2013 MLB Season

[Todd]

You are undervaluing this team quite a bit. Other than the outfield, the Mets stand to be a pretty good team. I'd argue better than the Phillies.

I'd argue not...

[Roadgeek Adam]

During the season, you had people like Brandon Inge, Ryan Raburn, Don Kelly, Brennan Boesch, all of these players are bad to terrible. During the September collapse a few years ago, he stuck with players like Inge and Adam Everett, refusing to pinch hit for them with the game on the line. See Game 163 for that. A few days before, and knowing he needed every win, he started a pitcher just called up from Double-A. They lost, of course.

I say backed in, because the White Sox (who overachieved) fell apart during the stretch. They were embarrassed during the World Series, and he was even joking about it just a few weeks ago. A real manager would not make fun of his teams pitiful performance, of which he was involved in as well.

Boesch was gone by late season. Rayburn didn't play much, Don Kelly was in the 'pen.

Leyland doesn't even need them, given the fact that he had enough powerhouses in Fielder and Cabrera plus the ever-ass known Delmon Young with Dirks, Berry and the trade that got Infante. If you claim that Leyland is so bad due to the playoff embarassment, what makes the unexplained Yankees collapse tolerable? (I'm speaking as a Yankee fan here.)

[FieldsFan336]

I am very excited about this season, particularly for my Jays.  Not only do we have a great team, this year is the 20th anniversary of "Touch 'Em All Joe", aka their second straight World Series victory

[someguy23475]

Don Kelly is a utility guy... and Leyland used him way too much, even as a pinch hitter in game 4!

Delmon Young was another awful player. Didn't provide the power they thought, doesn't hit for average, and is probably the worst fielder in the league. Young is so bad the Phillies signed him for practically nothing. Berry also faltered down the stretch. He's no more than a fifth outfielder, mostly because of speed. They also have one of the worst fielding shortstops in Peralta. The guy is like a statue over there. Unless the ball is hit directly at him, he won't get it. Plus, he can't even hit anymore! Trust me... I know this team inside and out. I'm one of the few who followed them back when Randy Smith was GM and they were awful.

The Yankees always collapse (minus 2009). Part of it is the personalities not meshing. Part of it is managing. Part of it may be media pressures (which I think is a poor excuse, but some players seem to buy it). Part is also pitching- it always seems the back end of the rotation and parts of the bullpen are patchwork. There's also the very weak bench. If you are a Yankees fan, you should demand some change, but it looks like you are stuck with albatrosses such as A-Rod.

[jmenjes]

Don't know how much baseball I will watch this season.  If I do, it won't be Marlins games...I'm pretty much done with them until that slimeball Loris sells the team.  This last fire sale didn't sit too well with me.

[Roadgeek Adam]

The Yankees always collapse (minus 2009). Part of it is the personalities not meshing. Part of it is managing. Part of it may be media pressures (which I think is a poor excuse, but some players seem to buy it). Part is also pitching- it always seems the back end of the rotation and parts of the bullpen are patchwork. There's also the very weak bench. If you are a Yankees fan, you should demand some change, but it looks like you are stuck with albatrosses such as A-Rod.

Meh, I don't give a rat's ass. about the $275MM contract. I am a fan of Girardi, and the catching situation the Yanks has is exactly how I wanted it. Now the Steinbrenners and Cashman need to sign Cano to 7 yr/$175MM. The only thing that should be changing is Hal Steinbrenner's commitment to the $189MM payroll.

What I mean though, no one, not even Robinson Cano, has any idea what happened in 2012 and how the team was spring loaded then come to the Orioles in the ALDS, nearly dropped if your name was not Raul Ibanez.


Also apologies on the Joe / Don Kelly error there.

[PatrickRox80]

I'd argue not...

Guess we're on the same page...kind of.

[Todd]

Guess we're on the same page...kind of.

In a weird way, yes. I do think the Phils are going to surprise people. It's often forgotten that this team almost got that second wild card spot last year; you'd think we finished in dead last or something. Along with that, I feel like this year's team is vastly improved and do think that they have a shot.

[Roadgeek Adam]

Add Tex to that list, out 8-10 weeks.

However, Mariano Rivera (NYY-42-CLO) is expected to announce his retirement Saturday at 10 AM in a press conference. For the last time at the end of the season, the No. 42 will be retired forever.

[GoldenBulldog]

IS it no surprise that I'm the only Texas Rangers fan on this forum?



Seriously, I think the A.L. West will be up for grabs this season, but I think it'll be a battle between the Rangers and A's.  The Angels might have a scary lineup, but when you spend $200+ million on players like C.J. Wilson, Albert Pujols, and Josh Hamilton--and as a Ranger fan, I know for a fact that Hamilton has had a track record for being a bad liability to the team--and don't spend it on enough pitching, you're gonna have to keep on mashing the baseball just to stay competitive.  The A's have shown that they can sneak up from behind you at any given time, and the Rangers have continued to build and build upon their vast array of talent.  Plus, most of their pitching staff is about to hit their stride; barring any injuries or possible suspensions (Nellie Cruz), I'd say the Rangers might surprise a lot of folks and make a good run in the postseason.

[Roadgeek Adam]

IS it no surprise that I'm the only Texas Rangers fan on this forum?



Seriously, I think the A.L. West will be up for grabs this season, but I think it'll be a battle between the Rangers and A's.  The Angels might have a scary lineup, but when you spend $200+ million on players like C.J. Wilson, Albert Pujols, and Josh Hamilton--and as a Ranger fan, I know for a fact that Hamilton has had a track record for being a bad liability to the team--and don't spend it on enough pitching, you're gonna have to keep on mashing the baseball just to stay competitive.  The A's have shown that they can sneak up from behind you at any given time, and the Rangers have continued to build and build upon their vast array of talent.  Plus, most of their pitching staff is about to hit their stride; barring any injuries or possible suspensions (Nellie Cruz), I'd say the Rangers might surprise a lot of folks and make a good run in the postseason.

Astros are going to need a few AL seasons before being competitive in the division. Mariners are closer, maybe 2014-ish?

[JayC]

Will there be a fantasy baseball team for Golden Road this season?

[Roadgeek Adam]

Will there be a fantasy baseball team for Golden Road this season?

Yeah, I'll be happy to start it this year, probably around March 25 to prevent any injured players getting drafted.

[wildbill0962]

So you're staying away from Derek Jeter?

[Roadgeek Adam]

So you're staying away from Derek Jeter?

Derek's just fine now. Tex and Granderson are the no-nos.