1. St. Louis Cardinals2. New York Yankees3. Detroit Tigers4. Boston Red Sox5. Chicago White Sox6. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim7. New York Mets8. Los Angeles Dodgers9. Oakland A's10. Toronto Blue Jays
I would move the Mets down a spot or 4. They starting rotation is horrible. Pedro is going to be out for more then half the of the season and Glavine & Hernandez are both older then dirt. That is going to put a lot of pressure on John Maine, Brian Bannister and Oliver Perez to step up.
Why is Pedro going to be out?Your right, they would get that spot, had they signed Zito or a big name free agent pitcher, but they missed out.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SunnyD @ Jan 20 2007, 01:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Why is Pedro going to be out?</div>http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2608613<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Mets' Martinez needs surgery on torn rotator cuffWASHINGTON -- Pedro Martinez is going to be out far longer than this postseason: The New York Mets' ace will miss a chunk of 2007, too -- because of an injured pitching shoulder. Already ruled out of the playoffs because of a bad left leg, the three-time Cy Young Award winner will have right rotator cuff surgery next week and won't resume throwing off a mound until June, Mets general manager Omar Minaya said Saturday."How do you replace a Pedro Martinez? That being said, I have a lot of confidence in our scouts and I have a lot of confidence in our front office that we will find adjustments," Minaya said. "One thing we do have ... we've got numbers. We've got some good young arms. Whether it's the free-agent market or trades, we will find guys to fill that hole."Martinez, who turns 35 next month, lasted only 2 2/3 innings at Atlanta on Wednesday as he tried to recover from an injury to his right calf muscle. Exams Thursday revealed a problem with his other calf -- which was announced -- and also uncovered the trouble in his rotator cuff -- which wasn't."He never complained to me about his shoulder bothering him," New York manager Willie Randolph said. "I don't know -- it could have been something that was lingering."Martinez got a second opinion on the shoulder, which matched the initial reading, and opted for the operation rather than trying to rehabilitate the injury. Two Mets team doctors and Dr. William Morgan, who worked for the Boston Red Sox when Martinez pitched for that club, will participate in the surgery."There's no doubt he's disappointed, because he's not going to be with the club. His winter is going to be a winter of rehab and part of next year is going to be rehab," Minaya said. "But he's determined and he's looking at the challenge."Minaya said he didn't know exactly when or how Martinez hurt his shoulder, but added that in their telephone conversation Saturday, the right-hander did say "he felt something different in his shoulder in that last game. He said that to me. I never heard that before."Martinez went 9-8 with a career-worst 4.48 ERA in only 23 starts during an injury-filled season interrupted by problems with his hip, right calf and toe.<span style="color:#FF0000">Asked whether the pitcher was considering retirement, Minaya said, "Absolutely not."</span>Martinez already was out for the playoffs because of a torn tendon in his left calf. The NL East champion Mets earned home-field advantage through the league championship series and start the playoffs next week at home -- where Minaya expects Martinez to pay his teammates a visit.Minus Martinez, the Mets will have Orlando Hernandez pitch Game 1 and Tom Glavine start Game 2. It has not yet been determined which team the Mets will play in the first round, or the date of the opener.Steve Trachsel and John Maine also could start later for the Mets in the best-of-five round.After helping the Red Sox win the 2004 World Series, Martinez joined the Mets as a free agent, signing a $53 million, four-year contract that was a big stepping stone as Minaya set out to overhaul the club.Martinez went 15-8 in his first season in New York, but 2006 was a struggle."It's very unfortunate he has to end his season like this," Randolph said. "But knowing him, and the way he works, I think he'll be fine."</div>Since then Pedro has gone on record saying that if his recovering doesn't go as planned he will consider retirement.http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article...rtnered=rss_mlb<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>NEW YORK -- The Mets continue to expect that Pedro Martinez will be back on the mound at some point in 2007. But should Martinez's recovery from a torn right rotator cuff not go as planned, the right-hander would consider retirement, he said Friday. Martinez told The Associated Press on Friday that his rehabilitation is going well, but also hinted that he does not want to return if he cannot be at full strength. "It's getting better, and progress is above all what is hoped for," Martinez said. "To go back, I have to recover. I have to be healthy. But if God doesn't want that, then I would have to think about giving it all up." ....</div>
Okay then, I'll conform and move them down.They still have a fantastic lineup, with Jose Reyes leading off and the heart of the lineup including David Wright, Carlos Delgado, and Carlos Beltran.
