mcgrath228 (10:05:43 PM): Hardly original, but Jeremy Mague will be the best player to emerge from this class. He's an incredibly talented pitcher, and has the talents to play with a Kopp or Gandolfo type, assuming he develops, which, given his overalls, is likely.
WompFump (10:06:52 PM): Frito will be the best player because hes capable of playing multiple positions, has excellent talents and is already developed enough to be a contributing factor on a poor team such as Phoenix. hes a burner on the basepaths and seeing as he will be on base frequently, he should sit atop the leaderboard in steals as well as average
Vindicated125 (10:08:00 PM): Its got to be Pedro Acevedo, hes nearly ML ready and in a lineup between Soester and Hodge, He's going to produce like crazy. Pedro will be a force to be reckoned with in the Colonels lineup.
ToMaS 91531 (10:08:54 PM): for the sake of being different, ill give the nod to akin akinrade. one thing hes got going for him that none of the other top 4 picks do, is that he is only 18 years old. yes, all of the top 4 are very well-developed, but akin is nearly a lock to fully develop. He is already on an established team, rather than an expansion (PHX and SEA) and i simply feel hes better overall than acevedo.
Mustangs3007 (10:13:57 PM): points...
Mustangs3007 (10:14:10 PM): Tim- 5
Mustangs3007 (10:14:14 PM): Alan-4
Mustangs3007 (10:14:20 PM): Matt-3
Vindicated125 (10:14:20 PM): last
Vindicated125 (10:14:21 PM): yay me
Mustangs3007 (10:14:22 PM): Dan-2
2. Which of the four new expansion teams this year will attain the best record?
WompFump (10:17:38 PM): Seattle will have the best record this season because they loaded up on older players in the expansion draft while the others went young and tried building for the future. They also have the luxury of facing a fellow expansion team 15 or more times while the others will struggle against much more established competition. Gettle knew what he had to do and he got it done. he should be the only expansion team to avoid 100 losses this season
Vindicated125 (10:19:07 PM): This has to be Phoenix with the way they drafted in the expansion draft, collecting great players round after round to put together a solid team on paper for 2008. San Antonio drafted poorly and Colorado just doesn't have the talent to get above Seattle this season. Its between Seattle and Phoenix but I'll give it to Phoenix because they have the pitching edge between the two. Seattle has the better bats, but Phoenix has the pitching and thats what I think wins games.
ToMaS 91531 (10:19:42 PM): id really like to pick someone other than seattle, but i think all the variables will fall into place for them to have a solid year. Obviously, they get to play a fellow expansion team in Colorado, but the other 2 teams in their division arent exactly top-tier. Phoenix might have a better team, but they have to face LA and LV, along with San Diego, who isnt great, but they are an established team. Seattle's got solid starting pitching, which I feel is most imporatnt for any team, expansion or not.
mcgrath228 (10:20:51 PM): I would have to go with Colorado. They're stuck in a division with another expansion team, and unlike the others, in James Fisher, Lamont Madrid, Linishi Chung, Tomatsu Ohka and James Divers, they have something that resembles a young, possibly successful, pitching staff, something none of the other expansion teams do. While their hitting is marginal, they've got a few guys like Joku Hayashi and Hideki Ichijo who may have a year left in them, and we could well see studs like Gavin Petit and Gordon Gahamanajaka helping out the big club by the end of the year.
