AL East Preview [Forum Archive]

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AL East Preview

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Posted by: min0 lee

By BILL MADDEN
After more than a decade of Yankees-Red Sox dominance, there is another super power looming in the nuclear American League East - the suddenly flush-with-money Toronto Blue Jays.

A spectacular spending spree, in which the Jays doled out more than $100 million in free agent contracts for starter A.J. Burnett, closer B.J. Ryan and catcher Benjii Molina while acquiring third baseman Troy Glaus and his $45.3 million contract and extending ace righthander Roy Halladay for another $40 million through 2010, had heads spinning throughout baseball this winter. "Now," as Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi says, "comes the fun part."
There is no question the additions of Burnett, Ryan, Molina, Glaus and first baseman Lyle Overbay have dramatically improved the Blue Jays (80-82 in '05), at least on paper. Whether they are truly ready to play with the big boys will depend on a number of factors. Neither Burnett (who's had a history of arm injuries) nor Ryan (who's only had one full year of closing) has any postseason experience and it remains to be seen what kind of pennant-race pitchers they can be. What can be expected from the rotation after Halladay, Burnett and lefty Gustavo Chacin? Lefty Ted Lilly (10-11, 5.56 last year) had a rocky spring while control master Josh Towers (112 strikeouts, 29 walks in '05), needs to build on his breakthrough 13-win season.
And until proven otherwise, the Yankees have to be regarded as the team to beat in the division, having secured Johnny Damon to lead off the most formidable lineup in all of baseball. As GM Brian Cashman puts it, "That's a double win for us because it takes him away from the Red Sox." The Yankees' other key offseason moves may well pay equal dividends - the signings of righty set-up men, Kyle Farnsworth and Octavio Dotel and lefty specialist Mike Myers to fortify the bullpen in front of Mariano Rivera, who is still the primary difference-maker in this division. Indeed, offense and the bullpen should not be problems for the Yankees. But their creaky starting rotation, headed by 41-year-old Randy Johnson and 37-year-old Mike Mussina, is going to need a lot more contribution from last year's expensive, oft-injured free agent busts Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright if the Yanks are to live up to George Steinbrenner's $200 million expectations.
By contrast, the Red Sox appear to have a wealth of starting pitching with ex-Marlins ace Josh Beckett joining veteran holdovers Curt Schilling, Tim Wakefield, Matt Clement and David Wells. Highly regarded rookie Jonathan Papelbon will be there too if he is not asked to try his hand at closing. There's also lefty Jon Lester, another highly regarded rookie, waiting in the wings in Triple A. It's in the bullpen where the Red Sox have major questions. They're banking on Keith Foulke's knees holding up and that may be asking too much. If not Foulke, the Sox's closer options are all problematic: veteran Mike Timlin is much better suited as a set-up man, rookie Craig Hansen isn't ready, and scouts seem to agree Papelbon needs to stay a starter. The Sox did add two more capable set-up relievers in Rudy Seanez and Julian Tavarez. Their most important offseason acquisition, however, was Coco Crisp, a 16-homer, 15-steals, outfielder with the Indians last year, who is being counted on to more-than-adequately replace Damon in center field and as a top-of-the-lineup table-setter for Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz & Co. The Red Sox are also breaking in an entirely new infield. There is, however, concern that first baseman J.T. Snow, second baseman Mark Loretta and third baseman Mike Lowell are all past their prime while shortstop Alex Gonzalez provides little offense. All of this makes the Red Sox a real curiosity. If Foulke (or someone) solidifies the closer role, and Crisp emerges as an impact player, and the infield jells, they could be quite formidable. If any one of those things doesn't happen, they could be staying home in October for the first time since 2002.
In any case, the AL East at least figures to be a three-team race, which will be refreshing unless you're a fan in either Baltimore and Tampa Bay where long, hot summers have become a depressing ritual. Sammy Perlozzo went from interim to fulltime manager of the Orioles over the winter, but that can hardly be viewed as a reward. The additions of Kris Benson to the starting rotation, LaTroy Hawkins to the bullpen, Ramon Hernandez at catcher and Corey Patterson in center field do not figure to make much difference for the O's, who collapsed to 74-88 last year and after a winning first half. And in Tampa Bay, where ex-Angels bench coach Joe Maddon has replaced Lou Piniella as manager, the diversified speed and power lineup should score a lot of runs, but not nearly enough to offset a threadbare (quality-wise) staff made worse by the trading of closer Danys Baez to the Dodgers.
Predicted Finish
Yankees 98-64
Blue Jays 92-70
Red Sox 88-74
Orioles 70-92
Devil Rays 61-101

