Which mlb team has improved the most going into 08?

buztah · 01-17-08, 05:48 PM

Mariners

mofome · 01-17-08, 05:49 PM

Originally posted by buztah

Mariners

if they land bedard.

wtt0315 · 01-17-08, 05:50 PM

i would say my mets but i would be lying

clonecat · 01-17-08, 05:53 PM

Detroit has made the best moves to make them a World Series contender.
The Brewers (the team I root for) have made the worst moves signing any closer who couldn't be a closer.
I think there will be great value in betting on the Giants and D-Rays in 2008.

Matt23 · 01-17-08, 05:57 PM

Have to agree with you on this one Mo.

Detroit will be a tough contender in the American League.

Deuce · 01-17-08, 05:58 PM

Tigers really havn't improved much. I am an avid Detroit Tigers fan but don't see much improvement. Maybe a step back if anything.

Yes they will clobber the ball but they also did that last year too. They had the most hits in all of baseball and scored the most runs. They still didn't make the playoffs. Getting bigger bats isn't going to solve the problems. They need an arm and better defense.

Essentially losing Brandon Inge in the field is huge. Inge is by far a much better fielder than Cabrera. He is more athletic and was solid at the corner. Sure he wasn't a slugger but could get the job done of defense. I don't see Edgar being a better SS than Giullen and as you all know Guillen was moved to 1st. The only plus to that move is Sean Casey and his downward spiral as a ball player. His bum knee has left him will very little to offer.

Pitching. Zumaya is probably out again for a while due to "Moving boxes in San Diego during the fires." Right, how do you mess your arm up moving boxes? He was probably screwing around playing Guitar Hero again and/or doing something stupid. D Willis a new acquisition is a tough call. Last year during inter league play he got blown out. His game has declined in the past few years. Maybe he will be a better middle of the road starter, maybe he will prove me wrong. I sure hope he works out for the best. Todd Jones as a closer is dismal. His time was up years ago. I think they should have jumped at Chad Cordero of the Nats, Gagne, who the Brewers took to replace Francisco Cordero. Top notch closers were on the market and they didn't jump. The bullpen is weak. Cleveland's pen is far deeper. I just hope they prove me wrong.

mofome · 01-17-08, 06:01 PM

Originally posted by Deuce

Tigers really havn't improved much. I am an avid Detroit Tigers fan but don't see much improvement. Maybe a step back if anything.

Yes they will clobber the ball but they also did that last year too. They had the most hits in all of baseball and scored the most runs. They still didn't make the playoffs. Getting bigger bats isn't going to solve the problems. They need an arm and better defense.

Essentially losing Brandon Inge in the field is huge. Inge is by far a much better fielder than Cabrera. He is more athletic and was solid at the corner. Sure he wasn't a slugger but could get the job done of defense. I don't see Edgar being a better SS than Giullen and as you all know Guillen was moved to 1st. The only plus to that move is Sean Casey and his downward spiral as a ball player. His bum knee has left him will very little to offer.

Pitching. Zumaya is probably out again for a while due to "Moving boxes in San Diego during the fires." Right, how do you mess your arm up moving boxes? He was probably screwing around playing Guitar Hero again and/or doing something stupid. D Willis a new acquisition is a tough call. Last year during inter league play he got blown out. His game has declined in the past few years. Maybe he will be a better middle of the road starter, maybe he will prove me wrong. I sure hope he works out for the best. Todd Jones as a closer is dismal. His time was up years ago. I think they should have jumped at Chad Cordero of the Nats, Gagne, who the Brewers took to replace Francisco Cordero. Top notch closers were on the market and they didn't jump. The bullpen is weak. Cleveland's pen is far deeper. I just hope they prove me wrong.

Det did not have the most hits or most runs in baseball in 2007. i agree that they should have gone hard after a closer, i have no idea what they're thinking there.

Deuce · 01-17-08, 06:04 PM

Originally posted by mofome

Det did not have the most hits or most runs in baseball in 2007. i agree that they should have gone hard after a closer, i have no idea what they're thinking there.

I am sorry, I stand corrected, they were 3rd overall, 1st in the AL Central and by far they had the most AB's.

mofome · 01-17-08, 06:05 PM

Originally posted by Deuce

I am sorry, I stand corrected, they were 3rd overall, 1st in the AL Central.

yeah, not a big deal at all. i think they should have taken a low risk chance on lidge, i actually figured they would, but something held them back obviously. Todd Jones is a joke of a closer.

Deuce · 01-17-08, 06:07 PM

Originally posted by mofome

yeah, not a big deal at all. i think they should have taken a low risk chance on lidge, i actually figured they would, but something held them back obviously. Todd Jones is a joke of a closer.

I whole heartedly agree. I think they should have gone after Haren too. Could have used Inge and our superior farm team to do so. Gary Sheffield is a joke of a DH if you ask me too. I would have rather seen Inge at the corner still with Cabrera DH. That won't happen he makes too much.

pico · 01-17-08, 06:09 PM

Originally posted by mofome

got to like det...

detriot is a cursed city. i like the dodgers.

btw, i like your new avatar way better than the old one. less gay.

Wrigley · 01-17-08, 06:13 PM

Tigers

Stumpage · 01-17-08, 06:37 PM

Originally posted by picoman

detriot is a cursed city.

If you think Detroit is cursed, you've obviously never heard of Philadelphia.....

purecarnagge · 01-17-08, 07:05 PM

If I'm wrong let me know. I always thought Injuries and Bullpen killed the tigers. I thought they had competitive enough starters to make the playoffs. Everyone in baseball can use another Arm and more defense...

Adding the bats helps make sure last year wasn't a fluke season. To even think your team is taking a step back is interesting. You picked up a SOLID Bullpen pitcher in D Wilis. even though he's a starter, it might not work out for him. Maybe he's better just coming in to setup the closer? I'm sure Willis will have better days now that he's on a real team that actually has to do payroll...

MonkeyF0cker · 01-17-08, 07:06 PM

Originally posted by clonecat

Detroit has made the best moves to make them a World Series contender.
The Brewers (the team I root for) have made the worst moves signing any closer who couldn't be a closer.
I think there will be great value in betting on the Giants and D-Rays in 2008.

I really like the Brewers next year actually. I think you'll see a revitalized Gagne in the closer role next year, similar to the resurgence of Francisco Cordero. Mike Maddux is a great pitching coach who has a habit of getting good performance out of his pitching staff. If he struggles, they always have the option of reinserting Turnbow into the closer role. Their starting rotation should be among the NL's best if Sheets stays healthy. And with Kendall replacing Estrada and Ryan Braun on the roster the entire year, their offensive production should be at least as effective this season.