02-03-2012, 09:35 PM
(This post was last modified: 02-04-2012, 01:45 AM by mattynokes.)
Poll Info: http://www.firstclassmogul.com/showthread.php?tid=9594
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Pre-Season Rankings
AL East
The Yankees are balanced from top to bottom and have solid depth. But you surely can't count of the Jays, though I do think Toronto is starting to lose a step pitching wise. Good thing for Toronto fans is that Andy is rejuvenating the lineup. Expect the other three teams to be out of contention by May 1st.
AL Central
These formulas just love the Twins. Every year Minnesota seems to be a letdown. The addition of Bill Doucet should be huge. Look for this team to finally be legitimate contenders. JHC always seem to worry (like a 13 year old girl) if he'll be a contender or not. As long as you have Aitkenhead and Trembath/Conyers, So-Chi will be competitors. The big question will be how long can the Stang-less Tigers hold up? Well, look no further than recent history where the vacant Dodgers made the playoffs a year ago and a tied up DJ saw his Astros win a World Series in '23 without much attention. Will Detroit be the next team to inexplicably have success without a GM?
AL West
All of the ALW teams rank in the bottom half. It looks to be WIDE open this year. Texas still has some solid pieces to contend in the division. Sean's Angels are another year progressed towards winning and have a solid 1-2-3 punch in the rotation. Surprisingly HB's Mariners could have a shot. The team actually has some competent pitching this year. I have to agree with the poll that the A's have the worst shot at the division. They still have a few good players, but the pitching depth is pretty weak.
NL East
The Marlins are still the incumbent team to beat in the East, but look out for the Braves. Piazza went ape shit crazy this off-season and could have the lowly Braves quickly turned around. The Nationals are also to be taken very seriously. They have a great core and just need to put it all together. Even the Mets still have a shot with all of their balance. All of this talk of competition in the East makes you wonder, "Where the Phuck is Filly?"
NL Central
Houston is still the favorite, but the good news is their minor leagues don't have a plethora of talent...right now. The Reds clearly have the best lineup in the entire league, but depth is a huge concern. If injuries hit, you can stick a fork in Cincinnati. There just seems to be something lacking with the Brewers. A couple more pieces and they could be contenders. Usually, I agree with Peter's underrated players. However, as quickly as the Pirates found success, they are already falling off. They're breaking in a lot of new players this season while Alderson and Vaio can't stay healthy and Beavan is far into regression.
NL West
Let's get one thing straight. The Dodgers run a year ago was a complete fluke. I know Mav went out and made some solid moves, but there's no reason to believe this isn't a two team race. Colorado is making a bold move by signing Ryan Christner to a large contract and converting him to SP. You either love the move or hate it. Colorado also still has a great threat offensively with Brand, Rabena, and Gamora. Not to be outdone, Arizona signed Vernon Duarez and Jamie Valdez. Arizona's Achilles Heel is probably the bullpen. There's talent there, but a few of them whose prime has long since passed.
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Pre-Season Rankings
Rank | Team ----- | Lineup | Bench | Defense | Rotation | Bullpen | Score |
1 | :MIN: | 87 | 79 | 93 | 93 | 92 | 90.00 |
2 | :HOU: | 88 | 81 | 91 | 90 | 91 | 89.15 |
3 | :FLA: | 87 | 80 | 90 | 90 | 92 | 88.85 |
4 | :NYY: | 87 | 84 | 88 | 93 | 85 | 88.35 |
5 | :CHW: | 85 | 81 | 87 | 93 | 88 | 88.00 |
6 | :CIN: | 90 | 77 | 94 | 89 | 82 | 87.85 |
7 | :ATL: | 85 | 85 | 92 | 94 | 82 | 87.80 |
8 | :TOR: | 86 | 85 | 86 | 93 | 83 | 87.45 |
9 | :WAS: | 89 | 82 | 89 | 89 | 82 | 87.25 |
10 | :MIL: | 86 | 83 | 81 | 90 | 88 | 86.95 |
11 | :COL: | 85 | 85 | 82 | 92 | 85 | 86.80 |
12 | :DET: | 86 | 80 | 78 | 94 | 83 | 86.70 |
13 | :NYM: | 88 | 81 | 91 | 86 | 84 | 86.55 |
14 | :ARI: | 87 | 81 | 82 | 94 | 77 | 86.30 |
15 | :CHC: | 82 | 80 | 84 | 88 | 91 | 85.70 |
16 | :CLE: | 83 | 77 | 82 | 91 | 81 | 84.60 |
