Baseball Chat

[ghmm]

Since I am a Braves fan thought I would post some speculation I've read/seen on the NL East, don't follow the other divisions as I did in younger days. Appreciation reading what anyone else has heard or cares to speculate on.

NL East
Mets. I think they'll pickup Glavine's option if they have too (the Braves won't pay 8-10 million and that's the only other place he said he would go). It'll be interesting to see how high they go in the bidding for Zito especially if it turns into a bidding war with their cross-town rivals (personally I hope they break the bank bidding against each other). Wonder if they'd go after a "project" pitcher like Jason Marquis? I always thought he had good stuff with Atlanta but just saw his numbers in St. Louis especially K's down each year??
Phillies. Thought I read someplace they'd be interested in ARod... I don't see it happening (him leaving NY). I think Gillick is a good GM think they go after mid-tear fear agents and try to lighten the payroll (everyone says Burrell). Its interesting the coaching staff gets replaced with all former Managers. I think the team goes through some turmoil next year.
Braves. I don't think they'll make any big moves. Doesn't look good for Giles coming back. Can't figure out why the Braves didn't swap Giles and Renteria in the line-up seemed to make perfect sense to me? He probably would have had a much better year and Renteria had more stolen bases and higher on-base. Hopefully they don't do something stupid like trade Rameriz. Yeah an outfielder leadoff hitter type would fit the bill but I don't see an exceptional one out there on the cheap (no thanks to a return of Kenny Lofton at 40+). Still think a good lefty addition in the bullpen would be good too.

MarlinsI think they made a big mistake with Girardi, ownership should have swallowed a little pride maybe made Girardi rearrange his coaches or something to show him whose boss but I really think they will drop a lot from this years performance.
NationalsI am a big fan Bowden (other then that Drunk Driving incident). I think he does a pretty good job at getting good value in trades. OK maybe he held on to Soriano too long but he put up some pretty good numbers. Don't know why they can't find a manager. I don't think Bowden has enough to get the team turned around for next year.