MLB: Spring training / unsigned FA's / 2009 outlook

[MaineDolFan]

Hi everyone -

New MLB thread dedicated to anything you'd like to talk about in regards to the upcoming 2009 season, spring training, unsigned FA's...

Consider this your own personal MLB Network channel.

[SportsChick]

Will JD Drew's back just unleash it self from his body before the end of the season?

[YoFuggedaboutit]

That hot stove thread had a life of its own.  Turned out it posted the second highest post count for any thread. 

Back on topic.... the Yankees training camp is a media circus now.  Everything is all about A-Roid.

[Fau Teixeira]

The marlins current rotation 1-5 will be regarded in 5 years as being better than the rotation from 2003

that is my prediction

[MaineDolFan]

That is a pretty bold prediction!

[YoFuggedaboutit]

The marlins current rotation 1-5 will be regarded in 5 years as being better than the rotation from 2003

that is my prediction

That is a pretty bold prediction!

It's all about the farm system coaching.  The Marlins minor league coaches have a knack for deveolping talented young arms that throw serious heat. 

There's a reason why the Marlins are known as the best AAA team in the majors. 

[bsfins]

I predict,the Cubs will not win the central this year....We've taken a 97 win team and made it worse...Which is saying something,when the Cardinals have pretty much stood pat,the Brewers have gotten weaker...

[StL FinFan]

Cardinals will come in 3rd in the division.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[MaineDolFan]

There's a reason why the Marlins are known as the best AAA team in the majors. 

You are basing this on...?

AAA is not a tell tale sign, by itself, on how a farm system is judged.  I drew a paycheck for many years from the Marlins.  It wasn't the scouting or coaching that landed them good pitchers in the beginning, it was high draft picks.

That said, Baseball America's top farm systems of 2008 are as follows:

1. Rays
2. Red Sox
3. Reds
4. Rangers
5. Yankees
6. Dodgers
7. Rockies
8. Braves
9. Nationals
10. Angels
11. Mariners
12. Padres
13. Cardinals
14. Marlins
15. Diamondbacks
16. Orioles
17. Mets
18. Twins
19. Indians
20. Cubs
21. Brewers
22. Phillies
23. Giants
24. Royals
25. Blue Jays
26. Pirates
27. A’s
28. White Sox
29. Tigers
30. Astros

Regarding the Marlins system and it's pitchers, I have two in their top 20.  Brett Sinkbeil and Chris Leroux and they are at 17 and 20, respectively.

Look at a guy like Ricky Nolasco.  The Marlins didn't draft him, the Cubs did.  The Marlins traded for him in '05 and basically had no clue what they had with him, moving him around in the pen until eventually putting him into the rotation last year.

The Marlins system is really middle of the road.  They end up getting guys like Maybin because they refuse to pay contracts on their sure-fire draft picks once those players get out of arbitration years.  I would be careful before patting that AAA coaching staff on the back.

ANYWAY - in order for this year's pitching squad to be better than 2003's, they have some huge shoes to fill.  They had four pitchers in double digits in wins (Pavano, Penny, Willis and Redman).  Beckett of all guys was the lone guy with less than 10 wins that year.  A combined 3.67 ERA between that rotation and 63 wins.  An average of 176 innings pitched with an average of 143 K's per guy.  That's a tall order to fill.  

I think the Marlins pitchers have a lot of potential but I also think there are some injury problems and youth that might get in their way this year.  Offensively the NL East has improved, even Washington should be much better with the stick.

I'll guess we'll all see, won't we?

[MaineDolFan]

Cardinals will come in 3rd in the division.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Who wins the division? 

[Sunstroke]

I think the Padres farm system is looking really good right now...we have high prospects at all levels of the farm who are showing what you want as far as developmental trends.  I think that by the 2010 season, SD will be back into contention for the NL West again.

[Fau Teixeira]

A combined 3.67 ERA between that rotation and 63 wins.  An average of 176 innings pitched with an average of 143 K's per guy.

i stick with my prediction.. i think you'll see josh johnson get 15+ wins this year too

[MaineDolFan]

I'm slotting Johnson and Nolasco to both notch +15 wins.  I think Nolasco is a potential 20 game winner.  You won't (shouldn't) have any issues with your #1 and 2 this season.  It's 3-5 that I'm not completely sold on yet.

[MaineDolFan]

I think the Padres farm system is looking really good right now...we have high prospects at all levels of the farm who are showing what you want as far as developmental trends.  I think that by the 2010 season, SD will be back into contention for the NL West again.

That division down right sucks, to be honest.  It really does.  It wouldn't surprise me if any of the teams in that division ended up with 85-ish wins, which should be enough to win it.

The Giants of all teams did the most to upgrade their team this offseason and I still don't see them winning more than 78 games.

[Sunstroke]

I'm slotting Johnson and Nolasco to both notch +15 wins.  I think Nolasco is a potential 20 game winner.  You won't (shouldn't) have any issues with your #1 and 2 this season.  It's 3-5 that I'm not completely sold on yet.

I actually did my first fantasy baseball draft of the year last night, and those two pitchers are the only two Marlins I was able to grab at any value. I love Josh, and hope he can stay healthy enough to give the Marlins 30+ starts this season. I think if Nolasco's control gets any better (already damned good), he could actually tickle that 1.00 WHiP mark this season. Not sure about 20 wins, but he has the stuff to be a stud out there, no doubt about it.