MLB Discussion Thread

[Hines]

Originally Posted by zachsaints52

Will he ever be healthy? Also, what has happened to Alverez? He was suppose to be the next big thing.

He's a couple weeks away from throwing off a mound. I'll say late April he is back with the club.

Alvarez is very streaky, but when he is locked in, he's such a tough out. I hope to see more consistency from him this year. Last year was only his first full year in the majors and he's been around since '10.

[zachsaints52]

Originally Posted by Hines

He's a couple weeks away from throwing off a mound. I'll say late April he is back with the club.

Alvarez is very streaky, but when he is locked in, he's such a tough out. I hope to see more consistency from him this year. Last year was only his first full year in the majors and he's been around since '10.

But how soon til Liriano gets hurt again is the question :P

I remember Pedro was suppose to be the new 30 HR, 100 RBI kinda guy.

[Hines]

Originally Posted by zachsaints52

But how soon til Liriano gets hurt again is the question :P

I remember Pedro was suppose to be the new 30 HR, 100 RBI kinda guy.

The injuries are a problem, but I like his potential in the NL.


Alvarez hit 30 last year and drove in 85.

[zachsaints52]

Originally Posted by Hines

The injuries are a problem, but I like his potential in the NL.


Alvarez hit 30 last year and drove in 85.

Didn't you guys either trade away a decent player or let one walk via FA because he was coming up?

[Hines]

Originally Posted by zachsaints52

Didn't you guys either trade away a decent player or let one walk via FA because he was coming up?

The last up and coming player they traded was Aramis Ramirez. I'd be inclined to argue the last time they traded a "decent" player in the past 5 years that actually did something for the other team.

[Pat Sims 90]

The Reds Lineup should look something like this.

1. Shin-Shoo Choo CF
2. Brandon Phillips 2B
3. Joey Votto 1B
4. Ryan Ludwick LF
5. Jay Bruce RF
6. Todd Frazier 3B
7. Zack Cozart SS
8. Ryan Hanigan C
9. Pitcher

1. Johnny Cueto
2. Mat Latos
3. Bronson Arroyo
4. Homer Bailey
5. Aroldis Chapman

[Brodeur]

Oh god, Shin Soo Choo in center will be hilarious.

[Pat Sims 90]

Originally Posted by Brodeur

Oh god, Shin Soo Choo in center will be hilarious.

At least the Reds might have found someone for a year to hit in front of Joey Votto. It would be nice to actually see someone on base consistently with Votto up.

[Brodeur]

Yes but.....that's just awful to think of. I mean, Bruce would probably be better in center. And Dusty is really wrecking Mesoraco's career.

[Hines]

Can't believe Dusty is going to ruin Chapman now.

[Pat Sims 90]

It is ok. Billy Hamilton should be out there next year.

Mesoraco should at least be splitting time with Hanigan. Hanigan is solid but nothing special.

[BloodBrother]

LF Trout
SS Aybar
1B Pujols
RF Hamilton
DH Trumbo
2B Kendrick
3B Callaspo
C Iannetta
CF Bourjos

1. Weav
2. Ceej
3. Vargas
4. Hanson
5. Fat Santana aka Blanton

rotation should be able to duplicate last year's performance, maybe even be slightly better. All comes down to the pen being improved and preserving more of their games for them. Have to get the # of blown saves down

[zachsaints52]

Originally Posted by Hines

The last up and coming player they traded was Aramis Ramirez. I'd be inclined to argue the last time they traded a "decent" player in the past 5 years that actually did something for the other team.

It was Aramis I believe.

Originally Posted by Hines

Can't believe Dusty is going to ruin Chapman now.

He shouldn't mess with something so good as 100 MPH from a lefty in the 9th.

[Brodeur]

Having a $22 million player on your bench. Solid stuff, Angels.

[Pat Sims 90]

Originally Posted by Hines

Can't believe Dusty is going to ruin Chapman now.

They will more then likely only pitch him 4-5 innings each start which should not ruin him. He would have started last year but with injuries last year in spring training. Pretty much anything that gets Mike Leake out of the starting lineup is a good thing.

[Brodeur]

Starting Chapman is the right thing. Continuing to not use Mesoraco is the wrong thing.

[BloodBrother]

Originally Posted by Brodeur

Having a $22 million player on your bench. Solid stuff, Angels.

yeah it's great that they can afford to do things like that

[BloodBrother]

it must be so great to make so much money for being really bad at your job. I'm still in awe that Jeff Mathis continues to find work for major league teams despite having a career BA under .200 and a career OPS of .570(and he's not a pitcher)

looking forward to him writing a book on how to stay empoyed in the major leagues despite being unable to play

[Brodeur]

He's not even a good defensive catcher.

[holt_bruce81]

With Carpenter going down, I think the Cards will look something like....

1. Rafael Furcal SS
2. Jon Jay CF
3. Matt Holliday LF
4. Carlos Beltran RF
5. Allen Craig 1B
6. Yadier Molina C
7. David Freese 3B
8. Kolten Wong 2B

1. Adam Wainwright
2. Jaime Garcia
3. Lance Lynn
4. Jake Westbrook
5. Shelby Miller

[BloodBrother]

Originally Posted by Brodeur

He's not even a good defensive catcher.

Exactly. I don't know how he continues to do it. I thought it was Scioscia who loved the guy, but the Jays willingly traded for him and played him, and now the Marlins look set to do that. Granted, I'm not sure the Marlins count as a major league team anymore after Loria swindled the fan base and city yet again

[zachsaints52]

My first Red Sox ticket for this upcoming season. HELL. YES. (I literally just bought it.)

[Smooth Criminal]

Originally Posted by Hines

1) Starling Marte LF
2) Travis Snider/Alex Presley/Jose Tabata RF
3) Andrew McCutchen CF
4) Garrett Jones 1B
5) Neil Walker 2B
6) Pedro Alvarez 3B
7) Russell Martin C
8) Clint Barmes SS


1) AJ Burnett
2) Wandy Rodriguez
3) James McDonald
4) Jeff Karstens
5) Kyle McPherson

Liriano will be the number 5 once he's healthy.

Here's to hoping Jones plays like last year again. Can't really say this lineup has me excited, trottibg out pretty much the same team as last year and expecting different results. But Im gonna manage to make it back to Pittsburgh for the opener so that's a start.

[Hines]

Originally Posted by Smooth Criminal

Here's to hoping Jones plays like last year again. Can't really say this lineup has me excited, trottibg out pretty much the same team as last year and expecting different results. But Im gonna manage to make it back to Pittsburgh for the opener so that's a start.

I think the offense will be better this year. Everyone is a year older and has more experience. That'll help. I could see Tabata winning the RF job and being our leadoff man.

[ImBrotherCain]

Originally Posted by zachsaints52

I am very excited about this upcoming season, especially since I got to live 2 miles away from Fenway Pahk during the summer. But as much excitement there is, I don't see much for Red Sox to be excited about.

1st- Napoli
2nd- Pedroia
SS- Drew
3rd- Middlebrooks
LF- Gomes
CF- Ellsbury
RF- Victorino
C- Salty
DH- Ortiz

I just don't see normal Red Sox lineup to be honest, and half these guys have been injured recently. Drew probably won't end the season as the SS when Bogaerts is ready.

I don't see how you can be excited about this lineup...

Gomes is the scum of the earth, Victorino is old and washed up, Drew can't stay healthy, Napoli has never played 1st consistently.

This is more of an abortion of a lineup than I have seen in a long time. I hate that we spent any money on Gomes, Dempster and Victorino this offseason.

Not to mention Bogarts won't be up this season...