All Entries Tagged With: "off Season Report"

San Francisco Giants Off Season Report

Season Wrap Up

2008 saw the Bond-less Giants tied for the 6th worst record in baseball at 72-90, but I actually thought they had a chance of reaching 100 losses so they did better than I thought they would. They went into the year without a solid closer, which effects the rest of the bullpen, and supposed Ace of the staff, Barry Zito had another pathetic year and was even sent to…

San Diego Padres Off Season Report

Season Wrap Up

Like most of the NL West, the Padres had a disappointing 2008 season going 63-99, the third worst record in baseball last season! Who would have thought that the Giants would finish higher than San Diego at Spring Training last year? I for one did not even think it possible. Granted, 2008 saw injuries to SP Chris Young and C Josh Bard and SS Khalil Greene (now in St.…

Colorado Rockies Off Season Report

Season Wrap Up

Like most of the NL West, the Rockies had a disappointing 2008 season going 74 and 88 after being in the World Series the previous October. On top of that, they lost second year SS Troy Tulowitzki to injury for a big part of the year, missing 61 games and 1B Todd Helton missed half the season. Unfortunately for Rox fans, 2009 doesn’t look much better after trading away…

Arizona Diamondbacks Off Season Report

Season Wrap Up

After a red hot start to the 2008 season, the team in the desert cooled off come June and never really struck fear into anyone in the NL West from that point forward, but theacquisition of LF Adam Dunn must have turned a few heads though. April did show a look into the future of RF Justin Upton who looked to be on the verge of competing for…

Los Angeles Dodgers Off Season Report

Season Wrap Up

Although the Dodgers had the worst record in the 2008 playoffs it was mainly a byproduct of their poor first half. The acquisition of Manny Ramirez from Boston in a three way deal at the deadline rejuvenated this young team, giving them the experience and the potent bat they were missing up to that point. Not a bad first year managing for Joe Torre, his experience definitely made the…

Washington Nationals Off Season Report

Season Wrap Up

One word describes the 2008 Washington Nationals record: abysmal. They lost 102 games! Granted, they had injuries to both first basemen (Johnson and Young) and most if not all of their outfielders (Wily Mo Pena, Lastings Milledge, Austin Kearns and Elijah Dukes) at one time or another and 3B Zimmerman. Then they did the unthinkable and traded star RP Jon Rauch; hence, the 102 losses.

Holes to Fill

There aren’t many…

Florida Marlins Off Season Report

Season Wrap Up

Although the Marlins finished 7.5 games out in the NL East in 2008, they didn’t have a bad season. After trading away Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera to the Tigers last off season, no one expected a lot from them in 2008. For starters, second baseman Dan Uggla had a monster first half of baseball! His average was way up and his power numbers were looking to be ncreasing as…

Los Angeles Angles of Anaheim off Season Report

Season Wrap Up

The Angels no doubt have the blue print for making the playoffs memorized. The only problem is that in the past few seasons, when they get there, they are unable to get out of the Divisional round where they were the victim of the Boston Red Sox this season in just four games. General manager Tony Reagins has to be frustrated with the recent lack of success in the…

Atlanta Braves Off Season Report

Season Wrap Up

Another year without postseason play after all of those consecutive years in it makes for unhappy Braves fans. But this time, I would have to say that a lot of the problem was caused by the myriad of injuries sustained, but especially those to their pitching staff, both starters and relievers alike. Beyond that, there was their lack of power and the disappointing season of their RF Jeff…

Texas Rangers off Season Report

Season Wrap Up

Despite finishing under .500, the Rangers still finished second in the American League West, although they were about a mile behind the Angels at the top of the division. Their 79-83 record was not by any means impressive, but with the expectations that were in place for the Rangers before the season, it’s not too out of line. Texas was picked by many to finish lower in the division,…

Seattle Mariners off Season Report

Season Wrap Up

Despite having the ninth ranked payroll in the major leagues at $118 million (and bringing the face of their franchise, Ichiro Suzuki, back in the off season), the Mariners still managed to lose 101 games and finish in last place in 2008. Prior to the season, many believed that the Mariners had the fire power to compete in their division. While winning it outright may have seemed like…

New York Mets Off Season Report

Season Wrap Up

For the second straight year, the Mets had the right tools to make the playoffs, but in the end, failed to reach that goal. 2008 saw the firing of manager Willie Randolph and the tired arm of aging closer Billy Wagner. It also saw a renewed spark from 1B Carlos Delgado, who just a year ago had to be wondering about retirement the way he was hitting. Although…

