# ML Baseball 2010, talk to tide us over! **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [February 11, 2010, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ml-baseball-2010-talk-to-tide-us-over/528546 "2010-02-11T11:44:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ml-baseball-2010-talk-to-tide-us-over/528546/1 "2010-02-11T11:44:59Z")
Well, Football (American) is over, so it MUST be time to start talking about baseball, since nothing else important happens between now and April when the season starts! šŸ˜› So here is a thread for general ramblings and musings during what remains of the off-season for MLB. On my part, Iā€™m simply saying it now: CUBS WIN IT ALL! šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ml-baseball-2010-talk-to-tide-us-over/528546/2 "2010-02-11T12:40:08Z")
Whatā€™s up with Johnny Damon? There were rumors that the Tigers were going to snap him up but it hasnā€™t happened, at least yet. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ml-baseball-2010-talk-to-tide-us-over/528546/3 "2010-02-11T13:42:46Z")
I used to love this thread every year. Iā€™d get to make cute little ā€œoh look, Iā€™m a Royals fan!ā€ jokes, and pretend that Iā€™m stuck in a time warp where George Brett, Frank White, Bret Saberhagen and Dan Quisenberry are going to lead me on an 8 month adventure to the pennant. No more. This team simply pisses me off. Dayton Moore can go suck a big one. Iā€™m tired of his bullshit signings and complete inability to stick to a cohesive plan. (Hint: When you say youā€™re going to focus on the fundamentals of getting on base, donā€™t hire/trade for Yuniesky Betancourt and Mike Jacobs, ferchrissake!) Iā€™m going to focus on my minor league team here in Indy, its parent club Pittsburgh, the Cubs and the Rays. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ml-baseball-2010-talk-to-tide-us-over/528546/4 "2010-02-11T15:26:53Z")
So let me get this straight - youā€™re frustrated with the direction of the Royals, so you switch to following the PIRATES??? I still have hope for the Royals - Iā€™m the eternal optimist. Greinke and Meche are a great front two, and maybe we get a great season from Bannister or Hochevar. Gordon and Aviles were injured last year, if we get them back healthy, maybe they + Butler, DeJesus and Callaspo - each of whom cal hit over .300, and Butler with some power - make a formidable lineup core. Soriaā€™s solid on the back end, and should be even better without the World Baseball Injury-Fest to mess up his Spring Training. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ml-baseball-2010-talk-to-tide-us-over/528546/5 "2010-02-11T15:34:03Z")
> [@cmkeller](#): > > So let me get this straight - youā€™re frustrated with the direction of the Royals, so you switch to following the PIRATES??? I know, right? Itā€™s not that Iā€™d be rooting for the Pirates, just following the kids that head up there from AAA (and then immediately off to contenders if they show an ounce of ability for fear that doing well might cost them a high draft pickā€¦). Royals case in point: They just announced today that Kyle Farnsworth will be competing for a spot in the rotation. Over/under on his ERA will beā€¦ 6.11. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ml-baseball-2010-talk-to-tide-us-over/528546/6 "2010-02-11T16:35:55Z")
We had Farnsworth in Detroit. he is a mystery. He throws hard seems to have command of his pitches and gets hit like a drum. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ml-baseball-2010-talk-to-tide-us-over/528546/7 "2010-02-11T16:49:46Z")
Look for Damon to wind up in Atlanta. Word is he has an offer there. Boston has better pitching and defense, but not much power until they close the Adrian Gonzalez deal. Look for more 4-2 games and fewer 8-6 ones in the meanwhile. Tomorrow is Truck Day ā€¦ šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![Hawkeyeop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/958977/32.png) [@Hawkeyeop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hawkeyeop)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ml-baseball-2010-talk-to-tide-us-over/528546/8 "2010-02-11T18:38:24Z")
I thought the Mets were the best team in the Nl in 2007 even after their collapse. I thought the same in 2008. This team is terrible, the once great core is now flawed, and there is absolutely no secondary talent. Quick question. Assuming, Bay, Krod, Beltran, Reyes, Wright, and Santana are the 6 best Mets, who is number 7? ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ml-baseball-2010-talk-to-tide-us-over/528546/9 "2010-02-11T18:49:31Z")
[Management](http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100209&content_id=8043138&vkey=news_pit&fext=.jsp&c_id=pit)is saying that the Pirates are ā€œwhere they want to beā€, but I canā€™t keep the roster straight anymore. We trade way too often, and we canā€™t even decide who the infielders and outfielders are. [Weā€™ve got](http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/team/depth_chart/index.jsp?c_id=pit) the choice between Jones at 1st and Church in RF, or Jones at RF and Clement at 1st. Now, Iā€™ll admit that I donā€™t know about the foot speed of these guys but Church has a much better bat. So why are we choosing the second option? Back when Adam LaRoche played 1st, it made sense. But Clement sucks! So what gives? Iā€™m excited about the Young/LaRoche/Iwamura rotation. I canā€™t decide whoā€™s the best pair to have out there. Iā€™m going with Young/Iwamura but the stats are so close, itā€™s hard to say. ---
