I know it's only spring training still but the Red Sox might be really good this year, or really old and broken down. Health is going to be a HUGE factor for them this season.

McCourt and the Dodgers pretty much BEGGING Ramirez to take his 45 million dollars? It seems to me that this was like the A-Rod/Texas contract where the owner is bidding against himself. I guess I shouldn't care it's not my money but come on man have some pride.

As a Dodger fan, I was ready for McCourt to tell Manny to go kick rocks. If they would have pulled their offer and spring training got closer, Manny would have had to take a one year deal. Tough to say though, Manny is the type of guy that will sit out if he had to. At the end of the day he makes our team better and is the only real source of power we have. I’m more worried about our pitching staff. Losing Penny, Lowe & Saito is big, so we need the young guys to step up. Giants pitching staff is pretty deep on paper, to bad their offense looks like a AAA team.

AL East should be a 3 team race again. The Yankee’s are much improved and I think the Red Sox might be taking a step back by just getting older. Will the Ray’s take a step back or forward? You never know with these young teams. David Price looks for real though.

I can see the Tigers and the Indians bouncing back in the AL Central if healthy and the twins always find a way to be in it.

AL West is the Angeles by default, although I think the A’s could surprise people this year.

NL East should be interesting with the Mets and Phil’s with the Braves and Marlins a notch below. Each team has their issues, but could be great on any given night.

NL Central should be a walk for the Cubs, but you know how that goes…..

Can’t wait for the season to start!

Looking forward to the season and to see if the trend holds up where the Yankees win championships when there is a Democrat in the White House.

BTW if you are a fantasy baseball fan, there is a separate thread I started for this year. Let me know if you are interested if you haven't done so already. So far, we have 6 teams.

quote:

Originally posted by GlennK:
AL East should be a 3 team race again. The Yankee’s are much improved and I think the Red Sox might be taking a step back by just getting older. Will the Ray’s take a step back or forward?

I'm not so sure. The Rays played over their heads last year. Even though they'll have confidence going for them, I'm guessing they fight it out with Toronto for third place.

The 2008 World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies are poised to defend their title. All is right with the world.

Q, were happy for you. That being said baseball is a funny game. A couple of key injuries and the season is done. My twins are looking pretty good on paper. All five pitching starters back, everyone healthy except for relief pitcher boof bonser who is out for the season. If our bullpen can hold up we should be in good shape with crede at third base this year. I wish it was 2010 so I could be at opening day at our new outdoor stadium instead of the dome. But hey it's another season.

quote:

I'm not so sure. The Rays played over their heads last year. Even though they'll have confidence going for them, I'm guessing they fight it out with Toronto for third place.

I just don't see Baltimore being second in the AL East but if you say so

A-Rod out of the WBC to have his track marks fixed. Either that or because they do drug testing. Either way it'll be interesting to see how the Yanks do without his bat for a month or so.

A-rod will play through the pain and will put up a big year as always, perhaps without the SBs. Then he will have surgery before the post-season, and the Yanks will have their 27th title.

Classic Manny at his press conference. Starting off with “I’m baacckkk”. I was looking at our projected lineup and it looks pretty awesome, especially if Kemp or Loney progress….

quote:

Originally posted by GlennK:
Giants pitching staff is pretty deep on paper, to bad their offense looks like a AAA team.

And the D*&$#rs pitching staff looks like a Double A team!

Just wait for the Kung Fu Panda to rake line drives all over PacBell Park, GlennK, just wait. AAA my arse....

I watched Mike Lowell try that this season and it didn't help out the Sox much. Couldn't swing or field, never mind steal bases. If A-Rod plays all season with it he'll have to shoot up with more than steroids to deal with the pain.

Aside from Peavey, Young and Gonzalez, not much excitement for Pads fans this year. After a 99 loss season, I am hoping for "competitive" this year. At least they reduced the price of beer at Petco this year. I have a bad feeling that I am going to need it. Oh well, go Pads!

quote:

Originally posted by mpls wine guy:
Q, were happy for you. That being said baseball is a funny game. A couple of key injuries and the season is done. My twins are looking pretty good on paper. All five pitching starters back, everyone healthy except for relief pitcher boof bonser who is out for the season. If our bullpen can hold up we should be in good shape with crede at third base this year. I wish it was 2010 so I could be at opening day at our new outdoor stadium instead of the dome. But hey it's another season.

