2012 MLB discussion thread

[Qazox]

<just a little bump here>

[Great Malema]

St Louis all the way! Defending champs.

Albert Pujols has moved to the Angels, so it'll be harder for the Cardinals to win this year.

[SkillCrossbones]

St Louis all the way! Defending champs.

Albert Pujols has moved to the Angels, so it'll be harder for the Cardinals to win this year.

While it's hard for anyone to repeat, I think you're selling the Cardinals a little short. Aside from the fact that Pujols had a down year (by his standards) last year, think about the other starters that the Cardinals lost this offseason. Ryan Theriot and Edwin Jackson. I think the addition of Carlos Beltran, Rafael Furcal (for the whole season), and Adam Wainwright (not to mention Matt Holliday's flukey season in terms of injuries last year; I doubt he will need his appendix removed again and it seems unlikely that a moth will try to burrow into his ear again) will be quite enough to offset the loss of Pujols, Jackson and Theriot, at least for the next two years. The only thing standing in the way is the injury risks.

[Qazox]

So Ryan Braun, the 2011 NL MVP, who was found to have a positive test result for PED's in october, has had his appeal of his suspension granted, and as such, won't have to serve his 50-game suspension.

FOR HIS INNOCENCE: His main claim was that the chain of custody involving his urine sample wasn't followed according to MLB's guidelines and as such, his sample could have been tainted because of it. Chiefly, the sample taker forgoed numerous chances to drop the samples (Braun's and a couple of other teammates' samples) off in a timely matter, and kept the samples overnight in his fridge. His smaple was also appearently kept at room temperture before the testing process itself. And his follow-up test was negative.

FOR HIS GUILT: But Braun's sample showed 3-times the normal testosterone levels; the sample collector could not know which sample was Braun's (as they are barcoded before given to the collector, as to protect privacy); the samples were not out of the collector's sight and kept in a locked fridge and no other samples from the collector was shown to be tampered with. Testosterone levels aren't influenced in urine samples by temperature and Braun's sample didn't show evidence of tampering.

So either Braun's original sample was a fluke or his sample was tampered with or he used PED's and was able to get away with it. Which do you think happened?

personally, I think his original sample possibly was a fluke. Random fluxuations in a person's testosterone level (and other organic chemicals within the body) can happen with out an outside influnce. That the follow up test came back negative (unlike with Manny, A-Rod's, and other's tests), lends crendence to the fluke claim.

[Chetssaland]

I think the biggest thing is that Braun offered to submit a DNA test but MLB denied the request. Something seems a little off, considering a DNA would prove completely whether he has taken steroids or not.

[Partybus]

*Note to Cubs fans*

I don't know what his official title is, but you are now in possession of Theo Epstein, you do realize what he did for the Sox, right? Ok, so most likely, not this year, but if allowed to do what he does best, you should see your "Boys of summer" rock it into the fall.

(not to get your hopes up or anything, but I have this gut feeling, and at this point, really, what have you got to lose?)

[Brodskopolis]

There's only one team I genuinely care about, and they haven't been relevant since before my parents got married. (I'm a bit on the younger side ) The Pirates are genuinely improving--none of the players they lost in the off-season, with the exception of Doumit, contributed last year, and none of the acquisitions are actually bad. If the pitchers aren't overworked, Alvarez is as improved as Hurdle says, and leading offensive players like Presley and McCutchen stay healthy, I see us in the high 70's, with an above-.500 finish in 2013.
On a more relevant matter, I'm saying Phillies all the way.

[SkillCrossbones]

The Pirates are genuinely improving--none of the players they lost in the off-season, with the exception of Doumit, contributed last year, and none of the acquisitions are actually bad. If the pitchers aren't overworked, Alvarez is as improved as Hurdle says, and leading offensive players like Presley and McCutchen stay healthy, I see us in the high 70's, with an above-.500 finish in 2013.

Here's hoping Ryan Ludwick's bat starts looking a little better, now that he's out of the hitter's graveyard that is Petco.

[Mundel]

My heart told me to vote for the Sox, my brain said Detroit.

[Qazox]

BTW here is my offical name for the Angels:

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of Orange County of California of The United States of America of North America of the Western Hemisphere of Earth of the Sol Planetary System of the Sagittarius Arm of the Upper Spiral Arm of the Milky Way Galaxy of 3-Dimensional Space.
Or LAAOCCUSANAWHESPSSAUSAMWG3DS for short.
(Team's exact location may vary due to redshift or time travel; please consult your local Astrologist for more exact location info.)

[Coffee Cakes]

I'm glad for Braun. I was hoping he'd have is ban overturned.

That said, it looks like it's gonna be a good season this year.

[Qazox]

I'm glad for Braun. I was hoping he'd have is ban overturned.

That said, it looks like it's gonna be a good season this year.

