It's opening day in the MLB! I wanted to start a thread to see which teams key players root for. Myself, I'm a Nationals fan and can't wait for Strasburg to win 30 games and Bryce Harper to hit 70 home runs. Any other bold predictions? Or favorite baseball memories.
Forums:
DISCLAIMER: Forum topics may not have been written or edited by The Key Play staff.
Comments
I follow baseball more casually than my football/hockey love, but I did buy the MLB radio thing so I can listen to the Baltimore Orioles from down in Alabama.
Looking forward to some more O's Magic this season. Let's go O's!
Leg for the O's! Stinks that Machado is injured though
Sox/Phils here (mom's side of the family from Philly... Dad's from Boston... RedSox was the only one that got passed down cause... screw New York)
Naturally, I'm a big fan of the Flyin Hawaiian!
Bold prediction: Sox vs Cardinals rematch in the World Series. My wife ends up happy this time, with the Cards winning it all.
Flyin Hawaiian starting the season grounded. Red Sox put him on the DL today.
My father is also from Boston, so I always pull for them. However not when they are playing the Orioles because we are actually somewhat competitive now.
Braves repeat as NL East champs on the back of Julio Teheran's NL Cy Young season. Also helps that Dan Uggla will reign supreme as the NL MVP and triple crown champ. Sorry, bro. The natitude adjustment continues for another season.
As far as a possibly not so bold prediction... little baby Bryce gets popped for borrowing some of Gio's "vitamins." Chop, chop and GO BRAVES!
#barves
And that chop is the worst thing about the NL East. It's like playing Florida State every month haha
I don't always do the Tomahawk Chop, but when I do it's to cheer on Atlanta.
Let's Go Bravos!
These are the same Braves that are missing three starters and at least two of those for the entire season? The ones that let Hudson sign with someone else? Teheran probably isn't far behind those others to be destined for the elbow ligament replacement surgery with his throwing motion. Bad mechanics don't do justice to describing Teheran's technique.
I can't believe I accidentally gave you a turkey leg for this. Wasn't trying to down vote you, but wasn't trying to up vote you either.
Minor is only out for a few more weeks due to a urinary tract surgery. His mechanics most likely did not cause that (just a guess though, I'm not a doctor). We signed Gavin Floyd super cheap. Anything he does is an added bonus. History suggests that once you have ligament surgery once, you're probably going to need it again at some point. Medlen and Beachy going down sucks and the Braves organization is doing it's due diligence on trying to determine what they can do better to prevent this in the future. If memory serves there is a guy named Ervin Santana wearing a Braves uni now.
Tell me... why would it have been a good idea to throw money at Tim Hudson considering a) his age and b) he is coming back from an awful broken ankle. Not just any ankle either. It's the one he pushes off the rubber with. I love Huddy and want him to do great in San Fran but giving him high dollars is just not good business.
Also tell me... what is so wrong with Teheran's mechanics? He's not wrecklessly running into walls so that alone should keep him healthy.
The injury keeping Minor out is a shoulder, not just the weiner surgery.
Teheran has a huge upside if he can stay healthy, but the Braves even have noted how violent his motion is. Not many pitchers have the potential to blow out an ACL and their elbow but because of the way he torques his body to deliver the ball, he is definitely at a high risk for this to happen. The additional concern is his use of different delivery points and the potential to overcompensate when changing positions that could effect his rotator cuff. http://www.thefantasyfix.com/2014/02/2014-fantasy-baseball-julio-teheran...
I would compare signing Ervin Santana to the Nationals signing Edwin Jackson a few years ago. Not sure what pitcher you are going to get but likely its a 4.5 ERA and 10 to 11 wins. As for Floyd, he is starting the season on the DL and it will be interesting to see what kind of season he will have. What kind of limits do the Braves put on him coming off Tommy Johns?
You also just lost one of your key relievers in Gearrin to a significant elbow injury as well.
As for resigning Tim Hudson, I think that with the youth of this staff you needed at least one or two more years of Hudson as the guiding hand although some of that is tempered by two of those young stars being out for the year.
I will be interested to see how Gattis does with McCann gone. Consistency will be key.
As for the starting rotation, I believe it looks like this now:
1) Teheran
2) Santana
3) Harang
4) David Hale until Mike Minor is healthy
5) David Hale/Minor leaguer until Floyd is healthy
Not exactly what I consider a scary rotation unless you are a Braves fan worried about losses.
ALEX WOOD, MAN!!!!!!!!!!
