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Post by Cyno on Apr 3, 2012 0:22:13 GMT -5
The Giants are built to last. They remind me of the Oakland Athletics of the early 2000s, in that they have three outstanding starting pitchers in Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Madison Bumgarner, none of whom are yet to turn 28 years old. Provided they build a decent enough offense around their starting pitching, they are going to be a formidable team in the National League for years to come. Definitely agreed there. I was incredibly impressed by the pitching talents of all three of those pitchers, especially Cain and Bumgarner, during their World Series run. The NL West in general has some really promising young teams with exciting talent. And the Padres. In all seriousness, I don't think the DBacks' success was a fluke. The Giants I still think are going to be the team to beat. The Dodgers have two fantastic players in Kemp and Kershaw to build a team around, as well as new, stable owners. Even the Rockies, who are probably on the outside looking in, have Tulo, who reminds me so very much of a young Derek Jeter. The NL East is going to be real interesting to watch this year, too. The Marlins and the Nationals are two teams to look out for, for almost completely different reasons. The Marlins because of free agent acquisition of veteran and star-caliber players, as well as a winning (loud mouthed) manager. And the Nats because of their incredibly promising young talent. And you can't count out the Phillies and even the Braves.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2012 10:17:54 GMT -5
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Post by Insomniac on Apr 3, 2012 17:08:22 GMT -5
So Andrew Bailey is going to miss about 3-4 months with UCL damage of the thumb. Really tough blow to this team going forward. I wouldn't mind either Melancon or Aceves closing this season, although I'm worried that Aceves will come back down to Earth this year after an unexpectedly great 2011. I know most people will want Bard back in the bullpen, but I'd rather they keep him in the rotation for at least a month and see what he's capable of as a starter. If it doesn't work out or either Melancon/Aceves struggle in the 9th inning, then I think you make the move. But if they've been preparing to turn him into a starter for the last few months, I don't think they can abandon it right away just because Bailey goes down. The upside of Bard as a starter is still high if he can get his control issues taken care of, and they've still got capable arms available to finish games.
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Post by WorkingInAColeMine on Apr 3, 2012 17:12:05 GMT -5
Obvious Beckett and Bailey got drunk and thumb wrestled in the clubhouse
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Unocal 76
King Koopa
Providing The Finest Oil
Posts: 12,687
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Post by Unocal 76 on Apr 3, 2012 18:27:50 GMT -5
My National League Predictions
NL East 1. Phillies 2. Marlins 3. Nationals 4. Braves 5. Mets
NL Central 1. Cardinals 2. Reds 3. Brewers 4. Pirates 5. Cubs 6. Astros
NL West 1. Diamondbacks 2. Dodgers 3. Rockies 4. Giants 5. Padres
Playoff teams- Phillies, Cardinals, Diamondbacks as division champs; Marlins and Nationals as Wild-Card Teams Underrated Team- Reds Overrated Team- Giants
American League Predictions
AL East 1. Yankees 2. Blue Jays 3. Rays 4. Red Sox 5. Orioles
AL Central 1. Tigers 2. Indians 3. White Sox 4. Royals 5. Twins
AL West 1. Angels 2. Rangers 3. Athletics 4. Mariners
Playoff teams- Yankees, Tigers, Angels as division champs; Rangers and Blue Jays as Wild-Card Teams Underrated Team- Blue Jays Overrated Team- Rays
Playoffs
Wild-Card Games: Rangers over Blue Jays, Nationals over Marlins ALDS- Angels over Tigers, Yankees over Rangers ALCS- Angels over Yankees
NLDS- Diamondbacks over Nationals, Phillies over Cardinals NLCS- Diamondbacks over Cardinals
World Series- Angels over Diamondbacks
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Post by Cyno on Apr 3, 2012 18:47:40 GMT -5
So Andrew Bailey is going to miss about 3-4 months with UCL damage of the thumb. Really tough blow to this team going forward. I wouldn't mind either Melancon or Aceves closing this season, although I'm worried that Aceves will come back down to Earth this year after an unexpectedly great 2011. I know most people will want Bard back in the bullpen, but I'd rather they keep him in the rotation for at least a month and see what he's capable of as a starter. If it doesn't work out or either Melancon/Aceves struggle in the 9th inning, then I think you make the move. But if they've been preparing to turn him into a starter for the last few months, I don't think they can abandon it right away just because Bailey goes down. The upside of Bard as a starter is still high if he can get his control issues taken care of, and they've still got capable arms available to finish games. Aceves is a workhorse. As long as he stays healthy he should do right by you.
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Steveweiser
Dalek
Mickie Mickie You're So Fine... Hey Mickie!
