Which Baseball team in has the Best lineup for 2009?

[keysersoze]

I'm not a Yankees, Red Sox, or Tigers fan (actually a Mets fan) but those teams have some dam good hitters in their lineups all the way down to their 7-8 hitting spots.

With the Yankees getting all their players back to being healthy, I think they may have the best hitting lineup.

Thought?

 

[flounder]

I'm not a Yankees, Red Sox, or Tigers fan (actually a Mets fan) but those teams have some dam good hitters in their lineups all the way down to their 7-8 hitting spots.

With the Yankees getting all their players back to being healthy, I think they may have the best hitting lineup.

Thought?

Timely subject. I agree with your observation about the New York Yankees. It will be better when Joba Chamberlain is returned to the bullpen. As a starter, he inadvertently puts a 'strain' on the bullpen. A four-five innings pitcher, with a "pitch limitation" creates a negative on the pitching staff. If he were in the bullpen, his role would be substantial and important, as indicated by his past success....the 'Bridge to Mo'....not to be confused with former Alaskan Senator Stevens legislation that created the 'Bridge to nowhere'.

[/B If Wang returns to his 'past' form and Hughes continues to improve, the 'starters' will be greatly improved. And I have no reason to believe that will not happen. A personnel move will have to be made. In all likelihood...the bullpen.

The everyday lineup seems more balanced, especially now that A-Rod is back. Tex is starting to hit with regularity and power, and Robinson Canto seems to have found his earlier hitting form. Ditto for Jorge Posada....just off the DL. Melky has seems headed in the 'right direction'. Being capable of what every Yankee fan expected. In fact everybody is doing well. The only change I would make is with Joba. Like I said several weeks ago, it's going to happen.


The Detroit Tigers. Even if they were not in a so-called "weak" Division, they would still excell. They have a very good starting line-up. Their only weak-link is the bullpen. Late in the season. Fernando Rodney will break down, and Joel Zumaya--with a history of health and 'bad' decisions, is undependable (in that respect it's good that the Division is 'weak').

The jury is still out on Dontrelle Willis, but Justin Verlander has returned to form (May results, 5-0, 1.32 ERA---6-2, 3.23 ERA)overall) and they can count their blessings for Rick Porcello, 5-0). With regards to Verlander, Tiger Mgr. Jim Leyland was quoted saying that "...Verlander became too fast-ball happy, now he's more of a complete pitcher". A view not disputed by Verlander. Miguel Cambrea has been touted as a possible League MVP, and is being pushed by his homeboy, Magglio Ordonez.

L.A.Dodgers They look for real. A group of young guys who believe in themselves...Manny, or no Manny. Former Yankee manager, Joe Torre, lucked out again...and this was a guy known for his miserable 'handling' of pitchers--especially young pitchers. Case in point....former Yankee long reliever, Scott Proctor (2004-2007). He used the young man like Proctor was the only reliever in the bullpen. Game in, game out. almost daily! 83-games in 2006 and 53-games in 2007. It would have been more had Proctor not spent time on the DL. When Proctor was traded to the Dodgers (after the season, 2007)--ironically-- he ended up (guess where). With the L.A.Dodgers on the DL, and finally out of baseball, after being shipped to the minors. However, he was effective for the Yankees. With the exception of Mariano Rivera, Proctor was the only effective reliever in the bullpen. Torre rewarded him by 'over-using' him,, and he saved Joe's butt from being canned!

Boston Red Sox. Well, they wanted to be the Yankees, and it could't happen to a finer team. They have to realize that success also springs woes. You can't have one without the other. Like the old adage says, "..be careful what you wish for". They still have talent, and will be reckoned. Definitely NOT a push-over.

 

[keysersoze]

Timely subject. I agree with your observation about the New York Yankees. It will be better when Joba Chamberlain is returned to the bullpen. As a starter, he inadvertently puts a 'strain' on the bullpen. A four-five innings pitcher, with a "pitch limitation" creates a negative on the pitching staff. If he were in the bullpen, his role would be substantial and important, as indicated by his past success....the 'Bridge to Mo'.

If Wang returns to his 'past' form and Hughes continues to improve, the 'starters' will be greatly improved. And I have no reason to believe that will not happen. A personnel move will have to be made. In all likelihood...the bullpen.

The everyday lineup seems more balanced, especially now that A-Rod is back. Tex is starting to hit with regularity and power, and Robinson Canto seems to have found his earlier hitting form. In fact everybody is doing well. he only change I would make is with Joba.


