2009: Teams to Disappoint and Surprise?

[OSUFan_88]

Well, I figure we really need to break away from all the roids talk and actually talk baseball in here. With Pitchers and Catchers reporting today for my Indians, I would say this is a good topic to start with.

Surprise-Reds: I don't know, but looking that their lineup and starting pitching is looking like if everything falls right, they could be a playoff team. Their division is average at best, IMO, and I think someone could really break out and take that division, if neither the Cards or Cubs get off well.

Disappoint-A's: I really want to put the Yankees in this spot, but I did not, because Oakland is making moves to win now, and I don't know if they have the talent to do so. Matt Holliday is a great player and has taken a team to the playoffs and world series before, but there were a lot more than just Holliday on that team. I just don't see that team coming together and making the playoffs, especially because I don't think the LAA is going to give up the division, so the A's will be in a big dog fight.

So what do ya'll think? Who will surprise and who will disappoint?

[arichzona]

Re: 2009: Teams to Disappoint and Surprise?

as much as I want to believe.... I am fully prepared to be disappointed by my Cubs again.

[JBH3]

Re: 2009: Teams to Disappoint and Surprise?

Surprises:

Detroit - After finishing last in the division last year I think the Tigers can win it this year. A healthy Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney (lol...like that'll ever happen), along w/ Lyon who is still effective could carry that bullpen. They've got the bats, and w/ Everett have a better defensive SS. Their staff isn't bad - Edwin Jackson will help, and Verlander will bounce back from a disappointing 08.

Washington - I think the Nationals will be a competitive team, and not the 59 win team from 2008. I really do like their lineup w/ the addition of Dunn. A healthy Zimmerman will be needed, and there's excitement to see how Milledge and Dukes progress. Ultimately pitching will likely be their weakpoint, but I can see them improving their record by 10-12 wins.

Rangers - They're pitching is suspect at best, but for some reason I'm in love w/ their lineup/position players. Elvis Andrus is a nice prospect at short too who should produce right away, and I expect even bigger things from Josh Hamilton. I think they can slug their way into contention for a playoff spot.

Disappointments:

Mets - How bout we list the Mets...What team has been anymore disappointing the last couple of years than them? So they answered the phone on their bullpen. OK. Delgado surprised everyone with his bat in 2008. Can he do it again? Is that same production here to stay? Reyes still hasn't proved that he can be the same hitter in September that he is from April-August. Until the Mets prove otherwise they're my top disappointment.

Houston - There's Roy Oswalt, and then there is 4 other guys. Ok Wandy isn't half bad, but the rest...ew. Even Oswalt has "lost it" compared to his year prior to 2008, and is he still an "ace". What about Tejada? Does his recent guilty plea effect him being able to play? There's Berkman, Carlos Lee, and what else? I can see them finishing last in the NL Central.

Brewers - Seth McClung is slotted as their #4 starter...They brought in stop-gap measure Trevor Hoffman to save games. They've got a lineup with some power, but that's not going to be enough to win a wildcard. Anyone expecting another 90 wins needs their head examined. At best they finish fourth behind the Card's, Cubs, and Reds.

[ehh]

Re: 2009: Teams to Disappoint and Surprise?

Surprises:
Mets - How bout we list the Mets...What team has been anymore disappointing the last couple of years than them?

The Yankees.

[JBH3]

Re: 2009: Teams to Disappoint and Surprise?

The Yankees.

Nah...they can't top the historic collapse by the Mets in 2007. The Yankess have been disappointing, but that Mets collapse trumps NYY payroll ineptitude.

[CoRruPt-]

Re: 2009: Teams to Disappoint and Surprise?

Disappointment? That's easy, the Jays.

This team isn't going to surprise anyone around the league. They'll be the same .500-ish team that we've seen for the last 6-7 years.

[jake44np]

Re: 2009: Teams to Disappoint and Surprise?