17 | :TEX: | 82 | 82 | 83 | 86 | 82 | 83.30 |
18 | :BOS: | 82 | 82 | 81 | 88 | 79 | 83.10 |
19 | :BAL: | 85 | 83 | 86 | 82 | 79 | 82.90 |
20 | :STL: | 80 | 81 | 90 | 82 | 86 | 82.85 |
21 | :KCR: | 81 | 78 | 87 | 79 | 89 | 82.45 |
22 | :SEA: | 82 | 79 | 79 | 86 | 80 | 82.35 |
23 | :LAA: | 82 | 81 | 82 | 85 | 79 | 82.25 |
24 | :OAK: | 83 | 79 | 88 | 81 | 79 | 81.90 |
25 | :TBR: | 81 | 81 | 82 | 84 | 79 | 81.60 |
26 | :PIT: | 83 | 80 | 86 | 80 | 79 | 81.45 |
27 | :PHI: | 83 | 78 | 87 | 79 | 78 | 80.95 |
28 | :LAD: | 83 | 82 | 87 | 73 | 80 | 79.75 |
29 | :SFG: | 82 | 75 | 85 | 78 | 73 | 78.95 |
30 | :SDP: | 76 | 76 | 80 | 78 | 78 | 77.40 |
AL East
The Yankees are balanced from top to bottom and have solid depth. But you surely can't count of the Jays, though I do think Toronto is starting to lose a step pitching wise. Good thing for Toronto fans is that Andy is rejuvenating the lineup. Expect the other three teams to be out of contention by May 1st.
AL Central
These formulas just love the Twins. Every year Minnesota seems to be a letdown. The addition of Bill Doucet should be huge. Look for this team to finally be legitimate contenders. JHC always seem to worry (like a 13 year old girl) if he'll be a contender or not. As long as you have Aitkenhead and Trembath/Conyers, So-Chi will be competitors. The big question will be how long can the Stang-less Tigers hold up? Well, look no further than recent history where the vacant Dodgers made the playoffs a year ago and a tied up DJ saw his Astros win a World Series in '23 without much attention. Will Detroit be the next team to inexplicably have success without a GM?
AL West
All of the ALW teams rank in the bottom half. It looks to be WIDE open this year. Texas still has some solid pieces to contend in the division. Sean's Angels are another year progressed towards winning and have a solid 1-2-3 punch in the rotation. Surprisingly HB's Mariners could have a shot. The team actually has some competent pitching this year. I have to agree with the poll that the A's have the worst shot at the division. They still have a few good players, but the pitching depth is pretty weak.
NL East
The Marlins are still the incumbent team to beat in the East, but look out for the Braves. Piazza went ape shit crazy this off-season and could have the lowly Braves quickly turned around. The Nationals are also to be taken very seriously. They have a great core and just need to put it all together. Even the Mets still have a shot with all of their balance. All of this talk of competition in the East makes you wonder, "Where the Phuck is Filly?"
NL Central
Houston is still the favorite, but the good news is their minor leagues don't have a plethora of talent...right now. The Reds clearly have the best lineup in the entire league, but depth is a huge concern. If injuries hit, you can stick a fork in Cincinnati. There just seems to be something lacking with the Brewers. A couple more pieces and they could be contenders. Usually, I agree with Peter's underrated players. However, as quickly as the Pirates found success, they are already falling off. They're breaking in a lot of new players this season while Alderson and Vaio can't stay healthy and Beavan is far into regression.
NL West
Let's get one thing straight. The Dodgers run a year ago was a complete fluke. I know Mav went out and made some solid moves, but there's no reason to believe this isn't a two team race. Colorado is making a bold move by signing Ryan Christner to a large contract and converting him to SP. You either love the move or hate it. Colorado also still has a great threat offensively with Brand, Rabena, and Gamora. Not to be outdone, Arizona signed Vernon Duarez and Jamie Valdez. Arizona's Achilles Heel is probably the bullpen. There's talent there, but a few of them whose prime has long since passed.
Cleveland Record: 5631-4946 (.532) [2054-2071, 2083-2104, 2110-2135]
AL Post: 16 (ALC), 11 (WC) - ALDS Win: 12 - ALCS Champ: 7 - WS Champ: 4
ALW: Mariners + Angels Record: 1072-864 (.554) [2042-2048, 2105-2110]
AL Post: 3 (ALW), 4 (WC) - ALDS Win: 3 - ALCS Champ: 1 - WS Champ: 1
NLW: Rockies + Padres Record: 3230-2753 (.540) [2017-2042, 2072-2082]
NL Post: 18 (NLW), 4 (WC) - NLDS Win: 7 - NLCS Champ: 4 - WS Champ: 0