The Detroit Tigers. Even if they were not in a so-called "weak" Division, they would still excell. They have a very good starting line-up. Their only weak-link is the bullpen. Late in the season. Fernando Rodney will break down, and Joel Zumaya--with a history of health and 'bad' decisions, is undependable (in that respect it's good that the Division is 'weak').

The jury is still out on Dontrelle Willis, but Justin Verlander has returned to form (May results, 5-0, 1.32 ERA---6-2, 3.23 ERA)overall) and they can count their blessings for Rick Porcello, 5-0). With regards to Verlander, Tiger Mgr. Jim Leyland was quoted saying that "...Verlander became too fast-ball happy, now he's more of a complete pitcher". A view not disputed by Verlander. Miguel Cambrea has been touted as a possible League MVP, and is being pushed by his homeboy, Magglio Ordonez.

L.A.Dodgers They look for real. A group of young guys who believe in themselves...Manny, or no Manny.

Good observations. NY talk radio has been grilling Joba and the Yanks lately because of what you mentioned. They (Mike of WFAN) want to see him in the bullpen.

I seems like hes back there. Wang should be starter. He'll come around.

I don't know much about the Tigers but they have go good hitters.

 

[RunawaySlave]

Dodgers lineup will be tough once they get Ramirez back. Am also feeling the Cubs and Astros lineups as well. Now that Michael Bourn has stopped trying to be Babe Ruth and Hunter Pence has discovered that he does indeed have some heart, he and Tavares will be catalysts for potent 1-6 hitters

Not really fair to compare between leagues though. Since the AL has one more hitter on every team

 

[The Pope]

I'm a Atlanta homer so I'll stick with them.

 

[keysersoze]

Dodgers lineup will be tough once they get Ramirez back. Am also feeling the Cubs and Astros lineups as well. Now that Michael Bourn has stopped trying to be Babe Ruth and Hunter Pence has discovered that he does indeed have some heart, he and Tavares will be catalysts for potent 1-6 hitters

Not really fair to compare between leagues though. Since the AL has one more hitter on every team

Dodgers are the real deal. Not sure about the Cubs since they can't seem to perform lately (lowest Run production in MLB I think).

 

[RunawaySlave]

Cubbies lineup was dealt a huge blow when they lost their own Ramirez (Aramis). With him in that lineup and a healthy Derek Lee, they had both power and speed covered (Soriano in the leadoff spot).

I think was really makes a lineup great besides the numbers is the cohesiveness of the players. Cubs lineup has that (with Ramirez). As great as the individual players are on the Yanks, they don't have that yet because the Yanks never keep a set lineup long enough to develop any

 

[flounder]

Cubbies lineup was dealt a huge blow when they lost their own Ramirez (Aramis). With him in that lineup and a healthy Derek Lee, they had both power and speed covered (Soriano in the leadoff spot).

I think was really makes a lineup great besides the numbers is the cohesiveness of the players. Cubs lineup has that (with Ramirez). As great as the individual players are on the Yanks, they don't have that yet because the Yanks never keep a set lineup long enough to develop any

Cubs seem to have a team 'chemistry' problem. Something they haven't had in years--off years, as well as, on-years. Ramirez may not be back until July...if then. The team doctor suggested that he (Ramirez) may need off-season surgery.

The fact that they let many of their "role" and 'blue collar' type players leave, ie, Mark DeRosa, may hurt them in the long run. The guy was an integral part of the Cubs success, last season. They wanted to get former Oriole, Brian Roberts, to replace him. But Roberts wanted too much money.

However, Mgr. Lou Piniella tells everybody not to panic..."..we'll be alright" and "I feel encouraged". One might suggest that he is 'whistling past the cemetery', since the team is under achieving, and not close to playing up to expectations. All of this despite the amount of money management directed at team improvements. Positive results --like a Championship) was expected, and Sweet Lou (as well as, the team)is feeling the pressure. Maybe his recent 'rah rah' statement is "bad timing", but what else can he say? He said this Sunday evening, befoe they were beaten by the Dodgers...8-2.

And Big 'Z's' histrionics? He's got a good mentor. Lou has a long history of such actions. He'd put the late Yankee manager, Billy Martin--among others-- to shame. Grown men acting like 'spoiled' kids. Well, it is a kids game.

 

[Acur]

My Detroit Tigers.

 

[Hollywoodheat]

I'm a Atlanta homer so I'll stick with them.

its a damn lie...but i'll say it too lol