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2006 MLB Season

post #1 of 335
2/28/06 at 12:19pm
Thread Starter 
I'd have expected a thread started earlier, but the baseball season is now 1 week in. Perhaps everyone is just assuming it's going to the White Sox again this year?

Of course I'm kidding. I actually had a dream last night where I checked the standings and the Sox were 43-53. That would certainly piss me off.

Anyways, I'm feeling pretty good about my team. They just came off winning the title and improved themselves in the offseason. However, the AL Central is easily the second-toughest division in baseball and will be challenging the AL East for that title throughout the year. The Indians will be tough to beat, the Twins have some great young players getting better and if the Tigers' young pitching improves, they'll have a very solid team.

And how terrible is the NL this year?
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post #2 of 335
2/28/06 at 12:38pm
I like how the Boss decided to put his pair back on and declare that the Yanks were winning it all this year. Also I like pissed off A-Rod. However, I've decided to play ignorant regarding the starting rotation by stating:

CM Wang and Chacon are going to produce just like last year;
Mussina and Johnson aren't too old; and
Pavano and Wright just had off years.

In all honesty, its another year of 10-7 victories and 5-1 losses. Nonetheless, it'll be the starters that'll screw them this year as opposed to the bullpen.

And yes the NL has turned into the NBA Eastern Conference.
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post #3 of 335
2/28/06 at 1:12pm
I look forward to the season, but there feels to be an absence of any real stories. I'll be watching Bonds, and I will of course check on the Mets, but aside from that? I suppose the AL East struggle will be interesting, as Baltimore definitely upgraded with Leo Mazzone getting that pitching staff, while Toronto seems to have really knuckled up.
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post #4 of 335
2/28/06 at 2:08pm
Baltimore is my team, now they have pitching to match their hitting but i still predict they start out strong and look like contenders then half way through the season they fall apart and go from the top of the AL to the bottom in about a month......happens every year.....Other than seeing B-More actually make it to the playoffs and go into the late rounds there is nothing i would rather see more than the yankees fall apart and suck this year and not even get into the playoffs.........and we all know that won't happen
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post #5 of 335
2/28/06 at 5:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jcassady
Pavano and Wright just had off years.
Sorry but Pavano's going to be spending more time on his back this year than ex-girlfriend Alyssa Milano.

That said, I expect the Yankees to win the AL East again this year (although I'm interested to see how the Farnsworth experiment works out), with Boston and Toronto fighting for the Wild Card with the Indians, Twins, and probably the Angels or the A's. Toronto's certainly the biggest X factor in the AL.

While I agree about the realtive quality of the NL, I think the parity is greater and it could make for some interesting pennant races. Milwaukee might finally contend, so might the Mets (on paper they should). It's always fun seeing if the Cubbies will make it back to the playoffs. The Giants might make another run if Bonds stays healthy. Ken "Paper Vagina" Griffey might make it through the whole season.
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post #6 of 335
2/28/06 at 5:42pm
Should be an interesting year. I'm wondering if the Angels slip or stay dominant with their severely lacking offseason. No one was brought in to protect Vlad so a healthy Garrett Anderson is a must. Can Erstad, McPherson and Kotchman step up? Will Molina going to Toronto effect the defense and pitching?

Other than that i'm curious to see how Damon does in pinstripes.

Mazzone's effect in Baltimore. Toronto's FA squad. Texas's pitching. Cleveland's heart. The Dodgers infield. Whats left of the Florida fleamarket? The Met$. Can Atlanta make it 15 division titles in a row?
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post #7 of 335
2/28/06 at 7:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jcassady
I like how the Boss decided to put his pair back on and declare that the Yanks were winning it all this year. Also I like pissed off A-Rod. However, I've decided to play ignorant regarding the starting rotation by stating:

CM Wang and Chacon are going to produce just like last year;
Mussina and Johnson aren't too old; and
Pavano and Wright just had off years.

In all honesty, its another year of 10-7 victories and 5-1 losses. Nonetheless, it'll be the starters that'll screw them this year as opposed to the bullpen.

And yes the NL has turned into the NBA Eastern Conference.
I have to agree. I don't know about Wright though. But the lineup is dangerous. I hope they knock in 1000 runs.

As for the NL, I think if Bonds plays 120 games, the Giants win the NL west by 10 games.

