Sporting News Tribe Preview

Nothing too exciting here (alot of what has been discussed on LGT already). But it is another link on our beloved Tribe.

They project Laffey as the 5 (after Pavano and Reyes)

Interesting notes: they predict Minnesota to finish first; and Barfield is learning 3B (?). I hadn't seen that note before.

Here are some of the other SN AL Central previews:

Minnesota
Chicago
KC
Det

Grades:
Offense - Min A, Chi B, Cle B, KC B, Det B

Pitching - Min B, Chi B, Cle B, KC C, Det C

Bench - Min A, Chi C, Cle B, KC B, Det B

Manager - Min A, Chi B, Cle B, KC C, Det B

almost 3 years ago talonk 73 comments 0 recs |

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Comments

Their grades would suggest Minnesota is a really good team (A, B, A, A). That seems more than a little optimistic.

by APV on Mar 4, 2009 11:55 AM EST reply actions

Agreed – I don’t see Minnesota being an “elite” (i.e. really good) team under even the best of circumstances (their offense, starters, and bullpen all excelling) – a very solid, even good team if everything or most things work out, yes, but in my mind, that earns “B” grades, not “A” grades.

Gardenhire being an “A” manager – you could make an argument for that, I suppose, though at times, I think he gets a bit overrated because he took his first team to the postseason, a team for all intensive purposes that was assembled under Tom Kelly and that Gardenhire inherited (granted, Gardenhire still had to manage well, but the talent was already there and had been for the past few seasons, so they were virtually ready to take that next step, probably regardless of whether Kelly or Gardenhire was there). Additionally, that was also the time when the Indians decided to rebuild, which also greatly helped the Twins’ efforts – the rest of the AL Central was not a major challenge for the top spot.

I’m not saying Gardenhire is not a good manager, but I think media outlets overrate him sometimes because of that first season, along with the fact that Minnesota works with limited funds. Therefore, I don’t know if Gardenhire is an “A” manager or a “B” manager (which is still very solid, in my opinion).

Just my 2 cents.

The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.

by indiansfan on Mar 4, 2009 7:38 PM EST up reply actions

Minnesota as an “A” offense is lol-worthy. You get a 4-5 run lead on that team and it’s game over.

by Toxicadam on Mar 4, 2009 11:57 AM EST reply actions

Oh I agree. they are counting on Crede being the 3rd big bat (behind Mauer and Morneau) when they have some players who offensively arent much better than Dellucci (Punto, Harris …).

by talonk on Mar 4, 2009 11:59 AM EST up reply actions

You can’t be last in the league in homers and then get an A-grade for offense. It just renders the grade meaningless.

And I’m tired of the phrase “manufacturing runs.” It’s more like “composting runs.”

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Mar 4, 2009 12:33 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

Here’s a vote to retire the phrase “manufacturing runs,” while simultaneously euthanizing “professional hitter.”

by tabler84 on Mar 4, 2009 12:59 PM EST up reply actions

MATT STAIRS DID NOTHING WRONG.

Signature to be named later.

by emd2k3 on Mar 4, 2009 1:54 PM EST up reply actions

Nor did Bob Hamelin. Well, okay, he probably did.

by tabler84 on Mar 4, 2009 1:56 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Rec for any mention of Bob Hamelin.

by painaxl on Mar 4, 2009 4:09 PM EST up reply actions

I’m not defending the A-grade completely, but third in the league in runs scored should count for something.

by JulioBernazard on Mar 4, 2009 1:02 PM EST up reply actions

You obviously have not read the Twins preview in the Indians Annual …

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Mar 4, 2009 2:21 PM EST up reply actions

Haven’t purchased.

by JulioBernazard on Mar 4, 2009 2:47 PM EST up reply actions

Flag.

by jds16 on Mar 4, 2009 5:24 PM EST up reply actions

Not a flag. LGT folks don’t have to purchase it, and from what I understand from the publisher, the mail order stock is almost guaranteed to sell out at this point.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Mar 4, 2009 5:48 PM EST up reply actions

Any word on newstand activity in Cleveland?

by bewwolv on Mar 4, 2009 7:17 PM EST up reply actions

I was told that it should be found reliably in Borders bookstores, but that it should be in regular, everyday drug stores as well, on the magazine rack. I would love to get a report of a sighting from someone in NE Ohio.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Mar 4, 2009 7:42 PM EST up reply actions

I will be searching.

by bewwolv on Mar 4, 2009 8:45 PM EST up reply actions

Haven’t seen it yet here in Canton – I’ll check this weekend at the local CVS.

by Ryan on Mar 4, 2009 10:50 PM EST up reply actions

I was just at Borders and didn’t even look because I already had it. I’m assuming it would be held in their giant magazine section, because it wasn’t in the baseball section.

I should be back soon. Will report.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Mar 5, 2009 7:35 PM EST up reply actions

This would be the Borders in Strongsville, by the way.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Mar 5, 2009 7:35 PM EST up reply actions

No luck at the Borders @ Crocker.

by bewwolv on Mar 6, 2009 2:37 PM EST up reply actions

Boom. In the magazine section. Borders @ Strongsville on 82 just off of 71.

