Jae Reekay said:
G-Dubb..must be an Oakland fan..to think they will WIN the AL West...cmon guy...everyone KNOWS that Anahiem is the favorite...hell..SEATTLE is better than Oakland...tell you what....if Seattle finishes BEHIND Oakland...ill sport an A's sig...that YOU pick out...til next season...
I am an A's fan, and I know Anaheim is the favorite, they were also the favorites to run away with the division last year (won by one game in the final weekend,) and they were not favorites in 2002 (when they won the WS)... So we know how little favorites can mean... That's why they play the games.
I also know that Oakland's bullpen has been completely revamped and will probably be the best in the AL West. I also know that Rich Harden was unhittable during the second half of last year, will only get better this year, and will have close to if not 20 wins and close to 200 K's. I also know that Chavez has improved his batting to the point where he will be a solid MVP candidate this season and will hit 35-45 HR's. I also know had Chavez not missed about 100 AB's due to an injury he got when getting HBP, he would have probably hit 40-45 last year. I also know Barry Zito will not be as bad as in 2004 and have a year comparable to 2003 or even 2002. I also know the A's have prospects in the minor leagues that would be opening day starters on other teams so they have backups in case anyone gets hurt. I also know an all-star catcher in Jason Kendall is a huge upgrade over Damian Miller. I also know rookie Nick Swisher in RF will be a solid ROY candidate and will have numbers comparable to if not better than Jermaine Dye's last year, who he's replacing. I also know Bobby Crosby will have a better year than last year's ROY season. I also know Keith Ginter or Mark Ellis at 2B is a HUGE upgrade over Marco Scutaro/Mark McLemore. I also know that mid-season call-ups Dan Johnson and Huston Street are ready to play a major role in a playoff run.
I also know that Tim Hudson, who they lost, has missed time due to injuries every single year and can't pitch in big game situations. I also know that Mark Mulder, who they lost, was completely worthless last year, putting up a 7+ ERA towards the end of the year, was so bad that fans and the local media were calling for a rookie with no MLB starting experience to start for Mulder his last start against Anaheim and doesn't seem to be improving this spring training.
I also know most people throwing out their AL West predictions don't take any of ^this into consideration, they just say "Oakland doesn't have the Big 3 so they have nothing."
I'll also put this out there! Seattle's 42 year old opening day #1 starting "ace" Jamie Moyer will have a 5.5+ ERA and will be lucky to win 10 games. Also, Adrian Beltre will hit around half the HR's he did last year in Seattle this year... I bet he don't break 30. I also bet Sexson will have even less. I'll also predict this, the Mariners will not have more than one starter in their rotation with an ERA lower than 4.5.
EDIT: Speaking on Seattle's whole pitching staff, Eddie Guardado will be the only pitcher with an ERA that's not over 4... If he even pitches. Most of Seattle's pitchers will be 4.5-5.00+.
