In a New York State of Mind
First off, I would like to apologize to the fans of the Phillies and Rays because neither of your teams are going to the World Series in 2009. It is invietable at this point that even before spring training that they Yankees and the Mets will clash in a Subway Series next year. Why? Because the finally bought themselves a championship. A lot of players when they get the big contracts don’t play as hard so they make themselves look bad and the team look bad. However, CC Sabathia, and AJ Burnett want to win a World Series, it was evident by the press conference the other day. They both want to be in New York and the both want to win a Championship. CC proved to be a great pitcher when their is some extra motivation involved. AJ Burnett will prove to be as well. I think the Yankees will outlast the Red Sox and certainly outlast the Rays with out a problem.
Now we have the New York Mets, a team who should have been in the playoffs the last two years and missed out due in large part to the relief pitching that failed them. Well say no more, because the Mets picked up JJ Putz, another guy that with more motivation is going to picth better then he already was in Seattle. Then you have the greatest closer possibly of this generation in K-Rod, Fransisco Rodriguiz. He holds the all time single-season saves record with 62 which he set this year. He wants another ring, and what better way to get in, then in New York. I don’t think the Phillies will be able to get past them in the Division, and neither will any other team in the National League.
Both teams have spent millions on pitching which is the key to winning a World Series and being successful. Both teams also have new stadiums and what better way to cap of a first year in those stadiums then to win a World Series. It makes sense. It all makes sense. I really think that their is no chance for any other teams in baseball. The two evil empires are back and I think they are here to stay for awhile. So which team is going to the rise to the challange? The question is which team is willing to take risks to win. Only time will tell.
Wait – you’re leaving out the best team in baseball – the Red Sox. When they get Teixeira its over with. Unless the Yanks get Manny, then there will be some competition. The Sox are going to but a hurt on your Yanks, they are over-paid and over confident.
If they, and it’s a big if, they get Mark Texixeira that will defintely help them but, that won’t happen. Pitching wins games, not hitting
As for Manny going to the Yanks…I’ll believe it when I see it
I’ve got a couple of problems with what you’re saying here.
1. You can’t buy a championship:
The Tigers (and also the Yankees of the last 8 years, if you’ve been paying attention) proved this by trying to build a lineup that would supposedly score 1000 runs, all the while skimping on defense. That led to their pitchers imploding because of their own lapses, and the lapses of their defense. They’re losing the offensive production of Bobby Abreu and replacing it with the completely mediocre (over his career) Xaiver Nady. Sabathia will be amazing, but it remains to be seen how well his legs will hold up as he ages. AJ Burnett, on the other hand, is a horrid signing. He wasn’t even the second best pitcher on the free agent market, and he has consistently shown that he only really pitches well in contract years (and he won’t have another one of those in like 5 years). Not to mention the fact that Burnett is also injury prone, and he’s far from a sure thing.
2. The AL East is still the best division in baseball and the Yankees haven’t surpassed either of the ones ahead of them in talent:
The Rays got a lot better by unloading a horrible pitcher who was made to look good with their phenomenal defense (Edwin Jackson), and will be replacing his innings with one of the best (if not THE best) pitching prospect in all of baseball in David Price. Matt Joyce will give the Rays left-handed pop in right field, while also helping their D mightily. AND this is also before they have signed one of the three DH options they’ve been looking at in Pat Burrell, Jason Giambi and Milton Bradley (ALL of whom are worlds better than the likes of Cliff Floyd and Eric Hinske). Basically, if you think the Rays are a flash in the pan, you don’t watch baseball.
And that is leaving the mighty Red Sox out of the equation (with or without Mark Teixeira).
Now I’ll give you the excitement about the Mets, because the bullpen moves helped them a ton and will really make that team better next season. But please don’t act like a team that JUST won the World Series won’t pose ANY threat to a team who perennially chokes.
The Phillies and Rays were both one hit wonders this year. I agree that you can’t just buy a championship. However you can buy great talent, and thats what they did. Neither Philly or Tampa made any significiant moves this year. If they did then I would feel better about their chances.
Do I like the Yanks and Mets, no not really. Do I hope someone proves me wrong, hell yes.