Mattingly
10-01-2007, 03:05 AM
It's the 1st of October. You all know what that means. The postseason is about to begin, thankfully! :D
Now then, back last winter, when everyone was wondering if the merry month of March would begin, if we would ever see that "other March Madness" played in either Florida or Arizona (or thereabouts) called *BASEBALL*.
Since then, from players acquired via trade or free agency, what were your thoughts about what the team could or would do this season? How many of those things has your team actually done?
Please describe, from your GM, manager, the coaches, the rotation, the bullpen, the lineup, the bench, what your thoughts are on the team. Be it a grading system (B+), discussion, whatever you have to offer, please share with us your team's name and what you feel they have accomplished, were expected to do this season, and could have accomplished this 2007 season, be it more or less than what they actually did do.
Many thanks for your time! :)
redlegsfan21
10-01-2007, 09:10 AM
GM (Wayne Krivsky): C-
I'll admit that he has a great I for talent (i.e. Brandon Phillips) but his ability to bring guys up and send guys down is horrible. Can he explain why he had Jason Ellison playing everyday (while the rest of the OF is injured) while the Minor League Player of the Year is sitting at home. How about why we had Juan Castro (batting .100) on the bench while the batting leader in the IL waiting to be called up. How about why you would send down a lefty who pitched 6 2/3 with 0 ER. This has to improve
Manager (Jerry Narron/Pete Mackanin): B-
With the talent they had to work with, it's not their fault that the Reds lost 90. Narron overused some guys in the bullpen but there's no one to trust. Mackanin did bring a new attitude to the club but nothing that could change this club.
Other Coaches: C
Mark Berry needed to go and the pitching coaches need to be changed.
Rotation: B-
Harang strong again, Arroyo gets no run support, Livingston was good until he got hurt, Bailey needs to make some improvements with his breaking ball, Belisle needs to make some mental changes (when to throw what pitch), Dumatrait needs to make major changes, and Shearn was decent. And hey, Milton is finally gone.
Bullpen: D-
Weathers and Burton were excellent. Only once while the Reds led after 8 did they lose. Burton made major improvements throughout the year. The other guys, combine their skills and stick them in Rookie ball.
Lineup: B+
I loved the lineup that Mackanin was allowed to use until injuries came. Would love to keep Dunn.
My Ideal Line-up
CF-Norris Hopper
SS-Jeff Keppinger
RF-Ken Griffey, Jr.
2B-Brandon Phillips
LF-Adam Dunn
3B-Edwin Encarnacion
1B-Joey Votto
C-David Ross
Bench: C-
Well, it could have been good all year if Krivsky would allow. The amazing thing is in September, we had a shortage of outfielders (yet the MiLB Player of the year was a OF). I blame the GM for the weakness of the bench.
BoofBonser26
10-01-2007, 11:25 AM
Cleveland Indians
GM (Mark Shapiro): A+
Shapiro's genius has continued to prove itself as his trades and signings from the past catapulted the Tribe into the post-season. Though Josh Barfield didn't work out this season, another middle infielder did - Asdrubal Cabrera, acquired for Eduardo Perez. Sure, his offseason reliever signings didn't really pan out (Foulke, Borowski, Hernandez, Fultz), but let's take a closer look. Foulke retired, can't fault Mark for that. Hernandez bombed and was released - fine, relievers are iffy anyway. Fultz had a great first half and struggled in the second, but he's going to be in the postseason bullpen. Borowski...well, I don't fault Shapiro for signing him.
His dealing during the season was top-notch. Lofton provided the expected spark, and bench player Chris Gomez electrified the bench.
Can't fault a guy who stripped down a team and rebuilt it into a postseason player with the tiniest payroll of the AL playoff teams. Shapiro's a genius, and he further proved it in 2007.
Manager (Eric Wedge): B
He took us to the postseason. He also insisted on sticking Joe Borowski into tight games and playing Nixon in RF well past the All-Star break. His in-game management seems odd at times, and he's boring as heck with his strategy, but who's to argue with the man who brought the Tribe its first crown since 2001?
Other coaches (Willis, Datz, Skinner, Rivera, Isaac): A+
I don't have a clue what they do and how they did it. But we're in the playoffs. Couldn't have been that bad.
Rotation: A
The season opened with a rotation of Sabathia, Westbrook, Byrd, Sowers, Carmona. The season ended with a rotation of Sabathia, Carmona, Westbrook, Byrd, Laffey. Lee began the season injured and ended the season in the bullpen, with AAA in-between. Sowers proved he need another season at AAA, but should be ready in '08. Carmona...well, you know the story. Wow. I still can't believe that we lost Lee and Westbrook for good parts of the season with injuries and ineffectiveness, our #6 became our #2, and Paul friggin' Byrd was our #3 most of the season. Most of all, I can't believe how great our pitching was with all of that. Bring on the Yanks.
Bullpen: B
Let's just skip Joe Borowski. We have the "Circle of Trust": Rafael Betancourt and Rafael Perez. Game over.
Lineup: A
Another part of the team that saw great turnover, and yet we're in October. Hafner slumped, Barfield slumped, Nixon (slumped?), and yet. And yet Martinez had a career year, Sizemore was his awesome self, Garko proved what he can do with a full season, Blake showed he can hit - speaking of Blake, remember Andy Marte? Our opening day 3B? Almost a full season at AAA, and Blake's back at 3B. The most important part of the season for the lineup was the post all-star break transformation: add Lofton, Gutierrez, and Cabrera, mix with October...
Bench: B
This is a confusing part of the team. Backup C Shoppach was stellar, but the inclusion of Rouse until the All-Star break was absurd. The Indians' bench is mostly composed of their platoon players, who were mostly stellar. For every Michaels you have a Dellucci, for every Shoppach a Rouse. Heading into October, the bench looks great.
Team Overall: A+
They won 96 games. They won the Central. They're going to the playoffs. Cleveland is hosting October baseball. What a season.
:clapping :clapping :clapping