30-26: There is a LOT wrong with your team.
None of this assigning people/things to teams bullshit. You're getting a straight up eval of what I think of your team.
30. Angels: Well, Dave's biggest problem is that this is not 2012. Looking over his roster, he'll be lucky if he gets more than a handful of good SIM's - and those will have to be based on little to no pro experience. Joel Zumaya is his best 2009 players, so long as he stays away from Guitar Hero and his own fat ass. That being said, in the words of Herman Edwards, "WE CAN BUILD ON THIS!" McCutchen, Rodgriguez, LaPorta, Clement, Lind, Jones, and Morrison are hitters anyone would want to have, and Carrasco, Bailey, Adenhart are arms anyone would want as well. Welp, best of luck, and enjoy your 60 wins.
29. Rays: Thinks the Angels with a few usable SIM's. Again, a lineup and rotation chock fill of talent (Price, Cahill, and Miller could be devastating in as little as two years). If I were in Tampa, I'd get a new stadium. Then I'd deal Giambi and Matsui immediately to continue to spread out the talent base. Both of them will help contenders going into this season. It's a nice roster of talent that will get better quickly - but one that will be lucky to sniff 70 wins.
28. Indians: So this team hit a hard place during the season. Not blessed with a good roster, the decision was made to go young- and the results won't be pretty in 2009. There is excellent talent on the roster, again, and some usable pieces. This pitching staff should sim better than both TB and Anaheim - but that's not saying a hell of a lot. Continuing to move pieces like Jacobs, Joyce, Hawpe, and Padilla, to spread out the talent base would probably be the direction I'd go in. Another team lucky to sniff 70 wins in what's shaping up to be a pretty decent division.
27. Rockies: Hudson would help, a lot. Unfortunately after that there is a lot of hoping and wishing on sim's. And I'll tell you what, as my dad told me, hope in one hand and shit in the other and tell me what you get. There are some excellent young players here, and the team is set up with a nice base of talent - but 2009 is going to be a tough, tough year. Would moving pieces like Hudson, Maine, Lidge, Glaus, and Huff make this team better going forward? Not my call, but this team might win as few as 70 games this year.
26. Nationals: Well the Nats are trying to hold on to credibility, and that's a good thing. They have a team that can win a few games here. The only problem is that there will not be a big bat (save for a lucky Bruce monster sim), or a shut down arm in the rotation. The bullpen is solid, and the defense is very strong. The offense is mediocre at absolute best, and the starting pitching is going to put the defense to a test every game. While this team may win more games then those immediately ahead of it, it does not have the capability of making a run at the playoffs - even in a pretty poor NL East.
Power Rankings
Moderator: Yankees
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Yankees
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25-21: Your team has sizable challenges ahead of you...
25. White Sox: Positives: McClouth, Gonzalez, Baker, Maholm, Putz, Volstad, and Harang (2008 never happened). Negatives: It's just not-a-fuckin'-'nough. Brett the ChiSock needs to upgrade his lineup, bullpen, and rotation to compete in the tough AL Central. That's a lot to ask. This team does have some young talent, and 2008 IBC Orioles-type potential. If Baker, Harang, Maholm, and Volstad can sim well, and the lineup overachieves, this team has that 1-in-10 chance of making a run.
24. Astros: This team is REALLY close. My advice, part ways with Bush, Garcia, and Rios. Get some top-end talent and play the 2010-2011 waiting game. I don't think Clay and Luke are putting it all together next year. Upgrade the bullpen, upgrade the lineup, and build around Billingsley, Hochevar, Buchholz, McDonald, etc. And, please, do not get discouraged when you win 70-75 games this year. The NL Central is a tough nut to crack - bide your time, and then burst.
23. Brewers: The bad news: A team with Oliver Perez as its ace is not going to win a lot of sim games. The good news: The days of a Brewers run at the NL Central title are getting ominously closer - teams should be wary. The lineup is fine, and will be better next year when Lars and McKenry truly arrive. I believe that Hughes is an ace still, and that Scherzer, Perez, Porcello, and Zimmerman are oustanding arms. The key is patience - and ask yourself questions like: Are Ryan Church, Mike Gonzalez, and Scott Linebrink better on my team - or to get talent for 2010?
22. Athletics: Jake is starting to establish an excellent base of young talent. This seems to be a repeating question, in various forms - Are Cordero, Reyes, Winn, Blake, Cameron, Ellis, Myers, Meche, and DiFelice better here than trading them for young talent? Maybe. But the West is winnable. Is it worth it stock for 2010, when you have a shot for 2009? Take it from a guy trying to restock for the past 5 years, go for it, and then disassemble as necessary. That don't mean I think they'll actually do it, though...
21. Braves: Broxton! Carpenter! Dye! Escobar! Figgins! Morneau! Nathan! Nice players...unfortunately, so far as 2009 goes, that's about it. And those guys can all be hurt. So...I don't think he can beat Nick. Which leaves us with a roster that includes Bannister, Fields, Loretta, Marte, Milledge, Penny, I-Rod, Rogers, Vidro, and Weathers as its next best group of players. Eww. Something needs to be done here, and I'm not sure what that is. Also, turn in a goddamn lineup. That is all.
25. White Sox: Positives: McClouth, Gonzalez, Baker, Maholm, Putz, Volstad, and Harang (2008 never happened). Negatives: It's just not-a-fuckin'-'nough. Brett the ChiSock needs to upgrade his lineup, bullpen, and rotation to compete in the tough AL Central. That's a lot to ask. This team does have some young talent, and 2008 IBC Orioles-type potential. If Baker, Harang, Maholm, and Volstad can sim well, and the lineup overachieves, this team has that 1-in-10 chance of making a run.
24. Astros: This team is REALLY close. My advice, part ways with Bush, Garcia, and Rios. Get some top-end talent and play the 2010-2011 waiting game. I don't think Clay and Luke are putting it all together next year. Upgrade the bullpen, upgrade the lineup, and build around Billingsley, Hochevar, Buchholz, McDonald, etc. And, please, do not get discouraged when you win 70-75 games this year. The NL Central is a tough nut to crack - bide your time, and then burst.
23. Brewers: The bad news: A team with Oliver Perez as its ace is not going to win a lot of sim games. The good news: The days of a Brewers run at the NL Central title are getting ominously closer - teams should be wary. The lineup is fine, and will be better next year when Lars and McKenry truly arrive. I believe that Hughes is an ace still, and that Scherzer, Perez, Porcello, and Zimmerman are oustanding arms. The key is patience - and ask yourself questions like: Are Ryan Church, Mike Gonzalez, and Scott Linebrink better on my team - or to get talent for 2010?
22. Athletics: Jake is starting to establish an excellent base of young talent. This seems to be a repeating question, in various forms - Are Cordero, Reyes, Winn, Blake, Cameron, Ellis, Myers, Meche, and DiFelice better here than trading them for young talent? Maybe. But the West is winnable. Is it worth it stock for 2010, when you have a shot for 2009? Take it from a guy trying to restock for the past 5 years, go for it, and then disassemble as necessary. That don't mean I think they'll actually do it, though...
