BASEBALL 2010 BASEBALL

[Latrinsorm]

It is officially April, which means it is officially BASEBALL SEASON...

...which means at least three Mets have to be on the DL - Beltran, Escobar, and now Reyes. :(

PREDICTIONS

NL East - METS
NL Pennant - METS
World Series - METS

MVP - DAVID WRIGHT
NL Cy Young - ALSO DAVID WRIGHT
Rookie of the Year - with amazing disregard for the definition of the term "rookie" IT'S DAVID WRIGHT IN A LANDSLIDE

[Silvanostar]

NL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: IKE DAVIS

[AestheticLife]

AL - Blue Jays (don't ask me why)
NL - Braves

Boring ass World Series, but nonetheless...

AL MVP - Joe Mauer (.360 and 35HRs!)
NL MVP - Andre Ethier
AL Cy Young - Dustin McGowan (Gets them to the World Series!)
NL Cy Young - Ubaldo Jimenez

This year seems like one that will define the superstars of the next era more than any other could. I don't see a lot of the older vets stealing away consideration as they have in the past, and age is really hitting some of the 'superstars' of this era.

With injury becoming a factor for nearly every relevant pitcher that isn't on the Giants or Twins, and guys like Hunter Pence and Prince Fielder taking over as the perennial All-Stars at their positions, I could easily see 2010 being the year of the 30-and-under movement.

[Archigeek]

It's going to be a very interesting year here in Minnesota with the new ballpark. I toured that place before they were done with it and it is really really nice. I'm glad they didn't build yet another homage to yester-year, and instead built a modern ballpark with great site lines and a good architectural feel too. They continue to do things the "Twin's Way" developing talent from within to the highest possible degree, but they're also spending a lot of money this year. It's very possible they'll have at least five guys hit over 20 home runs this year, which continues a shifting trend for them. Mauer, Morneau, Kubel, and Cuddyer, each hit between 28 and 32 last year, and Thome should hit 20 even coming off the bench. Meanwhile I expect Delmon Young (having lost 30 pounds in the off season) to finally contribute a bit more this year at the plate, and new short stop JJ Hardy should also do well. Pitching is a little harder to gauge. You just never know about pitching till the season starts. They've got a decent starting rotation, but don't have any real superstars starting ballgames for them. Looking forward to the season that's for sure.

[AestheticLife]

Baker or Liriano will take the turn to Superstar status this year, I imagine. You can check that one off of your list! I'd be more worried about the back of their bullpen. Jesse Crain even TOUCHING a ball in the ninth inning is a scary prospect.

[Sean of the Thread]

AL EAST TAMPA!

[AnticorRifling]

Just a count down to football.

[Sean of the Thread]

Try it you might like it. Mikey did.

[Androidpk]

Just a count down to football.

This.

[Sean of the Thread]

The best sports:

1) NCAA football
2) NFL tied with NCAA Basketball
3) NHL

[Outlaw Pete]

If bears watched sports - they would hibrinate during the summer.

[Sean of the Thread]

The only people that would bitch about baseball are people that have never played it.

Fucking great sport.

[Deathravin]

I haven't been to a game since I was a kid, mainly because Vegas is retarded and can't get any teams. But I just moved to Minneapolis, and work so close to the Twins field my co-workers and I could find our feet had accidentally walked there on a particularly nice game day or three.

I'm pretty happy to have the opportunity again. Unfortunately they wont be playing my Dodgers, but I'll certainly go for watching the Angels kick their butts.

[Ryvicke]

It's going to be a very interesting year here in Minnesota with the new ballpark. I toured that place before they were done with it and it is really really nice. I'm glad they didn't build yet another homage to yester-year, and instead built a modern ballpark with great site lines and a good architectural feel too. They continue to do things the "Twin's Way" developing talent from within to the highest possible degree, but they're also spending a lot of money this year. It's very possible they'll have at least five guys hit over 20 home runs this year, which continues a shifting trend for them. Mauer, Morneau, Kubel, and Cuddyer, each hit between 28 and 32 last year, and Thome should hit 20 even coming off the bench. Meanwhile I expect Delmon Young (having lost 30 pounds in the off season) to finally contribute a bit more this year at the plate, and new short stop JJ Hardy should also do well. Pitching is a little harder to gauge. You just never know about pitching till the season starts. They've got a decent starting rotation, but don't have any real superstars starting ballgames for them. Looking forward to the season that's for sure.

Fuck yes! Minnesota Twins!

Target Field looks sweet. A friend of mine went to the preview a few weeks back and said only good things. The lineup is better than anything they ever put around Kirby and Hrbek and the rotation is SOLID. Jon Rauch is going to murder little kids out of the bullpen.