I'm kinda glad.. but kinda ticked off he got off on a technicality not by not having used PED's. There'll always be that question hanging over him, evenmore so if he goes .245/17/83 this year instead of .313/41/114.

[Utopia FTW]

BTW here is my offical name for the Angels:

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of Orange County of California of The United States of America of North America of the Western Hemisphere of Earth of the Sol Planetary System of the Sagittarius Arm of the Upper Spiral Arm of the Milky Way Galaxy of 3-Dimensional Space.
Or LAAOCCUSANAWHESPSSAUSAMWG3DS for short.
(Team's exact location may vary due to redshift or time travel; please consult your local Astrologist for more exact location info.)

That's what Icalled them too but frankly it was just too long. So I just call them the Halos nowadays, so holla holla!

[Das Evil]

I put other, because the Cubbies have the best chance, clearly. This year is ours!

Note: extreme optimism at its finest.

[Das Evil]

*Note to Cubs fans*

I don't know what his official title is, but you are now in possession of Theo Epstein, you do realize what he did for the Sox, right? Ok, so most likely, not this year, but if allowed to do what he does best, you should see your "Boys of summer" rock it into the fall.

(not to get your hopes up or anything, but I have this gut feeling, and at this point, really, what have you got to lose?)

Definitely hope you're right!

[Coffee Cakes]

I'm glad for Braun. I was hoping he'd have is ban overturned.

That said, it looks like it's gonna be a good season this year.

I'm kinda glad.. but kinda ticked off he got off on a technicality not by not having used PED's. There'll always be that question hanging over him, evenmore so if he goes .245/17/83 this year instead of .313/41/114.

I know. :/
I'd love to see him go out and dominate without any botched tests this year.
Something like .350/45/130, to pick up the slack from Prince leaving.

[Pope Joan]

AMERICAN LEAGUE


Tampa Bay [best coach]
NY Yankees [Cashman is distracted. Lose a one game wild card.]
Toronto [better than the record indicates; look at strength of schedule]
Boston [The implosion continues; where's the rotation? They'll miss Terry quickly.]
Baltimore

CENTRAL
Detroit [built for the post season]
Cleveland [now or never]
Kansas City
Minnesota [could be high as 2d if healthy]
Chicago Sox

WEST [best division in baseball! o.0]
Texas
LA Angels [in a TIE!]
Oakland [always scrappy]
Seattle [much improved]

Wild Cards: Texas/LAA loser, and Yankees.


NATIONAL LEAGUE

EAST [By far the best in the NL]

Atlanta [Just don't fold late, guys, please?]
Washington [Willing to spend money, and they spend it wisely. They have no obvious weaknesses. If they trade Lannan, who has been reliable, this rank goes down one or two.]
Philadelphia [Reminds me of football colleges like ND that always get these highly touted recruits and then usually disappoint.]
Florida [Made some good moves; this (along with my Pirates) is my iffiest pick)]
NY Mets [epic fail]
CENTRAL

Cincinnati [a popular pick]
Pittsburgh [In the race until September!]
St. Louis [depleted]
Milwaukee [controvery, plus a playoff hangover, reference the Marlins]
Chicago Cubs [bad new management;p same old underperformers]
Houston [Thank God for Houston, they have become the punch line instead of the Pirates]

WEST

San Francisco
Arizona [no more smoke and mirrors]
LA Dodgers [Need good new owners and then a year to settle in; got some good pieces]
Colorado
San Diego

Wild card: Washington and Philly. (Can they have 2 in one division? I hope so.]

[Welsh Cowboy]

*Note to Cubs fans*

I don't know what his official title is, but you are now in possession of Theo Epstein, you do realize what he did for the Sox, right? Ok, so most likely, not this year, but if allowed to do what he does best, you should see your "Boys of summer" rock it into the fall.

(not to get your hopes up or anything, but I have this gut feeling, and at this point, really, what have you got to lose?)

Definitely hope you're right!

That's probably true, and as a Chicago fan, I hope so. Maybe not the World Series for a couple years, but definitely the playoffs.

[SkillCrossbones]

So, what do you all think of Ryan Zimmerman's shiny new contract extension? His current contract was set to expire in 2013, he is due $12M this year and $14M next year. Tack on 6 years @ $100 Million. Sounds like a good deal to me, for a franchise player. (I'd love to have him on my team, no doubt.) The extension will keep him on the team until 2019, with an option for 2020. Also included is a no-trade clause.

[Qazox]

So, what do you all think of Ryan Zimmerman's shiny new contract extension? His current contract was set to expire in 2013, he is due $12M this year and $14M next year. Tack on 6 years @ $100 Million. Sounds like a good deal to me, for a franchise player. (I'd love to have him on my team, no doubt.) The extension will keep him on the team until 2019, with an option for 2020. Also included is a no-trade clause.