Jesse Spector's Capsule Preview

TORONTO BLUE JAYS
LAST YEAR: 80-82, third place
GOING, GOING, GONE: Miguel Batista (D-Backs), Dave Bush (Brewers), Bubbie Buzachero (Indians), Chad Gaudin (Athletics), Gabe Gross (Brewers), Orlando Hudson (D-Backs), Zach Jackson (Brewers), Corey Koskie (Brewers).
FRESH BLOOD: James Bladwin, A.J. Burnett, Troy Glaus, Wayne Lydon, Mike Mahoney, John McDonald, Bengie Molina, Lyle Overbay, Jason Phillips, B.J. Ryan, Sergio Santos, Brian Talent, Ben Weber.
THE BATS: While Eric Hinske has never lived up to the promise he showed in winning Rookie of the Year honors in 2002, it's hard to believe that he doesn't have an everyday position. Yet the Blue Jays have a strong enough order to force Hinske into shuttling between first base, right field and DH. Glaus and Overbay join Shea Hillenbrand and Vernon Wells to form a dangerous group in the middle of the order. The Jays had enough faith in Aaron Hill to trade Hudson.
THE ARMS: The Blue Jays overpaid for Ryan and Burnett, but knew they did. And if it brings a championship north of the border, it won't be overpaying. "The pitching's pretty good," one GM said. "If (Roy) Halladay stays healthy, if Burnett can reach his potential with (Gustavo) Chacin and (Ted) Lilly ... Burnett might break through. He might be ready to hit it good." That's a lot of ifs and mights, and Burnett does have a fragile elbow, but it does have a good chance of all coming together.
UP-AND-COMER: Dustin McGowan, 24, was 1-3 with a 6.35 ERA in 13 major league games last season, but didn't allow an earned run in his last five appearances. Not coincidentally, the hard-throwing righthander didn't allow any walks in those games.
HERE'S THE PITCH: For the first time in years, expectations are high in Toronto. "They're going to win more games than they did last year," one GM said. "I think they're going to challenge Boston and New York." That may very well be, but all of the moves that GM J.P. Ricciardi made over the winter will have to work out if the Blue Jays are to reach the playoffs for the first time since their 1993 championship.
BOSTON RED SOX
LAST YEAR: 95-67, tied for first place, lost to White Sox in first round
GOING, GOING, GONE: Bronson Arroyo (Reds), Chad Bradford (Mets), Johnny Damon (Yankees), Jesus Delgado (Marlins), John Flaherty (retired), Chad Harville (Devil Rays), Adam Hyzdu (Rangers), Matt Mantei (Tigers), Andy Marte (Indians), Kevin Millar (Orioles), Wade Miller (Cubs), Doug Mirabelli (Padres), Guillermo Mota (Indians), Bill Mueller (Dodgers), Mike Myers (Yankees), John Olerud (retired), Matt Perisho (Mets), Hanley Ramirez (Marlins), Edgar Renteria (Braves), Mike Stanton (Nationals).
FRESH BLOOD: Josh Beckett, Coco Crisp, Trent Durrington, Alex Gonzalez, Willie Harris, Mark Loretta, Mike Lowell, Dustan Mohr, Wily Mo Pena, David Riske, Rudy Seanez, J.T. Snow, Julian Tavarez, Jermaine Van Buren.
THE BATS: With David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez providing their usual thunder, the question lies in whether Crisp (.300 with 16 homers and 15 stolen bases last season) can replace Damon at the top of the order. Picking up Pena in spring training, though, may have been the Sox's best move of the offseason: Reds GM Wayne Krivsky said before trading the outfielder that "he's got as much raw talent as anyone for hitting the baseball a long way."
THE ARMS: If Curt Schilling, Beckett and David Wells are at the top of their games, the Sox have as good a rotation as anyone. But Schilling made only 11 starts, Beckett has a history of injuries and Wells will be 43 in May. Jonathan Papelbon provides insurance, and Boston has Craig Hansen in Triple-A to do the same in the bullpen, where Keith Foulke's 2005 season was marred by injury and ineffectiveness.
UP-AND-COMER: Papelbon is already in the majors, but Boston's brightest pitching prospect may be 22-year-old Jon Lester, who was 11-6 with a 2.61 ERA and 163 strikeouts in 148.1 innings at Double-A Portland last season.
HERE'S THE PITCH: Schilling has some greatness left, the Sox have a lot of talent and they'll win plenty of games. Somehow they have lost that championship feeling.
