2005 MLB Predictions

AL

Yankees
Red Sox(WC)
Orioles
Blue Jays
Devil Rays

Indians
Twins
White Sox
Royals
Tigers

A's
Angels
Rangers
M's

NL

Phillies
Braves(WC)
Mets
Marlins
Expos

Cubs
Astros
Cards
Reds
Brewers
Pirates

Giants
Dodgers
Padres
D'Backs

World Series

Giants in 6 over A's

Wrong board, but man Cardinals are coming out of the NL, I don't care what anyone says.

Give it up with the Indians. A million different things can happen.

Give it up with the Indians. A million different things can happen.
first things first, i apologize for putting this on the wrong board, I thought I was on the other sports, secondly, there isnt any reason why they shouldnt contend. Twins or Sox could take the division, but seeing as the Indians have been playing elite level baseball for a few months now, I think next year they could take back the Central supremecy. I think their current hole of 6 gb of the twins is too much for this season, but starting fresh I think they'll take it. I also predict they'll finish with the lowest record of the AL playoff teams and lose to the Yankees in the opening round.

My prediction: It's too ****ing damn early!

My prediction: It's too ****ing damn early!
That's the point, I want to see how everyone thinks every teams chances are next year. Some teams like the Indians and Mets could go either way(boom or bust), some teams will always win(Yankees, Red Sox), and some teams will always lose(Royals, Brewers, Pirates), but some teams are in quite an interesting position. Obviously the Cards have put it all together this year, but can their pitching staff hold up 2 years in a row? I personally dont think so, but we'll have to wait and see I guess.

That's the point, I want to see how everyone thinks every teams chances are next year. Some teams like the Indians and Mets could go either way(boom or bust), some teams will always win(Yankees, Red Sox), and some teams will always lose(Royals, Brewers, Pirates), but some teams are in quite an interesting position. Obviously the Cards have put it all together this year, but can their pitching staff hold up 2 years in a row? I personally dont think so, but we'll have to wait and see I guess.


I'd hold off on the brewers pirates always losing, they've got some talent. It probably wont happen next year, but two years from now, I think both teams will be contending for the NL central lead.

I'd hold off on the brewers pirates always losing, they've got some talent. It probably wont happen next year, but two years from now, I think both teams will be contending for the NL central lead.

Unless management blows it, which they probably will, both teams are definitely on the upswing.

The Pirates have stuck around .500 for the bulk of the season and the Brewers were over .500 for the bulk of the season so far.

As a Pirates fan I'm more optomistic about next season than I have in a long time.

Assuming everything goes to plan...
1. C Jason Kendall
2. SS Jack Wilson
3. LF Jason Bay
4. 1B Craig Wilson
5. RF Rob Mackowiak
6. 3B Ty Wigginton
7. CF Tike Redman
8. 2B Bobby Hill

SP Oliver Perez
SP Kip Wells
SP John VanBenschoeten
SP Sean Burnett
SP Josh Fogg

Not going to strike fear in the hearts of many, but talented nonetheless. Our pitching has won us a ton of games this year and will definitely do the same next year.

Unless management blows it, which they probably will, both teams are definitely on the upswing.

The Pirates have stuck around .500 for the bulk of the season and the Brewers were over .500 for the bulk of the season so far.

As a Pirates fan I'm more optomistic about next season than I have in a long time.

Assuming everything goes to plan...
1. C Jason Kendall
2. SS Jack Wilson
3. LF Jason Bay
4. 1B Craig Wilson
5. RF Rob Mackowiak
6. 3B Ty Wigginton
7. CF Tike Redman
8. 2B Bobby Hill

SP Oliver Perez
SP Kip Wells
SP John VanBenschoeten
SP Sean Burnett
SP Josh Fogg

Not going to strike fear in the hearts of many, but talented nonetheless. Our pitching has won us a ton of games this year and will definitely do the same next year.


