2008 Baseball Season/Off-Season Discussion

[tim_m]

Yeah i definitely won't mind missing facing him several times a year.

[D]

I challenge all u guys to a fantasy baseball league


I finish top 3 in every league I've ever been in just about that I drafted the team.


So what do u guys say?

[COMAMOTIVE]

I challenge all u guys to a fantasy baseball league


I finish top 3 in every league I've ever been in just about that I drafted the team.


So what do u guys say?

BRING IT !   

[COMAMOTIVE]

I'm actually glad he went to the fucking Mets. I'm a Yankee fan, but I didn't want to give up Hughes, I did'nt want him in Boston and I think the Twins are glad he's out of the league. Anyways, even though I hate the Mets, I think baseball is
better (especially here in NY) when they are good.

[pilferk]

Looks like the Mets will be getting Johan Santana, pending an agreement on a contract extension.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2008/01/29/2008-01-29_mets_land_johan_santana_in_deal_for_four-1.html

I'm actually VERY happy about the deal.  First up, the Yanks won't really have to worry about facing him unless they're in the WS (and during a couple of interleague games, maybe).  Second, the Mets are my 2nd favorite team...obviously my favorite NL team.  Santana will probably eat the lighter hitting NL alive!  I wonder how bad he'll be with a bat, though.

[COMAMOTIVE]

Looks like the Mets will be getting Johan Santana, pending an agreement on a contract extension.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2008/01/29/2008-01-29_mets_land_johan_santana_in_deal_for_four-1.html

I'm actually VERY happy about the deal.  First up, the Yanks won't really have to worry about facing him unless they're in the WS (and during a couple of interleague games, maybe).  Second, the Mets are my 2nd favorite team...obviously my favorite NL team.  Santana will probably eat the lighter hitting NL alive!  I wonder how bad he'll be with a bat, though.

?

[pilferk]

?

Yanks are my favorite baseball team.

Mets are next, and since they're in the NL, I basically route for them until I can't any more (in other words, when they're facing the Yanks).

I know...LOTS of animosity between Yanks and Mets fans.  Not me, though. 

[tim_m]

I'm glad he's out of the league and glad the yankees are sticking with home grown talent for once. Now lets see what these kids can do!

[GeorgeSteele]

I'm glad he's out of the league and glad the yankees are sticking with home grown talent for once. Now lets see what these kids can do!

Good chance that the kids can work out long-term for the Yanks, but as far as next season goes, you still feel good going into the playoffs with Wang as your #1?

[COMAMOTIVE]

I'm glad he's out of the league and glad the yankees are sticking with home grown talent for once. Now lets see what these kids can do!

Good chance that the kids can work out long-term for the Yanks, but as far as next season goes, you still feel good going into the playoffs with Wang as your #1?

Don't count out the fact that Hughes or Chamberlain can dominate this year. Wang is a solid #2, but these kids have the makings of an ace and it may be quicker than some think.

[GeorgeSteele]

Don't count out the fact that Hughes or Chamberlain can dominate this year. Wang is a solid #2, but these kids have the makings of an ace and it may be quicker than some think.

Anything's possible, but off the top of my head I can't remember the last time a 1st or 2nd year pitcher became a dominant ace for a playoff team.

[COMAMOTIVE]

Don't count out the fact that Hughes or Chamberlain can dominate this year. Wang is a solid #2, but these kids have the makings of an ace and it may be quicker than some think.

Anything's possible, but off the top of my head I can't remember the last time a 1st or 2nd year pitcher became a dominant ace for a playoff team.

Yeah, I hear that.  It will be fun to watch, that's for sure.

[pilferk]

Don't count out the fact that Hughes or Chamberlain can dominate this year. Wang is a solid #2, but these kids have the makings of an ace and it may be quicker than some think.

Anything's possible, but off the top of my head I can't remember the last time a 1st or 2nd year pitcher became a dominant ace for a playoff team.

I can't, for the life of me, think of the last rookie pitcher who went scoreless as long as Chamberlain did. I can't think of the last rookie who came out of the pen to dominate.  I guess Pappelbon, but even he didn't dominate...statistically speaking...like Chamberlain did.

It's not typical.  It doesn't happen often.  I'll grant you all that.  But I wouldn't discount it, as a very real possibility, for the upcoming season.

[faldor]

Don't count out the fact that Hughes or Chamberlain can dominate this year. Wang is a solid #2, but these kids have the makings of an ace and it may be quicker than some think.

Anything's possible, but off the top of my head I can't remember the last time a 1st or 2nd year pitcher became a dominant ace for a playoff team.

I can't, for the life of me, think of the last rookie pitcher who went scoreless as long as Chamberlain did. I can't think of the last rookie who came out of the pen to dominate.  I guess Pappelbon, but even he didn't dominate...statistically speaking...like Chamberlain did.

It's not typical.  It doesn't happen often.  I'll grant you all that.  But I wouldn't discount it, as a very real possibility, for the upcoming season.

Now Joba has his try as a starter though.  Little different then pitching out of the pen.  Not saying he's not gonna be effective, BUT Papelbon as a starter was good for about 4 innings or so.  After 2 times through the lineup, adjustments were made and he was a little less effective.  Working out of the pen in the late innings you typically only have to face guys once and you go right at them, only using 2 or 3 pitches tops.  You need a lot more in the arsenal as a starter.  Again, not to say Joba can't do it, but I certainly wouldn't expect him to have a sub 1.00 ERA as a starter.

[tim_m]

Don't count out the fact that Hughes or Chamberlain can dominate this year. Wang is a solid #2, but these kids have the makings of an ace and it may be quicker than some think.

Anything's possible, but off the top of my head I can't remember the last time a 1st or 2nd year pitcher became a dominant ace for a playoff team.

