2014 MLB Thread

[Red October1984]

The first few spring training games have been played by my Cardinals and I don't like the looks of it.

Just today they lost 8-5 to the Tigers.

How is everybody else's team doing? I think it's a bit early to be making predictions for the World Series.

Also, has anybody else signed the Petition on the White House website to make Opening Day a holiday?

[the_tyrant]

YYYYEEEAAAHHHH! Baseball is back!

Masahiro Tanaka is here! The man who crushed the NPB so hard, the man with the 24-0 regular season record, and the 1.68 ERA is coming to Yankees.


PS: Red October1984, do you collect MLB memorabilia? You wanna make some big money? I have this great idea that I am itching to implement.

So step one is to go on Ebay, and buy a bunch of Alex Rodriguez stuff. His value is artificially depressed anyways because of his drug suspension, and you should be able to get autographed A-rod jerseys for only a bit more than a blank yankees jersey.

Now we all know that our friend the commissioner Bud Selig is retiring, and he is going to all 30 stadiums. This is when you go find Bud outside of Busch Stadium, and request an autograph. I know you cardinals fans probably don't love him much, so there shouldn't be a line.

An autographed A-rod and bud selig? That is probably going to be worth more than an autographed Babe Ruth!

[AVGWarhawk]

Just hoping the Orioles have solid pitching this season. They have been losing preseason games

[Red October1984]

Originally Posted by the_tyrant

YYYYEEEAAAHHHH! Baseball is back!

Masahiro Tanaka is here! The man who crushed the NPB so hard, the man with the 24-0 regular season record, and the 1.68 ERA is coming to Yankees.

From what I've read, he's a solid guy. I'm by no means a Yankee fan (most overrated team in baseball)

PS: Red October1984, do you collect MLB memorabilia? You wanna make some big money? I have this great idea that I am itching to implement.

An autographed A-rod and bud selig? That is probably going to be worth more than an autographed Babe Ruth!

Not bad. Not bad at all...I think we can be friends.

No...I don't collect. I should though. I still have my 2006 posters and pennants up in my room. Right next to my Scott Rolen poster and Larry Walker.

Have Adam Wainwright, Chris Duncan, John Rodriguez, Tyler Johnson and I think one more's autograph on a ball I did in 2007 at the Cardinals Caravan...and I've got my 2013 Postseason hat and my Matt Holliday jersey.

On top of that, I have a Matt Holliday special edition baseball I got for being one of the first into Busch a few years back, the BP ball I got last year....eh....I think that's it.

Probably going to be worth nothing in 50 years.

----

Not really relevant to this season...but has anybody seen 42? The movie about Jackie Robinson?

Did anybody else love it?

[the_tyrant]

Originally Posted by Red October1984

Not really relevant to this season...but has anybody seen 42? The movie about Jackie Robinson?

Did anybody else love it?

42 is a good movie, but when it comes to baseball, the best movie I have ever seen is still Bull Durham. If you like baseball, and you haven't seen it yet, GO SEE IT NOW!

[Red October1984]

Originally Posted by the_tyrant

42 is a good movie, but when it comes to baseball, the best movie I have ever seen is still Bull Durham. If you like baseball, and you haven't seen it yet, GO SEE IT NOW!

I'm looking it up right now.

Still pulling for the Blue Jays this year?

[the_tyrant]

Originally Posted by Red October1984

I'm looking it up right now.

Still pulling for the Blue Jays this year?

I might become a Blue Jay this year (hopefully). The team is recruiting analyst interns from my school, if I get lucky, maybe I will get a shot.

But uh, no matter how I spin it, there is no way rooting for the Jays would be good for one's sanity. They made 0 improvements this off season, while all the guys just got a year older. Sure, last year their luck was spectacularly bad, but even if they regress a bit, I don't see the Blue Jays pulling more than 85 wins. After all, they are in the AL East, the hardest division in baseball.

These shirts are pretty nice though:



I feel like this season the National League will be a yawn. The Dodgers will dominate the west, the Cardinals will dominate the central, the Braves and nationals will contest the east. The toughest contested spot is probably going to be the second wild card.

My national league picks:

West: Dodgers
Central: Cardinals
East: Braves
Wild Card 1: Nationals
Wild Card 2: Pirates/Reds/Diamondbacks


The American League should be fun though. The west should be a tough division, the A's and Rangers should be fighting for the top spot, but the Mariners and Angels shouldn't be counted out. The Mariners have Cano, and the Angels should see their players bounce back a bit. Tigers should win the central, but their horrible move of shipping Doug Fister to the Nations for effectively a prospect + a few players to be named later will probably backfire. The Royals and Indians should be able to make some gains, and challenge the Tigers dominance.

The AL east is completely unpredictable. The Yankees are the biggest reason. They have the best outfield, after all, you know your outfield is good when Ichiro is warming your bench (his bat has declined, but his base running and defense is still top notch). Sabathia is hoping to bounce back to his all star days, but that is a huge question mark. Kuroda, Texeria, and Jeter are old, like really old. Tanaka is a huge question mark, there is no denying that he is spectacular when it comes down to his skills, but who knows if he can transition to play in America effectively.

Even at catcher, the Yankees are in a bind. McCann is a great addition, probably one of the greatest offensive catchers in the game today. He can hit for power, and Yankee stadiums short porch should boost his offensive numbers. But than, by playing McCann at catcher, they can't play Francisco Cervelli, probably the best defensive catcher in the game. Their infield is still garbage though. There is almost no chance Jeter, Texeria, and Roberts can survive a whole season healthy.

http://grantland.com/features/studyi...molina-others/


The Red Sox are very solid, after all, they just won the World Series. Sure, a few departing players would dent them, but their prospects are ready to step in and contribute. The Rays are also a big threat. They finally decided to push for the playoffs, and should be able to make a serious run for the division. The Orioles aren't bad, and the Jays can crack .500 if lucky, but in this division, not bad isn't enough.

My AL picks:

AL West: Rangers
AL Central: Tigers
AL East: Red Sox

WCs: A's/Yankees/Rays/Royals/Indians