3. What off-season trade do you think will have the biggest positive impact this year?
Vindicated125 (10:29:22 PM): Its got to be the trade between Dallas and St. Louis made just when trading opened. Dallas gets a star pitcher in Benny Lorenzo to help his need of pitching and it gives him an ace to work with. He also gets Barry Currier, a rising stud first basemen with great talent and a great prospect to add to that solid system. Darryl Fink just gives the Rattlers another solid bat in the lineup. St. Louis receiving Casares replaces Lorenzo and gives a great pitcherr behind St. John and Cavallo and Jason Winans is a great addition to the top of any lineup
ToMaS 91531 (10:30:08 PM): I decided to go with a trade that wasn't really a blockbuster - I thought Lapointe's trade in which he received Brunet, Shih, and Nieves was really solid. He didn't pick anyone up who will be the MVP or anything, but he really didn't give up anything of major value. It helps when the person he traded with wasn't really prepared to start dealing yet, but I think those 3 players will be key in helping Indiana to a winning record this year. With the trade, Lapointe showed he might actually be past the days when he gutted his roster for spects, and his team is for real.
mcgrath228 (10:31:25 PM): Quite obviously the Jose Tejeda trade. Indiana got Tejeda, while St. Louis got essentially Sean Day, Craig Buckelew and Larry Theriault (in exchange for the picks acquired), making a huge impact on both teams. St. Louis now has the offensive depth and talent to compete with any team in the NL, and possibly in the SL in terms of offensive production, while Indiana now has another young, franchise player to build around. I expect that this trade may ultimately have an impact on the playoffs for the next 5-7 years, with the first few being St.Louis' play, while the next few being the results of a strong, Tejeda-led Indiana Eagles team.
WompFump (10:32:31 PM): I almost went with a 3rd deal Lapointe made, however I couldnt ignore how Minnesota went and got Thaddeus Dames (not to mention a high round draft pick) for a relief pitching prospect and a shortstop who is still a few years away from making any impact (he has since been traded to Indiana, in the other deal I was contemplating). Minnesota solidified their young staff with an All ABL player and a Biro Candidate this season. Having to face a potent STL lineup many times this season, Dames should be a huge factor in Minnesota's success this season.
4. With the World Cup approaching, which team(s) do you view as a "dark horse"?
ToMaS 91531 (10:40:47 PM): I see Australia really doing well this World Cup. They've had a history of holding their own against other countries, but this might be the year when they take the next step and get, possibly, to the semifinals. Much of it is because of the new players added to the team, but most of my reasoning is because of the fact that Ty Heath is GMing the team. I have full confidence in his ability to select players for the squad, and placing them in their correct spot in the lineup. He is widely known for being one of the smartest people in the league, and I think it will be quite evident when the World Cup rolls around.
mcgrath228 (10:42:11 PM): I think Canada, who had a weakness with pitching last go around, could very well emerge as a top team this time. They've got a rotation with Steve Howell, Matt Pine, Eric Lockhart, Roy Hitchens and Daniel Baker and with a terrific contact hitting lineup, with Billy Muir, Frito, Andy Jacobs, Dave Bertrand, Sean Reilley, as well as the power presence of Henry Hildebrant, RJ Knight and Parks Accardi, as well as the ownership of an established expansion owner in the ABL, rather than a coach, Dan Gettle could easily lead this team to emerge as one of the top few teams in the World Cup.
WompFump (10:42:50 PM): Italy, because they have a good pitching staff and no one gives a damn about this stupid thing anyways. the NHL will draw more ratings than this sorry excuse of a tournament. Go Sabres
Vindicated125 (10:43:44 PM): I have to say It's going to be the Dutch in this one. With Eric Dekker in the middle of that lineup surrounded by Andrew Lafeber, Maarten Sneijder, and Matt Hodge, this has to be one of the most potent lineups in the World Cup. Not to mention the strength of the pitching staff lead by young Seelay Nigaar. After Tim Taylor's performance in 2007 I think he can be a solid #2 behind Rikjaards and Nigaar. The Bullpen is also very talented with Kevin Joseph rounding out the pen and Jaap Maarten and Jan Heitenga in the middle. The bench is also powerful with Mark Rediker and Jon Van Timmer. This team may be very young, but Im sure they can produce well. Look for the Dutch to walk away with a World Cup Championship under Eric Dekker's strong bat and leadership
Buy/Sell 1
Vindicated125 (10:58:35 PM): With no real threats at the plate other than Santiago Frisina, I cant see San Antonio winning more than 30-35 games. Cleveland has made strides in getting better like calling up Andrew Lafeber and Austin Dudas to help out their team. Chih Lu came around in 2007 and should perform well with some help behind him in Lafeber. San Antonio just looks horrible on paper, trading away all of their respectable pitchers and hardly any bullpen. San Antonio will finish last for sure.
