Power Pros Forum

wow, I didn't think the Royals would land Mike Jacobs.

Royals will be the Rays next year. They made the same sorta moves so far that the Rays made last offseason adding veteran releivers.

That is what Ozzie Guillen said, but I don't see that happening in 2009. The Rays are a rare exception, a burst like that happens once every, oh, maybe 20 years. Generally, teams improve gradually. All teams contend eventually again (or in the case of the Rays, the first time), and the Royals are no exception. I see them getting better and having a decent chance at 500 and an outside change of being a small contender. I would be very suprised if they come out on top, but contending in what I believe is the second worst division (next to the NL West) isn't too out there. I say they come in fourth if the Tigers can finally play to their potential, but not too far behind. If the Tigers fall apart again, third behind the Twin and White Sox (How the Twins always contend even when they lose all their best player I'll never know).
How about the Yankees? Wow, this is one of the best rotations (once they get Pettite back) since the Orioles 70s team (four 20-game winners). I mean it doesn't compare to that, but it's certainly one of the best in a long time. Imagine, Joba with his 2.6 ERA this year as a number 4 pitcher and Pettite, a very likely over 500 pitcher this year, as number 5.
Here's my assesment of them for next year, if you don't want to read it all, just skip to the bottom:
1. Offense
Despite the fact that they lost Abreu (which I regret), they still have one of the best offenses with Jorge healthy, Damon, A-Rod, Jeter, Matsui, Nady, Cano, and a steadily improving but not yet full-time center field Gardner. If cameron gets traded to the Yankees, expect him to play most of the time but for Gardner to play more and more throughout the year till he's the full time center-fielder next year. While there are plenty of incredible outfielders (Austin Jackson, Jose Tabata) in the Yankees farm system, there are no particularly appealing center-fielders, so he will probably keep this job with his amazing fielding and speed. However, their biggest propsects won't be ready for a few years with their biggest, Austin Jackson, on track for a 2010 (I think it was then, maybe 2011?) appearence and regular playing by 2011 (I think?). Also, there is always the outside chance at Texiera, but I'm not holding my breath on that one.
2.
They also have one of the best or at least better bullpens in the game with Mariano (who certainly still has it!), Jose Veras, Edward Ramirez, Phil Coke, Brian Bruney, Sanchez, to name a few. The bullpen has almost immeasurable depth in the minors due to the over-signing of bullpen pitchers in the draft in recent years, so many of which have grown to be surprisingly successful. Most of these will be devoloped by next year and with a likely strong surplus, some of these could be valuable trade chips.
3.
I already talked about their rotation, but this is what it will be (5 is a little uncertain):
1. CC Sabathia
2. Cheng Ming Wang
3. AJ Burnett
4. Joba Chamberlain
5. Andy Pettite
Andy Pettite isn't signed yet, but I'd be very suprised if he doesn't sign as he has decided to sign with the Yankees or retire, giving the Yankees a lot of leverage in making a deal. Yanks want to give him 10 million, he wants 16 million again. I'd say expect 12 million, which is a gigantic contract for a number 5 guy. He deserves the respect for his great career with the Yankees as one of the best number 2 guys in the game every year (but last and arguably the one before), so that raises his contract. Plus he is still a good pitcher, a fantastic stopper, a good clutch guy who is great in the big games, and has a lot of experince. Bottom line he gets wins and is a team player. They have a lot of back-ups if an injury happens, (which, knowing the Yankees, probably will) in next years projected (by me) number 5 starter Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, Acceves (who may go to the bull-pen but was great this year), Chase Wright (prospect, not too well known, but still could be good), and possibly Dan Guise (who I believe will be a bull-pen pitcher).



