OT: spring training less than two weeks...

[lights1961]

BASEBALL FANS----Pitchers and catchers report in less than two weeks.... who will wint it all this year. money says the Mets are the early NL favorite
with getting Santana from the Twins. I have no idea on the AL at this stage, The Angels have helped themselfs, the White Sox have done some good
the Indians shold be right up there.

I know the Dome in the Twin Cities will only be around for two more seasons thank the lord. Outside baseball back
in Minneapolis in 2010---first time since the old met stadium days of the 60s and 70s...home now to the megamall.

Rick

[Enigma869]

Detroit is THE TEAM to watch in the American League, this season! As for that dump, the Metrodome...Thank god they're imploding that place! That is the biggest disgrace of a sports arena that I've ever seen, and should have NEVER been used for baseball!


John from Boston

[Angiekay]

Detroit is THE TEAM to watch in the American League, this season! As for that dump, the Metrodome...Thank god they're imploding that place!

They are? News to me(and everyone else in MN) Vikings still have to play there, they haven't got their new stadium approved yet.

[Michigan Girl]

Detroit is THE TEAM to watch in the American League, this season! As for that dump, the Metrodome...Thank god they're imploding that place! That is the biggest disgrace of a sports arena that I've ever seen, and should have NEVER been used for baseball!


John from Boston

REALLY? I hope you're right, cause I've been feeling let down for the past couple of years.

[Enigma869]

Detroit is THE TEAM to watch in the American League, this season! As for that dump, the Metrodome...Thank god they're imploding that place!

They are? News to me(and everyone else in MN) Vikings still have to play there, they haven't got their new stadium approved yet.

Sorry Angie...I didn't mean literally "impoding". I meant it in a metaphorical sense. I realize the Vikings still play there, but baseball has NEVER belonged in that building!


John from Boston

[lights1961]

Detroit is THE TEAM to watch in the American League, this season! As for that dump, the Metrodome...Thank god they're imploding that place!

They are? News to me(and everyone else in MN) Vikings still have to play there, they haven't got their new stadium approved yet.

Sorry Angie...I didn't mean literally "impoding". I meant it in a metaphorical sense. I realize the Vikings still play there, but baseball has NEVER belonged in that building!

I agree 100% with the dome, been up there lots of times. Best place that i have seen baseball, fenway,wrigley, coors field, jacobs field, San Diego's new park. worst places
the dome and the old or new comisky park. Would love to be inside yankee stadium just once...

Rick




John from Boston

[Uno_up]

Sorry Angie...I didn't mean literally "impoding". I meant it in a metaphorical sense. I realize the Vikings still play there, but baseball has NEVER belonged in that building!

Their new baseball stadium is set to open in 2010. No more baggie and white roof to deal with.
I agree with you on the Tigers being good thanks to the adddition of Miggy...they should be at the Red Sox level this year. In the NL, Santana tips the scales the Mets' way.

[Red13JoePa]

Santana, like Glavine was, is going to be a minor disapointment in Queens paving the way for Philadelphia to successfully defend their NL East crown. Mets will battle the Marlins for the wild card, along w/ a slew of other pretenders.

[Uno_up]

Santana, like Glavine was, is going to be a minor disapointment in Queens

I sense the humor in there, but...He's moving from a hitter-friendly into a pitcher-friendly ballpark...barring injury his ratio numbers (era/whip) should only get better. Santana/Glavine= apples to oranges...Santana is a power-pitcher (Ks) while Glavine relies on ground ball outs.

[Big J]

My A's are rebuilding but I'm still amped up...can't wait for the real sport to start up. The thinking man's game.

This year's contenders? The Rockies will still be good, the D'Backs will be tough to beat, the Mets are much improved obviously but I still think they're a piece away. The Red Sox will buy another winning season.

For the world series? Arizona over Detroit.

[Rick]

I'll be rooting for the average team.

[Enigma869]

I'll be rooting for the average team.

Rick...

You're giving the Rangers FAR too much credit, and insulting "average" teams throughout Major League Baeball! The Rangers finished 12 games under .500 last year, which isn't "average" in my mind


John from Boston

[Rick]

I'll be rooting for the average team.

Rick...

You're giving the Rangers FAR too much credit, and insulting "average" teams throughout Major League Baeball! The Rangers finished 12 games under .500 last year, which isn't "average" in my mind


John from Boston

Yeah, they were pretty terrible. They're fun to go watch. The beer is outrageous though.

[Rockindeano]

John.

Prediction for you.

NY Yankees will not win their division. Neither will the BOSOX.

Figure that one out.

[Enigma869]

John.

Prediction for you.

NY Yankees will not win their division. Neither will the BOSOX.

Figure that one out.

