And So it Begins

[The Czech Republic 0]

I can't get over Beltran playing for the METS. Whore.

[therealworldschampion 0]

Beltran is going to hit .230 next year with 15 home runs, I can feel it now since he signed with the Mets.

[CanadianChris 0]

If Toronto was in the Central, with the prospects that they have, they could be the dominant team in the division for years.  Alas, they are in the East behind Boston & New York, so it would take a miracle to get into the playoffs under the current system.

Their chances look bleak, but no one knows what the future might bring. I have the feeling the Yankee dynasty will crumble within a few years. Remember the Blue Jays fared well in the AL East for a number of years.

That was when the Blue Jays had good owners and baseball people, and George Steinbrenner didn't wake up every morning and wonder, "Who can I spend $10 million on today?"

 

Gord Ash becoming GM and the explosion of big-market cable revenues were the worst things that ever happened to the franchise.

[Guest Brian]

The Mets are going to keep Cameron in center if they don't deal him, right?

[DerangedHermit 0]

The Mets are going to keep Cameron in center if they don't deal him, right?

They'll probably have Beltran in CF and Cameron in RF.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

That was when the Blue Jays had good owners and baseball people, and George Steinbrenner didn't wake up every morning and wonder, "Who can I spend $10 million on today?"

 

Gord Ash becoming GM and the explosion of big-market cable revenues were the worst things that ever happened to the franchise.

 

Well, Gord Ash is gone, so the recovery process is in full swing. With the Blue Jays now owning the Skydome, we'll see if they can maximize their revenue potential. They do have an opportunity to grab a larger share of Canadian baseball fans, with the Expos out.

 

The Mets are going to keep Cameron in center if they don't deal him, right?

 

I am guessing Beltran stays in center. I think it is a good idea, since Beltran will be around longer, and his fielding skills would erode in right field. Plus, Beltran is younger, so his fielding will decline slower.

[geniusMoment 0]

I hope Beltran has a flexible neck, as on opening day in Cincy he is going to be turning around and watching a lot of baseballs sailing out of the park. The reds are going to knock the jerri-curl right off Pedro.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I hope Beltran has a flexible neck, as on opening day in Cincy he is going to be turning around and watching a lot of baseballs sailing out of the park. The reds are going to knock the jerri-curl right off Pedro.

And which team is putting Eric Milton on the mound again?

[geniusMoment 0]

I hope Beltran has a flexible neck, as on opening day in Cincy he is going to be turning around and watching a lot of baseballs sailing out of the park.  The reds are going to knock the jerri-curl right off Pedro.

And which team is putting Eric Milton on the mound again?

Damn you Al. I had forgotten about that signing. Maybe it will be a high scoring affair, I hear that is par for the course for a Milton win.

[Precious Roy 0]

The Expos had fans? huh.

 

And I think .500 is going to be a pretty unrealistic expectation for the Rap...er Blue Jays. Unless they have some impact prospects coming up (and Toronto prospects haven't had such a great track record lately) I just don't see enough talent there to win 80 games. Roy Halladay is great when he gets hot, and if he stays healthy, but he's only one man. Ted Lilly (who should still be a Yankee ) is a good #2, but there's a drop off after that, and I don't trust Miguel Batista. The bullpen was brutal last year, and Billy Kock (not a typo) just adds to the problem. The lineup has a ton of holes as well, Koskie and Wells can't carry a team, Rios isn't there yet, Cat is always hurt, and Hinske looks like a one-year wonder. Add to this the fact that they have to play NY and Boston an ass-load of times and I think they're lucky to win 70. I think I'll even go out on a limb and say Tampa Bay finishes ahead of them.

[DerangedHermit 0]

I think I'll even go out on a limb and say Tampa Bay finishes ahead of them.

And the Orioles too

[The Czech Republic 0]

Beltran is going to hit .230 next year with 15 home runs, I can feel it now since he signed with the Mets.

Shea very well could lower his home run numbers, I think. I hope it does, that little shithead.

[sfaJack 0]

Czech, better the Mets than the Astros for Beltran. Much better.

[Precious Roy 0]

I love how Beltran is a whore because he went to NY rather than Chicago. Seriously, what about going to Chicago makes him not a whore?

[The Czech Republic 0]

The Cubs are contenders, the Mets are not

[Precious Roy 0]

Right, but Beltran and Pedro are supposed to make them contenders. Beltran has to put in work now. Wouldn't going to a readymade contender make him more of a whore?

 

Indians sign Juan Gone to a minor league deal.

[DerangedHermit 0]

The Cubs are contenders, the Mets are not

The Mets are also in a weaker NL East (except for the Braves). Marlins lost Pavano, the Phillies did shite except for Lieber, Nationals suck....

