January 27, 200422 yr One of the busiest and wildest offseasons in major league history has changed the look of several teams. It has seen five certain Hall of Famers switch clubs and it has given a number of young players an opportunity to shine. All this movement has placed significant pressure on certain players and managers. Here are 10 who will be on the spot in 2004: 10 Carlos Beltran The Royals rightfully chose not to trade Beltran even though he will be a free agent after the 2004 season, and seems certain to leave for a bigger market. Kansas City is going to try to win the AL Central with him, which likely won't happen without a spectacular season from Beltran. The bigger the year, the bigger his next contract. 9 Bobby Crosby The A's let shortstop Miguel Tejada leave via free agency partly because they couldn't afford him, and partly because they think Crosby is ready to take over as the regular shortstop. He'd better be if the A's are going to get back to the playoffs. But, he's a former No. 1 pick, is big and strong, comes from a baseball family and won't be awed by the big leagues. Twins catcher Joe Mauer, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 draft, could be in a similar spot. A.J. Pierzynski was traded to San Francisco to make room for Mauer, who is 20. 8 Josh Beckett With his transcendent postseason, the expectations are going to be unreasonably high for someone with 17 career regular-season wins. Plus, the Marlins lost a lot of talent in the offseason, and the young staff, led by Beckett, will be asked to help make up for it. His stuff is terrific, his poise amazing, but can he stay healthy and focused all year? 7 Alex Rodriguez If the trade to Boston isn't revived, the game's best player will have some making up to do with the fans in Texas. Even though he never demanded anything, he was the first to push the trade, and continues to push it. He will hear boos if he gets off to a slow start, and even if he doesn't. But he is so impossibly talented, he surely will win back Rangers fans with another sensational season. 6 Kaz Matsui Following the successes of Ichiro and Hideki Matsui, a lot is now expected, especially in New York, from the high-priced Japanese imports. Plus, Matsui's signing switches Jose Reyes, the Mets' top prospect, from shortstop to second base in a controversial move. If Matsui starts slowly, or Reyes can't handle second base, it could get testy. But from all scouting reports, Matsui is going to impress and entertain Mets fans. 5 Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens They left the Yankees, which few do, to sign with the Astros, their hometown team. Going home to pitch can be difficult -- nothing hurts worse than to be booed at home. Plus, the Astros now feel (rightfully so) that they have a chance, with Pettitte and Clemens, to get to the World Series for the first time. 4 Mike Scioscia Angels owner Arte Moreno spent roughly $150 million this winter to upgrade the team with Vladimir Guerrero, Bartolo Colon, Kelvim Escobar and Jose Guillen. Scioscia, like most managers, is thrilled with his new players, but now there is an expectation to win the World Series again. Also, these four new guys can be, at times, unapproachable. One reason why the Angels won it all in 2002 was their chemistry -- they were a bunch of grinders, not a bunch of high-priced guys from other organizations. That will be Scioscia's test: turning a diverse group of players into a team. But no manager is better at communicating with his players and getting the most out of them. 3 Gary Sheffield The Yankees became the first team in 100 years to lose three, 15-game winners in the same offseason. Sheffield is the biggest acquisition in a winter of change. He can hit anyone, any place, any time, but with the many distractions of New York, the improvement of the Red Sox and the yearly urgency to win, Sheffield is on the spot. 2 Admin Bowa The Phillies spent an enormous amount of money this winter to improve the team with Billy Wagner, Tim Worrell, Eric Milton, Roberto Hernandez and the unexpected re-signing of Kevin Millwood. The Phils are moving into a new ballpark. Phillies fans are getting anxious. Bowa's contract recently was extended, but with confidence so high in Philly, a rocky start will increase the heat on him. 1 Curt Schilling The Red Sox haven't won a World Series since 1918. Now they've brought in a 37-year-old ace, a former Red Sox farmhand, to beat the Yankees and bring a world championship to Boston. He'll have a lot of help and a good team behind him, but being trusted more than anyone to break an 86-year curse brings a lot of pressure.
January 27, 200422 yr Beckett can handle being under pressure. He's a perfectionist about being the best.
January 27, 200422 yr i dont think there is a doubt in anyones mind who is on this forum that beckett will have an amazing season.........its funny how i keep reading things about him not doing as well next year or having a lot of pressure......fine by me though, we'll just have to take em by surprise again, the best a defending world champion can actually be a SURPRISE...
