2013 MLB Regular Season Wrapup Discussion Thread | Page 3

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.

Mar 31, 2013 at 11:34 AM

#31

robniner
Veteran
Posts: 5,547

Originally posted by Knowledge:
Originally posted by jrg:

love how the fans blame this guy and not the players. Would had only been the 2nd out....smh

Sadly, it changed the series

Mar 31, 2013 at 11:37 AM

#32

jrg
Veteran
Posts: 166,549

Originally posted by robniner:
Originally posted by Knowledge:
Originally posted by jrg:

love how the fans blame this guy and not the players. Would had only been the 2nd out....smh

Sadly, it changed the series

But the Cubs still lost the game and didn't make plays when they needed to.

Mar 31, 2013 at 11:38 AM

#33

InconvenientTruth21
Veteran
Posts: 15,479

Originally posted by jrg:
ESPN's "predictions" if anyone cares

http://espn.go.com/mlb/preview13/story/_/page/13expertpicks/espn-expert-team-predictions-2013-baseball-season

the A's will win the world series dammit
and the 4 fans and I in the Oakland A's thread will rub it in all of your ugly faces

Mar 31, 2013 at 11:45 AM

#34

DeepNinerValue
Veteran
Posts: 60,577

anyone want to join a last minute fantasy baseball league that drafts like soon, 30 minutes?

Mar 31, 2013 at 11:54 AM

#35

luv49rs
Hall of Fame
Posts: 62,729

Originally posted by jrg:
But the Cubs still lost the game and didn't make plays when they needed to.

Truth

Mar 31, 2013 at 11:59 AM

#36

jrg
Veteran
Posts: 166,549

5 hours

Mar 31, 2013 at 12:04 PM

#37

marshulk
Veteran
Posts: 45,242

Originally posted by InconvenienTTruth21:
Originally posted by jrg:
ESPN's "predictions" if anyone cares

http://espn.go.com/mlb/preview13/story/_/page/13expertpicks/espn-expert-team-predictions-2013-baseball-season

the A's will win the world series dammit
and the 4 fans and I in the Oakland A's thread will rub it in all of your ugly faces

Will place 4th in the Al west lol

Mar 31, 2013 at 12:07 PM

#38

jrg
Veteran
Posts: 166,549

Originally posted by marshniners24:
Originally posted by InconvenienTTruth21:
Originally posted by jrg:
ESPN's "predictions" if anyone cares

http://espn.go.com/mlb/preview13/story/_/page/13expertpicks/espn-expert-team-predictions-2013-baseball-season

the A's will win the world series dammit
and the 4 fans and I in the Oakland A's thread will rub it in all of your ugly faces

Will place 4th in the Al west lol

Astros win that division

Mar 31, 2013 at 12:12 PM

#39

InconvenientTruth21
Veteran
Posts: 15,479

Originally posted by marshniners24:

Originally posted by InconvenienTTruth21:

Originally posted by jrg:
ESPN's "predictions" if anyone cares

http://espn.go.com/mlb/preview13/story/_/page/13expertpicks/espn-expert-team-predictions-2013-baseball-season

the A's will win the world series dammit
and the 4 fans and I in the Oakland A's thread will rub it in all of your ugly faces

Will place 4th in the Al west lol

says the fan of a 3rd place team with a billion dollar payroll last season

Mar 31, 2013 at 12:21 PM

#40

jrg
Veteran
Posts: 166,549

Top 10 Ballparks in the U.S.

1. PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
PNC is a two-level stadium that feels totally intimate, with spectacular views and sightlines from anywhere in the stadium. Plus, the beer selection is top notch.

2. AT&T Park, San Francisco, California
Inside the park, visitors have amazing views of San Francisco Bay, local food and beverage choices, and even a 50-by-50 foot replica of the park designed for children. Outside, fans wait for home run balls to be hit into McCovey Cove.

3. Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland
First of the "retro parks", Camden Yards is located blocks from Inner Harbor. Before the game, fans take to Eutaw Street where more than 60 home runs have landed.

4. Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts
America's oldest ballpark has been home to Boston's beloved "local nine" since 1912 and is famous for the Green Monster wall in left field

5. Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
Set against the backdrop of the Gateway Arch and St. Louis skyline, Busch Stadium is an experience in itself. And the food! Fans enjoy all kinds of local foods, including everything from turkey legs to pulled pork.

6. Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
With its lowered field 23 feet below street level and bowl-style seating, fans not only have great sightlines for the game, but top notch views of the city skyline.

7. Petco Park, San Diego, California
Set within the surrounding Pacific Ocean in this year-round sunny city, Petco Park lets fans to cheer from both its trademark dark blue seats or its grass-covered seating area known as "The Park at the Park".

8. Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Kauffman Stadium is probably known best for its huge 322-foot illuminated fountain and waterfall. Travelers note that "every seat is a good seat" and "the outfield activities for kids are great."

9. Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Arlington, Texas
Rangers Ballpark has an outstanding sound system, complete with 1,200 speakers. But not everything is made to feel cutting edge. It was designed to resemble the iconic ballparks of the early 20th century.

10. Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
One of the icons, Wrigley Field was home to Babe Ruth's famous "called shot." And the park likes to keep old traditions alive, like manually-changing the score and breaking into "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" at the seventh-inning stretch.

http://blog.tripadvisor.com/blog/2013/03/28/top-10-ballparks-in-the-u-s/

Busch Stadium will climb higher once its finished

Mar 31, 2013 at 1:02 PM

#41

eeyeskii
Veteran
Posts: 21

San Francisco Giants to win again and take 3 of the last 4 world series.

Mar 31, 2013 at 2:38 PM

#42

Niners99
Veteran
Posts: 44,243

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.

Mar 31, 2013 at 2:48 PM

#43

jrg
Veteran
Posts: 166,549

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.

Mar 31, 2013 at 2:51 PM

#44

robniner
Veteran
Posts: 5,547

The Marlins get the RUSH AWARD as they promoted their top pitching prospect, Jose Fernandez, to the show with no exposure to Triple-A, Double-A, or even High-A.

Mar 31, 2013 at 2:52 PM

#45

robniner
Veteran
Posts: 5,547

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