2004 Predictions

[funclown]

Well opening day is once again upon us.
While you wait for Funclown's whacky, drunk IL preview figure I'd open it up to floor.

What you expecting for your team?

What's your thoughts on the BLB season. Who you gunning for?

[umd]

We will be bad. Again.

[Carlos]

Denver will also be bad but not as bad. We should avoid losing 100 games this year.

[Delandis]

What you expecting for your team?
-Without Katsura's steady presence for over half of the season, I don't think we can keep up in the league's best division. I can only hope that Vluegel plays for a contract this year although I do think Torres will put up Pale Ale type numbers this year. Rule V draftee, Rich Rodriguez survived ST and will probably hold down the long reliever and maybe a #5 or #6 starter spot until we see who is ready to make the jump from Annapolis. Our bullpen should be in its normal shutdown form. The return of young reliever, D. Ybarra, who lost all of last year to injury, will be crucial. Ybarra may even see a start or two the first month of the season.

Offensively, I saw some better things in the 2nd half of spring training but I don't think we'll have the monster season offensively that we had in 2003. I'm not sure if Barrios can duplicate last year's performance but I do expect Gomez to hit well above .300 on his way to challenge for the IL Batting Title. Quietly, Big Al (Hamilton) had a damn good season in 2003 and I think he does even better this year. Look for Hamilton to get a swing or two at the top of the order. I think we lose a few runs with Al at #3 because he's just too willing to take a walk.

I think our ceiling is maybe 93 wins, but I'm pretty sure that even our best will be good enough for the division crown. Look for us to be selling off pieces to help your playoff team in the 2nd half of the season.

What's your thoughts on the BLB season. Who you gunning for?

-I'd really like to get revenge against WC. They took off the belt and disciplined us every time we played IN OUR HOUSE. I think they win the Bock and if I can sneak back into the playoffs, I'd love to get another crack at my hometown boys.

-I'm also very interested in seeing how Denver's experiment works. I think that team is going to surprise a few people. Too many big bats to ignore. Maybe even contend for a wildcard. I like the approach.

[umd]

My owner says he has no expectations and I "can do whatever I like," because "he doesn't expect anything..."

[Pat]

Expectations...
Back to back Champions...Three-peat? I doubt it. I think this will be a down year for my team overall. My defense isn't as good, my bullpen isn't as good and I've already lost one of my best players to a two month injury. I still think this team competes for a playoff spot but I think winning another Brewmaster's is a long shot.

Thoughts on BLB?
I think this could be one of the more active years for the league. Last year was good post-Clay but I think we are seeing a lot more enthusiasm from bottom feeder teams. I think this year we also see a new first time Brewmaster's Champ. Philly? Syracuse? Pittsburgh? Windy City? Batavia?

Who are you gunning for?
I'm always excited to play the Stout but I think this year is going to be different. Morgantown and Wilmington were a lot better in 2003 than most people care to talk about. These should be some intense games. I also can't wait to play Baltimore, the 4th best team in the Porter.

[Carlos]

My owner says he has no expectations and I "can do whatever I like," because "he doesn't expect anything..."

I had this same expectation last season. First and only time I've seen that in OOTP.

-I'm also very interested in seeing how Denver's experiment works. I think that team is going to surprise a few people. Too many big bats to ignore. Maybe even contend for a wildcard. I like the approach.

Because this year he expects us to be .500.

I think it's wishful thinking. We have three big bats now but the six other guys were awful last year. Maybe we get some lucky years out of some people.

Our offense was good in Spring Training. If Robinson/Gentner/Mueller can pitch similarly to last year and I get a good rookie campaign out of Tamieke, then I can see some light in contention.

I just don't expect all of that.


Sent from my mobile device.

[Delandis]

Expectations... I also can't wait to play Baltimore, the 4th best team in the Porter.

This year, I do not disagree with this assessment.

[funclown]

IL PORTER


1-California Last years Finish: 2nd / Predicted Finished: 4th.

Reason for beating expectations: Fuji, Fuji, FUJI!

Well least we predicted an above .500 finished. Once again the most competitive division, injuries and age has taken its toll to Philly and Baltimore so they get the nod. Not impressed with the pitching still, but top to bottom still one of the best offenses in the league even with the departure of Marshburn. Now, can they stand up to better pitching come playoff time? My hunch says no. Also Fuji's mindboggling contract prevents ownership from making serious upgrades.(96-66)


2- Batavia Last years Finish: 4th / Predicted Finish: 3rd

Reason for missing expectation: Just a bit too young and no power players. Possible "prospect love"

Despite the OSA #22 ranking for starting pitching, anyone can see this will be the strength for the rest of this decade. The "B" brothers coming up are going to be Aces and Martinez, Gonzales won't be slouches either once they gain experience. Bullpen should also get better. The issue (No, Im not bitter) Is a repeat of the 90's coming, decent contact hitters who will hit for average, strikeout alot and be lucky to hit 20hrs a season. This team will win a division or two before its said and done. Just not this season.(93-59)


3- Baltimore Last years Finish 1st / Predicted Finish: 2nd

Why they met expectations: Aggressive offseason.