They have tons of pitching: Perez, Burnett, VanBenschoeten, Bullington

in a few years, that may very well strike fear into the heart of NL hitters. You'd probably need to pick up a good #4 and #5 hitter to contend though. If a few hitting prospects can pop up in their system, they certainly are headed in the right direction.

in a few years, that may very well strike fear into the heart of NL hitters. You'd probably need to pick up a good #4 and #5 hitter to contend though. If a few hitting prospects can pop up in their system, they certainly are headed in the right direction.

Problem is GM Littlefield doesn't know what a bat is, and manager Lloyd McClendon has even less of a clue.

We're set with pitching in years to come, on top of what you listed we have a bunch of others with huge potential, namely Zach Duke(who is a combined 12-5 in AA and A but with an ERA of 1.16...how did he lose 5 games?) and Ian Snell(formerely Ian Oquendo, has the best "stuff" of anyone in the system not named Perez). If Bobby Bradley(1st rounder in 99) could ever stay healthy he'd be a real player too. He's 4-1 with a 3.09 ERA in 13 games in AA. He's still 23 but seems to blow out his arm about five times a season.

As far as bats go our best one in the entire system is 18 and playing in Rookie ball(Neil Walker)... Freddy Sanchez may turn out good, but he plays second and we already have 2 "future" 2B in Hill and Jose Castillo. There's nothing at short(not a problem with Jack Wilson) and little at third(the re-acquired Bautista is easily our best, even though he'll be going back to AA next year according to McClendon), and little in the outfield besides marginal prospects. We have a couple 1B but no "star" prospects, Brad Eldred can absolutely smack the ball though. Catcher we're set in, Kendall is only 30 and three of our best prospects play the position, J.R. House, Ryan Doumit, and Neil Walker).

If only we could combine pitt and mil, theyd have an amazingly talented and incredibly young team. If I had to choose which would have a better record in three years from now, I'd have to say Milwaukee because they have more proven talent now, and more top of the line hitters on the way, but the pirates pitching prospects are pretty much unrivaled.(cept maybe cubs, who churn out more pitching prospects than should be legal) Either way, both teams look good for the future.

The Brewers will be involved in alot of 8-7 games and the Pirates will be involved in alot of 2-1 games. That's the best way I can put it.

The Brewers will be involved in alot of 8-7 games and the Pirates will be involved in alot of 2-1 games. That's the best way I can put it.


cept for the ones sheets pitches in. Aside from him, I can't disagree with your statement.

Hey, you forgot the Rockies. Oh, who am I kidding.

Hey, you forgot the Rockies. Oh, who am I kidding.
ol, my bad. Put them 4th ahead of the D'backs. Poor Rockies, cursed with a park that kills pitching.

Padres should be competitive like they are this season. Unfortunately I'm not sure how active they will be in free agency since we have a bunch of ugly contracts still on board for next year (Payton - 3.5 mil, Long - 4 mil, Cirillo - 7 mil).

Probably would look to add one more veteran arm, probably independent of whether or not David Wells decides to stick around. Most of the lineup seems set in stone with the exception of CF.

So much like this year, I'd expect them to finish anywhere from 1st to 3rd in the division. At this rate, I'd say the Dodgers will have the most spending cash in the offseason. I'm not sure if that's necessarily a good thing, but they can certainly be a little more proactive than the Giants and Padres.

I think the Braves will win the East... until some team proves me wrong, there's no reason to bet against them.

2005 World Series Champions - Tampa Bay Devil Rays :dunno:

Giants
Dodgers
Padres
D'Backs

World Series

Giants in 6 over A's

The GIANTS?!? They're 9 games back in the loss column, their bullpen has been melting down, and they're fading badly. They are highly unlikely to catch the Dodgers at this point, nevermind win it all.

The GIANTS?!? They're 9 games back in the loss column, their bullpen has been melting down, and they're fading badly. They are highly unlikely to catch the Dodgers at this point, nevermind win it all.
Yeah, but this is a 2005 predictions thread. Giants arent going anywhere this year, but next year I think they can fix their bullpen, and maybe add a starter and take the division back.

