CC: "Yanks Give me Best Shot at Title"

[EDGECRUSHER]

Translation: "They paid me a lot more than everyone else and they don't suck, so here I am".

With their recent additions, the Yankees are in great shape to contend, but even I will admit that if the Red Sox get Tex, they would probably still be behind them this season. Maybe Tampa Bay too, although I think they will slide a bit this season to 88 wins.

This isn't as bad as when Mike Hampton said he went to Colorado for their schools, but it's still pretty insulting.

[stinkfish]

I'm surprised that he signed with an AL team. I remember hearing that since he likes to hit, that he'd stay in the NL.

[EDGECRUSHER]

No NL team came close to the Yankees offer, plus CC sucked as a hitter. Not as bad as some other pitchers, but still hurting his own cause.

The Yankees were the best fit because they gave him the most money and have a nice shot at the championship, albeit probably not as the favorite Las Vegas makes them out to be. It's just ridiculous that he tries to paint it otherwise.

"I like to hit. I like to stay on the west coast. I like a laid back atmosphere". 3 things the Yankees are not in a position to offer CC, but he is wearing pinstripes regardless.

[MaineDolFan]

Boston is closing in on a deal with Derek Lowe and is in talks with Ben Sheets, John Smoltz and Brad Penny.  Lowe alone makes Boston's pitching line up, if healthy, one of the best in the league.  And Boston's offense is pretty heavy hitting and more balanced than ever.

Beckett will be stronger than ever this season, you'll see the '07 Beckett this year.  Lester has emerged as a legit #1 that will be slotted in the #2 slot.  This kid is amazing.  Matsuzaka is easily the game's best #3 pitcher, far and away.  Lowe fits perfectly in the 4 with Wakefield holding down 5.  That's if Boston doesn't gobble up Sheets.  They are the perfect fit for Sheets.  When healthy I feel he's one of the top two pitchers in the game.  His production speaks for itself.  Sitting on a team with a potential cast of Wakefield, Masterson, Buchholz, Bowden...there isn't much pressure.  If he's healthy Boston has a legit ace pitching out of the 5.  If his arm falls off they have a great cast to step in.

[SportsChick]

Lowe coming back? Cool beans.

[EDGECRUSHER]

Lowe would be better in Boston due to their superior defense over the Yankees. Youkilis is great, Pedroia is very good, Lowell is very good and Lowrie is good. With Jeter and a player to be named later at first in the infield, no sense for the Yankees to get him.

I make no predictions about Matsuzaka. His first year he was average at best, and in his 2nd year he had a season that defied baseball logic by not giving up hits, but walking roughly 18 batters per game. Whatever he does next season won't surprise me.

[Orlando Rays]

And while the Red Sux and Skankees pay half a billion between them on their prima donna lineups, the Rays will "continue to ball on a budget" and win the American League East for the forseeable future.

[EDGECRUSHER]

It's easier to draft when you have the top 3 picks in every round due to sucking. So, it's not like the Rays are smarter and drafting better, they just have better picks. They have done well in that regard, but I am more impressed with Theo getting superstars while picking in the bottom 10 of each round.

[MaineDolFan]

And while the Red Sux and Skankees pay half a billion between them on their prima donna lineups, the Rays will "continue to ball on a budget" and win the American League East for the forseeable future.

Blah blah, blah-blah-blah-blah.

Enjoy 4th or 5th place.  This past season was Tampa's one season in the sun.

[EDGECRUSHER]

No, they'll win 88 games or so, but it will be in 3rd place. It's hard to replicate seasons where everyone has a career years and rookies develop within seconds.

[MaineDolFan]

^^I think they'll be around 85...and I think that will be good for 4th.  Toronto tops 88 this season.

[EDGECRUSHER]

I would agree except the injuries and departures to Toronto's pitching staff. I am sure raptorsfan can tearfully list them all, but they lost Burnett to the Yanks and I think 2 pitchers to massive arm injuries that will carry over into 2009. They can still be tough, but unless they make a splash by signing Manny or even Dunn and Giambi (which would produce .400 OBP's and zero runs because no one else can hit), their offense will be terrible.

[MaineDolFan]

Toronto has built a neat little farm system full of worker bees, some of them are ready to come up this season.  They don't have the fanfare the Rays truck load of overall#1 picks would, but they are solid players.  I think there are a couple guys that are going to have an impact on this team.  They will be very grind it out like, offensively, improved defensively and won't be as bad as everyone thinks, pitching wise.  I would like to see them nab someone like Freddy Garcia to shore things up though.