Post by tbrown115 on Jul 9, 2010 16:39:00 GMT -6
I apologize for the length in advance, but a lot in here.
Even those who don't care for baseball, this is the exciting time-- Trade Deadline Month. But more importantly, and historically, this is the greatest group of prospects to all come up at the same time that I can recall. Heyward-Braves, Strasburg-Nats, Posey-Giants, Bumgarner-Giants, Stanton-Marlins, Santana-Indians, Ramos-Twins, Castro-Cubs, Brennan Boesch-Tigers, etc etc. This rookie class is incredible.
Anyways, Cliff Lee was traded today for Justin Smoak and some non-important minor leaguers. To me, great trade both ways. The minor leaguers may or may not pan out so the Rangers didn't kill themselves. Smoak's future is more than enough for the Mariners to give up Lee, though. On with the picks:
NL East - Braves - Too big a gap ahead of the Phillies. Too complete a roster, even without megastars (no offense Omar Infante). Mets are chokers, no concerns there.
NL Central - Reds - Yes the Cardinals could be here and it wouldn't surprise me. Wainwright is awesome. I'm a obvious noted non-believer in Chris Carpenter. Anyways, this pick is more because I think the Reds are for real than I think the 5-25 players on the Cardinals aren't very good. Don't fail me Reds.
NL West - Rockies - Complete roster. Lack some pitching but have enough depth to make trades. I don't believe the Padres offense can sustain the success of that team very much longer. Dodgers don't have enough pitching. Giants could make some noise, but I like the Rockies in the end.
NL Wild Card - Phillies - Best division gets two in. Dodgers and maybe the Cardinals push strong to the end. If this lineup gets healthy, this is still probably the best team (Phillies) in the league.
NL Cy Young - Roy Halladay. - This pick is because it's what I think will happen, not because what I think should happen. To me, Mat Latos should win the NL Cy Young but he won't as the Padres miss the playoffs. I think Halladay has a huge second half, rides his team making the post-season and capitalizes on the east coast bias that accompanies all sports voting to win the Cy Young.
NL MVP - Joey Votto. - Lot of players in this race in my opinion comes seasons end. Martin Prado and Carlos Gonzalez are two surprise picks that I think finish pretty high up in the voting for this thing. In the end, Votto wins. Monster numbers and his team makes the playoffs for the first time in a while.
NL Rookie of the Year - Jason Heyward. - Bit of a homer pick, but he's the real deal. If he comes back healthy, he'll hold off every one and win it. However, this could easily be Strasburg for obvious reasons. The guy who could wind up with the best season of NL Rookies won't sniff this award-Gabby Sanchez of the Marlins-and that's sad.
AL East - Yankees - Maybe the best rotation. Maybe the best lineup. Definitely the most money to make a mid-season acquisition. I don't really think much more needs to be said.
AL Central - White Sox - This division is a toss-up, but with the Twins not getting Cliff Lee, I think they're done. Kenny Williams (White Sox GM) has major balls and will make a deal. You can put it on the board (belushiclone) the WSox are in the playoffs.
AL West - Rangers - Having a great season. They have a lot of young pieces that may or may not hold up come crunch time, but I don't think any one will push them for the division title. Adding Cliff Lee is for the playoffs. He gives them a legitimate chance in every series because with this offense backing him, Cliff Lee can beat any team they come up against. This team just got scary good.
AL Wild Card - Rays - Rays and Red Sox battle this one out til the end. However, I think the Rays can build enough of a cushion to ride out while the Red Sox entire team is injured. Also, I think the Rays will ride the back of my boy Rafael Soriano and the Cy Young winner which will be..
AL Cy Young - David Price. - Holla at ya boy.
AL MVP - - If you know, tell me. Tough call at this point. Josh Hamilton or Vladdy? A-Rod or Tex? Paul Konerko? How about the season Carl Crawford is having? If I had to choose now, it's Josh Hamilton. At the end of the year, I'll take Carl Crawford in the sleeper role.
AL Rookie of the Year - Brennan Boesch. - Check the numbers, this guy is unreal. Lefty outfielder literally out of nowhere. Runaway rookie of the year winner.
Impact players that could be traded: Jayson Werth-Phillies, Ted Lilly-Cubs, Octavio Dotel-Pirates, Adam Dunn-Nats (going to the White Sox). Obviously more names, but I'll end it here.
