November 14, 200322 yr Which team has the best chance of being the Angels or Marlins of 2004? Responses: San Diego 5, Philadelphia 4, Minnesota 3, St. Louis 1, Chicago White Sox 1. It's tough to determine which teams even qualify in this category. The Twins are your quintessential small- to middle-market club with finite resources. But after making the playoffs two years in a row, are they really a surprise team anymore? The Phillies have a new ballpark and a payroll over $80 million, but they haven't been to the postseason since 1993. Are they a potential surprise team? Let's give them points for trying. Ed Wade's acquisition of Billy Wagner was a bold stroke, and the Phillies have enough talent to end Atlanta's streak of 12 straight division titles. "Every time the Phillies make a move, they get better," said a National League assistant GM. If you want a real darkhorse, try the Padres. They have some good young arms, a proven closer in Trevor Hoffman and the potential for a decent middle of the order if Brian Giles, Phil Nevin and Ryan Klesko come through. Even though the Padres' projected payroll of $55 million is a tad undersized for a team in a new ballpark, GM Kevin Towers was working the room in Phoenix. If Towers can acquire a Brad Ausmus here and a David Wells or even a Greg Maddux there, the Padres will be in business. "They have some financial flexibility, and those dollars buy a lot in the free-agent market right now," said an AL assistant. The rest of the division is slipping. The Dodgers can't score runs. Arizona and Colorado are cutting payroll. Even the Giants, who remain the class of the West, have some challenges this winter. "If it's July and the Padres need to make a move, they might be able to do it because of the new park," said an NL GM. "They're definitely a team to watch." Isnt Phillies Payroll Quite Big? I say the twins...
November 14, 200322 yr I say the twins... The Twins were supposed to be the 2003 Angels, and didn't do it. Now you expect them to do it w/o Hawkins, Guardado, and AJ?
November 14, 200322 yr you do realize who their new catcher is gonna be right? Mawer (sp) I believe. They also have a big name prospect at 1B I believe. But pitching wins championships, and they're losing their two best guys.
November 14, 200322 yr Author Well they got some Very good young guys in the trade. That 1B is Justin Morneau.
November 14, 200322 yr But pitching wins championships, and they're losing their two best guys. yea, thats worked for them so far
November 14, 200322 yr So, nobody thinks the Marlins can do it again huh WAY to early to tell. Yeah, seeing as how we're going to have a pretty new look next year I guess its too early to tell.
November 14, 200322 yr well we know that were gonna do a better job in keeping players than what we did after 97.
November 14, 200322 yr well we know that were gonna do a better job in keeping players than what we did after 97. Thank you, captain obvious.
November 14, 200322 yr well we know that were gonna do a better job in keeping players than what we did after 97. Thank you, captain obvious. well i'm just so happy that this time gonna be a good team after we won the WS.
November 14, 200322 yr you do realize who their new catcher is gonna be right? Mawer (sp) I believe. They also have a big name prospect at 1B I believe. But pitching wins championships, and they're losing their two best guys. Nope, it's Mauer. And I think Morneau is gonna be solid.
November 15, 200322 yr Padres are going to be a very good team next year. They would be my pick - except I think the Marlins will make another run this next year. I dont see any reason why we cant expect improvement on this team. Our young pitchers are going to come back and they are only going to get better. Our hitting will be fine - Pierre, Conine, Cabrera and Lowell are all back. That is a pretty good foundation to work with.
November 15, 200322 yr I would have to go with the ChiSox on this one. Reasons: San Diego- Although their hitting will be improved this year, their bench and starting pitching will be weak unless they spend some dollars. Philadelphia- Before last season, many experts believed that the Phillies were the team to beat in the NL East. After adding Jim Thome, Kevin Millwood, and David Bell, you would think the Phillies would improve. However, the bullpen imploded, Pat Burrell disappeared from view, and the starting pitchers were mediocre at best. Now, with Millwood likely gone, and the bullpen empty other than Wagner, I wouldn't expect the Phillies to do BETTER. Chicago- With Esteban Loaiza and the young starters of the ChiSox, this team should win the AL Central, with both the Royals and Twins losing players, and the Tigers non-existent. The tremendous hitting of the Sox will give them a major edge.
November 15, 200322 yr Philadelphia- Now, with Millwood likely gone, and the bullpen empty other than Wagner, I wouldn't expect the Phillies to do BETTER. I would. Who's gone from the bullpen besides Mesa and Williams? The Phillies improved the team just by dumping those two and the rest of their bullpen was pretty effective. Adding Wagner was a bonus, even though he's paid too much. I think the only thing holding them back will be Bowa. Chicago- With Esteban Loaiza and the young starters of the ChiSox, this team should win the AL Central, with both the Royals and Twins losing players, and the Tigers non-existent. The tremendous hitting of the Sox will give them a major edge. I don't know about that either. I wouldn't bet on Loaiza winning 20 games again. And as much as we'd like Ozzie Guillen to do well, nobody has a clue whether he actually will. He's never managed. He may run into problems especially if he tries to implement smallball on a team with Frank Thomas.
November 15, 200322 yr Especially if one of their major stud SPs makes it up mid-season or makes it through ST. Then theres the question of will Burrell rebound? If he does then the Phillies win the division and most likely the pennant.
November 15, 200322 yr Ozzie Guillen and the White Sox have my vote, until they are stopped by the Red Sox who then go on to lose to the Marlins in the WS.
November 15, 200322 yr The Padres get my vote. They have a good pitching and Trevor is going to be healthy next year. They also have a good offense. Theres no reason to think the Padres cant win next year.
November 18, 200322 yr The Padres get my vote. They have a good pitching and Trevor is going to be healthy next year. They also have a good offense. Theres no reason to think the Padres cant win next year. good to hear that, the padres need a Catcher, some middle relief help (who doesn't?) and a #1, #5 pitchers Trevor out and a bad bullpen contributed to a 6-23 may (one time Brian Lawrence had an 8th inning lead and the bullpen blows it in the ninth, so next time Lawrence has a lead in the 8th and goes in the 9th and loses the game) it was way down ugly until Rod Beck came along and basically settled everyone into a specific role. now im troubled by the rumors of the $55 million payroll, because as it stands now it would be a $50 team, so 5 million just wont cut it. hey, i still have faith as for the marlins, I guess they are better equiped than the 2002 angels. you gotta keep pudge at a realistic price (note: see jason kendall) marlins rumors: http://www.prosportsdaily.com/mlb/marlins/rumors.html
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