2009 MLB Discussion Thread

[quote name='slickkill77']Didn't webb struggle mightily in the opening month last year?[/quote]
Not really, just later in the season. Maybe you are thinking of '07.
 
[quote name='dopa345']I really don't see why the Yankees are viewed as the favorites in the AL East. Their key players are in decline. Their outfield is unproven. A-rod is out for at least a month and has to deal with a lot of mental baggage when he gets back. Getting Teixiera was admittedly a great coup. However, the Sabathia and Burnett are going to be huge disappointments. Sabathia's workload over the past two seasons should be a concern, not to mention the Red Sox traditionally hit him well and his postseason stats are horrible. Burnett is basically Pavano, The Sequel; my prediction is he will end up being the most expensive pitcher in baseball from a $ per start persepective. I would take the Red Sox and Rays' rotation over the Yankees any day.

The Yankees are in real trouble and will likely finish third in the AL East.[/quote]

If you're going to take an analysts perspective, at least be realistic. I'm a Yankee fan, but even I think calling them the "favorites" to win the East is extremely premature. I think they're getting all this attention because of the big moves they made over the winter. It's something to talk about. The Sox picked up a couple backend pitchers (Penny and Smoltz) and a solid, but aging reliever (Saito). The Rays...got Pat Burrell. That's a 30 second segment at best. The Yankees for better or worse always give the media a story. That's why they're getting headlines right now.

As for the actual team, it's improved from last year. Any argument to the contrary is blatant homerism. Say what you want about A-Rod, but come September, the numbers will be there. Sadly, they'll more than likely disappear in October (if the Yanks have an October), but it's on Alex to prove the critics wrong.

Sabathia is a great pitcher. He's not going to forget how to pitch overnight, regardless of his "workload" last season. If he suffers some tremendous injury, sure, then we can change the story. But as of right now, dude is healthy and strong. For whatever reason, he pitches like crap in April, and has his entire career. I think blaming cold weather is a copout for being fat and out of shape, but hell...he's certainly not the first player to make that excuse.

Burnett COULD be an injury waiting to happen. But you can't deny what the guy brings to the table. He's got more tools than Pavano ever had. He throws hard, puts up wins, and led the AL in strikeouts last year...pitching in a very tough division no less. He claims that he learned what was causing his injuries, and has gotten past them. Who are you to claim otherwise? It's a risk, but he was the 2nd best pitcher on the market. Can't argue that.

Hate the Yankees all you want, but the fact is, they made moves to make the team better. There's a lot of youth in the bullpen that is mostly unproven, but so was 2/3 of the Rays team last year. You don't know what's going to happen any more than I do. There's a lot of talent there, and all it takes is guys getting over the hump at the same time. It might be a great year for the Yanks, it might not be. Dustin Pedroia might break his leg tomorrow and miss the entire season. Only an idiot would make predictions this early.
 
[quote name='n8rockerasu']If you're going to take an analysts perspective, at least be realistic. I'm a Yankee fan, but even I think calling them the "favorites" to win the East is extremely premature. I think they're getting all this attention because of the big moves they made over the winter. It's something to talk about. The Sox picked up a couple backend pitchers (Penny and Smoltz) and a solid, but aging reliever (Saito). The Rays...got Pat Burrell. That's a 30 second segment at best. The Yankees for better or worse always give the media a story. That's why they're getting headlines right now.

As for the actual team, it's improved from last year. Any argument to the contrary is blatant homerism. Say what you want about A-Rod, but come September, the numbers will be there. Sadly, they'll more than likely disappear in October (if the Yanks have an October), but it's on Alex to prove the critics wrong.

Sabathia is a great pitcher. He's not going to forget how to pitch overnight, regardless of his "workload" last season. If he suffers some tremendous injury, sure, then we can change the story. But as of right now, dude is healthy and strong. For whatever reason, he pitches like crap in April, and has his entire career. I think blaming cold weather is a copout for being fat and out of shape, but hell...he's certainly not the first player to make that excuse.

Burnett COULD be an injury waiting to happen. But you can't deny what the guy brings to the table. He's got more tools than Pavano ever had. He throws hard, puts up wins, and led the AL in strikeouts last year...pitching in a very tough division no less. He claims that he learned what was causing his injuries, and has gotten past them. Who are you to claim otherwise? It's a risk, but he was the 2nd best pitcher on the market. Can't argue that.

Hate the Yankees all you want, but the fact is, they made moves to make the team better. There's a lot of youth in the bullpen that is mostly unproven, but so was 2/3 of the Rays team last year. You don't know what's going to happen any more than I do. There's a lot of talent there, and all it takes is guys getting over the hump at the same time. It might be a great year for the Yanks, it might not be. Dustin Pedroia might break his leg tomorrow and miss the entire season. Only an idiot would make predictions this early.[/quote]

Hate to break it to you man but this is the best Sabathia will get....i'm a Giants fan...I see all the classic signs...

