aaronsharrow's 2008 predictions for every team in mlb

[asrabbit91]

Re: aaronsharrow's 2008 predictions for every team in mlb

Making up words now?

Of course, I was too lazy to use proper grammar man. But honestly Ludwick is pretty clutch with his only problem really being injuries.

[BatsareBugs]

Re: aaronsharrow's 2008 predictions for every team in mlb

Sure they have a lot of young talent, but they are unproven honestly. Veteran's are a key to have in back up in these spots if you ask me, and i'm not being bias on any team, just how I see them from there moves. Your crazy if you think the Cubs are deeper than last year.

Every team has crappy veterans backing up 3B, makes no difference that Chase Headley is the backup plan should Kouzmanoff go down with an injury. Young or inexperienced, it's much better than having a Russell Branyan or Lou Merloni backing up 3B. I don't see how Kevin Kouzmanoff is considered "pretty weak". The guy was on the verge of being demoted and being touted as a mistake, but proved to be arguably the best Padre hitter last season. If he has a "sophomore" slump, he'll still be better than "pretty weak".

I guess I'll take your word, but if for one thing, Kouzmanoff should be up there with Gonzalez in terms of hitting.

[Brandon13]

Re: aaronsharrow's 2008 predictions for every team in mlb

The Braves won 14 straight division titles, not 12. And I think Kelly Johnson will be the leadoff man, not Kotsay. Good write up, though.

[asrabbit91]

Re: aaronsharrow's 2008 predictions for every team in mlb

Every team has crappy veterans backing up 3B, makes no difference that Chase Headley is the backup plan should Kouzmanoff go down with an injury. Young or inexperienced, it's much better than having a Russell Branyan or Lou Merloni backing up 3B. I don't see how Kevin Kouzmanoff is considered "pretty weak". The guy was on the verge of being demoted and being touted as a mistake, but proved to be arguably the best Padre hitter last season. If he has a "sophomore" slump, he'll still be better than "pretty weak".

I guess I'll take your word, but if for one thing, Kouzmanoff should be up there with Gonzalez in terms of hitting.

Does Sean Burroughs ring a bell? He was supposed to be the next big thing, I just don't have a lot of faith in young guys just coming in right away at third base. I think Kevin Kouzmanoff will be pretty decent overall, but his numbers won't look awesome, but look at the ball park they play at, that is part of the problem.

[theaub]

Re: aaronsharrow's 2008 predictions for every team in mlb

Don't want to make a new topic for this so I'll throw it in here. My 2008 MLB predictions...using Oregon Trail!

Represented five teams: New York, New York, Boston, Detroit and Philadelphia, with Derek Jeter, Johan Santana, JD Drew (don't ask), Curtis Granderson and Ryan Howard representing the teams.

Jeter was the leader, and he decided that oxen were not a big issue. Therefore he only purchased two, to represent his jersey number. However he bought adequate supplies of everything else. The pace of the oxen was at a middling speed, and meals were of adequate proportions, drawing some ire from Howard.

The first two months of the quest (April-May) went very nicely with no issues. However in mid-June Drew fell sick with typhoid fever. At the same time Granderson was bit by a snake. However they recovered in time to see Jeter's clutch caulking skills take them well into Utah. June, July and August passed without issue.

True to the baseball season (which was weird how it played out like that), the action started in September. Howard caught the measles, and it looked like he was in very bad shape. However, Santana responded by breaking a leg, and dying of typhoid fever in mid-September, as the result of yet another Mets choke. Howard recovered for October, and with only 500 miles to go, there were four of the five remaining.

But at the start of October, a catastrophic fire hit the wagon, causing the loss of all but 150 pounds of food. Rations had to be lowered to the minimum, and this caused problems for Granderson, who suffered exhaustion, and was on the brink of death, as Boston jumped out to a 2-0 ALDS lead. It looked hopeless for Detroit, but Jeter decided to caulk a river and got overturned. Drew drowned, giving the Tigers a miracle win and a trip to New York, and causing heartbreak for Boston fans.

In the ALCS, Granderson broke his leg right away, but Jeter responded by falling under the wagon and crushing his arm. Just as it looked hopeless for both of them, Jeter magically recovered. Unfortunately for Detroit fans, Granderson didn't, and a beat up and tired New York team took on Philly in the World Series.

