Top 10 Most Improved Teams

[nkhera1]

Re: Top 10 Most Improved Teams

the diamondbacks should not be that high. We overpaid for really horrible players, and just lost probably the second best pitcher in baseball (though that was bound to happen, but it still did happen)

[nkhera1]

Re: Top 10 Most Improved Teams

the diamondbacks should not be that high. We overpaid for really horrible players, and just lost probably the second best pitcher in baseball (though that was bound to happen, but it still did happen)

[BatsareBugs]

Re: Top 10 Most Improved Teams

No way the Dodgers go in that list, they overpaid Derek Lowe despite the fact they may have the best rotation in NL West. However, their infield defense is going to be crap. The only player from last year's infield is Izturis. I don't care if Beltre had one good season, he can hit a lot better than his Dodger successor Jose Valentin. I'd call Finley and Drew a wash if Drew can play for another full season. Kent is better offensively than Cora was, but no match defensively.

[BatsareBugs]

Re: Top 10 Most Improved Teams

No way the Dodgers go in that list, they overpaid Derek Lowe despite the fact they may have the best rotation in NL West. However, their infield defense is going to be crap. The only player from last year's infield is Izturis. I don't care if Beltre had one good season, he can hit a lot better than his Dodger successor Jose Valentin. I'd call Finley and Drew a wash if Drew can play for another full season. Kent is better offensively than Cora was, but no match defensively.

[Jwally]

Re: Top 10 Most Improved Teams

Wow, It's good to see the Reds on a postivie off-season moves list. They're usually at the other end of the spectrum, since they usually only pick up a couple of scrubs every off-season. This season, Lindner has opened up his checkbook a little more, and we've picked up some good FA's.

I'm not expecting playoffs, but I am very enthusiastic about this season.

[Jwally]

Re: Top 10 Most Improved Teams

Wow, It's good to see the Reds on a postivie off-season moves list. They're usually at the other end of the spectrum, since they usually only pick up a couple of scrubs every off-season. This season, Lindner has opened up his checkbook a little more, and we've picked up some good FA's.

I'm not expecting playoffs, but I am very enthusiastic about this season.

[rsox]

Re: Top 10 Most Improved Teams

Health is a big factor for the Reds. Most notably if Ken Griffey Jr. can stay healthy for a whole season the Reds will stand a better chance of competing in their division and in the wild card race.

[rsox]

Re: Top 10 Most Improved Teams

Health is a big factor for the Reds. Most notably if Ken Griffey Jr. can stay healthy for a whole season the Reds will stand a better chance of competing in their division and in the wild card race.

[jfsolo]

Re: Top 10 Most Improved Teams

Health is a big factor for the Reds. Most notably if Ken Griffey Jr. can stay healthy for a whole season the Reds will stand a better chance of competing in their division and in the wild card race.

Last year I thought 75 wins would be a good season, they got 76. This year I would be happy with 81 or 82 wins. I still don't think the starting pitching is good enough yet for a playoff push.

[jfsolo]

Re: Top 10 Most Improved Teams

Health is a big factor for the Reds. Most notably if Ken Griffey Jr. can stay healthy for a whole season the Reds will stand a better chance of competing in their division and in the wild card race.

Last year I thought 75 wins would be a good season, they got 76. This year I would be happy with 81 or 82 wins. I still don't think the starting pitching is good enough yet for a playoff push.

[Misfit]

Re: Top 10 Most Improved Teams

I think its no question that their starting pitching isn't good enough for the playoffs. The Cubs and Astros are the favorites again in that division with St. Louis not far behind (they still have a potentially lethal offense and if Mulder rebounds he will be a legit Ace for them). I can't see good things from Ortiz and Milton over the longhaul. I could see Ortiz having a good first half and then fizzling out while Milton is going to get hammered from the get go. Still, they are better than the guys they are replacing (who I can't even name). And its said every year, if Griffey stays healthy their offense is potent, but at this point I can't see Griffey being able to go a whole season. Hopefully Willy Mo continues to improve for them, he was sizzling in the second half.

[Misfit]

Re: Top 10 Most Improved Teams

I think its no question that their starting pitching isn't good enough for the playoffs. The Cubs and Astros are the favorites again in that division with St. Louis not far behind (they still have a potentially lethal offense and if Mulder rebounds he will be a legit Ace for them). I can't see good things from Ortiz and Milton over the longhaul. I could see Ortiz having a good first half and then fizzling out while Milton is going to get hammered from the get go. Still, they are better than the guys they are replacing (who I can't even name). And its said every year, if Griffey stays healthy their offense is potent, but at this point I can't see Griffey being able to go a whole season. Hopefully Willy Mo continues to improve for them, he was sizzling in the second half.

