I had read all over (but now can't seem to find it all) that Dickey wouldn't extend with Toronto if he was traded there. If so, then the Mets are really getting a great deal. Does big money make everyone stupid?
To be anywhere near the top of the Division, the Orioles would have to do one of the following: (a) score a lot more runs than last year, (b) give up a lot fewer runs than last year, (c) play as far above their Pythagorean record as they did last year. (Or some combination of those in lesser degree.) All of those strike me as extremely unlikely.
The Jays, on the other hand, have improved a lot. Their problem is that they have improved a lot from a baseline of serious suckage.
The Yankees are probably a little worse than last year. A little aging, plus Jeter is very unlikely to repeat last year's performance, even if he heals perfectly, and minus Swisher and Soriano. (But plus Pineda and Brett and Mo, which is why I think only a *little* worse than last year.) The Rays appear to be a lot worse, just because of the talent they've shed. I'm sure the Red Sox will win more than 69 games. But they'll have to win a whole lot more to be competitive. It's very hard to improve by 20 wins!
I had read all over (but now can't seem to find it all) that Dickey wouldn't extend with Toronto if he was traded there. If so, then the Mets are really getting a great deal. Does big money make everyone stupid?
Orioles, Blue Jays, then Yankees, Red Sox & Rays fight it out for third place and the off season starts in October?
Some unpleasantness via Ken Dawidoff in the Post:
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/mets/amazin_won_knuckle_under_dickey_nZaBsu40qLaw5u4yNhfcKP
[3] I wouldn't have bothered linking to that piece. It's really a shameful hit job on Dickey.
[2] You really think the Orioles will be near first place?
I don't.
[5] Buck is a turnaround artist. Yankees are old & breaking down.
[6] Managers don't win games.
To be anywhere near the top of the Division, the Orioles would have to do one of the following: (a) score a lot more runs than last year, (b) give up a lot fewer runs than last year, (c) play as far above their Pythagorean record as they did last year. (Or some combination of those in lesser degree.) All of those strike me as extremely unlikely.
The Jays, on the other hand, have improved a lot. Their problem is that they have improved a lot from a baseline of serious suckage.
The Yankees are probably a little worse than last year. A little aging, plus Jeter is very unlikely to repeat last year's performance, even if he heals perfectly, and minus Swisher and Soriano. (But plus Pineda and Brett and Mo, which is why I think only a *little* worse than last year.) The Rays appear to be a lot worse, just because of the talent they've shed. I'm sure the Red Sox will win more than 69 games. But they'll have to win a whole lot more to be competitive. It's very hard to improve by 20 wins!
6) Yanks have been old for a decade and they just keep winning 90 plus games a year. The O's had a miracle season last year. They won't do it again.