Then I graduate and only come back to Missouri when the football team is winning and when the basketball team is playing kansas :p

Oakland over Chicago in the ALCS?

Not likely, but that would be a hell of a series.

All that would be talked about is the drama with Frank and Kenny Williams

How can you call that not likely on February 27? Last time I checked the A's have owned the shit out of the White Sox the last three years anyhow.

I can call it "not likely" all I want since it is only my "prediction" just as it is yours, only the other way around.

The Angels owned us as well but we all know how that turned out.

Why didn't you just say "I predict the White Sox would beat the A's in a series" then? Its February, we know with relative certainty that the best teams in the AL are the Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, White Sox, Twins, Indians, A's, and Angels. Calling any of the listed teams "unlikely" to beat any of the others in a 7-game series that would happen more than 7 months from now is just stupid.

Fine. I "predict" that the A's won't make the playoffs.

I predict that the Mets are the shit

oh

<font color=goldenrod>With just 12 days before the regular season, and dying of boredom, here's my revamped Mets roster prediction:

<b>Lineup</b>
1. SS - Jose Reyes
2. C - Paul Lo Duca
3. CF - Carlos Beltran
4. 1B - Carlos Delgado
5. 3B - David Wright
6. LF - Cliff Floyd
7. RF - Xavier Nady
8. 2B - Anderson Hernandez

Thoughts: VERY solid lineup here. Lo Duca batting second COULD be a risk because of his lack of speed, but he's great at making contact. Originally I thought Diaz was gonna win the RF job, but with the spring Nady's had, I think Diaz will be starting in AAA to get regular ABs. Also, obviously I thought Matsui would start but he's injured. Hopefully Hernandez plays well enough to make the Mets hold off Matsui's return.


<b>Rotation</b>
Tom Glavine
Steve Trachsel
Victor Zambrano
Brian Bannister
Pedro Martinez

Thoughts: A solid rotation, though unfortunately Pedro likely won't make his first start until the 2nd week (the way the schedule shakes out a 5th starter really isn't needed until then). I'm hoping Pedro can pitch earlier than that, but don't rush him. I woulda loved to see him start Opening Day, but I'd much rather see him healthy and ready to throw 7 strong innings by mid-April. Bannister's also gonna be interesting watch, he probably pitched his way into the rotation ahead of Heilman.


<b>Bench</b>
1B - Julio Franco
C - Ramon Castro
UTIL - Chris Woodward
2B/3B/OF - Jose Valentin
OF - Endy Chavez

Thoughts: A good bench on the whole. Franco will likely be the primary pinch-hit canidate, and Castro will be starting at least once a week, most likely twice. Chavez is a great pinch-running option, and Woodward/Valentin can fill in nicely whenever and wherever needed.


<b>Bullpen</b>

Billy Wagner (Closer)
Duaner Sanchez
Chad Bradford
Aaron Heilman
Jorge Julio
Royce Ring
Yusaku Iriki

Thoughts: Definately an upgrade over last year. Wagner should be near the top in saves. Thus far, Randolph has identified Wagner, Sanchez, and Bradford as the only definates. If Heilman doesn't crack the rotation he'll certainly be in the pen. Julio was identified as a "most likely" and so he makes it. Ring narrowly wins the lefty job, and if he falters he can be replaced with Pedro Feliciano, Juan Perez, or even Darren Oliver. Iriki is the 12th pitcher and 25th man on the team, really only making it because Diaz didn't win the starting RF job. He'll serve as the long reliever, if he falters he can be replaced by Jose Lima; and if Nady struggles Iriki will be sent down to bring Diaz back up to start in RF.</font>

Heilman has had way too good a spring to start in the bullpen. Even if he did, Jose Lima would likely get the nod before Bannister. And Victor Diaz is still guaranteed a platoon spot

