So What Happened?

by Tyler Bleszinski on Dec 27, 2005 9:56 AM PST in News

I went and visited family over the holiday. Ate way too much and just enjoyed the warm thought of the Oakland A's 2006 team.

In the meantime, the Rangers did what the Rangers had to do to get a starting pitcher to pitch in that launching pad of a home ball park. Yes, they way overpaid for Millwood, but the Rangers just have to overpay for starting pitching because no one wants to pitch there. My question is this...if they're willing to pay so much for Millwood, why not just keep Kenny Rogers who has proven he can pitch at that pitcher's graveyard?

The Blue Jays appear to have landed Troy Glaus and my question is this: Are the Blue Jays now better than the Boston Red Sox with the recent developments? You know, Damon in New York and Glaus in Toronto. You've got to hand it to J.P. in remaking that team. They now have pitching and seem to have just enough hitting to challenge the Yankees for that division. Of course, Burnett could blow up his elbow and Glaus could wind up on the DL, but right now that team looks poised to do some damage in the AL.

By the way, belated Merry Christmas to all!

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Comments

I don't see it Blez

First off, the red Sox ain't done putting their team together.

Second, I assume Ramirez stays and that 1-2 punch still trumps anything Toronto has.

While beckett and Schilling are both injury risks, if even one of them has a big year and one or two of their kids develop, they'll still have a good enough rotation.

I think the Toronto outfield is still suspect-- who are their middle infielders? What do they do with Hillenbrand and Hinske?

oaktoon

by oaktoon on Dec 27, 2005 10:02 AM PST reply actions

The thing is that

reportedly, Glaus was one of the Red Sox targets. Regardless, the Jays should take some wins away from both the Red Sox and Yankees which is a good thing for the Wild Card race.

by Tyler Bleszinski on Dec 27, 2005 10:06 AM PST up reply actions

Wild Card

shouldn't matter, seeing as we're trying to win the division and all ;-) (knock on wood)

by Alon on Dec 29, 2005 8:25 AM PST up reply actions

Hudson is more valuable than Glaus

to the Blue Jays who have a GB staff (Halladay, Towers). Their middle IF defense is terrible (Adams, Hill). Even if Santos sticks, I find it hard to believe that a 6-4, 230 lb guy is going to be a defensive wizard. Hudson is also much more durable than Glaus. And Oaktoon is right that Boston definitely won't start the season with Adam Stern in CF and probably not with Alex Cora at SS.

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 27, 2005 4:29 PM PST up reply actions

TOR next move

They need to trade a corner guy and they need a back up Middle infielder.

Seems very logicial that JP may be calling the A's about... Perez, Scutaro (Ellis -at least asking), Bynum....

Not sure of a deal that works out well but with the relationship those two have I would be something is happening.

Why don't they just lick their fingers?

by novaoakland on Dec 27, 2005 10:11 AM PST reply actions

Orlando Hudson

I see the Jays gave up Orlando Hudson. I always liked him. Do they have anyone lined up to take over at 2B?

P.S. The ESPN story misspells bona fide. Think they'll fix it?

by iglew on Dec 27, 2005 10:49 AM PST reply actions

It's fixed on the East Coast.

They just haven't bothered to fix it on the West Coast.

by Nico on Dec 27, 2005 10:52 AM PST up reply actions

hahahahahahahahaha

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by haren4prez on Dec 27, 2005 4:13 PM PST up reply actions

He's bona fide

He's a suitor!

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 27, 2005 11:08 AM PST up reply actions

Blewy!

A grease spot on the L&N

The Last Lieutenant remaining in the "Armas Army"

by str8tarrow on Dec 27, 2005 7:55 PM PST up reply actions

I'm the damn paterfamilias!

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 28, 2005 9:29 AM PST up reply actions

Arron Hill

Is the one for now. I think JP under normal circumstances gives him a shot. However I am sure he is looking.

Why don't they just lick their fingers?

by novaoakland on Dec 27, 2005 12:12 PM PST up reply actions

Blez, You're asking the wrong question...

The real question is - "Are the Toronto Blue Jays now undoubtedly the best MLB team in Canada"?

