What to watch for in 2007

[cardsfanatic]

Well, I don't see a lot changing in 2007. The Boston Redsox will still spend an absurd amount of money and their fans will continue to throw stones while standing in their glass house, complaining about the Yankees high payroll.

ESPN will show every Yank/Sox game on ESPN and talk about them non-stop, as if no other teams exist in the major leagues.

The A's and Twins will continue to win despite low payrolls and continue to be totally overlooked.

A team without the best record in the MLB will win the WS and yet again, people will cry -- "that stupid, a wildcard wins! This team that won 98 games is unbeatable!!!".

[AlecBoy006]

I am so excited about 2007. Why? Craig Biggio and his 3000 hits. Glavine ten wins away from 300 and 19 K's away from 2500.

This may be the best baseball season we have seen in awhile.

[tearforamariner]

I am so excited about 2007. Why? Craig Biggio and his 3000 hits. Glavine ten wins away from 300 and 19 K's away from 2500.

This may be the best baseball season we have seen in awhile.

Those are cool things to watch for, but I'm afraid most of the baseball-loving world will be ulceric every time Barry Bonds hits a home run.

[AlecBoy006]

That would probably just be the casual fans my age (15) and under. Chris, and SSChamps05 being the exceptions.


Also, does Randy Johnson have another 20 win season in him? Guess who needs just 20 of those to win 300? Two pitchers win their 300th game? A hardcore baseball fan's dream come true....


Is it April yet? >:O

[tearforamariner]

That would probably just be the casual fans my age (15) and under. Chris, and SSChamps05 being the exceptions.


Also, does Randy Johnson have another 20 win season in him? Guess who needs just 20 of those to win 300? Two pitchers win their 300th game? A hardcore baseball fan's dream come true....


Is it April yet? >:O

Johnson will not win 20 games this season... unless he comes back to the Mariners and restore his inner mojo, allowing world peace to breakout across the globe. :laugh :laugh :laugh

[Ex-Expo fan]

Vladdy will also get to above 200 intentional walks, which will put him in the top 10. That must mean something no?

[Rapmaster]

Johnson will not win 20 games this season... unless he comes back to the Mariners and restore his inner mojo, allowing world peace to breakout across the globe. :laugh :laugh :laugh

I think there's a better chance for the world peace thing personally...

[AlecBoy006]

Stop it! Leave me alone.

Johnson winning games is improbable, but 100% possible.

[ChrisLDuncan]

Well there are somethings that baseball fans have to look forwards too

1.) The NL not sucking:

The Cubs, Astros, and Cardnals should be significantly better in the Central

The Diamondbacks in the West have some amazing young talent: Connor Jackson, Stephen Drew, Justin Upton (did he move to CF yet?), Carlos Quienten amontst others. The Dodgers also have an upstart of young talent and they may acquire Manny Ramirez.

In the east it's all about the Marlins: They're MINF is downright nasty and they should only get better Mike Jacobs and Miguel Cabrera are good book ends at corner IF all they really need is a catcher besides Willingham. In the OF Jeremy Hermida, and Josh Willingham is a pretty solid corner OF. Their rotation is also nasty too: Dontrelle Willis, Anabel Sanchez, Josh Johnson, Scott Olsen, and soon to be Yusermio Petit along with Rick Vanden Hurk is down right nasty

2.) The AL Central

Now the Central isn't so bad of a division, the Twins, Tigers, and White Sox are teams to look out for they can hurt you

3.) The Blue Jays (if they stay healthy)

This is a team that in my views was a healthy AJ Burnett away from being in wild card contention last season, and they added the Big Hurt.

4.) Yankees-Sox

Best rivalry in all of sports, this is as good as baseball gets.

[tearforamariner]

Stop it! Leave me alone.

Johnson winning games is improbable, but 100% possible.

AlecBoy, I wasn't insulting you and I don't think Rapmaster was either. I was just saying I want Randy Johnson back as a Mariner. Personally, I didn't realize Johnson was 20 wins away from 300. Even though Johnson will most likely not reach 300 this season, it was a nice thought to share.

[AlecBoy006]

Good. If you were, I know a man named William Burgess who I can tell to handle this.

I apologize for thinking you insulted me, and I understand.

Johnson will be back as a Mariner....in cooperstown.

[tearforamariner]

Good. If you were, I know a man named William Burgess who I can tell to handle this.

I apologize for thinking you insulted me, and I understand.

Johnson will be back as a Mariner....in cooperstown.

Oh AlecBoy, I wish this to be true. Unfortunately, the Diamondbacks make a pretty good case too. If he goes in as a DBack, I will be saddened, but not surprised.