Well the only other team you could possibly be suggesting will win is Toronto? I'm not sold on the Blue Jays. They've improved as a team but don't have the consistent pitching to get it done. I think Baltimore would have a decent pitching staff, but it looks like they're going to trade Eric Bedard, who is a stud pitcher, in my opinion. The Yankees have ZERO shot. Giving Mariano and Posada all the money they just gave these two guys was moronic! I know Posada had a VERY good season last year, but he faded, big, down the stretch last season. Those guys are both too old to be giving them the kind of money they got. The larger issue with the Yankees is their pitching. They don't have the horses.

Baseball ALWAYS comes down to pitching! Always has and always will. In my opinion, the Red Sox will win their division, easily! Beckett is the best arm in baseball (and yes, I'd take him over Santana right now), and Matsusaka should be much improved this season. Papelbon is the best closer in baseball, and if Bucholz comes through, they could have a very good staff. The other wild card here is Manny. This is his last season under contract, unless the Sox pick up his $20 million dollar option for the 09 season. I heard the guy is working out like an animal in Arizona, which he NEVER does in the offseason, so it should be interesting. I LOVE guys in their contract year! Andruw Jones is one of the few guys I've seen completely choke in their contract year. Most guys have the season of their life, and Manny can still hit.


John from Boston

[conversationpc]

Well the only other team you could possibly be suggesting will win is Toronto? I'm not sold on the Blue Jays. They've improved as a team but don't have the consistent pitching to get it done. I think Baltimore would have a decent pitching staff, but it looks like they're going to trade Eric Bedard, who is a stud pitcher, in my opinion. The Yankees have ZERO shot. Giving Mariano and Posada all the money they just gave these two guys was moronic! I know Posada had a VERY good season last year, but he faded, big, down the stretch last season. Those guys are both too old to be giving them the kind of money they got. The larger issue with the Yankees is their pitching. They don't have the horses.

Baseball ALWAYS comes down to pitching! Always has and always will. In my opinion, the Red Sox will win their division, easily! Beckett is the best arm in baseball (and yes, I'd take him over Santana right now), and Matsusaka should be much improved this season. Papelbon is the best closer in baseball, and if Bucholz comes through, they could have a very good staff. The other wild card here is Manny. This is his last season under contract, unless the Sox pick up his $20 million dollar option for the 09 season. I heard the guy is working out like an animal in Arizona, which he NEVER does in the offseason, so it should be interesting. I LOVE guys in their contract year! Andruw Jones is one of the few guys I've seen completely choke in their contract year. Most guys have the season of their life, and Manny can still hit.

Dude, why don't you put the "John from Boston" bit in your sig in the profile? That would save you having to type it every time and me from editing it out when I reply...I know, that's nitpicking and lazier than hell.

Agreed on Bedard...That dude has some awesome stuff and has the potential to be the best starting pitcher in the game. Hopefully he will be traded to an NL team, if not to the Sox.

The Sox have a good shot at repeating this year. Go Sox!

[Rick]

Well the only other team you could possibly be suggesting will win is Toronto? I'm not sold on the Blue Jays. They've improved as a team but don't have the consistent pitching to get it done. I think Baltimore would have a decent pitching staff, but it looks like they're going to trade Eric Bedard, who is a stud pitcher, in my opinion. The Yankees have ZERO shot. Giving Mariano and Posada all the money they just gave these two guys was moronic! I know Posada had a VERY good season last year, but he faded, big, down the stretch last season. Those guys are both too old to be giving them the kind of money they got. The larger issue with the Yankees is their pitching. They don't have the horses.

Baseball ALWAYS comes down to pitching! Always has and always will. In my opinion, the Red Sox will win their division, easily! Beckett is the best arm in baseball (and yes, I'd take him over Santana right now), and Matsusaka should be much improved this season. Papelbon is the best closer in baseball, and if Bucholz comes through, they could have a very good staff. The other wild card here is Manny. This is his last season under contract, unless the Sox pick up his $20 million dollar option for the 09 season. I heard the guy is working out like an animal in Arizona, which he NEVER does in the offseason, so it should be interesting. I LOVE guys in their contract year! Andruw Jones is one of the few guys I've seen completely choke in their contract year. Most guys have the season of their life, and Manny can still hit.

Dude, why don't you put the "John from Boston" bit in your sig in the profile? That would save you having to type it every time and me from editing it out when I reply...I know, that's nitpicking and lazier than hell.

Agreed on Bedard...That dude has some awesome stuff and has the potential to be the best starting pitcher in the game. Hopefully he will be traded to an NL team, if not to the Sox.

The Sox have a good shot at repeating this year. Go Sox!

Good point. You should put that in your sig.

Rick from Bedford

[conversationpc]

Dude, why don't you put the "John from Boston" bit in your sig in the profile? That would save you having to type it every time and me from editing it out when I reply...I know, that's nitpicking and lazier than hell.

Agreed on Bedard...That dude has some awesome stuff and has the potential to be the best starting pitcher in the game. Hopefully he will be traded to an NL team, if not to the Sox.

The Sox have a good shot at repeating this year. Go Sox!

Good point. You should put that in your sig.