All of that aside... he's been healthy. Hasn't had any issues. See below. Medlen and Beachy are on #2 and their mechanics are considered, for the most part, to be pretty smooth and clean. It just happens these days. All it takes is twisting your arm a little off on one change up to head to the DL. If the Braves were that worried about him, they wouldn't have given him that contract a month ago.
Ervin Santana could be a bust but so can a lot of other pitchers. I thought about that. But it was a necessary move if we want to defend this year. But he's also coming to the National League. Pitchers tend to do better in the NL. One less legit bat to face. For Floyd, they probably won't put a ton of limitations on him. If he comes out and does very well, then towards the end of the season you can start skipping a start or two so that he's good for the playoffs. And again... he was cheap.
You don't have to look at just age for wisdom to help a young pitching staff. Some of those guys have been around for a while already at a young age. Would it be nice to have Huddy? Yes, absolutely. Not going to argue you there. But his absense will not make or break this rotation. Plus, Med and Beachy will still be on the bench day in and day out to offer guidance. May not seem like it, but guys like Med, Kimbrel, Heyward, Freeman, etc. are veterans at this point.
Gattis is going to hit. His key will be to how he calls a game because McCann was/is fantastic at that. But we also have Laird on the bench. Even if he doesn't play, his veteran presence will help. The Braves are going with a strategy that is depending on young guys to perform in the starting line up and veterans on the bench in a few key places to provide the emotional support to keep young guys in check. Laird will be great for that for Gattis.
Our starting rotation isn't scary, agreed. But it is far from bad. We also have the benefit of having young guys to plug in as needed. Hale. Wood. Etc. We don't need a shut down rotation day in and day out with our offense. Not to mention the gold glove defense behind them. Where we have to worry is the playoffs. That's when a Kershaw is needed.
Possible Gearrin loss sucks but our bullpen is deep. We'll be fine there. It's an 8 inning game with our pen. 7 when Walden is on top of his stuff.
Not saying the Braves don't have holes. They do. I'm just glad this time of year is back. There are two times of year I get sports giddy. September and April. May the best team win!
While I agree that the quality of pitching isn't super scary, the Braves have a very good defense that will prevent runs. Andrelton Simmons is otherworldly at SS, Freeman is great at 1B, and Up Up and a Hey OF is more than solid as well. It will get even better if/when they replace Gattis' atrocious defense with Christian Bethancourt.
People discount Uggla too. His bat has been cringe worthy but his defense has improved a ton with age. It's pretty odd actually how his glove has gotten better over the past two years.
Side note... I have wasted SO much time at work today. Not quite as much as I did on signing day but... a lot.
His 2012-13 fielding numbers are better than his 2009-11 ones, but he's still a bit below average there. Not a black hole, though. Might not matter...Tommy La Stella is ready and is probably better than Uggla both offensively and defensively now. If Uggla struggles early, La Stella will be up soon.
Replying to you both...
Gattis is a threat to hit but not as great defensively. Bethancourt is great defensively but is not a threat with the bat.
Uggla never really had that "defensive liability" reputation until that All-Star game in which he booted like 3 grounders in one inning.
Agreed
Uggla has a career -35.9 UZR...that's pretty bad. His error numbers haven't ever been awful (career .980 fielding percentage is fine) but his range has always been pretty bad.
Gattis is a really intriguing guy. It looked like pitchers figured him out during the summer months last year (OPS' of .567 in June, .609 in July and .438 in August), but he responded with a solid .780 in Sept/Oct. I still think his poor fielding negates the value that his bat provides, but the beauty of sports is that people can get better at things that they weren't good at before. Even though I'm a Nats fan, hard not to root for this guy.
Agree. Uggla still isn't stellar in the field but he's very solid. I really want him to do well this year. I like him a lot and would hate to see him benched.
Everyone loves Gattis but unfortunately I don't think he's the next McCann. I'll take him gladly for now for his bat. Plus he's not nearly as much of a defensive liability behind the plate as he is in left field (I hope that holds true).
What is the point of even bringing Harper into this? Mechanics and running into walls are two totally separate things, especially when Teheran is a pitcher.
Interestingly enough, Medlen and Beachy have pretty fluid pitching mechanics... and they've just gotten their second TJ surgeries.
Sometimes it's less about mechanics and more about how much of your entire body you use to pitch.
Add me to the Braves Caravan.
I seriously considered ducking out of my office today so I could watch the game.
BRAVES. Forever. Going to the series this weekend?
Yessir! Really pissed I can't get off work for Friday.