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
LAST YEAR: 74-88, fourth place
GOING, GOING, GONE: Kurt Ainsworth (Dodgers), James Baldwin (Blue Jays), Eric Byrnes (Diamondbacks), Bernie Castro (Nationals), Sal Fasano, (Phillies), Jason Grimsley (Diamondbacks), Jorge Julio (Mets), Steve Kline (Giants), John Maine (Mets), Eli Marrero (Rockies), Rafael Palmeiro, B.J. Ryan (Blue Jays), Sammy Sosa, B.J. Surhoff.
FRESH BLOOD: Kris Benson, Jim Brower, Jeff Conine, Vic Darnesbourg, John Halama, LaTroy Hawkins, Ramon Hernandez, Luis Lopez, Kevin Millar, Corey Patterson, Desi Relaford, Tyler Yates.
THE BATS: Like many things about Baltimore, the lineup would look pretty darn good if it weren't for Boston and New York. Patterson should benefit from a change of scenery, while Hernandez stands to improve after leaving San Diego's spacious park. Moving Javy Lopez out from behind the plate should also help rejuvenate his bat, while moving Sosa should be addition by subtraction. Miguel Tejada remains one of the best hitters in the game - despite a lower-than-usual homer total last season, he posted the second-highest slugging percentage (.515) of his career.
THE ARMS: Rodrigo Lopez was 14-9 with a 4.71 ERA against everyone but the Yankees. Against the Bombers, he was 1-3 with a 6.18 ERA in five starts. That's not what you want from an ace, but Lopez remains Baltimore's top gun. New pitching coach Leo Mazzone will try to work his magic, and this will be a good test of his skills - nobody on the staff is close to John Smoltz.
UP-AND-COMER: Between Single-A and Double-A last season, 22-year-old outfielder Nick Markakis hit .310 with 15 homers and 92 RBI. "I don't know if he's going to get a chance," one GM said. "But he's a pretty good hitter."
HERE'S THE PITCH: The Orioles will be a better team than their record will suggest, simply because they play so many games against some of baseball's best. If Baltimore finishes higher than fourth place, the season will be a major success.
TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS
LAST YEAR: 67-95, last place
GOING, GOING, GONE: Roberto Alomar, Danys Baez (Dodgers), Danny Bautista, Joe Borowski (Marlins), Dewon Brazelton (Padres), Lance Carter (Dodgers), Alex Gonzalez (Phillies), Pete Laforest (Padres), Trever Miller (Astros), Eduardo Perez (Indians).
FRESH BLOOD: Russell Branyan, Sean Burroughs, Shawn Camp, Wayne Franklin, Chad Harville, Edwin Jackson, Dan Miceli, Shinji Mori, Josh Paul, Ty Wigginton.
THE BATS: The Devil Rays didn't make any significant moves to upgrade their lineup over the winter, but if Rocco Baldelli is healthy, it would be the equivalent of one. Still just 24, Baldelli's mix of power and speed should be a boost in the middle of the order. Jorge Cantu, also 24, drove in 117 runs last year. So, while it's a young lineup, don't be fooled into thinking that the Devil Rays can't put runs on the board, especially with Carl Crawford an Julio Lugo at the top of the order, running wild on the basepaths.
THE ARMS: Tampa Bay's staff nearly drove Lou Piniella nuts, and could do the same for new manager Joe Maddon. There is one exception, and Mets fans already know who it is. "How about Scott Kazmir?" one GM said when asked for an AL player poised for a breakout year. "He's a young guy who hasn't had the impact yet that he's going to have. He surely could do it." Kazmir issued 100 walks in 186 innings - if he can rein in his control, he could emerge as an ace. Don't ask about the rest of the rotation. Or the bullpen. It's not pretty.
UP-AND-COMER: Delmon Young, 20, hit .336 with 20 homers in 84 games at Double-A, then .285 with six more homers in 52 games at Triple-A. He'll start the season in Triple-A, but don't be surprised to see him in the majors soon. HERE'S THE PITCH: In eight seasons, the Devil Rays have finished out of last place just once. Predicting anything else would be foolhardy, but Tampa Bay's mix of a young, talented lineup and a near-total lack of pitching will lead to a lot of exciting games.

Originally published on March 30, 2006

The Red Sox hope Coco Crisp got milk in the form of a World Series title.

