kwolf68

Anderson should be the every day CF, but we have to have a contigency plan in place in case he isn't the answer. A contigency plan in a quality reserve or LF type who can also handle CF if need be. Otherwise, I think we need an upgrade in LF and SS with players that are good hitters and can handle the bat, homerun power not important. We need to get rabbits who can get on for the "Team of 1000 solo homers". We need speed and bat handlers for those inevitable times the power brokers can't cash in. RF and CF are set (with a capable reserve in tow), C, 1, 3, and 2nd base are set. The new speed will come from LF and SS...and its not like Anderson, Dye, and Goochi can't run pretty well. We need to sureup the bullpen. MacDougal and Thornton were great additions and will be the 1-2 setup punch for Jenks next year. After that who knows...Cotts, Logan, Riske, Haeger, Tracey, free agents, trade ins???? The ben needs to be sured up and we'll may well deal a SP for a package that would possibly include a RP. I'd love to package a SP and Uribe to get Uribe's replacement and Pods' replacement, then deal Pods to get a bullpen guy and a prospect. Who knows, but the way the team is right now its not going to succeed.

QUOTE(NUKE_CLEVELAND @ Sep 22, 2006 -> 10:14 AM) The '05 team was hungry, the '06 team was not. Thats why we didn't produce like we did before. Yea, I've heard that mentioned, but we didn't have the players to play small ball. Our lineup was either big boppers or guys who just didn't hit for crap (Pods, Uribe, Anderson). I expect Anderson to be much better in his 2nd year and we need a SS and LF who can mix it up on the bases. I hate saying that because Pods and Uribe were so instrumental in the 2005 team. But Uribe is getting no better as a hitter, can't bunt, or run...Pods looked like death this year. I'd like to get another 1 and 2 hitter and move Goochi down in the order.

Wow, that thing with Josh Johnson was incredibly stupid.

I screwed that up...I meant to say we'd have to add in a prospect to get Bedard.

I want small ball back. Our team in 05 had a great mix....plenty of power and ability to move runners over, and manufacture runs. True, the pitching went into the tank this year, but we have to believe they rebound next year. Jimmy Rollins and Michael Bourne from Philly would be a good start.

Trading Jon Garland would be the bane of stupidity. Unless it gets us Erik Bedard (Garland + prospect) in return I want no parts of it. I am not a fan of Willis...he would have to improve his complimentary pitches to succeed in the AL, he's young and talented, but still a ? mark going to the AL

Tonights game is our season...I think if we win tonight, we can sweep Seattle and be in position to make it interesting. That's what I'd like to see.

Pick it up, no question. I want Mark Buehrle pitching for us next year...its been a tough year, but I believe in that guy.

Wonder why the same ideas aren't applied equally to our current starting staff, most of which have pitched terribly inconsistent this year, likely costing the World Champions a right to defend their title.

To me it's all about tonight... If we win tonight I think we go on a roll. If we lose, we'll be out of this thing by week's end.

I think Bobby Jenks is the most over-rated closer in baseball...his ERA is almost at 4...Doesnt HE get some of the blame for that loss?

I agree with the article mostly. Unlike most in here, I am not in love with Anderson, but refrain from bashing him as he is a young guy from our system that is still unproven. In the least, we need a contigency for him next year. As far as getting Bedard, that will never happen...we don't have the prospects anymore to give up. Our best pitching prospects are not going to impress anyone.

That 9th inning was completely unbelievable. We allowed AAA pitchers to add on another 2 runs...in that situation, you have to use Jenks or Thornton...Unreal. Shaun Tracey? A guy who is well known to have control problems? Ozzie....nice job

I personally believe our minor league system is now a bottom tier system. That is partially because of guys just not making it, injuries, poor drafts, and trades. I'm not high on any pitchers right now...Some guys like Russell, Harrell, Broadway, Wisler, Egbert, Perez are interesting, but are all question marks. As far as position players, we have essentially ONE good prospect up the middle (C, SS, 2, CF) in Chris Getz. We have a couple solid outfielders/corner fielders, but every organization has that. Anything below AA is a crap shoot in my view and there is no real reason to analyze those guys right now (although early returns on Ommogroso..spelling and McCulloch are encouraging) I hope this off-season Kenny goes in a different direction and deals off some of our vets and start to replinish our minor league quality.

