And So it Begins

[The Czech Republic 0]

at 12-7, I gotta say the Phillie-Killer thing about the Marlins was a tad overhyped. They fared better against the Mets.

[mike546 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.

Andrew Jones.

 

19 years old.

 

Two of them.

 

[Fökai 0]

The question is not how the Marlins will win the division, but how the Braves will lose the division.

[The Czech Republic 0]

Of course. Always the case.

 

I think a big factor will be Atlanta's Bobby Cox and Leo Mazzone. They work miracles. Jack "har har I like cigars" McKeon isn't so much great as he is just plain old.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Regarding the Marlins, its tricky to judge them by last season, because they had many injuries to their pitching staff, and they played 27 games in 24 days to close the season. Logan Kensing started three games, and lost all three. That killed the Marlins. This season, it really depends on their injury situation. The Marlins have front-line talent, but very little depth. Remember, this is a team that thinks its a good idea to let Lenny Harris hold a bat in his hands. There is also little pitching beyond the front four. If Burnett and Beckett stay healthy, the Marlins could win the East. But if they don't, no chance.

[Fökai 0]

Doesn't everyone have to deal with injury and depth problems, though?

 

Last year, we were shuffling between Giles and Green at second, moving Chipper back to his natural position to replace DeRosa, bringing Charles Thomas along, while platooning at center AND first.

[strummer 0]

at 12-7, I gotta say the Phillie-Killer thing about the Marlins was a tad overhyped. They fared better against the Mets.

Most of those games the Mets had Wilson Delgado, Jeff Koepinger, Gerald Williams and Eric Valent in the starting lineup. Not an excuse, but the Mets had a AAA team out there in Aug. and Sept. They were a .500 team at the All Star break and totally collapsed in Aug/Sept. due to injuries.

[The Czech Republic 0]

Doesn't everyone have to deal with injury and depth problems, though?

Yeah. Never lose sight of the fact that any player can get injured. As for the Cubs pitching staff, I think EVERY player got injured.

[DerangedHermit 0]

at 12-7, I gotta say the Phillie-Killer thing about the Marlins was a tad overhyped. They fared better against the Mets.

Most of those games the Mets had Wilson Delgado, Jeff Koepinger, Gerald Williams and Eric Valent in the starting lineup.

Don't forget Joe McEwing.

[Bored 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.

True but isn't the timing of Ordonez now finally talking to a team (Tigers) seem a bit convenient? It comes right as Delgado is about to sign and leaves Ordonez as the last major free agent out there. He's potentially put himself in a position where teams like the Tigers and Orioles who didn't make that big free agent signing everyone thought they would may now overpay to get him. After all Boras is his agent.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Doesn't everyone have to deal with injury and depth problems, though?

 

Last year, we were shuffling between Giles and Green at second, moving Chipper back to his natural position to replace DeRosa, bringing Charles Thomas along, while platooning at center AND first.

Yes, but some teams are better prepared. The Phillies, for example, have Placido Polanco available if Utley or Bell goes down, and Gavin Floyd and Ryan Madson if an injury occurs to the pitching staff.

[Guest Smues]

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.

Andrew Jones.

 

19 years old.

 

Two of them.

 

Roger Clemens wasn't on the Yankees when Andruw Jones was 19.

[Guest Rrrsh]

As a proud Marlins fan, I am fairly confident that we (Just to piss off poeple) are a closer (or a set-up man if mota is closing) from being complete in being a serious contender in the NL. As of now, I am still unsure if they can knock off the Braves.

[Bored 0]

Just when you thought the Yankees bench couldn't get more brutal...

 

http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yan...eball-headlines

 

The Yankees have few details to finish before spring training begins in three weeks, and it appears they will sign either Doug Glanville or Tom Goodwin to a minor-league contract to fill the fourth outfielder's role.

 

With the Yankees uninterested in Carlos Beltran, who is now with the Mets, the club's outfield alignment remained intact this offseason, and either Glanville or Goodwin would provide adequate backup at all three positions.

 

Glanville, 34, appeared in 87 games for the Phillies last season, batting .210 with two home runs. Goodwin, 36, hit .200 in 77 games for the Cubs. 

Now Rickey Henderson will be playing for the Newark Bears a little over 20 miles away. Don't you think he could beat out Glanville for a job?