The Cardinals will win the NL Central again and the Braves will win the NL east again -- The Mets are overrated.
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post #8 of 335
2/28/06 at 11:22pm
The Pirates are my sleeper team.
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post #9 of 335
2/28/06 at 11:25pm
Interesting road uniforms the Giants have this year:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200....ap/index.html

Jesus Christ.
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post #10 of 335
2/28/06 at 11:29pm
If Bonds can get through 100 games this season he can dress as fruity as he wants.
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post #11 of 335
2/28/06 at 11:32pm
Eddie Murphy is asking around for Barry's number now.

Hopefully Oakland can actually start fast and not have to come from 15 behind. Alot of young teams to look forward too(Cleveland, Milwaukee), Will Toronto contend or be a bust, Will anyone from the NL West reach .500, where will Sori play in Wash, and can Atlanta do it again?

Be nice to See Toronto in first and NY/Bos struggle. Get some ne blood in the playoffs. Same with Atl and Stl.

Who will get injured first-Nomar, Griffey, or Frank Thomas?
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post #12 of 335
2/28/06 at 11:46pm
I know Ill get laughed out of the forums for thinking so but I kinda like how the Devil Rays are shaping up this season. New owner in charge now not completely afraid of spending some money(though admittedly, no big named players signed as a result) and several young new up and coming pitchers. Last season they would have been a contender for at least a .500 record if they had more than two guys that could throw the ball. Even with the fastest outfield in baseball, you can only expect to defend so many hits in a game.

This year with guys like Jorge Cantu and Jonny Gomes starting out the year instead of coming in halfway I think they could do ok, not to mention Rocco Baldelli finally making his return to the team after a year off injured. If they were in any other division they might even be wild card contenders but when you have to play the damn Yankees and the Red Sox so many times in the season the odds are kind of stacked against you from the outset.
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post #13 of 335
3/1/06 at 12:28am
they have the same team as last season. how is that wild card material? i know they're young but do you expect delmon young to go out and be a 30/30 guy right away? that's if he even makes the team. baldelli is a decent player but is he supposed to be the guy to get them over the top? huff had a terrible year so i expect him to bounce back but is cantu a one year wonder? their pitching staff is dreadful. i expect big things out of kazmir but casey fussum? no. hendrickson? no. he'll give em some innings i guess. mcclung, waechter and jackson? maybe one of em can do ok but that's about it. it's looking like another season in the cellar for the d-rays. they don't know how to win on the road. they're atleast another year away at best if their prospects pan out.
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post #14 of 335
3/1/06 at 1:22am
As I said, in another division they could be wild card material. Though upon closer inspection, really only in the NL West could they have any chance with a record around .500. If they can manage to play an entire season like they played the last half of last season its not completely out of the realm of possibility that they could get to .500, they just need some consistancy. They generally produce enough runs to win games if they can even manage decent pitching.

I was probably overreaching a little but I dont think they will be the total loss they normally tend to be. But that could easily be wishful thinking for my home team on my part.
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post #15 of 335
3/1/06 at 5:19pm
I think this is going to be an interesting year. Not too many teams look like they'll be completely out of it in their divisions, although I expect the Royals and Marlins to be quite awful.

Just off the top of my head, I'd think that the Braves, Mets, Phillies, Cardinals, Cubs, Brewers, Astros, the NL West, Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, White Sox, Indians, Twins, A's, Angels and (maybe) the Rangers to have at least an outside chance of competing within their divisions for post season spots. I wouldn't expect the Pirates, Reds, or Orioles to be that out of it, although I look at the Pirates hitting and the pitching of the Reds and Orioles and see problems they likely can't overcome. The Nationals and Mariners could go either way for me, either surprise or be very bad, but I don't think either has enough short term upside.
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post #16 of 335
3/1/06 at 7:58pm
Bold Predictions

N.L. West Winner: Dodgers (86-76)
N.L. Central Winner: Cardinals (92-70)
N.L. East Winner: Mets: (90-72)
N.L. Wild Card: Braves (88-74)

A.L. West: Angels (95-67)
A.L. Central: White Sox (102-60)
A.L. East: Yankees (99-63)
A.L. Wild Card: Toronto Blue Jays (93-69)

Chicago White Sox over the Mets in the World Series.

Cleveland will finish tied with Toronto, it will go to a tiebreaker that the blue jays will win.

