Surprise team of 2010..., take a leap of faith! Options

[2ndCitySox]

Without a doubt, 2009's surprise team was the Yanke....err...I mean the Rockies. I think they will be an even bigger threat next year if Jeff Francis comes back and pitches well.

Okay, that being said, what team that wasn't so hot this year, do you expect to make the playoffs, or even just have a surprise playoff run?

Obviously, you may have to assume they get a key free agent, if you wish.

Part of me wants to say Oakland, but I don't think they have the offense. I think the Mariners could make noise, but it hinges on Bedard...the Nats have the lineup, but the pitching is still...well....bleh.

But, I think I have to pick a team out of those three, and I like Oakland to be the team who makes a playoff run...but will ultimately fall short. Still, Moneyball will payoff for Oakland, and they will rise again to respectable, until Beane sells off key pieces for prospects again, and the cycle repeats.

[rollobobo]

Can I say the Chicago Cubs?!?

[2ndCitySox]

Can I say the Chicago Cubs?!?

Depends on how far you think they will go...

[ewanbrown]

I think the D-Backs could be players in the NL West again. Despite the poor 2009, there is still a very good core of young players there.

On the batting side of things Upton and Montero should build upon solid campaigns last year, and while Reynolds may not be as good next season he should still be a massive power threat in the middle of the lineup. Parra & Roberts did well when called upon and could be decent pieces, along with the return of Conor Jackson & Eric Byrnes from injury. Stephen Drew & Chris Young will also probably be better than they were in 2009.

Pitching wise, they could have one of the best top 3 in all of baseball if Webb can return from injury a similar pitcher. Haren is one of the most reliable starters out there, and Scherzer could build upon a solid display last year. Finding the number 4 & 5 guys will be key, and the recently aquired Heilman will probably be given a shot to finally start games again. The pen should be pretty strong again, with Qualls due to return to health by ST, along with fill-in closer Gutierrez, Schlereth & most of the other guys from last year.

The back end of the rotation and 1B look to be their obvious holes, as they could do with someone to give Brandon Allen a bit more seasoning at AAA. With the Rox, Dodgers & Giants all looking like good teams in 2010 the division could be really close and it could come down to the team with the best record in the division who takes the crown

[wallace758]

as much as I would love to see my a's do good. This offense is just not there right now. The pitching will improve alot. But i dont see us winning more than 75 next year. I definitely the wave of new a's coming up in the farm. But that will have to wait for 2011. That year is when we come out of the shadows with Brett Wallace and Chris Carter. . 2011 is when we make the jump! Your a year too early!

[mrdirp1980]

Milwaukee Brewers will win the division if they get a decent SP.

[Manny Lee]

Rangers win the AL West.

[Red Sox Nation]

a more polished david price. matt garza. james shields. and if bj upton can give them 3/4 of his potential, and the 3 pitchers i named stay healthy, this team can win 100 games. of course they probably need a closer, but i think people are assuming 2008 was a fluke, but i think this team is a legit powerhouse (also assuming crawford stays).

the mets HAVE to improve off of last year. im guessing they make a splash in free agency and get their guys back healthy.

for a third team id pick the white sox. peavy danks floyd bheurle. not bad.

This post has been edited by Red Sox Nation: Nov 23 2009, 11:01 PM

[Bogey9906]

Rangers win the AL West.

^^^ That was my first thought when I read the thread title.

I'll also say that the Reds will be in the wild card race until the last weekend.

[nysdrunner24]

A bit of a dark horse pick here from a hunch I have, but watch out for the Marlins in the NL East or Wild Card

[Manny Lee]

^^^ That was my first thought when I read the thread title.

I'll also say that the Reds will be in the wild card race until the last weekend.

The Rangers aren't going to make a splash this off-season, so they need to hope that
1. Strong 2008 seasons by Scott Feldman, Elvis Andrus, and Tommy Hunter aren't flukes;
2. Improved or bounce-back seasons are in store for Josh Hamilton, Chris Davis, and Salty; and
3. Minor league phenoms Neftali Feliz, Derek Holland, and Julio Borbon can produce in the majors for a full season.

[lavaman]

The 2010 Royals will make the Wild Card. (Maybe)

The Braves will make it to the NLCS, ousting the Phillies.

If the Dodgers get that Ace Pitcher, it wouldn't surprise me to see them in the World Series.

