2009 MLB season discussion*

[Brill Weave]

I will go on record saying our hometown boys will lose over 100 games again this year. Go Pirates! Let the Nate McLouth sweepstakes begin boys. Where will he be traded before the deadline?

[Cephius]

I will go on record saying our hometown boys will lose over 100 games again this year. Go Pirates! Let the Nate McLouth sweepstakes begin boys. Where will he be traded before the deadline?

What do you want from the Yankees for him, we need a CF to complete our all-star team and he has a sweet Yankee Stadium swing!

Seriously though, I'd keep him, he's the kind of player you build around unless you can get a King's ransom for him.

[archibaldcrane]

he's the kind of player you build around

You realize we're talking about the Pirates. From Pittsburg. Right?

[Cephius]

You realize we're talking about the Pirates. From Pittsburg. Right?

Hey, I'm just giving my opinion. What the Pirate front office thinks is another story! It's a shame though, their ballpark is beautiful and the Pirates have decent history from their hayday.

[Brill Weave]

Actually it's Pittsburgh Archi ^^ But yeah, have you not watched what the Pirates do every year like clockwork? We tossed Xavier Nady to the Yankees for cast off prospects. Same thing with Jason Bay to the Red Sox. Our stadium, as beautiful as it is, was funded with taxpayer's money. Against the popular vote of the entire fucking city, the city government decided to overrule the taxpayer's vote and fund it(along with Heinz Field) entirely using taxpayer money.

It was supposed to be a five year plan. Within five years of the stadium being completed, the Pirates were not only supposed to be competitive, but to contend. Look at all the players we've had and gotten rid of it's absolutely fucking disgusting. We are now in year sixteen or seventeen of the five year plan. Every single year a fucking disaster.

We don't keep our prospects or our budding superstars. We just cultivate them so we can send them to contenders. These are just some of the names that we've had one our teams that we traded away or just let go.

Brian Giles
Jason Bay
Oliver Perez
Aramis Ramirez
Mike Gonzalez
Jason Kendall
Xavier Nady
Tim Wakefield
Damaso Marte(who we've already fucking traded once before!!!)
Jason Schmidt
Ty Wiggington
Matt Stairs
Jose Guillen
Reggie Sanders
Bronson Arroyo
Duaner Sanchez
Kris Benson

Seriously what the fuck.

[Stiker]

Speaking of Ben Sheets, I'm surprised no one has signed him yet. I'm thinking teams might be afraid to give up a draft pick because of his type A status, but he is a solid, consistent pitcher who has had an ERA below 4 the last few seasons.

He's still a fairly young pitcher at 30 and would fit in nicely in any team's rotation.

The Texas Rangers had a deal ready to go pending the passing of a physical and he failed it.

[GeneJackit]

I swear to whatever almighty mother fucker holds dominion over this existence of ours, if the Cubs make it to the playoffs, and fucking lose it in the first round, I am burning Chicago to the ground.

After last year, I gave up the Cubs...I have been a cubs fan since i was like 7 and i grew up in Chicago. That being said, I am not gonna be one of those 75 year old fans still waiting for a WS...after seeing people CRY after the first round loss last year, I was like "fuck this, I'm done." Im not gonna put more anymore emotional investment in that team...its a lost cause. I heard similar sentiments from a lot of fans here in Chicago, but im sure they'll all be back...but not me. Also, they need to tear down Wrigley Field...its a fucking dump. I love when people talk about all the tradition and that they shouldnt tear it down...you know what I say to that? If they can tear down Yankee Stadium they sure as shit can tear down Wrigley

Go D-backs!

[GeneJackit]

Predictions:

NL East: Marlins (they're do again...of course gonna have to be lucky)
NL Central: Cubs
NL West: Dodgers
Wildcard: Reds

AL East: Bosox
AL Central: Twins
AL West: Angels
Wildcard: Rays

[Cephius]

If you're gonna be a flip-flopper with your teams, at least use the edit button, it's there for a reason!

Don't double post

[Kang]

To everyone who picked the Mets to make the playoffs. Let's hope they don't implode for a third straight season. I feel bad for Mets fans lol. They need a pick me up.

[Kang]

Well since A-Rod spoke to the media today, I'm in a Yankees mood and wanna give my analysis of their projected starting rotation (by ESPN).

New York Yankees Depth Chart - MLB Baseball - ESPN

They have CC 1, AJ 2, Wang 3, Pettitte 4, Joba 5

This looks fairly accurate to me but I don't think Wang should be pushed so far back in the rotation. CC is clearly number one but Wang should be number 2 and AJ 3 (and no I'm not bringing up another AJ argument, that's done).

The Yankees rotation is going to be one the most interesting things I'll be looking forward to when the season starts.

[Bregor]

How is that really bold?