[Outlaw Pete]

The only people that would bitch about baseball are people that have never played it.

Fucking great sport.

There is nothing wrong with playing baseball.

Bears cannot play baseball - they lack opposable thumbs.

Bears can watch baseball - and watching baseball (except for a game or two a year at the park) is a naptime event. Watch the first inning, sleep till the 8th, and, if its a good game, watch the last two innings. The middle 6 are inconsequential and a waste of anyone's time.

[AestheticLife]

Your avatar reminds me: WTF ever happened to that NBC show "Kings". Seemed pretty f'n pimp to me, and damn near guaranteed for another season.

Then again, NBC always cancels stellar shit, only to let it go off to some obscure network that refuses to promote it properly. Sad stuff.

[NocturnalRob]

Baseball is great. Fucking love it, but I will be fucking shocked if the Mets finish over .500 this year.

[Queleri]

The Yankee’s are just going to win it all again this year. I don’t know why they bother playing the 180 games each year, they should just start in October with the world series which should just be the Yankee’s and Red Sox, because the National League stinks. Pitchers hitting, really? :)

[Allereli]

28

[Queleri]

28

So it was written, so shall it be done.

[EasternBrand]

This is the year the NL wins the All-Star Game.

[Androidpk]

The only people that would bitch about baseball are people that have never played it.


Your logic is astounding

[WRoss]

So I don't follow baseball at all. I am a product of the Braves syndrome as I grew up in GA. What I am curious about is the value of a baseball I have with a few signatures from the Braves' Allstar line-up. On the ball are Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, Chipper Jones, David Justice, Jeff Blagwell, Steve Avery, and Bobby Cox. Any clue?

Edit: Ohh yeah. I have a Barry Bonds golden bat signed. I think it's an upper deck. It's been sealed since like 94 when I got it.

[RichardCranium]

Sawks

[Keller]

Undies.

[Allereli]

NATS

[AestheticLife]

So I don't follow baseball at all. I am a product of the Braves syndrome as I grew up in GA. What I am curious about is the value of a baseball I have with a few signatures from the Braves' Allstar line-up. On the ball are Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, Chipper Jones, David Justice, Jeff Blagwell, Steve Avery, and Bobby Cox. Any clue?

Edit: Ohh yeah. I have a Barry Bonds golden bat signed. I think it's an upper deck. It's been sealed since like 94 when I got it.

Hold onto the ball, and the bat.

At least ten or twenty years on the ball. At least fifty on the bat. The ball will never be museum worthy or anything, but once all of the named guys short of Justice are in the Hall of Fame, it'll be a solid piece of Braves history. You're looking at $200-250 right now, and maybe double that come 2015 or 2020.

The Bonds bat, on the other hand... That could be seen as a hallmark of the steroid era, and if his signature ever comes to be a rarity, you'd fetch some currently unforseen prices for it. I wont even bother putting a price on something like that, but it -could- reach five digits if given time, due to the significance.

Keep them safe!

[WRoss]

It isn't a bat, it is a baseball card, golden bat series.

[AestheticLife]

Oh. Oops. I'd probably just sell it while his name still has buzz value, then. I don't do cards, though, so that's just me.

[Sean of the Thread]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/RaymondTampaBayDevilRaysMascotSeptember2007.jpg/462px-RaymondTampaBayDevilRaysMascotSeptember2007.jpg

[Sean of the Thread]

Your logic is astounding


Suck a big raging vein popping cock sir.

Dipshit.

[Endlin]

NATS

Stephen Strasburg is going to take them all teh way!!!11

[Allereli]

Stephen Strasburg is going to take them all teh way!!!11

Maybe if he's in the Presidents Race

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1114/1144666292_3bf9bd3e64.jpg

[AestheticLife]

I unno... he's pretty beastly in Road to the Show mode (yes, I made him).

Jacked his velocity up like mad with pre-bought points! Suck it.

[Endlin]

You can tell that's still at RFK because it says champions in the background.

[Keller]

<3 the United.

[Archigeek]

I don’t know why they bother playing the 180 games each year, they should just start in October with the world series...

162. Yankees suck.

[Endlin]

<3 the United.

Barra brava!

[Bhuryn]

Baker or Liriano will take the turn to Superstar status this year, I imagine. You can check that one off of your list! I'd be more worried about the back of their bullpen. Jesse Crain even TOUCHING a ball in the ninth inning is a scary prospect.

Meh, Joe Nathan can't close a big game to save his life so I'm actually not that torn up about it.

[AestheticLife]

Meh, Joe Nathan can't close a big game to save his life so I'm actually not that torn up about it.