The Giants are on their way down, not up.

They will have a few 70 win seasons before they are real contenders again.

And its waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay to early.

FOTS, I did like what you said about the Mets though.. giving them a chance to "boom"

But it all depends if Wilpon antes up the money in free agency and fixes are needs. A totally revamped bullpen, and probably will need another bat, because Piazza cannot bat 3rd or 4th anymore.

Cliff Floyd could be on his way out and replaced with Magglio Ordonez.

I hate to say it, but I think Piazza has to be fulltime catcher again, and bring in a power first basemen.. Oh, and Richard Hidalgo HAS to be resigned.

Possible 2005 lineup:
SS-Reyes
2B-Matsui
1B-Piazza (i think he will be kept at first)
LF-Ordonez
RF-Hidalgo
3B-Wright
CF-Cameron
C-Varitek

Floyd is traded to the AL to be a DH, becase he has said that his body cannot handle it anymore, and wants to retire in 2006 (after this contact expires) or, move to the AL and DH.
But.. Wilpon never spends the money.

Yeah, but this is a 2005 predictions thread. Giants arent going anywhere this year, but next year I think they can fix their bullpen, and maybe add a starter and take the division back.

I think this year has exposed a LOT of problems with that team. Barry's getting older, and has very limited help. Their pitching staff is essentially one great starter and a bunch of blahs. And haven't they been a little cheap about spending money the last few years? This year's the beginning of the end, I don't see them coming back anytime soon.

I think this year has exposed a LOT of problems with that team. Barry's getting older, and has very limited help. Their pitching staff is essentially one great starter and a bunch of blahs. And haven't they been a little cheap about spending money the last few years? This year's the beginning of the end, I don't see them coming back anytime soon.
well Nenn will be back next year, and that will improve the team tremendously. Dont you worry, they will be back.

Astros wins the World Series, simple as that..everything else doesn't matter.

The Giants are on their way down, not up.

They will have a few 70 win seasons before they are real contenders again.

And its waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay to early.

FOTS, I did like what you said about the Mets though.. giving them a chance to "boom"

But it all depends if Wilpon antes up the money in free agency and fixes are needs. A totally revamped bullpen, and probably will need another bat, because Piazza cannot bat 3rd or 4th anymore.

Cliff Floyd could be on his way out and replaced with Magglio Ordonez.

I hate to say it, but I think Piazza has to be fulltime catcher again, and bring in a power first basemen.. Oh, and Richard Hidalgo HAS to be resigned.

Possible 2005 lineup:
SS-Reyes
2B-Matsui
1B-Piazza (i think he will be kept at first)
LF-Ordonez
RF-Hidalgo
3B-Wright
CF-Cameron
C-Varitek

Floyd is traded to the AL to be a DH, becase he has said that his body cannot handle it anymore, and wants to retire in 2006 (after this contact expires) or, move to the AL and DH.
But.. Wilpon never spends the money.


Hidalgo has to be resigned......I'm an astros fan, so you can guess where i stand on giving Hidalgo a contract just becuase he is good for a limited amount of time. And to the guy who said astros will win the WS, it isnt going to happen. We suck, we have so many albatrosses on our roster who just can't win. We lost our chance to sell off everything we could
and speed up the rebuilding now, we are going to be stuck as mediocre for another 5 years. We won't be contending for a WS unless some freak thing happens like wade miller pulls a schmidt, and bagwell retires and we suddenly get a 1b worth batting 4th.

And to the guy who said astros will win the WS, it isnt going to happen. We suck, we have so many albatrosses on our roster who just can't win. We lost our chance to sell off everything we could
and speed up the rebuilding now, we are going to be stuck as mediocre for another 5 years. We won't be contending for a WS unless some freak thing happens like wade miller pulls a schmidt, and bagwell retires and we suddenly get a 1b worth batting 4th.
Quit ruining my dreams.