21. Braves: Broxton! Carpenter! Dye! Escobar! Figgins! Morneau! Nathan! Nice players...unfortunately, so far as 2009 goes, that's about it. And those guys can all be hurt. So...I don't think he can beat Nick. Which leaves us with a roster that includes Bannister, Fields, Loretta, Marte, Milledge, Penny, I-Rod, Rogers, Vidro, and Weathers as its next best group of players. Eww. Something needs to be done here, and I'm not sure what that is. Also, turn in a goddamn lineup. That is all.
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20-16: Getting warmer, but probably only lukewarm...
20. Twins: Andrew's team is, thankfilly and knock on wood, starting to slip. The pen will be ok, the lineup is very 'eh,' the rotation is solid at best, and the defense will also be ok. That adds up to a whole lot of decent. Is there anyway a team can truly contend with a top 3 hitting group of Kemp, Wigginton, and Peralta, and Jered Weaver as the ace? I have to think no. Right? Or does the ghost of divisions down the drain reemerge with good sim's? I just don't see it in 2009...
19. Mariners: Andrew 20 and Ropers 19? Really? Wow...Like Jake, I'd say build on your nice base of talent for the future, but, again, the division is winnable. So f it, go for it, and see where you're at at the trade deadline. Do I see a true contender here? Not in the least - but, again, I do see a division to be won. The pen is great, the rotation is average and will be better in 2010, but the lineup in 2009 is going to be not too good.
18. Rangers: I'm going to go ahead and say it: This team is getting solid. Harden, Santana, Wandy, Kason, and Jamie are not a bad rotation, with a true ace. Wood and Wilson provide for a decent pen, and Loney, Uggla, and Lee are a nice, nice middle three. The problem? The team is paper thin. If one starter gets a bad sim, they are in trouble. The team is risking a LOT on good sim's from Bard, Cabrera, Mora, Pierre (right field?!?!), and Byrnes. That being said, this team, from what I see, if it gets a full year from Harden, has the best chance to win the West.
17. Mets: There is a disgusting amount of talent on this team. Unfortunately they are going to be relying on a lot of help from the sim Gods. Why are they 17? They have just as much 2009 talent as the rest in this grouping, can win the division if a miracle happens, and will be very very strong in 2010. Great job bringing this team around Jim, in a pretty short period of time.
16. Orioles: Hell of a run at the division last year - unfortunately applied a lot of resources to it. The rotation is ok, and bolstered by a pretty good offense and decent defense. Unfortunately there's no ace, and the bullpen is a mess. There are going to have an almost impossible task of repeating 2008 in a tough, tough division. The pitching should keep them in most games, the hitting should keep them in most games - the bullpen and lack of a shut down arm, however...well that could be a HUGE problem.
15-1 coming tomorrow...
20. Twins: Andrew's team is, thankfilly and knock on wood, starting to slip. The pen will be ok, the lineup is very 'eh,' the rotation is solid at best, and the defense will also be ok. That adds up to a whole lot of decent. Is there anyway a team can truly contend with a top 3 hitting group of Kemp, Wigginton, and Peralta, and Jered Weaver as the ace? I have to think no. Right? Or does the ghost of divisions down the drain reemerge with good sim's? I just don't see it in 2009...
19. Mariners: Andrew 20 and Ropers 19? Really? Wow...Like Jake, I'd say build on your nice base of talent for the future, but, again, the division is winnable. So f it, go for it, and see where you're at at the trade deadline. Do I see a true contender here? Not in the least - but, again, I do see a division to be won. The pen is great, the rotation is average and will be better in 2010, but the lineup in 2009 is going to be not too good.
18. Rangers: I'm going to go ahead and say it: This team is getting solid. Harden, Santana, Wandy, Kason, and Jamie are not a bad rotation, with a true ace. Wood and Wilson provide for a decent pen, and Loney, Uggla, and Lee are a nice, nice middle three. The problem? The team is paper thin. If one starter gets a bad sim, they are in trouble. The team is risking a LOT on good sim's from Bard, Cabrera, Mora, Pierre (right field?!?!), and Byrnes. That being said, this team, from what I see, if it gets a full year from Harden, has the best chance to win the West.
17. Mets: There is a disgusting amount of talent on this team. Unfortunately they are going to be relying on a lot of help from the sim Gods. Why are they 17? They have just as much 2009 talent as the rest in this grouping, can win the division if a miracle happens, and will be very very strong in 2010. Great job bringing this team around Jim, in a pretty short period of time.
16. Orioles: Hell of a run at the division last year - unfortunately applied a lot of resources to it. The rotation is ok, and bolstered by a pretty good offense and decent defense. Unfortunately there's no ace, and the bullpen is a mess. There are going to have an almost impossible task of repeating 2008 in a tough, tough division. The pitching should keep them in most games, the hitting should keep them in most games - the bullpen and lack of a shut down arm, however...well that could be a HUGE problem.
15-1 coming tomorrow...
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15-11: You're definitely getting warmer...
15. Dodgers: I'd just like to stop and say that the fact that the Dodgers are 15 is a tremendous show of strength for this league. The quality of GM has gone through the roof, and the quality of each team has followed. This team features a devastating bullpen, a solid, solid lineup - but will be hindered by their starting pitching. Shawn is praying on good projections for Lilly, Campillo, Jackson, and Kawakami - while also praying for a full season from Liriano. That's a lot of prayer from one rotation. If that 5 can make it through the season, there's no reason to think this team can't be competitive in the NL West - unfortunately, that's a huge if. There's still quite a bit of young talent on Shawn's squad - so this is the beginning of the beginning, not the beginning of the end.
14. Cubs: My sleeper for the year. Gabe has done a tremendous job of turning this team around in a short period of time. While the lineup is hoping for good projections, it is also quite strong 1-9 - balanced with on-base, power, and speed. There are no superstars, but each player is above-average offensively, when healthy, at their position. The staff is led by Danks and Zambrano - two very solid arms - and is backed by Lohse, Perez, and Blanton. Those three aren't world-beaters, but can be solid when backed by a good offense. The bullpen is solid, and there is good organizational depth to overcome injuries. The lack of any sort of true bat is my biggest concern - but Gabe could very easily be the IBC Orioles of 2009.
13. Red Sox: Bren put his team throug a solid amount of neglect last year, and it's pretty remarkable to see it come out the other side, especially in the AL East, as an above-average team. The rotation is strong with Webb, Beckett, Guthrie, Buehrle, and Bowden - but must get a good sim from Bowden, and pray for health from Beckett. This is important because the bullpen is paper thin. There are no true closer arms - with the best being Balfour who's going to have to prove that 2008 was not a fluke. The lineup is solid - but good sim's from Lowrie, Dukes, and VMart will be key. The team has the possibility of pushing the Jays, but I think it needs a few more pieces.
12. Marlins: A team in turmoil - but with a lot of talent. Are Crawford, Ortiz, Matsui, and Verlander regressing? Can Sheets and Ray stay healthy? Are Pence, Tulo, and Micah as good as we though? Given health and normal statistical season, this team is excellent. The lineup features speed, power, and average, the rotation is young, and will need good sim's, but talented nonetheless, and the bullpen is above average. The big question remains - is Dan, with injuries and regressions, simply the unluckiest GM in the IBC? 2009, in the IBC and MLB, will be huge to see the future of the IBC Marlins.
