What's more important: Offense, Starting Pitcher, or the Bullpen?
450348
It's gotta be the bullpen! Prime example, the New York Yankees. Explosive allstar offense for the past 5 years. Pretty good starting pitching for the past 5 years. But a week bullpen and the result....0 championships. That says it all right there. It's all about the bullpen.
847667
Of course they can. The biggest problem for the pitching staff has been resolved. The bullpen blew close to 29 leads late in games last year. They've inked Wickman, a proven closer, to an extension. Smoltz and a healthy Hudson will certainly help. They're also getting Mike Hampton back from Tommy John surgery and Glavine may make a return. With a rotation of Smoltz, Hampton, Hudson, Glavine and John Davies, they'll be alright. Middle relief and set up are where they need to improve, but the farm is deep and talented. Now if we can only get a quality lead off man. Look at the offense. Renteria, Chipper, Andruw, LaRoche, McCann, Francouer (very low average and still close to 30hr and 100 rbi) and Giles. Productive lineup-if healthy.
330652
They are both great, but baseball is just too time consuming!!! Its just too much work. So I have to give football the edge. You have more time to reserch and plan and if you go on vacation you will not fall to the basement in the standings.
321640
It sounds like you got a solution to your closer problem. Not a bad deal, either. I like Turnbow. His ERA won't kill you, unlike some closers, and he strikes out a fair amount of guys. I think you did well here.
966716
If you are talking defense go with the Chargers.  About half the Giants defense is on the DL.
654969
You have too many benched position players.  Look at getting rid of Broussard.  If you take away his 8 RBI day he has not done much, and he is not even a full time starter.  Wigginton has landed back on earth, and Cantu is almost ready to play again.  Keep E. Encarnacion, he plays in a good hitting park with lots of RBI chances.  You can keep Hall as a near daily fill-in for many positions.\n\nLook to pick up a good relief pitcher that is eligible for both SP & RP slots.  Why waste an SP slot on a normal starter if they are not working that day?
460678
Because if he is good enough, he should be able to last 5 innings.\n\nIn the situation you described, the MLB guys will pick one pitcher that has the best persormance to give him the win.  It's usually middle reliver, but it can still be the starting pitcher.
1169027
Cardinals.  An offense like that can only be denied for so long.  And our pitching is MUCH better overall this year, which is what we needed.\n\nPlus, they've proven they can win consistantly--even with FOUR frontrunners (Pujols included) currently on the temporary DL.\n~+~+~+~+~+~+~\n\nThey did just lose a couple games pretty badly.  But we all have our bad days, right?  I'm waiting for our starting pitching to be healthy again, and then we'll see what happens.   ;)  White Sox just beat about HALF of the St. Louis Cardinals team, if ya know what I mean...
1179527
Well, it comes down to two teams. First I will say the second best and that's the White Sox with Jose Contreras (8-0, 3.15 ERA) who hasn't lost a game since sometime in the middle of last season and Mark Buehrle (9-4, 3.22 ERA). Number one, though, goes to the Tigers with rookie Justin Verlander (10-4, 3.13 ERA) and Kenny Rogers (3.44, 10-3), opposite ends of the spectrum, no? They are both having great seasons and seem to be leading their team deep in the playoffs. It's a close call and you can argue you it either way, but that's 20 wins by two starters versus 17. Slight edge to the Tigers. You might think about Clemens and Roy Oswalt in Houston.
354206
so how 'bout cc tonight?  (i have him too.)\n\nbenitez is out, dude... fernando rodney (det) might get some save while todd jones is hurt... love cantu, if you win he'll be a bigger part of your success than beltre or konerko will... think you might need a bit more outfield speed if stolen bases is a category, someone like aaron rowand or luis matos available? womack and hunter may be enough to carry you... i'm high on ervin santana too, in 2007...beckett will be huge... drop matheny get johjima (sea) or willingham (fla) as a backup catcher... looks like a winner overall!
1084668
on my team it better be the pitcher. Second baseman is on second, catcher is at home. Firstbaseman covers first in case ball is caught and runner could be doubled up.
1091455
i think so, i believe if ur goin to bat in the starting lineup thn u should play some defense. some of the best hitters r DHs, cuz i think thy jus spend the whole practice working on hitting since thy not playing the field, and DHs careers seem to last longer since thy only play half the game, but i prefer all the batters playing the field and seeing the pitcher bat, its a lot more interesting. its fun seeing Pedro pitch against Roger Clemens and see how it will turn out evn tho Clemens most likely will strike out. and some picthers are really good hitters like Carlos Zambrano and Dontrelle Willis.
400395
In the older parks it's the only place to put them without getting in the way of the game.  In the newer parks they usually have their own special area.  They're not closer to the dugouts because of seating arrangements.  The best seats in the house would be eliminated just so the bullpen could be closer to the dugout.  Doesn't make sense financially.
712867
I am starting Javon, however with Keyshawn and Ladell both playing well I would go with one of them, Carolina will be going hard this week and should put up a win with Key getting a some looks expecially in the endzone, and Ladell is the starting back here at washington, yesterday on redskins radion they said Tj would get some action but Ladell is still the starting guy, we are playing ATL also so, their D is pretty tough, so I could see washington run ducket hard to tire the D then get Betts to run all over them
658795
I agree that your pitching is solid, but your offense may need some tweaking. That is a huge starting lineup though and depending on the number of teams in your league, it might not be too bad. \n\nIf you have 8 teams or less in your league, your offense needs an upgrade at most positions.
594528
OFFENSE: A. Dunn >>> Ordonez. Much better all-around player, power, contact, etc. Dunn is a constant player who puts up 40HR 100 RBIs year after year. Ordonez doesnt play everyday, and is EXTREMELY injury prone. He has not even played more than half a season in the last two years.\n\nPITCHING: D. Willis > Robertson. Willis is a very talented pitcher, but has yet to show that this year. With the decreased payroll, it also makes it harder on him. He may get the K's but not the wins. Robertson is an average pitcher.\n\nFINAL: NO! Giving up way too much offense, essentially just for Willis. Your rotation is decent enough as it is.
415658
The Phillies have a better chance.  They have a better nucleus of players and experience.  They are a bit weaker in the bullpen with the loss of Billy Wagner and the move of Ryan Madsen to the rotation.  However, they should be able to manage a winning record with their offense.\n\nPittsburgh has a better chance of being a cellar dweller.  They have not don't ever hold on to anyone (Jason Kendall, Brian Giles, Darryle Ward).  Sean Casey was a good addition. Jason Bay is a great hitter too.  However, they are weak in pitching and have too many inconsistencies on offense.\n\nMy vote is nether will make the playoffs.  Cardinals win the Central and New York wins the East.  Astros or Braves in the Wildcard.  I don't even count the NL West.