[AlecBoy006]

True to the point, but I have faith it'll be the M's.

[slugger33]

True to the point, but I have faith it'll be the M's.
If it is with the M's he won't get close to 20 wins.

[EvanAparra]

If it is with the M's he won't get close to 20 wins.
Why would it be with the M's?

[cardsfanatic]

4.) Yankees-Sox

Best rivalry in all of sports, this is as good as baseball gets.

Eh, I take Duke vs UNC: College Hoops, as the best rivalry in sports. As to the topic of the thread. I don't see how anyone can discredit Big Unit's chances at a 20-win season. I'd say the odds are against it but it's not like he's going to have to pitch lights out to get there with that Yankee offense behind him. If he can stay healthy and pitch 4.00-4.25 ball, he'll get close IMO. Because the offense will score him plenty of runs.

[Rapmaster]

Good. If you were, I know a man named William Burgess who I can tell to handle this.

I apologize for thinking you insulted me, and I understand.

Johnson will be back as a Mariner....in cooperstown.

Naw, just a little bit of sarcasm. But seriously, his knee must have absolutely no cartilage left. It's kind of sad to think that he may live the rest of his life in absolute pain from just walking, bending over, etc... Makes you appreciate him more

[Seattle1]

I am so excited about 2007. Why? Craig Biggio and his 3000 hits. Glavine ten wins away from 300 and 19 K's away from 2500.

This may be the best baseball season we have seen in awhile.

One thing I am really looking forward to is the Mariners first-ever World Series Championship! (Knock on wood.)

[ChrisLDuncan]

Naw, just a little bit of sarcasm. But seriously, his knee must have absolutely no cartilage left. It's kind of sad to think that he may live the rest of his life in absolute pain from just walking, bending over, etc... Makes you appreciate him more

Well that's what happend to my dad, he said you just learn to live with it...but that it does suck.

[AlecBoy006]

Johnson very well could win 20 games. For all we know.

Oh man, two pitchers win their 300th game, one guy gets 3000 hits. The Cubbies have a legit team. This season is gonna be awesome.

[cmaff05]

Excuse me for asking, but how are the Cubs legit? You think just because they signed Soriano they are legit? Ask the Rangers and Nationals about that.

THey are going to need for Mark Prior to be healthy and to sign one or two more pitchers.

[cubsfan1073]

Excuse me for asking, but how are the Cubs legit? You think just because they signed Soriano they are legit? Ask the Rangers and Nationals about that.

THey are going to need for Mark Prior to be healthy and to sign one or two more pitchers.
the cubs are going to be a lot better than last season
we have a new manager, a few new players including soriano, a good group of second year pitchers who are now ready for the majors, and we have more $ left to spend. the cubs are also in a pretty weak division (the division winner won 83 games), so we could be a team to watch outu for

[AlecBoy006]

The division winner also signed Adam Kennedy and Kip Wells.

Soriano is perhaps THE premier versatile player in today's game of baseball. We also got Mark Derosa, and hopefully we'll get Schmidt and/or Lilly.

[cubsfan1073]

The division winner also signed Adam Kennedy and Kip Wells.


I dont think kip wells and adam kennedy are going to help as much as soriano, derosa, and possibly ted lilly. Also, the Cubs have young players who are going to be great in 2007 (hill, murton). The cards dont really have that besides Duncan.

[Dodgerfan1]

I dont think kip wells and adam kennedy are going to help as much as soriano, derosa, and possibly ted lilly. Also, the Cubs have young players who are going to be great in 2007 (hill, murton). The cards dont really have that besides Duncan.

And I suspect that, had the World Series gone back to Detroit last year, we would have seen signs to counter the 'HIT THE BALL TO THE PITCHER' placards being held up by Cards fans. They would have said something like 'HIT THE BALL TO DUNCAN!' ;)

[cardsfanatic]

I dont think kip wells and adam kennedy are going to help as much as soriano, derosa, and possibly ted lilly. Also, the Cubs have young players who are going to be great in 2007 (hill, murton). The cards dont really have that besides Duncan.

Wainright? Reyes? Kinney? Johnson? I don't pretend to know how the 2007 season is going to pan out. But the Cubs have a lot more ground to make up, too. And we have plenty of youngsters.

[cardsfanatic]

the cubs are going to be a lot better than last season
we have a new manager, a few new players including soriano, a good group of second year pitchers who are now ready for the majors, and we have more $ left to spend. the cubs are also in a pretty weak division (the division winner won 83 games), so we could be a team to watch outu for

Well, that should say: won 83 games due to injuries. The Cardinals for the better part of the season were on a 93-94 win pace. The wheels fell off in mid-August when pretty much our ENTIRE team was injured. The Cardinals were definitely far better than an 83-win team. And, if we're healthy next season we'll prove that.

