arstyle27
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Well, it's that time again. With many pitchers and catchers already reporting to Spring Training, it's time to bring back the best baseball thread onNikeTalk. A new season provides new hope. It's a fresh start, and every team starts off in 1st place.
Chicago Cubs
Last year: 97-65, 1st; lost to Dodgers in first round
Manager: Lou Piniella
Headliners: Carlos Zambrano, Rich Harden, Ryan Dempster, GeovanySoto, Aramis Ramirez, Alfonso Soriano
Additions: Milton Bradley, Kevin Gregg, Aaron Miles, Aaron Heilman, Joey Gathright, So Taguchi, Jeff Stevens, Luis Vizcaino
Losses: Kerry Wood, Mark DeRosa, Bob Howry, Jason Marquis, Henry Blanco, Jim Edmonds, Daryle Ward, Ronny Cedeno, Felix Pie, Rich Hill
Health watch: Harden's shoulder is a concern. The Cubs hope he can make 25 starts but plan on being six, even seven, deep in starters tomake Harden a luxury item rather than an essential one.
X-factor: Bradley received a three-year contract despite a history of injuries and questions about his temperament and fielding skills. Hebrings a dangerous bat and valuable energy. It will be interesting to see if he becomes beloved or is bedeviled by the Wrigley fans.
Tipping point: Piniella's biggest mission is rebuilding a bullpen that has Carlos Marmol as thecloser in waiting and Gregg hoping to receive regular save opportunities, as he did in Florida. Jeff Samardzija has thetalent to play a big role if he's not needed in the rotation.
Milwaukee Brewers
[h2]BREWERS[/h2]Last year: 90-72, 2nd
Manager: Ken Macha
Headliners: Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder, Corey Hart, J.J. Hardy, TrevorHoffman
Additions: Braden Looper, R.J. Swindle, Jorge Julio, Trot Nixon,Chase Wright, Ramiro Mendoza, Scott Thorman, Hoffman
Losses: CC Sabathia, Ben Sheets, Salomon Torres, Brian Shouse,Eric Gagne, Derrick Turnbow, Russell Branyan, Gabe Kapler, Mike Lamb, GuillermoMota
Health watch: Chris Capuano is attempting a comeback after two major elbow surgeries.
X-factor: Even after trading Matt LaPorta to get Sabathia, Milwaukee has talented position players coming in shortstop Alcides Escobar, thirdbaseman-first baseman Mat Gamel and catcher Angel Salome. They could prompt some veterans to be declared expendable during the season, especially Hardy andFielder
Tipping point: A thin rotation lost its first two guys. To compete, the Brewers need 30-plus solid starts from Yovani Gallardo, Jeff Suppan and Manny Parra.
Houston Astros
Last year: 86-75, 3rd
Manager: Cecil Cooper
Headliners: Roy Oswalt, Lance Berkman, Miguel Tejada, Carlos Lee, Hunter Pence
Additions: Mike Hampton, Aaron Boone, Toby Hall, Jason Michaels, Russ Ortiz, Clay Hensley, DannyGraves
Losses: Brad Ausmus, Randy Wolf, Mark Loretta
Health watch: His eight-year contract finally over, Hampton is looking to work 100-plus innings for the first time since 2004.
X-factor: Ausmus, the Astros' regular catcher since 2001, has moved on. Humberto Quintero, J.R.Towles, Lou Palmisano and Hall will compete for the job in camp. None have Ausmus' touch in developing pitchers.
Tipping point: The salaries for Berkman, Lee and Tejada limited what GM Ed Wade could do in bringing in proven parts for the pitching staff.He tried but failed to sign Wolf, making it imperative for Hampton, Brandon Backe, Brian Moehler and Wandy Rodriguez to carry a bigger workload.
St. Louis Cardinals
Last year: 86-76, 4th
Manager: Tony La Russa
Headliners: Albert Pujols, Adam Wainwright, Kyle Lohse, Ryan Ludwick, Rick Ankiel
Additions: Khalil Greene, Trever Miller, Royce Ring
Losses: Cesar Izturis, Braden Looper, Jason Isringhausen, RussSpringer, Aaron Miles, Adam Kennedy, Mark Mulder, Ron Villone, Jason LaRue
Health watch: Troy Glaus had shoulder surgery in the off-season and will open the season on the disabledlist. Chris Carpenter believes a second elbow surgery finally has given him relief, hopefully allowing him to return tothe rotation in the first half of the season.
X-factor: GM John Mozeliak used up his budget to re-sign Lohse, forcing him to cross his fingers about a bullpen missing a proven closer.Youngsters Chris Perez and Jason Motte could emerge as key parts.