11. Diamondbacks: The top 11 is so good that I actually had the DBacks in consideration for the top 5, before they dropped to 11th after their loss to Cleveland St. Sorry, got distracted there. The talent here is just unbelievable. The lineup, rotation, and bullpen read like a who's who of awesome prospects under the age of 28. While the team will challenge ever more strongly in a competitive-but-not-great NL West, the rotation for the 2009 season concerns me. I don't think Jag gets the sim's to be a truly elite team from that group - and then needs to hope he gets elite sim's from J.Upton, Stewart, and Maybin to make up - and I'm not sure he does. The talent is there - does moving Teix for an elite starter make this squad closer to top 5 for 2010? Gosh, I think so - but he has to go for the division. So it's all on the sim Gods...
15. Dodgers: I'd just like to stop and say that the fact that the Dodgers are 15 is a tremendous show of strength for this league. The quality of GM has gone through the roof, and the quality of each team has followed. This team features a devastating bullpen, a solid, solid lineup - but will be hindered by their starting pitching. Shawn is praying on good projections for Lilly, Campillo, Jackson, and Kawakami - while also praying for a full season from Liriano. That's a lot of prayer from one rotation. If that 5 can make it through the season, there's no reason to think this team can't be competitive in the NL West - unfortunately, that's a huge if. There's still quite a bit of young talent on Shawn's squad - so this is the beginning of the beginning, not the beginning of the end.
14. Cubs: My sleeper for the year. Gabe has done a tremendous job of turning this team around in a short period of time. While the lineup is hoping for good projections, it is also quite strong 1-9 - balanced with on-base, power, and speed. There are no superstars, but each player is above-average offensively, when healthy, at their position. The staff is led by Danks and Zambrano - two very solid arms - and is backed by Lohse, Perez, and Blanton. Those three aren't world-beaters, but can be solid when backed by a good offense. The bullpen is solid, and there is good organizational depth to overcome injuries. The lack of any sort of true bat is my biggest concern - but Gabe could very easily be the IBC Orioles of 2009.
13. Red Sox: Bren put his team throug a solid amount of neglect last year, and it's pretty remarkable to see it come out the other side, especially in the AL East, as an above-average team. The rotation is strong with Webb, Beckett, Guthrie, Buehrle, and Bowden - but must get a good sim from Bowden, and pray for health from Beckett. This is important because the bullpen is paper thin. There are no true closer arms - with the best being Balfour who's going to have to prove that 2008 was not a fluke. The lineup is solid - but good sim's from Lowrie, Dukes, and VMart will be key. The team has the possibility of pushing the Jays, but I think it needs a few more pieces.
12. Marlins: A team in turmoil - but with a lot of talent. Are Crawford, Ortiz, Matsui, and Verlander regressing? Can Sheets and Ray stay healthy? Are Pence, Tulo, and Micah as good as we though? Given health and normal statistical season, this team is excellent. The lineup features speed, power, and average, the rotation is young, and will need good sim's, but talented nonetheless, and the bullpen is above average. The big question remains - is Dan, with injuries and regressions, simply the unluckiest GM in the IBC? 2009, in the IBC and MLB, will be huge to see the future of the IBC Marlins.
11. Diamondbacks: The top 11 is so good that I actually had the DBacks in consideration for the top 5, before they dropped to 11th after their loss to Cleveland St. Sorry, got distracted there. The talent here is just unbelievable. The lineup, rotation, and bullpen read like a who's who of awesome prospects under the age of 28. While the team will challenge ever more strongly in a competitive-but-not-great NL West, the rotation for the 2009 season concerns me. I don't think Jag gets the sim's to be a truly elite team from that group - and then needs to hope he gets elite sim's from J.Upton, Stewart, and Maybin to make up - and I'm not sure he does. The talent is there - does moving Teix for an elite starter make this squad closer to top 5 for 2010? Gosh, I think so - but he has to go for the division. So it's all on the sim Gods...
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10-6: In the ballpark...probably on the field...
10. Padres: This team is above average at almost every position except 1b, the 5th starter, and the bullpen. The challenge is going to be the bullpen, and will Kendrick and Zito be good enough. Moving Ibanez and Renteria for bullpen help would probably be a good move - but you know you're deep when those two are on the bench. The scary thing is that this team is not just good - it's also relatively young. The Pads are going to give the NL West a run- and there's no reason to think that Hamels, Dice-K, and Floyd couldn't give teams fits in the playoffs.
9. Phillies: So this team started in the back 15 - true story. But the more I looked at it, the more I realized just how solid, top to bottom, this team is. The bullpen is strong top to bottom. The rotation has Dempster, Lowe, and Johnson as a pretty devastating top 3 - with Wolf as no slouch in the #4 role. Not only do they have the anchor in the rotation, but the team is also anchored in the lineup by the awesome Lance Berkman, and is surrounded by 'professional hitters.' The team has the depth to survive injuries, and that's why I think they'll take the NL East.
8. Royals: The big guy! My team is good and quite deep. The lineup is very strong 1-9, and the rotation and bullpen are solid enough to give my offense a shot every game. The biggest challenge is that I don't have a true stopper in either the pen or the rotation. Volquez' whip is too high to be considered a true ace, and Wade and Buchholz are great battlers in the pen - but will never be confused as closers. So long as Weathers can get through TJ, I have my closer. Can Volq curb the walks? That's a big question when you get to the playoffs. If I ever get to the playoffs.
7. Tigers: Unfortunately it looks like Perryman's time has come. This lineup is unreal 1-6, and very solid 7-9. The rotation will get 3 good sim's from, Shields, Oswalt, and Gallardo - all legitimate ace arms. Sampson and Giese should pitch well enough from the 4 and 5 spots to keep the team in games. The big problem is the bullpen. It's terrible. But picking up two arms, and getting a good SIM anomaly should be enough of a band-aid for Brett to ride to the AL Central title.
6. Pirates: JP's #6 represents an almost unbelievable turnaround from last year. Unfortunately this is #6 with a caveat. The rotation will keep this team in every game - if not be flat-out dominant. Unfortunately, outside of Ramirez and Abreu, the offense is wafer-thin. Any injuries will be a massive blow to JP's ability to score runs. An injury to those two, and one to the rotation could take this from a 90-95 win tea, to a 75-80 win team instantaneously. That being said, the rotation is built on work-horses, and Ramirez takes enough days off to keep himself healthy. I think that wins the day, and JP will be a legitimate threat this year.
10. Padres: This team is above average at almost every position except 1b, the 5th starter, and the bullpen. The challenge is going to be the bullpen, and will Kendrick and Zito be good enough. Moving Ibanez and Renteria for bullpen help would probably be a good move - but you know you're deep when those two are on the bench. The scary thing is that this team is not just good - it's also relatively young. The Pads are going to give the NL West a run- and there's no reason to think that Hamels, Dice-K, and Floyd couldn't give teams fits in the playoffs.
9. Phillies: So this team started in the back 15 - true story. But the more I looked at it, the more I realized just how solid, top to bottom, this team is. The bullpen is strong top to bottom. The rotation has Dempster, Lowe, and Johnson as a pretty devastating top 3 - with Wolf as no slouch in the #4 role. Not only do they have the anchor in the rotation, but the team is also anchored in the lineup by the awesome Lance Berkman, and is surrounded by 'professional hitters.' The team has the depth to survive injuries, and that's why I think they'll take the NL East.
