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the pinjockey 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2004 No, Mark Johnson- catcher. He walked 35 times w/ just 162 ABs in AAA last year. He only hit .228 but the walks put his OBP at .369. Sounds like a Beane guy. Or did they get rid of him? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bored 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2004 They got rid of him. Ya Beane was high on him when he traded for him but then he went 3 for 27 for the A's last year and was replaced by Adam Melhuse as the back-up catcher. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest webmasterofwrestlegame Report post Posted January 11, 2004 Just to remove all doubt, I got this e-mail through from the Angels: GUERRERO TO UNDERGO PHYSICAL FOR ANGELS Vladimir Guerrero is scheduled to undergo a physical exam Monday in what appears to be the final step toward signing a multiyear contract with the Angels. Anaheim general manager Bill Stoneman confirmed the scheduled exam. The Angels are expected to introduce the former Expo as their new right fielder in a press conference on Tuesday if he passes the physical exam. We may be an ok team this year! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Ghost of bps21 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2004 Got me a team to root for...and a shiny new sig to boot! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted January 12, 2004 People that root for teams clear across the country annoy me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Ghost of bps21 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2004 Hey! Who cares where the team is? It's not like I have a hometown team to root for. I wish he would have gone to the Yankees instead of Sheffield since all the Yankees games are on TV...but I make do with what I got. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted January 12, 2004 Me too...unless you were born there and then moved across the country. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted January 12, 2004 Hey! Who cares where the team is? It's not like I have a hometown team to root for. You live in Buffalo. Detroit is close enough. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Ghost of bps21 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2004 Detroit is nowhere near Buffalo Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted January 12, 2004 Hey! Who cares where the team is? It's not like I have a hometown team to root for. I wish he would have gone to the Yankees instead of Sheffield since all the Yankees games are on TV...but I make do with what I got. and you'll be getting shitloads of Angels games on TV in Buffalo? Your Rally Monkey is going to suffer frostbite on its tiny testis living with you Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Ghost of bps21 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2004 I'll get more Angels games than I got Expos games...I know that much Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Smell the ratings!!! Report post Posted January 12, 2004 heh. It's fun to root for bad teams cause when they win you get to brag. Unless you die first. stupid White Sox... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted January 12, 2004 Detroit is nowhere near Buffalo Closer than Anaheim. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Ghost of bps21 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2004 What does it matter how close they are? I'm not going to drive to Detroit to see the Tigers play...and I'm not going to drive to Anaheim either. I will drive to Toronto to see Anaheim play. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dogbert 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2004 I'll get more Angels games than I got Expos games...I know that much Thanks to the guy in charge of the Marlins, you'll get more T-Ball games than you will Expos games. This effectively kills the Montreal Expos, lest Ron Calloway can pull a .300 average and 50 homers out of his ass in his first year as a regular. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2004 Expos were ineligible to sign Vlad after December 7th anyway, so they saw this coming. Still, the Expos don't look overly bad. Ron Calloway isn't a regular, as they signed Tony Batista. They also signed Carl Everett, and traded for Nick Johnson. Jose Vidro and Orlando Cabrera are still with the team, as is Brad Wilkerson. There's three teams in the Central that look worse at this point. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChris 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2004 I think I can hear Anglesault's anguished screams from here... HOUSTON --Roger Clemens and the Astros have reached agreement on a one-year contract that will pay the six-time Cy Young Award winner about $5 million to play next season, Houston television station KRIV reported Monday. Astros owner Drayton McLane and agents for Clemens, Alan and Randy Hendricks, did not immediately return calls from The Associated Press on Monday. Astros spokesman Jimmy Stanton declined comment. The Astros have scheduled a Monday afternoon news conference with McLane and general manager Gerry Hunsicker to be held at home plate at Minute Maid Park. The team declined to say what the news conference would announce. Clemens announced his retirement from baseball at the end of last season but he had second thoughts when his New York Yankees teammate and friend Andy Pettitte signed with the Astros last month. Clemens had a 17-9 record and 3.91 ERA in 211 innings with the Yankees last season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChris 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2004 And in slightly less important news from the state of Texas, the Rangers agreed to terms with Kenny Rogers and Jeff Nelson. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2GOLD 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2004 And in slightly less important news from the state of Texas, the Rangers agreed to terms with Kenny Rogers and Jeff Nelson. How many times has Rodgers been a Ranger now? Isn't this his third or fourth time returning to the team after leaving? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChris 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2004 According to the story I read, this is Rogers' third time with Texas. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bored 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2004 You know what pisses me off? The bullshit surrounding the All-Star Game last year where everyone (as in ESPN, Fox, and Bud Selig) said Roger Clemens HAD to be All-Star team because he's retiring. Selig then forces Barry Zito off the team, without telling him, so fat fuck Clemens can get his spot. And guess what? The fans in Chicago didn't really give a shit as he got a normal ovation. Everyone knew that the 2004 game would be in Houston and it would then make sense for him to get a special excemption. But nooooo Clemens had everyone fooled that he was actually going to retire, although I always thought he'd probably comeback. Now that idiot Selig will probably force Jack McKeon to make Clemens the starter in this year's game. Oh well I guess he had to go to the N.L. so he wouldn't have to lose to the A's anymore. Fuck Clemens. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treble 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2004 So, I guess being hated by Red Sox and Blue Jays fans wasn't enough and he had to add the Yankees to the list. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2GOLD 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2004 So, I guess being hated by Red Sox and Blue Jays fans wasn't enough and he had to add the Yankees to the list. You forgot the Mets, I'm sure the Mets don't enjoy Clemens. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JasonX 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2004 So, I guess being hated by Red Sox and Blue Jays fans wasn't enough and he had to add the Yankees to the list. You know Roger, he won't be happy until he's been shot by a sports fan who's team he fucked over..... I wonder how George Steinbrenner will react to this betrayal and whether or not the Mets are already plotting out ways to physically assault Clemmens when they face the Astros this year... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
