Baseball 2007 Season Predictions Thread

[albionmoonlight]

Post your predictions for the upcoming season here. Whatever you feel like predicting. Hopefully, one of us will remember to bump this thread around October and see how we all did.

[John Galt]

I predict my Nats will be so bad that puppies will cry.

[albionmoonlight]

My predictions:

Yankess miss the post-season (too old).

Tigers win the World-Series over the Mets.

Cy Youngs: Santana and Smoltz

[Fighter of Foo]

Arizona 79 wins OVER
Yankees 97 wins UNDER
Washington 68 wins UNDER

A pitcher will NOT win the MVP in either league this year.

[Atocep]

AL
East: Yankees
Central: Indians
West: A's
WC: Red Sox

*Santana wins what should be his 4th straight Cy Young
*Grady Sizemore wins MVP

NL
East: Mets
Central: Cards
West: Dodgers
WC: Padres

*Peavy wins Cy Young
*Pujols wins MVP

[lordscarlet]

Originally Posted by John Galt

I predict my Nats will be so bad that puppies will cry.

This goal has already been completed. However, the Nats did get 3 web gems last night. Zimmerman is the real deal. We'll just have to wait a few seasons before even imagining hope at a good season.

[John Galt]

Originally Posted by lordscarlet

This goal has already been completed. However, the Nats did get 3 web gems last night. Zimmerman is the real deal. We'll just have to wait a few seasons before even imagining hope at a good season.

That's the sort of optimism you can have when the farm system has decent players. Unfortunately, the Nats farm system is filled with poop. Sadly, a higher budget and free agency are the likely way out of this mess. And with Bowden calling the shots, I'm not optimistic - while he has had a couple of decent trades, his free agency decisions have generally been awful.

[adubroff]

AL
East: Boston
Central: White Sox
West: Oakland
WC: Yankees
MVP : ARod --> Can you say "contract year"?
Yohan Sanatana Award : Yohan Santana
ROY : Matsusaka

NL
East : Phils
Central : Brewers (gotta pick at least one upset)
West : Dodgers
WC : Mets
MVP : Ryan Howard
Cy Young : Ben Sheets
ROY : Chris Young

WS Matchup : Phillies over White Sox.

[Butter]

Over/under on Griffey's first DL appearance: May 14th

[Vince]

The Giants are going to be better than everyone thinks, and flirt with the playoffs until the last week of the season. Then Jeff Kent is going to trip over a garden hose and claim it was a rock-climbing accident, and whatever no-name takes his spot in the lineup is going to go apeshit for the Dodgers, and push them over the hump, leaving the Giants out of the playoffs again.

[miked]

The Reds and Pirates will be selling players in June to stuff their pockets with more loot.

[molson]

Originally Posted by miked

The Reds and Pirates will be selling players in June to stuff their pockets with more loot.

And it will somehow be considered George Steinbrenner's fault.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

Over/under on Griffey's first DL appearance: May 14th

At least they saved him the embarrassment of pretending to still be a centerfielder.

[lordscarlet]

Originally Posted by John Galt

That's the sort of optimism you can have when the farm system has decent players. Unfortunately, the Nats farm system is filled with poop. Sadly, a higher budget and free agency are the likely way out of this mess. And with Bowden calling the shots, I'm not optimistic - while he has had a couple of decent trades, his free agency decisions have generally been awful.

I hope that in 2 years or so time if the farm system isn't working out Lerner will open his pockets a little. It's hard to know what exactly will happen, but I can't be anything but optimistic or there's no point. I'm optimistic that Snyder will settle down every year, why can't I have faith in Lerner?

[John Galt]

Originally Posted by lordscarlet

I hope that in 2 years or so time if the farm system isn't working out Lerner will open his pockets a little. It's hard to know what exactly will happen, but I can't be anything but optimistic or there's no point. I'm optimistic that Snyder will settle down every year, why can't I have faith in Lerner?

At least I'm not a Redskins fan. If Lerner doesn't open his pockets in that major market when the stadium is built for him (with little contribution by him), then I think he will feel an ugly backlash. And I would hate for DC to lose a baseball team yet again.

[Ksyrup]

What's the over/under on how many 4th or 5th OF-types Jim Bowden signs or trades for by August? That guy seems to do nothing but collect OFers who aren't good enough to start.

[lordscarlet]

Originally Posted by John Galt

At least I'm not a Redskins fan. If Lerner doesn't open his pockets in that major market when the stadium is built for him (with little contribution by him), then I think he will feel an ugly backlash. And I would hate for DC to lose a baseball team yet again.

Yeah. The team needs to make progress to gain a base. The current fanbase isn't enough to hold the franchise here. I lived my whole life without a team, I don't want to see it leave.

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

What's the over/under on how many 4th or 5th OF-types Jim Bowden signs or trades for by August? That guy seems to do nothing but collect OFers who aren't good enough to start.

Look at the roster. It's not just the OF. Having said that, the theory is that they are young and will progress. Two injuries on opening day is not a good sign of things to come, though.

[Toddzilla]

Brad Lidge will have more saves than Jason Isringhausen.

[kingfc22]

Matt Cain will throw a no-hitter

[Desmond]

Ben Sheets wins the NL Cy Young with a Santana like season.

Cardinals over A's in the world series.

[dawgfan]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

What's the over/under on how many 4th or 5th OF-types Jim Bowden signs or trades for by August? That guy seems to do nothing but collect OFers who aren't good enough to start.

I sure would like to see the Nats give Chris Snelling an extended shot as a full-time starter - dude is a flat-out pure hitter who just needs to stay healthy.

[dawgfan]

I predict Felix Hernandez will have quite a few games of utter dominance this season, similar to last night's performance.

