OffThePost.org

Spring training underway. Already some interesting developments.

Ichiro, who is now 38(!) will now bat 3rd in the lineup, and has changed his stance/swing accordingly.

Bobby Valentine is BACK! We can at least look forward to drama, lame disguises, and great soundbytes.

The normally sedate Rockies went into the offseason royally pissed, and as a result took some rather radical steps toward reinvention. We'll see if their very young rotation and very old batting order can do. Oh, and Jim Tracy has some weird "handshake" deal that will extend him at least past this season.

The Miami Marlins and their Holyfuckingshitthoseareawful uniforms make their MLB debut.

The Pujol-led Angels and the Pujol-less Cardinals. The former will be a major disappointment. The latter will be a dismal failure.

Will the Pirates retain their current title of most hapless franchise in all of sports?

And finally, news only Ewok18 will find distressing. From an Islanders blogger/reporter:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... e-dodgers/

Stan Kroenke and his endless billions now zero in on the Dodgers. At some point Bettman will try to sell him the Coyotes...damn the bylaws!

Some Avs fans are getting worried Kroenke will overextend himself like Gillette and Hicks did, especially considering Kroenke is part-owner of Arsenal. But I guess that's the one good thing about being married into the family who owns the very epitome of evil corporatism and haven of white trash everywhere, Kroenke will ALWAYS have money.

Ryan Braun has his mega-suspension for using PEDs overturned by an independent arbitrator.

http://brewersbeat.mlblogs.com/2012/02/ ... statement/

I was wondering what the hell happened to McCarthy this past season:

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/76022 ... n-magazine

Marrying Amanda before last season probably helped too.

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Thanks Chuck, E.L. and Harmy!

NNNNNoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo...

http://mlb.sbnation.com/2012/3/5/284612 ... dismantled

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Thanks Chuck, E.L. and Harmy!

If the idiotic design of Tropicana Field doesn't warrant changes, or the way overrated and equally idiotic ivy at Wrigley doesn't warrant changes, then some silly structure that MIGHT be a problem if and only if a left-handed hitter faces a sidearm pitcher (seriously?) doesn't need to go because Greg fucking Dobbs said so. Greg Dobbs!? Who the hell is that!?

Proof positive baseball players can be some of the whiniest athletes in sports.

I'm cautiously optimistic about the Giants right now, although I'm extremely concerned about the lack of depth. Posey has also been taking it slowly in spring training, so there's no guarantee he'll be ready to start the season.

The projected lineup is well balanced, but the bench is thin and an injury or two could spell doom for the anemic offence.

CF Pagan
2B Sanchez (hurt, might not be ready)
3B Panda
C Posey
1B Huff/Belt
LF Melky (who's looking really good so far)
RF Schierholtz
SS Crawford/Theriot

Pitching-wise it's same old, same old, but if Vogelsong takes a step back and Zito isn't at least average there could be trouble. Brian Wilson is also an arm tear waiting to happen.

As far as young guys go, catching prospect Hector Sanchez can hit, but there's nowhere to put him. Surkamp is in if Zito struggles and is a solid, shifty junkballer. Brett Pill can mash but can only play first. Gillapsie could make the jump at some point too, although I don't mind Fontenot/Theriot up the middle. I'm not sure what to believe with Crawford, but if he can at least not embarrass himself at the plate his glove should prove useful.

The loser of the Huff/Belt battle could start in LF, and Belt could potentially play in right. They might both start, which would be good news, although the lineup is pretty LH-heavy right now.

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I know it's old news, but I find it sad & amusing that AJ Burnett broke his cheekbone practicing bunting. Just proves that the Pirates are the Islanders of MLB, and that he's the DPahole.

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Posting your political views on social media is like sticking your head up your ass & whispering: You're just as likely to change someone's mind, and you'll always come out looking like a shithead.

Whoops, posted this in the wrong thread before.

I repeat...Fuck you too, Ubaldo.

http://www.foxsportsohio.com/03/07/12/J ... eedID=3725

_________________
Thanks Chuck, E.L. and Harmy!

Predictions! I guess there are two wild cards now, but whatever, let's assume my WC's are the ones who make it out of the one game elimination.

NL: Marlins, Brewers, Giants (Phillies)
AL: Rays, Tigers, Angels (Rangers)

NL Champ: Giants
AL Champ: Rays
WS Champ: Rays

NL MVP: Buster Posey
AL MVP: Albert Pujols

NL Cy Young: Zack Greinke
AL Cy Young: David Price

NL ROY: Zack Cozart
AL ROY: Yu Darvish

NL Comeback: Adam Wainwright
AL Comeback: Adam Dunn

NL LVP: Ryan Howard
AL LVP: Josh Willingham

NL Last: Astros
AL Last: Athletics

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The future is now: Brandon Belt will be starting at 1b for the Giants, and Hector Sanchez will get regular reps backing up Buster Posey. Plus Gregor Blanco looks like he could be a force this year.

The lack of depth is worrying me, but at least the Giants are being aggressive with their roster decisions.

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How is this Stewart dude the Yankees just traded to get as their backup catcher?
Feel bad for Francisco Cervelli. He was hurt for a while last year, went through all spring training thinking he was on the ML roster. During the last ST game they trade for an upgrade & send him down. Ouch.

_________________
Posting your political views on social media is like sticking your head up your ass & whispering: You're just as likely to change someone's mind, and you'll always come out looking like a shithead.

Our work is setting up a bunch of stuff and getting pizza and stuff for the Jays opening day. Fuck yeah

_________________
Thanks Chuck, E.L. and Harmy!

Joey Votto, rich man. 10 years, $225 million

http://mlb.sbnation.com/2012/4/2/292108 ... nnati-reds

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Thanks Chuck, E.L. and Harmy!

Wow....doesn't feel like it should be opening week, but it's already here.

so Miami has the potential to be great, but I'm thinking they won't be.

I do predict that Zambrano will have a stellar year. get another great contract next year and then flounder

Maybe the best arm in baseball. Calls a great game. Can't hit worth a lick.

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I'd heard 1 & 3. Good to know about 2. At least that makes it 2/3.

_________________
Posting your political views on social media is like sticking your head up your ass & whispering: You're just as likely to change someone's mind, and you'll always come out looking like a shithead.

Lou Pinella is proof that someone can play & manage really well, but not be able to do color commentary. He actually said "I was talking to Ted Williams, before he died, and he said..." I don't know what Ted told him, because I found that statement to amazingly stupid I couldn't listen anymore.

_________________
Posting your political views on social media is like sticking your head up your ass & whispering: You're just as likely to change someone's mind, and you'll always come out looking like a shithead.