Author Topic: MLB & Division Watching (2012)  (Read 164622 times)

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Offline KnorrForYourMoney

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Re: MLB & Division Watching (2012)
« Reply #3250: November 20, 2012, 09:51:30 PM »
I honestly think the Jays are even dumber than the Royals.  Sure, they fleeced the Marlins, but they follow that up by signing a known juicer who's demonstrably bad when he's off the juice.  Then they bring back their disastrous manager who lost his clubhouse last time he was there.

A lot of people will be drinking their Kool Aid going into this season, but I'm not going to.  They're the 2012 Marlins to me.

Online HalfSmokes

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Re: MLB & Division Watching (2012)
« Reply #3251: November 20, 2012, 10:07:06 PM »
They seem desperate -  now might be their best shot with the red sox in disarray and the Yankees aging fast,  but their team wasn't ready yet,  so the tried to go out and buy one

Offline Vega

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Re: MLB & Division Watching (2012)
« Reply #3252: November 20, 2012, 10:11:47 PM »
Toronto will need:

Healthy and productive seasons from Bautista and Lawrie.
Good Melky.
Less suckiness from Rasmus.
Josh Johnson to be healthy and somewhat similar to his ace form.
Ricky Romero to bounce back.
Adam Lind/David Cooper actually playing like major leaguers.
Quality performance from a mostly unproven bullpen.

Yeah. So it is no sure thing that they will be any good at all.

Offline Kevrock

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Re: MLB & Division Watching (2012)
« Reply #3253: November 20, 2012, 10:21:22 PM »
They also have Encarnacion.

That lineup could be sick.

Offline Vega

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Re: MLB & Division Watching (2012)
« Reply #3254: November 20, 2012, 10:22:56 PM »
They also have Encarnacion.

That lineup could be sick.
E5 is awesome.

Offline KnorrForYourMoney

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Re: MLB & Division Watching (2012)
« Reply #3255: November 20, 2012, 10:24:19 PM »
I like the Rays in the East next year.  I wouldn't be shocked if they and Baltimore go 1-2.

Offline Vega

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Re: MLB & Division Watching (2012)
« Reply #3256: November 20, 2012, 10:32:00 PM »
I like the Rays in the East next year.  I wouldn't be shocked if they and Baltimore go 1-2.
Rays need moar hitting. No first baseman, no DH, no middle infield, no B.J. Upton, and Jose Molina is their starting catcher. (Trading John Jaso for Rapeman Leuke was a massive fail by Friedman.) They won't win crap if they don't make MASSIVE improvements offensively, even with their great pitching,

Offline KnorrForYourMoney

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Re: MLB & Division Watching (2012)
« Reply #3257: November 20, 2012, 10:33:59 PM »
Good point, but it's a long offseason and I think Friedman can get it done.  If not, Baltimore might win the East and there won't be enough Stoli in the world to get me through next season.

Offline houston-nat

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Re: MLB & Division Watching (2012)
« Reply #3258: November 20, 2012, 10:38:19 PM »
Rays need moar hitting. No first baseman, no DH, no middle infield, no B.J. Upton, and Jose Molina is their starting catcher. (Trading John Jaso for Rapeman Leuke was a massive fail by Friedman.) They won't win crap if they don't make MASSIVE improvements offensively, even with their great pitching,

I read that Jose Molina is so good at framing pitches that guys who are pitching to him benefit more than any other guys in baseball from balls that are called strikes.

Offline Vega

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Re: MLB & Division Watching (2012)
« Reply #3259: November 20, 2012, 10:42:31 PM »
Good point, but it's a long offseason and I think Friedman can get it done.  If not, Baltimore might win the East and there won't be enough Stoli in the world to get me through next season.
After a quick glance through the free agent list on MLBTR, I've become much less optimistic. Travis Hafner, Ronny Cedeno, and Adam Kennedy are the only low-budget fixes that seem to be possible fits. Tampa reportedly has interest in Lance Berkman though, so perhaps they will increase payroll somewhat. They should trade some of their excellent pitching depth to get young, controllable hitters rather than dumpster diving IMO.