[Thespis721]

a more polished david price. matt garza. james shields. and if bj upton can give them 3/4 of his potential, and the 3 pitchers i named stay healthy, this team can win 100 games. of course they probably need a closer, but i think people are assuming 2008 was a fluke, but i think this team is a legit powerhouse (also assuming crawford stays).

the mets HAVE to improve off of last year. im guessing they make a splash in free agency and get their guys back healthy.

for a third team id pick the white sox. peavy danks floyd bheurle. not bad.

I'm not a Rays fan so perhaps someone can offer the name, but I heard that the Rays got a guy in the wings with Crawford-like ability. If he's ready to go, let Crawford go, and use the money to get a solid closer like Gonzalez. Couple that with what you just said and I can see the Rays in the playoffs.

[fantasymad]

Mets if they can get an impact SP or LF, if not mediocrity once again...

[redsoxdude5]

I'm not a Rays fan so perhaps someone can offer the name, but I heard that the Rays got a guy in the wings with Crawford-like ability. If he's ready to go, let Crawford go, and use the money to get a solid closer like Gonzalez. Couple that with what you just said and I can see the Rays in the playoffs.

Desmond Jennings

[Thespis721]

Desmond Jennings

Yeah! That guy.

[FouLLine]

I'm going to say the Cincinnati Reds. They have tons of young and talented players.

1B Joey Votto is going to someday bring home MVP honors. The guy can flat out rake. He missed substantial time dealing with the death of his father. Get him a full season of ABs and he's a lock to hit .290+ with 30+ HRs.

OF Jay Bruce has shown he has legit big league power. Next year his 3rd year in the league I have a feeling he's going to break out hard. He had an unlucky year this year. Low BABIP and wrist injury.

OF Drew Stubbs took his game to the next level at the major league level. He got some work done with 8 HRs and 10 SBs in 180 ABs. Project those rates (quite lofty but not out of the question) and he would have 24 HRs along with 31 SBs. I doubt he hits 24 HRs over the course of a season but he clearly benefited from Great American. He has 50+ SB potentail. I'd project him to be around .270 14 HRs 35 SBs.

OF Wladimir Balentien was a beast in the minors. He sports a solid .871 minor league career OPS along with a MiLB career .524 SLG. In AAA last year he had a .938 OPS along with a .584 SLG! The move from Safeco (he has a career SLG of .375 and a career OPS of .636 over 208 ABs in Safeco.) field to Great American should help Balentien maximize his power potential.

3B Jaun Fransico he hit a combined 28 HRs between AA, AAA, and the MLB level. He raked in his September call up hitting .429 with an OPS of 1.139. This is only at the ripe age of 22. Next year at 23 he should be a solid power hitting rookie.

SP Homer Bailey is finally looking like he is capable of pitching in the bigs. He still has a ton of un-tapped potential. He posted a 2.71 ERA with an 8.2 K/9 and a 1.27 WHIP in AAA. His numbers in the bigs do not look all that great but he finished strong with a 2.09 ERA, 8.77 K/9 and 1.42 WHIP (WHIP was a bit high) in his final 7 starts.

SP Johnny Cueto has shown over the past few years that he is better than Homer Bailey who was at one point regarded as the leagues best pitching prospect. He had a red hot start but his numbers tailed off towards the end. With a whole offseason to improve, develop, and adjust I think he'll be an extremely strong pitcher in 2010.


Not just the young talent. But even there two biggest proven talent had off years. Brandon Phillips and Aaron Harang both under performed what they have over the past few years. So get them back on track as well as throw in some developing potential breakout "youngsters" and you have a receipie for a big surprise team.

[2ndCitySox]

The 2010 Royals will make the Wild Card. (Maybe) <<<<----That would be the surprise of the millenium. Unless Greinke can throw 400 innings, I don't see that.

The Braves will make it to the NLCS, ousting the Phillies.

If the Dodgers get that Ace Pitcher, it wouldn't surprise me to see them in the World Series.

[Jayro]

the royals are garbage. everyone expected them to do "something" this year. they suck and they're never gunna get better.
if the giants sign bay or holliday, they win the nl west or at least make the playoffs.
the braves or the mets need to trade for adrian gonzalez if either one wants to do anything.
matt holliday needs to stay where he's at because albert needs a bat behind him.
overall, 2010 suprise team = braves. (hint, jason heyward).

[verycoolnin]

Orioles!

Woo Hoo!