MLB - 2008 All Star Break and Beyond!

[snoopy369]

So, they may not give up too many runs in two out of five games. What are they going to do to score runs the rest of the time

[Imran Siddiqui]

Well it isn't like they were last in the AL in scoring runs. They were 7th in runs per game. Which was actually more than the Angels, who, as you'll note, finished with the best record in baseball. It was also more than the Rays, who won 97 games.

Sure, they'll have to replace Giambi, but that's why they are doing the full court press on Teixiera . Though they already have Swisher.

[snoopy369]

1. The Rays still have a better rotation.
2. They have Swisher to replace Giambi, but that doesn't really help much.
3. If they get Teixiera, I will reconsider my statement.

[Imran Siddiqui]

The Rays may still have a better rotation (MAYBE), but they are going after a playoff spot first and foremost. The Rays may falter, or Boston may (an injury hits Ortiz, etc). Or they could simply overtake both.

A rotation of:

CC Sabathia
AJ Burnett
Joba Chamberlain
Chein-Ming Wang
Phillip Hughes

Is a MASSIVE upgrade (of course as long as everyone stays healthy).

Swisher had a horrible year last year (by his standards), but his 06 and 07 numbers are on line with what Giambi did last season.

In addition it seems they are close to replacing the offensive hole of Melky Cabrera with Mike Cameron (upgrade), and Jeter should hit better next year (as he was well off his career numbers).

[snoopy369]

I still think they'll need to score more runs this year than they did last year to win. Their bullpen doesn't seem like it'll be any better than last year (and subtract Joba from it, who could be a great starter but, honestly, unproven SPs don't always work out, even the theoretically amazing ones). The Rays are adding a much better rookie SP than Joba, in my mind... Now, Boston hasn't exactly done much this year; but I just don't think the Yankees have done enough so far to be favorites, or even wild-card favorites.

Not that I mind, of course. The Sox need to make at least one more big move, unless their cuban 3B turns out to be as good as their cuban 2B/SS did... in which case we're solid.

[Imran Siddiqui]

I think you underestimate the value of Sabathia and Burnett.... because you want to. The good news is that Burnett is fragile and Sabathia could balloon, but I have a feeling that won't happen.

I think with these signings, the Yanks may have a rotation to rival the Rays and Red Sox. And it wasn't their bullpen that was the problem last season (hint, it was starting pitching).

And Joba is a VERY good starting pitcher. Price may end up being better, but Chamberlain will probably end up with an ERA+ over 120.

And you still seem to forget that they only finished 8 out and 6 back of the Red Sox for the WC.

The Yankees just became amazingly more dangerous and that has to be respected.

The AL East will sure be fun this upcoming season.

[snoopy369]

I don't think much of Burnett, to be honest, though his 2008 did some to bolster my opinion of him (but yes, fragile). Sabathia certainly helps, though he's been used quite a lot in the last few years, so we'll see if his stamina continues or if he falls off some. Certainly they're better off than they were before signing these two guys, but I'm just not convinced that's enough for the Yankees (again, fortunately).

[Imran Siddiqui]

Burnett's 2008 was actually his worst year in Toronto . He was just healthy. In 2007 and 2006 his ERA+ were higher.

Sabathia helps a good deal. He basically replaces Mussina, who carried the rotation last year.

I think you don't understand just how horrible the Yankees rotation was. Moose had an amazing year, which Sabathia will attempt to equal (seriously, it was that good.. 132 ERA+)

But Burnett is basically replacing Pettitte, who was below average last season. Wang was hurt for a lot of the year and having him healthy will be a big boost (especially if he brings back the 120 ERA+ seasons) and having a healthy Joba will be another big boost.

The upgrades to the pitching staff is immense. Some of because of signings (Burnett) and some because of healthiness (Wang and Chamberlain).

[-Jrabbit]

The Indians are rolling the dice...

Kerry Wood is the Cleveland Indians' new closer.

The former Chicago Cubs star finalized a $20.5 million, two-year contract Saturday, a deal that includes a 2011 option that could become guaranteed.

Wood gets $10 million next year and $10.5 million in 2010. The Indians' $11 million option would vest if Wood has 55 games finished in either of the next two years.

General manager Mark Shapiro was hold a conference call later in the day to formally announce Wood's signing.

Wood, who saved 34 games in his first season as a closer for Chicago, reached a preliminary agreement with the Indians during the winter meetings. Wood, who has a long history of arm and elbow problems, had to pass a physical before the Indians would finalize the package.

The 31-year-old is 77-61 with a 3.65 ERA in his career, all with the Cubs.