[Fighter of Foo]

Originally Posted by dawgfan

I sure would like to see the Nats give Chris Snelling an extended shot as a full-time starter - dude is a flat-out pure hitter who just needs to stay healthy.

He's an injury prone JD Drew

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Royals--------81 wins, 81 losses.

KC rejoices that we have a competitive team.

[DanGarion]

Originally Posted by Fighter of Foo

He's an injury prone JD Drew

Hah, quote of the day!

[Tyrith]

AL
East: Red Sox
Central: Indians
West: Angels
WC: Twins

NL
East: Phillies
Central: Cardinals (division will be a disaster)
West: Diamondbacks
WC: Braves

Not going to predict the playoffs, they're a crapshoot.

AL Cy: Felix Hernandez
NL Cy: Roy Oswalt

[Bee]

I made a bet with a friend that the Nationals would win more than 50 games. After the first couple games, I predict I will end up losing that bet.

[beargrowlz]

Yanks trade ARod to the Sawks for Mike Lowell, Coco Crisp and a PTBL.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by dawgfan

I predict Felix Hernandez will have quite a few games of utter dominance this season, similar to last night's performance.

I moved from San Antonio (I missed catching him pitch for the AA affiliate there ) to Tacoma 2 months ago and I'm definitely making the trip to Seattle to see this kid pitch sometime this year. I read that he recognized that he was out of shape last year and has started taking his conditioning seriously. He's going to be a fun one to watch.

[lordscarlet]

Originally Posted by HiFiRevival

The little I've seen of him looks like that's possible. If Snelling, Kearns, Casto, Church is the OF, that's really not too bad. Kearns and Snelling could both be legit. Add in Zimmerman, Lopez and Nick Johnson and the infield is 3/4 of the way there when healthy.

The farm system must progress very quickly. Another hit or two like Cordero, Bray, Zimmerman in the first round would really buy them some time while trading for the Wagner, Snelling, Chico types will at least add decent filler as other picks progress. I do like adding guys like Kasten and Rizzo to the situation with experience in building/maintaining good farm systems.

With all that said, the SP must either step up or be replaced very soon. Patterson must be dominant and healthy and a couple of the young arms must be good enough to hold on until new blood arrives. I'm hoping this is the last year of Randy St. Claire and his never improving pitching staff. Just seems like tons of pitching injuries and no real harnessing of talent under him. Go get Ray Miller back out of retirement, or try to lure someone like Orel Hershiser.

Young doesn't look so bad as a fill-in for Johnson (so far).

Originally Posted by Bee

I made a bet with a friend that the Nationals would win more than 50 games. After the first couple games, I predict I will end up losing that bet.

Sucker.

[saintjo]

NL East: Mets - This team is stacked if they can stay healthy. A few oldies but goodies, but probably have the money to replace them if they go on the DL.

NL Central: Cards - Doesnt say much though since this is the worst division in baseball right now. I am a huge cards fan (and no, not a bandwagon jumper) so 99% of the games i watch are in the NL Central. It's just sad this year.

NL West: Dodgers - That is if they can stay healthy. Honestly as long as its not the Giants, I am happy

AL: I'll start watching it when they get rid of the DH. In my opinion, there is only one "real" league (takes cover from flames)

[Warhammer]

Originally Posted by saintjo

AL: I'll start watching it when they get rid of the DH. In my opinion, there is only one "real" league (takes cover from flames)

I'm an Angels fan first, and aside from watching them, I agree with you.

[dawgfan]

Originally Posted by Atocep

I read that he recognized that he was out of shape last year and has started taking his conditioning seriously. He's going to be a fun one to watch.

He dropped at least 20 pounds of baby fat and is leaner than he was last year, though he's still a big guy at 6-3 and about 225. I think the M's were worried he was headed down the Bartolo Colon road and challenged him to get in shape - last year he started slow, partly due to shin splints he suffered in Spring that nagged him.

The only 2 questions with Felix are him refining his command and staying healthy. His repertoire is filthy - as he continues to gain experience and refine his command, the sky is the limit for him. Pitchers that combine extreme groundball tendencies with high strikeout rates and decent walk rates = as good as it gets.

[lordscarlet]

Originally Posted by HiFiRevival

Yeah, that looks like a flier that was worth taking. If he can simply be average until Johnson is back, that's a huge help. Any more than that is gravy.

And stay away from any off-field problems.

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by John Galt

I predict my Nats will be so bad that puppies will cry.

Apparently, you were being kind.

[Toddzilla]

Originally Posted by Toddzilla

Brad Lidge will have more saves than Jason Isringhausen.

Should I pay my $20 now or wait for a miracle?

[Terps]

The O's will have their 10th consecutive losing season.

But I'll still enjoy watching our big 3 of Bedard, Loewen, and Cabrera pitch, and future all-star Nick Markakis hit. Hope for the next of our young pitchers to come up (Hayden Penn, Garrett Olson) and have a young, homegrown rotation. Too bad they have no hitting in the minors.

[Danny]

I predict that by the end of the season the Yankees will be calling me up to go pitch for them.

[John Galt]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

Apparently, you were being kind.

You can't say that on a day they actually won a game. That might not happen again for the rest of the month.

[MrIllini]

Originally Posted by Toddzilla

Should I pay my $20 now or wait for a miracle?

I was wondering how long it would be before you'd want to take that back.

[Toddzilla]

Originally Posted by MrIllini

I was wondering how long it would be before you'd want to take that back.

The D-Rays can still bail me out, trade for Lidge, and give him a job.

[MrIllini]

but that would require the D-Rays to win enough games to get him enough chances to outperform Izzy

[dawgfan]

Isringhausen could break down and Lidge could win his job back in Houston or get traded elsewhere to a closer job...