And So it Begins

[Mik 0]

If the Marlins do poorly this year, I fully expect and will gladly accept any and all scathing comments.

 

But don't hold your breath for it happening.

[Guest Smues]

Barring some major injuries or hurricanes the Marlins are going to be tough this year.

[The Czech Republic 0]

Ok, you're certainly entitled to that opinion. But would you care to back it up?

 

And, "Miguel Cabrera mocked Moises Alou in Wrigley Field last year and Jeff Loria is a jerk, so the Marlins suck!" isn't a good reason.

Don't worry, mocking Moises Alou is fair game.

 

Yeah Loria is a jerk.

 

Would "The Braves have amazing pitching, the Mets are improving, and the Phillies can never be counted out" be a sufficient reason for me to not hand the Marlins the NL East on a freaking platter? Shit.

[treble 0]

I'm not quite sure that adding Delgado makes them world beaters all of a sudden. I think they'll improve, but I'm not sure they win the division by 10 games because of it.

[strummer 0]

Curbed, you should be happy about the lineup, but the backend of the rotation with Leiter and Valdes if far from a sure thing. If Beckett and Burnett are healthy and Willis returns to 2003 form than it's a very solid first 3.

 

And this will be Mota's first year as a closer, which is a question mark.

[treble 0]

I'm not quite sure that adding Delgado makes them world beaters all of a sudden. I think they'll improve, but I'm not sure they win the division by 10 games because of it.

[Guest Failed Mascot]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Atlanta try and take a flyer on Maggs either to keep up with the Mets and Marlins.

[Mik 0]

Ok, you're certainly entitled to that opinion. But would you care to back it up?

 

And, "Miguel Cabrera mocked Moises Alou in Wrigley Field last year and Jeff Loria is a jerk, so the Marlins suck!" isn't a good reason.

Don't worry, mocking Moises Alou is fair game.

 

Yeah Loria is a jerk.

 

Would "The Braves have amazing pitching, the Mets are improving, and the Phillies can never be counted out" be a sufficient reason for me to not hand the Marlins the NL East on a freaking platter? Shit.

There's a big difference between handing them the NL East on a platter and saying they will finish 4th.

 

Everyone is forgetting that the Marlins played themselves within 1 1/2 games of the wildcard before the hurricane forced them to play 32 games in 27 days. After they traded for LoDuca and Mota they were a much improved team. They started last season with terrible holes that they filled midseason. Now they have added a veteran presence to the staff, added some key bullpen pieces and now Delgado. It's not just Delgado, it's much more than that. The problem is no one has been paying attention, so now I sound like a lunatic.

[The Czech Republic 0]

Yeah good point both times treble I think a lot of NL teams are looking much better than 2004, and it's gonna be competitive across the board, no doubt. But no, Delgado is not going to make the Marlins this unstoppable force. Al Leiter isn't getting any younger and if any one or two of Willis, Burnett, and Beckett go down, they're sunk.

 

Nobody looks like they're going to win ANY division by 10 games right now. I think the Cubs look the best in the Central, but they're not gonna walk all over everyone like the Cardinals did. the California teams will be close, and it's a good 3-or-4 way race in the East.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Then the Blue Jays realised that $17-18mill for him was ridiculous. I wouldn't be surprised if he's a DH at best at the end of 07 or start of 08.

So the national league is going to adopt the DH by then?

[Guest Failed Mascot]

Then the Blue Jays realised that $17-18mill for him was ridiculous. I wouldn't be surprised if he's a DH at best at the end of 07 or start of 08.

So the national league is going to adopt the DH by then?

Think Mo Vaughn and what he gave the Mets at the end.

[The Czech Republic 0]

Then the Blue Jays realised that $17-18mill for him was ridiculous. I wouldn't be surprised if he's a DH at best at the end of 07 or start of 08.

So the national league is going to adopt the DH by then?

Think Mo Vaughn and what he gave the Mets at the end.

Mo Vaughn gives anything? He seems like he just takes and takes and takes.

 

 

Yep, it must be October again

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Then the Blue Jays realised that $17-18mill for him was ridiculous. I wouldn't be surprised if he's a DH at best at the end of 07 or start of 08.

So the national league is going to adopt the DH by then?

Think Mo Vaughn and what he gave the Mets at the end.

A high priced bench warmer?

[Mik 0]

I know I have Delgado in my sig now, but think of the guy that's been there for the past six months. He's one year older - with another year of experience. I think he has the talent to be one of the best players in all of baseball. His most comparable player at this age is Hank Aaron, and that age is only 21.

