MLB Season Discussion - 2013

[tomalak301]

It's about time to start this thread, considering the Season finally starts in two days. It's felt like Spring Training has been on for an entirety of a regular season, yet it's only been a month and a half. Still too darn long.

Anyway, to start things off, I'm a happy Giants fan today. The Giants signed Buster Posey to a 8 year $167 million contract with an option on the 9th year. Considering what this guy means to the team and the city, I'm glad he's going to be around for a long time. It was well deserved.

 

[Timby]

Today is the day of extensions. Buster Posey got paid, Justin Verlander got paid, and it sounds like the Dodgers and Kershaw are closing in on 8 / 200 (which seems like a ludicrous underpay).

 

[Pondwater]

I'm looking forward to the Braves Outfield this year. I'm hoping BJ Upton will fill that void left behind by Micheal Bourn. The Outfield has been a bit of a Black hole since the departure of Andruw Jones.

 

[Timby]

I'm looking forward to the Braves Outfield this year. I'm hoping BJ Upton will fill that void left behind by Micheal Bourn.

Trust me, Michael "Career 90 OPS+" Bourn did not leave any sort of a void in his departure.

In any event, the Up, Up and a Hey outfield has the potential to be a lot of fun.

 

[Starbreaker]

IT'S HERE!!!!!!!!

Seems like spring training lasted 6 months.

 

[Use of Time]

Yeah, I really hope this Braves team gels. They are going to be so different than the Braves of the last five years. There are six guys in the lineup with the potential to hit 20 + HR's. Seven if you add up the Francisco/Johnson platoon at third. Starting pitching is decent but not great. I hope Medlan can sustain the momentum from last year and Minor doesn't regress. Teaheran seemed to have a good Spring which is good because as one of the top pitching prospects he was starting to make people wonder if he was ever going to come around.

Can't wait for tonight!

 

[Timby]

Much like the small sample size of April, spring training statistics are essentially worthless. The Braves are rushing Teheran along entirely too quickly and he was pretty clearly having mental issues last year; batters were able to flat-out abuse him in AAA throughout 2012.

I think the Braves should have sold high on him (I'm still surprised he wasn't part of the proposed Dempster trade) considering how much his prospect value fell over the last year, but at the very least he needs a half-season in the minors to prove that he can beat AAA pitching consistently. Rushing him to the majors is probably the worst thing they can do to him, and Frank Wren being Frank Wren means they'll probably call him up in May.

 

[Use of Time]

The Braves simply don't have a choice but to bring in Teaheran as a fill in for Brandon Beachy. I don't share your concerns as his spring performance earned him his spot initially as the Braves mid-reliever and possibly the 5 starter. I am not relying on spring stats but the guy I saw this past month was not the guy who had a down year last year. All reports show that his command has drastically improved and he is starting to develop his breaking ball and changeup into bona fide out pitches. Fredi Gonzalez had a lot of patience with Mike Minor last year and it took a couple of months to pay off but Minor finally seemed to figure himself out resulting in a really strong second half. At this point getting your top pitching prospect big league innings in the 5 spot is the next step in his progression to becomimg that 3 or 4 starter the Braves hope he can be. Teaheran will eventually get comfortable, its not like he is expected to be the ace of the staff. Most of his coaches are already saying its kind of a now or never for him and he has nothing further to gain from time in AAA. I think his only problems at this point are between the ears because his stuff is definitely there.

Nobody else is ready as Sean Gilmartin is probably a full AAA season away from competing. I also don't think Wren has a track record of yanking guys onto the team before they are ready. The guys he has pulled up the last few years have become everyday players immediately. (Heyward, Freeman, Kimbrel, Medlan)

 

[Tom Hendricks]

Watching the Mets opening day on SNY. So glad baseball is back. Lets Go Mets!

 

[1001001]

 

[Kira's Mom]

Nats beat the Marlins in their season opener at Nats Park! Nattitude is back. Paint the town red!

 

[Tom Hendricks]

The Mets had a nice win, pounding out 11 runs including a grand slam. Nothing like starting out the season undefeated and first place. Except being tied with Washington. Speaking of which, Bryce Harper hit two solo home runs today.

 

[Timby]

Nats beat the Marlins in their season opener at Nats Park! Nattitude is back. Paint the town red!

To be fair, the Nationals beat a Miami lineup featuring Placido fuckin' Polanco at cleanup.

 

[R. Star]

It's gonna be a long season for my Cubbies. The only question is who we're trading first, if Garza has any trade value and if anyone will take Soriano's contract?

Though to end this post on an optimistic note. Our boy Samardzija looked great against the Bucs.

 

[Kirby]

And the Rockies lost... I've been a Rockies fan since they started in 1993, I even had season tickets from 96 - 99. I've also been a Twins fan since I was a little kid, but these two teams SUCK and I'm getting sick of putting up with their choke fests. I need to find a new team to root for.

 

[Kira's Mom]

The Mets had a nice win, pounding out 11 runs including a grand slam. Nothing like starting out the season undefeated and first place. Except being tied with Washington. Speaking of which, Bryce Harper hit two solo home runs today.

My two favorite teams tied. Love it. Divided loyalties suck.

 

[R. Star]

And the Rockies lost... I've been a Rockies fan since they started in 1993, I even had season tickets from 96 - 99. I've also been a Twins fan since I was a little kid, but these two teams SUCK and I'm getting sick of putting up with their choke fests. I need to find a new team to root for.

Join the Cubs. At least we choke with style!

 

[Tom Hendricks]

The Mets had a nice win, pounding out 11 runs including a grand slam. Nothing like starting out the season undefeated and first place. Except being tied with Washington. Speaking of which, Bryce Harper hit two solo home runs today.

My two favorite teams tied. Love it. Divided loyalties suck.

Nothing wrong with that, the Nats seam to be on the verge of a dynasty. You never know what the future holds but with what looks like the real deal in Bryce Harper and the young arms like Staussberg. The sky seams the limit with them. If they don't win the NL East, I will be surprised.

 

[Timby]

It's gonna be a long season for my Cubbies. The only question is who we're trading first, if Garza has any trade value and if anyone will take Soriano's contract?

Though to end this post on an optimistic note. Our boy Samardzija looked great against the Bucs.

Garza's value fell off a cliff with his arm issues at the end of last season, and now he isn't expected to be back with the team until the beginning of May. Unless he comes back and he's pitching like a moon monster in May and June, I don't think the Cubs will move him.

As for Soriano, he isn't going anywhere unless the Cubs eat probably two-thirds of the $36 million still owed to him. His full no-trade protection throws another wrench into the works, because he does not want to leave Chicago.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

It's gonna be a long season for my Cubbies. The only question is who we're trading first, if Garza has any trade value and if anyone will take Soriano's contract?

Though to end this post on an optimistic note. Our boy Samardzija looked great against the Bucs.

Rizzo's homer looked absolutely effortless, and it wasn't even a clean bat-on-ball.

A little more square & it would've gone in the river.