Go Vancouver A's!
http://www.canadiansbaseball.com/

by louismg on Dec 27, 2005 11:00 AM PST reply actions

Probably very unreliable, but the A's are...

...still rumored to be in the O's-Cubs Tejada trade:

O's Get:
Prior/Zambrano
Ronny Cedeno
Zito

A's Get:
Pie
Bedard
Finch

Cubs Get:
Tejada
Fiorintino
Rouse

by D Fords Cousin on Dec 27, 2005 11:05 AM PST reply actions

according to this rumor site

it's just a two-team trade, between the Cubs and Orioles

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

by OaklandSi on Dec 27, 2005 11:08 AM PST up reply actions

Hahaha...

O's get Zito and Prior or Zambrano? Riiight.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Dec 27, 2005 11:36 AM PST up reply actions

Heckuva deal for the A's

Bedard and Pie is a great haul for one year of Zito plus 2 draft picks. Is Finch played by David Spade? Oh he's a 23 year old mediocre A baller.

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 27, 2005 4:35 PM PST up reply actions

if Finch had a 900+ OPS ...

... could we call him "Batticus"?

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 27, 2005 5:00 PM PST up reply actions

If Batticus had a 900+ OPS

he should be converted from pitcher.

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 27, 2005 5:16 PM PST up reply actions

Ah. Well, in that case ...

... since he's in fact a pitcher, we should just wait for him to injure his nonthrowing shoulder reaching for his alarm clock, and then we can call him Strained Latticus Finch.

... and why has no one yet suggested that our new outfielder Milton's nickname should perhaps be "Boo-radley"?

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 28, 2005 11:27 AM PST up reply actions

Dont you think

the name Milton Bradley is a nickname in and of itself? What he should do in his first game, as he runs onto the field he should sport one of those one piece eyeglass thingys and wear an A's top hat. As long as the top hat keeps him calm,cool, and collected he should be allowed to wear it.

BTW, I call shotgun on the thimball.

"You know what would make a good story? Something about a clown who makes people happy, but inside he's real sad. Also, he has severe diarrhea."-Jack Handy

by sza on Dec 28, 2005 11:47 AM PST up reply actions

Community Chest

You have picked the Home Run card. Go directly to Home Plate. Collect $200.

"Next year might be an all-out zoo." -- Barry Zito

by TomB on Dec 28, 2005 5:41 PM PST up reply actions

Go to Jail

Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200.

Boo Radley. To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus Finch. Capisce?

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 28, 2005 5:53 PM PST up reply actions

Now go bust up that chiffarobe!

Costly Seat Downgrade

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Dec 28, 2005 8:50 PM PST up reply actions

but

Wasn't Boo Radley really white? I think MB would probably flip a gasket (whatever that means) if he heard that nickname and had previously read TKAMB...

WAIT...

It actually works as a double pun... Boo-Radley, To Kill (or perhaps some less offensive K word... Kite?) A Milton Bradley

by Alon on Dec 29, 2005 8:30 AM PST up reply actions

did AN win best blog???

"Don't you play the flute, Huddy?"

by capper3 on Dec 27, 2005 11:19 AM PST reply actions

no, we got caught cheating...

for lack of a better term.

Damn! Street is so imposing, he even causes the earth itself to freeze in fear! - monkeyball

by Jjjsixsix on Dec 27, 2005 12:03 PM PST up reply actions

new slogan

"AN: the Barry Bonds of sports blogs!"

The tragedy is, as oaktoon notes re Bonds, that we were already the best before we resorted to the juice ...

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 27, 2005 12:05 PM PST up reply actions

Is it just me

or is the AL East for offense and the AL West is for pitching because it seems that way now.

The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it.-W. M. Lewis

by doublehustle22 on Dec 27, 2005 11:22 AM PST reply actions

It does seem that way

Plus the Al Central is for beating the snot out of the Royals.

by Mark H on Dec 27, 2005 12:12 PM PST up reply actions

Kansas City Royals ...

... the Timmy Lupus of the American League ...