[cmaff05]

The division winner also signed Adam Kennedy and Kip Wells.

Soriano is perhaps THE premier versatile player in today's game of baseball. We also got Mark Derosa, and hopefully we'll get Schmidt and/or Lilly.

Hopefully you don't expect Soriano to duplicate last year's career year.


I cannot expect the Cubs to be any better than they were last year.. unless they sign a pitcher or two. And Prior needs to be healthy. If Prior is not healthy, then the Cubs aren't going to be a playoff caliber team.

[W_Marone]

The division winner also signed Adam Kennedy and Kip Wells.

Soriano is perhaps THE premier versatile player in today's game of baseball. We also got Mark Derosa, and hopefully we'll get Schmidt and/or Lilly.

First, what is with the we, when you have whitesox logo as your avatar, second....getting the overrated jason scmidt doesnt make the cubbies legit, IMO, nor does lilly, but we shall seee.

[Rapmaster]

Well, that should say: won 83 games due to injuries. The Cardinals for the better part of the season were on a 93-94 win pace. The wheels fell off in mid-August when pretty much our ENTIRE team was injured. The Cardinals were definitely far better than an 83-win team. And, if we're healthy next season we'll prove that.

Every team gets its share on injuries, it's just the better ones that know how to win despite them.

But on the Cubs, the Cubs will improve. I mean, when you're at the bottom, you can't get any worse, right?

[AlecBoy006]

I have the Sox Icon, but look at my title. I am pointing to White Sox that they are Satan's team.

No, he won't duplicate, he will be BETTER! To dominate in a large RFK, and now play in not just a small ballpark, but look at Chicago's nickname "The Windy City" The balls will be blowing out many days.

[cardsfanatic]

Every team gets its share on injuries, it's just the better ones that know how to win despite them.

But on the Cubs, the Cubs will improve. I mean, when you're at the bottom, you can't get any worse, right?

A few injuries here or there, sure. The Cardinals were totally ravaged by them. And they did find a way to win despite them, last I checked. I was just noting that the Cardinals were not a legit 83 win team. It's not like they're some talentless team that had to eek their way to 83 wins because they're a bad team. Injuries were the #1 reason they didn't win 90+ games. Had nothing to do with a lack of talent.

[EvanAparra]

Injuries were the #1 reason they didn't win 90+ games. Had nothing to do with a lack of talent.

Like what has been said before, thats no excuse. If you have depth, you can get through them. The Yankees had players banged up ALL YEAR and still almost won 100.

The Red Sox completely collapsed because their starting pitching core was decimated by injuries -- but if they had other players to come step up out of the pen or AAA they could have made a better run at it. They good teams win despite injuries (which is what the cards did in the long run anyway).

[AlecBoy006]

Yankees still have more talent than The Cardinals.

[cardsfanatic]

Like what has been said before, thats no excuse. If you have depth, you can get through them. The Yankees had players banged up ALL YEAR and still almost won 100.

The Red Sox completely collapsed because their starting pitching core was decimated by injuries -- but if they had other players to come step up out of the pen or AAA they could have made a better run at it. They good teams win despite injuries (which is what the cards did in the long run anyway).

Gee, 130 and 190 million dollars buys you a lot of depth. 88 million buys you a good starting lineup. Injuries are most certainly a _REASON_ the Cardinals weren't a 90+ game winner. But whatever... you guys obviously know all, so I'll bow out of the discussion. It's obvious they just need to overspend year in and year out like Boston and New York -- carry an obsene payroll and you're aces.

[EdmondsFan#1]

Like what has been said before, thats no excuse. If you have depth, you can get through them. The Yankees had players banged up ALL YEAR and still almost won almost 100.

Well, the Yankees are practically an All-Star team.


Things I'm excited to see:

1. Rubbing in the Cub fans' faces when they have 10 more wins at max next season then they did this season. Because Cubs signed Soriano does not make then a good team, look at the Nationals. Aramis Ramirez resigned? Whoopdy dee freaking doo, he was on the Cubs last year too and they were still last in the worst division in the worst league. That's saying alot. By the way, I see alot of stupid people saying how Alfonso Soriano will add speed at the top of the Cub's lineup... The Cubs lost Juan Pierre, de de dee, 58 stolen bases vs. 41... Whoever says that need to look it up, they lost more speed then they got.