I predict the Jays will improve over this sad season and regain their coveted third spot behind the Yankees and Red Sox.

One can only dream!!!

Quit ruining my dreams.


don't mean to ruin your dreams, i'm just saying it'd be wise to get better dreams.

don't mean to ruin your dreams, i'm just saying it'd be wise to get better dreams.
Ok, what about this dream...Astros makes the playoffs and they win a round for once?

I predict the Jays will improve over this sad season and regain their coveted third spot behind the Yankees and Red Sox.

One can only dream!!!

i doubt that when Delgado leaves, cuz i can't see him taking a big paycut and all that yankee talk about delgado forget about that first try LA or maybe Atlanta

Ok, what about this dream...Astros makes the playoffs and they win a round for once?

As long as you aren't hoping for that in the next 2-3 years, thats fine.

well Nenn will be back next year, and that will improve the team tremendously. Dont you worry, they will be back.

It's been two full years on the DL for Nen, so I'm not sure how good he will when he comes back. Plus he'll be 35 in November, and he was always more of a power pitcher than say a control guy like Trevor Hoffman (who missed last year, and has done well this year).

At least Nen's contract is up after this year, but Brian Sabean may choose to reinvest that 9 million dollars into something more reliable. If I were in charge, I wouldn't offer Nen much more than an incentive laden contract at this point.

And even though the Giants need bullpen help, I would really look into spending that 9 mil towards a batter that would at least make teams pay for walking Bonds.

It's been two full years on the DL for Nen, so I'm not sure how good he will when he comes back. Plus he'll be 35 in November, and he was always more of a power pitcher than say a control guy like Trevor Hoffman (who missed last year, and has done well this year).

At least Nen's contract is up after this year, but Brian Sabean may choose to reinvest that 9 million dollars into something more reliable. If I were in charge, I wouldn't offer Nen much more than an incentive laden contract at this point.

And even though the Giants need bullpen help, I would really look into spending that 9 mil towards a batter that would at least make teams pay for walking Bonds.
9 million wont get you somebody to make teams pay for walking bonds, and unless Sabean adressess the bullpen issue, Bonds will be hitting his homers as a dh in the al, and I ****ing hope its not for the yankees because I'll puke. Maybe they could let Nenn go, and take Beck from the padres. Might be hard to get him from within the division, but he was awesome last year in the closing role.

Ugh, Beck is garbage this year. But I think you are right in that the Giants need to fix their bullpen before they address hitting. They are still #10 in the majors in runs scored, whereas they're #18 in team ERA.

For 9 million, you could easily get a decent offensive threat........off the top of my head, a guy like Jermaine Dye could be had for less than 9 million. He's more of a 25 HR/100 RBI threat than a bonified 35 HR guy, but he'd be better than trotting out Alfonzo, Tucker, or Snow behind Bonds.

http://kmbumb.people.wm.edu/05agency.html (if anybody else can find a better list, I'd appreciate it)

Richard Hidalgo, Richie Sexson, and Troy Glaus would also be upgrades that would cost <= 9 million.

Ugh, Beck is garbage this year. But I think you are right in that the Giants need to fix their bullpen before they address hitting. They are still #10 in the majors in runs scored, whereas they're #18 in team ERA.

For 9 million, you could easily get a decent offensive threat........off the top of my head, a guy like Jermaine Dye could be had for less than 9 million. He's more of a 25 HR/100 RBI threat than a bonified 35 HR guy, but he'd be better than trotting out Alfonzo, Tucker, or Snow behind Bonds.

http://kmbumb.people.wm.edu/05agency.html (if anybody else can find a better list, I'd appreciate it)

Richard Hidalgo, Richie Sexson, and Troy Glaus would also be upgrades that would cost <= 9 million.
9 million will get you a good player, but noone that will scare pitchers into pitching to Bonds. only A-Rod and Pujols could do that, and even then I'm sure they'd rather take there chances mor eoften than not.