2008 MLB Season in Preview

2008 MLB Season in Preview: If anyone would like to post what theit team's roster looks like coming into next season and/or why their team will win it all this year or why they won't.

Now this is what the Detroit Tigers look like coming into play in the 2008 season and why I belive they are the team to beat.

CFCurtis Granderson 2BPlacido Polanco DHGary Sheffield 3BMiguel Cabrera RFMagglio Ordonez 1BCarlos Guillen SSEdgar Renteria LFJacque Jones CIvan Rodriguez SPJustin Verlander SPKenny Rogers SPJeremy Bonderman SPDontrelle Willis SPNate Robertson CLTodd Jones

That's a pretty impressive lineup an starting rotation, huh?

The only problem with this lineup is Gary Sheffield, I have felt that Gary Sheffield has been a cancer to this Tigers' ball club ever since he has gotten here. He took the playing time of Chris Shelton, a good younf ball player with a bright future and he is also to be blamed for Shelton being traded to Texas.

There is no doubt that Granderson, Polanco, Ordonez, and Renteria will put up their usual good numbers like they have year in and year out since they have gotten to the big leagues and I have to say that I am worried about our defense this upcomng season having Guillen move to first and Cabrera taking Inge's spot at 3rd. I don't really know that much about Jacque Jones, I really hope that he is not washed up or puts up the kind of numbers that Monroe did when he was here, I would much rather have given that LF position to Marcus Thames.

The rotation looks good, although I am still worried about Bonderman and his ability to get out of those important first innings without any runs put on the board. I fully expect Robertson and Rogers to have good bounceback seasons.

I believe that the one huge reason the Tigers fell apart last season was because of Dombrowski breaking apart a great team, I noticed that everything started to go downhill about the time we traded Maroth away and it just kept getting worse after that especially following the Monroe trade.

The Red Sox are the team to beat. Defending Champions coming off a 96 win season. The Tigers adding a nice bat to the lineup isn't as big of a change as many people make it sound like.

Red Sox starting 5 will be dominate.

Beckett Dice-K Buckholtz Lester Shilling/Wakefield.

Plus take into consideration there still is Santana out there for grabs.

Then our line-up is pretty buff too.

Pedroia, Ellsbury, Youk, Manny, Ortiz, Lowell, Drew, V-Tek, Lugo

There will be changes ofcourse. Coco will probably be gone.

Yes, Boston has a great line up as well, But the best thing I see in Boston is Fenway Park, It's a shame we have an idiot like Illitch who wanted to move out of Tiger Stadium, one of the last great stadiums still standing. Now we are playing in the ugliest, sad excuse for a ballpark that there this in Comerica Park. Don't believe all the hype about Comerica, The seating is worst that I have ever seen in any ballpark.Aquabfan

Yes the Red Sox Organization is doing a great job in fixxing up Fenway but leaving it intact. Boston fans would riot if they tried to tear down that place or move to a new park. I'd rather pay more per ticket then to pay less but be in a new park.

I respect Boston because Boston respects there sports. Except that guy at Fenway who threw a piece of pizza at another helpless guy.

I respect Boston because Boston respects there sports. Except that guy at Fenway who threw a piece of pizza at another helpless guy.

Aquabfan

Hhh good old pizzagate. What a wild one that was. He is now banned from buying pizza at fenway park for life.

I agree that RIGHT NOW the Red Sox are the team to beat, but it's only January 11. Let's wait and see where Santana lands.

As for my Dodgers, they greatly improved this offseason. Here is what I think the lineup will look like:

1. Rafael Furcal (SS)
2. Russell Martin (C)
3. Matt Kemp (RF)
4. Andruw Jones (CF)
5. Jeff Kent (2B)
6. James Loney (1B)
7. Andre Etheir (LF)
8. Nomar Garciaparra (3B)

That is one sick lineup. I'm hoping Pierre gets traded, but if he doesn't he'll likely play LF over Ethier. Also, LaRoche could beat out Nomar at 3B.

The pitching staff looks like this:

1. Brad Penny
2. Derek Lowe
3. Chad Billingsly
4. Hiroki Kuroda
5. Jason Schmidt

If Schmidt can stay healthy, and Kuroda is as good as they say (which is comparable to Dice-K), then this could be the best starting five in the bigs. If Schmidt is ineffective or unhealthy, then Estoban Loaiza or Hung Chi Kuo could take the #5 spot. Either way, this rotation is tough.