 

Keep in mind, he was brushed back by a Roger Clemens fast ball directly under the chin, in the WORLD SERIES, and followed up 3 pitches later with a homerun. How many 20 year olds do that?

 

He's only going to be better hitting in front of Delgado this year.

[Guest Smues]

Then the Blue Jays realised that $17-18mill for him was ridiculous. I wouldn't be surprised if he's a DH at best at the end of 07 or start of 08.

So the national league is going to adopt the DH by then?

I sure hope not.

[Guest Failed Mascot]

Then the Blue Jays realised that $17-18mill for him was ridiculous. I wouldn't be surprised if he's a DH at best at the end of 07 or start of 08.

So the national league is going to adopt the DH by then?

Think Mo Vaughn and what he gave the Mets at the end.

A high priced bench warmer?

Bingo.

 

Delgado has had back problems in the past and a knee problem as well. He's also no young buck so the decline could begin. I'm not saying it will be as bad as Mo Vaughn, but by the end of the contract they may have some real dead cash on their roster.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Meanwhile...

 

I guess the last big name hitter is Magglio Ordonez. While I'd like to think the Os would go after him, they probably wont.

 

AND...if they do, he'll probably turn out to be Albert Belle 2.0 with that knee.

[Guest Smues]

I was hoping if the O's didn't sign Delgado he could be the Mets next Mo Vaughn. Guess I'll have to hope for that to be Beltran.

[The Czech Republic 0]

I want Magglio in left for the month that he lasts

[2GOLD 0]

Meanwhile...

 

I guess the last big name hitter is Magglio Ordonez. While I'd like to think the Os would go after him, they probably wont.

 

AND...if they do, he'll probably turn out to be Albert Belle 2.0 with that knee.

 

Let the Tigers have him.

 

I'm willing to see the O's just go with the young gun outifeld than risk signing the next Albert Belle. Crap, I'd rather see Curtis Goodwin return than Mags.

[Guest Smues]

Are the O's still paying Albert Belle money or is that finally over?

[Guest Failed Mascot]

That ended after 03

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I want alkeiper to run his NL east simulator now and see what it turns up. An interesting exercise to say the least.

 

However, if he comes back still saying the Phillies, I'll discount it as anything remotely resembling reliable.

 

I'm working on inputing new statistics. My rule is that all stat lines must come from a projection system, usually Bill James' Handbook for hitters and ZipS for pitchers.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Are the O's still paying Albert Belle money or is that finally over?

That was over last year which is why they had money to pay tejada.

 

This year they got rid of Cordova, Segui and Daal's contracts which was supposed to allow them to be active in the Free Agent market...

[Guest Smues]

I want alkeiper to run his NL east simulator now and see what it turns up. An interesting exercise to say the least.

 

However, if he comes back still saying the Phillies, I'll discount it as anything remotely resembling reliable.

 

I'm working on inputing new statistics. My rule is that all stat lines must come from a projection system, usually Bill James' Handbook for hitters and ZipS for pitchers.

(Waits and hopes the Braves finish respectably)

[MrRant 0]

I want Magglio in left for the month that he lasts

I think a reasonable one year flyer on him isn't that big of a risk.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I want Magglio in left for the month that he lasts

I think a reasonable one year flyer on him isn't that big of a risk.

I am VERY suspicious of Magglio's knee right now. Career .300 hitter, and no serious market? Something's up.

[Fökai 0]

No seriously--the Marlins won't win the East

Quoted for future reference.

[The Czech Republic 0]

No seriously--the Marlins won't win the East

Quoted for future reference.

Are you trying to humiliate me? I thought you were a Braves fan, bravesfan.

[Fökai 0]

No, seriously, the Marlins finished thirteen games behind the Braves last year, including a 4-9 stretch to end the season.

 

Record against opponents:

      W  L      RS      RA    WP

ARI  4  3      53      37  0.571

ATL  5  14      60      96  0.263

CHC  3  3      28      24  0.500

CHW  2  1      11      8  0.667

CIN  2  4      24      26  0.333

CLE  2  1      12      14  0.667

COL  5  1      40      27  0.833

DET  1  2      15      16  0.333

HOU  3  3      19      31  0.500

LAD  3  3      20      25  0.500

MIL  4  2      32      18  0.667

MON  11  8      80      69  0.579

NYM  15  4      91      68  0.789

PHI  12  7    103      92  0.632

PIT  1  5      16      24  0.167

SDP  4  2      30      22  0.667

SFG  2  5      38      42  0.286

STL  2  4      15      17  0.333

TBD  2  4      22      25  0.333

TEX  0  3      9      19  0.000

 

..we could going with simple statistics if you want to.

 

Hey, how'd they do in that final series with the Braves? Sweep, I think?