If he is effective in relief as he was last season, this won't be a bad signing.

But as one smart poster suggested (sorry, can't remember who), it is really about the SP rotation in 2010. If they falter, we have 14 years in a row. If the young arms come through and Millwood and Guthrie are even just above .500 with their records, we could be good. I have a friend who things the Os will be above .500 for the year. I would be very pleased with that, but think we will improve about 10 games in the win column.

Even if the pitching is better, that infield is pretty mediocre with their bats.

I think they will be lucky to win 64 games next year. Of course, as always I'd love to be wrong about that.

over the weekend, someone pointed out that the shift is now far more on doubles than home runs in determining the"power" of a lineup.

i started thinking about our current lineup and doubles: Roberts, Tejada, Markakis to start. add Wieters to that mix. let's say AJ hits a few. Reimold might hit his share when he's not hitting em out of the park. Atkins has a history of being able to rack up a nice doubles total as well.

if it's true that the new measuring stick will be doubles (unless you're the Yankees and half your team has found HGH :P), and if you consider Izturis to be your "weak link," and if you add up the doubles capability of that group above, i'm not sure we're so mediocre after all. eh?

I don't believe becoming Rangers-Lite is the answer. Double your ass off, you still need a staff that can keep the opposition from out scoring you. I would shop some of my names for a tried-and-true hurler.

Ultimately, the single greatest indicator of a team's success is its pitching. The other stuff is there for the really good teams, but no team won a WS with starting pitchers having a combined 6.00 ERA, or probably even 5.50 (or 5.00?).

OK stats hounds, find the teams that did have SPs with inflated ERAs and still won.

Great teams have everything, but you have to start with pitching.

right. we were talking about having a mediocre infield. no one said anything about whether having a good infield would obviate the need for a solid rotation :)

anyone else read about Melewski's concerns about Tillman? is Chris our next Hayden Penn?

Whatever. All Melewski did was point to the stats and say, "Hey, Tillman had a horrible September. Maybe he needs time in the minors." That isn't any more sophisticated than Joe McTenbeers sitting in a sports bar somewhere.

Try to keep this in perspective though: not all those kids are going to pan out. That's just basic math and probability. It would be great if they did, but they won't. What's great about having a bunch of young and competitive kids is that they push each other.

That may be the case, but a team that only hits doubles isn't much fun to watch. Winning is the ultimate goal of course, but after 10 years I have no delusions of us having a winning season anytime soon. When I take my son to the park, I'd at least like to have a chance to catch a ball for him that we don't have to throw back. If our corner infielders were threats to steal, at least there would be some excitement there.

Resolution on Winning Baseball Games

Whereas:
The hitter of a double or dinger
May enjoy his shot as a swinger.

Whereas:
A skilled glove man or slinger
Labors nine innings to deliver.

Resolved:
A game may be won by one run
So long as the defense yields none.

Resolution on Miguel Tejada

Whereas:
He who hits into a double play
Throws his team's rally away

Whereas:
A glove is great on one condition
That it isn't used at an unfamiliar position

Resolved:
A game may be won by one run
So long as your team has the one

<_<

Very nice Bark!

Nice, and salient points Jack, I believe you are on the right track!

Whereas:
a starter lasting till the 7th inning,
increases your chances of winning

Whereas:
a pen that can hold a lead,
is a worthy pen indeed

Whereas:
hitting is necessary,
it's value is arbitrary

good defense and base running skills,
are skills good management instills

Resolved:
winnings multiple ways,
means winning many days

I have 14 days until pitchers and catchers report. By then, I hope that I can summon the optimism and excitement that you two (Milt and Jack) already have.

Wow Milt! "Winning Baseball Made Simple…The Basics" by Milto available now at Amazon.com.

You'll get the optimism and excitement Bark, else life will have lost it savor and you strike me as a man who lives and enjoys his life with gusto.