<font color=goldenrod>Bannister's getting serious contention for the #5 spot, and has outpitched Heilman thus far. Besides that, word is that Mets management prefer keeping Heilman in the pen based on what they saw last year. Trust me, I'd MUCH rather have Heilman AND Bannister in the rotation with Zambrano coming out of the bullpen (where he was actually pretty decent last year) but Willie has of course already identified Zambrano as his #4 starter :roll: Lima's gotten very little consideration for a rotation spot, and is being looked at as a possible long relief option instead. On the plus side, Heilman in the pen = less time for Julio

As for Diaz, I've still heard they plan on riding Nady as their everyday RF'er until he starts struggling against RHP. Now while of course Nady could start struggling this spring and Diaz could come through and win the job, I'm going by what I see. A platoon was the initial plan, but they are both right-handed and management would rather not see Diaz on the bench while Nady does well. I'd wager that Diaz will be promoted to the big league club within a few weeks (as they want him starting everyday in the meantime)...but I still don't think he'll be a part of the Opening Day 25-man roster.</font>

the jays only 82-80.....are u retarded?

This is probably a stupid question, but where is Kaz?

He sprained his MCL in a game a week ago and won't even be able to practice for 3 weeks and is likely to miss all of April with his minor league rehab. Don't be surprised to see Tony Graffanino traded to the Mets in a few days.

Don't the Red Sox and Mets have a bad history (in regards to trades) or something though?

they are going to win the east this year and i think 90 wins will do it.

I don't have any confidence in their pitching

AJ Burnett is bringing the World Series back to Canada!!

Ladies and Gentlemen your 2006/2007 World Series Champions, THE TORONTO BLUE JAYS!

Gertner has predicted that the last 3 or 4 years, probably not hwlping your chances

<font color=goldenrod>It's official, Heilman's in the bullpen and Brian Bannister is guaranteed to be the #5 now.

You were right about Diaz though, he's gonna stay on the roster because Nady has turned horrid. Nady will still start Opening Day though, in order to save face from the Nady/Cameron trade</font>

I don't see how a rotation that features Victor Zambrano, Brian Bannister and Steve Trachsel can win a division, to be honest

<font color=goldenrod>I think the rotation is deeper than meets the eye.

Pedro and Glavine are obvious, and will probably be very good. Zambrano when on is very solid, he has nasty stuff but it's never been properly utilized. Trachsel should be able to eat the innings and save a vast improved (and frequently used) bullpen. And Bannister is, of course, the unknown here. If he pitches as he has in spring he'll be a great asset, and if he falters then Heilman will take over.</font>

Zambrano is solid when he's on. Oh. Wouldn't that statement apply to 100.0% of major league baseball players? I mean, if they play baseball professionally, they are obviously solid when they are on. Looking at Zambrano's stats last year, you find a 4.17 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, and 170 hits in 166 innings. Looks like he was off more often than on.

Joe McEwing, possibly baseball's worst hitter, has been on before. That doesn't change the fact that he put up a line of .239/.263/.294 (.558) last year.

Victor Zambrano has consistently shown that he is usually not on. Every season of his career, he has been bad. And pitchers usually don't just figure it out at the age of 30.

Trachsel may eat innings, it is however unfortunate that he pitches badly whilst eating said innings.

I'm sorry but the Mets rotation is shit

<font color=goldenrod>The key word being "usually"

From what I've seen thus far in the WBC and Spring Training (the new station shows all the ST games so I've seen Zambrano pitch), Zambrano's pitches have been pretty damn consistant. He's been staying within the strike zone and his breaking pitches have been nasty. Note how I didn't bring up any stats there, as ST stats are worthless.

If Zambrano can keep this up, I think he'll be much better than last year. More on than off, at least.

As for Trachsel, yeah, he's likely gonna suck. Word is he's gonna be the #5 guy and not start until week 2. Wouldn't be shocked if he sucks and complains and all of that. If so, he'll be gone and Heilman will be back in the rotation. Another mid/late season option would be Mike Pelfrey, who everyone seems to think is a mere step away from being big league ready (even though he'll be starting in Single-A)</font>

lol yeah but this year i'm serious.

The Jays will dominate with their pitching *if* they stay healthy.