8. Royals: The big guy! My team is good and quite deep. The lineup is very strong 1-9, and the rotation and bullpen are solid enough to give my offense a shot every game. The biggest challenge is that I don't have a true stopper in either the pen or the rotation. Volquez' whip is too high to be considered a true ace, and Wade and Buchholz are great battlers in the pen - but will never be confused as closers. So long as Weathers can get through TJ, I have my closer. Can Volq curb the walks? That's a big question when you get to the playoffs. If I ever get to the playoffs.
7. Tigers: Unfortunately it looks like Perryman's time has come. This lineup is unreal 1-6, and very solid 7-9. The rotation will get 3 good sim's from, Shields, Oswalt, and Gallardo - all legitimate ace arms. Sampson and Giese should pitch well enough from the 4 and 5 spots to keep the team in games. The big problem is the bullpen. It's terrible. But picking up two arms, and getting a good SIM anomaly should be enough of a band-aid for Brett to ride to the AL Central title.
6. Pirates: JP's #6 represents an almost unbelievable turnaround from last year. Unfortunately this is #6 with a caveat. The rotation will keep this team in every game - if not be flat-out dominant. Unfortunately, outside of Ramirez and Abreu, the offense is wafer-thin. Any injuries will be a massive blow to JP's ability to score runs. An injury to those two, and one to the rotation could take this from a 90-95 win tea, to a 75-80 win team instantaneously. That being said, the rotation is built on work-horses, and Ramirez takes enough days off to keep himself healthy. I think that wins the day, and JP will be a legitimate threat this year.
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5-1: Merry Christmas, I hate you...
5. Cardinals: Aaron has put together an incredibly clean and consistent team. The rotation is solid - and while having Olsen and Lannan being called the 4 & 5 might seem a bit rough, he does have Garland, Reyes, and Brett Anderson sitting directly behind them - so no real worries here. The bullpen is very strong top to bottom, and picking up Capps to back it was a coup for Aaron. And if that wasn't enough, he has Furcal, Hamilton, Burrell, Wells, and Butler holding down the lineup. Aaron continues to do an excellent job of assembling lots of young, MLB ready talent - and you can't knock the track record of success.
4. Giants: This pains me - but Nils' team is really fucking good - top to bottom. Kotchman, Lopez, Rolen, Andrus, Quentin, and Markakis hold down a very strong lineup and defense - while the depth of Peavy, Bedard, Young, Greinke, Bonderman, Prior and Capuano is almost sickening. The pen is deep and solid, and saying it could use a true closer is splitting hairs. Nils features a legitimate backup at each position, and depth, as seen, in the rotation and pen. The depth and strength of the rotation - combined with the lack of necessity of lucky sim's - makes Nils the pick in the West.
3. Reds: While the core is getting older, the top end talent on this team does not change. Cain, Vlad, Pronk, Halladay, RJ, Kuo, Kuroda, Konerko, Posada, Hanley, Roberts, K-Rod, Shields, Ichiro, Swisher, and Wright is just a ridiculous group of talent. Saying that Pronk, RJ, Konerko, and Vlad may be done within the next few years may be accurate - but won't change much in 2009. This team is still very capable of 100 wins, but the clock is definitely ticking. A rash of injuries this year may signal a rough 2010 - and perhaps a big rebuild sooner than later.
2. Blue Jays: This team is just solid all around. The lineup is incredibly deep, and full of power and on-base skills. The defense remains very strong, and the bullpen is legit top to bottom. The team also features a solid rotation with depth - as a Snell, Contreras, Byrd battle would be for the 3rd starter on most IBC teams - not the 6th. This team is not immune to injuries, and could fall very fast if either Santana or Smoltz goes down - or if the team is forced to look for lineup depth in the outfield. That said, they deserve the respect of a defending champ, and there's no reason to think they won't battle for the East, WC, or World Series again.
1. Yankees: There are cracks in the armor. King Felix is still pretty much Prince Felix, leaving the team without a true ace. Though any team in the world would love to start a King Felix, Lester, Joba, Kaz, Wang rotation. Cueto and Kennedy just add very good depth with upside. The big challenge is the lineup. It is still amazing, but is not as traditionally strong 7-9, is getting older, and more prone to injuries. There is help on the way, but it's not for 2009. This is all pretty knit-picky, though. The reality is that this is another 105-110 win monster - and the best team in the IBC.
5. Cardinals: Aaron has put together an incredibly clean and consistent team. The rotation is solid - and while having Olsen and Lannan being called the 4 & 5 might seem a bit rough, he does have Garland, Reyes, and Brett Anderson sitting directly behind them - so no real worries here. The bullpen is very strong top to bottom, and picking up Capps to back it was a coup for Aaron. And if that wasn't enough, he has Furcal, Hamilton, Burrell, Wells, and Butler holding down the lineup. Aaron continues to do an excellent job of assembling lots of young, MLB ready talent - and you can't knock the track record of success.
4. Giants: This pains me - but Nils' team is really fucking good - top to bottom. Kotchman, Lopez, Rolen, Andrus, Quentin, and Markakis hold down a very strong lineup and defense - while the depth of Peavy, Bedard, Young, Greinke, Bonderman, Prior and Capuano is almost sickening. The pen is deep and solid, and saying it could use a true closer is splitting hairs. Nils features a legitimate backup at each position, and depth, as seen, in the rotation and pen. The depth and strength of the rotation - combined with the lack of necessity of lucky sim's - makes Nils the pick in the West.
3. Reds: While the core is getting older, the top end talent on this team does not change. Cain, Vlad, Pronk, Halladay, RJ, Kuo, Kuroda, Konerko, Posada, Hanley, Roberts, K-Rod, Shields, Ichiro, Swisher, and Wright is just a ridiculous group of talent. Saying that Pronk, RJ, Konerko, and Vlad may be done within the next few years may be accurate - but won't change much in 2009. This team is still very capable of 100 wins, but the clock is definitely ticking. A rash of injuries this year may signal a rough 2010 - and perhaps a big rebuild sooner than later.
2. Blue Jays: This team is just solid all around. The lineup is incredibly deep, and full of power and on-base skills. The defense remains very strong, and the bullpen is legit top to bottom. The team also features a solid rotation with depth - as a Snell, Contreras, Byrd battle would be for the 3rd starter on most IBC teams - not the 6th. This team is not immune to injuries, and could fall very fast if either Santana or Smoltz goes down - or if the team is forced to look for lineup depth in the outfield. That said, they deserve the respect of a defending champ, and there's no reason to think they won't battle for the East, WC, or World Series again.
1. Yankees: There are cracks in the armor. King Felix is still pretty much Prince Felix, leaving the team without a true ace. Though any team in the world would love to start a King Felix, Lester, Joba, Kaz, Wang rotation. Cueto and Kennedy just add very good depth with upside. The big challenge is the lineup. It is still amazing, but is not as traditionally strong 7-9, is getting older, and more prone to injuries. There is help on the way, but it's not for 2009. This is all pretty knit-picky, though. The reality is that this is another 105-110 win monster - and the best team in the IBC.
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Padres
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- Name: Jim Berger
Looks like Martin has addressed this trading Ibanez for Huff.Royals wrote:10-6: In the ballpark...probably on the field...
10. Padres: This team is above average at almost every position except 1b, the 5th starter, and the bullpen. The challenge is going to be the bullpen, and will Kendrick and Zito be good enough. Moving Ibanez and Renteria for bullpen help would probably be a good move - but you know you're deep when those two are on the bench. The scary thing is that this team is not just good - it's also relatively young. The Pads are going to give the NL West a run- and there's no reason to think that Hamels, Dice-K, and Floyd couldn't give teams fits in the playoffs.
Personally I dont see how Detroit not number 2, let alone top 5. They arguably could have the best lineup in the league and a rotation of Gallardo-Shields-Oswalt. Which is damn good.
Nils team is really good, I think it just sits outside the top 5, certainly not top 5 though.
JP deserves to be in the top 5...he probably has the 2nd best rotation, maybe even the best. His hitting is suspect but he still has manny and abreu in the middle of the lineup and thats still better then a handful of teams.
Aaron shouldn't be in the top 5. Even though his team does it every year, I think thats irrelevant and he should be in the 8-12 range.
Phillies certainly should not be in the top 10, hes got a good bullpen and Dempster and Lowe are good, but after berkman hes got no offensive fire power.
Jag should be in the top 10, hes got a tremendous lineup and garza leading his rotation.
Gabe is also too high, but I since you said hes a sleeper, Ill respect that choice.
Even though Toronto won I personally don't think hes number 2. I still dont see him as the number 2 team on paper this year.
Nils team is really good, I think it just sits outside the top 5, certainly not top 5 though.
JP deserves to be in the top 5...he probably has the 2nd best rotation, maybe even the best. His hitting is suspect but he still has manny and abreu in the middle of the lineup and thats still better then a handful of teams.
Aaron shouldn't be in the top 5. Even though his team does it every year, I think thats irrelevant and he should be in the 8-12 range.
Phillies certainly should not be in the top 10, hes got a good bullpen and Dempster and Lowe are good, but after berkman hes got no offensive fire power.
Jag should be in the top 10, hes got a tremendous lineup and garza leading his rotation.
Gabe is also too high, but I since you said hes a sleeper, Ill respect that choice.
Even though Toronto won I personally don't think hes number 2. I still dont see him as the number 2 team on paper this year.
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Rangers
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- Name: Brett Perryman
I think I'm pretty close to having the kind of team that I want, but Brett is doing a major league power ranking, and my team looks like the two-thirds finished death star. I have absolutely no bench (seriously, I have three position players on my roster past my starting lineup - Carlos Rivero, Leonard Davis and Josh Thole), and, as he said, my pen is atrocious. Leo Nunez, Rob Tejeda and Mike Hinckley would probably be my back three at the moment.Brewers wrote:Personally I dont see how Detroit not number 2, let alone top 5. They arguably could have the best lineup in the league and a rotation of Gallardo-Shields-Oswalt. Which is damn good.
As he said, barring injuries I do think that I might be able to slide by with my 4th and 5th this year, but they're obviously just one year solutions. I was actually a little surprised to see my team as high as it was, given that the holes that I do have are as big as they are. I do hope to make some progress on them this spring or early in the season, but my trade ammo - 28 pitching prospects - probably needs some game time to solidify value.
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Yankees
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- Name: Brett Zalaski
- Contact:
Thanks Brett - his point is right on for me. I didn't look at who was the best team in 2010, or what organization is the healthiest. This was a poll of the best teams for 2009 - and to take away from the fact that Pat is the defending champ and HEALTHIER this year, and that Aaron has IMPROVED a team that made the last two World Series' is not fair to either of them. Philly gets the benefit of the doubt based on pitching depth and Nick's track record. Face it - the same GM's win every year, it's not really coincidence - which was why my toughest rating was Andrew.
When looking at a team like JP and Brett's, it's probably from my injury experience that I tend to underrate teams with a thin MLB roster, but that's the reality I've seen. Teams that are not deep get WHACKED by injuries. Both Brett and JP have young squads that will continue to get improvements, whether development or trade, from their farm systems but the reality is - if the season started today, they are far thinner and less ready for a 162 game season than the teams in the top 5.
When looking at a team like JP and Brett's, it's probably from my injury experience that I tend to underrate teams with a thin MLB roster, but that's the reality I've seen. Teams that are not deep get WHACKED by injuries. Both Brett and JP have young squads that will continue to get improvements, whether development or trade, from their farm systems but the reality is - if the season started today, they are far thinner and less ready for a 162 game season than the teams in the top 5.
Nice job on these Brett, I'm not sure I disagree on too much.
I'm not too worried about where I'm placed in the rankings before the season. This team is poised to compete and we just need a few lucky breaks and a couple of projections to go our way. People respond to names, and since my team lacks a big name in the lineup, people assume that it isn't good. But I will get solid production all the way down the lineup card and it allows for me to have a balanced approach and deal with injuries easier. A lot of teams ranked ahead of me are done if one of their "big names" goes down. I feel like I have the depth to deal with any surprises that might come my way. Do I think I'll win the WS this year? No. But anyone who thinks I won't be competitive isn't looking hard enough.
I think the Padres are underrated and in my mind are the team to beat out West. I think both Aaron and Nate are due for some regression, but until Aaron goes out and loses, you have to assume he's going to win. Nate had better get it done quick because the rest of the teams in the NLC are coming and they're coming fast. Bren has a killer rotation and I think he's more of a top ten team than people are willing to give him credit for. JB is the undisputed number 1, but he always is, and in the end he and I and five other guys still have the same amount of championships. Maybe one day good they'll develop a trophy for best team on paper. You'll be all over that JB.
Anyway, my casual glancing top 5 - Yanks, Tigers, Red Sox, Cardinals, Padres with the Dbacks beating down the door.
Nice job Brett. I enjoyed them, and truthfully didn't believe that they would ever get done.
I'm not too worried about where I'm placed in the rankings before the season. This team is poised to compete and we just need a few lucky breaks and a couple of projections to go our way. People respond to names, and since my team lacks a big name in the lineup, people assume that it isn't good. But I will get solid production all the way down the lineup card and it allows for me to have a balanced approach and deal with injuries easier. A lot of teams ranked ahead of me are done if one of their "big names" goes down. I feel like I have the depth to deal with any surprises that might come my way. Do I think I'll win the WS this year? No. But anyone who thinks I won't be competitive isn't looking hard enough.
I think the Padres are underrated and in my mind are the team to beat out West. I think both Aaron and Nate are due for some regression, but until Aaron goes out and loses, you have to assume he's going to win. Nate had better get it done quick because the rest of the teams in the NLC are coming and they're coming fast. Bren has a killer rotation and I think he's more of a top ten team than people are willing to give him credit for. JB is the undisputed number 1, but he always is, and in the end he and I and five other guys still have the same amount of championships. Maybe one day good they'll develop a trophy for best team on paper. You'll be all over that JB.
Anyway, my casual glancing top 5 - Yanks, Tigers, Red Sox, Cardinals, Padres with the Dbacks beating down the door.
Nice job Brett. I enjoyed them, and truthfully didn't believe that they would ever get done.
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Nationals
- Posts: 1908
- Joined: Thu Jun 30, 2016 8:00 am
- Location: West Hartford, CT
- Name: Ian Schnaufer
This might be a bit of a case of an overly-concerned parent being shocked that little Johnny isn't a star at school but I am not too sure about where you have me. It's not a top-ten team, most certainly, but it also lacks a single glaring weakness in pretty much every department. It's the Lake Wobegone of the IBC--everything just a bit above average, which spells competitiveness, though barring Metrodome Magic or shrewd dealings (two real things in this organization), there probably won't be a fourth division crown. I'm pretty much in concordance with your top five and most of your top ten--though I think that you're a little blinded by your love for the Royals.
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Yankees
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I think your team, on the MLB level, underperformed last year and that's going to hurt you a lot this year. Your team is not as bad as #20, but for 2009, it might be. I'm pretty sure 2010 will be better for you, but I just don't see the sim's for 2009. I've learned FAR better than to count you out, as I hope my post indicated.
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Orioles
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Nice work, though obviously I think you whiffed on your NL East prediction. "Team in turmoil?" C'mon. I just need good health (which you'd think wouldn't be too hard w/ all the under-30s I have, but obviously it was an issue last season).
I think the Pirates or Tigers could have been rated in the top 5, but I don't have a problem with any of the teams currently listed there. I guess based on Aaron having 1 to 3 fewer quality SP than Perryman or JP, the Cards would be who I would slide down a couple spots (uneasily though, considering they swept me out of the postseason). I also think that in order to put AD's team in the top 5, you're banking on quality projections for starters B. Butler, R. Durham, Y. Molina and C. Headley, which is a lot to bank on. Pitching gets it done and JP has an absurdly good rotation (and Manny), so he should probably be top 5.
Nils' team absolutely belongs somewhere near the top w/ excellent pitching and defense built to succeed in his ballpark.
The Phillies will obviously be up there as a contender for the NL East, but looking at our opening day rosters side-by-side, I'm not sure how you could put Nick's team at the top of the division from day 1.
Based on injuries and a couple of down seasons, I think your analysis would make sense if we used the season disk. But taking past-performance into account and anticipating projections, I think you're underrating the Marlins.
The rotations and bullpens are not too far apart. I prefer my rotation (Sheets/ Verlander/ McGowan/G. Gonzalez/ Ad. Miller) to his five (Dempster/ Lowe/ J. Johnson/ Wolf/ Purcey), but reasonable minds could disagree there with Philly having a more veteran group overall, and likely to have more predictable/less volatile (but lower ceiling) projections.
However, I do think there's a pretty substantial difference in the lineups:
Phillies' Lineup
1. RF Shane Victorino, S [Age 28] (3yr: 1441 AB, .287/.349/.430, 0.779 OPS, 77 SB/18 CS; 2008: 570 AB, .293/.352/.447, 0.799 OPS, 36 SB/11 CS)
2. SS Michael Young, R [32] (3yr: 1975 AB, .304/.353/.427, 0.780 OPS, 35 HR, 30 SB/6 CS; 2008: 645 AB, .284/.339/.402, 0.741 OPS, 12 HR, 10 SB/0 CS)
3. CF Jody Gerut, L [31] (3yr: N/A - 0 AB since 2005; 2008: 328 AB, .296/.351/.494, 0.845 OPS, 14 HR)
4. 1B Lance Berkman, S [32] (3yr: 1651 AB, .302/.408/.565, 0.973 OPS, 108 HR, 28 SB/9 CS; 2008: 554 AB, .312/.420/.567, 0.987 OPS, 29 HR, 18 SB/4 CS)
5. 3B Hank Blalock, L [28] (3yr: 1057 AB, .276/.335/.455, 0.790 OPS, 38 HR; 2008: 258 AB, .287/.338/.508, .846 OPS, 12 HR)
6. LF Garret Anderson, L [36] (3 yr: .289/.327/.449; 2008: .293/.325/.433); Cody Ross, R [27] (3 yr: .265/.328/.503; 2008: .260/.316/.488)
7. C John Baker, L [27] (2008: .299/.392/.447 - 197 career ABs as rookie 2008); Chris Coste, R [35] (3 yr: .288/.338/.449; 2008: .263/.325/.423)
8. 2B Freddy Sanchez, R [30] (3 yr: .306/.340/.429, 0.769 OPS; 2008: .271/.298/.371, 0.669 OPS)
Bench
OF Garret Anderson
C Baker/Coste
UT Ronnie Belliard
3B/1B Greg Dobbs
OF Matt Stairs
Marlins' Lineup
1. LF Carl Crawford, L [Age 27] (3yr: 1627 AB, .300/.342/.454, 0.796 OPS, 133 SB/23 CS; 2008: 443 AB, .273/.319/.400, 0.719 OPS, 25 SB/7 CS)
2. 2B Ian Kinsler, R [26] (3yr: 1424 AB, .290/.360/.473, 0.833 OPS, 52 HR, 60 SB/8 CS; 2008: 518 AB, .319/.375/.517, 0.892 OPS, 18 HR, 26 SB/2 CS)
3. 3B Aramis Ramirez, R [30] (3yr: 1654 AB, .296/.366/.543, 0.909 OPS, 91 HR; 2008: 554 AB, .289/.380/.518, 0.898 OPS, 27 HR)
4. 1B David Ortiz, L [33] (3yr: 1523 AB, .297/.413/.596, 1.009 OPS, 112 HR; 2008: 416 AB, .264/.369/.507, 0.876 OPS, 23 HR)
5. C Geovany Soto, R [25] (3yr: 573 AB, .291/.365/.508, 0.873 OPS, 26 HR); 2008: 494 AB, .285/.364/.504, 0.868 OPS, 23 HR)
6. SS Troy Tulowitzki, R [24] (3 yr: 1082 AB, .276/.346/.435, 0.781 OPS, 33 HR;2008: 337 AB, .263/.332/.401, 0.732 OPS)
7. RF Hideki Matsui, L [34] (3 yr: 1056 AB, .291/.372/.469, 0.841 OPS, 42 HR;2008: 337 AB, .294/.370/.424, 0.794 OPS)
8. CF Hunter Pence, R [25] (3 yr: 1051 AB, .292/.336/.498, 0.834 OPS, 42 HR; 2008: 595 AB, .269/.318/.466, 0.783 OPS, 25 HR)
Bench
UT Jerry Hairston Jr, R [32]
CF Scott Hairston, R [28]
C J.P. Arencibia, R [21]
CF Gregor Blanco, L [24]
1B/OF Joe Mather, R [26]
Sure, a lot of my guys were hurt and some had down seasons from 2007, but Jody Gerut played in 100 G this year, his first MLB action since 2005 (and has just 65 AB vs LHP since 2005) is slotted in Philly's 3-spot. Not a bad overall lineup (Berkman will have the best 09 proj. of any hitter on either team), but there are 2 platoons and the #8 hitter had an OBP under .300 last season. My team had their struggles for sure, but other than having "professional hitter" Matt Stairs on the bench, I'm not sure what your reasoning would be there over my team.