I know people pick the Cubs to win the WS every year in sort of a "wouldn't it be nice" sort of way, so I admit that's not terribly bold. But I really think they are the most talented team in the NL, and given the randomness and small sample size of playoff games, they have been the most consistently good team in the NL since 2007. It has to pay off in October eventually. Of course, I wrote that on the same day that the team said it would limit Harden in the spring because of shoulder problems...

Also not seeing a lot of people picking the Indians to do much, considering they needed a dream season from Cliff Lee to go .500 last year. I just think Matt LaPorta will be Ryan Braun v2 and they'll deal VMart or Shoppach for help elsewhere. Could blow up in my face, but the Twins and White Sox don't excite me that much.

The boldest thing I picked was probably the Angels winning a playoff series. :D

[Akiyama]

Their 6-9 may not be All-Stars like some teams have, but when you have Reyes, Wright, and what not anchoring the line-up, it's still pretty damn good. I just don't trust the Phillies rotation this year outside of Hamels. Moyer is getting ancient, Blanton is Blanton, and I don't even remember who else they started.

Plus if K-Rod pitches even a little bit like last year when it comes to the saves (messy or not), then I'm not worried about a collapse from their bullpen. All depends on Putz's health too.

Also, if I got money for every time A-Rod said young or stupid, I think I'd be rich. When does it qualify in baseball that you are no longer young? When does that excuse run dry? He was 25-27/almost 28 years old during that time. Ah well. I hope this shit just goes away.

[recuperi]

Also, if I got money for every time A-Rod said young or stupid, I think I'd be rich. When does it qualify in baseball that you are no longer young? When does that excuse run dry? He was 25-27/almost 28 years old during that time. Ah well. I hope this shit just goes away.

Yeah, it almost sounded like in that presser that he was admitting to using steroids since he came into the league (18 I think he said). That huge pause before just saying thank you to his teammates was awkward too

[fren.]

Point to the post where I said the Atlanta Braves front office has been doing a stellar job this offseason. I dare you. Do it.

Again, not relevant to my post. You somehow tried connecting his contract, to me thinking he was an All-Star when the fact your own team thought he was worth just as much. What the Braves have done this offseason has nothing to do with anything at all and I didn't say diddly squat about their offseason.

I "lol'd uncontrollably" at your post because you admitted that a guy isn't an All-Star, yet have zero problems with the Yankees paying over 90mil over a five year span for a guy that's injury prone, and could flop almost as bad as Clemens did a couple years back when he came back to you guys and won what.. six games? How is that not a reason for "lol'ing uncontrollably"?

You made this post:

...

Wow, fren. I'm not going to say what I'm saying wow about, exactly, but wow.

after I made this, talking about HIS STUFF.

This post is just littered with bad info. He has arguably the best fastball + curve combo in the game.

Burnett records a season-high 13 K's against New York - Video | MLB.com: Multimedia

High 80's fastball? what the fuck? You either attended Blue Jays games wearing blindfolds or have the slightest clue as to what you're talking about.

What exactly are wowing at that's left you speechless?

Jesus christ Yankee fans can get butthurt quickly. I don't just pick at the Yankees you know. I picked at the Red Sox, the Phillies (fairweather fans, etc), the Dodgers, etc. I absolutely *love* it when fans of other teams try to poke fun and shit at the Braves expecting me to actually jump and defend them, just as you jump to defend your team, therefore, making me look like a hypocrite. Sorry Charlie. Not working here. =]

Ah yes, the butthurt card. I don't really give a shit about the Braves to poke fun at them. I just used them as an example because you're here spewing that bullshit about him being paid $90mil and isn't an All-Star, when YOUR team was the second highest bidder for his services.

It's a big gamble, but he's had success in the AL East, is still relatively young, and never had a stage to pitch in with Toronto because they had/have no fucking chance at winning anything in this division.

[Cephius]

Their 6-9 may not be All-Stars like some teams have, but when you have Reyes, Wright, and what not anchoring the line-up, it's still pretty damn good. I just don't trust the Phillies rotation this year outside of Hamels. Moyer is getting ancient, Blanton is Blanton, and I don't even remember who else they started.

Plus if K-Rod pitches even a little bit like last year when it comes to the saves (messy or not), then I'm not worried about a collapse from their bullpen. All depends on Putz's health too.

Also, if I got money for every time A-Rod said young or stupid, I think I'd be rich. When does it qualify in baseball that you are no longer young? When does that excuse run dry? He was 25-27/almost 28 years old during that time. Ah well. I hope this shit just goes away.

It's not that their 6-9 aren't All-Stars, but they're pretty terrible. You have Castillo who isn't worth his weight in dirt, Schneider who can't hit a lick, and either an unproven Murphy or an OF-to-be-named.