Posted by: shiznit2169

Blue Jays 2nd?

They do well the first 2-3 months and "look" like they can be a potential playoff team and then they just suddenly fall apart. Same with the Orioles. Hot start last year and completely lost it.

Posted by: soxmuscle

This guy is a clown.

The Jays will not finish anywhere above third, and they'll be lucky to finish there.

The Yankees winning 98 games? With that pitching staff?

Ugly...

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by soxmuscle

This guy is a clown.

The Jays will not finish anywhere above third, and they'll be lucky to finish there.

The Yankees winning 98 games? With that pitching staff?

Ugly...

I don't agree with what he says all the time but he has been covering these games for a while now, don't be suprised if he's right.

A few years ago he made this crazy remark about Boston finally beating the Yanks and I started rolling...imagine that, the Bosox finally beating the Yanks.....when pigs fly I say.

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

The Yankees winning 98 games? With that pitching staff?

They will suprise you, watch them. I think Randy will again be Randy. Mussina is getting very old fast and he is in his final year of his contract...lets see.

I believe Damon is going to give this team a spark.

Posted by: min0 lee

Pavano will be a big bust.....no suprise there.

Posted by: I Are Baboon

Hmmm. Interesting.

Personally, I don't see the Red Sox winning less than 93-94 games.

Posted by: tucker01

Yeah as much as I hope, I would be suprised to see the Jays challenge the Yanks or for that matter a playoff spot. With that said, if the bats can stay hot like they did the beginning of last year, there could be some high hopes.

And as to last year the Jays choking.... they were in the playoff race until august when injury woes (main one losing Halliday) really deflated any chances

Unfortunately, I see the Yanks as the cream of the crop in the AL east

Posted by: Triple Threat

Quote:

Originally Posted by min0 lee

Pavano will be a big bust.....no suprise there.

What did he have, one good year before the Yankees signed him? He's got a losing record for his career.

What amazes me is that they seem to be counting on Jaret Wright so much. His career record is 57-50 with a 5.17 ERA. Maybe he'll surprise everyone, but I'm not counting on it.

Posted by: I Are Baboon

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple Threat

What did he have, one good year before the Yankees signed him? He's got a losing record for his career.

He had one solid season with the Marlins and cashed in on it. He's always been injury prone. He could be a good pitcher if he could stay healthy. That's a huge IF though. I'm glad that's one bidding war the Red Sox lost.

Posted by: soxmuscle

The Jays finishing ahead of the Red Sox is obscurd. This '06 squad is a more talented team than the '04 squad that one it all.

Talent, on paper, doesn't always equate to winning, but the comraderie of this club seems pretty darn similar.

The Red Sox will overcome the Yankees this year, and the Jays, with Burnett and Chacin starting the year on the DL, will finish no better than third.

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by soxmuscle

The Jays finishing ahead of the Red Sox is obscurd. This '06 squad is a more talented team than the '04 squad that one it all.

Talent, on paper, doesn't always equate to winning, but the comraderie of this club seems pretty darn similar.

The '04 team was a special team, they had balls, talent, charisma......they had what it took to shake off the losing mentality.
Let's see how they do this year, they may be good but I don't think they are better than the '04 team.

I can see Varitec (sp) calling out some of the new guys......

Posted by: Goodfella9783

Quote:

Originally Posted by min0 lee

I can see Varitec (sp) calling out some of the new guys......

I see Varitek scoring a 2nd round KO over Gay-Rod

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goodfella9783

I see Varitek scoring a 2nd round KO over Gay-Rod

And I hope he makes a man out of ARod.

I am a big Varitek fan, unfortunatly he plays for that "team" .
Maybe the Boss will get him for us this Christmas.

Posted by: Goodfella9783

Quote:

Originally Posted by min0 lee

And I hope he makes a man out of ARod.

I am a big Varitek fan, unfortunatly he plays for that "team" .
Maybe the Boss will get him for us this Christmas.

haha No way! I'd never see Varitek going to the Yankees, regardless of the amount of money they'd throw at him. Unlike Damon, Varitek actually has a heart in his chest and wouldn't do that to Boston fans. I really can't see Tek in any other uniform.

Posted by: soxmuscle

Varitek is human, he's all about the money too, but he's already locked up for a long time, so theres nothing to worry about there.

The Yankees might get him three years from now when he's a free agent, but picking up Red Sox at the tailspin of there career isn't something that upsets me. The Cubs did it for years, and they were horrible.

