With spring training just a few weeks away how about discussing how you feel your favorite/local team looks for 2009
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I'm rooting for them to be forced to dig deep into their farm system for pitchers. 
Spring training is always an exciting time for baseball fans. For parents like rz1 and others on this site, who have players in the game, it must be very exciting.
Good luck to all of you parents and your players.
Here's hoping a real miracle can happen and the Phillies win 2 in a row.
Good luck to all of you parents and your players.
Here's hoping a real miracle can happen and the Phillies win 2 in a row.
I think the Sox look real good as long as one of the Smoltz/Penney duo can contribute and be healthy.
People keep talking about the need for more power without Manny blah...blah...blah.. but they seem to dismiss or forget Jason Bay!! The guy hit over 30 homeruns last year while driving in over 100 RBI again. He replaced the majority of Manny's 35hr 105 RBI that Manny had given the past two years. The sox offense will be just fine...sure Teixeira would have been nice to get..especially for the future years but as far as 2009 goes the Sox should be in good shape. Deep starting pitching (Top 3 pitchers are under 28yrs old), solid bullpen with dominating closer, good solid defense all around and balanced offense with high obp decent power and average. Speed on the bases is not great after Elsbury but plenty of guys who can go from 1st to third easily.
Big question is who will be behind the plate??
People keep talking about the need for more power without Manny blah...blah...blah.. but they seem to dismiss or forget Jason Bay!! The guy hit over 30 homeruns last year while driving in over 100 RBI again. He replaced the majority of Manny's 35hr 105 RBI that Manny had given the past two years. The sox offense will be just fine...sure Teixeira would have been nice to get..especially for the future years but as far as 2009 goes the Sox should be in good shape. Deep starting pitching (Top 3 pitchers are under 28yrs old), solid bullpen with dominating closer, good solid defense all around and balanced offense with high obp decent power and average. Speed on the bases is not great after Elsbury but plenty of guys who can go from 1st to third easily.
Big question is who will be behind the plate??
quote:Originally posted by rz1:
I'm rooting for them to be forced to dig deep into their farm system for pitchers.
Texas Rangers (nuff said) 
RZ1
I'm rooting for the Yankees to dig deep into their farm system too!!
Just for different reasons then you!!
I'm rooting for the Yankees to dig deep into their farm system too!!
Just for different reasons then you!!
Watch out for the Mets !!
I do not think that OMAR is done dealing either
I do not think that OMAR is done dealing either
Spring Training ought to be particularly fun in the Cactus League this year now that the Dodgers are where the belong and the Indians are in the fray as well (to be joined in 2010 by the Reds). That makes two more new stadiums in Phoenix for a total of eight, which excludes the minor league complexes of the Giants, A's, Cubs and Angels.
It truly is a baseball paradise here and is something that I never thought I would get to experience, particularly on an every-day basis.
It truly is a baseball paradise here and is something that I never thought I would get to experience, particularly on an every-day basis.
Just booked my flights for my first Spring Training ever. 
The Giants will have great pitching, but little hitting.
The A's have hope, but not a ton.
And my favorite team...the Reds...will probably just be average at best.
Bummer!
The Giants will have great pitching, but little hitting.
The A's have hope, but not a ton.
And my favorite team...the Reds...will probably just be average at best.
Bummer!
THIS IS IT - THE YEAR OF THE CUBS!!!!!! NEXT YEAR HAS FINALLY ARRIVED AND THE STREAK WILL END!!!! 2009 WORLD SERIES CHAMPS FOR THE CHICAGO CUBS!!!!!
I mean anybody can have a bad century.
I mean anybody can have a bad century.
I don't have to book flights to spring training. 
Looking forward to Cards vs. Marlins and Cards vs. Mets.
Also looking forward to once again visiting those back fields in Jupiter, though milb spring training is a whole lot different than the real thing.
rz, that was funny.
Hope all your minor leaguers get a chance to play a game (or more) with the big team. Now that's cool.
Looking forward to Cards vs. Marlins and Cards vs. Mets.
Also looking forward to once again visiting those back fields in Jupiter, though milb spring training is a whole lot different than the real thing.
rz, that was funny.
Hope all your minor leaguers get a chance to play a game (or more) with the big team. Now that's cool.
I love Spring Training, it's a little over 2 hour drive for us to Orlando. Last year we were fortunate enough to go to a Braves game and eat dinner with Javy Lopez and his wife at the local alehouse. Javy grew up with one of my buddies in P.R. and he was a very genuine down to earth guy. Took photos with my son who was very awestruck and signed a ball for him. What a treat that day was for the family. By the way that was his last game ever, he announced his retirement the next day!!