Yeah, but at least he made the routine innings look routine. They may aswell have Guardado back in the bullpen with the douche they're piling up in there now. Neshek has to be shitting himself, kissing his sixth and seventh inning wins goodbye.

[Bhuryn]

Slama will eventually get called up and if his 14k/9 doesn't translate they will trade for someone. Someone like Heath Bell when the Padre's figure out they still suck.

[Wrathbringer]

Maybe if he's in the Presidents Race

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1114/1144666292_3bf9bd3e64.jpg


Isn't that Methais on the far left?

[Archigeek]

The Twin's bullpen is looking decent, other than the giant hole at closer. They'll look even better if the starters do well this year. Most of their pitching staff is at that age where they should be at maturity and have pretty decent seasons. Of course it never quite happens that way. I think a couple of them will really step up, two will maintain the status quo, and one will fail miserablly and be replaced by someone else from AAA.

The Twins also have pretty decent prospects that they can pretty safely trade: Wilson Ramos is looking awefully good at catcher for example. Sure they need a backup catcher, and Ramos would be it if it hadn't been decided that he needed to play every day. With Mauer locked up for 9 years, a catcher is certainly trade bait. Also, Jacque Jones was looking awefully good this spring when he was only invited to spring training mostly out of courtesy. I'd say he was the biggest surprise of the spring to me for the Twins. I doubt they'd move him, but having him there and able to play gives them options. Don't be surprised if some combination of Alexi Casila, Delmon Young and Wilson Ramos go somewhere in trade for a good closer six weeks into the season.

[Archigeek]

Slama will eventually get called up and if his 14k/9 doesn't translate they will trade for someone. Someone like Heath Bell when the Padre's figure out they still suck.

If nothing else, Slama would be a great name for a closer. "And Slama closes the door on yet another one..."

Conversely, would you really want a pitcher named Grant Ballfour? Who to his credit has pitched fairly well.

[Bhuryn]

The Twin's bullpen is looking decent, other than the giant hole at closer. They'll look even better if the starters do well this year. Most of their pitching staff is at that age where they should be at maturity and have pretty decent seasons. Of course it never quite happens that way. I think a couple of them will really step up, two will maintain the status quo, and one will fail miserablly and be replaced by someone else from AAA.

The Twins also have pretty decent prospects that they can pretty safely trade: Wilson Ramos is looking awefully good at catcher for example. Sure they need a backup catcher, and Ramos would be it if it hadn't been decided that he needed to play every day. With Mauer locked up for 9 years, a catcher is certainly trade bait. Also, Jacque Jones was looking awefully good this spring when he was only invited to spring training mostly out of courtesy. I'd say he was the biggest surprise of the spring to me for the Twins. I doubt they'd move him, but having him there and able to play gives them options. Don't be surprised if some combination of Alexi Casila, Delmon Young and Wilson Ramos go somewhere in trade for a good closer six weeks into the season.

I hope not. I wouldn't take the likes of Heath bell, Frasor or Downs straight up for one of the best minor league catchers there is (who still has zero service time). Prospects like Ramos need to be traded for grade A prospects with similar value (like starting pitchers/position players/etc.). I would much rather see them convert him to a third baseman (ala brandon inge) so he can be the backup catcher and save a bench spot.

[Traelin]

Tampa Bay Rays have a great team this year full of young talent and a great starting rotation. I really feel like they are a better team this year than they were in 2008.

Evan Longoria will definitely be in the running for the AL MVP

[AestheticLife]

Ramos at 3B = Pennant. That would be some good stuff.

The Rays would have a decent shot if they had any idea how to hold their talent. Kazmir got shoved out the door for absolutely nothing in return (Torres is going absolutely nowhere), and Edwin Jackson is probably one of the top five pitchers under 28 (lol Matt Joyce... lol).

Tack on the loss of Akinori Iwamura, probable tradeaways of Carlos Pena and James Shields, and what is left? Upton, David Price, Garza if he actually pitches? Seems like Longoria will be another All Star stuck on a terrible team until he's thirty, and his knees are shot (hello, Troy Glaus).

[LMingrone]

One of my fantasy teams. I'm kinda meh about them.
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/9533/210mlbfant.png

[AestheticLife]

Not too familiar with Fantasy Baseball, but wouldn't Beckett-Hamels-Upton-Rollins be an incredible stable of talent?

High K/9 rates, consistent Win production, on top of high batting averages, SB totals, and power potential through the ceiling?

Soriano would be solid too over Ibanez/McLouth if he ever gets back to 100%.