Plus I mean.. the Phillies rotation has question marks, but so do the Mets. After Santana (much like after Cole) you have Pelfrey (good 2nd half last year, can be solid) Maine (coming off surgery) Perez (good upside, tends to struggle) and someone from AAA. Not exactly a great rotation, either.

And I think everyone agrees Delgado won't put up the same numbers he did last year. Which leaves a LOT of pressure on Santana/Wright/Reyes/Beltran to carry the load. If any of them have a bad year, it's gonna be rough times.

Christ, A-rod's press conference was painful to listen to. I wish he'd just be quiet already, every time he opens his mouth it just creates more controversy.

[Akiyama]

Again, not relevant to my post. You somehow tried connecting his contract, to me thinking he was an All-Star when the fact your own team thought he was worth just as much. What the Braves have done this offseason has nothing to do with anything at all and I didn't say diddly squat about their offseason.

All I said was I didn't think it was a wise idea to pay $90mil to a guy who didn't have the stuff to be an All-Star. You mentioned that you didn't think he was an All-Star. That's all I meant by that. What the Braves have done this offseason did have something to do with what you said, considering you chose to call out the team yourself. You could have just as easily gone for a team that I'm not a fan of, and it would have been the same. The Braves wanted to pay him $80mil, and I thought that was stupid. I don't think I'd go more than 70mil with him, even with his big upside.

You made this post:
...
after I made this, talking about HIS STUFF.
What exactly are wowing at that's left you speechless?

I didn't go "..." and "wow" at the stats. I "...'d" at you defending him as much as you did, considering he's had maybe two completely healthy/decent seasons during his entire career. Let's not base it all off of what he did last season. What makes you think he'll go through unscathed? I'd almost make a wager that he will not.

Ah yes, the butthurt card. I don't really give a shit about the Braves to poke fun at them. I just used them as an example because you're here spewing that bullshit about him being paid $90mil and isn't an All-Star, when YOUR team was the second highest bidder for his services.

It's a big gamble, but he's had success in the AL East, is still relatively young, and never had a stage to pitch in with Toronto because they had/have no fucking chance at winning anything in this division.

I never said you had to give a shit about the Braves. I don't give a shit about any team in the MLB really as I'm getting sick and tired of baseball in general. I think you chose to poke at them though because you know I'm a fan of Atlanta's. The big reason Atlanta wanted to pay too much for a guy was just because of how desperate they were to fill in their awful rotation. They were willing to go overboard. The Yankees didn't have to be "willing" because they can pretty much blow a ton of money on anyone they want. (Re: Roger Clemens two years ago) Me saying the Braves front office was terribad had to do with the fact that they were willing to overpay for an injury prone pitcher with a decent upside. *I* don't think he's an all-star, but I'm sure other teams would, especially if they are desperate. How is that bullshit when it's my opinion? Don't call my opinions bullshit.

Never had a stage to pitch on..? What kind of fucking excuse is that? So now that he's going to the Yankees, I guess that means he "has a stage to pitch on"? Give me a fucking break. It's still the Major Leagues, no matter what team you pitch on. If anything, the pitching in New York thing will put a lot of pressure on him to succeed. If he handles pressure any way like A-Rod does, I can only imagine the catastrophe of this upcoming season.

By the way, I'm ecstatic that the Braves didn't get Burnett. We get to piss away a few bucks on a washed up Griffey instead!

Also, I'll continue to play the butthurt card on Yankees fans as long as they have fans who continue to be arrogant about what they have. I understand coming to the rescue of one of your favorite team's players, but sometimes it is too much on the extreme side of things. Burnett could very well win the Cy Young for all we know, but history dictates that something will go wrong. Next time you want to spark an argument, try picking another team like the Orioles, or the Giants, or something. That way it won't look like you are goading me into something, okay? I guess the "butthurt card" is like the "race card" or something. Overplayed.

And Ceph, for once I agree with you. He just needs to stop talking. He makes himself look stupider each time he does.

[Reality]

I took some heat on here by predicting Duchscherer going down with an injury last year, due to his history, and he ended up getting hurt

I have no idea why I just brought that up

[Akiyama]

I took some heat on here by predicting Duchscherer going down with an injury last year, due to his history, and he ended up getting hurt

I have no idea why I just brought that up

Because it feels awesome to be right? Nothing wrong with that, dude. =O

I PREDICT THE CUBS WILL NOT WIN THE WORLD SERIES.

Prove me wrong.

[Melena]

Since were on the topic of predictions.

AL West: Oakland
AL Central: Chicago
AL East: New York Yankee's
Wildcard: Tampa

NL West: LA (god as a Giants fan I hated typing that)
NL Central: Chicago
NL East: Philidelphia
NL Wildcard: New York Mets

World Series: Yankee's vs Cubs with the curse ending.