Zagi-CRO
02-19-2009, 05:03 AM
Chicago Cubs
Prediction: 102 - 60 1st place :nod: :clapping
In: OF Milton Bradley, RHP Kevin Gregg, RHP Aaron Heilman, RHP Luiz Vizcaino, INF Aaron Miles, C Paul Bako, OF Joey Gathright.
Out: RHP Kerry Wood, INF Mark DeRosa, RHP Jason Marquis, C Henry Blanco, OF Felix Pie, LHP Rich Hill, INF Ronny Cedeno, RHP Michael Wuertz, RHP Bobby Howry, INF-OF Daryle Ward.
The Cubs were busy again in the offseason, trying to tighten up a team that led the NL in victories last year and then fell flat in their second consecutive first-round playoff sweep. They re-signed 17-game winner Ryan Dempster and added the left-handed bat Bradley. The Cubs have speed off the bench with Gathright and Miles. Chicago must find a fifth starter after the departure of Marquis. Sean Marshall, Chad Gaudin, Jeff Samardzija and Heilman are all in the running. The bullpen should be solid, despite the loss of Wood, with Carlos Marmol moving into the closer's role — although he will have competition in camp from Gregg. What the Cubs really need is for sluggers Alfonso Soriano and Aramis Ramirez to pick up their games in the postseason. Both struggled in the back-to-back playoff sweeps. Keep an eye on J.Vitters, J.Samardzija, J.Jackson. The Cubs should wins the title three times in a row.
St. Louis Cardinals
Prediction: 82 - 80 2nd place :ooo:
In: SS Khalil Greene, LHP Trever Miller, LHP Royce Ring, LHP Charlie Manning.
Out: RHP Braden Looper, LHP Mark Mulder, RHP Jason Isringhausen, LHP Randy Flores, LHP Ron Villone, INF Felipe Lopez, SS Cesar Izturis, INF Aaron Miles.
Their rotation with Lohse as 1st spot is unconceivable. Oft-injured ace Chris Carpenter used to be the top concern, coming off shoulder and elbow injuries. That was before 3B Troy Glaus underwent surprise shoulder surgery in mid-January, a procedure that will probably keep him off the field until May. A healthy Carpenter, the 2005 NL Cy Young Award winner, would head a capable rotation that includes 15-game winner Kyle Lohse and Adam Wainwright. The outfield is crowded with Ryan Ludwick, Rick Ankiel, Skip Schumaker, Chris Duncan and rookie Colby Rasmus vying for time. Who is going to be a closer? Chris Perez or Franklin?
Keep an eye on C.Rasmus, Jai.Garcia, B.Wallace, Br.Anderson.
Houston Astros
Prediction: 82 - 80 3rd place :ooo:
In: LHP Mike Hampton, 3B Aaron Boone, OF Jason Michaels.
Out: 3B Ty Wigginton, LHP Randy Wolf, C Brad Ausmus, INF Mark Loretta.
Houston's biggest move this offseason was bringing back the oft-injured Hampton. The Astros hope to get more out of Kaz Matsui in his second year with the team. The rotation could be a concern behind ace Roy Oswalt after both RHP Brandon Backe and LHP Wandy Rodriguez were inconsistent last season. The bullpen should be a strength with the return of closer Jose Valverde and setup man Doug Brocail or Hawkins. Humberto Quintero and J.R. Towles are top contenders to replace Ausmus, who signed with the Dodgers.
Cincinnati Reds
Prediction: 81 - 81 4th place :debate:
In: C Ramon Hernandez, CF Willy Taveras, OF Jonny Gomes, LHP Arthur Rhodes, SS Alex Gonzalez, OF Jacque Jones, 1B-OF Daryle Ward, C Humberto Cota.
Out: OF Corey Patterson, OF Ryan Freel, LHP Jeremy Affeldt, LHP Kent Mercker, RHP Gary Majewski, RHP Matt Belisle, RHP Josh Fogg, C Paul Bako, C Javier Valentin.
With outfielders Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn gone — both were traded last season — the Reds begin building around a nucleus of young players including OF Jay Bruce, 1B Joey Votto and 2B Brandon Phillips. The rotation is mostly set with Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto. The Reds need to find a fifth starter during spring training. Hernandez moves behind the plate following a trade with Baltimore. Gonzalez returns after missing last season due to a knee injury. The Reds could be a pleasant surprise.
