It's too early for predictions since we have no idea where certain FA's will land IMO.

I really think if we can get Beltre at 3B + Hardy/Bartlett/Nishioka at SS + Dunn/Konerko/Pena at 1B we have a very good shot at finally breaking .500. Chances are we won't end up getting Beltre though but the other guys are very realistic.

maybe so, but the way Baltimore played when Buck was hired, it was almost unfair.
I want to say Baltimore will take the W/C next season, but like you said lets see how FA pans out.

As much as I want to be excited for a full season under Buck I am trying to keep my hopes low so I am not disappointed. Once he came on board Wieters and Jones looked like two completely different players though... they finally had to prove something to a respected big league coach rather than Dave Trembley who would just suck up to them and never do anything when they messed up.

We have glaring holes at 1B, 3B, and SS that we should be able to finally solve this off season. I really think our #1 target should be Beltre and we should be ready to overpay to get him to come play for us.

For the first time in I don't know how long I'm actually excited about our pitching staff.

This post was edited by virtualMayhem on Nov 19 2010 09:54pm

Matusz was rape last season, hopefully he continues to rape this coming season.

favorite al team, but doesn't say much cause still love reds more

As of right now I agree with your standings except swap the yankees and red sox; yankees still get the WC. However if the yankees get Lee and/or Crawford I expect your current standings to hold true.

I expected the orioles to finish 4th but much closer in the standings this past season. Hopefully they do get third this season with more than 4 games above .500

He really finished the year dominant. I think he can follow Price's footsteps and really turn it on next season.
ERA by month
April - 4.40
May - 7.50
June - 3.69
July - 8.10
August - 2.43
September - 1.89
October - 1.53

Boston without Beltre isn't better than the Yankees IMO.

This post was edited by virtualMayhem on Nov 20 2010 12:00pm

According to Zrebiec, Victor Martinez is one of our top off season priorities. V-Mart is a huge upgrade over Wigginton and Atkins at 1B that is for sure. He would be a very good hitter to slot in the 3 hole behind Markakis. I wonder if the feeling is mutual and they will offer him enough to come here since I know Detroit is interested in him.

Only thing I wonder is where are we going to find a power hitter to hit 4th if not one of the free agent 1B? Do they think Beltre can repeat last season and overpay to get him? A trade for Reynolds? Luke Scott? A trade for Fielder or Gonzalez?



http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/2010/11/is_victor_martinez_exactly_wha.html

I love Buck but he may be in over his head if this is true.


http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/jon_heyman/11/17/winter.meetings/1.html#ixzz15sfR3RCZ

Must decide by tomorrow on offering Koji Uehara and Kevin Millwood arbitration or not.

I doubt we will offer Millwood arbitration because of the chance he accepts it. If he accepts it we would be stuck with him for another year paying over $10MM.

I do hope they offer Koji arbitration. Best case scenario he accepts it and we eventually come to terms on a two year deal. Worst case scenario he leaves but we at least get a draft pick out of him.