BASEBALL!

[FiddySicks]

So, this time of year I always start to get a little antsy with the worlds greatest sport less than two weeks from appearing on TV (albeit spring training). Everything from the announcing of live games down to Baseball Tonight gets my fur up. So I figured, with the season so close, what are your interests, concerns, curiosities, ect ect for this upcoming season? Hear are mine.

Im really curious to see just how much of a difference Barry Zito makes to the Giants. I think it can go one of two ways. Either he starts out on fire and lifts that team up, if not to a playoff spot at least back to contention. Or, what I unfortunately feel is more likely. Zito goes out and is typical Zito, but as well the Giants are the typical Giants, and halfway through the season Zito will be wondering why he didnt go with the Mets. I do think Molina will help Zito and the rest of the staff though.

With all the Cardinals lost, and with how they squeaked through last year, is their any chance they can still win the Central? The Brewers, Cubs, and Stos have all gotten a lot better and the Reds could remain hot as well. Anyone else see them fininshing just ahead of the Pirates int he division?

Im concerned to see just what happens if Bonds breaks the HR record. Its obviously not going to be taken well, but just how bad could it really get? Im starting to think the Giats shouldve stayed away from Bonds and let Oakland deal with those problems.

Speaking of Oakland, I cant wait to see what Billy Beane is gonna pull out of his hat to replace Zito. Again hes lost yet another HUGE name player and it looks like an uphill battle but I still think hes probably found a way to pull through and stay competitive.

Im really interested to see if Ryan Howard can return with the kinda success he had last season. For some reason I still dont think he has the ability to be a consistantly good player and could be a one hit wonder. For some reason he just reminds me of Eric Byrnes with power and less range (ok, so its more of result than a physical comparison ). I hope not though.

So is Matsuzaka Boston's version of Hideki Arabu, or is he accually legit?

How long till Boston realizes signing JD Drew was a HUGE mistake?

I have a good feeling that Randy Johnson returns at least some of his previous form in Arizona. The pressure is off and he has nothing to lose. He'll pitch a lot calmer and win quite a few games.

[infrared41]

Baseball is just around the corner and all I can say is THANK GOD!

[BB61]

As far as the league as a whole is concerned, my interest will in other teams will peak once the season starts (especially since I'll have my eye out for fantasy pickups. See what kind of a monster y'all have turned me in to? )

I, however, am really optimistic about the Phillies this year. For the first time in as long as I can remember, I think they've actually made moves to make the team better. There really isn't an outstanding weak point (aside from Mr. Burrell in left field, perhaps), but Gillick went out and made some good pickups in Garcia and Helms, and also retained important pieces of the puzzle by re-signing Rowand and Utley.

What I'm not sure about is the rest of the NL East. Washington may improve a bit, especially since they're getting Patterson back for the beginning of the year. Atlanta will probably finish fourth again, and I wouldn't be surprised the the Marlins are in the hunt at the end of the season. The biggest question will be the Mets... they're always hard to read.

This season should be fun. I just hope that they don't walk Ryan Howard 180 times like they do to Bonds.

[Brendan]

hopefully one of my teams the mariners and blue jays can make the playoffs or atleas be in the race

[CC97]

I'm nervous about our pitching rotation, but I'm looking forward to another season of Blue Jays baseball!

It'll be fun to watch Frank Thomas get his 500th home run, hopefully I'm there when it happens.

[floydnimrod]

I'm nervous about our pitching rotation, but I'm looking forward to another season of Blue Jays baseball!

It'll be fun to watch Frank Thomas get his 500th home run, hopefully I'm there when it happens.

Joe Sheehan of Baseball Prosectus was on ESPNEWS and said that the AL East had 3 of the top 9 teams in MLB.(Boston, New York, Toronto) That's good news for Jays fans.

As for me I can't wait to see the Reds new threads in action

[Telemundo219]

They're ready. Are you?????????

[Braden]

Personally, I'm really excited for this season. It seems like there are more teams that are legit contenders at season's start than usual, and that's always a good sign.

Every team has major hurdles to begin to overcome... and it'll be interesting how they pan out in spring training. Of course my eyes are mainly focusing on the 3-horse race in the AL East.

My big question is what team's gonna be the next 06' Tigers or 05' White Sox... my guess is the D-backs.

[Eye]

I'm nervous about our pitching rotation, but I'm looking forward to another season of Blue Jays baseball!

It'll be fun to watch Frank Thomas get his 500th home run, hopefully I'm there when it happens.

Joe Sheehan of Baseball Prosectus was on ESPNEWS and said that the AL East had 3 of the top 9 teams in MLB.(Boston, New York, Toronto) That's good news for Jays fans.

As for me I can't wait to see the Reds new threads in action

It depends on how you look at it. Are the Blue Jays among the top teams in all of MLB? Absolutely, but they have two other very strong teams in their division. So it's not only good news for the Blue Jays because they have the Yanks and Sox lurking, who throw money around like crazy. I hope Thomsas hits his 500th against the Yankees. I hate those bastards. As for the Indians. I'm very optimistic, but I don't know what to expect. They're kind of schizophrenic. Almost making the playoffs in 2005, greatly underachieving in 2006, who knows what to expect. I think they will do better than last season because they have that much more experience, but with the Tigers, Twins, and White Sox in the division, it will be tough. That's four playoff contenders right there alone, should be a good battle all season, and hopefully the Tribe can come out on top. If they can stay at or near first place all season, maybe they can get hot like they did in 2005 (before burning out and missing the playoffs) and make it this year.