Game one of the World Series went to Philly as Jeter broke his arm, but Howard got dysentery in game two, allowed New York to level the battle at 1-1. With Jeter not being able to move and Howard having a severe case of the runs, it looked bleak that either one of them could make it to Oregon. After both of them managed to recover to split the next two games as well, the turning point came in game 5, when they both decided to caulk the river, and it overturned again. Both survived, but food was now extremely low. While they managed to acquire food from some Indians, who mysteriously were not present in the simulation until that point, Howard fell to the curse of the typhoid fever, and Jeter and the Yankees rafted their way to a 27th World Series title.

[BatsareBugs]

Re: aaronsharrow's 2008 predictions for every team in mlb

Does Sean Burroughs ring a bell? He was supposed to be the next big thing, I just don't have a lot of faith in young guys just coming in right away at third base. I think Kevin Kouzmanoff will be pretty decent overall, but his numbers won't look awesome, but look at the ball park they play at, that is part of the problem.

Sean Burroughs is different from Kevin Kouzmanoff in that Sean Burroughs was expected to develop power, then got stuck with one hitting style trying to hit the ball to LF all the time and led to his downfall. I don't see anyone here that said Kevin Kouzmanoff would eventually develop power when minor league numbers indicated that he hit for power, unlike Sean.

If for one thing, Sean Burroughs was good defensively, but with all the offensive struggles San Diego had at 3B since Phil Nevin was moved off of it, they tried veterans like Joe Randa and Vinny Castilla, an old Vinny Castilla and those failed.

If Kouzmanoff hits .300, 20 home runs, and drives in 80 at least... that wouldn't be awesome, but that's still far from being "pretty weak". Pretty weak is Sean Burroughs-esque .280 with 4 home runs. Let's just put it this way, after dealing with scrubs for years and seeing young prospects getting benched unfairly after reaching AAA after being hyped up, only to be stopped by "veterans", I have more faith in rookies/young players.

[DrJones]

Re: aaronsharrow's 2008 predictions for every team in mlb

I didn't really make it totally professional, just a broad view of how I see it, it's not 100% mathmatically correct. I just basically put the numbers around where I seen it.

I expect better from a self-described "anyalst mind at baseball".

[ZB9]

Re: aaronsharrow's 2008 predictions for every team in mlb

wow very detailed analysis. That must have taken some time

you were dead on in your prediction of the Rangers imo. They have some talent, but they will suck again this year.

[CMH]

Re: aaronsharrow's 2008 predictions for every team in mlb

Don't want to make a new topic for this so I'll throw it in here. My 2008 MLB predictions...using Oregon Trail!

Represented five teams: New York, New York, Boston, Detroit and Philadelphia, with Derek Jeter, Johan Santana, JD Drew (don't ask), Curtis Granderson and Ryan Howard representing the teams.

Jeter was the leader, and he decided that oxen were not a big issue. Therefore he only purchased two, to represent his jersey number. However he bought adequate supplies of everything else. The pace of the oxen was at a middling speed, and meals were of adequate proportions, drawing some ire from Howard.

The first two months of the quest (April-May) went very nicely with no issues. However in mid-June Drew fell sick with typhoid fever. At the same time Granderson was bit by a snake. However they recovered in time to see Jeter's clutch caulking skills take them well into Utah. June, July and August passed without issue.

True to the baseball season (which was weird how it played out like that), the action started in September. Howard caught the measles, and it looked like he was in very bad shape. However, Santana responded by breaking a leg, and dying of typhoid fever in mid-September, as the result of yet another Mets choke. Howard recovered for October, and with only 500 miles to go, there were four of the five remaining.

But at the start of October, a catastrophic fire hit the wagon, causing the loss of all but 150 pounds of food. Rations had to be lowered to the minimum, and this caused problems for Granderson, who suffered exhaustion, and was on the brink of death, as Boston jumped out to a 2-0 ALDS lead. It looked hopeless for Detroit, but Jeter decided to caulk a river and got overturned. Drew drowned, giving the Tigers a miracle win and a trip to New York, and causing heartbreak for Boston fans.