Looking at this as unbiased as possible, the Dodgers are a force to be reckoned with in 2008. I think they are the team to beat in the NL, and they will most certainly win the West if they stay healthy. I don't know if they can hang with the best from the AL, but if the young players continue to produce then it will be fun to watch. Can't wait for March 31.

I feel so stupid... I have no clue what the Phillies have added this offseason. Been too busy paying attention to football:oops:

But I think they'll have a shot at the division again, considering they didn't do anything to dramatically change the team. The lineup should be great again & hopefully the pitching staff will be as good as last year(Minus how horrible they were against the Rockies)

But it'll be tough beating out the Mets again, especially after their collapse last year. The Mets are gonna be pissed off & should give the Phils some serious competition.

I feel so stupid... I have no clue what the Phillies have added this offseason. Been too busy paying attention to football:oops:

But I think they'll have a shot at the division again, considering they didn't do anything to dramatically change the team. The lineup should be great again & hopefully the pitching staff will be as good as last year(Minus how horrible they were against the Rockies)

But it'll be tough beating out the Mets again, especially after their collapse last year. The Mets are gonna be pissed off & should give the Phils some serious competition.

-Halftime-

I agree that RIGHT NOW the Red Sox are the team to beat, but it's only January 11. Let's wait and see where Santana lands.

As for my Dodgers, they greatly improved this offseason. Here is what I think the lineup will look like:

1. Rafael Furcal (SS)
2. Russell Martin (C)
3. Matt Kemp (RF)
4. Andruw Jones (CF)
5. Jeff Kent (2B)
6. James Loney (1B)
7. Andre Etheir (LF)
8. Nomar Garciaparra (3B)

That is one sick lineup. I'm hoping Pierre gets traded, but if he doesn't he'll likely play LF over Ethier. Also, LaRoche could beat out Nomar at 3B.

The pitching staff looks like this:

1. Brad Penny
2. Derek Lowe
3. Chad Billingsly
4. Hiroki Kuroda
5. Jason Schmidt

If Schmidt can stay healthy, and Kuroda is as good as they say (which is comparable to Dice-K), then this could be the best starting five in the bigs. If Schmidt is ineffective or unhealthy, then Estoban Loaiza or Hung Chi Kuo could take the #5 spot. Either way, this rotation is tough.

Looking at this as unbiased as possible, the Dodgers are a force to be reckoned with in 2008. I think they are the team to beat in the NL, and they will most certainly win the West if they stay healthy. I don't know if they can hang with the best from the AL, but if the young players continue to produce then it will be fun to watch. Can't wait for March 31.

murlow12

Matt Kemp and James Loney are beasts. It was a good move on Dodgers part to trade them away.

@

If Schmidt can stay healthy, and Kuroda is as good as they say (which is comparable to Dice-K), then this could be the best starting five in the bigs. If Schmidt is ineffective or unhealthy, then Estoban Loaiza or Hung Chi Kuo could take the #5 spot. Either way, this rotation is tough.

murlow12

Do believe Schmidt is the difference maker. If he can go back to his healthy form, could easily get 18+ wins and make dodgers with best 1-3 starters in the NL.

Yes, Boston has a great line up as well, But the best thing I see in Boston is Fenway Park, It's a shame we have an idiot like Illitch who wanted to move out of Tiger Stadium, one of the last great stadiums still standing. Now we are playing in the ugliest, sad excuse for a ballpark that there this in Comerica Park. Don't believe all the hype about Comerica, The seating is worst that I have ever seen in any ballpark.Aquabfan

Tigers are the team to beat.

GO REDS.

[QUOTE="-Halftime-"]

I feel so stupid... I have no clue what the Phillies have added this offseason. Been too busy paying attention to football:oops:

But I think they'll have a shot at the division again, considering they didn't do anything to dramatically change the team. The lineup should be great again & hopefully the pitching staff will be as good as last year(Minus how horrible they were against the Rockies)

But it'll be tough beating out the Mets again, especially after their collapse last year. The Mets are gonna be pissed off & should give the Phils some serious competition.

CrimzonTide

They also added Brad Lidge, which added Brett Myers to the rotation, a great 2 point swing. Also, save injuries, Dobbs will probably not see any time in the corner outfield. Helms is garbage and Burtlett is that guy that comes off the bench and hits the one home run and everyone loves him then he's sent to AAA. Dobbs will play third, also I think losing Nunez will show defensivley in the latter innings.