[LMingrone]

Not too familiar with Fantasy Baseball, but wouldn't Beckett-Hamels-Upton-Rollins be an incredible stable of talent?

High K/9 rates, consistent Win production, on top of high batting averages, SB totals, and power potential through the ceiling?

Soriano would be solid too over Ibanez/McLouth if he ever gets back to 100%.

Yeah, not bad I guess. I'ts for a lot of money though , so I'll just trade my girls' teams' players if I need any of them. (I wouldn't actually do that. Against man-code). Hamels has looked bad so far...I'm guessing he's just trying out new deliveries in the pre-season, hopefully.

And WTF> I had no intentions of drafting Billy Wagner, watch him tear it up all of a sudden being out of New York.

[AestheticLife]

I wouldn't doubt it. Soriano isn't quite the pitcher Wagner used to be (as of yet), and he still thrived in the back end of Atlanta's bullpen. If Wagner returns to his old form, you should have yourself a very solid pitcher!

[Latrinsorm]

Russell Martin? Ouch.

I didn't believe Chone Figgins was still playing in the majors, so I looked him up and this is an honest to God entry from a few years ago for his positions played: "5847/9D6". Zobristian!

[AestheticLife]

What's wrong with Martin? He'll be at 90% strength for a week or two more, then back to normal (going by trainer standards, anyway).

Figgins is going to be a pretty decent 3B I'd think. The position is pretty bogged down in general, but if Fantasy Baseball is anything like Fantasy Football, his contact hitting and steals should be good stuff. He also plays pretty solid D at the hot corner, so he'd be great if errors came into play in scoring.

[Allereli]

happy opening day!

[RichardCranium]

happy opening day!


Not if you're a Yankees fan...

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

Yay Red Sox!!

[Endlin]

Was en entertaining ball game.

[Sean of the Thread]

All that is on the t.v. here is the spankees.

AT least my team will play them plenty so I won't be all out of gas.

Go RAYS.

[Cephalopod]

http://dailycaller.com/2010/04/05/the-most-embarrassing-sports-takedown-ever-bush-vs-obama-pitch-comparison/

[Latrinsorm]

DAVID WRIGHT!!! With NO REGARD for human life!!!

[AestheticLife]

What did he do? I missed it.

[Latrinsorm]

I only watched the first inning but so far he was 1-1 with a home run and 2 RBI, putting him on track for 766 career home runs by the end of the year.

[Rimalon]

Jason Heyward's grand slam gave me chills. Good for him... that shit was a Great Sports Moment (tm).

Kid is for real.

[BigWorm]

Jason Heyward's grand slam gave me chills. Good for him... that shit was a Great Sports Moment (tm).

Kid is for real.

According to my fantasy team stats on ESPN, that was only a 3-run shot, but that's still pretty badass.

Not quite as awesome as Yadier Molina's GS though, especially since Yadi is one of my favorite players.

[Gibreficul]

Gibreficul's official (and only) prediction for the 2010 MLB season.

:boring:

Pittsburgh Pirates will lose 90+ games.

THANK YOU, COME AGAIN.

[Archigeek]

And if anyone doubted it, the Twins are for real this year. Also, I went to the game on Thursday and the new stadium is really quite an amazing place for baseball.

[Gibreficul]

And if anyone doubted it, the Twins are for real this year. Also, I went to the game on Thursday and the new stadium is really quite an amazing place for baseball.

I guess I can say the ONLY thing the Pirates have going for them right now is PNC Park.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs274.snc1/10124_1121552205916_1440404308_30273800_7898939_n. jpg

[EasternBrand]

I love the huge, old-timey Twins logo in the outfield. It is way better than giant garbage bags, but I imagine it's going to be a tough place to watch October baseball.

[Stanley Burrell]

I want Cecil Fielder's son on our team (I forget who he's playing for right now.) That way we have both CC and him, so if they sit on opposite ends of the bench, there's no way it could tip over. But then if they sat next to each other, the bench would break or go see-saw.

Anyway, there's only one real baseball team. The rest of you guys are minor league. Mets are a cute expansion team. But I mean, c'mon, Bobby Valentine as manager... Coming back with a fake moustache and glasses on after being thrown out... Wait, actually, that shit was fucking awesome, forget it. Still though, go home team from the Bx Borough!

[AestheticLife]

NL Cy Young - Ubaldo Jimenez

Is it too early to check this one off? The first no-hitter in Rockies history on top of this line:

ERA W-L SO WHIP
1.29 3-0 20 1.19

He's striking out twice as many as he's walking which is about solid for his arm, undefeated on the season (winning all of his scheduled starts to date), and he's nowhere near the quality of pitching he's capable of.