9-1 loss to Cleveland...geeze...after such a promosing game yesterday? This team is hard to figure.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Sep 7, 2006 -> 10:38 PM) Ronnie Brown! Got him on two fantasy teams! Me too my man...me too....he's a good one...just having tough running tonight v. P-Burg...but he's an all purpose type guy with great skill. QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Sep 7, 2006 -> 10:38 PM) Now why with boone logan and his 94-95 mph fastball would anybody put Neal Cotts into a game. No need...this game is over...Cotts is the mopup guy now...I hope he enjoys pitching in the NL next year.

Cotts is amazing.

With this game all but over, I just assume Martinez had hit a homer to help my fantasy league team this week.

QUOTE(GOD @ Sep 7, 2006 -> 10:21 PM) Ok I'm feeling a comeback don't ask why but I am Im guessing you ate greasy food for dinner or something.

QUOTE(fathom @ Sep 7, 2006 -> 10:18 PM) Why isn't Stewart in the game? Who the hell knows? Its not like Alomar is anything anymore...glad we only gave up pitching to get him.

QUOTE(premo @ Sep 7, 2006 -> 10:11 PM) jesus christ what the f*** was that "My blessed child...for I know not what in the heck that was", sincerely Jesus.

QUOTE(fathom @ Sep 7, 2006 -> 10:04 PM) Lopez has no value, and Valido's stock can't get much lower than it is now. Remember that Ozzie wants to upgrade our speed, and there's not a lot of other positions we can do it at. I don't care if Tejada's range has diminished...his bat is good enough to make up for it. I don't want Tejada...He is just another hitter who gives us no speed and no defense that would cost a PRETTY PENNY...a penny we may not have. What elite prospects would the Orioles go for? They need pitching and we have nothing at pitching, at least nothing elite. I want... I want a fast, good playing defensive shortstop who can move runners over, bunt and steal (we have plenty of home run hitters) A left fielder who can actually play the position, another speed guy, maybe a line drive type hitter, potential leadoff guy A center fielder who will not hit below .240. Anderson may be the guy, I dont know, but we need to go into next year with options at least. We had none this year and Mack was put out there to die A competent backup catcher not born during the Great Depression that is a quality defender and decent righty bat At least one, possibly two, new starting pitchers... I think the pen is fine, we are good in RF, 3rd base, 2nd base (although Getz will be there in a year or two), 1st, C....

QUOTE(fathom @ Sep 7, 2006 -> 09:58 PM) I would LOVE for us to make a run at Tejada. However, I think names like Lugo or Rollins are more realistic. Fathom. I think Tejada is wearing down at short-stop. His range is much diminished and he has been erratic at the position. I envision a switch to 3rd base for him. Rollins? You betcha...I'd love to get a guy like that. I love Lugo's offense, but his defense sometimes isn't that good...although this year he really closed the gap on Uribe defensively and is way better offensively. I think in any deal involving a SS we'll deal one of our two prospects (Valido, Lopez) and one of our scrub pitchers.

I don't think either Pedro Lopez or Robert Valido are ready. Lopez is further up, but not considered as good as SS...there is always Valendia, but he's 32 years old I think. We are stunk with Uribe again next year unless we can make a deal to bring in someone. I think we need to upgrade at this position...we dont need .320/35/100 hitters, but the bottom of our order is littered with .230

We just don't have a good team. Our lineup tonight -Ozuna (role player) -Mackowiak (role player) -Uribe (isn't that good) -Anderson (a kid, but far from a good hitter right now) -Alomar (should be a Shady Oaks Retirement Center) Throw in the BP pitching from Buehrle and its not hard to see why we are getting wood-shedded. I think we are the most over-rated team in baseball right now...sub .500 since the ASB with little hope in sight in the minors.