WompFump (11:00:23 PM): There is no way Cleveland finishes 24th in the league. The main reason is the 4 expansion teams, and the secondary reason is dude at the helm, rather than the Bidwell esque owner that was Moosejew. If dude can swing a few deals and use his young prospects like Dudas and Lu properly, the Crusaders could be in the 50-60 win range, which in turn will allow him to steadily improve for the future. Cleveland will still be a bottom 5 team, but certainly not THE bottom team. Sell.
mcgrath228 (11:01:30 PM): Buy. In a division where there are three strong, playoff-hunting teams in Chicago, Detroit and Indiana, Cleveland has yet to do anything to improve their major league team by much measure. While there are expansion teams set in the league now, they no longer have the teams like Philly or New York in their division against whom they can compete, and while Phoenix and San Antonio aren't great, the lack of alot of good teams in the SL will show, as both the Firebirds and San Antonio may approach respectability (for an expansion team)
B/S #2
2. B/S: Boston representing the Northern League in the ABL Championship Series.
WompFump (11:07:36 PM): according to my prediction, buy. however, seeing as thats how i predicted it, I doubt thats what will happen. There is a lot of upper class talent in the North, as STL vastly improved, Chicago stayed the same championship caliber squad theyve always been, detroit can contend, and CT is the defending champion at this point, it is much too early to single out just one team as the representative from the North. The Bears made a lot of improvements to avoid their annual chokejob, but what is brought to the field by these additions ultimately decide their fate. Sell for now
mcgrath228 (11:09:36 PM): I'll buy, if for no other reason than the fact that it's my team. However, my offense hasn't lost a step, getting Luis Suazo to replace Steve Landers, and Jonga Shibata will move right in where Leo Wavias vacated 3rd base, and Terrell Braska will take the DH spot Theriault used to have. My pitching, with the addition of Seifert and Lowenstein, as well as the return of Chris Reilley, will not be my downfall this year and if uber-prospect Ernest Mook comes up with a successful season when he's in the majors for me, Boston will win the NL.
Vindicated125 (11:10:45 PM): Boston getting rid of Larry Theriault, Steve Landers and Leo Wavias was a mistake by McGrath's part. I still think Connecticut still has what it takes to oust Boston. Chicago can also make a run and eliminate the Bears from the playoffs yet again, maybe in sweep fashion. I'd love to see St. Louis make a move and get past the first round. The additions of Amos Casares and Jason Winans will help a ton. Boston will exit early for the 3rd year in a row. Sell.
#3. B/S: Miami finally does not reach the ABLCS
mcgrath228 (11:22:02 PM): Sell. Miami didn't lose anything from last year, they've still got their 4 starters, plus new stud Emil Almanzar, so the rotation will still be atop the league. Their hitters haven't lost anyone, and haven't aged, and while Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Dallas are quality teams, it'll be another season or two before they rise to the top.
WompFump (11:22:34 PM): sell. they didnt lose anyone and they are far and away the best team in the league. not much can be said here, because again, its a 162 game season and anything can happen. LV and LA will compete, but it all comes down to whether or not Miami can continue to dominate teams with their bats and their pitching... I think they should be able to do it... easily. Buy
Vindicated125 (11:23:24 PM): Miami will reach the ABLCS again. Las Vegas just isnt strong enough this season and Los Angeles and slowly fallen apart from the once powerful team they were with Peyton Arana at the helm. Nobody from the Texas Division looks to be a real contender this season. Sell.
