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February 25 -- first Spring Training game
#16
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->I say we win by 20 games,<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

whoa.Thats crazy talk for mid December.
A herd of buffalo can move only as fast as the slowest buffalo. When the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members.

In much the same way the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Excessive intake of alcohol, we all know, kills brain cells, but naturally it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine. That's why you always feel smarter after a few beers.
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#17
I think the Reds can definitely contend. They have some question marks, but they also have a pretty good squad. Volquez, Harang, Cueto, Arroyo and maybe Homer Bailey. That is the making of a solid rotation. A full year of Jay Bruce should make a difference. They still have Votto and Brandon Phillips. It would surpirse me at all if they win 90 games. Ovisouly I think its a long shot, but not out of the realm of possibility.
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#18
<!--quoteo(post=5692:date=Dec 18 2008, 05:15 AM:name=Coldneck)-->QUOTE (Coldneck @ Dec 18 2008, 05:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I think the Reds can definitely contend. They have some question marks, but they also have a pretty good squad. Volquez, Harang, Cueto, Arroyo and maybe Homer Bailey. That is the making of a solid rotation. A full year of Jay Bruce should make a difference. They still have Votto and Brandon Phillips. It would surpirse me at all if they win 90 games. Ovisouly I think its a long shot, but not out of the realm of possibility.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
That's true. But, they've had pitching before and they still haven't been able to win much in that park. I think if the Reds played in Petco, they'd be a contender, but I still can't see consistent pitching numbers coming out of there. If there is anyone who can, its Volquez with his tendency to get ground balls, but even Harang struggled there last year. Dusty managing those young power arms can't really help them either.
I hate my pretentious sounding username too.
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#19
<!--quoteo(post=5692:date=Dec 18 2008, 07:15 AM:name=Coldneck)-->QUOTE (Coldneck @ Dec 18 2008, 07:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I think the Reds can definitely contend. They have some question marks, but they also have a pretty good squad. Volquez, Harang, Cueto, Arroyo and maybe Homer Bailey. That is the making of a solid rotation. A full year of Jay Bruce should make a difference. They still have Votto and Brandon Phillips. It would surpirse me at all if they win 90 games. Ovisouly I think its a long shot, but not out of the realm of possibility.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
If Harang bounces back and they get anything at all out of their bullpen, they could be a threat, but more than likely they'll finish 5th.
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#20
<!--quoteo(post=5777:date=Dec 18 2008, 11:15 AM:name=rok)-->QUOTE (rok @ Dec 18 2008, 11:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=5692:date=Dec 18 2008, 07:15 AM:name=Coldneck)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coldneck @ Dec 18 2008, 07:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I think the Reds can definitely contend. They have some question marks, but they also have a pretty good squad. Volquez, Harang, Cueto, Arroyo and maybe Homer Bailey. That is the making of a solid rotation. A full year of Jay Bruce should make a difference. They still have Votto and Brandon Phillips. It would surpirse me at all if they win 90 games. Ovisouly I think its a long shot, but not out of the realm of possibility.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
If Harang bounces back and they get anything at all out of their bullpen, they could be a threat, but more than likely they'll finish 5th.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I agree.
He personally needs to comeback if he wants to get out of Cincinnati as well. He could be making Burnett money if he left someday.
I hate my pretentious sounding username too.
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#21
<!--quoteo(post=5692:date=Dec 18 2008, 07:15 AM:name=Coldneck)-->QUOTE (Coldneck @ Dec 18 2008, 07:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->They have some question marks, but they also have a pretty good squad. Volquez, Harang, Cueto, Arroyo and maybe Homer Bailey. That is the making of a solid rotation. A full year of Jay Bruce should make a difference. They still have Votto and Brandon Phillips.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Bingo.
"I'm not sure I know what ball cheese or crotch rot is, exactly -- or if there is a difference between the two. Don't post photos, please..."

- Butcher
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#22
Even if all those players have the best years they'll ever have in their lifetime, they won't make up 23 games on us. Not a chance.
@TheBlogfines
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#23
<!--quoteo(post=6100:date=Dec 20 2008, 01:17 AM:name=Clapp)-->QUOTE (Clapp @ Dec 20 2008, 01:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Even if all those players have the best years they'll ever have in their lifetime, they won't make up 23 games on us. Not a chance.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Who's to say we'll win as many as we did last year?