Now all I need is McGowan to stop being injured, Andre Ethier to continue batting .386, and Joe Mauer to step back up and post his May - September numbers as usual, annnd I'll look like a friggin genius.

[LMingrone]

As my record on this board shows, I never pick anything correctly.

I'm going Phillies, Rockies , Yankees, and the Twins.

And you can stab me in the eye if you want, since I'm a die-hard Yankees fan...

Rockies Vs. Twins.

Twins.

/I still put all my bets on the Yanks.

[EasternBrand]

I can't believe I watched this game go to 20 innings.

[LMingrone]

I had to listen to it on the radio. /facepalm

[Sean of the Thread]

Stop your whining I can't even do that.

I get to watch my team when they play the stankees and that's about it now.

[Anebriated]

I turned that game on when it got to the 11th inning, flipped back and forth between that and the great caps/habs playoff game. Was cracking up when the position players started taking the mound. The one guy came in and was throwing a very Jamie Moyer-esque 79 mph... cheering the guy on when he remembered to cover first base on a double play ball hit to the first baseman...

[Allereli]

rofl

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GIEHPGj9sI&feature=player_embedded

[Cephalopod]

Immodium AD: The cure for pitching ills.

[Bhuryn]

I turned that game on when it got to the 11th inning, flipped back and forth between that and the great caps/habs playoff game. Was cracking up when the position players started taking the mound. The one guy came in and was throwing a very Jamie Moyer-esque 79 mph... cheering the guy on when he remembered to cover first base on a double play ball hit to the first baseman...

Whenever a position player comes in to pitch all I think about is last year when pena jr. struck pudge out looking.

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

I just got back from watching the Red Sox vs. the Rangers at Fenway.. holy fuck. Field box seats are great but never sit close to the walkway/stairs. By the fifth inning most of my row was screaming obscenities at the dumbasses who'd stand there slack-jawed blocking the game for everyone sitting nearby.

Anyway, we won but just barely, and thanks largely to the rookies. This year is gonna be fucking rough if they can't pull it together. Tons of errors and a lot of stolen bases.. one play was double stolen bases and they didn't even attempt to get anyone out. Pathetic.

[Archigeek]

Just got back from the Twin's game... second row behind the dugout, comped by a friend of mine in sales! Woot! What an amazing view of the game. Not only are you very close horizontally, but at the new stadium you are practically at field level. It's great.

Cleveland self destructed: giving up 4 runs in the third after an error. Routine double play ball to short goes THROUGH the shortstops legs like a little leaguer. That was followed up by walking in a run, and then by a passed ball for a run, followed by the pitcher booting the throw back to him by the catcher for run #4! Crazy.

[BigWorm]

I just got back from watching the Red Sox vs. the Rangers at Fenway.. holy fuck. Field box seats are great but never sit close to the walkway/stairs. By the fifth inning most of my row was screaming obscenities at the dumbasses who'd stand there slack-jawed blocking the game for everyone sitting nearby.

Anyway, we won but just barely, and thanks largely to the rookies. This year is gonna be fucking rough if they can't pull it together. Tons of errors and a lot of stolen bases.. one play was double stolen bases and they didn't even attempt to get anyone out. Pathetic.

Yeah, V-Mart can hit, but he's not going to win a gold glove any time soon. Veritek has seen his better days too.

[Asrial]

My teams: Rangers, Angels, Dodgers, and Astros.

We'll see how things progress...

[LMingrone]

I just got back from watching the Red Sox vs. the Rangers at Fenway.. holy fuck. Field box seats are great but never sit close to the walkway/stairs. By the fifth inning most of my row was screaming obscenities at the dumbasses who'd stand there slack-jawed blocking the game for everyone sitting nearby.

Anyway, we won but just barely, and thanks largely to the rookies. This year is gonna be fucking rough if they can't pull it together. Tons of errors and a lot of stolen bases.. one play was double stolen bases and they didn't even attempt to get anyone out. Pathetic.

Yeah, try going there wearing Yankees gear. I used to live in an apartment right across from Fenway and had plenty of beers and fists thrown at me. Still reppin' NY till I die, I bleed blue.

[EasternBrand]

College baseball, but this play is eye-popping.

http://deadspin.com/5521182/kid-leaps-over-catcher-compels-you-to-watch-a-college-baseball-highlight-just-this-once

[Sean of the Thread]

College baseball, but this play is eye-popping.

http://deadspin.com/5521182/kid-leaps-over-catcher-compels-you-to-watch-a-college-baseball-highlight-just-this-once


I was expecting a huge smash. That was f'n excellent however thanks for the vid.