You first say "rough start" he'll get better....then it becomes..."he just needs that one game to get back in it"....then it's "fuckin' damnit...6 more years?"

The Brewers basically threw off Sabathia's arm....same thing the A's did in the 2006 season...
 
Put it in the books, Mets won! Finally, Santana can trust his bullpen to do finish out the job. I was surprised he only lasted 5 but he got 7 in that span. im sure enough he will go farther.

Murphy,Church, and Castillo all had a great day. Murph with a homer, church with a web gem, and Castillo getting the double and laying that sweet bunt on thirdbase line....but too bad encarnacion turned that in to a great play himself.

Volquez vs Pelfry tomorrow. let's go mike!

Its only opening day...if burnett has a killer day or wang has a great return...this will be forgootten.

Edit:
You have to love the Zito Effect.

I cant make any prejudgements on CC until a couple more games in and see how he faces the Sox,Rays,ans Jays.
 
Let me break it to you now so it can set in: It's THE REDS! They suck. They suck now, they sucked last year, and will suck for the foreseeable future. Saying your bullpen is great because they didn't allow runs from the Reds isn't saying much.
 
IMO, i'd rather put K-Rod as set-up....my buddy and me have watched K-Rod blow plenty of saves....and get lit up in the playoffs.
 
[quote name='ph33r m3']Hate to break it to you man but this is the best Sabathia will get....i'm a Giants fan...I see all the classic signs...

You first say "rough start" he'll get better....then it becomes..."he just needs that one game to get back in it"....then it's "fuckin' damnit...6 more years?"

The Brewers basically threw off Sabathia's arm....same thing the A's did in the 2006 season...[/quote]

Yeah, I gotta say man, your Zito bitterness is quite pungent. Sabathia's situation isn't even similar. He pitched because he felt great. He didn't need to go on 3 days rest to score the big contract. There were plenty of pitchers who got absolutely LIT UP today (ie. Webb, Lee, etc.) It is what it is. I do feel sorry for you though. I used to be a big Zito fan, and wished the Yanks would sign him. Thank God we got Kei Igawa instead... :wall:
 
[quote name='n8rockerasu']Yeah, I gotta say man, your Zito bitterness is quite pungent. Sabathia's situation isn't even similar. He pitched because he felt great. He didn't need to go on 3 days rest to score the big contract. There were plenty of pitchers who got absolutely LIT UP today (ie. Webb, Lee, etc.) It is what it is. I do feel sorry for you though. I used to be a big Zito fan, and wished the Yanks would sign him. Thank God we got Kei Igawa instead... :wall:[/quote]

Sabathia:

Can't pitch in playoffs? Check

Just got a fat contract that is guaranteed? Check.

Playing in a place that wasn't his top destination (West coast kid) ? Check.

I really do love Sabathia....but this situation ain't gonna work....NY won't settle with a slow start from him....
 
[quote name='ph33r m3']Sabathia:

Can't pitch in playoffs? Check

Just got a fat contract that is guaranteed? Check.

Playing in a place that wasn't his top destination (West coast kid) ? Check.

I really do love Sabathia....but this situation ain't gonna work....NY won't settle with a slow start from him....[/quote]

Cashman isn't retarded. He knows Sabathia's history. It's the "fans" I'm worried about. Booing becomes the popular thing all too quickly. I'm not worried about CC's motivation. He's been getting along with his teammates better than anyone expected and he's been having fun. He just needs to settle in. Get back to me in September.
 
[quote name='KingBroly']Let me break it to you now so it can set in: It's THE REDS! They suck. They suck now, they sucked last year, and will suck for the foreseeable future. Saying your bullpen is great because they didn't allow runs from the Reds isn't saying much.[/QUOTE]

yeah i know...but when your team was blowing games late to teams like the reds and nats....it gives me little assurance that i can start to trust the pen again. we blew 29 last year and that was to some bad teams but that can also a test to how bad manuel mismanaged the bullpen last year. hopefully it will be easier this time around.

but we will see. Apologies if my post came off looking like i was bragging. I'm just dam happy that Baseball is back and now i can live through the agony and suffering of another Mets Baseball season. ;).
[quote name='ph33r m3']IMO, i'd rather put K-Rod as set-up....my buddy and me have watched K-Rod blow plenty of saves....and get lit up in the playoffs.[/QUOTE]

yeah i know what you mean. People have actually said that Putz is the better choice for closer. some of my met friends thought K-Rod was Billy wags part deux.

but im just hoping to touch the playoffs.
 
[quote name='KingBroly']Let me break it to you now so it can set in: It's THE REDS! They suck. They suck now, they sucked last year, and will suck for the foreseeable future. Saying your bullpen is great because they didn't allow runs from the Reds isn't saying much.[/QUOTE]

What? Are you stupid? Did you miss Jay Bruce and Joey Votto? Specifically the latter?
 
