lvjeremylv Posted January 4, 2005 Share Posted January 4, 2005 - Our starting rotation is better. And in 2005 we'll have Freddy Garcia (probably one of the top 10 pitchers in the AL) for the whole season, unlike last year when we only had him for half the season. If last season's rotation was a 6 (which is what I'd give it probably), this season's is probably a 7 or 8. That, of course, assumes that El Duque stays healthy. - Our lineup is better. We lost some power with Magglio leaving and Lee getting traded, but we gained some much-needed speed with Podsednik. So we have our best lead-off hitter in years, and we also added a guy in Jermaine Dye who, when healthy, is very capable of hitting 30-35 and driving in 100-110. As it stands right now, I'd say our lineup is slightly better, and the possible signing of Pierzynski would make it flatout better. We need a good catcher and a healthy Frank. Last year's lineup would get 7 from me, and this one could go up to an 8 if we can sign AJ. Otherwise, it's probably a 7.5 (assuming a healthy Frank). - Our bullpen is better. We'll have Cliff Politte back and hopefully healthy, and we've added a very good arm in Luiz Vizcaino. Dustin Hermanson also gives us a versatile arm that can be used as a spot-starter, long reliever, or middle reliever. Last year's pen I'd give a 7, and this one is an 8 or possibly 8.5. So overall right now I'd give this team about a 7.5. That's pretty darned good IMO. We need another piece or two, though. I can live with Willie at 2B..but I cannot live with Ben F'ing Davis at C. We need AJ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JUGGERNAUT Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 If we sign both Iguchi & AJ this is a slam dunk. Not only are we better than 2005 but I'm pegging us as the favorites to win the ALC. The sportswriters won't do that, because they've burned so many times before by the CWS failing to meet expectations. But I will do it. 1st string Lineup: Pods, Iguchi, Thomas, Koney, Dye, Rowand, AJ, Uribe, Crede - best in the ALC 2nd string Lineup: Pods, Iguchi, Rowand, Koney, Dye, Everett, AJ, Uribe, Crede - best amongst 2nd string lineups in the ALC Bench: Davis, Harris, Gload, Everett - more experienced than any team in ALC Bullpen: Adkins,Cotts, Hermannson, Vizcaino, Politte, Marte, Shingo - best in the ALC. Most have closer experience, 2 have starters experience, most are specialists that dominate either LH or RH. Rotation: Garcia, Buehrle, Hernandez, Contreras, Garland - when healthy, best in the ALC. I agree that Garcia is one of the most under-appreciated starters in MLB. His stuff is tailor made for a hitter's park on a team that scores lots of runs. A full season with the CWS should make him a 20 game winner. Buehrle has a 20 game win potential each year. Hernandez is a solid 15 game winner if he can stay healthy. Contreras is a solid 13 game winner over a full season. Garland should improve to at least 13 wins. That gives you a 78 win potential from the starters alone! The bullpen has the potential for at least 20 wins so 98 wins makes the CWS a division winner! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lvjeremylv Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 98 wins :rolly I'll be happy with 89. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonkeyKongerko Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 Carlos certainly proved you can never be too old to learn to play the outfield. Still I'm pretty sure Scott Podsednik has at least as good an arm and more range than Carlos Lee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 QUOTE(DonkeyKongerko @ Jan 7, 2005 -> 01:26 PM) Carlos certainly proved you can never be too old to learn to play the outfield. Still I'm pretty sure Scott Podsednik has at least as good an arm and more range than Carlos Lee. I'd say that's a safe bet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBlackSox8 Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 QUOTE(lvjeremylv @ Jan 4, 2005 -> 06:17 AM) - Our starting rotation is better. And in 2005 we'll have Freddy Garcia (probably one of the top 10 pitchers in the AL) for the whole season, unlike last year when we only had him for half the season. If last season's rotation was a 6 (which is what I'd give it probably), this season's is probably a 7 or 8. That, of course, assumes that El Duque stays healthy. - Our lineup is better. We lost some power with Magglio leaving and Lee getting traded, but we gained some much-needed speed with Podsednik. So we have our best lead-off hitter in years, and we also added a guy in Jermaine Dye who, when healthy, is very capable of hitting 30-35 and driving in 100-110. As it stands right now, I'd say our lineup is slightly better, and the possible signing of Pierzynski would make it flatout better. We need a good catcher and a healthy Frank. Last year's lineup would get 7 from me, and this one could go up to an 8 if we can sign AJ. Otherwise, it's probably a 7.5 (assuming a healthy Frank). - Our bullpen is better. We'll have Cliff Politte back and hopefully healthy, and we've added a very good arm in Luiz Vizcaino. Dustin Hermanson also gives us a versatile arm that can be used as a spot-starter, long reliever, or middle reliever. Last year's pen I'd give a 7, and this one is an 8 or possibly 8.5. So overall right now I'd give this team about a 7.5. That's pretty darned good IMO. We need another piece or two, though. I can live with Willie at 2B..but I cannot live with Ben F'ing Davis at C. We need AJ. does that rating go up to an 8 or an 8.5 with the signing of AJ now? I thought the offseason was getting worse until we signed el duque and AJ....now i can see an ALC championship next year... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NUKE_CLEVELAND Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 QUOTE(chi-guy2 @ Jan 3, 2005 -> 10:22 AM) rainouts wont make a difference, we need to score more consistently, there would be a day where we score nine runs and go silent the rest of the series I think now that we dont have a team that lives and dies on the long ball we'll be a lot more consistent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lvjeremylv Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 QUOTE(TheBlackSox8 @ Jan 7, 2005 -> 11:42 AM) does that rating go up to an 8 or an 8.5 with the signing of AJ now? I thought the offseason was getting worse until we signed el duque and AJ....now i can see an ALC championship next year... Possibly an 8, sure. I was really just pulling numbers out of my ass, but I don't think calling this Sox team the most well-rounded team we've had in years is inaccurate. We aren't *great* in any one area, but we're not too weak anywhere, either. And I'm not talking position-by-position -- I'm talking about the 3 main parts of a team: The lineup, The starting rotation, and The bullpen. We're pretty solid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JUGGERNAUT Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 Did you just say ALC? No. I don't see that. An ALCDC? Yes. We should be able to beat the Twinks. Rotation - greatly upgraded Lineup - slight upgrade (Losing Lee will hurt. We survived w/out Maggs in 04. ) Bench - upgrade Pen - sligh upgrade (Dustin better than Jackson, Luis better than Adkins, Cotss) Wildcards: Just about everybody, but mostly Pods. If he can be the CWS version of the Marlin's Pierre than the sky's the limit. If he's a 244 hitter again then the CWS should still squeak into the post-season with a div win. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoIL Posted January 8, 2005 Share Posted January 8, 2005 FWIW, Peter Gammons reported on Sportscenter last night that Maggs has been cleared to resume baseball activities and will be in baseball shape in ten days. Ten days sounds awful quick, but who knows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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