In the ALCS, Granderson broke his leg right away, but Jeter responded by falling under the wagon and crushing his arm. Just as it looked hopeless for both of them, Jeter magically recovered. Unfortunately for Detroit fans, Granderson didn't, and a beat up and tired New York team took on Philly in the World Series.

Game one of the World Series went to Philly as Jeter broke his arm, but Howard got dysentery in game two, allowed New York to level the battle at 1-1. With Jeter not being able to move and Howard having a severe case of the runs, it looked bleak that either one of them could make it to Oregon. After both of them managed to recover to split the next two games as well, the turning point came in game 5, when they both decided to caulk the river, and it overturned again. Both survived, but food was now extremely low. While they managed to acquire food from some Indians, who mysteriously were not present in the simulation until that point, Howard fell to the curse of the typhoid fever, and Jeter and the Yankees rafted their way to a 27th World Series title.

Gold.

[jake44np]

Re: aaronsharrow's 2008 predictions for every team in mlb

I live in Cincy and have followed the Reds my whole life.
If you really think the Cubs are the worst team in the NL Central you are just plain crazy.
The Cubs have the most talent by far in the NLCentral, just come out and say it.....You hate the Cubs! The is the only logical answer in why you think they will finish last this year. Also the Cards are going to be horrible this year, I would bet my house that there is no way the Cards have a better record then the Cubs this year!
The Cards have lost there, 3B, SS, and their CF this offseason. Their best pitcher is coming off a terrible injury and their 2B can not hit anymore, what is there to like about the Cards.
Again I am a Reds fan and hate the Cubs but your predictions are comical.

[Chief Illinimac]

Re: aaronsharrow's 2008 predictions for every team in mlb

I live in Cincy and have followed the Reds my whole life.
If you really think the Cubs are the worst team in the NL Central you are just plain crazy.
The Cubs have the most talent by far in the NLCentral, just come out and say it.....You hate the Cubs! The is the only logical answer in why you think they will finish last this year. Also the Cards are going to be horrible this year, I would bet my house that there is no way the Cards have a better record then the Cubs this year!
The Cards have lost there, 3B, SS, and their CF this offseason. Their best pitcher is coming off a terrible injury and their 2B can not hit anymore, what is there to like about the Cards.
Again I am a Reds fan and hate the Cubs but your predictions are comical.

Thanks for absolving us from the potential "homer" accusations.

[ZM Punk]

Re: aaronsharrow's 2008 predictions for every team in mlb

Anyone who has the Cubs below the Pirates and Cardinals in the NL Central while basically returning the exact same team that won the Central last season, while picking up a pretty good RF in Fukdome loses all credibility with me.

[asrabbit91]

Re: aaronsharrow's 2008 predictions for every team in mlb

I live in Cincy and have followed the Reds my whole life.
If you really think the Cubs are the worst team in the NL Central you are just plain crazy.
The Cubs have the most talent by far in the NLCentral, just come out and say it.....You hate the Cubs! The is the only logical answer in why you think they will finish last this year. Also the Cards are going to be horrible this year, I would bet my house that there is no way the Cards have a better record then the Cubs this year!
The Cards have lost there, 3B, SS, and their CF this offseason. Their best pitcher is coming off a terrible injury and their 2B can not hit anymore, what is there to like about the Cards.
Again I am a Reds fan and hate the Cubs but your predictions are comical.

That is your opinion, the Cards really weren't bad last season, they actually had a shot in the division which is scary. The pitching will be much better this season, as most of the starters from last season haven'tbeena starter very long or were getting back into the mix. Also the players your talking about were out for much of the season, and each had there talent degrading. Rick Ankiel can do just as much as Edmonds can now, and that outfield has a lot of power, Glaus at this time is a better player than Rolen, and eckstein was a singles hitter who was a fan favorite, but couldn't do a lot. I think that if Brendan Ryan starts at short you will change your tune fast, because this kid is a very underated tough player. Reminds me of Troy Turlowitz. Also Pinero and Clement are due for break out years, and both still could be tough to hit. Wainright has some of the best stuff in the league, and the sky is the limit, Anthony Reyes has struggled(partly because of Dave Duncan) who can't develope young talent, but he has had some good outing, look at game 1 world series, and a game where he threw a 1 hitter and lost to the white soxs. Looper also wasn't that bad last year in his first season in a mlb rotation. The cards also have a solid young bullpen, which is something a lot of the central can't say. Also the Cards have more power then anyone in the division besides the Brewers probably. Ducan Ankiel Ludwick all could hit over 30 hr's, which will provide Pujols more protection than he has had in a while. Also Glaus has hit 40 hr's more years than not. Molina also is the best d catcher in the league, and saves a lot of runs. They just need to cut down on K's, and hit well with RISP, and with a guy on 3rd less than 2 outs.