A good deal for the Nats. They get an above average player at his postition for relatively cheap (think Fielder's or Pujols' contracts) and with the no-trade clause, if they do decide to get rid of him, he'll go to some team that will have to give the Nats some good prospects/players to do so. If he stays healthy until then expect a.280-.290/35-40/110-125 guy for 8 years.

[Welsh Cowboy]

So, what do you all think of Ryan Zimmerman's shiny new contract extension? His current contract was set to expire in 2013, he is due $12M this year and $14M next year. Tack on 6 years @ $100 Million. Sounds like a good deal to me, for a franchise player. (I'd love to have him on my team, no doubt.) The extension will keep him on the team until 2019, with an option for 2020. Also included is a no-trade clause.

A good deal for the Nats. They get an above average player at his postition for relatively cheap (think Fielder's or Pujols' contracts) and with the no-trade clause, if they do decide to get rid of him, he'll go to some team that will have to give the Nats some good prospects/players to do so. If he stays healthy until then expect a.280-.290/35-40/110-125 gut for 8 years.

I agree. He's not flashy, but certainly worthy of a contract like this... An underrated player.

[Qazox]

New question for all:

Best rotation in MLB right now:
Tigers (Verlander, Scherzer, Fister, Porcello, Turner/Oliver)
Phillies (Halladay, Lee, Hamels, Worley, Blanton)
Rays (Price, Sheilds, Moore, Hellickson, Niemann)
Yankees (Sabathia, Pineda, Kuroda, Hughes, Nova)
Rangers (Darvish, Ogando, Lewis, Holland, Feliz)
Giants (Lincecum, Cain, Bumgarner, Vogelsong, Surcamp/Zito)
Other???

I'd say Phillies are 1st with the Rays as 2nd. All of the Rays' starters are 29 or younger (except Sheilds who just turned 30) and most of them are under contract until 2014/15 or longer. Phillies have the experience and awards. Tigers and Yankees each have 1 lights-out starter and 4 serviceable starters, while Darvish for the Rangers is the true wild card. Will he be like Dice-K (in his 1st season) or Dice-K (the past 2 seasons)? Giants have a good 1-2 punch, and 3-4 more decent starters as well.

[Welsh Cowboy]

New question for all:

Best rotation in MLB right now:
Tigers (Verlander, Scherzer, Fister, Porcello, Turner/Oliver)
Phillies (Halladay, Lee, Hamels, Worley, Blanton)
Rays (Price, Sheilds, Moore, Hellickson, Niemann)
Yankees (Sabathia, Pineda, Kuroda, Hughes, Nova)
Rangers (Darvish, Ogando, Lewis, Holland, Feliz)
Giants (Lincecum, Cain, Bumgarner, Vogelsong, Surcamp/Zito)
Other???

I'd say Phillies are 1st with the Rays as 2nd. All of the Rays' starters are 29 or younger (except Sheilds who just turned 30) and most of them are under contract until 2014/15 or longer. Phillies have the experience and awards. Tigers and Yankees each have 1 lights-out starter and 4 serviceable starters, while Darvish for the Rangers is the true wild card. Will he be like Dice-K (in his 1st season) or Dice-K (the past 2 seasons)? Giants have a good 1-2 punch, and 3-4 more decent starters as well.

In my opinion,
1. Phillies
2. Rangers
3. Rays
4. Giants
5. Tigers
6. Yankees

That being said, I think Verlander and Halladay are the two best pitchers in baseball, with Felix Hernandez up there too.

[Christmahanikwanzikah]

... I honestly can't believe you forgot the Angels.

Weaver, Haren, Wilson, Santana? I mean, yeah, I think I would take a stronger 3-man rotation for the playoffs, but you have to admit that's a pretty dang good starting four.

It's too bad Oakland split up their rotation. Cahill/Gonzalez/Anderson would've been a rough squad to face in a series.

[Qazox]

... I honestly can't believe you forgot the Angels.

Weaver, Haren, Wilson, Santana? I mean, yeah, I think I would take a stronger 3-man rotation for the playoffs, but you have to admit that's a pretty dang good starting four.

It's too bad Oakland split up their rotation. Cahill/Gonzalez/Anderson would've been a rough squad to face in a series.

The Angels' three isn't too bad either, but their 4-6's are worse than the 6 teams I listed.

This season is going to be a historic one. There's 4 teams in the AL that have a legit chance to win 100 games (Angels, Rangers, Yankees, Tigers), Rays will win 95, If the Red Sox stay healthy and recover from last September, that's another team that can win 95 games. In the NL The phillies will win 100 games again, while the NL Central in at worst a 3-way race and the NL West is a 3-team race as well. Wouldn't suprise me if we have multiple play-in games for playoff spots.