Posted by: I Are Baboon

'Tek is THE MAN. From what I hear, he wouldn't even acknowledge A-Rod during the World Baseball Classic. A reporter asked him what he thought of A-Rod flip-flopping on what team to play for then choosing the US, and Varitek just said "No comment."

Posted by: Triple Threat

Check out this inning summary from the Boston-Baltimore game tonight. It reminds me of Little League where the kids finally get to pitch.

Top 1st: Boston
- C. Crisp reached on bunt single to pitcher
- M. Loretta walked, C. Crisp to second
- D. Ortiz walked, C. Crisp to third, M. Loretta to second
- M. Ramirez walked, C. Crisp scored, M. Loretta to third, D. Ortiz to second
- T. Nixon struck out swinging
- J. Varitek walked, M. Loretta scored, D. Ortiz to third, M. Ramirez to second
- M. Lowell walked, D. Ortiz scored, M. Ramirez to third, J. Varitek to second
- K. Youkilis hit sacrifice fly to deep right, M. Ramirez scored, J. Varitek to third
- A. Gonzalez walked, M. Lowell to second
- C. Crisp fouled out to catcher

4 runs, 1 hits, 0 errors
Boston 4, Baltimore 0

Posted by: Goodfella9783

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple Threat

Check out this inning summary from the Boston-Baltimore game tonight. It reminds me of Little League where the kids finally get to pitch.

Top 1st: Boston
- C. Crisp reached on bunt single to pitcher
- M. Loretta walked, C. Crisp to second
- D. Ortiz walked, C. Crisp to third, M. Loretta to second
- M. Ramirez walked, C. Crisp scored, M. Loretta to third, D. Ortiz to second
- T. Nixon struck out swinging
- J. Varitek walked, M. Loretta scored, D. Ortiz to third, M. Ramirez to second
- M. Lowell walked, D. Ortiz scored, M. Ramirez to third, J. Varitek to second
- K. Youkilis hit sacrifice fly to deep right, M. Ramirez scored, J. Varitek to third
- A. Gonzalez walked, M. Lowell to second
- C. Crisp fouled out to catcher

4 runs, 1 hits, 0 errors
Boston 4, Baltimore 0

Yeah this is getting ridiculous...DuBose just came on and walked the first person he faced. They're gonna set a record.

Posted by: tucker01

Bump

LOL

Posted by: I Are Baboon

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Are Baboon

Personally, I don't see the Red Sox winning less than 93-94 games.

What a homo.

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by shiznit2169

Blue Jays 2nd?

They do well the first 2-3 months and "look" like they can be a potential playoff team and then they just suddenly fall apart. Same with the Orioles. Hot start last year and completely lost it.

NY Yankees8656

Boston7667

Toronto7569

Quote:

Predicted Finish
Yankees 98-64
Blue Jays 92-70
Red Sox 88-74
Orioles 70-92
Devil Rays 61-101

He's getting close.

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Are Baboon

What a homo.

Maybe that poster is really a soccer fan.

Posted by: Triple Threat

Big series coming up in the Bronx this weekend.

It's the final series between the Yankees and the Red Sox - a battle for first place.

Posted by: Triple Threat

What's the difference between a Yankee hot dog and a Fenway Frank?

You can't buy a Fenway Frank in October

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple Threat

What's the difference between a Yankee hot dog and a Fenway Frank?

You can't buy a Fenway Frank in October

Yankees serve wienners?

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple Threat

Big series coming up in the Bronx this weekend.

It's the final series between the Yankees and the Red Sox - a battle for first place.

I want them to pound on them, beat them dead

Posted by: Triple Threat

Quote:

Originally Posted by min0 lee

Yankees serve wienners?

CTRL A is your friend.

Posted by: I Are Baboon

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple Threat

What's the difference between a Yankee hot dog and a Fenway Frank?

You can't buy a Fenway Frank in October

Derek Jeter freezes Yankee dogs and stuffs them up his butt?

Posted by: tucker01

Get is right Arod freezes the Yankee dogs and shoves them up Jeters but.

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Are Baboon

Derek Jeter freezes Yankee dogs and stuffs them up his butt?

Quote:

Originally Posted by IainDaniel

Get is right Arod freezes the Yankee dogs and shoves them up Jeters but.

I just love the sight of leaves changing colors and the sound of disguntled fans in autumn .

Posted by: Triple Threat

Here's a great stat line from tonight's Balt-Det baseball game.