This is what the Braves look like, as of now:

Lineup...

1. 2BKelly Johnson
2. SS Yunel Escobar
3. 3BChipper Jones
4. 1B Mark Teixeira
5. RF Jeff Francoeur
6. C_ Brian McCann
7. LF Matt Diaz/Brandon Jones
8. CF Mark Kotsay

Rotation...

1. John Smoltz
2. Tim Hudson
3. Tom Glavine
4. Chuck James
5. Mike Hampton/Jo-Jo Reyes/Jair Jurrjens

Bullpen:Rafael Soriano (CL), Peter Moylan (SU), Manny Acosta, Chris Resop, Tyler Yates, Royce Ring, Will Ohman and Jeff Bennett.

Bench:Scott Thorman, Javy Lopez, Brandon Jones/Matt Diaz, Omar Infante, and Brent Lillibridge.

Not a bad team on paper, especially if Mike Hampton can rebound and hopefully start atleast 15 games this season (longshot but still possible). The lineup, even without Renteria, should be pretty good and the rotation is rather deep. The only thing that really bothers me about this team isthe bullpen, which was a strenght in '07 but lost a lot of key contributors in the offseason (Oscar Villarreal,Ron Mahay, Jose Ascanio, Joey Devine, and Octavio Dotel).

[QUOTE="Aquabfan"]Yes, Boston has a great line up as well, But the best thing I see in Boston is Fenway Park, It's a shame we have an idiot like Illitch who wanted to move out of Tiger Stadium, one of the last great stadiums still standing. Now we are playing in the ugliest, sad excuse for a ballpark that there this in Comerica Park. Don't believe all the hype about Comerica, The seating is worst that I have ever seen in any ballpark.Luke-85

Tigers are the team to beat.

GO REDS.

Yah the Team to beat is the Tigers... Not the returning world champions the Boston Red Sox. The Tigers added ONE BAT PEOPLE. ONE BAT and one garbage pitching arm. How does that make them the team to beat?

Unless the Tigers get Santana which they would never get (nothing to trade for him or the money to pay that 125 mil contract) they are not the team to beat. They will be a force and make the play offs but not the team to beat. The Sox remaint he Team to beat. Especially if they pull of the Santana trade. If that happens a repeat is a gaurantee.

They also added Brad Lidge, which added Brett Myers to the rotation, a great 2 point swing. Also, save injuries, Dobbs will probably not see any time in the corner outfield. Helms is garbage and Burtlett is that guy that comes off the bench and hits the one home run and everyone loves him then he's sent to AAA. Dobbs will play third, also I think losing Nunez will show defensivley in the latter innings. -Dionysus-

Pretty sure they added two bats.... Renteria and Cabrera. If you recall, Willis is a good pitcher, and he'll actually have run support. IF the Sox get Santana in a trade, I think they have the edge, but if not, you have to give it to the Tigers.cell_dweller

Oh well 2 bats then. Still doesn't make them the team to beat. Sox have the best starting line in baseball right now and their hitting is still top 3 or 4.

Oh well 2 bats then. Still doesn't make them the team to beat. Sox have the best starting line in baseball right now and their hitting is still top 3 or 4.

Just_Osmo

[QUOTE="Just_Osmo"]

Oh well 2 bats then. Still doesn't make them the team to beat. Sox have the best starting line in baseball right now and their hitting is still top 3 or 4.

cell_dweller

Beckett Matsuzaka Buckholtz Lester and Shilling/Wakefield are hell of alot better then the Tigers rotation. Matsuzaka went 15-12 in his first season in America. That can only be improved upon this season having a year under his belt.

Beckett, Dice-K, Buchholz , Lester and Schilling/Wakefield vs. Verlander, Willis, Bonderman, Rogers, and Robertson. Forgive me, but I wouldn't call that a hell of a lot better, especially with Buchholz only having 3 starts under his belt.cell_dweller

The hitting is amazing, but the pitching is just okay. I've said all along that the Sox are the best team in the MLB, so don't act like I'm a hater. I'm just telling it like it is.

Here's a lineup Padres fans will be looking at next season:

1:Brian Giles RF 2:Tadahito Iguchi 2B 3; Kevin Kouzmanoff 3B 4: Adrian Gonzalez 1B 5: Jim Edmonds CF 6: Khalil Greene SS 7: Josh Bard C 8: Scott Hairston LF

Pitching Rotation:

1: Jake Peavy

2: Chris Young

3: Greg Maddux

4: Randy Wolf

5: Mark Prior

The rotation looks intrigueing to watch, but Edmonds, Iguchi, and Hairston are huge question marks.

