Throwdowns > Closed

Jobo1045 said 07/23, 10:18 AM
I'm going to be a homebody and take the St. Louis Cardinals.

Arguments supporting my team second and against your team third.

Jobo1045 said 07/23, 12:57 PM
When healthy, the Cardinal's pitching staff is very solid - Wainwright and Carpenter are proven aces when healthy. Lynn is/will be a stud. Lohse, Westbrook and Garcia are all very solid and proven. Molina IMO is the best catcher in the game. Top defensively and constantly improving offensively.

The Cardinals lineup is no joke - Beltran, Holliday, Molina, Freese, Furcal will all be around at least the next few years. Allen Craig off the bench would start on most teams. Berkman provides excellent leadership for now. John Jay and Tyler Greene have great potential and could become very nice players. Great mix of veteran experience and youth/potential.

One of our biggest strengths is what is easily a top 5 farm system. Full of guys who will be major league ready in the next five years, but deep enough to allow the club to supplement any Major League needs via trade (see bullpen). Matt Adams, Shelby Miller, Carlos Martinez to name a few. In perspective, Lynn was our sixth best prospect.

Cards have a very strong national fanbase, consistently sellout/top attendance, and no albatross contracts going forward. Wealthy owner who is willing to spend money to bring in talent.

Jobo1045 said 08/06, 04:50 PM
To finish this off I guess... Reasons against the Angels:

1. Angels play in the AL West - that means Rangers are a threat every year. Cardinals play in the NL Central - traditionally a weak division. Much better chance the Cards will always contend. So should the Angels but they have a top tier rival in the Rangers and the Reds don't have a continuously successful track record.

2. Fan Base - LA always has and always been Dodger town and I don't see that changing. Dodgers (under new ownership) are making moves to remain competitive atop the NL West and keep their fan base.

3. Pujols Contract - Unless Moreno has virtually unlimited money (which he might) I don't see how he keeps the current roster intact. Trout/Trumbo would be dumb not to test free agency and the Yankees will be waiting along with every other club. Pujols proved there's no more "loyalty" when it comes to contracts. For irony's sake, I'd love to see the Cards outbid the Angels for Trout. We don't know how old Albert actually is and while his production hasn't dipped, inevitably it will and that coincides with a steep raise in salary and a solid no trade clause.