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 27, 2005 1:34 PM PST up reply actions

I agree with Blez 100%

The Rangers should have kept the Gambler at a lot lower cost. He's older than God, but he has proven that he can pitch time and again in that Little League Park. Here's what Milwood has to look forward to; Chan Ho Park numbers and a Kenny Rogers disposition from spending years pitching in that heat. At least with all that money, he'll be able to afford a good shrink.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by haren4prez on Dec 27, 2005 4:18 PM PST reply actions

Plus!

He keeps the camera men on their toes!

The Last Lieutenant remaining in the "Armas Army"

by str8tarrow on Dec 27, 2005 7:57 PM PST up reply actions

or on their butts

"Don't go getting all Alexander Haig on me," Beane told Forst.

by Poppy on Dec 28, 2005 9:23 AM PST up reply actions

Big change for Millwood

Jacobs played as a very strong pitchers' park last season, and although Millwood won the e.r.a. title, he threw only 194 innings. And the last time he went to a team with mediocre defense in a hitters' park, he spent 2 relatively crappy years in Philly.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Dec 27, 2005 7:07 PM PST reply actions

CRAPPY YEARS?!

He was our ace! Ace, I tell ya! ACE!

by Alon on Dec 29, 2005 8:49 AM PST up reply actions

A Xmas tale. Or, actually, a XLmas tale.

So ... twas the night before Xmas and we hung the biggest damn stocking we could find. I mean, it was big. Big enough to hold what it was we had all asked dear Santa Beane for. But come Xmas morning, Frank Thomas was not in that stocking. Oh well, guess we gotta wait a little longer. But please Santa Lewis, don't make us wait too long.

Darn it, Bill, you just made Toledo even holier.

by Edwinwinwin on Dec 27, 2005 7:22 PM PST reply actions

<shudder>

Frank Thomas in a body stocking?

Ew3, you have some strange dreams.

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 28, 2005 9:30 AM PST up reply actions

If the BJ's could get Glaus for so little....

Why didnt the A's try to get him from AZ? Of course I dont know if Beane talked to Az about Glaus, but we could have given Az the same as Toronto if not better for him.

Ellis' numbers were very comparable to Hudson. Of course Hudson has some Gold Gloves, but Ellis was better defensively than Hudson last year.

Hudson:
131 G, 10Hr, 63RBI's, .315OBP, .271Avg, .728OPS, 30BB's, 65K's with .991Fielding % @ $365,000

Ellis:
122G, 13Hr, 52RBI's, .384OBP, .316Avg, .861OPS, 44BB's, 51K's with 1.000Fielding % @ $400,000

Now, I love having Ellis on the A's and I dont necessarily want Ellis gone, but he would, combined with a pitcher with Batista like numbers could have gotten us Glaus. Batista isnt that impressive, in fact he is overpaid. 4.75million for a career 4.44ERA and 1.43WHIP? (Overpaying for guys is the Jays game apparently)

I feel that an Ellis/Komine or Brayden could have gotten Glaus just as easily. Of course when you look at Glaus' 9 million per year, that provides somewhat of a roadblock. Maybe we could have kept Ellis, and traded Zito (and maybe a prospect) straight up for Glaus, basically cancelling out the dollars. If Az needed a 2B, we could have thrown in Perez, Johnson or Scutaro with Zito. If Zito werent part of a deal, look at the insane amount of money Az would free up for signing others, therefore securing their future even more.

Glaus could have moved to 1B, {so dont come back with a "Chavy plays 3B, idiot", blast :)}

Sorry for ranting, just curious as to why we didnt inquire about him...maybe we did, who knows for sure, but a lineup with Glaus would look very good.

by sza on Dec 27, 2005 8:00 PM PST reply actions

Devil's advocate--

maybe the A's didn't feel Ellis and Duke/Calero (or whomever you deem to be Batista's equivalent) was a good deal for Oakland, because while adding a legitimate power guy you also subtract an emerging high average guy--Ellis--which the A's also don't have in abundance.

