MLB 2008 Q&A - Part I
February 22, 2008 – 10:02 am Posted by bryan in » MLB, previews
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On his blog All Growns Up, reader Aaron Lewis convened a few baseball experts (and by “experts”, I mean “not really experts”) to share some thoughts on the upcoming MLB Season. Here were my answers:
1) Who is your favorite team?
The Red Sox (i was born and raised in Massachusetts)
2) What is your prediction for your team’s record and how far will they advance in the playoffs (if they make it)?
I’ll say 93-69, and first place in the AL East. I think they can repeat as champs, so I’ll predict that they will. I’ll also say that if they fail to make the World Series it will be at the hands of the Indians.
3) Give me one player to watch from your team and one player to watch from the league at-large.
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Clay Buchholz - With Schilling on the shelf, Clay looks like the man for that 5th spot in the rotation. He is projected to be a #1 starter someday, and with a MLB no-hitter already under his belt, it will be interesting to see if he can live up to some of that hype at the age of 23.
Joba Chamberlain - Even if he is as dominant as a starter as he was as a reliever, will the Yankees blow enough late leads to consider this a mistake? The Joba/Rivera combo kept the Yankees from crumbling last year, and one has to wonder if it will be their demise in a loaded American League.
4) In any order, name three players you would consider for the number one overall fantasy draft pick.
Hanley Ramirez, A-Rod, Jose Reyes
5) Who are your three favorite baseball writers?
Peter Gammons - because he ALWAYS has the most information.
Buster Olney - because his blog on the four-letter is an amazing resource
Sean McAdam - Providence Journal writer who covers the Red Sox and contributes to ESPN.com
6) Would you like the leagues to establish the same rule with regard to the DH? Which way, pitcher batting or DH?
I’m biased because I follow an American League team, but I like the DH and think both leagues should adopt it. Would football be better or worse if the Kicker had to play QB every tenth drive? Sure, there might be more strategy involved if that was the case, but it would not make for a better product.
7) Describe Scott Boras, A-Rod, and Joe Morgan in one word or term.
Scott Boras - boring
A-Rod - too intense
Joe Morgan - Muteworthy
8] What non-favorite team do you like to watch play?
Yankees, because i enjoy their losses almost as much as Red Sox wins.
9) On-going PED investigations - important or ready to move forward?
PED investigations should only stop when the game is cleaned up…which it’s not. I just wish it would focus more on the present/future than on the past. Trying to pretend PEDs are a past problem will put us in the same position 15 years from now.
10) Who is best and worst GM in the game?
While I love Theo Epstein, he does have the 2nd highest payroll to work with. I think Billy Beane is among the best, for the way he keeps the A’s competitive every year. Mark Shapiro seems to know what he’s doing in Cleveland as well. As far as the worst, I’ll say Ed Wade of the Astros based on the things he did with the Phillies over the last decade and the questionable moves he’s already made in Houston.
You can read everyone’s responses here.
If you want to share your answers to some or all of these questions, fire away in the comments.
Tags: MLB 2008, predictions
6 Responses to “MLB 2008 Q&A - Part I”
By buddy watts on Feb 22, 2008 | Reply
Enough about baseball….can anyone explain to me what the “franchise tag” is all about. I have followed sports my whole life and this is the first time I have encountered this term. Maybe because I follow college and not NFL so much….The cowboys give it to a lineman and not Romo or T.O. or even Whitten, I don’t get it!
By Aaron on Feb 22, 2008 | Reply
The franchise tag is designed for the team to keep a player that it does not want to let go nor sign to a long-term contract. The player “franchised” is normally signed to a one-year contract, but must make at least the average of the top five highest-paid players at his position throughout the NFL.
The players don’t like it because they want the guaranteed money of a long-term deal. It is useful for the team because they don’t have to pony up big dough over a long period of time. Unfortunately for the player, I also think they can be franchised year after year, keeping them in limbo.
As for the guys you mentioned, I’m sure they’re already signed for next season and in some cases many more seasons.
By buddy watts on Feb 22, 2008 | Reply
So in a sense the team is saying that we think you are one of the best at your position, but we don’t know if we want to keep you around that long?
By Aaron on Feb 22, 2008 | Reply
I don’t know that they’re even saying that, but what they are saying, IMO, is: we don’t have a better option (free agency or trade) than you at this position and we don’t want to commit to you for the long-term. The rule as far as the amount paid has to do with the CBA, of course, and is probably something the players negotiated.
I think that’s why you see less than star players usually getting franchised - the old, injury-riddled, or troubled.
By bryan on Feb 22, 2008 | Reply
yeah that, or “we don’t feel like giving you the 4-year, 26 million dollar deal you’d command on the market, so we’ll franchise you and pay you just $7 mil for next year.” it lets clubs keep players around without committing to multiple years (and ultimately more money) with them.
By Christian on Feb 22, 2008 | Reply
Found your site through Prinzi (RR), love what I see so far. I’m biased towards the NL as a Brewer fan so I think all pitchers should bat. The strategy involved is far better than the AL product. Bad example of the kicker playing quarterback- kickers and pitchers equally important? Maybe the otherway around, having QB’s kick extra points would be a little closer.