Throwdowns > Closed

Marlins Fan said 04/02, 12:31 AM
Hopefully you guys have seen my other versions of this TD so you know how to "argue" it by now.

The White Sox have a chance to be truly pathetic this year.

Between disappointing trades (i.e. Adam Dunn, Jake Peavy) and baffling moves (like shipping Sergio Santos off for some minor leaguer no one's ever heard of) this team looks like they're on the brink of a complete collapse.

It's possible that the vets get their stuff together in time to make one last division run but it seems more likely that this team will fall flat on it's face and perhaps signal the end of the Kenny Williams-White Sox era. Ozzie probably got out at the right time.

Ubaldo Jimenez needs a huge year to justify Cleveland's trade for him.

Last year the Indians assumed they were acquiring an ace when they traded uber-prospects Drew Pomeranz and Alex White to the Rockies in exchange for Jimenez. Instead, Jimenez struggled with Cleveland (just like he did with Colorado to open the 2011 season) and it appears possible (maybe even likely) that the Indians gave up two really highly regarded prospects for a one-hit wonder whose one hit has already came and went, unfortunately.

Marlins Fan said 04/03, 02:30 AM
Justin Verlander won't repeat his 2011 dominance.

Yeah, he'll probably be really good. After all, he does have some of the nastiest stuff in baseball and last year showed that he's a mentally strong player. But he won't repeat the utter dominance he showed last year. Why? Luck. And the law of averages.

For example, Verlander's career BABIP (batting average on balls in play) is .287. Last year his BABIP sunk to .236. That drastic reduction is not sustainable. It indicated that JV has some serious luck when batters managed to hit the ball last year, and I'm guessing that it will slide back more towards his career line in 2012. Twice in his career JV has had a BABIP over .300 (well over; .350 and .319) and although it might not crack that plateau this year it will almost certainly be much closer to his normal level, somewhere between .280 and .300.

Which means the amount of runners he lets on base will rise; which means his ERA will probably rise; which means his W-L totals might suffer, and so on and so forth.

Verlander is one of MLB's best and will most likely have a good 2012, just not historically great like his 2011 season.

Marlins Fan said 04/04, 01:03 AM
Morneau's time in Minnesota may be drawing to a close.

If Morneau misses more time this year the Twins might attempt to move him to a contending team; one of those deadline deals made by a team on the brink of a playoff spot who feels pressured into surrendering a prospect or two for the chance at a pennant run. Morneau, although a very good hitter, just isn't reliable. At some point the Twins are going to give up on him and I think 2012 will be the year, if Morneau is unfortunate enough to sustain another injury.


The Royals just don't have the pitching to contend.

Alex Gordon, Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Lorenzo Cain, Alcides Escobar... for once, the problem in Kansas City isn't a lack of offensive weapons. The Royals have plenty of nice, young pieces and they shouldn't have any problem scoring runs this year.

But their pitching is another story. Despite the trade for Jonathan Sanchez, the Royals still don't have any established pitchers to rely on. You know you're in trouble when your Opening Day starter is Bruce Chen, and although the Royals are in much better shape than in years past their pitching will still impede their progress.