Al East 2004

[Wolf Hopper]

With all the signings by the O's, and all the Yankees and Sox moves, and the young talent in Toronto..............

1. How many games will the division winner win, given the fact that all these teams will play each other 19 times?

2. How will this effect Tampa - as they have to play 76 games against the AL East?

[gyb13]

1. In 2003, NYY/BOS/TOR won 101/95/86. I could see a repeat of something similar, with BAL moving up from 70 wins to 75-80.
2. Tampa's got a Sisyphean task ahead of them to even reach 60 wins.

[sweaver]

You're gonna have to win 100 games to take the division, and the wild card could come out of here easily too.

You could win 94 and finish out of the money in the 2004 AL East.

[rk_michael]

All I have to say is look out for the Orioles. They suddenly look like a contender after the Tejada/Guerrero/Rodriguez pickups.

[JamesI]

All I have to say is look out for the Orioles. They suddenly look like a contender after the Tejada/Guerrero/Rodriguez pickups.
While I appreaciate the sentiment a few problems
1) Vlad and IRod haven't signed yet according to ESPN
2) This team needs a #1 pitcher
3) Yankees and Red Sox are better, period.

The AL east will be a monster division. 4 teams that could be real good, and the poor DRays which could easily lose 100.

[Swan]

Why is everyone so sure about Pudge and Vlad going to the Orioles? Just because Will Carroll told Lee that he thinks it's going to happen doesn't mean it's a done deal.

[Wolf Hopper]

Why is everyone so sure about Pudge and Vlad going to the Orioles? Just because Will Carroll told Lee that he thinks it's going to happen doesn't mean it's a done deal.

Just checked google news - nothing yet. Knowing Will 'tho, he never would have said it - unless his source was excellent.

[JamesI]

Why is everyone so sure about Pudge and Vlad going to the Orioles? Just because Will Carroll told Lee that he thinks it's going to happen doesn't mean it's a done deal.

Gammons believes Pudge is an Oriole by tomorrow. (I know he's not the best source)

[Swan]

By no means, nothing personal against Will or Gammons, but you just can't count out George S when it comes to someone like Vlad.

[JamesI]

By no means, nothing personal against Will or Gammons, but you just can't count out George S when it comes to someone like Vlad.

Had Shef not signed, I'd agree. But where would Vlad play?

[Swan]

Had Shef not signed, I'd agree. But where would Vlad play?

I have heard in other threads as well that Sheff has signed... but I haven't seen anything confirmed. Can someone point me in the right place to see where I may have missed this signing? I didn't even get the email report from Lee reporting it.

[Wolf Hopper]

Nothing yet official on Sheff, as far as I know.

[hmrsf]

I have heard in other threads as well that Sheff has signed... but I haven't seen anything confirmed. Can someone point me in the right place to see where I may have missed this signing? I didn't even get the email report from Lee reporting it.


The Orioles are about to announce the signings of free agents C Ivan
Rodriguez and RF Vladimir Guerrero.

Lee

[gyb13]

I have heard in other threads as well that Sheff has signed... but I haven't seen anything confirmed. Can someone point me in the right place to see where I may have missed this signing? I didn't even get the email report from Lee reporting it.no, it's not 100% official yet, but word is it they've reached the agreement (again)
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1685738

[TimmyB]

If the signings of I-Rod and Vlad come through, then there's something to talk about here.

That said, it is potentially very interesting.

[Skip]

You're gonna have to win 100 games to take the division, and the wild card could come out of here easily too.

You could win 94 and finish out of the money in the 2004 AL East.Or, the top four could all beat the tarnation out of each other and (seemingly) underperform according to their records. Poor Tampa.

[NJYANKEE]

There are so many variables with this division it's almost impossible to predict. We know that NY, Boston and Toronto should be the top 3 (all winning 85+), and if Lou thought he had a long year last year he's in for an even longer one. I think that the O's will finish around 75 wins, with 2005 being their breakout year.

Considering all that can happen between now and Spring training I think I'm going to reserve judgment on NY, Boston and Toronto until then. Too close to call.

[WiredTiger]

The East is definitely a lot tougher this year. I think the Red Sox take the division with the Yankees close behind. The Jays and Orioles will be near .500 and Devil Rays even though their record will be bad will be improved.

[SmedIndy]

Unless the O's can learn to pitch - they'll still be fourth.

[rk_michael]

While I appreaciate the sentiment a few problems
1) Vlad and IRod haven't signed yet according to ESPN
2) This team needs a #1 pitcher
3) Yankees and Red Sox are better, period.

The AL east will be a monster division. 4 teams that could be real good, and the poor DRays which could easily lose 100.

Well, if they aren't a contender yet, they at least look much more like a contender than they did a week ago. I agree that they probably won't compete with the Yankees and Red Sox for the division crown, nor will they put up enough of a fight to win the Wild Card, but they are certainly on their way. When Vlad and IRod sign (which they will, sooner or later), the Orioles will be an incredibly improved team, and with some pitching could begin to compete with Boston/New York. Too bad they aren't in the AL Central, they would have a good chance of winning that division with or without an improved pitching staff.

[KCBOOMER]

Unless the O's can learn to pitch - they'll still be fourth.

That is a sad fact. Vlad, IRod, and Tejada don't have a single pitching victory between them. The O's could end up with a very expensive, albeit entertaining, loser. I think they have failed the test of understanding where they are on the success cycle.

I can't imagine the winner of this division not winning 100 games. Sure the intradivisional games will be tough but the interdivisional ones won't be.

[gyb13]

That is a sad fact. Vlad, IRod, and Tejada don't have a single pitching victory between them.maybe they should've signed Brent Mayne instead! :cool:

[pathogan]

...have lost alot of innings pitched

[JamesI]

As an Oriole fan I am concerned over the pitching. Rumors say Ponson might return. That helps.
But the Orioles have some good arms in the minors. Give them a year or two more, and this team will have pitching.

And they needed offense more.