Oakland should go down. They lost the heart and soul of their order(Frank Thomas) Without then, their offense sputters. How the heck are the yankees so high? Last time I checked you need to also pitch to win when it counts. How are the White Sox that high? They weren't even in the top 2 of their division (granted it was the central). They did *Nothing* over the off-season, they are basiclaly returning the same team. Once again though, AL > NL by aton.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (L_C @ Jan 23 2007, 09:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Oakland should go down. They lost the heart and soul of their order(Frank Thomas) Without then, their offense sputters. How the heck are the yankees so high? Last time I checked you need to also pitch to win when it counts. How are the White Sox that high? They weren't even in the top 2 of their division (granted it was the central). They did *Nothing* over the off-season, they are basiclaly returning the same team. Once again though, AL > NL by aton.</div>The A's got Piazza, and I know that's not an improvement by any means, but they still are always a team to be reckoned with. Harden will have a breakout year, this year will be the year. The Sox still have a solid team though, I think last season they took a step back, obviously Garland wasn't as good, but they still have Konerko and a pretty solid offensive core.Did I forget any obvious team that should be in the top ten?
Not with Liriano having so many health concerns. The twins got lucky last year, they're offense wasn't that great. Plus Liriano/Santana can't pitch every game. Brad Radke had to retire because he completely raped out his arm trying to save the Twins
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (L_C @ Jan 24 2007, 07:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Not with Liriano having so many health concerns. The twins got lucky last year, they're offense wasn't that great. Plus Liriano/Santana can't pitch every game. Brad Radke had to retire because he completely raped out his arm trying to save the Twins</div>Liriano won't even pitch this seasonhttp://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2648521<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Twins were afraid of this: An ailing ligament in Francisco Liriano's left elbow must be replaced, and surgery will keep the young sensation from pitching in the 2007 season.After meeting Friday with noted specialist Dr. Lewis Yocum in Southern California, Liriano learned he needs Tommy John surgery -- a ligament transplant procedure that usually takes at least a year to recover from. Liriano, 23, is scheduled to have the operation on Monday with team physician Dr. John Steubs assisting Yocum, the Twins announced."That's the way it is. Unfortunately we're going to lose him for a year, but people come back from these with the ability to rebound," general manager Terry Ryan said by phone from Arizona, where he is scouting fall league games.Promoted to the rotation in mid-May, Liriano dominated the league with a wicked slider that he often threw well over 90 mph and went 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA and 144 strikeouts in 121 innings as a rookie. It's possible the strain put on his arm by throwing that pitch so hard was part of this problem with his ulnar collateral ligament, which first popped up in late July and was diagnosed then as a mild strain.Liriano pitched only six innings over the final two months of the season, leaving a game in mid-September after two innings because of discomfort in his elbow. He tried to throw lightly last month in Florida at the team's spring training facility, but his arm still hurt."Hopefully everything will go well, and he'll be able to get back to the form he showed this year, which is quite high," Ryan said.In the meantime, the Twins must figure out how to fill out their rotation. Johan Santana, the favorite to win his second AL Cy Young Award this month, is set in the first spot, but veteran Brad Radke's expected retirement will leave another void.That's one reason why the team exercised a $4.325 million option for next season on right-hander Carlos Silva's contract to bring back a pitcher who posted a 5.94 ERA and allowed a majors-high 38 homers.Beyond Santana and Silva, everyone else is inexperienced, though Boof Bonser pitched well as a rookie and former first-round draft picks Matt Garza and Glen Perkins are promising prospects. Scott Baker, who went 5-8 with a 6.37 ERA in 16 starts this year, will also be in the mix, and Minnesota will also consider more established options through free agency and trades.</div>and http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-t...p&type=lgns<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) -- Minnesota Twins pitcher Francisco Liriano hopes he'll recuperate from elbow surgery in time to start throwing off a mound in October. "I won't start to throw until two months from now, and I'll do my first bullpen work six months later," Liriano said Friday. In his rookie season last year, the 23-year-old left-hander went 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA. He had ligament replacement surgery on Nov. 6, and recovery time is usually at least a year. Liriano said he felt pain through five starts without telling the team, and that could have aggravated the injury. "I decided to tough it out, even though now I know I shouldn't have," he said.</div> :no1:
With Liriano and Radke both not playing next season, the I don't even think the Twins will be in the top ten. I'll move Dodgers and A's up, and add the Blue Jays.How do you guys think the Marlins will do next season, where everyone will be a year older?
