MLB: Best division?

ISUKyro · 02-23-2007, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by wonkadog

I think our buddy ISUKyro isn't quite the true Cubs fan in terms of "knowing the team" that some others of us are so I wouldn't take his predictions too seriously.

You sir are.... correct.

I don't keep up well with all the players, off season moves, and every other team in the league. But I do love to watch them play and still hope/ pray/ have faith that some day it will all come together

travman23 · 02-23-2007, 02:37 PM

For once though the Cubs are NOT pinning their hopes on Wood and Prior. Prior is going to have to beat out some guys for a spot in the rotation and Wood is going to the bullpen. If both are healthy and can return to form then it will be like adding 2 more free agents to the staff. If not they signed enough guys in the offseason that they won't be scrambling like they were the past few seasons.

I really don't think the Cubs rotation looks too bad, especially when you put it side to side against the Cardinals there are way less questions in it than the Cardinals have right now. Z, Lilly, Hill, Marquis, and 1 from a bunch that includes Prior gives you some guys that will be able to log some innings. The Cubs bullpen outside of Dumpster's late season meltdown was pretty good when they weren't having to come into the game in the 3rd and 4th innings and be overworked plus now you add Wood and his stuff to that mix.

The biggest question is if they have enough on offense now and the outfield defense. Still have to worry about OBP and if they'll be just another HR or strikeout kind of team that lives and dies by the longball. But the roster they have assembled definately is one of the best they've had in a long time if everyone stays healthy.

mwitt · 02-23-2007, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by wonkadog

I think our buddy ISUKyro isn't quite the true Cubs fan in terms of "knowing the team" that some others of us are so I wouldn't take his predictions too seriously. I have small issues with you saying that the Cubs are relying on Prior to stay healthy this year. That's the reason why I have hope for this year...the Cubs aren't completely reliant on Wood/Prior to hold down the 3/4 spots in the rotation. Prior is battling it out with 2 or 3 other good young pitchers for the 5th spot in the rotation and Wood isn't even going to be starting. Good news as far as I'm concerned. Do I think Lilly and Marquis are that great of pitchers? No, but I'll take those guys over last year's "staff."

Oh, they definitely have more depth in the starting staff than they've had in years past, no doubt. But they've also been a very poor team the last few years. Cubs fans have World Series hopes for 2007, right? All I'm saying is that if those goals are going to come close to fruition, I think they'll need a very good season from Mark Prior. You pretty much know what you're going to get from Zambrano. With Zambrano and Prior pitching Game 1 and Game 2 of a five game series, that'd be tough to beat. Just have to get there first.

jtd9046 · 02-23-2007, 04:52 PM

POP QUIZ... Who was the only pick above Prior in the '01 draft? Which team got a ton of criticism for not selecting Prior?

Bonus Q, and the winner will get rep from me every day for the next six months. On draft day '01, name the H.S. team that played against the #1 draft pick.

wonkadog · 02-23-2007, 04:53 PM

Don't put me on the boat of Cubs fans with "World Series hopes" for this year. I think they'll contend in the Central but I'll use a wait and see attitude this season.

CrossCyed · 02-23-2007, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by jtd9046

POP QUIZ... Who was the only pick above Prior in the '01 draft? Which team got a ton of criticism for not selecting Prior?

Bonus Q, and the winner will get rep from me every day for the next six months. On draft day '01, name the H.S. team that played against the #1 draft pick.

Mauer,and I'm gonna guess your HS?

mwitt · 02-23-2007, 05:09 PM

POP QUIZ

Which team would have selected Mark Prior overall, but they didn't want to pay him?

jtd9046 · 02-23-2007, 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by CrossCyed

Mauer,and I'm gonna guess your HS?

Correct. Crazy night with ESPN and everyone else there... about 6,000+ for a H.S. game. I was a little nervous to say the least.

Mauer was no joke in any sport. Had a full ride offer to play QB at Florida State too.

jtd9046 · 02-23-2007, 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by mwitt

POP QUIZ

Which team would have selected Mark Prior overall, but they didn't want to pay him?

They never want to pay anyone so I don't see your point. Anyway, Twins got the better deal anyway with the current batting champ and Prior not living up to anything but injuries.

mwitt · 02-23-2007, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by jtd9046

They never want to pay anyone so I don't see your point. Anyway, Twins got the better deal anyway with the current batting champ and Prior not living up to anything but injuries.

You're right about that. I'm just saying that it was moreso luck that Mauer has had a better career thus far rather than their superior scouts.

But the Twins do have a knack for getting players that aren't highly valued in the market and building very competetive teams with them. They're fun to watch.

travman23 · 02-23-2007, 05:48 PM

The pre-injury prone Prior looked like the Cubs had got the better deal. Just sucks that he's had all these problems lately. Hopefully for once he can get it together and return to the pitcher he was before all the injuries. Ironically this last round of injuries were the first related to pitching. The first 2 weren't. His first injury he colided with Marcus Giles while running the bases, the second he was pegged by a line drive hit right back at him in a game that hit him in the elbow. Not sure if I have ever seen a pitcher get hit by a ball like that if that tells you how much bad luck that kid has had.