The Reds have way to many question marks at too many positions to contend this year.
They are depending on Jay Bruce and Joey Votto way too much, they are both too young to carry a team.

[N51_rob]

Re: 2009: Teams to Disappoint and Surprise?

If the Orioles can win 75 games and have a staff ERA under 7. I would be pleasantly surprised. They have no pitching after Guthrie and Sherrell.

[slickdtc]

Re: 2009: Teams to Disappoint and Surprise?

The Reds have way to many question marks at too many positions to contend this year.
They are depending on Jay Bruce and Joey Votto way too much, they are both too young to carry a team.

Right. I think they can exceed expectations, but they aren't going to make the playoffs. I see them with mid 70's wins. At least this time around we're not looking at 80+ wins and coming away with just disappointment. I can appreciate watching a young ball club mature, though.

[JBH3]

Re: 2009: Teams to Disappoint and Surprise?

The Reds have way to many question marks at too many positions to contend this year.
They are depending on Jay Bruce and Joey Votto way too much, they are both too young to carry a team.

You mean too young like Evan Longoria and BJ Upton.

Volquez is as nasty a righhander as there is in the majors. If Harang returns to something resembling 2006/2007 then the Reds have a major one/two punch at the top of the staff. Cordero had a bad May and July, but was otherwise effective and can put 2008 behind him and be even better.

I wouldn't be so pessimistic about the Reds.

[jake44np]

Re: 2009: Teams to Disappoint and Surprise?

You mean too young like Evan Longoria and BJ Upton.

Volquez is as nasty a righhander as there is in the majors. If Harang returns to something resembling 2006/2007 then the Reds have a major one/two punch at the top of the staff. Cordero had a bad May and July, but was otherwise effective and can put 2008 behind him and be even better.

I wouldn't be so pessimistic about the Reds.

Yeah your right every team has good young players like Evan and BJ.
Ill be back I am going across the street to get my Reds World Series tickets right now.
Comparing the young Reds players to the Rays is down right laughable!

[JBH3]

Re: 2009: Teams to Disappoint and Surprise?

Yeah your right every team has good young players like Evan and BJ.
Ill be back I am going across the street to get my Reds World Series tickets right now.
Comparing the young Reds players to the Rays is down right laughable!

Bruce is the Uber prospect of them all isn't he.

Votto doesn't posses all the tools, but is a solid 3-tool player. Given he's a 1B that's perfectly fine.

Bruce and Votto both can hit ML pitching better than Upton. Neither can steal bases like Upton, but you can't steal first.

Both have been given appropriate time to develop too, and are ready to be at the ML level. Upton was rushed and still struggles at times - look at his 2008 numbers.

There isn't an argument for Longoria he's the real deal, and ML ready.

IMO though Bruce is the better player out of the 4, and as long as Votto hit's .290 and belts 30 HRs, given Cincy's SP I don't see how they CAN'T contend.

[BatsareBugs]

Re: 2009: Teams to Disappoint and Surprise?

Team to surprise?

The Padres, if they do win more than 62 games this season that is.

[TeixeiraFanatic]

Re: 2009: Teams to Disappoint and Surprise?

Both have been given appropriate time to develop too, and are ready to be at the ML level. Upton was rushed and still struggles at times - look at his 2008 numbers.

You have to remember that BJ played with an injury pretty much the entire year and still raked in the postseason

[SPTO]

Re: 2009: Teams to Disappoint and Surprise?

Disappoint

NY Yankees: C.C. Sabathia pitched so much in so many high pressure games last year that I think it's going to take a toll on his body and then you add in the NY media factor. I can see him struggling a lot. AJ Burnett has NEVER been fully healthy outside of his contract years and the guy is streaky at best. So I can see that ending badly. Their only saving grace is the offense but I don't think they have enough pitching to win the division like some media types will predict.


Surprise

Not too sure on this, that's why we call it surprises but I think the Reds may do some big things if all goes according to hoyle.