**Author:** ![KennerTheGreat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a8b319/32.png) [@KennerTheGreat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KennerTheGreat)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ml-baseball-2010-talk-to-tide-us-over/528546/10 "2010-02-11T18:56:38Z")
Apparantly, the Blue Jays [have interest](http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/MLB-offseason-buzz-012010) in Russell Branyan. God only knows why. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ml-baseball-2010-talk-to-tide-us-over/528546/11 "2010-02-11T19:04:47Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > But Clement sucks! So what gives? Clement needs to go back behind the plate every so often and play every day in some capacity. Heā€™s a tremendous talent. He succeeded at every level in the minors. Learning a new position quite often translates to struggling at the plate - and he had a hard time learning 1B. Heā€™ll be 25 - he should be fine. ---
**Author:** ![ReticulatingSplines](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e274bd/32.png) [@ReticulatingSplines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReticulatingSplines)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ml-baseball-2010-talk-to-tide-us-over/528546/12 "2010-02-11T19:32:53Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > On my part, Iā€™m simply saying it now: CUBS WIN IT ALL! šŸ˜ƒ Cubs fansā€¦eternal optimists. Maybe you guys should try NOT believing youā€™ll win the World Series this year. Lord knows the traditional approach ainā€™t working. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ml-baseball-2010-talk-to-tide-us-over/528546/13 "2010-02-11T19:44:46Z")
Gotta be excruciating, nursing the only remaining curse, ainā€™t it? ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ml-baseball-2010-talk-to-tide-us-over/528546/14 "2010-02-11T21:03:05Z")
Isnā€™t there already [one of these](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=539088)? ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ml-baseball-2010-talk-to-tide-us-over/528546/15 "2010-02-12T02:18:15Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Look for Damon to wind up in Atlanta. Word is he has an offer there. > > Boston has better pitching and defense, but not much power until they close the Adrian Gonzalez deal. Look for more 4-2 games and fewer 8-6 ones in the meanwhile. > > Tomorrow is Truck Day ā€¦ šŸ™‚ Damon to Detroit. Rumor is he was offered 1 year for 4 mill. Tigers offered 2 for 14. Easy choice. Illich was supposed to have personally OKed the offer. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ml-baseball-2010-talk-to-tide-us-over/528546/16 "2010-02-12T03:41:54Z")
Well, the Jays signed Kevin Gregg. I have no idea why. The Jays have about 15 pitchers fighting for the 11-12 sports available and I donā€™t see that Greggā€™s much better than any of them. Still no hitters, but weā€™ve got Kevin Gregg. Maybe he can learn to hit. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ml-baseball-2010-talk-to-tide-us-over/528546/17 "2010-02-12T05:12:22Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Well, the Jays signed Kevin Gregg. > > I have no idea why. The Jays have about 15 pitchers fighting for the 11-12 sports available and I donā€™t see that Greggā€™s much better than any of them. > > Still no hitters, but weā€™ve got Kevin Gregg. Maybe he can learn to hit. What do they have against batting? Didnā€™t last year show them anything? ---
**Author:** ![KennerTheGreat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a8b319/32.png) [@KennerTheGreat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KennerTheGreat)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ml-baseball-2010-talk-to-tide-us-over/528546/18 "2010-02-12T20:29:52Z")
There are 27 pitchers on the Blue Jaysā€™ [40-man roster.](http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/team/roster_40man.jsp?c_id=tor) And one catcher; John Buck. The projected outfield of Lind, Wells and Snider might be one of the worst defensive outfields in baseball. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ml-baseball-2010-talk-to-tide-us-over/528546/19 "2010-02-12T20:44:29Z")
From the ā€œwords you never thought youā€™d see in printā€ department: > [@ESPN The Magazine](#): > > Rockies GM Dan Oā€™Dowd says LHP Jeff Francis, who missed the 2009 season after undergoing shoulder surgery, is finally throwing without pain. Francis, who won 17 games in 2007, will replace Jason Marquis, who signed with the Nationals as a free agent. **The 29-year-old Francis could make the Rockies already-stacked rotation even stronger.** The scary thing is, itā€™s true. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ml-baseball-2010-talk-to-tide-us-over/528546/20 "2010-02-12T21:03:47Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > Isnā€™t there already [one of these](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=539088)? It has been suggested that this thread should be merged with the one above. I have no idea what Hot Stove means, so if you all would like this to happen, it shall be done. That thread was getting a smidge long; three pages, certainly no World of Warcraft. But anyway, if it would be helpful to have them together, Iā€™ll be happy to do it. Others agree? **Ellen Cherry Tepid Sports Fan Avid Moderator** [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ml-baseball-2010-talk-to-tide-us-over/528546.md?page=2)