Balt pitcher Hayden Penn, 3 and two-thirds IP, 7 ER, which actually lowered his ERA from 36.82 to 27.00

Posted by: min0 lee

I guess the coaching change helped Baltimore a lot.

Posted by: boilermaker

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple Threat

Here's a great stat line from tonight's Balt-Det baseball game.

Balt pitcher Hayden Penn, 3 and two-thirds IP, 7 ER, which actually lowered his ERA from 36.82 to 27.00

He looked solid through 3. It was the last 2/3 that got him

Posted by: boilermaker

Damn, it would be nice to see the BoSox take 4 from the Yanks and reopen the door for the Tiger's home field advantage quest.

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by boilermaker

Damn, it would be nice to see the BoSox take 4 from the Yanks and reopen the door for the Tiger's home field advantage quest.

No!

Posted by: Triple Threat

Quote:

Originally Posted by boilermaker

Damn, it would be nice to see the BoSox take 4 from the Yanks and reopen the door for the Tiger's home field advantage quest.

Game 1

Posted by: boilermaker

Quote:

Originally Posted by min0 lee

No!

Yes!, Yes!

Posted by: boilermaker

Quote:

Originally Posted by boilermaker

Yes!, Yes!

Yes!, No!, ?, ?

Posted by: Triple Threat

Big showdown in Toronto this weekend with Red Sox vs Blue Jays for the bragging rights to be Number 2.

Be still my beating heart.

Posted by: I Are Baboon

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple Threat

Big showdown in Toronto this weekend with Red Sox vs Blue Jays for the bragging rights to be Number 2.

Be still my beating heart.

I dunno...part of me wants the Sox to lose because if they finish third, ownership will feel even more pressure to make some big moves this off season...not that they need any more pressure.

Posted by: Triple Threat

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Are Baboon

I dunno...part of me wants the Sox to lose because if they finish third, ownership will feel even more pressure to make some big moves this off season...not that they need any more pressure.

I think finishing out of the playoffs will be enough pressure to make them attempt to do something this winter. They'll probably be looking at free-agent closers so that Papelbon can be moved to the starting rotation. They'll also have to decide what to do with Crisp. He wasn't terrible, but I don't think he produced the way the Sox were hoping for.

Posted by: Triple Threat

Quote:

Originally Posted by shiznit2169

Blue Jays 2nd?

You were making a prediction, right?

Posted by: Triple Threat

Quote:

Originally Posted by soxmuscle

This guy is a clown.

The Jays will not finish anywhere above third, and they'll be lucky to finish there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by soxmuscle

The Yankees winning 98 games? With that pitching staff?

Ugly...

Well, you got one out of two right. The Yankees won only 97.

Posted by: Triple Threat

Quote:

Originally Posted by IainDaniel

I see the Yanks as the cream of the crop in the AL east

Posted by: Triple Threat

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple Threat

What's the difference between a Yankee hot dog and a Fenway Frank?

For those of you who couldn't figure it out:

You can't buy a Fenway Frank in October.

Posted by: Triple Threat

Quote:

Predicted Finish by Bill Madden
Yankees 98-64
Blue Jays 92-70
Red Sox 88-74
Orioles 70-92
Devil Rays 61-101

Actual
Yankees 97-65
Blue Jays 87-75
Red Sox 86-76
Orioles 70-92
Devil Rays 61-101

Pretty damn good.

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by soxmuscle

This guy is a clown.

The Jays will not finish anywhere above third, and they'll be lucky to finish there.

The Yankees winning 98 games? With that pitching staff?

Ugly...

Please print this and eat....don't worry.....it low on calories.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple Threat

Actual
Yankees 97-65
Blue Jays 87-75
Red Sox 86-76
Orioles 70-92
Devil Rays 61-101

Pretty damn good.

It's amazing how close he was.
I have been reading his column for years and in my honest opinion he's one of the best.
I have been reading about baseball for the past 30 years....from Dick Young to Phil Pepe and he's one of the few who I believe.

He's a great writer but on Television he is pretty bad, he tends to stutter a lot which is a shame.

Posted by: min0 lee

What paper do you read TT? Do you get the Daily news?

Posted by: tucker01

If the Jays just could have Won on the Road.

Posted by: Triple Threat

Quote:

Originally Posted by min0 lee

What paper do you read TT? Do you get the Daily news?

min0

I usually do most of my sports reading at yahoo.com and espn.com.
Once in a while I'll read the Providence Journal, but there's too much pro Red Sox material for me. I also watch SportsCenter on ESPN quite a lot.

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