2013 MLB Regular Season Wrapup Discussion Thread | Page 14

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 2, 2013 at 1:32 PM

#196

TheXFactor
Veteran
Posts: 25,990

I think the M's will be much improved

Apr 2, 2013 at 2:49 PM

#197

robniner
Veteran
Posts: 5,547

MINI POLL

WHICH TEAM WILL HAVE THE WORST RECORD?

A. Houston Astros

B. Minnesota Twins

C. Miami Marlins

Apr 2, 2013 at 2:51 PM

#198

jrg
Veteran
Posts: 166,549

Originally posted by robniner:
MINI POLL

WHICH TEAM WILL HAVE THE WORST RECORD?

A. Houston Astros

B. Minnesota Twins

C. Miami Marlins

Houston

Apr 2, 2013 at 2:55 PM

#199

TheXFactor
Veteran
Posts: 25,990

Originally posted by jrg:

Originally posted by robniner:
MINI POLL

WHICH TEAM WILL HAVE THE WORST RECORD?

A. Houston Astros

B. Minnesota Twins

C. Miami Marlins

Houston

Marlins, there totally garbage

Apr 2, 2013 at 3:27 PM

#200

vrabbit
Veteran
Posts: 35,953

Originally posted by Frisco69ers:

Originally posted by jrg:

Originally posted by robniner:
MINI POLL

WHICH TEAM WILL HAVE THE WORST RECORD?

A. Houston Astros

B. Minnesota Twins

C. Miami Marlins

Houston

Marlins, there totally garbage

Houston, Marlins pitchers may hit better than the 9th best hitter in the Astros' lineup

Apr 2, 2013 at 3:53 PM

#201

InconvenientTruth21
Veteran
Posts: 15,479

Originally posted by Frisco69ers:

Originally posted by jrg:

Originally posted by robniner:
MINI POLL

WHICH TEAM WILL HAVE THE WORST RECORD?

A. Houston Astros

B. Minnesota Twins

C. Miami Marlins

Houston

Marlins, there totally garbage

I choose Miami too

Apr 2, 2013 at 4:23 PM

#202

Niners99
Veteran
Posts: 44,262

Originally posted by InconvenienTTruth21:
Originally posted by Frisco69ers:
Originally posted by jrg:
Originally posted by robniner:
MINI POLL

WHICH TEAM WILL HAVE THE WORST RECORD?

A. Houston Astros

B. Minnesota Twins

C. Miami Marlins

Houston

Marlins, there totally garbage

I choose Miami too

Miami. AAA lineup.

Apr 2, 2013 at 4:59 PM

#203

jrg
Veteran
Posts: 166,549

Hate these damn west coast games. Game doesn't even start till 9pm

Apr 2, 2013 at 5:47 PM

#204

pdizo916
Member
Posts: 38,241

Originally posted by Niners99:
Miami. AAA lineup.

they have that one guy....

Apr 2, 2013 at 5:48 PM

#205

robniner
Veteran
Posts: 5,547

Yu Darvish is performing a strikeout clinic early, but then its the Astros.

Apr 2, 2013 at 5:59 PM

#206

robniner
Veteran
Posts: 5,547

There goes R.A. Dickey's Blue Jays debut.

Apr 2, 2013 at 6:26 PM

#207

AXEGRINDER
Veteran
Posts: 25,679

Originally posted by jrg:
Hate these damn west coast games. Game doesn't even start till 9pm

Wtf are you talking about most games here start at 7

Apr 2, 2013 at 6:33 PM

#208

jrg
Veteran
Posts: 166,549

Originally posted by AXEGRINDER:
Originally posted by jrg:
Hate these damn west coast games. Game doesn't even start till 9pm

Wtf are you talking about most games here start at 7

THERE. Lol 8:40 CST start tonight

Apr 2, 2013 at 6:36 PM

#209

InconvenientTruth21
Veteran
Posts: 15,479

Originally posted by jrg:
Hate these damn west coast games. Game doesn't even start till 9pm

well then move to the west coast
problem solved

Apr 2, 2013 at 6:39 PM

#210

AXEGRINDER
Veteran
Posts: 25,679

Originally posted by InconvenienTTruth21:
Originally posted by jrg:
Hate these damn west coast games. Game doesn't even start till 9pm

well then move to the west coast
problem solved

This.

It is the better coast anyway.