[QUOTE="cell_dweller"]Beckett, Dice-K, Buchholz , Lester and Schilling/Wakefield vs. Verlander, Willis, Bonderman, Rogers, and Robertson. Forgive me, but I wouldn't call that a hell of a lot better, especially with Buchholz only having 3 starts under his belt.murlow12

The hitting is amazing, but the pitching is just okay. I've said all along that the Sox are the best team in the MLB, so don't act like I'm a hater. I'm just telling it like it is.

Eh to each his own. the onyl unproven person is Bucky because he has 3 starts. But one of them was a no hitter so pardon me for being confident.

Yeah, Tigers will go to the series. I am not sure who will go from the National league. I am saying a team from the NL West. That division has some of the best rotations and we all know, you need pitchers to win the postseason.MrHimz

Strong claim considering who they have to face.

As much as I hate to say it, The Red Sox are probably the team to beat right now.

My Pirates did close to nothing this off season. Tom Gorzelanny and Ian Snell are both outstanding pitchers, and if we can bring Zach Duke back to his rookie season form, we have three potential aces right there. Paul Maholm had a strong second half of the season, and Matt Morris is fairly dependable. Our middle relief left quite a bit to be desired. We have a strong Closer in Fatt- er Matt Capps, so if we can get another arm in the middle of the bullpen, pitching wouldn't be much of an issue.

As far as offense goes, Jason Bay needs to return to his .300 mark. He was way too inconsistent last year. Adam LaRoche needs to have a stronger first half. It took him about 25-30 games last year to beak the Mendoza line, but he had a very strong second half of the season. If the always dependable Freddy Sanchez can contine to repeat his consistent and clutch ways, on top of the other things I mentioned, the offense could indeed hold up fairly well. We have two potential up-and-comers this season in Neil Walker and Andrew McCutcheon, and if they perform well in the minors, don't be suprised to see them get a fair share of action.

All in all, talent is not the Pirates problem. It's coaching and ownership, and for the most part, both have been set anew. Jeff Colbourn had the really awesome habit of wrecking young arms (particularly Duke), and Jim Tracy was totally useless. Hopefully, with these improvements, the Pirates can turn some heads in what is mostly a weak division.

i like the cubs to improve on a up and down year last year. they didnt really get it together until mid late season and they had nothing to show in the playoffs.

good lineup

1b-lee (showed that he still had power late in 07 season)

2b-derosa (unless we get roberts which appears to be a dead deal. he is a good start here and a great utility player)

ss-theroit (great young athelete that brings energy)

3b- aramis ramirez (power plus good d)

lf- soriano (nuff said)

cf- pie, fuld, or maybe marlon bryd (pie needs to improve hitting. fuld wont last for long. if we get bryd he is the most likely starter)

rf- fukudome (great sign has potential. i hope he can adjust to mlb quickly and be like many say a ichiro/hideki matsui type of guy)

pitching

sp-zambrano

sp-hill

sp-lilly

then we have marshall, lieber, marquis, dempster competing for the 4th and 5th spot. my gut says lieber and marshall get the jobs. dempster goes into long relief with marquis.

closer/setup howry, wood, marmol. i think marmol will be closer because he is young and brings a lot of energy.

other players. we have ward back for a filler if lee or fukudome need a day off, cedeno, eyre in the pen.

i like the moves the cubs made and think they should be the favorites in the central this year. hopefully they can jump it right out of the gates since they open up at home against there competition for the central the brew crew. the brewers lost a great closer and added a good of. they go as far as ben sheets carries them though. the cards lost rolen for glaus, got rid of edmonds, and didnt really add much for pitching. we will see if they bounce back.

o yah the guy who had prior as your 5 guy in the padres rotation. prior wont be back until probably after the all star break. good luck with damaged goods.

One of the biggest bats in baseball, to an already amazing team, plus, Dontrelle isn't his best right now, but he's still better than 80% of pitchers. You'd be raving if the Sox got this deal.

Trust me if the Bosox got Johan, no one would say "It's just one arm."