THE GRAPS
Posts: 50,249
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Post by Steveweiser on Apr 3, 2012 18:50:34 GMT -5
AL EAST: Yankees AL CENTRAL: Tigers AL WEST: Angels AL WILD CARDS: Rangers, Rays
NL EAST: Phillies NL CENTRAL: Brewers NL WEST: Diamondbacks NL WILD CARDS: Marlins, Giants
WORLD SERIES: Angels over Phillies (6 games)
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BRV
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Wants him some Taco Flavored Kisses.
Posts: 17,094
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Post by BRV on Apr 3, 2012 19:23:11 GMT -5
So Andrew Bailey is going to miss about 3-4 months with UCL damage of the thumb. Really tough blow to this team going forward. I wouldn't mind either Melancon or Aceves closing this season, although I'm worried that Aceves will come back down to Earth this year after an unexpectedly great 2011. I know most people will want Bard back in the bullpen, but I'd rather they keep him in the rotation for at least a month and see what he's capable of as a starter. If it doesn't work out or either Melancon/Aceves struggle in the 9th inning, then I think you make the move. But if they've been preparing to turn him into a starter for the last few months, I don't think they can abandon it right away just because Bailey goes down. The upside of Bard as a starter is still high if he can get his control issues taken care of, and they've still got capable arms available to finish games. I'm still firmly entrenched in the camp that Daniel Bard should open the season as the team's closer, and now with the news that Andrew Bailey will be out of the first four months of the season, it's almost a no-brainer. Aceves actually showed competency as a starter in a few brief spots during the 2011 season. Aside from one ugly outing against the White Sox in May, he was fairly effective as a starting pitcher. They just need to swap Bailey and Aceves' role to start the season, keeping Melancon as the set-up man. In the meantime, Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com is just throwing crap against the wall... boston.cbslocal.com/2012/04/03/sean-mcadam-on-the-da-show-red-sox-options-at-closer/I would rather the Red Sox re-sign Chad Fox, Ramiro Mendoza, Todd Jones and Alan Embree and recreate the disastrous "bullpen-by-committe" of 2003 than allow Vicente Padilla to close. I would rather the Red Sox choose a closer based on an essay-writing contest than allow Vicente Padilla to close. I would rather the Red Sox sign a Brighton elementary school student with a broken arm in the hopes that they can capture the magic of the movie "Rookie of the Year" than allow Vicente Padilla to close. What I'm saying, basically, is that I do not want Vicente Padilla to close for the Red Sox.
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Post by Insomniac on Apr 3, 2012 19:51:38 GMT -5
Aceves actually showed competency as a starter in a few brief spots during the 2011 season. Aside from one ugly outing against the White Sox in May, he was fairly effective as a starting pitcher. He also got rocked against the Padres of all teams. He walked five straight guys in the second inning of that game. His role this year should be exactly the same as it was last year: A "Jack of all Trades" sort of guy who can pitch a couple of innings at a time one night, setup or close another, or maybe make a spot start in case of emergency. He's too dynamic and versatile as a reliever and that's where the bulk of his value lies. No one else on the team is capable of doing what he can. He's been noticeably better throughout his career as a reliever, and last year was no exception.
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Post by WorkingInAColeMine on Apr 3, 2012 19:53:49 GMT -5
So Andrew Bailey is going to miss about 3-4 months with UCL damage of the thumb. Really tough blow to this team going forward. I wouldn't mind either Melancon or Aceves closing this season, although I'm worried that Aceves will come back down to Earth this year after an unexpectedly great 2011. I know most people will want Bard back in the bullpen, but I'd rather they keep him in the rotation for at least a month and see what he's capable of as a starter. If it doesn't work out or either Melancon/Aceves struggle in the 9th inning, then I think you make the move. But if they've been preparing to turn him into a starter for the last few months, I don't think they can abandon it right away just because Bailey goes down. The upside of Bard as a starter is still high if he can get his control issues taken care of, and they've still got capable arms available to finish games. I'm still firmly entrenched in the camp that Daniel Bard should open the season as the team's closer, and now with the news that Andrew Bailey will be out of the first four months of the season, it's almost a no-brainer. Aceves actually showed competency as a starter in a few brief spots during the 2011 season. Aside from one ugly outing against the White Sox in May, he was fairly effective as a starting pitcher. They just need to swap Bailey and Aceves' role to start the season, keeping Melancon as the set-up man. In the meantime, Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com is just throwing crap against the wall... boston.cbslocal.com/2012/04/03/sean-mcadam-on-the-da-show-red-sox-options-at-closer/I would rather the Red Sox re-sign Chad Fox, Ramiro Mendoza, Todd Jones and Alan Embree and recreate the disastrous "bullpen-by-committe" of 2003 than allow Vicente Padilla to close. I would rather the Red Sox choose a closer based on an essay-writing contest than allow Vicente Padilla to close. I would rather the Red Sox sign a Brighton elementary school student with a broken arm in the hopes that they can capture the magic of the movie "Rookie of the Year" than allow Vicente Padilla to close. What I'm saying, basically, is that I do not want Vicente Padilla to close for the Red Sox. Seriously Vincente Padilla? Is Josh Wasdin not free?
