A.L. Central Smack Talk 2014

[bksballer89]

For all talk over the years about the weakness of the central I did randomly think of something...

Once the Royals made it to the ALCS I was like fuck, why are the Twins the only team that always gets owned in the playoffs from our division(Sox got a WS, Kitties 4 straight ALCS and Indians had one)..but of course we did make the ALCS in 02 at least!!

Anyways to my discovery..I believe the AL Central is the only division in baseball to have all their teams reach the LCS or better since 2002. I didn't look it up, went purely off memory but I think I'm right. Also believe that if the Nats somehow come back then the NL East would join us. Completely random factoid but makes our division look a little less shitty!!!

Only team missing from the East is those shitty Jays now that O's made it this year

 

[dougplayer]

hey Jay.. you want Joba back?

 

[bksballer89]

Maybe as our 4th reliever

 

[mr.hockey4242]

As a fan of the Twins who are notorious for letting players go/trade them...Tigers may topped them with the Fister deal.

Didn't understand it then, looks absolutely mental right about now.

 

[apachef4]

As a fan of the Twins who are notorious for letting players go/trade them...Tigers may topped them with the Fister deal.

Didn't understand it then, looks absolutely mental right about now.

As a Nats fan, I was absolutely shocked when they announced that trade. To be honest, my first thought was "what's physically wrong with Fister that I haven't heard about?"

 

[broncosmitty]

Wasn't the main man Phil Coke on the Tigers teams from '10 through '14? There is the anchorman along with Avila, Kelley, Worth....heck you got anchors for all 4 corners of the boat...its not the best players on your team, its your weakest players. DD has to get rid of them 4 if he really wants to take a shot at it. Along with Hunter, his luck has runnith over.

With Ventura, Duffy, Binford and Finnegan's performances this year, Vargas may never see the word Ace in front of his name.

My bad, I don't know how I could forget about Phil. He actually was a big part of the 2012 playoff run. Kinda crazy.

Danny Worth been gone since before leaves were on the trees. They brought him in for mop up relief, then pow, DFA'd.

Finnegan almost went three innings that one night. Im sure 170 won't be any problem next year.......

 

[Fountain City Blues]

As a Nats fan, I was absolutely shocked when they announced that trade. To be honest, my first thought was "what's physically wrong with Fister that I haven't heard about?"

I heard he had some skin cancer removed from his neck. Besides that... ????????????????? Don't get the Fister trade.

 

[da55bums]

My bad, I don't know how I could forget about Phil. He actually was a big part of the 2012 playoff run. Kinda crazy.

Danny Worth been gone since before leaves were on the trees. They brought him in for mop up relief, then pow, DFA'd.

Finnegan almost went three innings that one night. Im sure 170 won't be any problem next year.......

lol, yeah, Finnegan started at the beginning of the college season about mid Feb, college WS, minor leagues and now MLB postseason. Thinking 170 is about where he is at this year.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

My bad, I don't know how I could forget about Phil. He actually was a big part of the 2012 playoff run. Kinda crazy.

Danny Worth been gone since before leaves were on the trees. They brought him in for mop up relief, then pow, DFA'd.

Finnegan almost went three innings that one night. Im sure 170 won't be any problem next year.......

Well, he isn't far from 170 this year if you count college innings.

 

[Howie115]

...but they guy isn't closing the deal by keeping the trash he keeps around the edges...sucks to see a great core built then skimp on the accessories.

Pretty much the Tigers issue, and it was glaring against the O's. Several superstar players, but not a good overall "team". If a star or two has a bad day, the team is toast, because the role players usually do not step up.

 

[dougplayer]

one good thing. Tiger wont have to play all those post season games. year after year it built up. you could tell. now with some extra rest..they should seal the deal next year.

you know iam right

 

[mr.hockey4242]

one good thing. Tiger wont have to play all those post season games. year after year it built up. you could tell. now with some extra rest..they should seal the deal next year.

you know iam right

Starting this shit already?

Tigers are finished, sorry Doug.

 

[dougplayer]

you just can't handle the truth

 

[dougplayer]

iam going to make a big reach prediction..
Royals should be able to run on the Os. rack up some SBs...


BUT...they cant steal first base...just saying

 

[gandydancer]

Starting this shit already?