-E.A.R.

[Breakwood]

Matsuzaka is Japanese for Over-rated.

[marlinfan]

I'm really interested in seeing what happens in Milwaukee. The Brewers have been a 'sleeper' team for the last two seasons. I thought they'd win 85 games last season but the injuries to Sheets, Weeks and Hardy really hurt them.

Here in Miami, I'm excited to see what happens in Year 2 of the Beinfest's Science Experiment. I don't believe this team will contend (4th in the East, 3rd at best). Olsen pitched 80 innings over his previous career high and I expect him to have a tough season. The rotation will probably regress some, but I expect the line-up to stay about the same. A healthy Mike Jacobs and Jeremy Hermida should make up for the expected regression of Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla. Cabrera lost about 30 pounds, I can easily see him hitting 35-40 home runs. Any bullpen will be pretty than what we had last year. The Front Office is finally going with young hard throwing arms instead of aging retreads like Matt Herges and Brian Moehler.

My teams to watch:

-Milwaukee

-Texas

-Cleveland

-Arizona

Top 4 teams:

1) Boston

2) Detroit

3) Toronto (that offense, wow)

4) Los Angeles (NL)

[PeytonManningRocks]

I also can't wait for this season.... I'm planning to go to a bunch of Dodger games this summer...hope I can somehow get Dodgers/Giants tickets. It'll be nice to boo Barry Bonds in person!

[kewp80]

Here is my prediction:

1) Weaver lays an egg in Seattle

2) Suppan does the same in Milwaukee

3) Marquis fits right in with the Cubs, lovable losers!

4) Cards new rotation dominates

5) Their lineup dominates...duh!

6) Cards win it all again

HAHA! Can't wait, tickets go on sale Satauday March 3rd at 9:00 AM

[Bronxmet]

I'm nervous about our pitching rotation, but I'm looking forward to another season of Blue Jays baseball!

It'll be fun to watch Frank Thomas get his 500th home run, hopefully I'm there when it happens.

Joe Sheehan of Baseball Prosectus was on ESPNEWS and said that the AL East had 3 of the top 9 teams in MLB.(Boston, New York, Toronto) That's good news for Jays fans.

As for me I can't wait to see the Reds new threads in action

It depends on how you look at it. Are the Blue Jays among the top teams in all of MLB? Absolutely, but they have two other very strong teams in their division. So it's not only good news for the Blue Jays because they have the Yanks and Sox lurking, who throw money around like crazy. I hope Thomsas hits his 500th against the Yankees. I hate those bastards. As for the Indians. I'm very optimistic, but I don't know what to expect. They're kind of schizophrenic. Almost making the playoffs in 2005, greatly underachieving in 2006, who knows what to expect. I think they will do better than last season because they have that much more experience, but with the Tigers, Twins, and White Sox in the division, it will be tough. That's four playoff contenders right there alone, should be a good battle all season, and hopefully the Tribe can come out on top. If they can stay at or near first place all season, maybe they can get hot like they did in 2005 (before burning out and missing the playoffs) and make it this year.

-E.A.R.

First of all, the Jays are not gonna be one of the best teams this year because of their lack of pitching depth.

As for the NL Central, the Brewers are a real sleeper team. If everyone stays healthy, watch out. The Cubs are not gonna make it! With all of their acquisitions, they will always be the lovable losers.

[Suigi]

Let's just remember, the start of a baseball season is meant to be one of boundless optimism and hope for the 162 (and possibly more) games ahead.

Let's not bring people crashing down to earth until AFTER spring training, ok?

Go Jays.

Go Everyone.

[KevinMcD]

I was really hopeful for the O's this season but after Benson has a rotator cuff injury and out for the year I don't know if we can really compete, but anyways GO O's!

[Guest]

Let's just remember, the start of a baseball season is meant to be one of boundless optimism and hope for the 162 (and possibly more) games ahead.

I agree with you 110%. Too bad I'm a Cubs fan.

Um, if Baltimore can never get in the hunt this year, it will not be because you lost Kris Benson.

[kewp80]

Every year it seems like the Brewers are over rated, and every year it seems like no one thinks the Cards will win the central. Everyone said the Cards winning the WS was a fluke, wejust want some respect!

[Guest]

"We just want respect! Respeeeeeeect!" Please don't act like a Patriots fan. Please. I'm a Cubs fan and I have nothing but admiration (and sinful jealousy) for how Jocketty and La Russa inexplicably assemble and run such good teams year after year. You've won the Central three years running, two out of three pennants, and a world championship. Who is "disrespecting" or claiming that they're not the frontrunners for the Central? They're idiots; of course the Cards are the favorites. Anyway, I believe you're wanted in Boston. Someone just said Tom Brady isn't the greatest quarterback in history.

[CC97]

First of all, the Jays are not gonna be one of the best teams this year because of their lack of pitching depth.

We have lots of pitching depth - experience wise anyways, it's a weird situation here with our pitching.

Rotation is:

1. Halladay

2. Burnett

3. Chacin

4,5. Tomo Ohka? John Thomson? Victor Zambrano? Shaun Marcum? Josh Towers? Casey Janssen?

Our 4-5 is weird, but it isn't that bad of a group... I think the big plus in having all those starters is that if one of the #4 or #5 guys is in a funk, he can be easily replaced.

Weird situation for sure, will it work out? We'll see, I guess.