Post by Atlanta Braves GM on Aug 17, 2005 23:55:57 GMT -5
Stewie810: Harold Reynolds
NYsports101: Karl Ravech
MDTerps1016: Peter Gammons
Wednesday, August 17th, 2005
Stewie810: Welcome everyone to Baseball Tonight, our second episode. Along side me is Karl Ravech and Peter Gammons, and we are ready to talk some baseball.
Stewie810: This season started off with a catch -- an $89,000,000.00 salary cap implemented by commisioner Selig. How do you guys feel about this new implementation?
MDTerps1016: I think this was a brilliant move, and it really evens out a lot of the talent, and makes the Yankees and Red Sox do a lot of work
Stewie810: I agree Peter, it certainly levels the field quite a bit, what do you say Karl?
NYsports101: I feel like it is a very good idea, however i'm not sure if it should be bumped up to 99 mil. It does make the league more fair and it definitely gives every team a chance to contend.
Stewie810: I say stay at $89, already teams are trying to hit that mark, and many teams have made several moves and are closing in. How do you feel Peter -- $89M or $99M?
MDTerps1016: Well, some teams that have a lot of talent are way under neath the $89M mark such as Baltimore, but teams such as the red sox and Yankees might have some trouble, especially the Yankees
Stewie810: I think it we are gonna mention teams that are far under the cap, certainly Pittsburgh comes to mind.
MDTerps1016: And Kansas City, but I think that is an exception considiring they have no talent
NYsports101: Yes, all those low market teams will have a chance to take on salaries and compete thus making this league a lot fairer
Stewie810: Haha, they have a great amount of potential though Peter. I think we would all agree it is a good move. Anyways, we gotta take a commercial break, but we'll be right back with some more baseball talk, especially about all of these
Stewie810: Trades, so stay tuned!
(commercial break)
MDTerps1016: *streaks across the set*
Stewie810: Welcome back folks to Baseball Tonight. Once again, I'm Harold Reynolds, joined by Karl Ravech and that was Peter Gammons. Lets talk trades, shall we?
MDTerps1016: Yea it has certainly been a busy week with all of these trades
Stewie810: First up is the Braves and Yankees deal. For those who don't know, the Braves shipped of Marcus Giles, franchiser Chipper Jones and Chris Reitsma to New York in return for Jason Giambi, Derek Jeter, and Shawn Chacon...how do you all
Stewie810: feel about that?
MDTerps1016: I think the Braves made a bad deal
Stewie810: Care to elaborate?
NYsports101: I feel the Yankees did a good job of unloading big contracts in Jeter and Giambi. they only got one big contract in Chipper and bring in a quality 2B and most importantly get rid of Giambi.
MDTerps1016: Sending a future all star in marcus Giles and a fan favorite in Chipper for Giambi who is losing it rapidly, and Jeter who isn't gonna do much
NYsports101: The Yanks need to get under the CAP and this trade really helps them. They do lose Jeter which will really upset the fans, though.
MDTerps1016: Yea the Yankees did great and then shipping Jones off again dealing off his contract
Stewie810: I agree. I think both teams lost some big names, but when the smoke settles, the Yankees probably took this one.
NYsports101: However, this leads me to believe what they will do with Cano?
MDTerps1016: Trade him
MDTerps1016: A lot of teams will be interested
Stewie810: As far as I know, Giles is on the block, and Yankees GM has no intention of sending Cano.
MDTerps1016: But the Yankees won't get much, considiring they don't have cap room
Stewie810: Lets move on to another New York deal, this time involving the Mets, shall we?
NYsports101: I've heard rumors that the Mariners are interested in Giles
MDTerps1016: The Mariners could use him
Stewie810: and they may be, the whole left by Boone is not an easy one to fill. Lets get on to the Mets and Athletics trade.
Stewie810: The Athletics landed pitching ace Pedro Martinez, starter Kris Benson, talented 3B David Wright in exchange for Rich Harden, SS Bobby Crosby, SP Joe Blanton and 1B Scott Hatteberg. This was quite a topic of discussion. Karl, how do
Stewie810: you feel firstoff?
