2013 MLB Regular Season Wrapup Discussion Thread | Page 10

robniner · 2013-03-27T21:53:12-07:00

Spring is in the air. The smell of grass fills up ballparks across the nation The crack of bats awaits The first pitch signals the start of a new season BASEBALL IS BACK!!! Before an umpire says: "PLAY BALL!", let's recap in what took place during the off-season =================================================================================================== OFF-SEASON IN SUMMARY AMERICAN LEAGUE Making a splash in the East were the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays. The Red Sox continued repair work on the ballclub (thanks to last season) by adding a familiar face (John Farrell) to the manager's role,and new players (Dempster, Napoli, Victorino, Hanrahan, Drew, Gomes). The Blue Jays literally went extreme makeover as they picked up last season's All=Star MVP ( Me.Cabrera), all of the Marlins proven players (Bonifacio, Reyes, Jo. Johnson, Buerhle) and a NL Cy Young knuckler (Dickey); to top it all off-an old face (John Gibbons) for a second go ahead at the helm. As for the Yankees, they brought in former Red Sox cornerman Kevin Youkilis and kept their Asian players (Ichiro, Kuroda). In the Central, the Tigers upgraded right field with Torii Hunter and regained a hopefully healthy Victor Martinez. The Indians went new look with Tito Franconca and brought along a cavalcade of players (Bourn, Swisher, Reynolds, Stubbs, B.Myers). The Royals meant business as they acquired a quarter of the Rays pitching staff (including an ace in James Shields) and a former Halo (Ervin Santana). Coming off a shopping heavy last off-season, the Angels added Josh Hamilton from intra-rival Texas. To make-up for the lost power, the Rangers are counting on Lance Berkman and A.J. Pierzynski. To complement the rise of Yoenis Cespedes, the A's added Chris Young. The Mariners went power tripping (to complement their moving forward of their fences) by adding the likes of Michael Morse, Kendrys Morales, Raul Ibanez (for a second stint) and Jason Bay. Then there's the Houston Astros, converted from being an NL team from its inception. NATIONAL LEAGUE Each of the three top teams in the East added pieces: the Braves added the Upton brothers; the Phillies added a versatile infielder in Michael Young and speed in the outfield in Ben Revere; the Nationals added a new centerfielder (Span) and a closer (R. Soriano). Meanwhile the Marlins and Mets dumped their proven and Cy-Young winner to the AL's Toronto Blue Jays. The Central seemed quiet but there were still moves made. The Reds added hopefully an upgrade in Shin-Shoo Choo. The Brewers made a very,very late add in former Cardinal pitcher Kyle Lohse. The Pirates added a couple of interesting pieces in Russell Martin and Francisco Liriano. While the Cards didn't make any noise as the Lohse loss didn't have an effect, the rival Cubs added two starters in Edwin Jackson and Carlos Villanueva. The World Champion Giants kept Pagan but let go of the bearded one (Wilson); they felt upgrades were not needed. As for the division rival Dodgers, their spurge continued with the addition of Zach Greinke and Far East import Hyun-Jin Ryu. The D-Backs lost an Upton but gained a Prado. The Rockies decided to be part of the "Cardinals and White Sox experience" in adding former player Walt Weiss to the managerial role. NOTE: A few teams weren't mentioned due to lack of significant moves. ==================================================================================================== This season, interleague play becomes a daily occurrence due to the balancing of the leagues (15-15) ==================================================================================================== PROJECTED OPENING DAY STARTING LINEUPS http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130327&content_id=43378276&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb ==================================================================================================== Baseball is back. Another season awaits. Let the games begin and the discussions commence.

Apr 1, 2013 at 12:15 PM

#136

vrabbit
Veteran
Posts: 35,953

Originally posted by jrg:

Originally posted by vrabbit:
dominant outing by Strasburg who could've gone a CG, but only 3 K's against the Marlins?

they said on ESPN the Nationals are not "treating him like an ace"

Uh...then what is he? Lol he could have easily went CG

Apr 1, 2013 at 12:21 PM

#137

jrg
Veteran
Posts: 166,549

Burnett:

5IP 5H 2ER 1BB 10K

Losing 2-0

Apr 1, 2013 at 12:25 PM

#138

jrg
Veteran
Posts: 166,549

Apr 1, 2013 at 12:33 PM

#139

valrod33
Hall of Small
Posts: 138,115

Originally posted by jrg:

Originally posted by vrabbit:
dominant outing by Strasburg who could've gone a CG, but only 3 K's against the Marlins?

they said on ESPN the Nationals are not "treating him like an ace"

Uh...then what is he? Lol he could have easily went CG

No need to go all out in the first game of the year and the Nationals have a bad ass bullpen.

