umpbump.com » Hot Offseason Action

What they need: Marlins

Coley Ward — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:28:42 +0000

The Marlins finished in second place in 2009, but the reality is they only scored 6 more runs than they allowed and the third-place Braves had a much better run differential. So Florida will have to improve more than a little if they’re going to compete for a playoff spot in 2010.

Offense isn’t a big … [visit site to read more]

Tagged: Marlins, What They Need

What they need: Braves

Coley Ward — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:16:43 +0000

As a Phillies fan, the Braves’ rotation is keeping me up at night. Derek Lowe. Tim Hudson (who just signed a three-year deal). Jair Jurrjens. Tommy Hanson. Javier Vazquez. Good god almighty, that is a solid five.

Oh, and don’t forget about Kenshin Kawakami, who posted a 3.86 ERA in 2009 and is under contract for another two seasons. … [visit site to read more]

Tagged: Braves, What They Need

What they need: Phillies

Coley Ward — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:27:03 +0000

Obviously, the Phillies are no fluke. And it’s temping to suggest that they should stand pat this offseason. After all, all the team’s best players are under contract for next season, and the rotation figures to be strong, with Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton, J.A. Happ and Jamie Moyer returning, and minor league prospect visit site to read more]

Tagged: 2009, Phillies, What They Need

Hot Offseason Action Wrapup

Coley Ward — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 19:03:22 +0000

It took two months, but we finally wrapped up our Hot Offseason Action series. The team with the best grade? The Tampa Bay Rays, who signed Pat “The Bat” Burrell to a bargain basement contract and traded for potential future star Matt Joyce. The Yankees also got some props for their extravagant offseason, bringing in Mark Teixiera, CC Sabathia and AJ … [visit site to read more]

Tagged: 2009, HOA, Hot Offseason Action

Hot Offseason Action: Texas Rangers

Sarah Green — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 03:28:22 +0000

Last year, writing the season preview for the Texas Rangers, I was feeling a little, well, limp. So I had to rely on the little-blue-pill of the writing world: the exclamation point! And indeed, in retrospect, the exclamation point was the aptest possible punctuation mark for the 2008 Rangers. Pitching: terrible!!!! Offense: unstoppable!!!!!!

Tagged: hot offeason action, Rangers

Hot Offseason Action: Chicago Cubs

Nick Kapur — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 17:13:23 +0000

This is one of a series of posts in which we call out all 30 teams for their offseason blunders and begrudgingly praise them for the occasional savvy move.

Did any … [visit site to read more]

Tagged: Cubs

Hot Offseason Action: Los Angeles Dodgers

Nick Kapur — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:10:08 +0000

This is one of a series of posts in which we rip each team for their offseason blunders and laud them when necessary for the occasional savvy move.

The Dodgers finally got their man(ny), but did they really have a good offseason? That is a more interesting question than most people think.

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Tagged: Dodgers

Hot Offseason Action: Baltimore Orioles

Sarah Green — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:34:10 +0000

This is one of a series of posts in which we call out all 30 teams for their wily offseason moves and tragic offseason blunders..

Most of us (myself included) have gotten used to thinking of the O’s as sad little warblers who resent their neighbors to the north – those hordes of Fenway Faithful who invade Camden Yards when the BoSox are in town and … [visit site to read more]

Tagged: Orioles

Hot Offseason Action: Houston Astros

Nick Kapur — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 04:34:45 +0000

This is one of a series of posts in which we berate teams for their offseason blunders and grudgingly praise them for the occasional wily move.

Here it is folks – your best bet for the worst team in the Major Leagues in 2009.

visit site to read more]

Tagged: Astros

Hot Offseason Action: Florida Marlins

Nick Kapur — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 14:44:17 +0000

This is one of a series of posts in which we brashly belittle each team for their brutal offseason blunders and praise them where possible for any potentially prescient ploys.

The recurring tragedy of the Florida Marlins is that they are so young and talented, that in each of the past few seasons they have been only a piece or two away from some serious postseason contention, despite having … [visit site to read more]

Tagged: Jeffrey Loria, Larry Beinfest, Marlins