Blue Jays could be better. This upcoming season. They got DH Frank Thomas. Even though he's old he can still hit lots of home runs. Vernon Wells is locked up and could possibly stay at Blue Jay until he retires. Our Pitching lineup is still alright, but we lost close Ted Lily and that could hurt us a bit.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers2. Boston Red Sox3. Detroit Tigers4. New York Mets5. Minnesota Twins6. New York Yankees7. Chicago Cubs8. St. Louis Cardinals9. San Diego Padres10. Oakland AthleticsIf the Dodgers ever have a shot to win it all, I think this is their big chance. They've improved their rotation and lineup, with some quiet producers that should help put them at the top of a fairly weak division. I think the Padres will come in a fairly close second in the West, about 5-6 games back. I have them winning the NL Wild Card.You're probably wondering why the Cardinals aren't high on this list, and I'll tell you why. I think by losing Suppan, Weaver, and Marquis they broke up a huge aspect of their success in '06. I think those pitchers alone are enough to keep them out of contention.The Tigers only helped their team with the acquisition of Sheffield, and I think a solid power hitter (assuming he stays healthy) is just what the team needs to have another solid season. Their pitching should hold fast, esepcially with experience under the belt of the young starters.I think overall the largest improvement will be seen by the Cubs organization. By moving Wood to the bullpen, and also by acquiring some top-notch players, they must be taken seriously this year!Lastly, the Twins may or may not land near the top. They have Santana, a new pair of vets, and arguably the best pitching coach in all of baseball. Assuming Silva can get back to his '05 self, the Twins will kick some Central Division butt this year. Their offense speaks for itself, and having one of the best pitching systems in baseball, it's hard to doubt their ability to get guys out, even considering their lost stars.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jukee @ Jan 31 2007, 02:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>1. Los Angeles Dodgers2. Boston Red Sox3. Detroit Tigers4. New York Mets5. Minnesota Twins6. New York Yankees7. Chicago Cubs8. St. Louis Cardinals9. San Diego Padres10. Oakland AthleticsIf the Dodgers ever have a shot to win it all, I think this is their big chance. They've improved their rotation and lineup, with some quiet producers that should help put them at the top of a fairly weak division. I think the Padres will come in a fairly close second in the West, about 5-6 games back. I have them winning the NL Wild Card.</div>I do not think that the Dodgers will win. They improved a ton, but they are still not as strong pitching as they used to be. Lowe, Penny, Wolf, Schmidt are a good starting four, but Penny will not match last season, Wolf isn't what he used to be, and Lowe is very inconsistent.Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, and James Loney make a great young core, and they will produce this year. I don't think Nomar will be the same, I don't think Gonzalez will be that great, and Juan Pierre is amazingly overrated.No Angels on your top 10? Vlad Guerrero had an off year last season, I expect him back in full swing. They still have Figgens, Matthews Jr. (OVERRATED), Cabrera, Kotchman, and Garrett Anderson, and they have a pretty solid pitching lineup, starting with Jared Weaver.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SunnyD @ Jan 31 2007, 03:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>No Angels on your top 10?</div>The AL West is always a toss-up for me. The A's and Halos are pretty close overall IMO. Cases could be made for either team. Besides, I like to shake up the predictions anyway
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>. They. Assuming Silva can get back to his '05 self, the Twins will kick some Central Division butt this year. .</div>So your saying that they've improved, even though they've lost a top ten pitcher, an inning eater and have made zero moves. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>and having one of the best pitching systems in baseball</div>You can argue that there are 2 better pitching system. Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau are stars, probably the best 3-4 combination in baseball. But there aren't enough role players on this team. Even in Silva shows up, Santana and him can't pitch every game, nor can M+M bat every time. This team was good a couple years ago, but now the core of their team is older. This team needs 1-2 years until they can contend.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (L_C @ Jan 24 2007, 10:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Not with Liriano having so many health concerns. The twins got lucky last year, they're offense wasn't that great. Plus Liriano/Santana can't pitch every game. Brad Radke had to retire because he completely raped out his arm trying to save the Twins</div>Yeah the Twins offense was sh*t. They only had the batting title winner and three guys with 100+rbi. They really sucked. Radke didn't retire because of his injury this season, everyone in Minnesota knew prior to the year that this would be his last. The rotation definitely looks a little shaky this year, but the bullpen should be the best in the bigs again. The thing going against the Twins though, is that they play in the toughest division in baseball.Also LC, Morneau does not bat fourth in the order, that spot is filled by Mike Cuddyer, who drove in 100 runs last year. If Punto and Castillo can give the kind of production they gave last year, and Rondell White hits like he did in September, the lineup should be very formidable.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Diawsome @ Jan 19 2007, 07:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I would move the Mets down a spot or 4. They starting rotation is horrible. Pedro is going to be out for more then half the of the season and Glavine & Hernandez are both older then dirt. That is going to put a lot of pressure on John Maine, Brian Bannister and Oliver Perez to step up.</div>They still have by far the most talented roster in the NL.- They have a Stacked lineup with Reyes, Wright, Beltran, Delgado, Alou, Lo Duca, ect.- They have a Stacked bullpen with Wagner, Sanchez, Heilman, Feliciano, Mota, ect.- Their rotation might not have a 'legit ace', but they still have the reliable Glavine and El Duque, will get Pedro Martinez back at midseason, and have a bunch of high potential arms to round out the rotation in John Maine, Oliver Perez, Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber (They traded Bannister to KC BTW). Which, minus the 5-plus ERA pitcher in Steve Trachsel is the same pitching staff they won 97 games with last season.Not to mention that if the Mets do need a pitcher at any point during the season, they have the chips to trade for one in Lastings Milledge and Aaron Heilman who are both pretty much expendable.