2. Watching Matsuzaka pitch if the Red Sox can sign him before Dec. 14th

3. Watching the Red Sox's awesome roster which has Schilling, Pappelbon, Beckett, and Matsuzaka (hopefully).

4. Hopefully seeing Red Sox place ahead of Yankees.

5. Glavine getting 300 wins.

6. Hopefully seeing Roy Halladay getting backed up by a little better of an offense with Frank Thomas.

7. Seeing how the Astros fare with Carlos Lee and if they will be a major competetion for the Cardinals.

8. Watching the Florida Marlins, having a tad more experience under their belt, make a great season.

9. See how well Adam Kennedy and Kip Wells do this season.

10. See if Dodgers have a better season this year with Juan Pierre and Randy Wolf.

Edit: Also Pierre has a higher BA, great range in the outfield (where Soriano is very mediocore), 122 less strikeouts (ridiculous), and about 30 less hits. Soriano might have more runs scored, more RBI's, and more [intentional] BB's, but is he really going to help so much? Soriano = very overrated. Pierre = Less overrated, but still overrated, but still the better defensive player and lead off man.

Second Edit: Forgot to mention, Pierre has more bang for the buck.
To be specific, 17 Million $ per year for Alfonso, 9 Million $ per year for Pierre, almost half the price for someone who plays the leadoff role better...

[EvanAparra]

Gee, 130 and 190 million dollars buys you a lot of depth. 88 million buys you a good starting lineup. Injuries are most certainly a _REASON_ the Cardinals weren't a 90+ game winner. But whatever... you guys obviously know all, so I'll bow out of the discussion. It's obvious they just need to overspend year in and year out like Boston and New York -- carry an obsene payroll and you're aces.

LOL. Of course, it's all about payroll. Yeah Melky Cabrera, Andy Phillips, Scott Proctor, and Chein-Ming Wang we're incredibly expensive... It was the guys making the money that were injured, not the replacements. (I guess that 190 million bought those replacements?) :rolleyes:

Sorry, I forgot -- you don't actually have to play the game, just spend the money. It's impossible to have a conversation with someone that only looks as one aspect of the game -- money.

Or let's see - the Twins lost Liriano and had Radke miss time -- The Dodgers had Mueller miss almost the whole season, Loften miss time, Penny get hurt, Nomar get hurt, Billingsley and Tomko miss time.

Padres had Piazza, Greene, Williams, Park, and Roberts miss time -- Tigers has Polanco, Thames, Young, Maroth, and Casey miss time

[Rapmaster]

LOL. Of course, it's all about payroll. Yeah Melky Cabrera, Andy Phillips, Scott Proctor, and Chein-Ming Wang we're incredibly expensive... It was the guys making the money that were injured, not the replacements. (I guess that 190 million bought those replacements?) :rolleyes:

Sorry, I forgot -- you don't actually have to play the game, just spend the money. It's impossible to have a conversation with someone that only looks as one aspect of the game -- money.

Or let's see - the Twins lost Liriano and had Radke miss time -- The Dodgers had Mueller miss almost the whole season, Loften miss time, Penny get hurt, Nomar get hurt, Billingsley and Tomko miss time.

Padres had Piazza, Greene, Williams, Park, and Roberts miss time -- Tigers has Polanco, Thames, Young, Maroth, and Casey miss time

Yep

Not to mention Oakland

1.) Chavez played the whole season injured
2.) Rich Harden
3.) Mark Ellis
4.) Bobby Crosby
5.) Huston Street
6.) Scott Sauerbeck
7.) Jay Witasick
8.) Frank Thomas
9.) Milton Bradley
10.) Joe Kennedy
11.) Justin Duscherer
12.) Esteban Loaiza

All, with the exception of Chavez, were on the disabled list this season at least once. Several were on twice or more. Their payroll isn't exactly gigantic either yet they still made it to the ALCS.

[MyDogSparty]

In addition to Biggio chasing 3000 hits and Glavine 300 wins I'm also looking forward to Smoltz getting to 200 wins and possibly 3000 strikeouts.

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

Well, the Cubs signed Jason Marquis. Start planning the parade, Chicago :laugh!!!

Seriously though, I am looking forward to being able to sit out on my porch and listen to some Blue Jays baseball again. Doing this in October would be even better.