Kerry Wood, he on the other hand had some terrible mechanics that led to his injuries.

madcityCY · 02-23-2007, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by mwitt

Do you really think Cubs/Cards/Astros/Brewers > Tigers/Twins/Indians/White Sox?

Their division winner won 83 games last year. Did they get THAT much better?

Actually, after giving some thought/ study, I think this is a really good comparison.

ce1 · 02-23-2007, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by CrossCyed

Mauer,and I'm gonna guess your HS?

I like your Chisox fire, Crosscyed. Even if you are a homer...now if you just put that posting energy into your insightful blog (i'm really missing your insight)

As for the Twins, i agree, no way they make the playoffs without Liriano last year, and no way they dig out of the hole w/o Liriano.

But, they probably wouldn't have dug themselves that far of a hole if they hadn't played stiffs like: Tony Batista, Juan Castro ...instead of Nick Punto, Jason Bartlett and Mike Cuddyer. Throw in Rondell White and Jason Kubel, two productive players were injured most of the year, and the Twins should start out of the gate with a much more productive lineup than they did last year, which should keep them from needing Liriano as badly. The Twins start off the season with a much better batting lineup than last year from 3 to 8:

3. JMauer
4. M Cuddyer
5. J Morneau
6. T Hunter
7. R White
8. J Kubel

I'd take that 3-8 over anyone's in baseball, except the Yankees ( a little homer statement, but's its probably the best since the '91 Twins, maybe better).

So while Liriano was instrumental in the comeback last year, i don't think you can discount the Twins as much as you say, because he's not there.

That said, the Twins rely on a rotation of probably:

1. Santana
2. Ponson
3. Silva
4. Bonser
5. Garza/Ortiz/Slowey/Perkins (whoever)

That will be an issue. Somehow, though, the Twins seem to find a way to patch together pitching. They have a TON of talent in their minor leagues, lots of arms that they can try.

And, the Twins bullpen is probably the best in baseball (2.95 ERA last year, 2nd best in AL was Tigers at 3.35), and a strong bullpen plus a better lineup usually means a lot of comeback wins.

I expect this will be the strongest Twins team since 91, probably a better hitting team, a worse starting pitching team, and a similar bullpen. Whether that's good enough to get you to the world series in the era of the wild card remains to be seen.

jdoggivjc · 02-23-2007, 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by jtd9046

POP QUIZ... Who was the only pick above Prior in the '01 draft? Which team got a ton of criticism for not selecting Prior?

Bonus Q, and the winner will get rep from me every day for the next six months. On draft day '01, name the H.S. team that played against the #1 draft pick.

That's easy b.c I'm a Twins fan - the answer would be JOE MAUER!!!

I can't give you the H.S., unfortunately

CrossCyed · 02-23-2007, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by ce1

I like your Chisox fire, Crosscyed. Even if you are a homer...now if you just put that posting energy into your insightful blog (i'm really missing your insight)

As for the Twins, i agree, no way they make the playoffs without Liriano last year, and no way they dig out of the hole w/o Liriano.

But, they probably wouldn't have dug themselves that far of a hole if they hadn't played stiffs like: Tony Batista, Juan Castro ...instead of Nick Punto, Jason Bartlett and Mike Cuddyer. Throw in Rondell White and Jason Kubel, two productive players were injured most of the year, and the Twins should start out of the gate with a much more productive lineup than they did last year, which should keep them from needing Liriano as badly. The Twins start off the season with a much better batting lineup than last year from 3 to 8:

3. JMauer
4. M Cuddyer
5. J Morneau
6. T Hunter
7. R White
8. J Kubel

I'd take that 3-8 over anyone's in baseball, except the Yankees ( a little homer statement, but's its probably the best since the '91 Twins, maybe better).

So while Liriano was instrumental in the comeback last year, i don't think you can discount the Twins as much as you say, because he's not there.

That said, the Twins rely on a rotation of probably:

1. Santana
2. Ponson
3. Silva
4. Bonser
5. Garza/Ortiz/Slowey/Perkins (whoever)

That will be an issue. Somehow, though, the Twins seem to find a way to patch together pitching. They have a TON of talent in their minor leagues, lots of arms that they can try.

And, the Twins bullpen is probably the best in baseball (2.95 ERA last year, 2nd best in AL was Tigers at 3.35), and a strong bullpen plus a better lineup usually means a lot of comeback wins.

I expect this will be the strongest Twins team since 91, probably a better hitting team, a worse starting pitching team, and a similar bullpen. Whether that's good enough to get you to the world series in the era of the wild card remains to be seen.

I know, college classes suck.