Apr 1, 2013 at 12:34 PM

#140

jrg
Veteran
Posts: 166,549

Originally posted by valrod33:

Originally posted by jrg:

Originally posted by vrabbit:
dominant outing by Strasburg who could've gone a CG, but only 3 K's against the Marlins?

they said on ESPN the Nationals are not "treating him like an ace"

Uh...then what is he? Lol he could have easily went CG
No need to go all out in the first game of the year and the Nationals have a bad ass bullpen.

You're right, but ESPN was saying this season they weren't gonna treat him like an ace. Thought he had no limitations this year.

Apr 1, 2013 at 12:54 PM

#141

robniner
Veteran
Posts: 5,547

The Mets are killing it on Opening Day, but then its the Padres.

Apr 1, 2013 at 12:55 PM

#142

valrod33
Hall of Small
Posts: 138,115

Originally posted by robniner:
The Mets are killing it on Opening Day, but then its the Padres.

HGH

Apr 1, 2013 at 12:57 PM

#143

4ML
Veteran
Posts: 53,672

Originally posted by crzy:

Originally posted by 49ersMyLife:

Originally posted by crzy:
Babseabll finances are all out of wack

Good defensive shorstop, aveage hitter = 120 million now

I think your definition of average hitter is out of whack

I know we're not in the steroid era anymore, but Andrus is not above average as a hitter.

That's taking positional scarcity too far

180 hits, .280+ avg, .350 obp who can steal 30 bases on average and doesn't strike out in triple digits over a course of season. He's above average hitter who is 24 and is improving.

It's a 8 year 120M extension - which kicks in after 2014 season. So, after factoring in his salaries for this year and next (he is clearly under-paid right now) - his new contract comes out to be 10 year 131M. He's worth $13M a year.

Apr 1, 2013 at 12:57 PM

#144

4ML
Veteran
Posts: 53,672

Originally posted by jrg:

Apr 1, 2013 at 1:14 PM

#145

jrg
Veteran
Posts: 166,549

Trout strikes out in his first at bat

BUST

Apr 1, 2013 at 1:14 PM

#146

Niners99
Veteran
Posts: 44,262

Originally posted by jrg:
Originally posted by Niners99:
PNC seems overrated. It always gets ranked in the top 3, but the structure of the stadium seems bland. Without the city skyline and bridge backdrop its generic. Plus the caliber of baseball thats been played there since it opened should drop it.

Have you ever been? I went a few years ago with some friends and it is unbelievable. Also have been to Milwaukee's stadium. That's a good one as well. Wish I would have checked out AT&T Park when I was in SF. Maybe soon. I've been to Busch Stadium, Kaufmann Stadium, PNC, Miller Park, and Wrigley Field now.

No, but the combination of the quality of play with the generic stadium design should matter.

Im biased though. If you ever get a chance to go to AT&T, do it. Its the most unique and classic baseball experience out there. Sit somewhere in the View Reserve 312-319 range (upper deck behind home), and its the best view in baseball imo.

[ Edited by Niners99 on Apr 1, 2013 at 1:57 PM ]

Apr 1, 2013 at 1:15 PM

#147

jrg
Veteran
Posts: 166,549

Originally posted by Niners99:

Originally posted by jrg:

Originally posted by Niners99:
PNC seems overrated. It always gets ranked in the top 3, but the structure of the stadium seems bland. Without the city skyline and bridge backdrop its generic. Plus the caliber of baseball thats been played there since it opened should drop it.

Have you ever been? I went a few years ago with some friends and it is unbelievable. Also have been to Milwaukee's stadium. That's a good one as well. Wish I would have checked out AT&T Park when I was in SF. Maybe soon. I've been to Busch Stadium, Kaufmann Stadium, PNC, Miller Park, and Wrigley Field now.

No, but the combination of the quality of play with the generic stadium design should matter.

Im biased though. If you ever get a chance to go to AT&T, do it. Its the most unique and classic baseball experience out there. Sit somewhere in the View Reserve 305-315 range (upper deck behind home), and its the best view in baseball imo.

Come to Busch Stadium in a few years

Apr 1, 2013 at 1:18 PM

#148