To me one of the owners that deserved GM of the year honors. Jacopino to me pitched above his head and the midseason deal for Torres was a stroke of genuis. Unfortunately they ran into a Windy City team that shared alot of Bulldogs strengths and more hungry. Entering this season , losing Katsura possibly the ace of the team isn't going to help. Ownership has more a retool style versus rebuild so expected a move or two to right the ship. Until then...(92-70)


4- Philadelphia Freedom Last years Finish 3rd/ Predicted Finish: 1st

Why they fell short: Senimental bullshit.

Ok that was mean, but come on! Doug Miles was finished and his 1-7 record before thankfully being put to rest really set the tone for the season. This is why in Pawtucket we have a sign over the locker room "Do not expect to finish your career here". Losing Wessin Ramírez seemed to hurt a bit also. While a full rebuild isnt really needed as this team will probably finish above .500 there's alot of age here for a core thats only been to the playoffs once. Just feels like an average team to me. (84-78)



Still the best division top to bottom. Just not sure the best team in the IL resides here.

[nelmsm]

Well we'll be better but probably not by much. Trying to be patient as we bring the high draft picks along.

[Delandis]

IL PORTER


3- Baltimore Last years Finish 2nd / Predicted Finish: 2nd ***Nailed

Dude. We won the Porter last year.


But other than that, I agree with what you say here. I'm definitely a retool kinda guy. I hate the lengthy rebuilds. Tried that in the mid-80's and it didn't work well for me.

[funclown]

Dude. We won the Porter last year.


But other than that, I agree with what you say here. I'm definitely a retool kinda guy. I hate the lengthy rebuilds. Tried that in the mid-80's and it didn't work well for me.

Dam, sorry. Fixed now.

[funclown]

IL BOCK


1- Windy City Last year Finish: 1st/ Predicted Finish: 1st **nailed it

How they met expectation: Ummm, cuz its filled with top tiered young players.

Probably going to be the easiest prediction to make for the next 3-4 seasons. Weakness is #5 starter and the bullpen continues to be suspect, but add a year of experience to these players: JJ Chaplan, Edgar Mejia ,Travis Neal, Tom Oshman, Jon Guiterez. Yeah its going to be bad for the Bock teams. Whats worse is Frantz is probably going to be up this season so the OF supplants Cali as the most feared. Playoffs is will be the next hurdle as they were completely shutdown at Washington. Rojas is aging, but if Krummen figues it out in AAA might be the next OB guy. This is a LOCK. (100-62)


2- Los Alamos Last years Finish: 3rd/ Predicted Finish: 3rd

Why they fell short : Injuries to Gonzalez and Cardenas. Lack of wiggle room in the budget.

Well they have a nice young pitcher in Hernandez, but will cost them 35ml in a few seasons a veteran mid rotation guy in Gonzalez then a young kid Ted Cooley who to me looks like a glorified Joe Roldan. They need full, hell career season from Antonio Cardenas. After that some average hitters and a OF that probably would struggle to field balls during batting practice. (78-84)



3- Davenport Last years Finsh: 4th/ Predicted Finish: 4th*** nailed it

Why they met expections: Cuz they sucked.

This season Davenport finally crawls out of the celler (Cuz Carolina decided to finally blow it up) Ok here's the deal: they have some really nice young players thru the system, but yet to see an actual plan forming here. As for the here and now, they will get another year of BLB experience for 'Barbedwire'. Poor Gordinho is 35 and all the help he gets is Derrik "Cant get it up" Tucker and Maximo Taureda. Yeah not going to get it done. (70-92)



4- Carolina Last years Finish: 2nd/ Prediction Finish 3rd

Why they exceeded expectations: Real nice seasons out of Goto, Brown and Burns

All those guys mentioned above were traded. Management has flirted with blowing it all up and finally they followed thru with it. Have a shitpile of draft picks coming next few seasons. Will be interesting to see the GM works the draft board. Oh and as for this year, its gonna be one for the book. Mission accomplished. (51-111)


Last season was the coming out party for Windy City. The only way now this team gets knocked off the top is a plane crash (which would be cool) or the OOTP gods having something built in to destroy super players. Now is a good time to discuss the "player suspensions" settings!!!

[Jistic]

Expectations...
Thoughts on BLB?
I think this could be one of the more active years for the league. Last year was good post-Clay but I think we are seeing a lot more enthusiasm from bottom feeder teams. I think this year we also see a new first time Brewmaster's Champ. Philly? Syracuse? Pittsburgh? Windy City? Batavia?

That would be two time.

[funclown]

Stout preview Sunday. Turned out this division is more interesting then I thought. Also, too many beers.