What team are you GM/Managing?

[El_MaYiMbE]

Re: What team are you GM/Managing?

Daaaa New York Yankees of course and then I'll move over to the Astros

The Yankees will be the best pitching rotation if the youngsters materialize into what the Yankees invision them....basically what the A's had back with Zito, Hudson, Mulder back in the early 2000's (how ever u say it)....but right now Joba mite be in the Pen and the other 2 have to prove themselves across a whole season....

[ryan720]

Re: What team are you GM/Managing?

heres my reasoning for the pitching order
1. Redsox
2. Tigers
3. Mets
4. Angels
5. Indians

Redsox
1. Josh Beckett
2. Daisuke Matsuzaka
3-6. Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, Tim Wakefield, Julian Tavarez

I don't like the Redsox, infact I hate them as a yankees fan. However, that rotation, anchored by Josh Beckett is amazing. With Dice-K, Lester and Buchholz all poised for break out seasons, and Wakefield and Tavarez as 5 and 6 I'm truly digging their rotation. Beckett seems to take over games, every time on the mound. Besides Johan, I'm not sure theres another guy I'd rather hand the ball to on any given day. After the sox posting a 3.87 ERA last year, I think they're the staff to beat this year in the league.

Tigers
The Tigers last year, I think were missing one piece in their pitching staff... and theres a certain locomotive who's filled that void in my opinion. The D-Train to me, is the biggest pitching move in the AL. He either makes or breaks this rotation, and I strongly think he makes it.

Mets
After a forgettable end to last season, I think the Mets are going to come back with a vengeance. After posting a 4.26 Team ERA (under the league average of 4.31) the Mets added the best pitcher in baseball, period. You've gotta believe that will drop their ERA maybe 25 or even 50 points... I've got the mets at a 3.80 ERA this year, once again, 3rd in the league behind the Sox and Tigers.

Angels
This may be the hardest to justify. The Angels have the fourth best rotation in baseball. The Angels had a few question marks going into last season. This season, everything is clear (at least for now). With the recently added Jon Garland, I think the Angels will run away with the AL West (although, the Mariners will stick around for a while.)

Indians
Last year, the Indians had the best 1-2 punch in their rotation that has been seen for a while. CC Sabathia (the 2007 Cy Young winner) and Fausto Carmona (probably the surprise of the year last year). I'm sure you're all asking, uhh shouldnt that make them number one then? Well no... The Indians and CC have stated they are going separate ways after this year, and I don't see a motive for CC this year. How many times have you seen one-and-done pitchers (just ask Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright.) And Fausto, he's a massive wild card in my opinion. He decides if the Indians make the playoffs or not, honestly. If he can repeat last year, seeya in October Cleveland, if not, then I guess they should warm up to the second spot in the wild card...


then again, I could be completely wrong

[metal134]

Re: What team are you GM/Managing?

I don't see a motive for CC this year.

Really? He's pitching for a contract and you don't see a motive? With what Santana just got and him set to go into free agency, don't be surprised if he has an even better season. Of course, we have >0 chance of resigning him, so I guess we Indians fans have to hope he does.

[HK-47]

Re: What team are you GM/Managing?

The Red Sox and Angels have the best pitching.

[ryan720]

Re: What team are you GM/Managing?

Why would CC work hard, I mean, even if he puts up normal numbers, someone will still give him huge money...

[Cabke]

Re: What team are you GM/Managing?

I'm definitely running with the Royals. They are a very young team with loads of potential. A bat and another starting pitcher in FA could make them a legit contender. The only problem will be their divison. Indians, Tigers, and Twins, oh my!

[Bondsfan]

Re: What team are you GM/Managing?

The Giants.

At least I won't have to complain about there being too many HRs in this years game, even if there is for everyone else, because no Giants player is going to hit over 20 this year, I'm convinced!

Should be a great young pitching staff to build my dynasty around!

[ryan720]

Re: What team are you GM/Managing?

The Giants.

At least I won't have to complain about there being too many HRs in this years game, even if there is for everyone else, because no Giants player is going to hit over 20 this year, I'm convinced!

Should be a great young pitching staff to build my dynasty around!

still laughing at senor molina being the clean up, when I heard peter gammons say that, I actually laughed... I laughed at something peter gammons said!