[quote name='BostonCollegeFan']What? Are you stupid? Did you miss Jay Bruce and Joey Votto? Specifically the latter?[/QUOTE]

ill throw in some more names.

Johnny Cueto, Edinson Volquez,Edwin Encarnacion. Brandon Phillips who is one of the better 2nd basemen in the league...They are an actual dark horse for the wild card. Their team isn't that bad. Aaron Harang can be pretty nasty at times. I think once they get their gears moving...than can have a legit shot at tht Wild Card.

i know they aren't great yet but they wont be the same easy team as everyone knows they are. .
 
If the Reds are truly that bad, which they aren't, the game would've been much worse than a 2-1 loss. They have a solid core, they just need a better manager thanDusty "I'll play Veterans over better Rookie" Baker. New manager, could be better results, bring back sweet Lou.

Oh yeah, go Red Sox. Nice to see Beckett was the "good" Beckett yesterday.
 
[quote name='lordwow']Dusty Baker is one of the worst managers in baseball.[/quote]

He's not a youth coach....with the Giants he had veterans....he doesn't mix well with younger players.
 
And the Braves end up losing 12-11. Damn, way to choke a huge lead. A road sweep of the defending champs would have been a nice start after a couple crappy seasons.

Even more painful is that 4 of the 8 runs in the 7th were walked in. :roll:
 
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I can honestly say having seen the Braves in Spring Training personally that their bullpen is absolute shit. Against Toronto they gave up 6 runs in 2 innings to 7-5 when Toronto didn't have 1 starter in past the 2nd inning.

Baltimore has the same problem, as you can see. But luckily they've won both of their games so far this year.
 
Mets bullpen was shaky last night but they still pulled out the win. Felt like last season all over again, but they would usually lose those kind of games.
 
Very sad news out of LA this morning:

Angels Nick Adenhart killed in Fullerton traffic accident

Quote:
TMZ has learned Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Nick Adenhart was killed in a felony hit-and-run car accident in Fullerton, California early this morning -- hours after he pitched in a game last night.

Cops say someone driving a minivan blew through a red light, causing the Mitsubishi that Adenhart was riding in to hit a light pole. Three people were killed in the crash, including Nick.

Cops say the person driving the van fled the scene -- but was later caught and charged with felony hit-and-run. The suspect is currently being treated for injuries in a local hospital.

We're told one of the other men killed in the crash was also affiliated with the Angels organization.

Nick was 22 years old.
 
[quote name='DomLando']Mets bullpen was shaky last night but they still pulled out the win. Felt like last season all over again, but they would usually lose those kind of games.[/QUOTE]

Yeah seriously. when feliciano gave up 2...i was like, "oh no not again!" but K-Rod came through. So far the new look mets even after 2 games, i like so far. Delgado's bat is still staying hot and i hope it stays like that.

[quote name='lordwow']Very sad news out of LA this morning:[/QUOTE]

i just read that ESPN. This is really shocking to me. He pitched one hell of a game last night. threw 6 innings of shutout ball but his bullpen blows it for him. I feel so bad because he is young and had his dream job taken away from him. My condolences go out to his family.

RIP Nick and other passenger
 
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Damn, that's just horrible. Heard so much about him for years being one of baseball's top pitching prospects and then this happens. Such a shame.

RIP
 
Goddamn, Oliver Perez sucks. Remind me why we weren't willing to sign Lowe for $2mil more a year for two additional years compared to this guy?
 
[quote name='st0neface']Goddamn, Oliver Perez sucks. Remind me why we weren't willing to sign Lowe for $2mil more a year for two additional years compared to this guy?[/QUOTE]

i was really high on signing oliver. he was young, and he was coming off a somewhat a decent season. i thought things were going to be up...thats until spring came along and he had atrocious start after start in spring training. It seems like he hasn't recovered or he has never shown up.

we are only down by 3 at the moment. not a huge hill to climb. We can still win this game...but im worried about the psych y of Oliver. Can he recover from this kind of start...what happens when he come home and has this start. I know for one thing. Patience with some mets fans have run out on him. he needs to recover badly in his next start. Its his 1st in the reg season, but these kinds of starts have been happening since the WBC. he had lots of time to fix his problems.
 
The killer was driving on a suspended license due to a previous DUI. There's a special place in hell for scumbags like this.

Per TMZ, one of the other victims was a 20 year old cheerleader from Cal State.


This a-hole should be tied up to a tree and have a date with a grizzly bear. That should teach him to be so reckless behind a several ton automobile. Three people lost their lives because this monster doesn't know how to call for a cab or a friend.
 