[ZM Punk]

Re: aaronsharrow's 2008 predictions for every team in mlb

That is your opinion, the Cards really weren't bad last season, they actually had a shot in the division which is scary. The pitching will be much better this season, as most of the starters from last season haven'tbeena starter very long or were getting back into the mix. Also the players your talking about were out for much of the season, and each had there talent degrading. Rick Ankiel can do just as much as Edmonds can now, and that outfield has a lot of power, Glaus at this time is a better player than Rolen, and eckstein was a singles hitter who was a fan favorite, but couldn't do a lot. I think that if Brendan Ryan starts at short you will change your tune fast, because this kid is a very underated tough player. Reminds me of Troy Turlowitz. Also Pinero and Clement are due for break out years, and both still could be tough to hit. Wainright has some of the best stuff in the league, and the sky is the limit, Anthony Reyes has struggled(partly because of Dave Duncan) who can't develope young talent, but he has had some good outing, look at game 1 world series, and a game where he threw a 1 hitter and lost to the white soxs. Looper also wasn't that bad last year in his first season in a mlb rotation. The cards also have a solid young bullpen, which is something a lot of the central can't say. Also the Cards have more power then anyone in the division besides the Brewers probably. Ducan Ankiel Ludwick all could hit over 30 hr's, which will provide Pujols more protection than he has had in a while. Also Glaus has hit 40 hr's more years than not. Molina also is the best d catcher in the league, and saves a lot of runs. They just need to cut down on K's, and hit well with RISP, and with a guy on 3rd less than 2 outs.

Thats a very very very optimistic look at the Cardinals.

I love how you list the best case scenario for the Cards and the worst case scenario for the Cubs. Very unbiased analysis right there.

And Ryan isn't half the player Tulowitski is offensively let alone defensively and when did Adam Ludwick turn into anything other than a 4th outfielder. Thats like a Cubs fan saying Matt Murton is going to turn into a star.

I really like your analysis on the other teams but both your analysis of both the Cubs and Cards couldn't be more of base IMO.

[asrabbit91]

Re: aaronsharrow's 2008 predictions for every team in mlb

Thats a very very very optimistic look at the Cardinals.

I love how you list the best case scenario for the Cards and the worst case scenario for the Cubs. Very unbiased analysis right there.

And Ryan isn't half the player Tulowitski is offensively let alone defensively and when did Adam Ludwick turn into anything other than a 4th outfielder. Thats like a Cubs fan saying Matt Murton is going to turn into a star.

I really like your analysis on the other teams but both your analysis of both the Cubs and Cards couldn't be more of base IMO.

You mean Ryan Ludwick? He has always shown a lot of talent, he just seems to have a hard time staying healthy, and like I said the Cubs have some talent, it's just that they aren't very deep, and if the injury bug hits them, they are in a lot of trouble. Sure they are top heavy, but look at their team, and you will see what i'm saying. Soto is a good hitter(or was in the minors), Blanco is the opposite great d ****ty hitter. They have some guys who could come in right away and play, but honestly the outfield in unproven in Pie and Fukudome, I think Theriot will be solid, but the bullpen problems have not sured up, Marmol can't close and be the set up guy. Brendan Ryan just plays like Troy Turlowitz, and he kills lefties. I don't understand why people won't give him any credit. I think the Cards prefer the underdog status, and look at the Cards team, and tell me they don't have any power, if you do you are crazy. K's and RISP/getting the guy in from 3rd less than 2 outs will be the difference if the Cards finish in a playoff spot, or the sellar, but last years team had pretty much the same lineup, because of injuries ect, and they are a little inconsistent and streaky, but they have a never give up attitude that is vital, and even having Carp in the bullpen could be key. Kinney is back, and Isringhausen still has it. You see if the Cards play defense and the pitching stays healthy they have a sparky young team. They just need to get out to a fast start.