Even those who don't care for baseball, this is the exciting time-- Trade Deadline Month. But more importantly, and historically, this is the greatest group of prospects to all come up at the same time that I can recall. Heyward-Braves, Strasburg-Nats, Posey-Giants, Bumgarner-Giants, Stanton-Marlins, Santana-Indians, Ramos-Twins, Castro-Cubs, Brennan Boesch-Tigers, etc etc. This rookie class is incredible.
Anyways, Cliff Lee was traded today for Justin Smoak and some non-important minor leaguers. To me, great trade both ways. The minor leaguers may or may not pan out so the Rangers didn't kill themselves. Smoak's future is more than enough for the Mariners to give up Lee, though. On with the picks:
NL East - Braves - Too big a gap ahead of the Phillies. Too complete a roster, even without megastars (no offense Omar Infante). Mets are chokers, no concerns there.
NL Central - Reds - Yes the Cardinals could be here and it wouldn't surprise me. Wainwright is awesome. I'm a obvious noted non-believer in Chris Carpenter. Anyways, this pick is more because I think the Reds are for real than I think the 5-25 players on the Cardinals aren't very good. Don't fail me Reds.
NL West - Rockies - Complete roster. Lack some pitching but have enough depth to make trades. I don't believe the Padres offense can sustain the success of that team very much longer. Dodgers don't have enough pitching. Giants could make some noise, but I like the Rockies in the end.
NL Wild Card - Phillies - Best division gets two in. Dodgers and maybe the Cardinals push strong to the end. If this lineup gets healthy, this is still probably the best team (Phillies) in the league.
NL Cy Young - Roy Halladay. - This pick is because it's what I think will happen, not because what I think should happen. To me, Mat Latos should win the NL Cy Young but he won't as the Padres miss the playoffs. I think Halladay has a huge second half, rides his team making the post-season and capitalizes on the east coast bias that accompanies all sports voting to win the Cy Young.
NL MVP - Joey Votto. - Lot of players in this race in my opinion comes seasons end. Martin Prado and Carlos Gonzalez are two surprise picks that I think finish pretty high up in the voting for this thing. In the end, Votto wins. Monster numbers and his team makes the playoffs for the first time in a while.
NL Rookie of the Year - Jason Heyward. - Bit of a homer pick, but he's the real deal. If he comes back healthy, he'll hold off every one and win it. However, this could easily be Strasburg for obvious reasons. The guy who could wind up with the best season of NL Rookies won't sniff this award-Gabby Sanchez of the Marlins-and that's sad.
AL East - Yankees - Maybe the best rotation. Maybe the best lineup. Definitely the most money to make a mid-season acquisition. I don't really think much more needs to be said.
AL Central - White Sox - This division is a toss-up, but with the Twins not getting Cliff Lee, I think they're done. Kenny Williams (White Sox GM) has major balls and will make a deal. You can put it on the board (belushiclone) the WSox are in the playoffs.
AL West - Rangers - Having a great season. They have a lot of young pieces that may or may not hold up come crunch time, but I don't think any one will push them for the division title. Adding Cliff Lee is for the playoffs. He gives them a legitimate chance in every series because with this offense backing him, Cliff Lee can beat any team they come up against. This team just got scary good.
AL Wild Card - Rays - Rays and Red Sox battle this one out til the end. However, I think the Rays can build enough of a cushion to ride out while the Red Sox entire team is injured. Also, I think the Rays will ride the back of my boy Rafael Soriano and the Cy Young winner which will be..
AL Cy Young - David Price. - Holla at ya boy.
AL MVP - - If you know, tell me. Tough call at this point. Josh Hamilton or Vladdy? A-Rod or Tex? Paul Konerko? How about the season Carl Crawford is having? If I had to choose now, it's Josh Hamilton. At the end of the year, I'll take Carl Crawford in the sleeper role.
AL Rookie of the Year - Brennan Boesch. - Check the numbers, this guy is unreal. Lefty outfielder literally out of nowhere. Runaway rookie of the year winner.
Impact players that could be traded: Jayson Werth-Phillies, Ted Lilly-Cubs, Octavio Dotel-Pirates, Adam Dunn-Nats (going to the White Sox). Obviously more names, but I'll end it here.