[metal134]

Re: What team are you GM/Managing?

Why would CC work hard, I mean, even if he puts up normal numbers, someone will still give him huge money...

Because the better he performs, the more negociating power he has. These players want to get every single last cent that they can possibly get. Besides that, he has one pretty strong motivation that you overlooked; trying to win a World Series.

[Brewhaha]

Re: What team are you GM/Managing?

I will use the Brewers but it sucks considering how underrated they are in the game. They are a top 3 or 4 lineup in the NL and essentially every position player is underrated. Mike Cameron and Jason Kendall are probably a little overrated and that's about it.

How can Prince Fielder, the NL leader in home runs last year at age 23 be the 8th best 1b in the game? How could Ryan Braun, a guy who arguably was the best hitter in all of baseball last year after he was called up be an 82? They make one of the best 3/4 combos in the baseball. The only way those ratings make sense are if defense is weighted heavily into the ratings considering they are both well below average defensively.

JJ Hardy was an all-star last year, he was 4th among SS in home runs and is an above average defender. He is too far down the list of SS. He should be after Ramirez, Rollins, Reyes in the NL.

[dbrandon]

Re: What team are you GM/Managing?

The almighty KC Royals. Billy Butler is the greatest ball player of all-time.

[chainsaw4099]

Re: What team are you GM/Managing?

cards

[krazzed]

Re: What team are you GM/Managing?

Braves and Rays all the way baby. (and probably the A's so I can get used to them for the Bottom of the 9th league)

[Chad Rogers]

Re: What team are you GM/Managing?

I will use the Brewers but it sucks considering how underrated they are in the game. They are a top 3 or 4 lineup in the NL and essentially every position player is underrated. Mike Cameron and Jason Kendall are probably a little overrated and that's about it.

How can Prince Fielder, the NL leader in home runs last year at age 23 be the 8th best 1b in the game? How could Ryan Braun, a guy who arguably was the best hitter in all of baseball last year after he was called up be an 82? They make one of the best 3/4 combos in the baseball. The only way those ratings make sense are if defense is weighted heavily into the ratings considering they are both well below average defensively.

JJ Hardy was an all-star last year, he was 4th among SS in home runs and is an above average defender. He is too far down the list of SS. He should be after Ramirez, Rollins, Reyes in the NL.

First let me say I am not picking on you, but this is a prime example of people going overboard on overall ratings. What kind of defensive player is Prince? How does he run? Throw etc? These all make up his overall rating. I would be will to bet that he won't be the 8th rated player in terms of power. You are taking one number and using it as an HR number when it doesn't apply. Until we can see all of the numbers and understand them the ratings don't mean much.

Chad

[IlliniM1ke]

Re: What team are you GM/Managing?

I'll be using the Cards as always, I expect a challenge this year although things may not be as tough as we all think especially if Mulder gets a high rating again (although he has to be due for a big drop).

I'm hoping Rasmus is in the game by the 1st roster update at latest (meaning he makes the team in real life), if so he'll be my starting CF and I'll deal with the growing pains, if not Ankiel will start there.

Projected Lineup:

C - Molina
1B - Pujols
2B - Kennedy (can he possibly be as bad as he was last year again?)
SS - Izturis (ugh, might have to make a move for a SS)
3B - Glaus
LF - Duncan
CF - Rasmus/Ankiel
RF - Ankiel/Ludwick

Lacking a leadoff hitter and thats atleast 3 pretty much automatic outs in Kennedy, Izturis, and Yadi.

Pujols, Glaus, Duncan, Ankiel should provide some nice pop but I'm anxious to see how Duncan and Ankiel are rated.

Bullpen I think will be fine but the rotation has some big time question marks:

1) Carpenter (will his rating be lower due to injury?)
2) Wainwright
3) Mulder (see Carpenter, plus the fact he hasn't been as good since coming to STL)
4) Clement
5) Piniero

Carpenter and Wainwright should be fine, Mulder if he continues to be overrated will be fine but I have to think hes due for a big fall in rating, then Clement and Piniero will probably be very up and down, although they're huge upgrades over Kip Wells. Depending how hes rated Reyes may get a shot at a starting job to.

I think I'll have to make a deal for a middle infielder though, I don't think I can do 162 games of Izturis/Kennedy up the middle.