10 reasons we might not win as many games this year

1. Dempster will remember he sucks
2. Kerry Wood is gone.
3. DeRosa will begin his decline after 3 career years
4. Rich Harden will miss the entire season with injuries
5. Z will be committed to an asylum.
6. Soriano is a year older will continue his decline
7. Fukudome will play like 2nd half Fukudome.
8. Reed will play like he did on at Toronto.
9. Derrek Lee will hit into 85 double plays and continue to decline in general
10. Theriot will remember he wasn't worth a shit in the minors


I don't think most of those things will happen, but we pretty much had everything go our way last season. Unless we upgrade our roster, I fully expect to win less games next season.
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#24
10 reasons we might not win as many games this year? C'mon! Try yo be a little optimistic, or at least not that pessimistic.
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#25
<!--quoteo(post=6366:date=Dec 22 2008, 02:36 PM:name=AlexV)-->QUOTE (AlexV @ Dec 22 2008, 02:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->10 reasons we might not win as many games this year? C'mon! Try yo be a little optimistic, or at least not that pessimistic.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

As a Cubs fan, what is the point of optimism? I expect the worst and hope for the best. I've been through it too many times.
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#26
<!--quoteo(post=6368:date=Dec 22 2008, 02:47 PM:name=Coldneck)-->QUOTE (Coldneck @ Dec 22 2008, 02:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=6366:date=Dec 22 2008, 02:36 PM:name=AlexV)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AlexV @ Dec 22 2008, 02:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->10 reasons we might not win as many games this year? C'mon! Try yo be a little optimistic, or at least not that pessimistic.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

As a Cubs fan, what is the point of optimism? I expect the worst and hope for the best. I've been through it too many times.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I expect the worst, and hope for only slightly better than that.
Cubs News and Rumors at Bleacher Nation.
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#27
<!--quoteo(post=6318:date=Dec 22 2008, 08:33 AM:name=Coldneck)-->QUOTE (Coldneck @ Dec 22 2008, 08:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=6100:date=Dec 20 2008, 01:17 AM:name=Clapp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clapp @ Dec 20 2008, 01:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Even if all those players have the best years they'll ever have in their lifetime, they won't make up 23 games on us. Not a chance.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Who's to say we'll win as many as we did last year?

10 reasons we might not win as many games this year

1. Dempster will remember he sucks
2. Kerry Wood is gone.
3. DeRosa will begin his decline after 3 career years
4. Rich Harden will miss the entire season with injuries
5. Z will be committed to an asylum.
6. Soriano is a year older will continue his decline
7. Fukudome will play like 2nd half Fukudome.
8. Reed will play like he did on at Toronto.
9. Derrek Lee will hit into 85 double plays and continue to decline in general
10. Theriot will remember he wasn't worth a shit in the minors


I don't think most of those things will happen, but we pretty much had everything go our way last season. Unless we upgrade our roster, I fully expect to win less games next season.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
1. Dempster never "sucked". He's not going to drop off too much. He'll be fine. I'm not expecting last year, but 15 wins is very possible.
2. Kerry Wood is gone... Okay? Gregg's going to be every bit as effective as him, Marmol an even better closer.
3. DeRosa won't decline much, if at all.
4. We'll play it safe with Harden. I'm expecting no more than 15-20 starts, not by injury, but because we want him to be 100% by October.
5. Z's won at least 13 games every year since 2003, being a part of a few very bad teams in that span.
6. Soriano only had 450 at bats last year, and isn't "declining".
7. If Fuk stinks, we just play Reed more or Hendry will make a big deadline splash like he always does. Not a major concern to me.
8. You mean the Reed that hit .319 with a .390 obp in 2006? He's a helluva lot closer to that guy than the guy that stunk for them in 2007. He cares too much, especially playing for a franchise with championship aspirations, and will keep playing at a high level especially against lefites.
9. Lee might keep declining, but he's still a very good player offensively and defensively. I think he'll be back up in the 25 homer area this year actually. He also had plenty more double play opportunities than anybody in the league, and didn't lead the league. You know who was 2nd in the league and only hit 2 less than Lee in a shitload less chances in 2004? Our very own Aramis Ramirez. I don't think the DP's will be nearly as plentiful for Lee in 08, and he hit only 8 of those 27 in the 2nd half of the season. I don't think it will be as big of a problem for him this year, he'll work on getting that elevation back in his swing.
10. Nice try. Theriot's had 2 or 3 bad months in his entire MLB career. He's a fine player, especially on the offensive end, time to accept it.

I think we'll win less games as well, probably in the 92-93 area, it doesn't mean you should seriously think the Reds are even close to a legitimate threat to us.
@TheBlogfines
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#28
<!--quoteo(post=6430:date=Dec 22 2008, 07:14 PM:name=Clapp)-->QUOTE (Clapp @ Dec 22 2008, 07:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=6318:date=Dec 22 2008, 08:33 AM:name=Coldneck)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coldneck @ Dec 22 2008, 08:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=6100:date=Dec 20 2008, 01:17 AM:name=Clapp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clapp @ Dec 20 2008, 01:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Even if all those players have the best years they'll ever have in their lifetime, they won't make up 23 games on us. Not a chance.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Who's to say we'll win as many as we did last year?