NYsports101: *puts on thinking cap*
NYsports101: This is a very tough trade to pick a winner for, but I'll choose Omar Minaya and the Mets. The unload Pedro's deal and Benson's deal and acquire young SS Bobby Crosby who is a future all-star to fill the whole left by the Reyes tra
NYsports101: They also acquire an EXTREMELY talented pitcher in Harden and another very good young pitcher in Blanton
NYsports101: They do give away David Wright but the goal was to unload contracts to get under the CAP and this deal really helped.
Stewie810: This is a tough trade Karl, but I'm gonna have to disagree and go with Oakland. Beane is a talented GM, and think of the 1-2 punch with Pedro AND Zito. Money isn't really an issue for him as he was well under the cap.
Stewie810: David Wright is the hinge in my mind. The A's win because they get Wright, who is a cheap, young, All-Star caliber 3B.
Stewie810: Not to mention Kris Benson, who I feel has been slightly downplayed in this trade...he still has a lot left in him
Stewie810: Peter, whaddya think?
MDTerps1016: Short term, the A's win because of Martinez and Benson, but in the long run, the mets win, because Harden and Crosby will dominate
Stewie810: On the same note, the Athletics also made another move to acquire another starter this time with Florida.
NYsports101: I dont know guys but this salary cap implementation has lead to many trades and many fan favorites being moved to different stadiums. I dont know if thats a good thing.
Stewie810: Once again, the Marlins ship off Carlos Delgado, Juan Pierre, AJ Burnett, and catching prosect Josh Willingham for Eric Chavez, Erubiel Durazo, Kris Benson and Mark Kotsay, what about this one Peter?
NYsports101: I really like what the A's did in this deal. They brought in Delgado to play an awesome first base. Pierre will patrol the outfield and give them speed which they really need. They also get a top 100 prospect catcher and bring in
MDTerps1016: Well now this makes the A's the winner out of the mets deal because with the help of Benson, they were able to get Delgado, a 30+ HR guy, Juan Pierre, a solid .300 hitter and a good fielder, AJ Burnett, who will pitch very well, and
MDTerps1016: Willingham, who will help in a couple years.
NYsports101: a pitcher who is in his contract year and i think is one of the TOP pitchers in baseball in A.J. Burnett. I really like this guy!!
NYsports101: Billy Beane is doing the team a great favor w/ this trade.
Stewie810: I'd have to agree with both of you. Just another example of Beane's talented GM'ing skills. Barry Zito, Pedro Martinez, AND AJ Burnett...wow. just wow.
MDTerps1016: Don't forget Danny Haren
Stewie810: But now lets move on again, to perhaps the biggest story for the past couple of days. Manny Ramirez.
NYsports101: Danny Haren who was the coolest haircut in baseball:-D
Stewie810: He does now, but I sure did back for the Mariners, hey!
NYsports101: Manny, Manny, Manny... be careful what you ask for
Stewie810: First off, lets talk Manny for Cabrera...who wins here?
MDTerps1016: Boston
MDTerps1016: Cabrera is a good player now
MDTerps1016: and 3 years from now could be MVP
NYsports101: Well, Manny is a better player now and probably is a better player than Cabrera will ever be..
NYsports101: but the Red Sox are building for the future and to get under the CAP and Cabrera is an amazing talent which there are very few of.
Stewie810: Ya know, I would have to agree with you Karl. Manny Ramirez is a tremendously talented player, and his trade certainly helps the Red Sox.
NYsports101: Also, the Red Sox lose Manny who wanted to be traded anyways
MDTerps1016: Yea, Flordia must not have been thinking today
MDTerps1016: That deal with Oakland and now this
Stewie810: However, there is alittle twist in the deal. Manny gets shipped to the Marlins, his contract goes up another million to $21 M, and then boom, Manny is gone again.
MDTerps1016: They are the big losers today
NYsports101: However, Florida gets better in the short run and this helps their conquest for a World Series ring in the near future
MDTerps1016: They don't have a world series team anymore though
MDTerps1016: Delgado, Pierre and Burnett were gonna win it for them
Stewie810: Florida trades Manny, just minutes after getting him, to the Reds.