The other guy in the aisle was giving me a funny look. Possibly because the Maxims etc. were immediately to the right and the SI Swimsuit Issue was just to the left of Mickelson. I doubt anyone would believe I was snapping a pic on my phone of Grady Sizemore.

TWO ROWS of that beast.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Mar 6, 2009 3:30 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I kind of crack up every time I see EXPERT SCOUTING REPORTS.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Mar 6, 2009 3:37 PM EST up reply actions

Did you come up with that line? That one got a chuckle out of me, too.

by Ryan on Mar 6, 2009 3:45 PM EST up reply actions

No, it’s an MSP standard. I guess maybe the experts came up with all those graphs and charts or whatever.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Mar 6, 2009 5:14 PM EST up reply actions

“Scouting reports from your mom’s basement” doesn’t have the same ring to it

by APV on Mar 6, 2009 6:06 PM EST up reply actions

Doesn’t actually say you’re experts at scouting. Just that there are “scouting reports” from “experts.” That’s my lawyerly interpretation.

by FredOx on Mar 7, 2009 5:36 PM EST up reply actions

It actually says there are “scouting reports” that are “expert.” That is, of expert quality. It never says they were prepared by experts.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Mar 13, 2009 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Not sure if Giant Eagle constitutes an “everyday drug store”, but IA2K9 was not in the magazine rack last night at the Big Bird at Warren Village in WestPark.

by The DiaTriber on Mar 6, 2009 8:38 AM EST up reply actions

I’d love to know if anyone has seen it in the Columbus area.

by CBusSteve on Mar 6, 2009 10:21 AM EST up reply actions

Replying to myself, but whatever. Should any other Columbus resident want to know, after having no luck at Borders at Kenny and Henderson, I found it at the Giant Eagle at Bethel and Sawmill.

Now I’m going to leave it at home and get miles away from it in an attempt to keep it from distracting me while trying to study for my actuarial exam. It looks great!

by CBusSteve on Mar 6, 2009 6:29 PM EST up reply actions

I found it at the Kroger in Groveport on the way home from work Friday.

by JK in CBus on Mar 7, 2009 9:59 PM EST up reply actions

For those who’ve struck out at the Borders @ Crocker, I noticed a stack of 15 or so at Books-A-Million at Westgate (Rocky River / Fairview Park).

by jhon on Mar 8, 2009 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, I didn’t actually mean it. A genuine flag would be so counter to what I think the spirit of LGT is that I assumed it wouldn’t be taken seriously.

by jds16 on Mar 4, 2009 9:39 PM EST up reply actions

Glad I got mine before they sold out. Great job to everyone!

"Lotta heart in Cleveland." - Ian Hunter

by Denver Tribe Fan on Mar 5, 2009 12:28 AM EST up reply actions

They’re not sold out yet, but it appears that they will be. Suffice it to say the publisher did not expect online sales at quite this level.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Mar 5, 2009 12:46 AM EST up reply actions

They didn’t see the volume of spring training game threads before deciding on the initial print run.

by JulioBernazard on Mar 5, 2009 8:02 PM EST up reply actions

No way is Minnesota an A offense.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Mar 4, 2009 12:07 PM EST reply actions

There is a reason why The Sporting News has become irrelevant.

by ClarkM on Mar 4, 2009 12:12 PM EST reply actions

I actually dont mind their stuff. Not as glitzy as ESPN or Fox. More rudimentary I guess.

by talonk on Mar 4, 2009 12:48 PM EST up reply actions

I’m not sure the author of the Twins preview has paid much attention to baseball the last two years.

“They have elite players at first, third and behind the plate”

Never mind the fact that Morneau isn’t an elite player, Joe Crede has played in only 144 games over the last two seasons. Even when he was healthy, he was short of being elite.

“Buscher, considered the third baseman of the future”

He’s 28.

“Minnesota also has one of the game’s best backup catchers in Mike Redmond.”

At 38, Redmond appears to be running out of steam. After a very good 2006 season, he has followed that up with OPS+’s of 89 and 80. I have to believe the defense is slipping as well. Don’t get me wrong, I think Redmond is a useful player, but that statement is more than a little strong.

by ClarkM on Mar 4, 2009 1:19 PM EST up reply actions

lol

Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.

by westbrook on Mar 4, 2009 2:12 PM EST up reply actions

Morneau’s a home run derby winner. Sounds elite to me.

by mjschaefer on Mar 4, 2009 2:44 PM EST up reply actions

MVP!

by bewwolv on Mar 4, 2009 2:45 PM EST up reply actions

Has anyone heard about Barfield playing 3B? This was the first I’d heard of it.

by talonk on Mar 4, 2009 12:48 PM EST reply actions

Yes, it came up awhile ago, actually.

by Voltaire on Mar 4, 2009 12:55 PM EST up reply actions

hmmm … must have glossed over that on one of my catch-up weeks.

by talonk on Mar 4, 2009 1:05 PM EST up reply actions

just another way of transitioning him into a utility role

by APV on Mar 4, 2009 1:20 PM EST up reply actions

I’m still waiting for the Ryan Garko at 3B experiment to commence.