Ellis is somewhere between the next Luis Rivas and the next Michael Young (big range, I know); I wonder if the A's feel he will not regress and will be special offensively. Let's hope!

by Nico on Dec 27, 2005 8:42 PM PST up reply actions

I can agree with that,

and, IMO, Duke and Calero are untouchable. There aren't many A's that fall into that category, but our pen needs to remain intact. Everytime I heard a Duke to Boston {Wells} rumor, I want to vomit. A guy comparable to Batista would be a Juan Cruz, Shane Komine or Dallas Brayden(maybe even Dan Meyer). I see what you mean about Ellis. He has great potential and I really would hate to see him go. He has earned his spot and hopefully will get more playing time this year. Adding Perez, hopefully wont take away from his time. I also think Ellis should get a shot at leading off. Off the top of my head, I remember him doing very well there. Maybe Beane has other plans with Frank Thomas, who can put up Glaus type offensive numbers {when healthy} at a fraction of the cost. Either way 2006 is looking great, and I cant wait for it to get here!

GO A's!!!

by sza on Dec 27, 2005 8:53 PM PST up reply actions

Thing is,

you can't, in fairness, compare Batista to Cruz. Batista has pitched great in NLCS/WS starts, and been a serviceable closer. Cruz has alternately thrived, and sucked, as a middle reliever.

So to land Glaus, it appears you'd have to part with Ellis and Calero or Duke. Personally, I wouldn't trade Meyer--I'd part with Calero first, then Duke, but not Meyer.

Best option: Keep Ellis and Calero and Duke. Thank you, Billy!

by Nico on Dec 27, 2005 8:59 PM PST up reply actions

You know who else

pitched well in the postseason? John Rocker, and we both know how that turned out :) Being able to perform well in the post season is very important. Cruz has been shakey, but has shown flashes of brilliance. Ultimatly, I think you said it best,

"Best option: Keep Ellis and Calero and Duke. Thank you, Billy!"

"You know what would make a good story? Something about a clown who makes people happy, but inside he's real sad. Also, he has severe diarrhea."-Jack Handy

by sza on Dec 27, 2005 9:11 PM PST up reply actions

Certainly,

I would love to pick up someone of Glaus' caliber, but this discussion shows the painful reality of how much you have to give in order to to get. If it were Ellis + Calero, I'd still say probably not--it might weaken us, as much as strengthen us, overall. If it were Ellis + Duke, I'd say no. If it were Ellis + Meyer, I'd say no way. But less probably wouldn't get it done. So I'm happy to stand pat.

Huh? What do Les and Pat have to do with it?

by Nico on Dec 27, 2005 9:19 PM PST up reply actions

Also, for the record

What happens to Swish and DJ's AB's if Glaus goes to first or DH's?

by Alon on Dec 29, 2005 8:53 AM PST up reply actions

agreed 100%

Kiko and the Duke (now there's a kooky '70s-style cop/buddy movie title!) would be my two untouchables as well.

And remember, apparently all those Wells-to-Oakland rumors were 110% b.s., with Beane paying Boston a favor by floating the false rumor to the media.

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 28, 2005 9:33 AM PST up reply actions

Kiko's a

weed-smoking, salsa-dancing, womanizing part-AY animal. The Duke is grim, conservative born-again Christian whose father didn't believe in hugs.

Now they're paired in a high-stakes quest to learn which slugger is after an exclusive member of the 4,000 hit club.

It's Kiko & The Duke in: The Glaus Is Off The Rose.

by Nico on Dec 28, 2005 9:42 AM PST up reply actions

The Jay's newly loosened purse strings

I read something yesterday from a Wall Street Journal blog that, if true (and I've got no reason to doubt it), explains why the Blue Jays are suddenly shelling out the bucks.

An area of interest this off-season has been the level to which clubs that have been low revenue making franchises are spending for talent in this shallow free agency pool we are seeing this year. The Blue Jays, in particular, have been strikingly different than in years past.
While I do believe that increased overall revenues in MLB, and the dispersal of those funds to Toronto have been a contributing factor, the Canadian dollar is up 4% against the U.S. dollar since the middle of November and about 40% since January of 2002. This has help assist the only club that is hamstrung by international exchange rates to compete for talent where player contracts are set to USD.
Whether the Blue Jays sustain this trend is the question not yet answered. Certainly, J.P. Ricciardi must be enjoying the newfound flexibility. ~ Maury Brown, Co-Chair SABR Business of Baseball committee, 12/22/05

40% in the last four years!? Wow! Assuming that that 40% was a rebound for their currency, it is no wonder why they've been off the radar for the last sveral years.

by LowcountryJoe on Dec 28, 2005 5:53 AM PST reply actions

new angle

Thanks a lot for sharing this with us LCJ; I think that this is a great point and it's an excellent angle that I haven't seen/heard explored before. Will definitely look into it a bit, since it likely explains where they've been since '02. I'm sure they're thinking they've got to strike while the iron is hot! (or maybe it's just another case of coincidences being read into too much, but I prefer the former!)

