October 17, 200422 yr Watching the LCSes, and the division series really made me notice a few things: 1) First pitch to last out, we would have had the best pitching of all playoff teams. 2) Teams that built themselves exclusively around pitching (Twins, Braves) got bounced by teams with average to good pitching and an above average lineup. Essentially, what I've decided is that if we had made the playoffs, we likely would have been in the NLCS at the minimum, but more importantly, keeping Pavano is less of a priority, and adding a premium bat is a must. If we're trading Lowell for a salary dump I think this is irrelevant, but if we find a way to trade him for a 25 HR 90 RBI left fielder who bats lefty, we could take the money we save from letting Lowell and Pavano leave (you figure Pavano's going to want $9 mil a season) and reinvest that $11 or $12 million into a hitter like Magglio and a pitcher like Morris, Milton or Clement. Do that and I'd say we're in pretty good shape.
October 17, 200422 yr We would be the only team to seriously challenge the Cards in the NL. 594578[/snapback] Thats why all the teams who made the NL playoffs pwned us during the regular season, except the Dodgers, right?
October 17, 200422 yr We would be the only team to seriously challenge the Cards in the NL. 594578[/snapback] Astros are giving them a challenge it looks like.
October 17, 200422 yr Author We would be the only team to seriously challenge the Cards in the NL. 594578[/snapback] Thats why all the teams who made the NL playoffs pwned us during the regular season, except the Dodgers, right? 594586[/snapback] We didn't win a single regular season game against the Giants in 2003, Bonds hit us hard, and we saw how that turned out in the NLDS...
October 17, 200422 yr We would be the only team to seriously challenge the Cards in the NL. 594578[/snapback] Thats why all the teams who made the NL playoffs pwned us during the regular season, except the Dodgers, right? 594586[/snapback] The freaking Expos and Pirates pwn3d us. :confused
October 17, 200422 yr We would be the only team to seriously challenge the Cards in the NL. 594578[/snapback] Thats why all the teams who made the NL playoffs pwned us during the regular season, except the Dodgers, right? 594586[/snapback] The freaking Expos and Pirates pwn3d us. :confused 594602[/snapback] Also the Astros are giving the Cards problems it seems... and the Astros slapped us around too.
October 18, 200422 yr I also figured out that Beltran is the missing link to the Marlins :plain 594836[/snapback] And the Red Sox, Dodgers, Angels, and any other pretty solid team.
October 18, 200422 yr You cant say we have better pitching than anyone in the playoffs because we didnt even make it. Last time I checked we were grabbing guys from the minors to finish the season and burnett got hurt at the end. Cards would have destroyed us if we had made it in our state
October 18, 200422 yr Although all the teams that are based on pitching(Braves and Twins)lost right away, pitching is still more important. And the reason why the Twins and Braves didn't get past the other teams that are more based on hitting is because they were just better overall...and the Braves never get to the WS anyways...
October 18, 200422 yr Watching the LCSes, and the division series really made me notice a few things: 1) First pitch to last out, we would have had the best pitching of all playoff teams. 2) Teams that built themselves exclusively around pitching (Twins, Braves) got bounced by teams with average to good pitching and an above average lineup. Essentially, what I've decided is that if we had made the playoffs, we likely would have been in the NLCS at the minimum, but more importantly, keeping Pavano is less of a priority, and adding a premium bat is a must. If we're trading Lowell for a salary dump I think this is irrelevant, but if we find a way to trade him for a 25 HR 90 RBI left fielder who bats lefty, we could take the money we save from letting Lowell and Pavano leave (you figure Pavano's going to want $9 mil a season) and reinvest that $11 or $12 million into a hitter like Magglio and a pitcher like Morris, Milton or Clement. Do that and I'd say we're in pretty good shape. 594573[/snapback] The Sox, Yankee, Card lineups aren't just good they are incredible. Santana could hold hiw own against any of them but he's in a tier joined only by perhaps Randy Johnson, and Jason Schmidt. I don't think our rotation is much better than that of the Stros or the Cardinals. Also there are alot of things this club can do to improve. Pavano can be replaced and cheaply at that, Lowell as well but you're being optimistic to think it will happen. Since this season ended I've seen no indication that we're heading in the right path. If Lowell left, I'd let Lo Duca, Encarnacion, Benitez, and Pavano follow Sign Williamson, Drew, Clement and Dellucci and possibly Palmeiro if he could be had for 2 million or less. The addition of Williamson and Spooney next season with a whole season of Mota should give us a very solid and inexpensive pen, our rotation would be one of the best and our offense would be improved.
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.