MLB 2005-2006 Offseason Thread

[Joey Slugs]

Originally Posted by The Miz El Duque went 17-9 with a 4.12 ERA in 1999 while winning ALCS MVP, he also had an ERA of 3.13 along with 12 wins in only 21 starts in 1998.

That was in 98 and 99. What did he do 2000-2004? Yet, I'm not the only one giving Cooper praise for what he did with that staff this past season.

Originally Posted by The Miz Barry Zito: 23-5 in 2002, one of most durable starters in MLB, has never missed a start. Rich Harden: 10 wins in 19 starts in '05, dominated every time he was healthy, will have at least 1 Cy Young if he stays healthy Dan Haren: won 14 games in his first year as a starter even after an awful first-half Joe Blanton: easily AL's best rookie starter, 12 wins despite being in top 5 in worst run suport in AL. Esteban Loaiza: 21-9 2001, consistenlt starts 30+ games

Again. What Zito did was in 2002 not last year.

Harden? You said it yourself, "If he stays healthy". Sounds like the faith that the Cubs put in Prior: "He can be the greatest pitcher ever, if only he could stay healthy"

Haren hasn't proven that he can put together a complete season. Time will tell.

Blanton is the only one I can see having a shot at 20 wins, just not with the A's.

And Loaiza? I'll admit, it was amazing what he did for us in '01 but he'll never come close. His time with the Yankees & Nationals proved as much.

[The Miz]

Originally Posted by Joey Slugs That was in 98 and 99. What did he do 2000-2004? Yet, I'm not the only one giving Cooper praise for what he did with that staff this past season.

You said he had always been crap and Cooper magically turned him to gold. I was simply stating he had been great before he met Cooper.

Originally Posted by Joey Slugs Again. What Zito did was in 2002 not last year.

You're right, and let's look at what Zito did last year:
228 IP, 14-13, 171 K, 3.86 ERA, 1.20 WHIP.

Good enough to be better than three of your five "20 game winner/#1 starters"[/quote]

Originally Posted by Joey Slugs Harden? You said it yourself, "If he stays healthy". Sounds like the faith that the Cubs put in Prior: "He can be the greatest pitcher ever, if only he could stay healthy"

Prior has had 4 seasons to prove himself and has been injured in all 4. Harden has had 2 seasons as a starter, was fine in 04 and got injured in 05.

Originally Posted by Joey Slugs And Loaiza? I'll admit, it was amazing what he did for us in '01 but he'll never come close. His time with the Yankees & Nationals proved as much.

The whole point of all that was to show that A's had five 20-win quality starters. They do. Loaiza is one, hell, he's done it before. 20-game winners are all about the offense. Do you think Paul Abbott is a legitimate 17-game winner? No, he had an awesome offense.

[Joey Slugs]

Originally Posted by The Miz You said he had always been crap and Cooper magically turned him to gold. I was simply stating he had been great before he met Cooper.

No, I didn't say he was ALWAYS crap. I did say that he was "crap" when he got here. Cooper helped turn El Duque & Contreras around.