I'm going with my friend who is a Nats fan on Saturday.
O - R - I - O - L - E - S!
Magic Magic Magic Magic!
I remember when they offered free tickets to anyone wearing Hokie paraphernalia in the wake of April 16th. Classy move and I watched them beat the Yankees later on that year. I do enjoy visiting Camden Yards
I feel like Orioles Park at Camden Yards is one of the best ballparks to enjoy a game and I have been to over 20 parks. Anyone else agree?
I also love PNC Park in Pittsburgh even though I despise Pittsburgh.
The Mets win 20 games as Curtis Granderson hits .705 with 80 HRs but our pitchers combine for a 40.00 ERA. Hey, you said bold!
Nobody is winning less games than the Phils in that NL East this year. The entire lineup could be on the DL by the all star break
Ouch. And I thought losing Harvey for the year was bad. In reality pitching for the Mets looks good in the future with a 1-2-3 of Harvey, Wheeler, and Syndergaard. This year should be bumpy though.
The Mets are 1 year out...They had to change plans due to Harvey being out. I am hoping for 90 wins....
Not a Mets fan but I'll be there on Sunday to see them play the Reds.
But at least they are looking like they will beat Strasburg to start the season. So far he has given up four in 2 and 2/3rds pitched. Stellar opening.
Cincinnati Redlegs are finally going to get past the first round this year!
I'm a Cubs fan...
I am so sorry.
I'm right there with ya. I'm gonna start this year like every year, with irrational hope that this is the year. By the end of April I'll probably concede defeat.
Nationals fan here...
Harper with the MVP and Nats over Trout's Angels in the World Series.
Let's Go Nats! Have the pregame show on the radio in my office right now, ready to get that first curly W of the year
So what will happen is the Nats will disappoint once again while the Braves win the NL East. Harper will hurt himself running into a wall again due to fearing that the El Oso Blanco will rip him limb from limb.
BRAVOSSSSSSSS, Y'ALL.
CHIPPPERRRRRRRRRR
#UPUPANDAHEY
#SIMBA
I'm beyond excited. THE BOYS OF SUMMER ARE BACK Y'ALL. #FEARTHECHOP
We also pull for the Nats when they're not playing the Braves!
I agree with everything, except this.
Same here. Even though I still like Adam LaRoche.
It's a geographic thing. We were really excited when they brought the team back to DC.
But the Nationals will always be second to the Braves in our family. And not even a close second. We also casually follow the Orioles.
We just like baseball. A lot. And we like watching good baseball. And the SWVA television market is all about the Nationals and the Orioles. So it's more fun to watch if they don't completely suck.
Cleveland Indians here.. will be an interesting year after the huge playoff push in 2013. GO TRIBE!
I assume I'm the only Yankees fan on here?
We can only hope.
EDIT: FYI, I'm an Orioles fan.
That's not right. After the game they played with the Hokies and all? Shame.
Great goodwill gesture, no doubt.
Still.
I don't think I ever felt more conflicted.
I went from disliking the Yankees to loathing them, in one child hanging over the side "Home Run" call in the 90s, and the subsequent hailing him as a hero on Letterman the next night.
Incidentally, that was the first year that they beat the Braves in the WS during the late 90s. So I think you and I went all-in on the Yankee hate during the same season.
One of the worst moments in my history as a sports fan. I grew up following the O's, and I work down the street from Camden Yards.
Want to make your blood boil? Look at this kid. Ugh.
Revisionist history at its best:
You're not alone friend! Let's go Yanks! My bold prediction Jeter returns to his 2012 form and leads the Yankees to the 28th World Series ring. This lets him retire on top.
GO YANKEES
Sweet more Yankee fans.
No prediction at all, but can I just say that the concept of "Natitude" may be the most annoying thing to ever come in to baseball.
I disagree, the most annoying thing is the chop. That's ridiculous.
None of these are as annoying as how often Marlins games look like LOLUVA Spring Games.
... except STILL with more fans in the seats.
Hands down, the most annoying thing about the Marlins is their beyond UGLY batter's eye.
Also, as a Braves fan, I particularly appreciate this pic (see scoreboard).
I wish I could create Ten user names just to be able to like this enough on my own to green the sumbitch.
I will take Natitude over the Nats having to run advertisements in Philly about being like another home series for them to fill the park. At least these days its mainly a home crowd which other than the Capitals is not the norm in DC. Wizards games are making a slow comeback but Skins games are a train wreck of other teams fans
you should go to a panthers game, that stadium gets taken over by all but a few distant fanbases.