NYsports101: for who, Harold?
Stewie810: The Reds also get Guillermo Mota in return for Willy Mo Pena, Edwin Encarnacion, and David Weathers..
NYsports101: Manny did not even get to don his Marlins uni
Stewie810: You have to wonder what the Marlins were thinking with this move. I really can't piece it together.
NYsports101: I think i like what the Reds got in this trade and think the Marlins are losers yet again
MDTerps1016: I don't think Flordia got the best of what they could have got
MDTerps1016: Mo Pena will be good, but not for about 3 years
MDTerps1016: and will not be an MVP type of player
MDTerps1016: like Cabrera
NYsports101: Mota is a very underrated player in my opinion and can excel in a setup role, but not as a closer
NYsports101: which the Reds might use him as
MDTerps1016: The Reds will have the best outfield in the game
MDTerps1016: Dunn, Griffey, and Ramirez will dominate a lot of games
Stewie810: Exactly, the Reds pull a very fast one here, despite giving up Encarnacion and Pena, because, let's face it, Weathers is a non-factor.
Stewie810: Don't forget, Griffy was just recently traded as well Peter.
MDTerps1016: Sorry my memory is going bad
NYsports101: This whole salary cap has really changed baseball a great deal
Stewie810: It's all good, I think we are in need of a commerical, how about it!
Stewie810: We'll be back in a few!
(commercial break)
Stewie810: Welcome back, It's Baseball Tonight, and we're ready for Fact or Friction, to steal a term from John. Lets play!
Stewie810: Fact or Fiction - The Oakland Athletics will have a Cy Young pitcher this year.
MDTerps1016: I gotta go with Fiction: I think Johan Santana will get it, but it will be close, if someone from the A's wins, it will be Pedro
NYsports101: Fact, if its not Pedro whom i see as having a magnificent year it will be Burnett. Pedro is due for a solid year after having an "off year" for the Sox.
Stewie810: Fact, these three starters will complement one another, and I'm gonna have to say Pedro wins it as well.
Stewie810: Fact or Fiction - The Cincinatti Reds will make the playoffs this year with the addition of John Smoltz and Manny Ramirez
NYsports101: Fiction- Cleary Fiction on this one. They won't even win their division. Their pitching still lacks some starters and bullpen help and while thier hitting will keep them in contention... it will be very hard for them to make the
NYsports101: 'loffs
Stewie810: Fair enough, Peter?
MDTerps1016: Fiction: The Cardinals or Cubs will win the Central, the reds won't even get .500 this year. They don't have the pitching to contend with and they don't have a deep lineup, Dunn, Stewart, and Ramirez but those are your only standou
MDTerps1016: ts
MDTerps1016: And Floyd, but he is most likely gone
Stewie810: Fiction - The Reds will be a top wildcard contender, maybe not with just Smoltz and Manny, but because knowing the Reds GM, they are gonna make some more moves, and expect them soon.
Stewie810: Fact or Fiction - Manny Ramirez is worth his lucrative $22,000,000.00 contract.
MDTerps1016: Im gonna say Fact, he is a 40+ HR guy, he is a great leader, and is a great guy to have in the locker room, he is one of the funnest guys in the league, and is worth all that money
NYsports101: Fact, he is one of the best 3 hitters in baseball. While his glove might not be the best the Red Sox would not have been anything w/o him. He is just an amazing hitter!=-O
NYsports101: Agree w/ you on that one Pete with the funniest guys
NYsports101: Fans love him as well
Stewie810: Fact : I'll take it alone on him being the funniest!
Stewie810: Fact or Fiction: The addition of Randy Johnson brings the Orioles name into the post-season pitcture in the AL East.