Hey, thanks. It was a long time coming. I have no real expectations going into this season, other than to go to a bunch of games and have fun.

I would like to be more optimistic about my Tigers this year, but pitching is still a big question mark in my mind. Overall, the starting rotation looks shaky, middle relief would be a lot more comfortable if Zumaya could stay off the DL for more than a week, and I'm not sure we have really landed an ace closer. If the staff can come anywhere near its potential, however, it might just be a good season.

quote:

Classic Manny at his press conference. Starting off with “I’m baacckkk”.

More classic Manny, faking an injury to get out of spring training. I guess it was the only way since he had 3 or 4 grandfathers die while he was in Boston.

quote:

Originally posted by Icewino:
More classic Manny, faking an injury to get out of spring training. I guess it was the only way since he had 3 or 4 grandfathers die while he was in Boston.

Even Peter Gammons (the Red Sox #1 fan) said Manny is always one of the hardest working guys on the team. First to the field, last to leave, etc.
I don’t agree with how he handled the Red Sox situation, but he is not one of the greatest hitters of all time by being lazy….

Hardest working maybe but hates spring training the most, well that and All-Star games. Also, when he has a day off don't expect him to even pinch hit. He'll stand there with the bat on his shoulder for three staright pitches before he'll swing on his day off.

That said the list of "hardest working" players in baseball includes A-Rod, Clemens, Bonds, McGwire etc etc etc. Coincidence? Dodger fans should hope not.

I will become a Sox fan if the Cubs don't win the division.

Only a couple days to go before the start of the season and the Sox are looking good. They have to send a guy with an ERA under one down to the minors because they have no room for him right now. Their pitching is deep and it's going to win the AL East for them.

My '09 picks...

AL
East - Red Sox
Central - Indians
West - Angels
Wild Card - Yankees

NL
East - Phillies
Central - Cardinals
West - Dodgers
Wild Card - Arizona

...and of course the Sox win it all.

quote:

Originally posted by Icewino:
Only a couple days to go before the start of the season and the Sox are looking good. They have to send a guy with an ERA under one down to the minors because they have no room for him right now. Their pitching is deep and it's going to win the AL East for them.

My '09 picks...

AL
East - Red Sox
Central - Indians
West - Angels
Wild Card - Yankees

NL
East - Phillies
Central - Cardinals
West - Dodgers
Wild Card - Arizona

...and of course the Sox win it all.

Pretty good..except for the picks for the AL and NL East.

The Red Sox won't win the division and its the Yanks turn for the wildcard and the Marlins pitching staff will lead them to an upset of the division, while Hanley hits 35 dingers in the 3rd spot. Beckett will blow out his arm...making that trade oh so wonderful!!!!

Oh..and the NL wildcard will be the Phillies.

Red Sox won't win the division. You'll need that AAA pitcher when Beckett and DiceK are on the shelf with shoulder and elbow problems. Put Ortiz on the same boat. He'll never be the same without Manny. Varitek will be an automatic out. Smoltz and Penny aren't gonna help.

quote:

Marlins pitching staff will lead them to an upset of the division, while Hanley hits 35 dingers in the 3rd spot. Beckett will blow out his arm...making that trade oh so wonderful!!!!

I'd love to have him back instead of the Lugo/Lowrie combo at short. I was bummed out when they traded him but without Beckett and Lowell we don't have ring number 2 here so I can't really complain that much about the trade.

Would be far more thrilled about the Angels if Texeira didn't fall to the dark side.

I'm bummin our ace Scott Baker and Mauer are starting the season on the DL. Could be tough for us if Mauer is out for a long time. We should be good if our bullpen holds up. We are all set in the infield and outfield with alot of depth.

"Today at 2:05 p.m., the Indians will begin play in their 109th season in the American League. They have won the pennant in all but 103 of the previous 108 years.

So at least they have some momentum going for them."

Play ball!

Moo