[PlyrzNumber1]

Re: Top 10 Most Improved Teams

No way the Dodgers go in that list, they overpaid Derek Lowe despite the fact they may have the best rotation in NL West. However, their infield defense is going to be crap. The only player from last year's infield is Izturis. I don't care if Beltre had one good season, he can hit a lot better than his Dodger successor Jose Valentin. I'd call Finley and Drew a wash if Drew can play for another full season. Kent is better offensively than Cora was, but no match defensively.

Derek Lowe is a ground ball pitcher, if you can keep the ball down in dodger stadium your #'s will look godly, i expect him to take full advantage of this pitching at chavez ravigne.

Finley and Drew a wash? what are you smoking?

Finley: .271/.333/.490 (823 OPS)
Drew: .287/.391/.513 (904 OPS)

Considering Finley is on the tail end of his career, value - wise its not even close.

Drew dealed with nagging injuries and was in Larussa's doghouse in st louis--he got a bad reputation in the media because of it--but he showed last year he could be an elite everyday player.

The offensive upgrade from Cora to Kent is ridiculous, especially considering how badly the dodgers need a big right handed bat to replace beltre's power last year. and to get that kind of power from 2b makes it even better, considering its easy to find guys with good OBP/SLG/ISOp in the OF.

Also i believe the Dodgers will be platooning valentin/saenz at 3b, valentin shows nice power #'s against RHP, while saenz absolutely destroys LHP

Saenz against LHP: .328/.397/.602
Valentin against RHP: .252/.324/.514

Adrian Beltre: .278/.328/.495 (granted i used 3 year splits for examples so beltre's #'s should be infalated for progression) is not to far off.

considering the saenz/valentin combo is about 80 million cheaper, and not to far off in production (atleast using relevant offensive metrics) then its not as bad a downgrade as most people are lead to believe.

Depodesta knows what he's doing...amongst sabermetric communities using pecota formula alot of "stat heads" see the Dodgers finishing this season with the best record in the NL.

As for the A's.....yes they lost some major pitchers, but the team as a whole offensively/defensively/bullpen have been upgraded significantly....they also got 2 major league ready arms primed for breakout years (Haren, Meyer) as well as Blanton who showed he's ready for the bigs last year by destroying every level of the farm system.

Dont sleep on this A team seriously.

[PlyrzNumber1]

Re: Top 10 Most Improved Teams

No way the Dodgers go in that list, they overpaid Derek Lowe despite the fact they may have the best rotation in NL West. However, their infield defense is going to be crap. The only player from last year's infield is Izturis. I don't care if Beltre had one good season, he can hit a lot better than his Dodger successor Jose Valentin. I'd call Finley and Drew a wash if Drew can play for another full season. Kent is better offensively than Cora was, but no match defensively.

Derek Lowe is a ground ball pitcher, if you can keep the ball down in dodger stadium your #'s will look godly, i expect him to take full advantage of this pitching at chavez ravigne.

Finley and Drew a wash? what are you smoking?

Finley: .271/.333/.490 (823 OPS)
Drew: .287/.391/.513 (904 OPS)

Considering Finley is on the tail end of his career, value - wise its not even close.

Drew dealed with nagging injuries and was in Larussa's doghouse in st louis--he got a bad reputation in the media because of it--but he showed last year he could be an elite everyday player.

The offensive upgrade from Cora to Kent is ridiculous, especially considering how badly the dodgers need a big right handed bat to replace beltre's power last year. and to get that kind of power from 2b makes it even better, considering its easy to find guys with good OBP/SLG/ISOp in the OF.

Also i believe the Dodgers will be platooning valentin/saenz at 3b, valentin shows nice power #'s against RHP, while saenz absolutely destroys LHP

Saenz against LHP: .328/.397/.602
Valentin against RHP: .252/.324/.514

Adrian Beltre: .278/.328/.495 (granted i used 3 year splits for examples so beltre's #'s should be infalated for progression) is not to far off.

considering the saenz/valentin combo is about 80 million cheaper, and not to far off in production (atleast using relevant offensive metrics) then its not as bad a downgrade as most people are lead to believe.

Depodesta knows what he's doing...amongst sabermetric communities using pecota formula alot of "stat heads" see the Dodgers finishing this season with the best record in the NL.

As for the A's.....yes they lost some major pitchers, but the team as a whole offensively/defensively/bullpen have been upgraded significantly....they also got 2 major league ready arms primed for breakout years (Haren, Meyer) as well as Blanton who showed he's ready for the bigs last year by destroying every level of the farm system.

Dont sleep on this A team seriously.

[Misfit]

Re: Top 10 Most Improved Teams

That maybe so, regarding the A's, but you can't say the team improved by losing two Cy Young cadidates and replacing them with unproven guys. Yes, Haren and Meyer have the potential to be quality big-league pitchers but right now you can't say their addition, along with the subtraction of Hudson and Mulder, improves the team.