"Keep an open mind." --Milton Bradley, 12/15/05

by rungood on Dec 28, 2005 7:36 AM PST up reply actions

Well, that and their mega rich owner..

Ted Rogers, who owns Canada's largest cable company, decided it'd be prudent to open the purse strings and spend some of that TV money on the ball team.

Exchange rate helps, but the rich owner helps more.

I am a bitter Red Sox fan.

by FlynnSox on Dec 28, 2005 9:56 AM PST up reply actions

point taken.

I'm hoping our mega-rich owner leads us to do the same thing-- well, not overspend, but rather, spend in the first place.

Bring us Frank Thomas!!

"Keep an open mind." --Milton Bradley, 12/15/05

by rungood on Dec 29, 2005 8:54 AM PST up reply actions

exchange rate

Most of it is a rebound for Canadian currency, but a substantial chunk of it is a drop in the U.S. dollar as well. Our dollar has declined against almost every other currency in the past few years. The British pound, for example, is up about 20% against the dollar in the same time period cited here. (And of course the author has picked the dates to make the change vs the Canadian dollar look most dramatic.)

by iglew on Dec 28, 2005 8:49 PM PST up reply actions

Yes, but everybody cherry-picks data...

And of course the author has picked the dates to make the change vs the Canadian dollar look most dramatic.

...to suit and enhance the point they're trying to make.

by LowcountryJoe on Dec 29, 2005 7:09 AM PST up reply actions

Thanks for the info Flynnsox

Now it makes much more sense. Why not since Steinblabber and Minaya did the same thing. If you have it, spend it! Let's hope it works for Oakland as I believe it will!

by A'sfansince1970 on Dec 28, 2005 11:56 AM PST reply actions

Bradford signed with the Mets

$1.4 mil one year contract. He's excited and said with all the offseason additions, the Mets should contend for a playoff spot. Should being the relative term. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm. The Mets are one team that I don't think I would ever sign with if I were a MLB athlete. Anybody else?

by A'sfansince1970 on Dec 28, 2005 2:24 PM PST reply actions

Do you really think Millwood won't do well?

From the way I see it, he is a legitimate ace and I'd take him over Burnett (though not for 6 years).

Career WHIP of 1.24, terrific K/BB ratios and over 170 IP in 6 out of his last 8 years. He also does not give up the longball. His only real knock is he's 31, so the duration of his contract is an issue.

Yes, Arlington is a pitcher's park, but he's not Chan Ho and he also has the TX offense behind him. I wouldn't be surprised if he does just fine and gives the Rangers a chance to win everytime out. I'm certainly not happy we have to face him more often. We're shooting for the division this year so who cares about the WC and that he's not in Boston. I'd rather he be there than having to face him a few more times out west.

Also, Rogers is a risk for the Rangers too, from a publicity stand point. The Rangers have essentially cleaned house on their staff, after so many fiascos last year, and their new look could have a nice upside.

"I'm so green and gold that I hang on every pitch, not just every game." - Lew Wolff

by BleacherDrummer on Dec 28, 2005 3:07 PM PST reply actions

I agree with your point, except...

Arlington is a hitter's park, and didn't Chan Ho also have the TX offense behind him?

by jme on Dec 28, 2005 7:09 PM PST up reply actions

Oopsies, mah bad.

1st sentence, 3rd paragraph is a bit troubled. Apparently even comparing someone to "Chan Ho" doesn't override typos and logical errors =)

"I'm so green and gold that I hang on every pitch, not just every game." - Lew Wolff

by BleacherDrummer on Dec 29, 2005 9:27 AM PST up reply actions

OT

I was thinking about our staff as it stacks up to other team's as of right now, which I agree is possibly the best in the AL.