Milwaukee Brewers
Prediction: 77 - 85 5th place :crazy
In: RHP Trevor Hoffman, RHP Jorge Julio.
Out: LHP CC Sabathia, RHP Ben Sheets, RHP Eric Gagne, RHP Guillermo Mota, LHP Brian Shouse, RHP Salomon Torres, 3B Russell Branyan, 2B Ray Durham, OF Gabe Kapler.
Last year's playoff berth was Milwaukee's first since 1982. But this offseason the team lost basically its entire bullpen to go along with its top two starters — Sabathia and Sheets. Too much!
The replacements? Hoffman and hope. Milwaukee must have a healthy dose of each to compete for the postseason again. The paper-thin starting staff must stay healthy and Yovani Gallardo has to become the team's young ace after missing most of last season because of a knee injury. There are no anticipated changes in the starting lineup, and everyone besides C Jason Kendall and CF Mike Cameron are years away from free agency or has signed long-term deals with the club.
Keep an eye on M.Gamel, Alc.Escobar, A.Salome.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Prediction: 59 - 103 6th place :rainy:
In: INF Ramon Vazquez, INF-OF Eric Hinske, RHP Virgil Vasquez, INF Andy Phillips, OF Craig Monroe.
Out: INF Doug Mientkiewicz, OF Jason Michaels, INF Chris Gomez, C Ronny Paulino, RHP John Van Benschoten.
The Pirates have nowhere to go but up after a record-tying 16th consecutive losing season! They went 19-40 following the trades of OF Jason Bay and OF Xavier Nady late last season, and their only offseason additions were two utility players (Vazquez and Hinske).
So much to improve, so little time to do so. Their pitching was atrocious, and Russell believes that can be improved significantly if only LHP Tom Gorzelanny, RHP Ian Sell and LHP Zach Duke pitch as they have before. None of the players added in the Bay and Nady deals did much after arriving in Pittsburgh, and OF Brandon Moss is recovering from left knee surgery.
It could be a very long season for the Pirates.
Keep an eye on A.McCutchen, P.Alvarez, J.Tabata, N.Walker.
Prediction: 102 - 60 1st place :nod: :clapping
In: OF Milton Bradley, RHP Kevin Gregg, RHP Aaron Heilman, RHP Luiz Vizcaino, INF Aaron Miles, C Paul Bako, OF Joey Gathright.
Out: RHP Kerry Wood, INF Mark DeRosa, RHP Jason Marquis, C Henry Blanco, OF Felix Pie, LHP Rich Hill, INF Ronny Cedeno, RHP Michael Wuertz, RHP Bobby Howry, INF-OF Daryle Ward.
The Cubs were busy again in the offseason, trying to tighten up a team that led the NL in victories last year and then fell flat in their second consecutive first-round playoff sweep. They re-signed 17-game winner Ryan Dempster and added the left-handed bat Bradley. The Cubs have speed off the bench with Gathright and Miles. Chicago must find a fifth starter after the departure of Marquis. Sean Marshall, Chad Gaudin, Jeff Samardzija and Heilman are all in the running. The bullpen should be solid, despite the loss of Wood, with Carlos Marmol moving into the closer's role — although he will have competition in camp from Gregg. What the Cubs really need is for sluggers Alfonso Soriano and Aramis Ramirez to pick up their games in the postseason. Both struggled in the back-to-back playoff sweeps. Keep an eye on J.Vitters, J.Samardzija, J.Jackson. The Cubs should wins the title three times in a row.
St. Louis Cardinals
Prediction: 82 - 80 2nd place :ooo:
In: SS Khalil Greene, LHP Trever Miller, LHP Royce Ring, LHP Charlie Manning.
Out: RHP Braden Looper, LHP Mark Mulder, RHP Jason Isringhausen, LHP Randy Flores, LHP Ron Villone, INF Felipe Lopez, SS Cesar Izturis, INF Aaron Miles.