I can't, for the life of me, think of the last rookie pitcher who went scoreless as long as Chamberlain did. I can't think of the last rookie who came out of the pen to dominate.  I guess Pappelbon, but even he didn't dominate...statistically speaking...like Chamberlain did.

It's not typical.  It doesn't happen often.  I'll grant you all that.  But I wouldn't discount it, as a very real possibility, for the upcoming season.

Now Joba has his try as a starter though.  Little different then pitching out of the pen.  Not saying he's not gonna be effective, BUT Papelbon as a starter was good for about 4 innings or so.  After 2 times through the lineup, adjustments were made and he was a little less effective.  Working out of the pen in the late innings you typically only have to face guys once and you go right at them, only using 2 or 3 pitches tops.  You need a lot more in the arsenal as a starter.  Again, not to say Joba can't do it, but I certainly wouldn't expect him to have a sub 1.00 ERA as a starter.

Was Pappelbon a starter prior to getting to the majors? I think Joba will be fine he was always a starter until very late last year and has 4 very good pitches. Hopefully he readjusts just fine to starting and adjusts to starting in the majors ok.

[COMAMOTIVE]

I actually think Hughes is going to be the one who turns into the #1 starter, because Joba's 100mph fastball looks good
for an inning or so, but after 5 or 6 innings, then it may not be so unhittable.

[faldor]

Don't count out the fact that Hughes or Chamberlain can dominate this year. Wang is a solid #2, but these kids have the makings of an ace and it may be quicker than some think.

Anything's possible, but off the top of my head I can't remember the last time a 1st or 2nd year pitcher became a dominant ace for a playoff team.

I can't, for the life of me, think of the last rookie pitcher who went scoreless as long as Chamberlain did. I can't think of the last rookie who came out of the pen to dominate.  I guess Pappelbon, but even he didn't dominate...statistically speaking...like Chamberlain did.

It's not typical.  It doesn't happen often.  I'll grant you all that.  But I wouldn't discount it, as a very real possibility, for the upcoming season.

Now Joba has his try as a starter though.  Little different then pitching out of the pen.  Not saying he's not gonna be effective, BUT Papelbon as a starter was good for about 4 innings or so.  After 2 times through the lineup, adjustments were made and he was a little less effective.  Working out of the pen in the late innings you typically only have to face guys once and you go right at them, only using 2 or 3 pitches tops.  You need a lot more in the arsenal as a starter.  Again, not to say Joba can't do it, but I certainly wouldn't expect him to have a sub 1.00 ERA as a starter.

Was Pappelbon a starter prior to getting to the majors? I think Joba will be fine he was always a starter until very late last year and has 4 very good pitches. Hopefully he readjusts just fine to starting and adjusts to starting in the majors ok.

Yeah Papelbon was being groomed to be a starter in the majors.  His first time up with the Sox they used him to spot start a few games.  He was good for about 4 innings then ran out of steam and/or the lineups made adjustments.  They used him as a setup man towards the end of 2005 and was impressive in that role.  Injuries to Keith Foulke, and ineffectiveness, led to him taking the role as closer in 2006.  Then he was supposed to become a starter last year but in spring training expressed his desire to remain closer. 

[tim_m]

I actually think Hughes is going to be the one who turns into the #1 starter, because Joba's 100mph fastball looks good
for an inning or so, but after 5 or 6 innings, then it may not be so unhittable.

Joba also has that great slider too though and a good curve. He won't have to rely solely on the fastball.

[pilferk]

I actually think Hughes is going to be the one who turns into the #1 starter, because Joba's 100mph fastball looks good
for an inning or so, but after 5 or 6 innings, then it may not be so unhittable.

For MOST guys with 100 mph fast ball, I'd agree.

With Joba...not so much.

Because he has a VERY effective change, an excellent slider, and a good curveball (which he almost NEVER threw in relief).

You change speeds and locations like that, and suddenly that 100 mph fast ball is STILL nasty into the 6th and 7th inning.

We'll see.  My personal opinion is they should leave him in the pen, and groom him to be the next Mariano Rivera.  But it sounds like the organization has their mind made up about eventually working him into the rotation.

The news coming out of the Yanks clubhouse is he's at least going to START the season in the pen.

[faldor]

I actually think Hughes is going to be the one who turns into the #1 starter, because Joba's 100mph fastball looks good
for an inning or so, but after 5 or 6 innings, then it may not be so unhittable.

For MOST guys with 100 mph fast ball, I'd agree.

With Joba...not so much.

Because he has a VERY effective change, an excellent slider, and a good curveball (which he almost NEVER threw in relief).

You change speeds and locations like that, and suddenly that 100 mph fast ball is STILL nasty into the 6th and 7th inning.

We'll see.  My personal opinion is they should leave him in the pen, and groom him to be the next Mariano Rivera.  But it sounds like the organization has their mind made up about eventually working him into the rotation.

The news coming out of the Yanks clubhouse is he's at least going to START the season in the pen.

Yeah I'd have to agree about leaving him in the pen.  Although I must admit I was pushing for the Sox to use Papelbon as a starter going into last season.  I thought we could settle with Keith Foulke or get someone to slide into that role.  Boy was I wrong.  They signed Joel Piniero to be the closer last season, luckily that never happened and he wasn't on the team by years end.  Paplebon proved to me how important it is to have a dominant guy at the end of games.  It helps that the Sox had enough starters to go around.  But as dominant as Joba was last year setting up for Rivera and knowing that Mariano can't pitch forever, you'd have to think that he would be a perfect replacement for Rivera.  Trust me, having Chase Wright start and Joba close would be far better than Joba starting and Joel Piniero close.  You can piece together innings to get to the closer, but once it's in his hands, that's it.