2009: Teams to Disappoint and Surprise?

[ZM Punk]

Re: 2009: Teams to Disappoint and Surprise?

I hope you Orioles fans don't get to excited about Rich Hill. The dude has a really bad case of I can't throw a strike to save my life itis.

[Sheamazin]

Re: 2009: Teams to Disappoint and Surprise?

I dont know how anyone could think the NY Mets were a disapoinment last year. They lost 2 starting pitchers, a closer, 3 different outfielders and we had Luis Castillo. They fought to the end with what they had. Were they the favorites at the begining of the season with the signing of Johan. Probably. But they didnt get in by one game. Thats better then any other team with the amount of injuries they had.
Sorry for that rant.

Surprise team:
Texas Rangers

Disappoint team:
Tampa Bay Rays

[SpacemanSpiff]

Re: 2009: Teams to Disappoint and Surprise?

The hitting should be there, but everyone's getting older (outside of Tex lol), and well, who knows if A-Rod starts to crack a bit.

You're right. Ahhh, I envy all the teams who have hitters getting younger. At least Tex isn't getting older.

Sorry, I just hate that phrase. The thing is, the lineup is actually gonna be younger than it was last year with Tex and Swisher/Nady replacing Giambi and Abreu. Also Cano and Garbrera are gonna be in our lineup and they're around 25. Jeter, Matsui, Posada and Damon are really the only ones we have the worry about agewise, and while Posada and Matsui are concerns because they're coming off injury, Damon and Jeter don't look to be close to breaking down completely. Also, the other half is actually in pretty good shape agewise so I'm not worried about the offense. CC should be fine in NY but Burnett does worry me. His combination of injury and inconsistency can blow up into something dangerous in NY but Joba is a future ace, CMW is a consistent pitcher that is a great number 3 or 4 and CC is still an ace. Even if Burnett misses some of the season or is crappy, if Hughes or Aceves or Kennedy can just contribute a little more than they did last year, we could weather it probably. AL East is brutal though so I could see us missing the playoffs but we're undoubtedly a stronger team than last year and we missed the playoffs because got bit by the injury bug.

[steelcurtain311]

Re: 2009: Teams to Disappoint and Surprise?

The Brewers will probably be the biggest disappointment for people, since they're a playoff team from last year and decent things are expected from them. Their pitching staff has been gutted of its two best people, CC/Sheets carried them to the playoffs (before Sheets ended up on the DL, as usual). I really don't buy Manny Parra or Yovanni Gallardo as a legit ace.

And then offensively, Prince Fielder seemed to regress. I just highly doubt they'll compete with the Cubs for the top spot in the Central again this season.

The Angels should also be disappointing. Not because they lost K-Rod either, but because they lost Tex. I just don't understand them as a franchise. They had the guy who finally made a difference to their lacking lineup, and they let him go to the Yankees. They've been waiting for years now for their ever so valued prospects to become great hitters and carry their offense, yet most of them just spend the season on the DL, or underachieve, it's time to move on.

And of course, the Mets will be a disappointment. Because the Mets are always a disappointment. I really think K-Rod/Putz is going to blow up in their face. K-Rod had a giant fluke of a season last year, I have no idea how he managed to convert so many saves, because he pitched so mediocre. His numbers were down (aside from saves), his velocity was down, his stuff didn't look dominating like it used to. There's a reason why the Angels let him go, and the Mets are going to find that out.

[Heisman316]

Re: 2009: Teams to Disappoint and Surprise?

Suprise:
"My" Atlanta Braves.
San Francisco
Oakland
Kansas City

Disapointments:
Diamondbacks
Angels
Brewers
Red Sox

[mgoblue678]

Re: 2009: Teams to Disappoint and Surprise?

May seem like a homer pick but I am going to go with the Tigers as a surprise team. I really like the moves that we made in the offseason, nothing flashy but filled holes well. Also people don't realize how many injuries they had last year. Getting Zumaya, Rodney and Bonderman back will be huge as long as they stay healthy throughout the season.

They still have a very good lineup with one of the best hitters in all of baseball Miggy. I don't think people nationally realize the monster year he had last year.

Also something people overlook is the year that Armando Galaragga had last year. He basically pitched like a number 2 starter. Add him in with Bonderman, Verlander who I would expect to bounce back this year and Jackson and I think the rotation is alot more solid than last year.

That being said there are still some questions/problems with the team. Will the defense hold up? A severe lack of speed and obviously will they have guys stay healthy.

Overall though looking at the AL Central I think the Tigers have as good of a shot as anyone to win it.

[AUTiger1]

Re: 2009: Teams to Disappoint and Surprise?

Suprise Teams
Atlanta Braves
Cincinnati Reds
Kansas City Royals
Texas Rangers
Toronto Blue Jays

Disappointment Teams
Los Angeles Dodgers
New York Mets
New York Yankees
Milwaukee Brewers
Oakland Athletics