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BRV
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Wants him some Taco Flavored Kisses.
Posts: 17,094
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Post by BRV on Apr 3, 2012 19:57:51 GMT -5
He also got rocked against the Padres of all teams. He walked five straight guys in the second inning of that game. His role this year should be exactly the same as it was last year: A "Jack of all Trades" sort of guy who can pitch a couple of innings at a time one night, setup or close another, or maybe make a spot start in case of emergency. He's too dynamic and versatile as a reliever and that's where the bulk of his value lies. No one else on the team is capable of doing what he can. He's been noticeably better throughout his career as a reliever, and last year was no exception. In that case, they should treat the fifth starter's spot in 2012 the same as they did in 2011. It might be handed to one guy to start the season, but by no means is he locked into that role. Aceves could start the season as the fifth starter, but if he struggles, they could give Andrew Miller, Aaron Cook, Ross Ohlendorf, John Maine or Junichi Tazawa some starts. There's not a reliable starter among the bunch, but it's the role of the fifth starter. They don't need an ace, just someone who can go out and give you a decent start every so often. I just think that situations outside of their control have occurred and they need to push Daniel Bard back to the bullpen and tell him, "Maybe next year, kid. But right now, we need you where we know you can thrive." They can't afford to yo-yo Bard around all season. They need to plant him in the bullpen now and keep him there until September.
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Post by fuzzywarble, squat cobbler on Apr 3, 2012 20:10:17 GMT -5
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Post by WorkingInAColeMine on Apr 3, 2012 22:56:59 GMT -5
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Post by Cyno on Apr 3, 2012 23:25:49 GMT -5
This... this is a black day for baseball.
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Steveweiser
Dalek
Mickie Mickie You're So Fine... Hey Mickie!
THE GRAPS
Posts: 50,249
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Post by Steveweiser on Apr 4, 2012 13:19:12 GMT -5
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Post by Cyno on Apr 4, 2012 14:12:01 GMT -5
Mets lose their 20th preseason game to the Yankees in the most pointless Spring Training game in the history of baseball.
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andrew8798
FANatic
on 24/7 this month
Posts: 106,084
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Post by andrew8798 on Apr 4, 2012 14:58:19 GMT -5
WEDNESDAY Cardinals (Kyle Lohse) at Marlins (Josh Johnson), 7:00/4:00 PM, ESPN
THURSDAY Red Sox (Jon Lester) at Tigers (Justin Verlander), 1:00 PM/10:00 AM, ESPN2 Marlins (Mark Buehrle) at Reds (Johnny Cueto), 4:00/1:00 PM, ESPN2 Dodgers (Clayton Kershaw) at Padres (Edinson Volquez), 7:00/4:00 PM, MLBN
FRIDAY White Sox (John Danks) at Rangers (Colby Lewis), 2:00 PM/11:00 AM, MLBN Giants (Tim Lincecum) at Diamondbacks (Colby Lewis), 7:00/4:00 PM, ESPN2 Royals (Bruce Chen) at Angels (Jered Weaver), 10:00/7:00 PM, ESPN2
SATURDAY Red Sox (Josh Beckett) at Tigers (Doug Fister), 4:00/1:00 PM, FOX Cardinals (Adam Wainwright) at Brewers (Zack Greinke), 4:00/1:00 PM, FOX Giants (Madison Bumgarner) at Diamondbacks (Daniel Hudson), 4:00/1:00 PM, FOX Royals (Luke Hochever) at Angels (Dan Haren), 4:00/1:00 PM, FOX Yankees (Hiroki Kuroda) at Rays (David Price), 7:00/4:00 PM, MLBN
SUNDAY Yankees (Phil Hughes) at Rays (Jeremy Hellickson), 1:30 PM/10:30 AM, TBS White Sox (Gavin Floyd) at Rangers (Matt Harrison), 8:00/5:00 PM, ESPN
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Post by Biggtone23 on Apr 4, 2012 15:22:18 GMT -5
Busy day for most teams with the end of spring training. The Yankees have made a few moves already trading George Kontos to the Giants for backup catcher Chris Stewart. They will send Francisco Cervelli (who has an option) to the minors to make room for Stewart (who does not). Outfielder Justin Maxwell was DFA'd because he was out of options and Bill Hall elected for free agency instead of being sent to the minors.
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Post by Crusty Ruffles on Apr 4, 2012 17:03:57 GMT -5
So MLB is having a contest on Twitter today. My wife just won a Roku streaming player and a free MLBTV subscription.
Weeeeeeeeeeee!
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Post by WorkingInAColeMine on Apr 4, 2012 17:59:21 GMT -5
Marlins games look weird when people are actually there
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