Summary
So, to put it all together, the Yankees have the best pitching rotation this year, one of the best/better bullpens which will only get better, and one of the best offenses. One would assume that they are a lock for the division title, but then one must remember there still in the same division as the Red Sox, Rays, and to a lesser extent Blue Jays (and the Orioles, the only non 500 and contending team). I see them at this point as the best off going into the next season, but only by a very small margin over the Rays. I forsee the Yankees/Rays winning the division/wildcard, but by no means are the Red Sox out of it and by no means are the Yankees a given in the play-offs. Sorry to make this so long haha, I actually cut a lot out.

I realized something, shouldn't we have a thread slowly transisting into the 2009 season? since, this is the beginning of the 2009 season with all the trades and F/A signings.

So, 2009 MLB season thread much?

Just a thought!

Yeah, this is about 2009 now more of, so I guess we could do that.

And, since I'm posting here, the Pirates are doing nothing...again. *sigh*

Rual Ibanez agreeded to a 3-year deal with the phills, so looks like it's bye-bye to the "Bat". We'll have a momnet of silence.

Moment over.

Cownip, the Royals play in a fairly weak division. They are signing left and right, they should contend to be over .500. The Rays had a good season, doesn't mean they will do it again.

Austin Jackson is in Double A? Just beacause you do great in the farm doesn't mean you will do good in majors. You have got to stop being so sure of yourself that they are going to be awesome. To many people say that about to many players.

Yes, I suppose that's true, but I'd be willing to bet Austin Jackson will be a good major leager. The Yankees rated him above Joba even (who in all fairness, wasn't that big of a prospect, he did much better then anyone expected. They thought he wouldn't be ready for a few years). I'm too sold on Jackson I suppose, but not everyone on the Yankees farm system will be that good. Still, the Yankees are allready planning and arranging their team on Jackson coming up and playing.
On the Royals, I know their in the weakest division, but I'd still be pretty surpsised. It's possible and I suppose 500s not too far out of reach, but I don't see it happening. But, you never know, hey anythings possible. Stranger things in baseball have certainly happened. We'll see, I'll be happy if they do well (Why does the off-season have to be so long! By the way, anyone else see that Bernie Williams is going to play in the World Classic! He's going to be practicing all off-season and getting back in shape I'm sure. So is Jeter, but Jeter's on the Ammerican team, and A-Rods on the Dominican Team).

If I could rewind to the beginning of the offseason and take over Brian Cashman, I would have made Mark Teixiera my #1 priority and signed Derek Lowe, Pettite and Jon Garland, three very consistent pitchers, to take care of the rotation.

I still can't believe why the Yanks are going all-out for Tex. They've had that hole at first base since Tino retired practically centuries ago, and now, they have the money, the perfect fit is there, and what do the Yanks do? They spend $161 Million on a pitcher who doesn't even want to be a Yankee. I don't see that it's necessary to sign some big name pitcher when there are cheaper options available and you have the opportunity to fill a hole that has existed for a decade. That just seems stupid to me.

The Yankees farm system is a mess....

I think Tex will go to the Angels or BoSox.

Gah Mario you keep on saying that, but it's generally considered one of the best, and not just by me. I'm definetly not the first nor will I be the last, and every expert I've seen comment o nit has agreed with me. Actually, it's more so I've heard so much positive information about it that I developed the opinion I have about it.

Most likely to sign Tex (in order) are the Angels, Nationals and Red Sox. The reason I put the Nationals ahead of the Red Sox is that there isn't a particularly strong need for us to sign him, we already have a solid first baseman in Youk and third baseman (if we move Youk there) in Lowell so even if we don't get him it wouldn't be the end of the world. It'd be great if we did sign him though, and I suppose Lowell would make good trade material but as I said, it wouldn't matter much if we didn't.

$82 million spent on Burnett was incredibly risky. Sorry Cownip... The money was probably better spent on Adam Dunn, who can play first base, or Tex. Instead of Burnett, you could sign say, Jon Garland, etc.

Remember Carl Pavano? He battled injuries for several years and then had a good season, Yanks signed him and...
Burnett is Carl Pavano 2.0. Hey, at least Yankee fans could have somebody else to boo now!

yeah, they don't have enough of them.