Not this past year because we were actually good but the years when we sucked were pretty ugly.
Mets lighting up Strasburg right now. Both teams are on fire.
Opening day was not kind to the Mets. Lost after getting out on Strasburg early and now am hearing Bobby Parnell, their closer, may be done for the season with a torn ligament in his elbow.
Apparently Nats will be without starting catcher Wilson Ramos for four to eight weeks as he recovers from bone surgery on his hand
Braves all day long. Bold Prediction: BJ and StrUggla both hit above .225 (and I don't mean combined).
If they both hit above .225 separately, they'll STILL be above .225 combined. Funny thing, batting averages.
And I completely agree, in any event.
Braves fan. Gonna be tough to repeat but I expect the Braves will be in it with bouncebacks from BJ and Uggla and improvement from J-Hey and Justin to help offset loss of McCann/pitchers.
Of course there's the significant added bonus that I don't have tofeel dirty and hate myself all year rooting for Ryan Zimmerman
I just try and ignore his checkered past. He's really a great guy
This is the worst!
That's the Marlins all season long
http://www.unblock-us.com/
No more O's blackouts for me!
Will have to try that. I have tried various proxy browser plugins and they are hit and miss.
That is a great series, the third season should be good I hope.
Submitted without comment: The Orioles introduced the Red Sox to Beck's "Loser" today.
Orioles 162-0 this year. You read it here first...
Casual Reds fan here. Don't really pay much attention until the post season.
Just watched the first replay challenge in MLB regular season if I am not mistaken. Matt Williams challenged an out at first after Nats take a 9-5 lead in the top of the tenth. It was unsuccessful in overturning the out.
Fredi challenged one earlier in the Braves game. Overturned Braun being safe at first. This replay thing is going to be potentially miserable. Managers are going to come out and argue everytime it's a close call to buy their guys in the dugout time to check out replays. The review itself won't take very long. It's the constant delay tactics managers are going to use. I can only imagine how long Yankees/Sox games are going to take now.
They can only call for a replay once per game. Unless they get it right, in which case they can use one more. But I think it stops at two.
But the managers can run out and argue each time to give their dugout time to view replays. No limit on that.
Looks like a lot of Braves fans here. I'm a Nats but respect the hell out of the Braves. Don't particularly like them since they're in the same division as my boys, but they have been built the right way for so long, gotta respect it.
Watching the Pirate game today and they claimed the first challenge of the season came when the cubs manager lost a challenge earlier in the game. I tuned in in the sixth inning; so I don't when the challenge actually occurred. The Pirates won with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th.
Go Phillies! Feels like baseball weather out there right now.
One of my favorite moments was after the '08 Phillies parade when Chase Utley got up on stage and said "World Champions......WORLD F*@$ing CHAMPIONS!" it wend uncensored to all the televisions in the Delaware valley. A hilariously awesome moment that capped off the only non-soccer title I've seen any of my favorite teams win.
I was at that parade, and the reaction of all the drunk fans standing around me was awesome. I also witnessed a fan climb a light pole to then lose his balance and fall about 10-15 feet. Oh memories.. 2008 was a LOOONG time ago.
RANGERS! I feel so alone...
A few years ago, I remember seeing a sign while watching an Orioles game when they started the season on an 8 or 9 game winning streak, that said "162-0, Why not?" I had to laugh. I'll never forget that sign. Of course...they ended up losing that game.
I have more knowledge of baseball than LOLUVA had fans at their spring game. I have less knowledge of baseball than TimeCop has timeouts left
That's more like it, Braves!
Ok guys i have a trade offer in one of my leagues and I need some advice.
The trade is
I Trade: Andrew McCutchen and Gio Gonzalez
I Get: Goldschmidt and Heyward
My thoughts, McCutchen is a great player fun to watch but fantasy wise he isn't the best move? He will struggle to get 100+RBI's and 20+ homers. I have a stacked pitching line-up, Wainright Darvish, Gee, Verlander, Garza, Burnett.
Do it. The only thing that could make that trade turn out poorly for you is injuries, and you can't predict those.
See his team below. He doesn't really need another first baseman right now. He has Pujols and Abreu, both are starting 1Bs.
The last three years
Gio 16 wins - 3.12 ERA - 197Ks, 21-2.89-207, 11-3.36-192
McCutchen 23-89, 31-96, 21-84
Goldschmidt 8-26 in short year, 20-82, 36-125
Heyward 14-42, 27-82, 14-38, first and last year were shortened by injuries
I guess it depends on how often you think you will play both field players. Heyward could have a breakout season with the Braves but I still don't know if it will match McCuthens production. Goldschmidt offensively is an upgrade over McCutchen but I think Gio probably benefits you more than Heyward. It also depends on what statistics you are tracking for these guys on scoring you points. That could swing the needle dramatically.