Showdown
1. Who do you believe will be a better owner, Donnellan or Hartley?
WompFump (11:30:22 PM): thats like asking who will be a better team, Miami or Tampa. sure both are expansion owners and sure both teams are in Florida, but one is head and shoulders above the other, and in this case, Hartley puts Donnellan to shame. Hartley has made enough deals to show he is competent, while Donnellan has made so many mistakes already, he has a lot of catching up to do
mcgrath228 (11:32:35 PM): I'm going to go with Hartley. I've actually talked to him before, and he knows enough of the nuances of OOTP not to mess up his team. He's put together a solid core of players already, having a semi-successful pitching staff already assembled, as well as two terrific leadoff guys with Gahamanajaka and Petit. The success of building this team thus far reflects well on Hartley's potential, and given that he's only been around for a bit, he can only get better as his time here progresses.
2. Of the two new "non-expansion" owners, who do you believe will be a better owner "Gierto" or "Dude"?
mcgrath228 (11:35:44 PM): After hearing that Dude was ready to dish off Howell and Dudas for Chavez and Ruiz from Tampa, I think it could be a step or two backwards for Dude and Cleveland before going forwards. Gierto invested a bit much to acquire Akin Akinrade and Ezio Mattimiro, but ultimately seems to have a set direction to his franchise already, which will give him a nice head start on Dude, who appears to still be getting oriented with Cleveland.
WompFump (11:37:40 PM): Gierto already showed he wasnt ready for a team by negotiating with Tampa pre ownership (he never got them), and then jumping the gun when expansion was being announced (he claimed two stud spects were washed up when trying to acquire them). When he finally got a team, he traded for his own MCP (Mattimiro) and it cost him 3 young quality players (ortiz williams woods, and 2 good picks) dude was under my wing for the final 6 weeks of his apprenticeship, and he showed he could wiggle around the before knowing much about it. thus, dude wins the ownership battle here
3. Which ball club do you believe will win more games, Detroit or Indiana?
WompFump (11:41:24 PM): Detroit. Sure, Indiana made improvements, but theyve claimed to have done so each season for the past 3 seasons. Detroit kept quiet this offseason (again), much like Chicago.. why fix something that works so well? Lapointe trades so often that he is incapable of figuring out what works. he tries to alter things before giving them a fair shot at success, and it hurts him every season. I dont expect it to be much different this year, however, he should finally be around .500 for the first time in his reign
mcgrath228 (11:43:58 PM): Realistically, after Detroit's overachieving last year, they showed that they are still a force to be reckoned with. With Riojas, Rodriguez, Hitchens and soon Castaneda anchoring the rotation, Detroit's got the edge there, and while their lineup is certainly aging, it's got one season left. Indiana might have some troubles getting their proposed rookie components adjusted to the ML quickly. While I think he'll stick to his guns, not trading off his guys after a bad month, Detroit will come out on top this year; they haven't lost anything since last offseason, and the addition of Castaneda can't hurt. Indiana will be well over .500, but will finish around 90 wins, which won't be good enough to beat Detroit. Indiana will win in a season or two.
Mustangs3007 (11:44:40 PM): k. for the scoring i had 3 members vote on who they thought had the better argument so whoever got the majority decision got the point
Mustangs3007 (11:48:47 PM): for Question #3
Mustangs3007 (11:48:56 PM): it was a unanimous decision
Mustangs3007 (11:49:02 PM): for Matt
Mustangs3007 (11:49:10 PM): #2
Mustangs3007 (11:49:15 PM): it was again unanimous
Mustangs3007 (11:49:19 PM): for Tim
Mustangs3007 (11:49:29 PM): Question #1 is a Split decision
Mustangs3007 (11:50:08 PM): The winner
Mustangs3007 (11:50:17 PM): with a split decision in Question #1
Mustangs3007 (11:50:19 PM): is...
dabus4111 (11:50:24 PM): anticipation
Mustangs3007 (11:50:29 PM): Tim