10 reasons we might not win as many games this year

1. Dempster will remember he sucks
2. Kerry Wood is gone.
3. DeRosa will begin his decline after 3 career years
4. Rich Harden will miss the entire season with injuries
5. Z will be committed to an asylum.
6. Soriano is a year older will continue his decline
7. Fukudome will play like 2nd half Fukudome.
8. Reed will play like he did on at Toronto.
9. Derrek Lee will hit into 85 double plays and continue to decline in general
10. Theriot will remember he wasn't worth a shit in the minors


I don't think most of those things will happen, but we pretty much had everything go our way last season. Unless we upgrade our roster, I fully expect to win less games next season.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
1. Dempster never "sucked". He's not going to drop off too much. He'll be fine. I'm not expecting last year, but 15 wins is very possible.
2. Kerry Wood is gone... Okay? Gregg's going to be every bit as effective as him, Marmol an even better closer.
3. DeRosa won't decline much, if at all.
4. We'll play it safe with Harden. I'm expecting no more than 15-20 starts, not by injury, but because we want him to be 100% by October.
5. Z's won at least 13 games every year since 2003, being a part of a few very bad teams in that span.
6. Soriano only had 450 at bats last year, and isn't "declining".
7. If Fuk stinks, we just play Reed more or Hendry will make a big deadline splash like he always does. Not a major concern to me.
8. You mean the Reed that hit .319 with a .390 obp in 2006? He's a helluva lot closer to that guy than the guy that stunk for them in 2007. He cares too much, especially playing for a franchise with championship aspirations, and will keep playing at a high level especially against lefites.
9. Lee might keep declining, but he's still a very good player offensively and defensively. I think he'll be back up in the 25 homer area this year actually. He also had plenty more double play opportunities than anybody in the league, and didn't lead the league. You know who was 2nd in the league and only hit 2 less than Lee in a shitload less chances in 2004? Our very own Aramis Ramirez. I don't think the DP's will be nearly as plentiful for Lee in 08, and he hit only 8 of those 27 in the 2nd half of the season. I don't think it will be as big of a problem for him this year, he'll work on getting that elevation back in his swing.
10. Nice try. Theriot's had 2 or 3 bad months in his entire MLB career. He's a fine player, especially on the offensive end, time to accept it.

I think we'll win less games as well, probably in the 92-93 area, it doesn't mean you should seriously think the Reds are even close to a legitimate threat to us.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Do you agree with this statement from above?

<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->we pretty much had everything go our way last season.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
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#29
<!--quoteo(post=6465:date=Dec 22 2008, 08:26 PM:name=Coldneck)-->QUOTE (Coldneck @ Dec 22 2008, 08:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=6430:date=Dec 22 2008, 07:14 PM:name=Clapp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clapp @ Dec 22 2008, 07:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=6318:date=Dec 22 2008, 08:33 AM:name=Coldneck)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coldneck @ Dec 22 2008, 08:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=6100:date=Dec 20 2008, 01:17 AM:name=Clapp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clapp @ Dec 20 2008, 01:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Even if all those players have the best years they'll ever have in their lifetime, they won't make up 23 games on us. Not a chance.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Who's to say we'll win as many as we did last year?

10 reasons we might not win as many games this year

1. Dempster will remember he sucks
2. Kerry Wood is gone.
3. DeRosa will begin his decline after 3 career years
4. Rich Harden will miss the entire season with injuries
5. Z will be committed to an asylum.
6. Soriano is a year older will continue his decline
7. Fukudome will play like 2nd half Fukudome.
8. Reed will play like he did on at Toronto.
9. Derrek Lee will hit into 85 double plays and continue to decline in general
10. Theriot will remember he wasn't worth a shit in the minors