MDTerps1016: Fact: I think the additions of Clement and Hampton put this team in the playoffs, but now with Johnson this makes this team the best pitching staff in the league
NYsports101: Woah woah woah, best pitching staff in the league
MDTerps1016: Look at who they gave up, Ponson, Penn, Marrero, Mora, Rick Bauer, and Jorge Julio, the only impact players were Mora and Ponson, with Ponson constantly giving up runs
Stewie810: I was just gonna say
MDTerps1016: Penn will be missed 5 years from now, but i think it was worth it
NYsports101: I'll go w/ fact because the have the hitting but i'm not sure about best pitching staff in the league
MDTerps1016: Johnson, Clement, Hampton, Rodgrio Lopez, and Daniel Cabrera
MDTerps1016: Lopez pitched very well last year, and Cabrera also pitched well for his rookie season, however, he has to be consistant
Stewie810: Fact: They will be in the race, but with teams like the Yankees and the Red Sox, I don't know if they can pull through and make it interesting. Their pitching staff definitely isn't the best, but it isn't a bad one. The best Peter,
NYsports101: Cabrera could potentially be a stud (Carlos Zambrano-like)
Stewie810: think of Oakland.
Stewie810: Well, thats it for Fact or Fiction
MDTerps1016: Don't forget Oakland faces Baltimore in the opening day series
MDTerps1016: That will be the best series to watch
Stewie810: It's time for, yeah, the Most Important Thing, and yeah, that'll be a series to watch!
Stewie810: Karl, whats your Most Important Thing!
NYsports101: My most important thing is.... A-
NYsports101: Rod
NYsports101: The Twins acquired who potentially might be the best hitter in baseball which really makes them a team to watch for
NYsports101: I think this team could be a real good sleeper team to do well this season and the acquistion of A-rod is just such a big move
Stewie810: I'm gonna have to go with Pedro. Beane will get this team into the Playoffs, and will most likely see the World Series.
MDTerps1016: My most important thing is the whole yankees team
MDTerps1016: They are gonna make some big time moves in the next couple days, and that will determine the ENTIRE American League, because will they still be a dominant team, or will they be a team in rebuilding?
NYsports101: Ok, our time has run out for this edition fo BASEBALL TONIGHT. Join us next time and we might have a guest appearance for you all. So stay tuned on ESPN for a brand new broadcast of SPORTSCENTER
NYsports101: For BASEBALL TONIGHT, this is Harold Reynolds *points at him*, Peter Gammons *points at him*, and myself, your host, Karl Ravech *points at self*
NYsports101: HAVE A GOOD NIGHT!
NYsports101: Karl Ravech
MDTerps1016: Peter Gammons
Wednesday, August 17th, 2005
Stewie810: Welcome everyone to Baseball Tonight, our second episode. Along side me is Karl Ravech and Peter Gammons, and we are ready to talk some baseball.
Stewie810: This season started off with a catch -- an $89,000,000.00 salary cap implemented by commisioner Selig. How do you guys feel about this new implementation?
MDTerps1016: I think this was a brilliant move, and it really evens out a lot of the talent, and makes the Yankees and Red Sox do a lot of work
Stewie810: I agree Peter, it certainly levels the field quite a bit, what do you say Karl?
NYsports101: I feel like it is a very good idea, however i'm not sure if it should be bumped up to 99 mil. It does make the league more fair and it definitely gives every team a chance to contend.
Stewie810: I say stay at $89, already teams are trying to hit that mark, and many teams have made several moves and are closing in. How do you feel Peter -- $89M or $99M?
MDTerps1016: Well, some teams that have a lot of talent are way under neath the $89M mark such as Baltimore, but teams such as the red sox and Yankees might have some trouble, especially the Yankees
Stewie810: I think it we are gonna mention teams that are far under the cap, certainly Pittsburgh comes to mind.
MDTerps1016: And Kansas City, but I think that is an exception considiring they have no talent
NYsports101: Yes, all those low market teams will have a chance to take on salaries and compete thus making this league a lot fairer
Stewie810: Haha, they have a great amount of potential though Peter. I think we would all agree it is a good move. Anyways, we gotta take a commercial break, but we'll be right back with some more baseball talk, especially about all of these
Stewie810: Trades, so stay tuned!
(commercial break)
MDTerps1016: *streaks across the set*
Stewie810: Welcome back folks to Baseball Tonight. Once again, I'm Harold Reynolds, joined by Karl Ravech and that was Peter Gammons. Lets talk trades, shall we?
