Too early to talk MLB?

**CYdTracked** · 01-31-2008, 10:23 AM

Never too early, GO CUBS GO!

Don't worry Carlos, your prayers have been answered and his name is Soto!

**mwitt** · 01-31-2008, 10:26 AM

I can talk baseball any time of the year. You have to say the Mets in the East for right now, but it's not like that is a complete team. El Duque is not going to pitch a whole season, and it appears they don't have a definite answer as a bridge to get the ball to Billy Wagner. And while I absolutely love Pedro Martinez, I'm not expecting a hell of a lot from him. If the success of the Mets completely hinges on Pedro's shoulders, then I think that's irresponsible of OJ Minaya. Obviously, the Johan acquisition is huge.

**mramseyISU** · 01-31-2008, 10:27 AM

My cardinals need some pitching help in a bad way. Wainwright or however you spell it is going to be really good in another year or two I think but Mulder will never be as good as he was in Oakland and who knows how durable Carpenter is going to be once he gets back.

**jdoggivjc** · 01-31-2008, 10:27 AM

Assumed Mets starting lineup and rotation:
1B - Carlos Delgado
2B - Luis Castillo
SS - Jose Reyes
3B - David Wright
LF - Moises Alou
CF - Carlos Beltran
RF - Ryan Church
C - Brian Schneider
Rotation - Johan Santana, Pedro Martinez, Orlando Hernandez, Oliver Perez, John Maine
Closer - Billy Wagner

Phillies:
1B - Ryan Howard
2B - Chase Utley
SS - Jimmy Rollins
3B - Pedro Feliz
LF - Pat Burrell
CF - Shane Victorino
RF - Geoff Jenkins
Rotation - Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, Kyle Kendrick, Jamie Moyer, Adam Eaton
Closer - Brad Lidge

I guess I fail to see how the Mets don't win the East big...

**tejasclone** · 01-31-2008, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by mike4cy

So then Cardinal&Gold you are saying that the Cubs will win the Central? :)

That would be my prediction. Expect another half-season fight from the Brewers, but I don't think they've got the horses to win the division in a 162-game season. And the Reds...well, come on. Jocketty is their GM now but they haven't been seriously competitive for years. And the Astros are old. And the Pirates jsut suck.

I expect the Cubs to do well again this year, but they'll get swept in 3 games in the Division Series again.

**trevn** · 01-31-2008, 10:30 AM

I'm not a hater so I'll play along! If you twisted my arm, I'd say the Phillies win the East. My predictions for the playoffs would be Phillies, Cubs, Dodgers, and Mets as the wild card. For the AL it would be Red Sox, Tigers, Angels, and Yankees as the wild card. In a dream world, I'd take my Dodgers to win the World Series in 6 games against the Red Sox. In the real world, I'd guess the Red Sox beat the Mets in 5 games.

**trevn** · 01-31-2008, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by Jeremy

Red Sox all the way baby - nobody's stoping us!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

**tejasclone** · 01-31-2008, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by mramseyISU

My cardinals need some pitching help in a bad way. Wainwright or however you spell it is going to be really good in another year or two I think but Mulder will never be as good as he was in Oakland and who knows how durable Carpenter is going to be once he gets back.

Wainwright is a stud and is currently the de facto ace on the staff. He'll continue to have his ups and downs but he did just fine last season. I hope to see him improve.

Mulder is a waste. We got jobbed on that trade with the A's (thanks a lot, Billy Beane). Carpenter will be fine but we won't see him until August or September.

Matt Clement better rediscover his taste for success. Thank God Kip Wells is gone.

**Incyte** · 01-31-2008, 10:32 AM

Anybody going to spring training this year? I went to Mesa for Cubs spring training and it was AWESOME. Playing golf and watching baseball in 70 degree weather is pretty sweet in March.

**mwitt** · 01-31-2008, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by jdoggivjc

I guess I fail to see how the Mets don't win the East big...

Injuries and possible decline in production. They have some older players. Pedro and El Duque will miss time for sure. They definitely should win the East, but that's why they play the games.

**mwitt** · 01-31-2008, 10:34 AM

If the Cubs don't win the Centeral, they're a joke.

**jdoggivjc** · 01-31-2008, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by mwitt

...the Cubs..., they're a joke.

You said it, not me

**mike4cy** · 01-31-2008, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by mwitt

If the Cubs don't win the Centeral, they're a joke.

Sensing jealousy and more jealousy, I am.

**cybsball20** · 01-31-2008, 10:39 AM

I think the Phillies will pull it out this year. Feliz is one of the best players that nobody has heard of. The Alou, Church, Beltran outfield doesn't scare me, it might of a few years ago, but not anymore. Neither team has a spectacular bullpen but the Phillies get a huge edge there, that tells you how BAD the Mets pen will be. I think the Mets have some major question marks in their rotation though; Is Pedro back? Can El Duque hold up? Is Mayne who they thought he was? Can Perez throw strikes?

The Marlins and Nationals won't be pushovers, the Nats have gotten better and they were close to a .500 team last year. Sure the Marlins got rid of two stars but Willis was dead weight last year and they have brought in a TON of great prospects the last few years and could be pretty dangerous.

**tejasclone** · 01-31-2008, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by mike4cy

Sensing jealousy and more jealousy, I am.

He's right, though. The Cubs should be able to plow through the Central with ease. I will be delighted if they don't, but they really really should. The Central will be very weak once again. Ripe for the taking.