But, I saw some posts earlier about the Twins and their staff, which is also impressive. Checking up on their stats, did anyone else notice the type of year Carlos Silva hadin 2005?

In 188 innings he walked NINE batters for a 0.43 BB/9IP ratio. From what I can tell, that's an all time Major League record. Or at least this century.

And he's just their 2 or 3 pitcher too.

Too bad they're lineup is full of Kendalls.

"I'm so green and gold that I hang on every pitch, not just every game." - Lew Wolff

by BleacherDrummer on Dec 28, 2005 3:13 PM PST reply actions

I think Cleveland's rotation

is underrated, probably because they have no true ace. But they have three solid #2s, IMO, in Sabathia, Lee, and Westbrook, plus veteran workhorses in Byrd and Johnson. Arguably three 2's and two 4's; not bad at all.

Oakland, Minnesota, and Cleveland = 3 best rotations, methinks; then LAA and CWS. (Don't get overexcited about the White Sox' rotation; hree of the pitchers--Garcia, Garland, and Contreras--have been consistently inconsistent throughout their careers).

Not sure why people think Texas has improved; delete Rogers, add Millwood, delete Young, add Eaton, toss in Padilla...better? If I had to pick a number of wins out of a hat right now, I'd go with 76.

by Nico on Dec 28, 2005 3:26 PM PST reply actions

I agree

I'm pretty scared of Cleveland. I'm glad they're not in the West. That team is young and hungry, but they're not green anymore. Remind you of a certian team at the begining of the decade? This Cleveland team reeks of early 2000's Oakland teams. Swap Oaklands power for Clevelands speed, but the pitching has the potential to match up. These guys will be right there at the end of the year.

If Barry Zito ends up with the Angels, I will jump off the Bay Bridge in my Banjo man replica cape!

by haren4prez on Dec 28, 2005 4:09 PM PST up reply actions

Sure, but

I'd take power over speed 25/8

by Alon on Dec 29, 2005 9:00 AM PST up reply actions

My Reasoning on TX

I guess the thing is with TX, we know they're going to score over 800 runs. That's a given.

So pitching-wise their margin for error is large. They just need a rotation that can log some innings (it's a big "just", i know). But, if they could hold opponents to less than 800 runs they become a team that can win every other game, and be a threat every time out(as we saw in 2004 - 860 scored/794 allowed, 89 wins - with just Ryan Drese as their #2 starter).

I agree, the Ranger's didn't upgrade a lot from last year- keeping Rogers/Young vs. Millwood/Eaton may not be a huge change - though I still think Millwood is an upgrade, at least over what a 41 yr old Rogers will be in 2006. So, 1/2 they've succeeded in adding fresh arms without losing performance, which says a lot b/c Roger's numbers would be otherwise hard to replace.

Millwood/Eaton/Padilla/ + Rodriguez/Benoit/Dominguez platoon looks a lot tougher than the latter 3 + Young.

Consistency in the rotation from 3 established starters (which they haven't had in who knows how long) would also feed into bullpen success w/ fewer spots starts needed. Suddenly 800 runs allowed seems achievable and they actually have some hope.

It's the difference between being really happy to face them in a 3 game series, to eh, being not so pleased about it. I'd give them 85 wins, with a true shot at more.

"I'm so green and gold that I hang on every pitch, not just every game." - Lew Wolff

by BleacherDrummer on Dec 28, 2005 4:21 PM PST up reply actions

What the hell is people's problem with pitchers..

logging innings? who cares? are they productive innings? I'm sorry, but I dont give a shet about starters who give me 6 innings but give up 5 runs. No way the Rangers win 85, its not possible. Maybe they reach 75, maybe. RIP Mac Dre and Bill King

by jme on Dec 28, 2005 7:16 PM PST up reply actions

you don't give a shet?

Does that mean ... no pony?

@('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 29, 2005 8:05 AM PST up reply actions

Actual evidence preferred, please.

I always to forget to put up the "No Whining Allowed" sign but thank you anyway for your input. It smells great.