The Indians went into the offseason with a closer as their No. 1 priority. After Francisco Rodriguez agreed to a $37 million, three-year deal with the New York Mets, they turned their attention to Wood, a former starter who revived his career as a reliever.

Following the 2006 season, the Cubs bought out the remainder of his $13 million contract and Wood's future seemed in jeopardy. He accepted a move to the bullpen in 2007 and made 22 appearances after initially pitching in the minor leagues.

He won the closer's job last spring and became dominant again, striking out 84 in 66 1-3 innings, and converting 34 of 40 save opportunities.

Wood has been on the disabled list 12 times in 10 seasons, but the only time he missed last season was because of a blister on his finger.

[Imran Siddiqui]

That's not a bad deal for Cleveland. $10/year for a closer isn't all that much and they only have him 2 years if he breaks down.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Btw, this article assumes the Yanks also get Lowe, and is what I've been talking about:

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/the-potential-yankees-super-rotation

The Yankees rotation in 2009 would then consist of: CC Sabathia, Derek Lowe, A.J. Burnett, Joba Chamberlain, and Chien-Ming Wang. Can anyone say super-rotation even before looking at the numbers?

Sabathia, Lowe, and Burnett have been discussed here before in dollar valuation articles. CC is a +5.5 win pitcher in 2009. With a 3.80 FIP in 187 innings, and a few more runs added for logging innings, Burnett would be +3.5. Lowe is projected to post a 3.67 FIP in 185 IP, but the switching of leagues from the Dodgers to the Yankees should bump that up a bit. If we call him a 3.80 FIP pitcher in 185 IP, he is virtually the same as Burnett, +3.5 wins.

Wang previously established himself capable of a heavy workload, and, if healthy in 2009, I see no reason why he couldn’t meet his Bill James projection of 200 IP at a 3.90 FIP. This makes Wang, with a few more runs for amassing 200 innings, a +3.5 win pitcher. And if Joba can manage a 3.30 FIP in 145 IP, he would also be a +3.5 win pitcher. For those keeping score at home, that gives the Yankees a +5.5 win pitcher and four +3.5 win pitchers in their potential super-rotation.

Put together, that is +19.5 wins. How does that compare to the 2008 rotation?

If we round 2009 up to +20 wins and 2008 up to +14 wins, then putting together this potential rotation would add six whole wins to their 2008 total, in the rotation alone. We aren’t even talking about defensive upgrades or other moves for the offense. You might think that six wins doesn’t seem like all that much given the quality of Sabathia, Burnett, and Lowe; however, if all other things remained constant, those six wins would have given the Yankees 95 wins in 2008, not 89. They are still making moves elsewhere to strengthen other facets of the club, but if Cashman can pull this off, the 2009 Yankees will be very, very good.

[-Jrabbit]

I hope they crash and burn. But this was clearly the right path to follow.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Phillies are DOOMED!

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3770432

Right-hander Chan Ho Park has signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, the 35-year-old said Monday.

He said the Phillies expected him to start, despite reports that have said the team sought Park to help boost their bullpen.

"I was a little worried about the Citizens Bank Park, the home of the Phillies, which is hitter-friendly, but as they considered me as a starter, I signed with Philadelphia," he said.

[snoopy369]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
Burnett's 2008 was actually his worst year in Toronto . He was just healthy. In 2007 and 2006 his ERA+ were higher.

Sabathia helps a good deal. He basically replaces Mussina, who carried the rotation last year.

I think you don't understand just how horrible the Yankees rotation was. Moose had an amazing year, which Sabathia will attempt to equal (seriously, it was that good.. 132 ERA+)

But Burnett is basically replacing Pettitte, who was below average last season. Wang was hurt for a lot of the year and having him healthy will be a big boost (especially if he brings back the 120 ERA+ seasons) and having a healthy Joba will be another big boost.

The upgrades to the pitching staff is immense. Some of because of signings (Burnett) and some because of healthiness (Wang and Chamberlain).

Yes, it bolstered my opinion that he was capable of pitching a full season.

If they sign Lowe then it will be a pretty good rotation. I still think their bats need improving, though, to be considered favorites (as the Yankees are supposed to be year after year, right?).

[snoopy369]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
Phillies are DOOMED!

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3770432

Right-hander Chan Ho Park has signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, the 35-year-old said Monday.

He said the Phillies expected him to start, despite reports that have said the team sought Park to help boost their bullpen.

"I was a little worried about the Citizens Bank Park, the home of the Phillies, which is hitter-friendly, but as they considered me as a starter, I signed with Philadelphia," he said.

Yep, sorry Stuie, you're toast this year. Kiss of death, he is...