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Normally I'd mock this, but the Yankees' greatest need was outfield defense. Glanville may hit for shit, but he is truly an excellent defensive player. If used correctly, as a defensive sub or pinch runner, he can benefit the Yankees.

[DerangedHermit 0]

Al, who do you think is the Mets' best option at 1st right now? Would it be Travis Lee?

[DerangedHermit 0]

Sportscenter just said the Mets got Doug Mientkiewcz for a minor leaguer (please let it be Heilman or Seo; I'd shoot myself it was Petit or Milledge)

[Guest Smues]

Sportscenter just said the Mets got Doug Mientkiewcz for a minor leaguer (please let it be Heilman or Seo; I'd shoot myself it was Petit or Milledge)

Don't you mean they got mientkiewcz and the world series ball for a minor league prospect?

[DerangedHermit 0]

Sportscenter just said the Mets got Doug Mientkiewcz for a minor leaguer (please let it be Heilman or Seo; I'd shoot myself it was Petit or Milledge)

Don't you mean they got mientkiewcz and the world series ball for a minor league prospect?

Quite possibly.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Al, who do you think is the Mets' best option at 1st right now? Would it be Travis Lee?

On the team, probably Victor Diaz. Of available players, I would be inclined to say John Olerud or Lee.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I completed the NL East Sim. Basically, it consists of a 162 game schedule, with each team playing its NL East opponents 40-41 times each. So this only accounts for games within the division. I ran the simulation five times...

 

Sim 1

Phi 88-74

Fla 86-76

NYM 86-76

Was 73-89

Atl 72-90

 

Sim 2

Atl 90-72

NYM 83-79

Fla 81-81

Phi 79-83

Was 72-90

 

Sim 3

Phi 96-66

Fla 88-74

Was 75-87

Atl 75-87

NYM 71-91

 

Sim 4

NYM 88-74

Phi 84-78

Atl 82-80

Fla 81-81

Was 70-92

 

Sim 5

NYM 95-67

Atl 82-80

Fla 80-82

Phi 76-86

Was 72-90

 

AVERAGE

Phi 85-77

Fla 83-79

NYM 85-77

Was 72-90

Atl 80-82

 

You probably noticed alot of the results are all over the place. That's the random nature of the game. The fact that most of the averages fall around .500 indicate that this could be a tight, four team race. I do think the Phillies are the favorites, because they have a complete team from one to 25. The Mets, Marlins and Braves are weak on the bench, and in the bullpen. I would note that the Nationals are consistantly bad.

[Mik 0]

Ha. It actually did come back the Phillies. I don't buy it.

[DerangedHermit 0]

Ha. It actually did come back the Phillies. I don't buy it.

Neither do I.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Ha. It actually did come back the Phillies. I don't buy it.

They also fell below .500. It's certainly not out of the ordinary to think the Phillies can win the division. They were slaughtered by injuries last year.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I also didn't sort the averages. The Phillies are tied with the Mets, if you look closely.

[The Czech Republic 0]

If the Phillies didn't lose Pat Burrell they could've made it a closer race.

[DerangedHermit 0]

According to ESPN 1050, Mets trade Aaron Heilman (and possibly Ian Bladergroen - cool name) for Mientkiewcz (whew, if it was Petit....grrrr)

 

The Phillies are tied with the Mets, if you look closely.

Now I REALLY don't buy it.

[bob_barron 0]

The Braves aren't going 80-82. I don't buy that

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

If the Phillies didn't lose Pat Burrell they could've made it a closer race.

The biggest losses were in the pitching staff. Millwood missed 7 starts, Wolf missed about 10, and Padilla missed about 12. That's almost 30 starts missed from the top of the rotation. 10 of those starts were filled by Paul Abbott (1-6). Take 30 starts away from your 6th and 7th best pitchers and replace them with better starters, and you can see an improvement fairly quickly in your club.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

The Braves aren't going 80-82. I don't buy that

Remember this does not take into account the games the Braves and others will play against the Reds, Pirates, Diamondbacks, Rockies, and other bad teams. I doubt the division winner will claim just 85 wins. Its just a product of the simulation techniques. And remember there is a significant margin of error involved. The result can EASILY swing 10-15 wins.