MDTerps1016: Yea it has certainly been a busy week with all of these trades
Stewie810: First up is the Braves and Yankees deal. For those who don't know, the Braves shipped of Marcus Giles, franchiser Chipper Jones and Chris Reitsma to New York in return for Jason Giambi, Derek Jeter, and Shawn Chacon...how do you all
Stewie810: feel about that?
MDTerps1016: I think the Braves made a bad deal
Stewie810: Care to elaborate?
NYsports101: I feel the Yankees did a good job of unloading big contracts in Jeter and Giambi. they only got one big contract in Chipper and bring in a quality 2B and most importantly get rid of Giambi.
MDTerps1016: Sending a future all star in marcus Giles and a fan favorite in Chipper for Giambi who is losing it rapidly, and Jeter who isn't gonna do much
NYsports101: The Yanks need to get under the CAP and this trade really helps them. They do lose Jeter which will really upset the fans, though.
MDTerps1016: Yea the Yankees did great and then shipping Jones off again dealing off his contract
Stewie810: I agree. I think both teams lost some big names, but when the smoke settles, the Yankees probably took this one.
NYsports101: However, this leads me to believe what they will do with Cano?
MDTerps1016: Trade him
MDTerps1016: A lot of teams will be interested
Stewie810: As far as I know, Giles is on the block, and Yankees GM has no intention of sending Cano.
MDTerps1016: But the Yankees won't get much, considiring they don't have cap room
Stewie810: Lets move on to another New York deal, this time involving the Mets, shall we?
NYsports101: I've heard rumors that the Mariners are interested in Giles
MDTerps1016: The Mariners could use him
Stewie810: and they may be, the whole left by Boone is not an easy one to fill. Lets get on to the Mets and Athletics trade.
Stewie810: The Athletics landed pitching ace Pedro Martinez, starter Kris Benson, talented 3B David Wright in exchange for Rich Harden, SS Bobby Crosby, SP Joe Blanton and 1B Scott Hatteberg. This was quite a topic of discussion. Karl, how do
Stewie810: you feel firstoff?
NYsports101: *puts on thinking cap*
NYsports101: This is a very tough trade to pick a winner for, but I'll choose Omar Minaya and the Mets. The unload Pedro's deal and Benson's deal and acquire young SS Bobby Crosby who is a future all-star to fill the whole left by the Reyes tra
NYsports101: They also acquire an EXTREMELY talented pitcher in Harden and another very good young pitcher in Blanton
NYsports101: They do give away David Wright but the goal was to unload contracts to get under the CAP and this deal really helped.
Stewie810: This is a tough trade Karl, but I'm gonna have to disagree and go with Oakland. Beane is a talented GM, and think of the 1-2 punch with Pedro AND Zito. Money isn't really an issue for him as he was well under the cap.
Stewie810: David Wright is the hinge in my mind. The A's win because they get Wright, who is a cheap, young, All-Star caliber 3B.
Stewie810: Not to mention Kris Benson, who I feel has been slightly downplayed in this trade...he still has a lot left in him
Stewie810: Peter, whaddya think?
MDTerps1016: Short term, the A's win because of Martinez and Benson, but in the long run, the mets win, because Harden and Crosby will dominate
Stewie810: On the same note, the Athletics also made another move to acquire another starter this time with Florida.
NYsports101: I dont know guys but this salary cap implementation has lead to many trades and many fan favorites being moved to different stadiums. I dont know if thats a good thing.
Stewie810: Once again, the Marlins ship off Carlos Delgado, Juan Pierre, AJ Burnett, and catching prosect Josh Willingham for Eric Chavez, Erubiel Durazo, Kris Benson and Mark Kotsay, what about this one Peter?
NYsports101: I really like what the A's did in this deal. They brought in Delgado to play an awesome first base. Pierre will patrol the outfield and give them speed which they really need. They also get a top 100 prospect catcher and bring in
MDTerps1016: Well now this makes the A's the winner out of the mets deal because with the help of Benson, they were able to get Delgado, a 30+ HR guy, Juan Pierre, a solid .300 hitter and a good fielder, AJ Burnett, who will pitch very well, and
MDTerps1016: Willingham, who will help in a couple years.