There will be four teams below .500 in the N.L. West again.

There will be four teams above .500 in the N.L. Central.

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays will finish second to last, rather than last.
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post #17 of 335
3/1/06 at 9:34pm
I see the Astros making The Leap to frontrunners this year, which is to say I don't think the Cardinals are clear cut favorites in the NL Central. I do think that, like last year, whoever loses that race will win the wildcard.
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post #18 of 335
3/1/06 at 9:36pm
Brett Boone officially called it quits today. Was hoping he had another season in him, but I think it's best for him to focus on taking care of his ill wife.

Thanks for the memories, Brett.
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post #19 of 335
3/1/06 at 9:42pm
Would have liked to have seen what he played like this year if he played at all. That monster season (a couple of years back) had to be roids.
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post #20 of 335
3/1/06 at 9:43pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jonathan Banks is my hero
I see the Astros making The Leap to frontrunners this year, which is to say I don't think the Cardinals are clear cut favorites in the NL Central. I do think that, like last year, whoever loses that race will win the wildcard.
I agree with the Cardinals statement, but not with the Stros. I know people have expected them to fall the past couple years, but they were exposed as an old and slow team in the World Series. Even if Clemens pitches, how long can he go for? I think they take a dive this year.

The entire NL Central has fallen in line perfectly for the Cub to make a run.
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post #21 of 335
3/1/06 at 9:51pm
Was it his ill wife or lack of steroid use that caused Boone to retire? The guy goes from teens to 20's and upper 30's.

With the BoSox, Yanks, and Blue Jays I find it hard to believe you will see 2 90 win teams in the East. Even Baltimore is decent.

And the White Sox might win the division but 100+ wins? Not many teams go 2 years in a row w/ virtually no injuries and everything going their way. Plus if Cleveland starts out hot that could be a good race. And you never know with Minny.

Early line
AL East-Yankees
AL Central-Indian
AL West-A's
WC-White Sox

NL East-Braves
NL Central-Cards
NL West-Padres
WC-Cubs
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post #22 of 335
3/1/06 at 9:55pm
Thread Starter 
No injuries? Scotty Pods had 2 hernias, and Dustin Hermanson - who was untouchable the first two months of the year - could barely pitch an inning by the end of the year. Crede was on the DL for a few weeks and Brandon McCarthy wasn't pitching at the end of the year because their rotation was healthy. They just had guys step up when the starters went down.
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post #23 of 335
3/1/06 at 10:17pm
and don't forget about the big hurt!
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post #24 of 335
3/2/06 at 1:02am
People picking against the Atlanta Braves in the National League East... I just don't get it. I could care less what moves they made, the composition of their team, or their coaching staff.

They've officially reached MacGuyver status in my book.
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post #25 of 335
3/2/06 at 1:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MoNkaholic
People picking against the Atlanta Braves in the National League East... I just don't get it. I could care less what moves they made, the composition of their team, or their coaching staff.

They've officially reached MacGuyver status in my book.
A mullet, soap on a rope and a breath mint in order to escape any situation?
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post #26 of 335
3/2/06 at 7:04pm
Miguel Cabrera just inked a one-year, $472,000 deal:

ESPN

When I first saw that, I had to do a double-take. What? $472K???? That's all he got? After consecutive seasons of:

2004 - AVG .294 | HR 33 | RBI 112 | OBP .366 | SLG .512
2005 - AVG .323 | HR 33 | RBI 116 | OBP .385 | SLG .561

Seriously, those numbers should have gotten him multiple millions from someone. Crazy.

Oh well. Like everyone else, I'm super-excited for the upcoming MLB season. Jayson Stark's recent article about the Red Sox pretty much summed up how I feel right now, and I can't wait to see the new team in action.
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post #27 of 335
3/2/06 at 7:21pm
Thread Starter 
That's a great deal for a non-arbitration player.
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post #28 of 335
3/2/06 at 7:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Guttenberg Fan Club
That's a great deal for a non-arbitration player.
Yea, I suppose it is. It's just strange seeing that from a guy who's as good as him.

