Which team will not be in contention in 2006? poll#1

**wilkerson_rulz-06** · 01-10-2006, 09:24 AM

Which team will not be in contention in 2006?
I will run several polls on this topic.
Choose between the teams listed.

**wilkerson_rulz-06** · 01-10-2006, 09:27 AM

Red Sox don't have a chance.
Need a SS, a CF, some P help, 1B possibly a LF if they decide to trade Manny even though he doesn't want to.

**Captain Cold Nose** · 01-10-2006, 09:28 AM

They'll all contend. At least for their respective division titles.

**wilkerson_rulz-06** · 01-10-2006, 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by Captain Cold Nose

They'll all contend. At least for their respective division titles.

Really, even Boston or Chicago!

**Captain Cold Nose** · 01-10-2006, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by wilkerson_rulz

Really, even Boston or Chicago!

As long as the Chicago pitching is healthy, they'll contend.
Boston didn't get much out of SS last year. Damon can be replaced. Manny is still there. Ortiz is Ortiz. When healthy, Beckett is a great pitcher. I think Schilling still has something left. They'll be fine.

**BoofBonser26** · 01-10-2006, 12:45 PM

Is there anything connecting these teams? Or are they just random?

I'd say Chicago will be the least competitive but they'll certainly contend!

**KCGHOST** · 01-10-2006, 01:36 PM

Cubs kind of dominate this list.

**Yankee Legend** · 01-10-2006, 04:21 PM

cubs then boston

indians and angels have good chances of winning their respectful divisions

**letsgocubbies** · 01-10-2006, 05:00 PM

Im kind of sad I had to vote against my own team, but unless some big trade bringing another pitcher to the Cubs we don't have a chance. We probably will get over .500 ( i hope) but as long as St. Louis is good, we wont reall contend. I have the Mets winning the wild card, so if my beloved cubbies dont win the divison then we pretty much don't have a shot.

**DownUnderDodger** · 01-13-2006, 04:13 PM

Red Sox are my favourite AL team, but I think there seems to be too much turmoil in the club (not so much the players) for them to be a contender.

**mojorisin71** · 01-13-2006, 04:22 PM

I'd vote "None of the above" as they all should contend.

**Mattingly** · 01-13-2006, 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by BoofBonser26

Is there anything connecting these teams? Or are they just random?

I'd say Chicago will be the least competitive but they'll certainly contend!

Have the Indians made any moves this season which would make them weaker at this point? They came "THISCLOSE" to making the playoffs, less several blunders, both at home and at the Cell.

I get the impression that they may compete, but the Cubs would have to prove to me that they can actually go >.500. When you go 79-83 (.488 Win%), that's not exactly it, unless you're talking about the nearly all-sub-.500 NL West.

Boston, I'll still pencil them in for 90 wins, which is contending, but if either the Yanks or Blue Jays get 95-100 wins, then they'd fall out of it. I can only consider a team a "contender" if they're in 2nd place (or at least very closely to this).

**Evangelion** · 01-13-2006, 07:37 PM

Originally Posted by Captain Cold Nose

Damon can be replaced.

While I would agree he could be replaced on the defensive side. His bat and lead-off abilities might be diffcult to replace this season. Five weeks from Spring Training and many people still have no clue what the Red Sox are going to do with CF and the lead-off spot at this point.

Mattingly, I do believe the Indians did not need to make any big changes this off-season. With the weak free-agent market and with a young team still growing, I believe the Indians are hoping that their young talent will develop even further this season. Though, the Indians did lose the AL ERA title winner in Milwood and also lost a solid number 5 option in Elarton. Indians still have a very good young rotation and a solid bullpen lead by Wickman.

Indians should be fine, as long as they don't struggle on the offensive side like they did early of last season. Lee, Westbrook and Sabathia should continue to be effective next season. Indians should contend without a doubt next season in my eyes.

While I think the lost of Damon has wound the Sox a lot, I can still see them contending next season in the Wild Card. Can't say they have a legit chance at the Yankees this season like last year, but the Red Sox have answer their bullpen and starting pitching need, so we'll see what happen.

The Cubs are my pick at this point. Until Prior and Wood have just been injuried all the time. Unless they stay healthy, I don't see much from the Cubs. Also, the Cubs are depending on Pierre to turn it around, if he doesn't, then Lee won't be driving in that many runs next season. The Cubs closer is Dempster, so who really know if he'll revert to being a bum or not? One year as a closer doesn't make you consistent closer.

**KingJ** · 01-13-2006, 08:35 PM

They all stand a good chance to make the playoffs.

"Need a SS, a CF, some P help, 1B possibly a LF if they decide to trade Manny even though he doesn't want to."

Not really.

SS Cora + Graffanino = Renteria's stats
CF is a need
P is adequate enough for contention
1B Snow+Youkilis '06 = 1B Millar+Olerud '05
LF If they trade Manny, LF would fill itself up as they'd have to get something back in return and if it isn't a LF the other position would be overstocked and traded away for a LF.

**Dasperp** · 01-14-2006, 06:15 AM

As long as Dusty Baker is with the Cubs and giving Neifi 600 AB's at the top of the order they are not going to be able to compete.

**56 chmps** · 01-14-2006, 11:28 AM

I am not just sayin this because i am a yankee fan but i fell a classic sox collapse this year.

**Chisox73** · 01-14-2006, 12:34 PM

I can't believe that the Angels are even on this list.

That AL West should be a shootout between the Halos and A's this year

**Mattingly** · 01-14-2006, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by Chisox73

I can't believe that the Angels are even on this list.

That AL West should be a shootout between the Halos and A's this year

I'd have put the Mariners or possibly the Rangers on that list. Any team that has made the LCS should never be on that list.

The NL West is a tossup, and that would greatly depend upon the health of Barry. Please, no more "barely over .500 teams" making the playoffs, only to be given a spanking by the Cards.

**Chisox73** · 01-14-2006, 12:43 PM

If you really want a tossup,look no farther than the NL East.

Having said that,watch Atlanta win it by 10 games again.

**mojorisin71** · 01-14-2006, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by Mattingly

I'd have put the Mariners or possibly the Rangers on that list. Any team that has made the LCS should never be on that list.

The NL West is a tossup, and that would greatly depend upon the health of Barry. Please, no more "barely over .500 teams" making the playoffs, only to be given a spanking by the Cards.

Ain't happening. I don't foresee the NL West as having only one team over .500 in 2006. Every team with the exception of the Rockies has taken steps to improve themselves.