I don't think most of those things will happen, but we pretty much had everything go our way last season. Unless we upgrade our roster, I fully expect to win less games next season.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
1. Dempster never "sucked". He's not going to drop off too much. He'll be fine. I'm not expecting last year, but 15 wins is very possible.
2. Kerry Wood is gone... Okay? Gregg's going to be every bit as effective as him, Marmol an even better closer.
3. DeRosa won't decline much, if at all.
4. We'll play it safe with Harden. I'm expecting no more than 15-20 starts, not by injury, but because we want him to be 100% by October.
5. Z's won at least 13 games every year since 2003, being a part of a few very bad teams in that span.
6. Soriano only had 450 at bats last year, and isn't "declining".
7. If Fuk stinks, we just play Reed more or Hendry will make a big deadline splash like he always does. Not a major concern to me.
8. You mean the Reed that hit .319 with a .390 obp in 2006? He's a helluva lot closer to that guy than the guy that stunk for them in 2007. He cares too much, especially playing for a franchise with championship aspirations, and will keep playing at a high level especially against lefites.
9. Lee might keep declining, but he's still a very good player offensively and defensively. I think he'll be back up in the 25 homer area this year actually. He also had plenty more double play opportunities than anybody in the league, and didn't lead the league. You know who was 2nd in the league and only hit 2 less than Lee in a shitload less chances in 2004? Our very own Aramis Ramirez. I don't think the DP's will be nearly as plentiful for Lee in 08, and he hit only 8 of those 27 in the 2nd half of the season. I don't think it will be as big of a problem for him this year, he'll work on getting that elevation back in his swing.
10. Nice try. Theriot's had 2 or 3 bad months in his entire MLB career. He's a fine player, especially on the offensive end, time to accept it.

I think we'll win less games as well, probably in the 92-93 area, it doesn't mean you should seriously think the Reds are even close to a legitimate threat to us.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Do you agree with this statement from above?

<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->we pretty much had everything go our way last season.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Sort of. Did Lee perform as good as we hoped? Only for a couple months. Did Alf play the whole season? Nope. Did Z have a great year? Nope, a down year for him. Did Fuk come as advertised? Only for 2-3 months. At the same time, yeah, Soto was awesome but I expected him to be very good, same with Theriot. Dempster did better than expected but I also expected him to at least be better than people were predicting. DeRo also had a lot more power than we expected.

I don't know, I wasn't surprised by the season one bit. I expect a bit of a letdown this year following another awful playoffs, but we're too talented to not be around at least 90 games(barring serious injuries of course). It's not as much about us, but the rest of the division being crap.
@TheBlogfines
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#30
<!--quoteo(post=5677:date=Dec 18 2008, 02:45 AM:name=CD2W)-->QUOTE (CD2W @ Dec 18 2008, 02:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=5676:date=Dec 18 2008, 12:38 AM:name=Clapp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clapp @ Dec 18 2008, 12:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=5673:date=Dec 18 2008, 01:12 AM:name=PcB)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (PcB @ Dec 18 2008, 01:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=5592:date=Dec 17 2008, 07:01 PM:name=Clapp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clapp @ Dec 17 2008, 07:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=5583:date=Dec 17 2008, 07:49 PM:name=Ace)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ace @ Dec 17 2008, 07:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=5569:date=Dec 17 2008, 07:25 PM:name=Butcher)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Butcher @ Dec 17 2008, 07:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=5552:date=Dec 17 2008, 05:53 PM:name=Ace)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ace @ Dec 17 2008, 05:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->You know what is a really weird consideration?

The Cubs might not make the playoffs.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
You don't say?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

It feels really weird to consider that right now, doesn't it? Our entire offseason discussion has been built on a foundation of "what does it take to win in the playoffs?"
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
They'll win this division unless at least a few players have serious injuries. CC and Sheets leaving sealed that.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Not necessarily.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I'm pretty confident in it, much more so than the last 2 years. We lose a few games in the standings possibly, but who(as currently built) is gonna catch us?

Milwaukee won't be nearly as good, they can't be without those 2 pitchers. They finish 15-20 games out in 08 without CC and Sheets.

Ryan Ludwick, Kyle Lohse, and Todd Wellemeyer won't come close to doing what they did in 08. If they get a couple guys like Orlando Hudson and Brian Fuentes, they'll probably finish ahead of the Brewdicks, but still far behind us.

Houston's been ordered to cut payroll a lot. Ty Wigginton was a key hitter in their lineup, he's gone. They still might trade Tejada. Besides that, they're old, and they won't be able to make a big splash at the deadline to improve their team.

Cincy and Pittsburgh are the same ole.

You never know, look at the Rays this year and the Rockies in 07. But as it currently looks, I'd be more than shocked if we didn't win the division(unless a bunch of guys get hurt like I said). Winning a single game in October is a whole different animal, and I'm not expecting to see that again in my lifetime.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I say we win by 20 games, the Cards come in second.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Jesus man, that's asking for a Z torn labrum and an ARAM blown out knee.
"If you throw at someone's head, it's very dangerous, because in the head is the brain." -- Pudge Rodriguez to AM 1270 WXYT in Detroit
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