04-04-2010, 05:07 PM
<!--quoteo(post=85753:date=Apr 3 2010, 11:54 PM:name=Clapp)-->QUOTE (Clapp @ Apr 3 2010, 11:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I just don't see how people can pick the Rays ahead of the Red Sox and Yankees.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I picked the Rays because I think they're a good young team that plays fearlessly.
By contrast, the Yanks are a very old team. I don't think guys like A-Rod and Jeter are going to fall off a cliff this year, but they're at the age when MVP-type seasons become an extreme rarity. Their pitching staff avoided injury problems last year, but guys like AJ are accidents waiting to happen.
The Red Sox will have excellent run prevention. But I'm not sold on a lineup that depends on Big Papi, and that axed Jason Bay. What they're doing is kind of an experiment; I'm pretty interested to see how it turns out. Let's face it, this division could go many ways.
But, the Rays are full of guys in their mid-20's, who should be coming into their primes. Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena are in contract years, so I don't expect them to drop off from their stellar seasons last year.
Also, last year, the Rays had 2 starting OFers and a DH who ALL put up an OPS+ of 79.
Read that again.
I can't imagine something that outrageous will happen this year.
I know they finished pretty far back in '09, but the previous year, they improved by 31 games (66 wins to 97 !), so I don't see a 95-win season as a big stretch.
Then again, maybe I'm picking with my heart.
I picked the Rays because I think they're a good young team that plays fearlessly.
By contrast, the Yanks are a very old team. I don't think guys like A-Rod and Jeter are going to fall off a cliff this year, but they're at the age when MVP-type seasons become an extreme rarity. Their pitching staff avoided injury problems last year, but guys like AJ are accidents waiting to happen.
The Red Sox will have excellent run prevention. But I'm not sold on a lineup that depends on Big Papi, and that axed Jason Bay. What they're doing is kind of an experiment; I'm pretty interested to see how it turns out. Let's face it, this division could go many ways.
But, the Rays are full of guys in their mid-20's, who should be coming into their primes. Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena are in contract years, so I don't expect them to drop off from their stellar seasons last year.
Also, last year, the Rays had 2 starting OFers and a DH who ALL put up an OPS+ of 79.
Read that again.
I can't imagine something that outrageous will happen this year.
I know they finished pretty far back in '09, but the previous year, they improved by 31 games (66 wins to 97 !), so I don't see a 95-win season as a big stretch.
Then again, maybe I'm picking with my heart.
There's nothing better than to realize that the good things about youth don't end with youth itself. It's a matter of realizing that life can be renewed every day you get out of bed without baggage. It's tough to get there, but it's better than the dark thoughts. -Lance