Their rotation with Lohse as 1st spot is unconceivable. Oft-injured ace Chris Carpenter used to be the top concern, coming off shoulder and elbow injuries. That was before 3B Troy Glaus underwent surprise shoulder surgery in mid-January, a procedure that will probably keep him off the field until May. A healthy Carpenter, the 2005 NL Cy Young Award winner, would head a capable rotation that includes 15-game winner Kyle Lohse and Adam Wainwright. The outfield is crowded with Ryan Ludwick, Rick Ankiel, Skip Schumaker, Chris Duncan and rookie Colby Rasmus vying for time. Who is going to be a closer? Chris Perez or Franklin?
Keep an eye on C.Rasmus, Jai.Garcia, B.Wallace, Br.Anderson.
Houston Astros
Prediction: 82 - 80 3rd place :ooo:
In: LHP Mike Hampton, 3B Aaron Boone, OF Jason Michaels.
Out: 3B Ty Wigginton, LHP Randy Wolf, C Brad Ausmus, INF Mark Loretta.
Houston's biggest move this offseason was bringing back the oft-injured Hampton. The Astros hope to get more out of Kaz Matsui in his second year with the team. The rotation could be a concern behind ace Roy Oswalt after both RHP Brandon Backe and LHP Wandy Rodriguez were inconsistent last season. The bullpen should be a strength with the return of closer Jose Valverde and setup man Doug Brocail or Hawkins. Humberto Quintero and J.R. Towles are top contenders to replace Ausmus, who signed with the Dodgers.
Cincinnati Reds
Prediction: 81 - 81 4th place :debate:
In: C Ramon Hernandez, CF Willy Taveras, OF Jonny Gomes, LHP Arthur Rhodes, SS Alex Gonzalez, OF Jacque Jones, 1B-OF Daryle Ward, C Humberto Cota.
Out: OF Corey Patterson, OF Ryan Freel, LHP Jeremy Affeldt, LHP Kent Mercker, RHP Gary Majewski, RHP Matt Belisle, RHP Josh Fogg, C Paul Bako, C Javier Valentin.
With outfielders Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn gone — both were traded last season — the Reds begin building around a nucleus of young players including OF Jay Bruce, 1B Joey Votto and 2B Brandon Phillips. The rotation is mostly set with Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto. The Reds need to find a fifth starter during spring training. Hernandez moves behind the plate following a trade with Baltimore. Gonzalez returns after missing last season due to a knee injury. The Reds could be a pleasant surprise.
Milwaukee Brewers
Prediction: 77 - 85 5th place :crazy
In: RHP Trevor Hoffman, RHP Jorge Julio.
Out: LHP CC Sabathia, RHP Ben Sheets, RHP Eric Gagne, RHP Guillermo Mota, LHP Brian Shouse, RHP Salomon Torres, 3B Russell Branyan, 2B Ray Durham, OF Gabe Kapler.
Last year's playoff berth was Milwaukee's first since 1982. But this offseason the team lost basically its entire bullpen to go along with its top two starters — Sabathia and Sheets. Too much!
The replacements? Hoffman and hope. Milwaukee must have a healthy dose of each to compete for the postseason again. The paper-thin starting staff must stay healthy and Yovani Gallardo has to become the team's young ace after missing most of last season because of a knee injury. There are no anticipated changes in the starting lineup, and everyone besides C Jason Kendall and CF Mike Cameron are years away from free agency or has signed long-term deals with the club.
Keep an eye on M.Gamel, Alc.Escobar, A.Salome.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Prediction: 59 - 103 6th place :rainy:
In: INF Ramon Vazquez, INF-OF Eric Hinske, RHP Virgil Vasquez, INF Andy Phillips, OF Craig Monroe.
Out: INF Doug Mientkiewicz, OF Jason Michaels, INF Chris Gomez, C Ronny Paulino, RHP John Van Benschoten.
The Pirates have nowhere to go but up after a record-tying 16th consecutive losing season! They went 19-40 following the trades of OF Jason Bay and OF Xavier Nady late last season, and their only offseason additions were two utility players (Vazquez and Hinske).
So much to improve, so little time to do so. Their pitching was atrocious, and Russell believes that can be improved significantly if only LHP Tom Gorzelanny, RHP Ian Sell and LHP Zach Duke pitch as they have before. None of the players added in the Bay and Nady deals did much after arriving in Pittsburgh, and OF Brandon Moss is recovering from left knee surgery.
It could be a very long season for the Pirates.
Keep an eye on A.McCutchen, P.Alvarez, J.Tabata, N.Walker.