 

The Cubs will finish 2nd in the NL Central behind the Cards. I'd worry about the Cards before than Mets.

[The Czech Republic 0]

The Marlins could pick up Delgado, though. And the Phillies will still do well with Thome and Abreu in that launching pad of Citizens Park (Omit "bank" it's a kickass name!). The Braves will win the East, nuff said. The Mets are a wild-card longshot at best.

 

I'm not worried about the Cardinals, by the way. They won't repeat last year's feat. The injury fairy is going visit St. Louis THIS year.

[Guest Failed Mascot]

Buster Olney is giving his weekly blow-job to the Yankees on ESPNews right now.

[DerangedHermit 0]

The Marlins could pick up Delgado, though.

So could the Mets. (Or he'll go to the AL)

 

I'm not worried about the Cardinals, by the way. They won't repeat last year's feat. The injury fairy is going visit St. Louis THIS year.

Still, the Cards are better than the Cubs right now. The Cubs' lineup sucks (Todd Hollandsworth???) and any injury to Prior, Wood, Maddux or Zambrano can sink them.

[Guest Failed Mascot]

Excuse me, its nerdy Rob Neyer blowing the Yankees.

[DerangedHermit 0]

Excuse me, its nerdy Rob Neyer blowing the Yankees.

 

Who saw the RJ press conference? Duke Castiglione was a little bitch...

[Guest Failed Mascot]

The Mets are going to keep Cameron in center if they don't deal him, right?

They'll probably have Beltran in CF and Cameron in RF.

Wrong

 

Cameron wants to be traded.

[DerangedHermit 0]

The Mets are going to keep Cameron in center if they don't deal him, right?

They'll probably have Beltran in CF and Cameron in RF.

Wrong

 

Cameron wants to be traded.

I saw that article only after I posted the above...I don't know but that doesn't sound like the usual Mike Cameron...

[MARTYEWR 0]

That was when the Blue Jays had good owners and baseball people, and George Steinbrenner didn't wake up every morning and wonder, "Who can I spend $10 million on today?"

 

Gord Ash becoming GM and the explosion of big-market cable revenues were the worst things that ever happened to the franchise.

 

Well, Gord Ash is gone, so the recovery process is in full swing. With the Blue Jays now owning the Skydome, we'll see if they can maximize their revenue potential. They do have an opportunity to grab a larger share of Canadian baseball fans, with the Expos out.

I'd say they were well into that process when the Expos had nothing in the way of any Canadian TV deals. It's definitely happening now, though, as some co-workers of mine who were Expos fans said they'll follow the Jays, albeit with less enthusiasm after the handling of the 'spos the last few seasons.

 

In the midst of the Beltran signing, the Jays grabbed LHP Scott Schoeneweis and have reportedly completed a trade with the Diamondbacks, sending P Adam Peterson in exchange for IF Shea Hillenbrand. After the Koskie signing, aquiring Hillebrand helps solidify the Jays infield quite nicely.

 

http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/news_story.asp?id=110862

[Guest Smell the ratings!!!]

I don't know but that doesn't sound like the usual Mike Cameron...

that's cause it's the pissed off Mike Cameron. And this is why they should have got Delgado instead.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Schoeneweis is an odd signing, but he's posted good numbers as a reliever, the role the Blue Jays expect him to fill. Eric Hinske and Hillenbrand will likely form a first base platoon, but if Hinske doesn't rebound, I expect Hillenbrand might win the job outright.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I don't know but that doesn't sound like the usual Mike Cameron...

that's cause it's the pissed off Mike Cameron. And this is why they should have got Delgado instead.

Cameron didn't really sound pissed, it just sounds like he wants to play center field. If he can, he should. Half of his value is that he's a terrific defensive player. There's little value for a right fielder with a good glove, but sub-par OBP. Given the need of the Houston Astros, I am sure there is a deal out there.

[sfaJack 0]

Astros are supposed to be "very interested" in Jeromy Burnitz for CF, for god knows what reason.

 

There are also rumblings of a Brandon Backe/Chris Burke-for-Alfonso Soriano deal with the Rangers.

[DerangedHermit 0]

I don't know but that doesn't sound like the usual Mike Cameron...

that's cause it's the pissed off Mike Cameron. And this is why they should have got Delgado instead.

Cameron didn't really sound pissed, it just sounds like he wants to play center field. If he can, he should. Half of his value is that he's a terrific defensive player. There's little value for a right fielder with a good glove, but sub-par OBP. Given the need of the Houston Astros, I am sure there is a deal out there.

I don't think he'll end up with the Astros. Most likely Arizona (for who?), Cubs, A's, or super longshots, the Yankees and the Red Sox.