Tigers are finished, sorry Doug.

I won't say they are finished...

Could be really interesting next year if Twins add decent pitching with that offense and the Royals add couple pieces. Hell the Injuns just need a couple pieces to really compete.

I see the Sox the bottom dwellers and other four very competive with each other.

Disclaimer: can the Tigers get a couple BP additions for the love of god?

 

[navamind]

I won't say they are finished...

Could be really interesting next year if Twins add decent pitching with that offense and the Royals add couple pieces. Hell the Injuns just need a couple pieces to really compete.

I see the Sox the bottom dwellers and other four very competive with each other.

Disclaimer: can the Tigers get a couple BP additions for the love of god?

Building a strong bullpen is a lot easier said than done. Relievers are, for the most part, pretty volatile.

Look at the Jays '08 and '09 bullpens, for example.

 

[mr.hockey4242]

I won't say they are finished...

Could be really interesting next year if Twins add decent pitching with that offense and the Royals add couple pieces. Hell the Injuns just need a couple pieces to really compete.

I see the Sox the bottom dwellers and other four very competive with each other.

Disclaimer: can the Tigers get a couple BP additions for the love of god?

lol its more to get a rise out of Doug ha. I do think they could decline rapidly here quick though if something isn't done.

Due to Buxton and Sano basically having lost years I still think 2016 is more realistic now rather than 15' but I think big strides are possible.

As I have said many times and as you said the lineup could potentially be lethal. This isn't homerism or an exaggeration either. You saw some of its damage this year(no sano or buxton) and Arica/Vargas havn't even gotten disciplined yet. If that happen dear lord. And to think the whole lineup will be completely home grown. That would be unheard of.

Pitching man we'll see. Berrios looks to be flat out electric so hopefully he gets up next year. We will see with Stewart. Still paying Pelfrey 6 mil

Next year could be ok though. Hughes should be good, Nolasco can't be worse then hopefully Gibson gets consistent, May puts his talent to use and Meyer comes up and succeeds. Still a shit ton of ?'s but atleast its a talented pitching staff for once.

 

[navamind]

lol its more to get a rise out of Doug ha. I do think they could decline rapidly here quick though if something isn't done.

Due to Buxton and Sano basically having lost years I still think 2016 is more realistic now rather than 15' but I think big strides are possible.

As I have said many times and as you said the lineup could potentially be lethal. This isn't homerism or an exaggeration either. You saw some of its damage this year(no sano or buxton) and Arica/Vargas havn't even gotten disciplined yet. If that happen dear lord. And to think the whole lineup will be completely home grown. That would be unheard of.

Pitching man we'll see. Berrios looks to be flat out electric so hopefully he gets up next year. We will see with Stewart. Still paying Pelfrey 6 mil

Next year could be ok though. Hughes should be good, Nolasco can't be worse then hopefully Gibson gets consistent, May puts his talent to use and Meyer comes up and succeeds. Still a shit ton of ?'s but atleast its a talented pitching staff for once.

Pelfrey seemed like the most predictable Twins acquisition of all-time. Lol.

 

[Howie115]

Building a strong bullpen is a lot easier said than done. Relievers are, for the most part, pretty volatile.

Look at the Jays '08 and '09 bullpens, for example.

It really is. You look at what the Tigers THOUGHT they had in the bullpen vs. what they got in production...

Bruce Rondon: Future closer projected to be an 8th inning guy this year. Injured in ST, doesn't play.
Joe Nathan: Premiere closer. Has his highest walk rate ever, worst season ever.
Joaquim Soria: Pitching very well for an otherwise crappy Texas team. Absolutely blows during his time with the Tigers.
Joel Hanrahan: Expected to help in the second half. Suffers setbacks and never pitches.

Swing and a miss on all four. Rag on Dombrowski all you want, but it's not like he didn't TRY.

 

[gvsulaker82]

Fair enough, my apologies... At least you got to enjoy another season of winning baseball as a Twins fan I got to enjoy another 90+ loss season, hopefully the last for a long time!

Thanks, you may now celebrate. Ill admit I hated the twins back in the day and mrhockey was definitely a huge reason on cbs. I also enjoyed the game where morneau got hit in the nose with the ball and bled everywhere. I dont mind them now, they have some great, young talent.