NYsports101: a pitcher who is in his contract year and i think is one of the TOP pitchers in baseball in A.J. Burnett. I really like this guy!!
NYsports101: Billy Beane is doing the team a great favor w/ this trade.
Stewie810: I'd have to agree with both of you. Just another example of Beane's talented GM'ing skills. Barry Zito, Pedro Martinez, AND AJ Burnett...wow. just wow.
MDTerps1016: Don't forget Danny Haren
Stewie810: But now lets move on again, to perhaps the biggest story for the past couple of days. Manny Ramirez.
NYsports101: Danny Haren who was the coolest haircut in baseball:-D
Stewie810: He does now, but I sure did back for the Mariners, hey!
NYsports101: Manny, Manny, Manny... be careful what you ask for
Stewie810: First off, lets talk Manny for Cabrera...who wins here?
MDTerps1016: Boston
MDTerps1016: Cabrera is a good player now
MDTerps1016: and 3 years from now could be MVP
NYsports101: Well, Manny is a better player now and probably is a better player than Cabrera will ever be..
NYsports101: but the Red Sox are building for the future and to get under the CAP and Cabrera is an amazing talent which there are very few of.
Stewie810: Ya know, I would have to agree with you Karl. Manny Ramirez is a tremendously talented player, and his trade certainly helps the Red Sox.
NYsports101: Also, the Red Sox lose Manny who wanted to be traded anyways
MDTerps1016: Yea, Flordia must not have been thinking today
MDTerps1016: That deal with Oakland and now this
Stewie810: However, there is alittle twist in the deal. Manny gets shipped to the Marlins, his contract goes up another million to $21 M, and then boom, Manny is gone again.
MDTerps1016: They are the big losers today
NYsports101: However, Florida gets better in the short run and this helps their conquest for a World Series ring in the near future
MDTerps1016: They don't have a world series team anymore though
MDTerps1016: Delgado, Pierre and Burnett were gonna win it for them
Stewie810: Florida trades Manny, just minutes after getting him, to the Reds.
NYsports101: for who, Harold?
Stewie810: The Reds also get Guillermo Mota in return for Willy Mo Pena, Edwin Encarnacion, and David Weathers..
NYsports101: Manny did not even get to don his Marlins uni
Stewie810: You have to wonder what the Marlins were thinking with this move. I really can't piece it together.
NYsports101: I think i like what the Reds got in this trade and think the Marlins are losers yet again
MDTerps1016: I don't think Flordia got the best of what they could have got
MDTerps1016: Mo Pena will be good, but not for about 3 years
MDTerps1016: and will not be an MVP type of player
MDTerps1016: like Cabrera
NYsports101: Mota is a very underrated player in my opinion and can excel in a setup role, but not as a closer
NYsports101: which the Reds might use him as
MDTerps1016: The Reds will have the best outfield in the game
MDTerps1016: Dunn, Griffey, and Ramirez will dominate a lot of games
Stewie810: Exactly, the Reds pull a very fast one here, despite giving up Encarnacion and Pena, because, let's face it, Weathers is a non-factor.
Stewie810: Don't forget, Griffy was just recently traded as well Peter.
MDTerps1016: Sorry my memory is going bad
NYsports101: This whole salary cap has really changed baseball a great deal
Stewie810: It's all good, I think we are in need of a commerical, how about it!
Stewie810: We'll be back in a few!
(commercial break)
Stewie810: Welcome back, It's Baseball Tonight, and we're ready for Fact or Friction, to steal a term from John. Lets play!
Stewie810: Fact or Fiction - The Oakland Athletics will have a Cy Young pitcher this year.
MDTerps1016: I gotta go with Fiction: I think Johan Santana will get it, but it will be close, if someone from the A's wins, it will be Pedro
NYsports101: Fact, if its not Pedro whom i see as having a magnificent year it will be Burnett. Pedro is due for a solid year after having an "off year" for the Sox.
Stewie810: Fact, these three starters will complement one another, and I'm gonna have to say Pedro wins it as well.