January 27, 200422 yr gee....i wonder if Josh is the kind of guy who can handle pressure well? Man, did these people sleep through the month of October?
January 27, 200422 yr marlins winning again would seem like a surprise to the national media because rarely does a surprise world champion follow up a title with another great season (see: angels). i wouldnt be surprised to see josh win 20 this yr, but theres always that chance a player could fall (see: K-Rod, Livan). i think the pressure may help josh, since he was so great under pressure last year all in all, i see a great yr for the marlins and for josh
January 27, 200422 yr Beckett will be able to handle the pressure, he won't face anymore pressure than he did pitching game 6 of the world series at yankee stadium, and I would say he pitched pretty good that night :whistle . The key with Beckett is can he stay healthy all season? This team WILL NOT go to the playoffs unless Beckett wins AT LEAST 15 games. Book that statement as fact, because it's the truth. Beckett will have to be HUGE this year if the Marlins plan on playing in October again.
January 27, 200422 yr The media sweats Beckett because all they saw prior to the WS was his blister problems. Now that thats over (i pray to god it is), he'll finally be able to put together a great regular season.
January 27, 200422 yr the absolute key is josh's health. absolute FACT. if josh is hurt, we are screwed. there are no phenoms in the minors this year like with dontrelle last year.
January 27, 200422 yr i'm going to do something i almost never do, and guess what a player is going to do next season. i can honestly see Beckett doing this: ERA W-L IP H HR BB K WHIP HR/9 K/BB BB/9 K/9 H/9 3.39 16-6 210 185 19 77 238 1.25 0.81 3.09 3.30 10.20 7.93 give me a 5% margin of error in both directions. these are the numbers i think Beckett will put up next year. however, in doing my research for this, i found it interesting that he had thrown no CG in the regular season or in his minor league career. so why not throw your first professional CG in the World Series?
January 27, 200422 yr pressure? What is that? Beckett is stupid enough to not know the meaning of that word.
January 27, 200422 yr Everybody said about J.S Giguere last year "If he can handle the pressure of those playoff games, and play the way he did, that automatically means he'll be awesome this next regular season." Well....the Ducks are in last and Giguere's record is 7-20. So just cuz Beckett had an AWESOME post-season does NOT automatically mean he'll win 20 the next. Me, I think if he stays healthy, 15 games should be no problem.
January 27, 200422 yr Beckett - We might be stupid enough to win this whole thing. "Whole Thing" meaning World Series. Beckett can take anything. Unless the Blister problem happens. I mean he coulda won 16 games this season if he didnt get injured.
January 28, 200422 yr I dont know about you, but this irks me: 8 Josh Beckett With his transcendent postseason, the expectations are going to be unreasonably high for someone with 17 career regular-season wins. Plus, the Marlins lost a lot of talent in the offseason, and the young staff, led by Beckett, will be asked to help make up for it. His stuff is terrific, his poise amazing, but can he stay healthy and focused all year? First of all, Beckett is more than capable of being the big time player he has always thought himself to be. But we lost a lot of talent this offseason? Lee, Encarnacion, Urbina, Looper, Fudge, Redman - all are being replaced. Choi, Cabrera, Benitez, Neu/Fox, Castro/Redmond, AJ (when healthy). I dont think we lost that much, in fact, I think we may have made up in some areas, and you have to include financial considerations too. Oh, and that young staff - is practically the same one that did it last year. Why cant we ever get credit? (yeah, I know, I am being touchy...)
January 28, 200422 yr well we did lose alot of talent.... there is no denying that they just dont want to say we have replaced them
January 28, 200422 yr (yeah, I know, I am being touchy...) No you're not, you have every right to be mad. The players we have replaced them may not have as much experience, but can probably match each one in talent step-by-step.
January 28, 200422 yr Beckett knows he has to do his best. He said in an interview that he needs to be better this year.
January 28, 200422 yr I dont think beckett will lose focus. He is very mature and knows he cant let himself down on this team. There is some pressure on him because of the fans expecting him to do good again.