Offline JCA-CrystalCity

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Re: MLB & Division Watching (2012)
« Reply #3260: November 21, 2012, 10:39:22 AM »
send them morse and espinosa as part of a shields deal.

Offline Lintyfresh85

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Re: MLB & Division Watching (2012)
« Reply #3261: November 21, 2012, 11:06:09 AM »
Hafner could be a steal if he'd go on a one year binge of untraceable hgh so his shoulder doesn't give out.

Online HalfSmokes

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Re: MLB & Division Watching (2012)
« Reply #3262: November 21, 2012, 11:21:49 AM »
Hafner for little enough that it doesn't hurt to cut him if he's hurt would be a great pick up for any team

Offline Tyler Durden

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Re: MLB & Division Watching (2012)
« Reply #3263: November 21, 2012, 01:05:18 PM »
The O's were wildly lucky last year in one run games and extra innings.  I doubt that happens again.  I also doubt their closer who cannot get K's will have as good a year.  I also doubt castoffs like Miguel Gonzalez and Nate McLouth will repeat the success they had last year.  They won with smoke and mirrors and I see a collapse next season as being at least as likely as a repeat.

Offline sportsfan882

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Re: MLB & Division Watching (2012)
« Reply #3264: November 21, 2012, 01:08:58 PM »
Good point, but it's a long offseason and I think Friedman can get it done.  If not, Baltimore might win the East and there won't be enough Stoli in the world to get me through next season.


Baltimore really? No chance. With what? Magic?

Offline KnorrForYourMoney

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Re: MLB & Division Watching (2012)
« Reply #3265: November 21, 2012, 03:26:11 PM »
Yep.  With Orioles Magic.



(you walked into that one)

Offline Kevrock

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Online HalfSmokes

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Re: MLB & Division Watching (2012)
« Reply #3267: November 26, 2012, 02:48:40 PM »
Rays extend Longoria.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/11/rays-extend-evan-longoria.html

they locked him up with 0 service time, now it looks like they'll get him for his entire career.


Offline imref

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Re: MLB & Division Watching (2012)
« Reply #3268: November 26, 2012, 03:24:44 PM »
they locked him up with 0 service time, now it looks like they'll get him for his entire career.



nice to see, now if only they can get Miami to move its stadium to downtown Tampa.

Offline Kevrock

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  • That’s gonna be a no from me, doge.

Offline Kevrock

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  • That’s gonna be a no from me, doge.
Re: MLB & Division Watching (2012)
« Reply #3270: November 27, 2012, 05:44:09 PM »


:shrug:

Offline blue911

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Re: MLB & Division Watching (2012)
« Reply #3271: November 27, 2012, 07:28:38 PM »
This is Ruiz second failed test. What a dumbass

Offline Tyler Durden

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Re: MLB & Division Watching (2012)
« Reply #3272: November 27, 2012, 08:20:09 PM »
They really need harsher penalties for failed tests.  Ruiz was just an OK hitter and all of a sudden, last year, he starts mashing.  At 33, he has his first monster offensive year.  Surprise - he fails a drug test.  Now, he gets suspended.  But he will still get his money in arbitration - way more than he would have if he continued to hit like an average-ish hitter.

Melky gets caught and gets a 2 year contract worth millions. 

Where is the disincentive to cheat here?  Why wouldn't terrible players cheat to become average players, and why woulnd't average players cheat to become good players?  A 25 or 50 game suspension is a small price to pay for setting yourself and your family up for life with one big contract.

edit - here are Ruiz's career stats.  There are 2 big jumps apparent.  http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ruizca01.shtml

Offline Kevrock

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Re: MLB & Division Watching (2012)
« Reply #3273: November 27, 2012, 09:07:08 PM »
Why do amphetamines net a lesser suspension than other PEDs?

Offline Lintyfresh85

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Re: MLB & Division Watching (2012)
« Reply #3274: November 27, 2012, 09:09:51 PM »
Because in the union and owners mind, concentration stimulants aren't as big of a deal as physical enhancements?

:shrug: