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gatkeri
2004 AL preview
January 15, 2014 at 08:00PM View BBCode
As the Tim Raines League moves into its 55th season, it is time to preview the American League. The TRL still has 2 original owners left from 1950(PHI and CLE), however 12 of the 16 owners have been in the league at least 15 years, which give the league great stability. It was a interesting off-season with plenty of trades(mostly of first round picks) and banter amongst owners(no hard feelings, I hope!). WAS will be out to defend its championship and traded away 2 allstars plus another red-letter player to NY,but picked up a boatload of draft picks. But since most of their starting 8 were young, they improved considerably in the OS and should be counted on as the favorite to win the AL> CHI starting 5 is the best in the league and still have plenty of power so they will make another run at WAS> SEA has some good young arms and a bunch of jackrabbits(12 of 13 hitters with red-letter speed), but need productive seasons from the middle of the lineup to make the playoffs> NY also acquired 42 HR man Roy Stonehand to bat cleanup, but only 2 red-letter pitchers on the entire staff will keep them out of the postseason, but should improve considerably on their 62 wins of 2003>5th place will go to OAK who have a slew of young talent, but need a couple of more years for them to develop. They could be a contender in 2-3 years>BAL's aging bullpen and dearth of power(only 3 red-letter power hitters vs.RHP on the team) will resign them to 6th place.36yo Travis Fryman enters the season with the highest AL career BA(.309) The battle for 7th and 8th will be between MIN(with a new owner) and CLE> MIN lone bright spot this season will be veteran 39yo Phineas Mazerati's drive for 2500 hits. Unfortunately with only 1 red-letter player on aging roster, it will be a challenging rebuild for Chicago13. CLE traded away its 2 red letter players in the offseason, but had 3 of the first 4 picks in the draft and will look to develop them for a run in the future. As for now, the only excitement for fans is when living members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame located in downtown CLE will perform after each Saturday night game. Little Richard, an original inductee will entertain on opening day! It should be an interesting season and good luck to all.
Chicago13
January 15, 2014 at 11:36PM View BBCode
I am looking forward to the rebuild this year. Stocked piled alot of draft picks and minors age is young good for future. But not giving up on this year will make it interesting.
jmalcolm20
January 16, 2014 at 02:35PM View BBCode
Here's hoping that a month long injury for one of those middle of the lineup guys (in the first game of the season!) isn't a harbinger of things to come.
Chicago13
January 16, 2014 at 02:38PM View BBCode
Why have a very young minor system to replace. injuries always a factor but rebuilding is a crap shoot.
DeepThreat
It'll be interesting. I didn't expect to finish above .500 last year. This year, I suspect 75 or so wins is probably more on target unless I get some surprisingly good years out of Humphrey, Daley, and Shoch.
My biggest downside is the aging rotation with Nielsen and Sutko taking hard hits of decline, and my ace the past three years (Dumont) losing enough stamina that he had to be sent to the pen.
It is kind of amazing that a guy who was a low B+ in contact on either side sits tied for 17th with a .309 career BA.
[Edited on 1-16-2014 by DeepThreat]
January 16, 2014 at 11:56PM View BBCode
This same Baltimore team took 4th with 82 wins last year... small miracle there. However, Banta and Powis should make a strong 1-2 combo... and I don't think there will be so many disappointing youngsters this time around. As for the aging pen, that's an issue I've been working around for 5 years now. However, I do think Menze might work his way into the mix some time this year, and Hovlik just might push Lasher back to the pen as well.It'll be interesting. I didn't expect to finish above .500 last year. This year, I suspect 75 or so wins is probably more on target unless I get some surprisingly good years out of Humphrey, Daley, and Shoch.
My biggest downside is the aging rotation with Nielsen and Sutko taking hard hits of decline, and my ace the past three years (Dumont) losing enough stamina that he had to be sent to the pen.
It is kind of amazing that a guy who was a low B+ in contact on either side sits tied for 17th with a .309 career BA.
[Edited on 1-16-2014 by DeepThreat]
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