I think the Pirates or Tigers could have been rated in the top 5, but I don't have a problem with any of the teams currently listed there. I guess based on Aaron having 1 to 3 fewer quality SP than Perryman or JP, the Cards would be who I would slide down a couple spots (uneasily though, considering they swept me out of the postseason). I also think that in order to put AD's team in the top 5, you're banking on quality projections for starters B. Butler, R. Durham, Y. Molina and C. Headley, which is a lot to bank on. Pitching gets it done and JP has an absurdly good rotation (and Manny), so he should probably be top 5.
Nils' team absolutely belongs somewhere near the top w/ excellent pitching and defense built to succeed in his ballpark.
Um, the Phillies didn't win the NL East last year. Sure, I haven't won anything of substance (still looking for a postseason victory), but winning 92 in the AL East (4th) in 2007 and 96 in the NLE in 2008 isn't really a history of losing either.Royals wrote:Philly gets the benefit of the doubt based on pitching depth and Nick's track record. Face it - the same GM's win every year, it's not really coincidence...
The Phillies will obviously be up there as a contender for the NL East, but looking at our opening day rosters side-by-side, I'm not sure how you could put Nick's team at the top of the division from day 1.
Based on injuries and a couple of down seasons, I think your analysis would make sense if we used the season disk. But taking past-performance into account and anticipating projections, I think you're underrating the Marlins.
The rotations and bullpens are not too far apart. I prefer my rotation (Sheets/ Verlander/ McGowan/G. Gonzalez/ Ad. Miller) to his five (Dempster/ Lowe/ J. Johnson/ Wolf/ Purcey), but reasonable minds could disagree there with Philly having a more veteran group overall, and likely to have more predictable/less volatile (but lower ceiling) projections.
However, I do think there's a pretty substantial difference in the lineups:
Phillies' Lineup
1. RF Shane Victorino, S [Age 28] (3yr: 1441 AB, .287/.349/.430, 0.779 OPS, 77 SB/18 CS; 2008: 570 AB, .293/.352/.447, 0.799 OPS, 36 SB/11 CS)
2. SS Michael Young, R [32] (3yr: 1975 AB, .304/.353/.427, 0.780 OPS, 35 HR, 30 SB/6 CS; 2008: 645 AB, .284/.339/.402, 0.741 OPS, 12 HR, 10 SB/0 CS)
3. CF Jody Gerut, L [31] (3yr: N/A - 0 AB since 2005; 2008: 328 AB, .296/.351/.494, 0.845 OPS, 14 HR)
4. 1B Lance Berkman, S [32] (3yr: 1651 AB, .302/.408/.565, 0.973 OPS, 108 HR, 28 SB/9 CS; 2008: 554 AB, .312/.420/.567, 0.987 OPS, 29 HR, 18 SB/4 CS)
5. 3B Hank Blalock, L [28] (3yr: 1057 AB, .276/.335/.455, 0.790 OPS, 38 HR; 2008: 258 AB, .287/.338/.508, .846 OPS, 12 HR)
6. LF Garret Anderson, L [36] (3 yr: .289/.327/.449; 2008: .293/.325/.433); Cody Ross, R [27] (3 yr: .265/.328/.503; 2008: .260/.316/.488)
7. C John Baker, L [27] (2008: .299/.392/.447 - 197 career ABs as rookie 2008); Chris Coste, R [35] (3 yr: .288/.338/.449; 2008: .263/.325/.423)
8. 2B Freddy Sanchez, R [30] (3 yr: .306/.340/.429, 0.769 OPS; 2008: .271/.298/.371, 0.669 OPS)
Bench
OF Garret Anderson
C Baker/Coste
UT Ronnie Belliard
3B/1B Greg Dobbs
OF Matt Stairs
Marlins' Lineup
1. LF Carl Crawford, L [Age 27] (3yr: 1627 AB, .300/.342/.454, 0.796 OPS, 133 SB/23 CS; 2008: 443 AB, .273/.319/.400, 0.719 OPS, 25 SB/7 CS)
2. 2B Ian Kinsler, R [26] (3yr: 1424 AB, .290/.360/.473, 0.833 OPS, 52 HR, 60 SB/8 CS; 2008: 518 AB, .319/.375/.517, 0.892 OPS, 18 HR, 26 SB/2 CS)
3. 3B Aramis Ramirez, R [30] (3yr: 1654 AB, .296/.366/.543, 0.909 OPS, 91 HR; 2008: 554 AB, .289/.380/.518, 0.898 OPS, 27 HR)
4. 1B David Ortiz, L [33] (3yr: 1523 AB, .297/.413/.596, 1.009 OPS, 112 HR; 2008: 416 AB, .264/.369/.507, 0.876 OPS, 23 HR)
5. C Geovany Soto, R [25] (3yr: 573 AB, .291/.365/.508, 0.873 OPS, 26 HR); 2008: 494 AB, .285/.364/.504, 0.868 OPS, 23 HR)
6. SS Troy Tulowitzki, R [24] (3 yr: 1082 AB, .276/.346/.435, 0.781 OPS, 33 HR;2008: 337 AB, .263/.332/.401, 0.732 OPS)
7. RF Hideki Matsui, L [34] (3 yr: 1056 AB, .291/.372/.469, 0.841 OPS, 42 HR;2008: 337 AB, .294/.370/.424, 0.794 OPS)
8. CF Hunter Pence, R [25] (3 yr: 1051 AB, .292/.336/.498, 0.834 OPS, 42 HR; 2008: 595 AB, .269/.318/.466, 0.783 OPS, 25 HR)
Bench
UT Jerry Hairston Jr, R [32]
CF Scott Hairston, R [28]
C J.P. Arencibia, R [21]
CF Gregor Blanco, L [24]
1B/OF Joe Mather, R [26]
Sure, a lot of my guys were hurt and some had down seasons from 2007, but Jody Gerut played in 100 G this year, his first MLB action since 2005 (and has just 65 AB vs LHP since 2005) is slotted in Philly's 3-spot. Not a bad overall lineup (Berkman will have the best 09 proj. of any hitter on either team), but there are 2 platoons and the #8 hitter had an OBP under .300 last season. My team had their struggles for sure, but other than having "professional hitter" Matt Stairs on the bench, I'm not sure what your reasoning would be there over my team.
2023 GM Totals: 1780 W - 1460 L | 0.549 wpct | 89-73 (avg 162 G record)
(Hope this is what you're looking for)
Pretty cold right there Z. I actually like my roster going into this year better than I did the last two years, and I won 100 games both of those years. What you're badly missing is that I'm in a terrific pitchers park and will likely get VG defense in all three OF spots and 2B, and maybe 3B if Bill Hall get's his ZIPS projection (I'm kidding of course). I was victimized last year by a couple of lame projections, the biggest one being that they gave Randy Winn no speed. Last year he stole 25 bases in 27 attempts, so that shouldn't be a problem this year. Between Winn, Lewis, Cameron, and Ellis I'll have speed in the lineup for the first time in awhile, and with Davis cleaning up I'll have a legitimate masher for the first time since Frank Thomas died. The names are less sexy, but I bet I'll end up with one of the top 5 bullpens in the league next year. I've also got arguably 6 top 100 prospects floating around the system in Holland, Posey, Stanton, Inoa, Villalona, and three who will probably be on the list next year in Michael Taylor, Travis d'Arnaud (seriously, my catching depth is going to be absurd and its by design, just wait until Sebastian Valle hits full-season ball) and Tim Melville, exactly how much more talent do I need to acquire for all my useful major league pieces in their primes? I've also had one of the best interleague records in the league the last couple of years. I really don't see an argument that puts me behind all those NL teams. Seattle (sorry Ropers), and though Harden/Santana is one of the best one-two punches in the league the back of the rotation likely won't be as strong as mine and the bullpen is worse, plus I think I'd take my lineup, especially as you've failed to factor in the sim stud or two I'm likely to turn up. When they post my third pennant in my manager profile this ranking will get cut and pasted.