Considering he'll be arbitration-eligible at the end of the year for the first time, I imagine he'll hit the jackpot then.
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post #29 of 335
3/2/06 at 8:03pm
Thread Starter 
Last year, Mark Beurhle - who was the opening day starter for the White Sox and had already cemented himself as one of the most consistent pitchers in the AL - recieved a raise up to about $310,000. I know it's still a lot of money, but comparitively speaking, MLB players don't really get paid until after about 5 years.
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post #30 of 335
3/2/06 at 9:47pm
and didn't buehrle at the time get the biggest salary for a non-arbitration player? he probably deserved it.
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post #31 of 335
3/3/06 at 6:49pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Anyawatchin Angel
Who will get injured first-Nomar, Griffey, or Frank Thomas?
And the winner is...KERRY WOOD!

That guy has some of the worst luck. He's out till mid-May at the earliest.
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post #32 of 335
3/3/06 at 6:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Guttenberg Fan Club
And the winner is...KERRY WOOD!

That guy has some of the worst luck. He's out till mid-May at the earliest.
Wrong but thanks for playing. Mark Prior is the bigger worry.
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post #33 of 335
3/3/06 at 7:02pm
Thread Starter 
Actually, I'm quite right.

You need to visit a chicago sports website right now, Anya.
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post #34 of 335
3/3/06 at 7:08pm
The knee isn't the problem. It's his arm. That's why the late start for him.
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post #35 of 335
3/3/06 at 7:14pm
Thread Starter 
Wait, Wood's arm is injured? Or are you talking about Prior? I don't get it.

Wood is going to have surgery on his knee, or are you saying that story is bullshit?
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post #36 of 335
3/3/06 at 7:17pm
he is having surgery on his knee but that isn't his main injury that will keep him out. It's a minor set back. Wood wasn't going to pitch in April because he's rehabbing from shoulder surgery.

He could have pitched through the knee but I guess the Cubs are playing it safe.
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post #37 of 335
3/3/06 at 7:20pm
Thread Starter 
From everything I've read, he was on target to start pitching in the majors around mid-April. Now he'll be out at least another six weeks past that.

Then again, maybe I was just assuming the news from the Cub injury camp wasn't bullshit, though.
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post #38 of 335
3/3/06 at 7:27pm
I just kept hearing Kerry Wood after April, Wade Miller mid May/June1st. Add 2-4 weeks because this is the Cubs and they no longer have credability with injuries.
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post #39 of 335
3/6/06 at 10:13am
Kirby Puckett stroked out over the weekend. I guess the guy has really let his health slide since he left baseball. No mention of his extra-curricular hijinx on any of the sports pages that I can see.
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post #40 of 335
3/16/06 at 3:50pm
doc halladay signs a 3 year, $40 mil extention with the jays. wonderful news!
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post #41 of 335
3/17/06 at 8:52pm
Good for Doc. He surely would've gotten more $$$ from another team, but he'll be staying in TO for another few years.
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post #42 of 335
3/17/06 at 11:09pm
Thats awesome news for the Jays. Other than Santana he is the best pitcher in the AL IMO.
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post #43 of 335
3/18/06 at 11:29pm
http://fantasysports.yahoo.com/analy...gns&league=mlb

A.J Burnett leaves a spring training game for the Jays with a sore elbow. He is awaiting an MRI. This cant be good news for a guy who has already had one Tommy John surgery. Hopefully for the Jays it isnt anything serious seeing they kind of overpaid for A.J in the first place.
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post #44 of 335
3/19/06 at 12:31am
Wow, that sucks.
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post #45 of 335
3/19/06 at 3:22am
mri was negative. the jays are lucky for the time being.
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post #46 of 335
3/19/06 at 3:32am
Thats great news. Seeing they are probably my favourite team in the AL (although not too much to cheer about lately) I was worried their Wild Card hopes took a major hit. Hopefully he can get back on track relatively quick and be ready for Opening Day if not atleast mid April. This a perfect example though of why you need to be a bit careful with young pitchers. Torberg back in Burnett's Marlin days used to leave the guy out there to throw 130-140 pitches some games.
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post #47 of 335
3/19/06 at 5:14pm
The Jays had better watch him damn carefully, though.
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post #48 of 335
3/19/06 at 8:17pm
Burnett should be a Cub.
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post #49 of 335
3/19/06 at 8:40pm
Because he's a good pitcher with a history of arm trouble?
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post #50 of 335
3/19/06 at 9:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Subotai
Because he's a good pitcher with a history of arm trouble?
something like that. And don't be surprised if the injury is more serious then first thought.
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