Stewie810: Fact or Fiction - The Cincinatti Reds will make the playoffs this year with the addition of John Smoltz and Manny Ramirez
NYsports101: Fiction- Cleary Fiction on this one. They won't even win their division. Their pitching still lacks some starters and bullpen help and while thier hitting will keep them in contention... it will be very hard for them to make the
NYsports101: 'loffs
Stewie810: Fair enough, Peter?
MDTerps1016: Fiction: The Cardinals or Cubs will win the Central, the reds won't even get .500 this year. They don't have the pitching to contend with and they don't have a deep lineup, Dunn, Stewart, and Ramirez but those are your only standou
MDTerps1016: ts
MDTerps1016: And Floyd, but he is most likely gone
Stewie810: Fiction - The Reds will be a top wildcard contender, maybe not with just Smoltz and Manny, but because knowing the Reds GM, they are gonna make some more moves, and expect them soon.
Stewie810: Fact or Fiction - Manny Ramirez is worth his lucrative $22,000,000.00 contract.
MDTerps1016: Im gonna say Fact, he is a 40+ HR guy, he is a great leader, and is a great guy to have in the locker room, he is one of the funnest guys in the league, and is worth all that money
NYsports101: Fact, he is one of the best 3 hitters in baseball. While his glove might not be the best the Red Sox would not have been anything w/o him. He is just an amazing hitter!=-O
NYsports101: Agree w/ you on that one Pete with the funniest guys
NYsports101: Fans love him as well
Stewie810: Fact : I'll take it alone on him being the funniest!
Stewie810: Fact or Fiction: The addition of Randy Johnson brings the Orioles name into the post-season pitcture in the AL East.
MDTerps1016: Fact: I think the additions of Clement and Hampton put this team in the playoffs, but now with Johnson this makes this team the best pitching staff in the league
NYsports101: Woah woah woah, best pitching staff in the league
MDTerps1016: Look at who they gave up, Ponson, Penn, Marrero, Mora, Rick Bauer, and Jorge Julio, the only impact players were Mora and Ponson, with Ponson constantly giving up runs
Stewie810: I was just gonna say
MDTerps1016: Penn will be missed 5 years from now, but i think it was worth it
NYsports101: I'll go w/ fact because the have the hitting but i'm not sure about best pitching staff in the league
MDTerps1016: Johnson, Clement, Hampton, Rodgrio Lopez, and Daniel Cabrera
MDTerps1016: Lopez pitched very well last year, and Cabrera also pitched well for his rookie season, however, he has to be consistant
Stewie810: Fact: They will be in the race, but with teams like the Yankees and the Red Sox, I don't know if they can pull through and make it interesting. Their pitching staff definitely isn't the best, but it isn't a bad one. The best Peter,
NYsports101: Cabrera could potentially be a stud (Carlos Zambrano-like)
Stewie810: think of Oakland.
Stewie810: Well, thats it for Fact or Fiction
MDTerps1016: Don't forget Oakland faces Baltimore in the opening day series
MDTerps1016: That will be the best series to watch
Stewie810: It's time for, yeah, the Most Important Thing, and yeah, that'll be a series to watch!
Stewie810: Karl, whats your Most Important Thing!
NYsports101: My most important thing is.... A-
NYsports101: Rod
NYsports101: The Twins acquired who potentially might be the best hitter in baseball which really makes them a team to watch for
NYsports101: I think this team could be a real good sleeper team to do well this season and the acquistion of A-rod is just such a big move
Stewie810: I'm gonna have to go with Pedro. Beane will get this team into the Playoffs, and will most likely see the World Series.
MDTerps1016: My most important thing is the whole yankees team
MDTerps1016: They are gonna make some big time moves in the next couple days, and that will determine the ENTIRE American League, because will they still be a dominant team, or will they be a team in rebuilding?
NYsports101: Ok, our time has run out for this edition fo BASEBALL TONIGHT. Join us next time and we might have a guest appearance for you all. So stay tuned on ESPN for a brand new broadcast of SPORTSCENTER
NYsports101: For BASEBALL TONIGHT, this is Harold Reynolds *points at him*, Peter Gammons *points at him*, and myself, your host, Karl Ravech *points at self*
NYsports101: HAVE A GOOD NIGHT!