I have 0 HR's and 9 RBi's so far, and lack a big hitter other than McCutchen. Thats my team so far..
Position Players
Pitchers
I find it amusing that its tracking H/AB and Average unless they weight the hitters based on ABs but to get to the meat of your question:
Gio Expected: 199 IP, 16 Wins, 0 Saves, 199 Ks, 3.12 ERA, 1.23 WHIP
McCutchen Expected: 175 H/583 AB, 97 R, 25 HR, 90 RBI, 23 SB, .301 AVG
Heyward Expected: 114 H/455 AB, 70 R, 18 HR, 54 RBI,10 SB, .250 AVG
Goldschmidt Expected: 164 H/558 AB, 92.5 R, 28 HR, 104 RBI, 16 SB, .294 AVG
Looking at the rest of your lineup, unless you plan to trade Pujols or Abreu, I don't think that this trade makes a lot of sense for you. Goldschmidt would likely put up better total numbers at first base than these two players individually but combined it would likely lean with what you already have, unless we see a return of the old Albert, than all bets are off.
As far as adding Heyward into your outfield and losing McCutchen, it would all depend on Heyward remaining healthy (something he hasn't done in two of the last three years). Healthy he is step for step but missing even a dozen games makes him subpar.
Gio is a top 50 pitcher by years end more than likely so giving him up and not necessarily getting big bang in return doesn't make a lot of sense.
If you post this guys team, maybe we can find another proposition for you to make back to him.
This guy messaged me asking to look through his team, but i'm not seeing anyone of real worth for McCutchen, then again its 1st time doing fantasy baseball
This is the other trade..
Ok, looking at that roster and your own, you really could use to shore up 3B with some power. He has Xander Bogaerts sitting on his bench. Bogaerts is largely unknown still because he only came up in September last year for the Sox, but prior to that in the minors he was their top prospect that they protected through at least five trades at the big league level because of his talent. He is likely set to have a 25 HR, 75 RBI, 90 R season with about a .270 AVG over about 500 AB.
Here is what I would propose back to him:
Gio, McCutchen, Abreu
for
Goldschmidt, Heyward, Bogaerts
That I think would give you the benefit of shoring up your infield a bit when you play around with Bogaerts at third or short, Jed Lowrie at 2B or SS, Prado between the infield and outfield and Elvis Andrus at SS.
ok what about the top guy's team.. anything intriguing there?
Miguel Cabrera of course but he isn't going to give him up. Guy is legit 40 HR, 130 RBI with about a .340 AVG.
Maybe Evan Longoria since he is slotting him in a Utility spot. He will have comparable numbers to McCutchen offensively other than the Stolen Base category and a slightly lower AVG. This would give you good power from 3B though. I would try to one up him on a pitcher maybe but I cant see his pitching staff with what you posted. You really need a top closer to compete in the SV category and your staff is completely lacking in that department right now. You could also just decide its not a category worth fighting for and focus on the other four for pitching but a good closer usually helps with ERA and WHIP.
His pitchers are Fernando Rodney, Street, and Papelbon.. only 3 relievers the rest are SP for him.
Any sneaky RP that I could pick up?
Mujica from Boston is available
Chris Perez LA
Jose Veras
Tom Wilhelmsen
Mujica is a good setup guy but wont close unless Uehara gets hurt. Perez is kind of the same. Veras is a closer but for the lowly Cubs. Not sure you will get your bang there especially since I believe he already blew a save. Wilhelmsen has been demoted to the 8th innings because he couldn't deliver last year. I will give you a list to look for later on. Headed to meetings for now though.
Thats the scoring system.. if it helps..
So its head to head on each separate category, is this over a week?
yeah its weekly team, but I can change players daily. And as you can see my pitching is doing well but I am lacking hits/power
Part of your pitching doing well was Gio though going 6 IP, giving up 1 run. That stat line is 6 IP, 1 W, 0 SV, 6 K, 1.50 ERA, .67 WHIP. His stats are probably the difference in you winning ERA and WHIP right now.
right I agree, but I think I can get away with trading him since I have Darvish coming off the DL Saturday
I was born in Toronto, and I wear it proudly no matter what.
LET'S GO BLUE JAYS!