Rick from Bedford

Nah, it doesn't go very well with "pissing and moaning".

[Rockindeano]

Aww, but the Jays do have pitching, and now are all healthy.

The best pitcher in baseball, Holliday, and also Marcum, Chacin, AJ Burnett, and a helluva closer in BJ Ryan.

Alex Rios, Vernon Wells, Russ Adams, Aron Hill, this team is loaded.

[Enigma869]

Aww, but the Jays do have pitching, and now are all healthy.

The best pitcher in baseball, Holliday, and also Marcum, Chacin, AJ Burnett, and a helluva closer in BJ Ryan.

Alex Rios, Vernon Wells, Russ Adams, Aron Hill, this team is loaded.

Sorry Dean...I don't agree that the Jays are "loaded". I like Hill and Rios a lot! Wells isn't as good as people make him out to be. Dude hit .245 last season with 16 HR's! They don't have enough power to compete in the AL East, in my opinion. Halladay is a very good pitcher, but certainly not the best arm in baseball. I think Marcum has a bunch of potential and I like him a lot. I don't know much about Chacin, but his numbers were dreadful last season! As for BJ Ryan...he's only had two seasons as a dominant closer, so we'll see how he bounces back from an injury filled 2007 season. I just don't think the Jays have enough to make that next step to play with the big boys!


John from Boston

[Rockindeano]

And not only Toronto, but Seattle will be right there. Remember, they were last year, and that one dreadful stretch where they lost 18 of 20 killed them. If they get Bedard from Baltimore, I believe they can make a run. The Angels are loaded. The Tribe is tough, as is Detroit.

Possible playoff teams:

AL West

LA
SEA

AL Central

Tribe
Detroit
Chicago

AL east

NYY
Boston
Toronto


National League


West

LA
SD
COL


Central

Milwaukee
Cincy
St Louis
Chicago

East

NYM
Phi
ATL

[Liam]

It's bad when your favorite teams are in the same league...

GO METS AND ASTROS. (Mets above all).

[Rockindeano]

The question is, will Tejada play this year, or will MLB take action? He is on the list of the biggest abusers of Roids.

[Rick]

It's bad when your favorite teams are in the same league...

GO METS AND ASTROS. (Mets above all).

How the heck did that happen?

[Liam]

It's bad when your favorite teams are in the same league...

GO METS AND ASTROS. (Mets above all).

How the heck did that happen?

Blame my brother. He got me hooked on the Mets when I was about 3 or 4. It was tough during the pennant race in '86...I was really torn on who to root for.

[lights1961]

And not only Toronto, but Seattle will be right there. Remember, they were last year, and that one dreadful stretch where they lost 18 of 20 killed them. If they get Bedard from Baltimore, I believe they can make a run. The Angels are loaded. The Tribe is tough, as is Detroit.

Possible playoff teams:

AL West

LA
SEA

AL Central

Tribe
Detroit
Chicago

AL east

NYY
Boston
Toronto


National League


West

LA
SD
COL


Central

Milwaukee
Cincy
St Louis
Chicago

East

NYM
Phi
ATL

Twins will finish next to KC LAST... but in two years watch out!!!

Rick

[conversationpc]

Aww, but the Jays do have pitching, and now are all healthy.

The best pitcher in baseball, Holliday, and also Marcum, Chacin, AJ Burnett, and a helluva closer in BJ Ryan.

Alex Rios, Vernon Wells, Russ Adams, Aron Hill, this team is loaded.

The Jays will be good but not good enough. They don't have enough players that get on base enough and they lack speed besides that. Bad combination. Ryan was a good closer but we'll have to see if he can come back the Tommy John surgery.

[Enigma869]

It was tough during the pennant race in '86

I can tell you I had no trouble which team I was pulling for in 1986! Those fucking Mets absolutely CRUSHED a 16 year old from Massachusetts, and it took me until 2004 to recover!


John from Boston

[conversationpc]

It was tough during the pennant race in '86

I can tell you I had no trouble which team I was pulling for in 1986! Those fucking Mets absolutely CRUSHED a 16 year old from Massachusetts, and it took me until 2004 to recover!

You and every other Red Sox fan across the country.

[Uno_up]

Twins will finish next to KC LAST... but in two years watch out!!!

I agree...They have a good young team, but since they are small market they can't afford to keep their stars once they hit their prime. If the players they got in the Santana deal pan out over the next few years (especially Gomez & Humber) they should be looking pretty good down the road, hopefully before they move into their new stadium so they'll have any easy time selling season tickets and luxury boxes (the latter of which the Vikings owned the rights to).

Me...I was a die hard Expos fan...lived and breathed that team since I could walk. After the move to Washington I tried like hell to like them to no avail. My allegiance now is to the Devil Rays, as my parents have a place 20 minutes from the stadium and my friends are either Sox or Yankee fans. Always hated big market teams and am waiting for a salary cap to even the playing field.