Beckett, Dice-K, Buchholz , Lester and Schilling/Wakefield vs. Verlander, Willis, Bonderman, Rogers, and Robertson. Forgive me, but I wouldn't call that a hell of a lot better, especially with Buchholz only having 3 starts under his belt.cell_dweller

This isn't a lock or anything, but potentially Johan too.

also forget to mention geovany soto at catcher. might be rookie of the year. great power and pretty good defense. might be the cubs verison of russell martin but might have slightly more power + hitting at wrigley over dodger stadium helps.xbox360isgr8t

But Soto isn't nearly as fast as Martin is, so there really isn't much to compare between the two other then they're both catchers.

Brewers almost had it last year, so hopefully they will this year.

Almost the same team offensively, with Fielder, Braun, Weeks, etc. playing again, but with Cameron and Kendall now. I'm interested in seeing how Braun takes the swap to LF now that Jenkins is gone, though hopefully Hall will have his 06 season stats back now that he's back in the infield on 3B.

Defensively, there's a huge change. Hall is now on 3B, Braun is moved to LF, and Cameron is now their CF. If Braun can hold up on defense (and offense), and Weeks can hold up on his arm from before, they'll be a great team (arguably similar to last year), sans pitching.

Last year, the Brewers took their biggest hit with the bullpen, so they've been revamping that spot considerably. The loss of Cordero was a big blow, but the Brewers dealt with it by signing Eric Gagne, though his name is forever tainted by the Mitchell Report. They've signed/traded for depth in the area, from David Riske, to Salomon Torres. The problem came in the 7th inning, which crippled the Brewers into losing the NL Central race with the Cubs, only two games behind.

The starting lineup will consist of Ben Sheets, Jeff Suppan, Yovani Gallardo, and Carlos Villanueva as the known starters, with the fifth spot being either Dave Bush, Chris Capuano, and Claudio Vargas. Personally I'd put in Bush and drop Villanueva for Cappy, but they really want Villanueva to start. Their lineup had been well last year, though Capuano had a bad year after losing 14 straight games that he pitched in.

Recap:
C: Jason Kendall
1B: Prince Fielder
2B: Rickie Weeks
SS: J.J. Hardy
3B: Bill Hall
LF: Ryan Braun
CF: Mike Cameron
RF: Corey Hart

SP: Ben Sheets, Jeff Suppan, Yovani Gallardo, Carlos Villanueva, "TBA"
Closer: Eric Gagne/Torres
Setup: Derrick Turnbow

I feel really good about my Yankees this year. The rotation will be just as good if not better then the Sox roetation with Joba, Wang, Mussina, Pettite, and Hughes.

The lineup is as stacked as ever as well and I think Girardi will be able to get the young guys do really well.

I feel really good about my Yankees this year. The rotation will be just as good if not better then the Sox roetation with Joba, Wang, Mussina, Pettite, and Hughes.ptallau

Bias aside, no it wont.

Anyway, the Tigers have easily the best lineup in baseball. It's not even close. However, their rotation isn't anywhere near as good as people make it out to be. Verlander aside, Willis was figured out in the NL and practically everyone suffers after switching leagues, Rogers seems to have slowed down--we'll see if he can regain 2006 form, Bondo had a decent year, but really hasnt proven himself as a #2 starter and god knows what you'll get from Robertson.

Now, after all that, the Sox and Tigers will compete for the World Series title.

[QUOTE="ptallau"]

I feel really good about my Yankees this year. The rotation will be just as good if not better then the Sox roetation with Joba, Wang, Mussina, Pettite, and Hughes.B05T0N

Bias aside, no it wont.

Anyway, the Tigers have easily the best lineup in baseball. It's not even close. However, their rotation isn't anywhere near as good as people make it out to be. Verlander aside, Willis was figured out in the NL and practically everyone suffers after switching leagues, Rogers seems to have slowed down--we'll see if he can regain 2006 form, Bondo had a decent year, but really hasnt proven himself as a #2 starter and god knows what you'll get from Robertson.

Now, after all that, the Sox and Tigers will compete for the World Series title.

I really hope the Yankees win it all this year. I'll admit that the Red Sox do have the better rotation AS OF NOW but who knows Joba could be extremely dominate as a starter because he was perfect as a reliever. and we already know that Wang puts W's on the board and Hughes wasn't hyped for nothing. Plus I feel like the Yankees need to win the world series this year for the last Year in the most historic ballpark ever in the greatest city ever.

Joba pitched 24 innings and has yet to start a game...B05T0N

Is why I said COULD be a dominate starter. Plus he was a starter in the minors.