Oakland Athletics off Season Report

Season Wrap Up

It seems that general manager Billy Beane has no problem finding pitching for his team and even when he trades away his best pitchers, he always has some waiting in the wings. The problem for Beane is finding proven hitting that can produce on a daily basis without needing much in the way of a paycheck. The team finished 75-86 which was good enough for third place in…

Philadelphia Phillies Off Season Report

Season Wrap Up

The Phillies beat the Tampa Bay Rays, MLB’s Cinderella story of 2008, to become the World Series Champs! What more needs to be said about 2008 except that Cole Hamels proved that he IS a # 1 starter with his performance in the playoffs. Just in case anyone was questioning his ability on baseball’s biggest stage. Also, despite an insane amount of K’s and a low average, 1B Ryan…

St. Louis Cardinals off Season Report

Season Wrap Up

The Cardinals won as many games in 2008 as they did when they won the World Series just two seasons earlier, but they found themselves outside of the playoff picture when the season ended. With an 86-76 record, the Cards once again had a very solid season with Tony La Russa at the helm. Having the MVP in Albert Pujols certainly didn’t hurt, but the lack of pitching didn’t…

Houston Astros off Season Report

Season Wrap Up

The Astros last left us by missing the playoffs with an 86-75 record to finish third in the National League Central. Although they were in the heat of the race for a while, they dropped off at the end when they were forced to play home games in Milwaukee because of the hurricanes that were whipping through their city. While long time first baseman’s Lance Berkman’s performance seemed…

Baltimore Orioles Off Season Report

Season Wrap Up
The O’s finished right about where I expected them to, but there was a silver lining to look forward towards. That is CF Adam Jones, who looks like he might become a decent everyday player once he matures at the plate and becomes a more patient hitter. Then there was the great year by 1B/DH Aubrey Huff and the usual year by RF Nick Markakis. Turning George Sherrill…

Cincinnati Reds off Season Report

Season Wrap Up

Cincinnati had a dismal season once again, going 74-88 and finishing fifth in the National league Central. After the hire of manager Dusty Baker in the off season, many believed the Reds would improve this year and while they received some good individual performances from some young talent, they were still disappointing in the standings. Their general manager, Walt Jocketty was able to get rid of his overpaid…

Toronto Blue Jays Off Season Report

Season Wrap Up
The 2008 season found the Jays in 4th place behind the Rays, Red Sox and Yankees, but was not without its highlights. The pitching staff, despite injuries toJanssen and Halladay (to begin the year) and McGowan for good parts of the year, were still the best in the MLB with a 3.49 ERA and .19 points better than the next best team (Dodgers). Unfortunately, swapping 3BGlaus for Rolen…

Chicago Cubs off Season Report

Season Wrap Up

The team from the North Side of Chicago acted like they were finally going to break the all encompassing Billy Goat Curse last season, but that all ended when they got to the playoffs. While they were the darlings of analysts during the regular season, once the post season game around, they were no where to be found. The Los Angeles Dodgers swept the Cubs with almost no…

New York Yankees Off Season Report

Season Wrap Up
The Yankees failed to make the playoffs for the first time since the 90’s due to injuries, age and the less than expected performance out of some of their up and coming pitchers Kennedy and Hughes, not to mention CF Cabrera. They finished in third place just 3 games ahead of the Blue Jays. Need I say more? If Mr. Steinbrenner (as in George Steinbrenner) were in better…

Tampa Bay Rays Off Season Report

Season Wrap Up
Who would have imagined that the newly renamed Rays would have made history in 2008? After finishing last in the AL East in 2007, they finished first in 2008, surpassing the mighty Yankees and Red Sox with their 97 wins. Not only did they win the AL East, but they also won the AL Pennant as well. Their incredible run ended at the hands of the Phillies in…

Kansas City Royals off Season Report

Season Wrap Up

For many other teams, posting a 75 win season isn’t exactly a cause for excitement, but for the first time in a while, the Royals were able to dig themselves out of the bottom spot in the American League Central. They finished fourth, but some improvement is better than none. The good thing for the Royals is that much of their talent that they have accrued over recent…

Minnesota Twins off Season Report

Season Wrap Up

Baseball fans last saw the Twins in a one game playoff with the Chicago White Sox for the Central Division crown and a spot in the playoffs. Although they did not win that game, they still had an impressive season. After losing Torii Hunter to free agency and trading away Johan Santana, the Twins were picked by most to finish as low as fourth in the division. The…