Tipping point: La Russa and longtime pitching coach Dave Duncan once again have their work cut out for them with the pitching staff.Carpenter's return could give St. Louis a shot to surprise.
Cincinnati Reds
Last year: 74-88, 5th
Manager: Dusty Baker
Headliners: Edinson Volquez, Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, Bronson Arroyo, Francisco Cordero
Additions: Ramon Hernandez, Willy Taveras, Arthur Rhodes, JacquesJones, Daryle Ward, Jonny Gomes, Aaron Fultz
Losses: Corey Patterson, Ryan Freel, Jeremy Affeldt, Mike Lincoln, Matt Belisle, Gary Majewski, KentMercker, Paul Bako, Josh Fogg, Javier Valentin
Health watch: A compression fracture in his left knee caused Alex Gonzalez to miss 2008. He has beencleared for spring training, but will he hold up?
X-factor: Aaron Harang served up 35 homers and went 6-17 last season.
Tipping point: In Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr., the Reds lost a ton of pop with midseason trades lastyear. The onus is on the 21-year-old Bruce to pick up the slack.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Last year: 67-95, 6th
Manager: John Russell
Headliners: Nate McLouth, Ryan Doumit, Adam LaRoche, Paul Maholm
Additions: Eric Hinske, Ramon Vazquez, Jason Jaramillo, Donald Veal, Virgil Vazquez
Losses: Ronny Paulino, Doug Mientkiewicz, Luis Rivas, JasonMichaels, Chris Gomez, Denny Bautista
Health watch: Lefty Phil Dumatrait will miss the season after shoulder surgery. Outfielder Brandon Moss comes to camp after having his kneescoped.
X-factor: Speedy center fielder Andrew McCutchen is a potential impact player but could return to Triple A to start the season. He should beon the Rookie of the Year short list if he's up before Memorial Day.
Tipping point: A 14-game improvement is needed to avoid a 17th consecutive losing season. The only way that will happen is with a majorturnaround from the starting rotation. Ian Snell and Maholm have long-term deals, but it's starting to look like now or never for Tom Gorzelanny and ZachDuke.
We gotta keep it clean and respectful, but a little trash talkin' never hurt nobody! We'regonna be in for another fun season, and it'll be great to see all the old names from the past threads. New fans are always welcome. Good luck to everyoneand their teams!!
GO CUBS !!!
Chicago Cubs
Last year: 97-65, 1st; lost to Dodgers in first round
Manager: Lou Piniella
Headliners: Carlos Zambrano, Rich Harden, Ryan Dempster, GeovanySoto, Aramis Ramirez, Alfonso Soriano
Additions: Milton Bradley, Kevin Gregg, Aaron Miles, Aaron Heilman, Joey Gathright, So Taguchi, Jeff Stevens, Luis Vizcaino
Losses: Kerry Wood, Mark DeRosa, Bob Howry, Jason Marquis, Henry Blanco, Jim Edmonds, Daryle Ward, Ronny Cedeno, Felix Pie, Rich Hill
Health watch: Harden's shoulder is a concern. The Cubs hope he can make 25 starts but plan on being six, even seven, deep in starters tomake Harden a luxury item rather than an essential one.
X-factor: Bradley received a three-year contract despite a history of injuries and questions about his temperament and fielding skills. Hebrings a dangerous bat and valuable energy. It will be interesting to see if he becomes beloved or is bedeviled by the Wrigley fans.
Tipping point: Piniella's biggest mission is rebuilding a bullpen that has Carlos Marmol as thecloser in waiting and Gregg hoping to receive regular save opportunities, as he did in Florida. Jeff Samardzija has thetalent to play a big role if he's not needed in the rotation.
Milwaukee Brewers
[h2]BREWERS[/h2]Last year: 90-72, 2nd
Manager: Ken Macha
Headliners: Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder, Corey Hart, J.J. Hardy, TrevorHoffman
Additions: Braden Looper, R.J. Swindle, Jorge Julio, Trot Nixon,Chase Wright, Ramiro Mendoza, Scott Thorman, Hoffman
Losses: CC Sabathia, Ben Sheets, Salomon Torres, Brian Shouse,Eric Gagne, Derrick Turnbow, Russell Branyan, Gabe Kapler, Mike Lamb, GuillermoMota
Health watch: Chris Capuano is attempting a comeback after two major elbow surgeries.
