Looking towards 2003

[BravesWin!]

What out-of-contention teams have made the most strides in the 2nd half of 2002 that you think they will be looking better in 2003...What teams look like they have done a good job in gearing up for next season with developing young stars at the Major League Level...

And what out-of-contention clubs are in holes so deep next year will still be a disaster....What clubs have done such a poor job rebulding, and their farm system is so barren than next year is already lost...

I personally look at the Marlins for the former, and Detroit and Tampa as the latter...what do yall think??


Andrew

[Max Power]

I think Tampa Bay will win 20 more games in 2003 than they did in 2002.

Just a hunch.

[spitball]

I agree with Max. I think the D-Rays are going to do some damage in their division.
They have some good arms and bats and with another year behind them the young guys should be about 10-20 wins better.

[tortured angel]

The Marlins have been touched by the hand of the grim reaper Loria and are now doomed to years of bottom feeding in the NL east. Did any move they made this year help?

Toronto gets a full year of Josh Phelps and continued improvement from Hinske and Hudson and may hang with the Yanks and Sox for a while.

Maybe next year is the year O'Dowd finds a combination that works in Denver.

The D-Rays have nowhere to go but up.

[SmedIndy]

Of the non-conteders, looking at 2003 ONLY:

Stock goin' up - Tampa Bay (hit bottom), Toronto, San Diego, Colorado, Florida, Montreal, Philadelphia

Almost There - Chicago Cubs (pending, of course, idiocy in the front office), Chicago WS, Cleveland

Take A While - Detroit, KC, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Texas

Need A Freakin' Clue - NY Mets, Milwaukee

Minor tinkering needed- Houston, Cincinnati, Seattle, Boston

[sweaver]

I must disagree about Tampa Bay. I see no signs of recovery there.

Cleveland has done the most to prepare themselves for "next year," although in their case that probably means 2004.

I like the Pirates to improve next year. I see a bit of the 2000 Twins in them, with a rotation taking shape. They still need a hitter or two.

[VNV Nation]

Call me a fool but I think the Mets could improve quite a bit next year. I could certainly see Alomar, Vaughn, Burnitz, Cedeno all having better years. Maybe Reyes breaks into the lineup. Of course they could also lose 100 games.

I'd say the Blue Jays and Phillies are on track for a WS rematch in 2004.

[JamesI]

The D-Rays have some people on the farm. They could step out of the AL east cellar next season.

[SmedIndy]

Originally posted by sweaver
I must disagree about Tampa Bay. I see no signs of recovery there.

It's the bottoming process. Even if they don't get out of last, they have to be better next year.

As for Pittsburgh, I think they need more offensive help.

[Fatwater Fewl]

Up:

Blue Jays -- the bats will help, pitching would make them scary;

Phillies -- getting rid of Bowa would help a lot. I wonder what Macha could do with this team. New ownership is what's really needed;

Houston -- the team they have could win the Central. But if they trade Oswalt before the arm problems set in for some bats to replace Bagwell and Biggio, the next few years would see some great races in that division;

Texas -- so many injuries... perhaps what they need most is a comprehensive conditioning program for their entire system. If they do stay healthy, watch out;

Cubs -- it's all there, they're loaded with talent. Now they need a real manager;

Down:

Angels -- I wouldn't call them a mirage, but they are certainly getting good years from a number of players. I don't think they'll be able to do it 2 years in a row;

Twins -- may still win the Central next year, but it will be closer as, like the Angels, they play closer to their true levels. I don't know why they haven't traded Mientkie-vowel while he'll bring something in return;

Cardinals -- Larussa's lack of ability to handle pitchers will continue to haunt him. Perhaps a healthy Drew and a happy Rolen could balance this. Tino is not the answer at 1st, Pujols is. They need to find a left fielder.

[tortured angel]

Originally posted by Fatwater Fewl
Up:

Perhaps a healthy Drew and a happy Rolen could balance this.

Do these things really exist?

I think the White Sox will be much better next year. They're playing very well right now and have some young talent helping them win games right now. The only thing that may hold them back is their starting pitching hasn't shown that they will be getting much better next year.

Originally posted by VNV Nation
Call me a fool but I think the Mets could improve quite a bit next year. I could certainly see Alomar, Vaughn, Burnitz, Cedeno all having better years. Maybe Reyes breaks into the lineup. Of course they could also lose 100 games.

Who are you, and what have you done with VNV?

Cleveland, who didn't fall in last seasons NY Mets model trap of thinking veterans are the foundation on which to build a team - and Philadelphia - if moving Rolen cleared up space for them to make a run at Thome.

Originally posted by Fatwater Fewl
Twins -- may still win the Central next year, but it will be closer as, like the Angels, they play closer to their true levels. I don't know why they haven't traded Mientkie-vowel while he'll bring something in return

I'm not sure that teams believe "the Offensive Sinkhole" has much value as it is. Maybe as a late-inning defensive replacement to play first?

Someone that athletic could make himself useful by becoming Mark McLemore - but being a no hit-defensive whiz at first drives you towards a championship about as much as throwing me on the mound would.

[gyb13]

Originally posted by sweaver
I must disagree about Tampa Bay. I see no signs of recovery there.

i'm with sweav on this - TB has terrible management and a need for many not-so-great young players to develop together for them to improve much...