2002 Predictions

[Skipper Steve]

Which players are going to make a bigger impact in 2002? Which do you expect to get knocked down a peg or two?

[Duque]

Bret Boone is going to go back to being Bret Boone.

Edgardo Alfonzo will go back to being one of the best infielders in the league.

Derek Jeter should have a big power surge coming.

No definite evidence for this - just putting on my Carnac turban.

[Skipper Steve]

Pitty the fool that signs Brett for big bucks.

I don't see Seattle making the post-season next year.

I see either Schilling or Johnson doing time on the DL next year - maybe both.

I see the Expos/Marlins hybrid team winning the NL East next year.

[BuzzBuzzard]

Way too early for me to do any prognostication (at least in public), but I sure hope Duque is right about Alfonzo.

[sweaver]

I'd bet 50-50 on Schilling doing DL time next year, and just you watch if he does, the WS work will get some blame. Crazy. Jeter developing more power (20-25 HRs) is about due, and I think Pedro Martinez will make some sort of comeback, maybe enough to win 15. The rest is hard to call until the offseason shakes out.

Alfonzo? A bad back is a tough thing. He'll have to find an effective therapy to get back to where he was.

Bret Boone in 2002: .260 average, 15 HRs, 75 RBIs, for the Cubs or the Orioles.

[Skipper Steve]

If Jeter plays 150-155 games, the 20-25 HRs will be there. That's already proven. Question is - is that all there is?

If he ends up hitting leadoff in 2002 - which he may - I hope he just worries about getting on and forgets about the fences.

[CubFan7125]

Let me play Nostradamus. Here's my 10 predictions for the 2002 season.

1. Nomar wins the AL batting championship.
2. The D-Backs get old(injuries, slumps, etc....) in mass quantities.
3. The Yankees finish 2nd in the AL East.
4. The Twins play in Minneapolis, the Expos play at RFK Stadium & no one in Montreal notices the LeExpos are gone.
5. The Cubs win the NL Central behind Kerry Woods 22 wins & Sammy's 65 HR's
6. Todd Helton wins the Triple Crown while flirting with .400 until Labor Day.
7. The Marlins play in Miami & no one notices.
8. The Red Sox sale finally happens, Joe Kerrigan & Dan Duquette are immediately fired. The only upset person in Boston is Mrs. Duquette, because now she has to spend more time with Dan.
9. Carl Everett pisses off his teammates(OK, you don't have to call Miss Cleo to see that one in the future.)
10. The Atlanta run finally ends, with the Mets & Phillies going down to the final weekend to decide the NL East. The Mets eke out the division on their way to their 3rd World Series championship.

[BuzzBuzzard]

Originally posted by CubFan7125
4. The Twins play in Minneapolis, the Expos play at RFK Stadium & no one in Montreal notices the LeExpos are gone.
Better posted in another thread, but Washington twice has had franchises and failed. No third strike for them. They are already out.

Originally posted by CubFan7125
10. The Atlanta run finally ends, with the Mets & Phillies going down to the final weekend to decide the NL East. The Mets eke out the division on their way to their 3rd World Series championship. Music to my ears.

[hmrsf]

1. Dwight Evans becomes the Red Sox hitting instructor and within 10 years will become a manager with in the organization.

2. Nomar will be batting champion and Manny will have the other 2 legs of the triple crown.

3. Shea Hillenbran will take more walks and with in a year or 2 will be the Red Sox leadoff hitter. (+RCA of 18 in 2002...I know big leap.)

4.Crazy Carl will be committed and Red Sox will only have to make the insurance payment.

5. Roger Clemens will have a change of heart and will play 2 years with Red Soxs (03 and 04) and retire with a no-hitter for his last game.

6. Scott Hatteburg will have the oppertunity to be a non-catcher for someone else.

7. Jeter will have wrist problems, will mask it for a year and have surgery and be out for 2003.

8. NLE will be a slug fest between the Phillies and Mets. Bernitez will save all games against big teams and serve crow pie to his haters.

9. Martinez will develope a new pitch using a new arm slot and will throw a no-hitter and Tim Wakefield will no-no the next day.

10. Bernie Williams will make the best catch of the year.

11. Jose Offerman will have a career year but the Red Sox will not fall for "Ihavenoheartofferman" act because Danny boy will be exiled with no power .....but we pay him....drats!

[Yogi#8Fan]

Originally posted by Skipper Steve
If Jeter plays 150-155 games, the 20-25 HRs will be there. That's already proven. Question is - is that all there is?

If he ends up hitting leadoff in 2002 - which he may - I hope he just worries about getting on and forgets about the fences. I've heard talk from other Yank fans about Jete playing leading. He seems the likely person since he's got the speed, can hit occasional 1st pitch HRs and loves to steal. There aren't too many FAs out there who offer this, I believe.

As to the power aspect, if he works out with a good trainer in the offseason, he might be able to do this and smack 20-25 into the seats. To me, a leadoff hitter only has to set the table at the beginning of the game. After this, I feel he's only the top of the lineup and an RBI double may prove even more valuable than a single that's been run out.

[Yogi#8Fan]

HM, how's about we switch names in #2 and #7? As to #10, check back to 10/26/00 when he caught the potentially game-tying HR in the 5th game.

Roger coming back? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

For my own prediction, Bernie Williams will start running out ground balls like he's supposed to and for once will be a steady offensive force in PS play. If it weren't for his great glove and wheels, he could've been used from April to September only, then chucked in October.

[hmrsf]

I just remember the wrist shot he took in the playoffs. Those injuries can haunt you later.....ask Nomar. Also how many cortizone shots can you take in small area for a prolonged period of time? Oh yeah....get away with it for awhile maybe even win a batting chamionship but the piper will be paid.

Now Roger coming back .....was left to discretion of the poster.

[Yogi#8Fan]

You've already had one player who wore #3 quite well return to the Boston (the Braves, not the Sox). Now you want Roger? Boy, wait'll I tell my good friend George all about this, won't he be happy.

[Duque]

Back to Boone - apparently he's miffed that the Ms have only offered him 3 years for $23 million. He called it "unreasonable."

3 years for $23 million translates into appx. $7.7 million a year - that's an awful lot for a career .265 hitter with a 756 OPS

[Skipper Steve]

Someone should read to Boone from the book of Jody Reed.

[sweaver]

The Yankees offense improves dramatically...but the pitching collapses around Mussina. The Yanks struggle to win the division.

Pennant winners: Astros and White Sox.

You heard it here first!