X-factor: Even after trading Matt LaPorta to get Sabathia, Milwaukee has talented position players coming in shortstop Alcides Escobar, thirdbaseman-first baseman Mat Gamel and catcher Angel Salome. They could prompt some veterans to be declared expendable during the season, especially Hardy andFielder
Tipping point: A thin rotation lost its first two guys. To compete, the Brewers need 30-plus solid starts from Yovani Gallardo, Jeff Suppan and Manny Parra.
Houston Astros
Last year: 86-75, 3rd
Manager: Cecil Cooper
Headliners: Roy Oswalt, Lance Berkman, Miguel Tejada, Carlos Lee, Hunter Pence
Additions: Mike Hampton, Aaron Boone, Toby Hall, Jason Michaels, Russ Ortiz, Clay Hensley, DannyGraves
Losses: Brad Ausmus, Randy Wolf, Mark Loretta
Health watch: His eight-year contract finally over, Hampton is looking to work 100-plus innings for the first time since 2004.
X-factor: Ausmus, the Astros' regular catcher since 2001, has moved on. Humberto Quintero, J.R.Towles, Lou Palmisano and Hall will compete for the job in camp. None have Ausmus' touch in developing pitchers.
Tipping point: The salaries for Berkman, Lee and Tejada limited what GM Ed Wade could do in bringing in proven parts for the pitching staff.He tried but failed to sign Wolf, making it imperative for Hampton, Brandon Backe, Brian Moehler and Wandy Rodriguez to carry a bigger workload.
St. Louis Cardinals
Last year: 86-76, 4th
Manager: Tony La Russa
Headliners: Albert Pujols, Adam Wainwright, Kyle Lohse, Ryan Ludwick, Rick Ankiel
Additions: Khalil Greene, Trever Miller, Royce Ring
Losses: Cesar Izturis, Braden Looper, Jason Isringhausen, RussSpringer, Aaron Miles, Adam Kennedy, Mark Mulder, Ron Villone, Jason LaRue
Health watch: Troy Glaus had shoulder surgery in the off-season and will open the season on the disabledlist. Chris Carpenter believes a second elbow surgery finally has given him relief, hopefully allowing him to return tothe rotation in the first half of the season.
X-factor: GM John Mozeliak used up his budget to re-sign Lohse, forcing him to cross his fingers about a bullpen missing a proven closer.Youngsters Chris Perez and Jason Motte could emerge as key parts.
Tipping point: La Russa and longtime pitching coach Dave Duncan once again have their work cut out for them with the pitching staff.Carpenter's return could give St. Louis a shot to surprise.
Cincinnati Reds
Last year: 74-88, 5th
Manager: Dusty Baker
Headliners: Edinson Volquez, Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, Bronson Arroyo, Francisco Cordero
Additions: Ramon Hernandez, Willy Taveras, Arthur Rhodes, JacquesJones, Daryle Ward, Jonny Gomes, Aaron Fultz
Losses: Corey Patterson, Ryan Freel, Jeremy Affeldt, Mike Lincoln, Matt Belisle, Gary Majewski, KentMercker, Paul Bako, Josh Fogg, Javier Valentin
Health watch: A compression fracture in his left knee caused Alex Gonzalez to miss 2008. He has beencleared for spring training, but will he hold up?
X-factor: Aaron Harang served up 35 homers and went 6-17 last season.
Tipping point: In Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr., the Reds lost a ton of pop with midseason trades lastyear. The onus is on the 21-year-old Bruce to pick up the slack.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Last year: 67-95, 6th
Manager: John Russell
Headliners: Nate McLouth, Ryan Doumit, Adam LaRoche, Paul Maholm
Additions: Eric Hinske, Ramon Vazquez, Jason Jaramillo, Donald Veal, Virgil Vazquez
Losses: Ronny Paulino, Doug Mientkiewicz, Luis Rivas, JasonMichaels, Chris Gomez, Denny Bautista
Health watch: Lefty Phil Dumatrait will miss the season after shoulder surgery. Outfielder Brandon Moss comes to camp after having his kneescoped.
X-factor: Speedy center fielder Andrew McCutchen is a potential impact player but could return to Triple A to start the season. He should beon the Rookie of the Year short list if he's up before Memorial Day.
Tipping point: A 14-game improvement is needed to avoid a 17th consecutive losing season. The only way that will happen is with a majorturnaround from the starting rotation. Ian Snell and Maholm have long-term deals, but it's starting to look like now or never for Tom Gorzelanny and ZachDuke.
We gotta keep it clean and respectful, but a little trash talkin' never hurt nobody! We'regonna be in for another fun season, and it'll be great to see all the old names from the past threads. New fans are always welcome. Good luck to everyoneand their teams!!
GO CUBS !!!