Pronk Needs You

by woodsmeister on Mar 4, 2009 2:16 PM EST up reply actions

I’m waiting for the Ryan Garko as GM experiment.

by hans on Mar 4, 2009 6:44 PM EST up reply actions

Oh, great. We’ll have some doctor from Maui DHing.

Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.

by westbrook on Mar 4, 2009 9:21 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs

I thought the preview was relatively plausible until this statement jumped out in the final paragraph:

Realistically, however, the Indians have as many or more questions as any team in the division.

As many or more questions than the White Sox? The Tigers? The Kansas City fancazzista Royals?

by odradek on Mar 4, 2009 10:29 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

I think he was trying to end the article on a vague note, and he succeeded.

by Ryan on Mar 4, 2009 10:53 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

I think he meant to say “Realistically, however, I have as many or more questions about the Indians as any team in the division.”

by dgcambridge on Mar 5, 2009 12:39 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Rec for the proper use of fancazzista.

by mauichuck on Mar 5, 2009 1:17 AM EST up reply actions

There are no Italian swears among the Seven Words. Cazzo.

by odradek on Mar 5, 2009 10:34 AM EST up reply actions

Esattamente, cugino!

by mauichuck on Mar 5, 2009 11:02 PM EST up reply actions

Colgione!

by odradek on Mar 5, 2009 11:15 PM EST up reply actions

Ya got me here. Gotta good translation?

by mauichuck on Mar 6, 2009 10:31 PM EST up reply actions

Sorry: Coglione, which means testicles, among other things.

by odradek on Mar 6, 2009 10:57 PM EST up reply actions

Right, right like in rompere i coglioni breakin’ balls.

by mauichuck on Mar 6, 2009 11:17 PM EST up reply actions

You can learn a lot at LGT

Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile

by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Mar 7, 2009 8:53 AM EST up reply actions

Here’s a little more. Most of the “colorful” Italina slang I know is not actually Italian – it’s Sicilian. Much different. Here’s the unofficial Italian to Sicilian decoder ring. To change an Italian word to Sicilian change all the p’s to b’s, the c’s to g’s and drop the last vowel. So compare – friend – becomes cumpa in Italian slang which becomes goombah in Sicilian slang. Similarly capicola – the Italian lunch meat becomes gabbagol in the Sicilian dialect. I’m more familar with the term coglioni – Italian, as googleons – Sicilian. Also cazzo – Italian becomes gatz in Sicilian and the root word for stugatz and oogatz. This is a lot more than you need to know, but just do b for p and g for c, drop the last vowel and you’ll be butchering a beautiful language just like my neighbors back on Murray Hill.

by mauichuck on Mar 7, 2009 3:34 PM EST up reply actions

This is actually the best info you’ve offered us in months, on any subject.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Mar 7, 2009 6:36 PM EST up reply actions

Oh Jay if you keep this flatery up you’re gonna give me the vapors!

by mauichuck on Mar 7, 2009 6:57 PM EST up reply actions

So this explains why Tony Soprano always called capicola gabbagol. I never did understand that, thanks.

by ClarkM on Mar 8, 2009 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m a quarter Sicilian, and I’ve been dropping the last vowel on food words like braciola “brajhule”, cavatelli “cubateels”, and rigatoni “rigatones” my whole life. I’m not sure I ever realized it was a regional thing, although not all the quirks obviously survived our particular Americanization.

Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile

by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Mar 8, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Updated to include the KC link and grades.

How they ever imagined KC as a B offense when their numbers were very dismal last year …..

by talonk on Mar 5, 2009 1:37 PM EST reply actions

Mike Jacobs hit home runs, man. I think that was all 30-something of his hits last year.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Mar 5, 2009 7:37 PM EST up reply actions

Which will take a hit in the big boys league

by Roger Dorn on Mar 6, 2009 12:41 AM EST up reply actions

Are they grading on a curve?

by Ryan on Mar 6, 2009 9:33 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs

Finished off by adding the Detroit link. Fun comment from article:

But in baseball’s deepest division, they could finish .500 and still end up last.

Based on what their grades are, I would guess their predictions are:

1. Min
2. Cle
3. Chi
4. KC
5. Det

with not much separting 2-5.

by talonk on Mar 6, 2009 2:11 PM EST reply actions

It’s interesting how many of these predictions just fight the last war. Team wins in year X, they’re the pick for year X+1. After 2007, a lot of predictors saw the Indians as a sure thing, though astute fans had to be nervous about going into last year. There are always surprises, outliers, which are by nature difficult to predict, but the safe bet is to go with the team what won the year before.

by odradek on Mar 6, 2009 10:12 PM EST reply actions