85 wins is probably too much but I do like being inflammatory. But, obviously Texas' issue is their rotation and they've made some moves to improve it. I don't think they're worse than last year which means they should play .500 ball and be a pain to face head to head.

"I'm so green and gold that I hang on every pitch, not just every game." - Lew Wolff

by BleacherDrummer on Dec 29, 2005 10:16 AM PST up reply actions

the thing is

Regarding Cleveland: Sabathia's career ERA is 4.10, with just one year with an ERA under 4. BUT, he's only 25 with 4 seasons under his belt. He has ace potential, but he hasn't really fulfilled it. His ERA though isn't even really worth of a 2, maybe a mediocre number 2 starter. Lee, is 27 years old. 3.79 ERA. He won't improve much, i suspect he'll stay around the same ERA. Number 2. Then there's Westbrook. He's 28, with a career 4.4 ERA. He has mediocre/average peripherals. The best thing is that he eats innings. But he's definitely not a number 2. A solid 4 because of the innings factor.

So basically a 2 in Lee, a 3 in Sabathia, a 4 in Westbrook, a nice 5 in Johnson, and a sort of wildcard with Byrd. He's old, but he keeps doing it with control, sort of like the Boomer. I think he'll have an ERA in the high 3's.

My thinking is that they have no clear cut number 1, but solid all the way around, But 3 number 2's is pushing it.

Also, RE: Haren4prez: This Indians team doesn't remind me of the early 00's A's team at all. They don't have 3 pitching aces, they don't have the best offense in baseball. They are a notch below.

RIP Bill King "By the Beard of Zeus!" "I don't know if you heard me counting. I did over a thousand"

by ohad on Dec 29, 2005 5:24 AM PST up reply actions

Yup

"Also, RE: Haren4prez: This Indians team doesn't remind me of the early 00's A's team at all. They don't have 3 pitching aces, they don't have the best offense in baseball. They are a notch below."

No way that the Cleveland team is at all like the Oakland version 2000 team... Oakland 2000 slams out dingers like there's no tomorrow, uses its 3 aces to be extremely competitive pitching wise. Cleveland has a great basher (Travis Hafner) and a great young guy (Grady Sizemore), but their rotation is nowhere near as close, and Oakland simply had more great young players...

Pure bad luck that Oakland couldn't pull out a WS in those years. Cleveland might this year, but (as has been pointed out) it has 0 aces compared to Oakland's 3 (in 2000). So unless C.C. develops into the incredible pitcher he certainly might become, and a couple other starters step up big time, I don't see this team as reaching the 110 win mark Bill James expected they would hit last year.

An incredible team and certainly one capable of reaching the WS, but all in all just not as good as Oakland 2000.

by Alon on Dec 29, 2005 9:08 AM PST up reply actions

Hmm...

Time will tell, I suppose. I'm sticking with highs in the mid-70s. One thing about Millwood is for sure, though: the Angels have to face him just as much as we do, so if he is great (which I predict he won't be) it won't hurt us any more than it will hurt our chief rival.

by Nico on Dec 28, 2005 5:43 PM PST reply actions

You're being generous with 70

I don't think they even do that well. I hear talks about 800 runs or something. I just don't see it. Tiexeria is a stud and Blaylock has a lot of promise playing in Coors lite, but noone knows how Wilkerson will do or if he even stays. Besides him, I really don't like the Rangers OF very much. Their bench seems light and their bullpen looks suspect as well. This team is going to finish DEAD LAST. Maybe 2nd or 3rd worst record in the AL. If not, fuggit, I've been wrong before. Thats why I stay away from Vegas.

If Barry Zito ends up with the Angels, I will jump off the Bay Bridge in my Banjo man replica cape!

by haren4prez on Dec 28, 2005 11:05 PM PST up reply actions

Wilkerson

will continue to get his .360+ OBP, and with that park might touch .900 or more OPS if he has a good year (.380 OBP/.520 SLG doesn't seem that terribly ridiculous with his previous stats and, as you say, his current Coors Lite (clever) ballpark)

by Alon on Dec 29, 2005 9:11 AM PST up reply actions