As far as the top rankings go, I'm not sure where you found that magical rotation depth in Toronto. I see Santana, then I see Smoltz (who won't be back until May if at all), then I see Duke, who may or may not be ready to go this year, then I see Sonnanstine, who's 102 ERA+ from last year is counterbalanced by a 77 figure from 2007. Then there's Wake, who's been nicely average the last few years. It's a fine rotation, but really what blows my mind is your claim that 38 year old Paul Byrd (4.60 ERA, 4.1 K/9), Ian Snell (7-12 5.42 ERA 1.76 WHIP) and Jose Contreras one year removed from a 10-17 5.57 gem of a season would be battling it out to be the third starter in a good IBC rotation.
My major quibble with your top 5 is San Francisco. Simply put, no way San Francisco is ahead of St. Louis, Pittsburgh, or Detroit. I have a hard time seeing them ahead of San Diego on paper. As far as the top 10 goes, you were right in your initial instinct on Philly, they might take the NL East, but that's the only division that's going to be able to compete with us in the AL West for worst division in the IBC. They belong in the mid teens around Texas.
OK, there's some discussion points. We've got a long offseason to bitch
Pretty cold right there Z. I actually like my roster going into this year better than I did the last two years, and I won 100 games both of those years. What you're badly missing is that I'm in a terrific pitchers park and will likely get VG defense in all three OF spots and 2B, and maybe 3B if Bill Hall get's his ZIPS projection (I'm kidding of course). I was victimized last year by a couple of lame projections, the biggest one being that they gave Randy Winn no speed. Last year he stole 25 bases in 27 attempts, so that shouldn't be a problem this year. Between Winn, Lewis, Cameron, and Ellis I'll have speed in the lineup for the first time in awhile, and with Davis cleaning up I'll have a legitimate masher for the first time since Frank Thomas died. The names are less sexy, but I bet I'll end up with one of the top 5 bullpens in the league next year. I've also got arguably 6 top 100 prospects floating around the system in Holland, Posey, Stanton, Inoa, Villalona, and three who will probably be on the list next year in Michael Taylor, Travis d'Arnaud (seriously, my catching depth is going to be absurd and its by design, just wait until Sebastian Valle hits full-season ball) and Tim Melville, exactly how much more talent do I need to acquire for all my useful major league pieces in their primes? I've also had one of the best interleague records in the league the last couple of years. I really don't see an argument that puts me behind all those NL teams. Seattle (sorry Ropers), and though Harden/Santana is one of the best one-two punches in the league the back of the rotation likely won't be as strong as mine and the bullpen is worse, plus I think I'd take my lineup, especially as you've failed to factor in the sim stud or two I'm likely to turn up. When they post my third pennant in my manager profile this ranking will get cut and pasted.
As far as the top rankings go, I'm not sure where you found that magical rotation depth in Toronto. I see Santana, then I see Smoltz (who won't be back until May if at all), then I see Duke, who may or may not be ready to go this year, then I see Sonnanstine, who's 102 ERA+ from last year is counterbalanced by a 77 figure from 2007. Then there's Wake, who's been nicely average the last few years. It's a fine rotation, but really what blows my mind is your claim that 38 year old Paul Byrd (4.60 ERA, 4.1 K/9), Ian Snell (7-12 5.42 ERA 1.76 WHIP) and Jose Contreras one year removed from a 10-17 5.57 gem of a season would be battling it out to be the third starter in a good IBC rotation.
My major quibble with your top 5 is San Francisco. Simply put, no way San Francisco is ahead of St. Louis, Pittsburgh, or Detroit. I have a hard time seeing them ahead of San Diego on paper. As far as the top 10 goes, you were right in your initial instinct on Philly, they might take the NL East, but that's the only division that's going to be able to compete with us in the AL West for worst division in the IBC. They belong in the mid teens around Texas.
OK, there's some discussion points. We've got a long offseason to bitch
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Yankees
- Posts: 4663
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- Location: Fulshear, TX
- Name: Brett Zalaski
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I love it - great job Jake...
When I get a little while today, I'll respond - but that's what I'm looking for - I wish everyone would come back like that...
On first blush I'm not talking about the strength of an organization as a whole. I'm talking about how good you'll be in 2009 - and saying that Randy Winn will be faster and you have more better prospects does not sell me on 2009 success - especially when you have a rotation ace with a 4.55 era last year, and a three split of 4.55/4.33/3.91 - that's a pretty steep regression from an ace. Your rotation is banking on Godsend sim's - and I'm not sure you're getting Cy Difelice again...so my eggs are in the Texas basket in the West.
When I get a little while today, I'll respond - but that's what I'm looking for - I wish everyone would come back like that...
On first blush I'm not talking about the strength of an organization as a whole. I'm talking about how good you'll be in 2009 - and saying that Randy Winn will be faster and you have more better prospects does not sell me on 2009 success - especially when you have a rotation ace with a 4.55 era last year, and a three split of 4.55/4.33/3.91 - that's a pretty steep regression from an ace. Your rotation is banking on Godsend sim's - and I'm not sure you're getting Cy Difelice again...so my eggs are in the Texas basket in the West.
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Padres
- Site Admin
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- Joined: Sat May 13, 2006 1:00 am
- Location: Wells, Maine
- Name: Jim Berger
As far as the 2009 IBC Mets go there is not a lot to quibble with in this review. It has been fun assembling this team around pitching and defense and I am not done yet. Quite honestly, 2011 appears to be the year this roster should really mature in the IBC ... meanwhile I will hoping for that miracle while submitting various line-ups trying to play to my team's strengths against my respective opponent's weaknesses. Looks like you got the Mets fighting for 3rd place in the NLE behind the Phillies and Marlins ... sounds about right though I would have reversed the order ahead of me. I also think this is a year that the NLE will have a team advance in the playoffs ...Royals wrote:20-16: Getting warmer, but probably only lukewarm...17. Mets: There is a disgusting amount of talent on this team. Unfortunately they are going to be relying on a lot of help from the sim Gods. Why are they 17? They have just as much 2009 talent as the rest in this grouping, can win the division if a miracle happens, and will be very very strong in 2010. Great job bringing this team around Jim, in a pretty short period of time.
Moreover, I appreciate you taking the time to do this and get this league discussion going. I personally would have put the Tigers and D-Backs a bit higher in the overall preseason picks but I understand your reasoning for not doing so ...
Thanks again! BTW - it looks like Patti got our router situation squared away so the Mets should be available for lots of HtH play this season.