January 28, 200422 yr One of the busiest and wildest offseasons in major league history has changed the look of several teams. It has seen five certain Hall of Famers switch clubs and it has given a number of young players an opportunity to shine. All this movement has placed significant pressure on certain players and managers. Here are 10 who will be on the spot in 2004: 10 Carlos Beltran The Royals rightfully chose not to trade Beltran even though he will be a free agent after the 2004 season, and seems certain to leave for a bigger market. Kansas City is going to try to win the AL Central with him, which likely won't happen without a spectacular season from Beltran. The bigger the year, the bigger his next contract.? 9 Bobby Crosby The A's let shortstop Miguel Tejada leave via free agency partly because they couldn't afford him, and partly because they think Crosby is ready to take over as the regular shortstop. He'd better be if the A's are going to get back to the playoffs. But, he's a former No. 1 pick, is big and strong, comes from a baseball family and won't be awed by the big leagues. Twins catcher Joe Mauer, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 draft, could be in a similar spot. A.J. Pierzynski was traded to San Francisco to make room for Mauer, who is 20.? 8 Josh Beckett With his transcendent postseason, the expectations are going to be unreasonably high for someone with 17 career regular-season wins. Plus, the Marlins lost a lot of talent in the offseason, and the young staff, led by Beckett, will be asked to help make up for it. His stuff is terrific, his poise amazing, but can he stay healthy and focused all year?? 7 Alex Rodriguez If the trade to Boston isn't revived, the game's best player will have some making up to do with the fans in Texas. Even though he never demanded anything, he was the first to push the trade, and continues to push it. He will hear boos if he gets off to a slow start, and even if he doesn't. But he is so impossibly talented, he surely will win back Rangers fans with another sensational season.? 6 Kaz Matsui Following the successes of Ichiro and Hideki Matsui, a lot is now expected, especially in New York, from the high-priced Japanese imports. Plus, Matsui's signing switches Jose Reyes, the Mets' top prospect, from shortstop to second base in a controversial move. If Matsui starts slowly, or Reyes can't handle second base, it could get testy. But from all scouting reports, Matsui is going to impress and entertain Mets fans.? 5 Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens They left the Yankees, which few do, to sign with the Astros, their hometown team. Going home to pitch can be difficult -- nothing hurts worse than to be booed at home. Plus, the Astros now feel (rightfully so) that they have a chance, with Pettitte and Clemens, to get to the World Series for the first time.? 4 Mike Scioscia Angels owner Arte Moreno spent roughly $150 million this winter to upgrade the team with Vladimir Guerrero, Bartolo Colon, Kelvim Escobar and Jose Guillen. Scioscia, like most managers, is thrilled with his new players, but now there is an expectation to win the World Series again. Also, these four new guys can be, at times, unapproachable. One reason why the Angels won it all in 2002 was their chemistry -- they were a bunch of grinders, not a bunch of high-priced guys from other organizations. That will be Scioscia's test: turning a diverse group of players into a team. But no manager is better at communicating with his players and getting the most out of them.? 3 Gary Sheffield The Yankees became the first team in 100 years to lose three, 15-game winners in the same offseason. Sheffield is the biggest acquisition in a winter of change. He can hit anyone, any place, any time, but with the many distractions of New York, the improvement of the Red Sox and the yearly urgency to win, Sheffield is on the spot. 2 Admin Bowa The Phillies spent an enormous amount of money this winter to improve the team with Billy Wagner, Tim Worrell, Eric Milton, Roberto Hernandez and the unexpected re-signing of Kevin Millwood. The Phils are moving into a new ballpark. Phillies fans are getting anxious. Bowa's contract recently was extended, but with confidence so high in Philly, a rocky start will increase the heat on him. 1 Curt Schilling The Red Sox haven't won a World Series since 1918. Now they've brought in a 37-year-old ace, a former Red Sox farmhand, to beat the Yankees and bring a world championship to Boston. He'll have a lot of help and a good team behind him, but being trusted more than anyone to break an 86-year curse brings a lot of pressure. what a lame agrument by ESPN about Beckett. Pressure is on players without title rings. Not on players with them. Beckett will be just fine. Please explain this great talent lost? The way I see it, the team's opening day lineup is better than it was last year. Conine is improved over Hollandsworth. Cabrera is an improvement over Encarnacion in right. So Redmond isn't Pudge and Hee Seop isn't Lee, there is a tradeoff in the four different positions. The rest of the team is a year older and they know how to win. Pierre and Castillo are more in line now. Lowell is a legit big time player. Beckett, last year's day 1 starter, is far better. Benitez is better than Looper and Fox in setup is better than Vlady Nunez. I keep praying the pundits at ESPN keep picking against the Marlins. This team is still great.
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