[ChrisLDuncan]

Things I'm looking forward too so far:

1.) The Cubs wiping the smirk off of Tony LaRussa's face
2.) Listening to Jim Rome sh*t himself after Barry breaks Aaron's record
3.) The reaction to Barry breaking Aaron's record
4.) Glavine getting win number 300
5.) Biggio getting to hit 3000
6.) Soriano making a run at 50/50
7.) Seeing if Grady Sizemore will improve on his sophomore campaign
8.) The moan out of the North side when they get knocked out of the NLCS
9.) Seeing the Stros with some actual offense
10.) The Marlins' young talent
11.) A perfect game

[hubkittel]

The Cubs wiping the smirk off of Tony LaRussa's face

i quote ethan edwards: "that'll be the day."

http://www.gonemovies.com/WWW/WanadooFilms/Western/SearchersEthan3.jpg

what i'm looking forward to in 07:

-all the chuckles i'm going to get watching jason marquis in a cubs uniform, serving up gopher balls.
-finding out which team will come out of nowhere, surprise everybody, and make a run at the playoffs/world series
-seeing that surprise monster year from an unexpected player (who's probably in his walk year and will get a 10 year/300mil contract in the 07 offseason)
-another monster year from el hombre

[jgangstahippie]

Watch for the debut of Phil Huges

[cardsfanatic]

The thing I'd most like to see if both the Yanks and Redsox missing the playoffs. Half a billion dollars in player expenses between them and no October would be mega-niiiiiiiiiice.

[Skin & Bones]

Things I'm looking forward too so far:
6.) Soriano making a run at 50/50

Or a .400 OBP :waving

10.) The Marlins' young talent

No doubt.

[Skin & Bones]

Jim Thome also should reach 500 career Hr's this season.

[ChrisLDuncan]

Also Frank Thomas' and Jim Thome's 500th HRs that will be exciting, and their tickets to Cooperstown.

[ElHalo]

Edit: Also Pierre has a higher BA, great range in the outfield (where Soriano is very mediocore), 122 less strikeouts (ridiculous), and about 30 less hits. Soriano might have more runs scored, more RBI's, and more [intentional] BB's, but is he really going to help so much? Soriano = very overrated. Pierre = Less overrated, but still overrated, but still the better defensive player and lead off man.

Second Edit: Forgot to mention, Pierre has more bang for the buck.
To be specific, 17 Million $ per year for Alfonso, 9 Million $ per year for Pierre, almost half the price for someone who plays the leadoff role better...

Soriano is overrated, but he's waaaaaaay better than Pierre. Juan Pierre doesn't really deserve to have a starting job in major league baseball, let alone be getting paid $9 mill per. A leadoff hitter with a .330 OBP? A guy who just put up an 81 OPS+ (about the same as Cubs' backup catcher Henry Blanco), with a poor arm, no power, and poor on base skills? His only asset is speed, and the guy's going to be 30 by the end of next season. If he slows down even 10%, he's not even good enough to be an AAA player.

[Neilios]

Tigers-Cubs World Series.

Tell me it can't happen.

[RuthMayBond]

Tigers-Cubs World Series.

Tell me it can't happen.In case you weren't aware . . .



















IT CAN'T HAPPEN :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh

[tigers527]

Tigers-Cubs World Series.

Tell me it can't happen.

The 07 world series rematch....why the heck not????? To those that say no remind them it already happened, way back when the Cubs were REALLY REALLY good.

[Neilios]

In case you weren't aware . . .



















IT CAN'T HAPPEN :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh

I bookmarked this page to use this as my signature come October. Juuuuust incase...

[plask_stirlac]

Vladdy will also get to above 200 intentional walks, which will put him in the top 10. That must mean something no?

Mediocre hitters behind him.

[G.Costanza]

The division winner also signed Adam Kennedy and Kip Wells.

Soriano is perhaps THE premier versatile player in today's game of baseball. We also got Mark Derosa, and hopefully we'll get Schmidt and/or Lilly.
I disagree with that soriano take.He,s an impact bat but most versatile in the game?I wouldn't say that about a guy who holds the all time strikeout record in the post season(which is still signif even considering since the extra rounds)and also set the all time yankee record for strike outs in a season.Not to mention his defensive errors over the last six years are by far the worst at his previous 2b spot.The most versatile my vote would be:1.A-rod2.Beltran3.Ichiro4.Sizemore5.Jose Reyes.Just my opinion no diss.But your cubbies should be fun to watch,I hate this divisional play stuff,the mets hardly ever play the cubs anymore,but we play the marlins like 20 times.:evil

[Biggtone23]

Possible farewell tours for Barry Bonds (Please!!!), Pedro, Greg Maddux, Andy Pettitte, Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens (yeah like that will ever happen), Julio Franco (see clemens), Jamie Moyer, and maybe even Glavine, Biggio, & Smoltz

[Ex-Expo fan]

Mediocre hitters behind him.

Oh stupid me, and I thought maybe that it would be due to him being one of the most feared hitters in baseball as the best bad ball hitter of all time.

:D