[quote name='wildcpac']The killer was driving on a suspended license due to a previous DUI. There's a special place in hell for scumbags like this.

Per TMZ, one of the other victims was a 20 year old cheerleader from Cal State.


This a-hole should be tied up to a tree and have a date with a grizzly bear. That should teach him to be so reckless behind a several ton automobile. Three people lost their lives because this monster doesn't know how to call for a cab or a friend.[/quote]

And a 4th was in critical condition. And the scumbag tried to run away too. What a prick.
 
[quote name='craven_fiend']And a 4th was in critical condition. And the scumbag tried to run away too. What a prick.[/QUOTE]

they are going to try to throw the book at this guy. 3 counts 2nd degree manslaughter 1 count driving with suspended license, and possible 3 counts possible 2nd degree murder. Bruce Beck i think it was, actually broke down on the news crying because his son is a 22 year old baseball player. It even put Scott Boras to utter tears.
 
As an A's fan, I was terrified to imagine what this kid would do to us when he establishes himself - along the lines of what Lackey and Felix do each time they play the A's. Then I read during my lunch break that he was killed..so sudden and so sad.
 
[quote name='will530']As an A's fan, I was terrified to imagine what this kid would do to us when he establishes himself - along the lines of what Lackey and Felix do each time they play the A's. Then I read during my lunch break that he was killed..so sudden and so sad.[/QUOTE]

so sudden is right. We now only can speculate how great the kid could be and that first game was obviously a point in the right direction.

Tim Cahil looks like a stud in the making also.
 
And the worst part of all of this, the guy driving the minivan was their age too. He's going to have to live with that guilt for a while, but thats his fault for doing what he did and then not having the decency, suspended license or not, to see if they needed help. Damn drunk drivers.

Hopefully the 4th person makes it through, but their life won't be the same either, knowing they were the only one in the car to survive and miss their friends.

Hopefully around the league, the hold a moment of silence for Nick and do something special at the game vs the Sox tonight. I wonder if they'll retire his number.
 
emilio Bonafacio is really ridiculous. Every time he got up to plate..he got on and Hanley or Cantu would be the guy to drive him in. today was a definite reminder that the 2008 Mets are still here to play. They did the usual things..left a whole shit load of base runners stranded and the bullpen couldn't hold it long enough for the offense to do anything. at least the offense kept equalizing the game but then the 1 RP would just mess it up. hopefully tomorrow is a better day.
 
Can't blame the bullpen for the loss when the offense is doing things like having two runners in scoring position in late game and merely getting a sac fly to tie the game. Something like 14 runners stranded over the course of the game? Gotta make sure we're not getting just one hit at a time..
 
[quote name='yukine']I hated that the Diamondbacks traded Bonfacio, Rauch has been nothing but a disappointment out of the pen.[/QUOTE]

yeah Rauch looks like a shell of his former self when he closed for the nats. I guess the that trade for Willingham and olson is really paying dividends. But lopez isnt doing that bad as lead off is he??

[quote name='DustBoogie']Can't blame the bullpen for the loss when the offense is doing things like having two runners in scoring position in late game and merely getting a sac fly to tie the game. Something like 14 runners stranded over the course of the game? Gotta make sure we're not getting just one hit at a time..[/QUOTE]

yep said that. at one point is was 0-6 or 0-8 before they got one in. Just a bad game...maine looked shakey at times but after the two bombs he gave up..he didnt give up a hit after that. But the pen did get sloppy at times...like Green Balking and loading up the bases. I do like though that he pulled through and let only 1 in. in retrospect, the pen wasn't that bad..if it was our pen from last year...it would have been a blow out by the 8th inning.

yeah agreed, stranding runners was the other achilles to why we collapsed...it seems like we can get the hits but we can't get that BIG hit at times. lotsa ball left..lets see if Livan can tie the series up at 1 a piece.
 
[quote name='yukine']No, not at all, he is playing very well for us so far. I just liked what I saw of Bonifacio.[/QUOTE]

I see. Yeah after watching the kid today, he has potential to become a bonified stud. That was an awesome bunt he laid down late in the game.

Garland pitched really well tonight. I still wished the mets would have chose Garland over Redding.
 
Not a good showing so far for our closer Gregg. He almost blew a save against the Astros and then coughs one up last night against the Brewers. I guess that's the chance you take though when you can only scratch across 3 runs and can't add any insurance.
 
put it in the books. Very good rebound win tonight by the mets. All cylinders were rolling today. Hats off to Livan Hernandez. The only Mets Starter to go beyond the fifth inning and he did it convincingly. But wow, where did Luis Castillo come from. He should have been 5-5 but 4-4 with 3 runs and a RBI is amazing. I hope he keeps his aggressiveness at plate. it worked today, i hope it works tomorrow.

Tomorrow its Johan vs Johnson. This should be a good matchup.
 
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