Quote:
Originally posted by postal@Feb 13 2005, 10:07 PM
THat lineup sure isnt going to intimidate too many pitchers, there are some real good prospects though....in the field and pitchers.# What is the rotation going to look like anyhow? Halladay, Lilly, Justin Miller, Towers, Batista (I heard he was going to the closers role though) ...am i missing someone? Cause that rotation aint any good.
My favorite thing about the baseball season starting:
FANTASY BASEBALL (fantasy sports works best with baseball IMO)
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Really looking forward to fantasy season, I did great last year. I managed to draft Santana, Clemens, and Randy Johnson who were the 3 best pitchers in 2004.
I sure am pumped for MLB to get off and running, I had trouble following it closely last year as the Flames playoffs provided a slight distraction.
My lineup:
1. Russ Adams - Finally, a year with an actual talent at SS. I was p*ssed off when we got rid of Cesar Izturis because I knew he was going to be good. Woodward and Felipe Lopez were both garbage at best. With Adams starting, and Hill and Menenchino to back up SS and 2B, I for once am not too worried about the middle IF.
2. Alex Rios - From what we saw last year, he should be able to provide consistency at the top of the order for the whole season. Pure athetic talent.
3. Vernon Wells - The Jarome Iginla comparison mentioned before is one I have thought of before. Great leader, best player on the team, and great ambassador for the game. Wells has to have a huge year if the Jays are going to finish anywhere above 4th place.
4. Corey Koskie - I like the aqcuisition of this guy, but I don't like the fact that he will be the cleanup hitter. Nowhere near enough power for the 4 slot.
5. Shea Hillenbrand - Needs to have a huge season to make the meat of the Jays order not look like a joke. Koskie will hit 15-25 HR's, Hillenbrand needs to do the same. I hope they make Shea the everyday 1B, and get rid of Hinske's sorry ass.
6. Frank Catalanatto - Should be the DH for the most part, with below average glove and arm. Great bat though, and will be switched into the number 1 and 2 spots frequently.
7. Orlando Hudson - Will have another solid year. He is the best defensive Blue Jays 2B since the Robbie Alomar days. Will also see him up at the top of the order on occasion.
8. Greg Zaun - Career year last year, which wasn't even all that good. Should be able to hold the fort until Quiroz is ready to play every day, a few months maybe?
9. Eric Hinske - Terrible player. Unfortunatley with his contract the Jays may be stuck with him. I want to see as little playing time from him as possible.
Bench:
Reed Johnson - Will be the 1st guy into the lineup if any of Rios, Cat, Wells, Hillenbrand, or Hinske falter or get injured. Johnson plays baseball how it was meant to be played. If the there was a "Sutter type" ball player, this is the guy.
Guillermo Quiroz - The Jays' top catching prospect was ranked the third-best backstop in terms of future potential by Baseball America. Is not ready yet to play everyday. Should be a good student for Ernie Whitt to work with. No set timeframe on when he will be the everyday backstop. Loads of potential though.
Frank Mennenchino - No surprises here. He'll provide everything he advertises, which is just solid, consistently average play.
Eric Crozier - The logical succesor to Delgado, looked good in the few games he played last year.
Gabe Gross - 5th outfielder
John Ford Griffin - Not sure what they are going to do with him, Most likely start in Syracuse.
Greg Myers - Signed a minor league deal with the Jays in the offseason. 39 years old, but could be a good mentor for Quiroz. Will pinch hit from time to time, if he is up with the big club.
Rotation:
1. Roy Halladay - No reason why he can't return to 2003 form, bonified ace.
2. Ted Lilly - All in all had a good season last year on a terrible team. Should do more of the same.
3. David Bush - Great rookie season, if he can continue that he should be a fixture in the rotation for the whole season.
4. Josh Towers - Always up and down. Sometimes he shows signs of brilliance, and others just sh*ts the bed.
5. Miguel Batista - Should be the number 3 starter, but if he pitches like last year he won't be in the rotation for long.
Bullpen:
I won't bother going through all the players, as there are far too many question marks. Chacin looks good, and Frasor and Speier need to pitch like last year. Koch is a wildcard as he could be awful, or return to 2001 form. Lightenberg has the potential to be good, and has shown it before. Not in a jays uniform though.
Closer:
No defined closer yet. Frasor, Koch, Speier, Shoeneweis and Batista have been rumoured to take the role. Last year the closer by committee was a disaster, and I really hope they figure it out before the season starts.
Manager:
John Gibbons - A few steps above Tosca, but that isn't saying a whole lot. Hasn't had much chance to prove himself yet, so it's hard to predict how he will pan out. Looks like a good coach to have for all the youngsters coming up.
Ratings:
Lineup: B- Potential: B
Rotation: C Potential: B
Bench: B Potential: B+
Bullpen: C- Potential: C+
Closer: D Potential: B
Manager: C+ Potential: B+
