I would have bet anything that Ramirez would pack his bags for Anaheim, but the Cubs surprised me. They also (smartly) re-signed Kerry Wood for little money and he'll be pitching in relief. This could be the start of a good offseason for Chicago, but they'll still need at least one big pickup to contend with the Cards.
"That's the thing: Maybe he'll be up and down this season, but when he's up, is there another center in the league quite like him? He protects the rim, passes out of double teams, has great hands around the basket, up-fakes on his jump-hooks, rebounds in traffic, even has a motor that keeps going and going (unlike a stiff like Eddy Curry). I'm not sure what's missing here. This is stunning. This is startling. There's almost no precedent for it. Just what the Lakers needed: More obscenely good luck. Meanwhile, I have to watch Al Jefferson whip jump-hooks off the front of the rim for the third straight season. I will now pour scalding hot water down my pants." -Bill Simmons on Andrew Bynum (11/08/06)
Originally posted by It's FalseThe Cubbies have dashed any hopes I had for the offseason by (shockingly) re-signing Aramis Ramirez. Oh, and they re-signed Kerry Wood, too.
I would have bet anything that Ramirez would pack his bags for Anaheim, but the Cubs surprised me. They also (smartly) re-signed Kerry Wood for little money and he'll be pitching in relief. This could be the start of a good offseason for Chicago, but they'll still need at least one big pickup to contend with the Cards.
While I agree that the Cubs are no good, I don't know if the Cards can be considered the favorites just yet. With Pujols, Carpenter and Rolen they should be good, but I think, if I had to make a projection right now, the Brewers would be my take to win the division. But maybe the rest of the offseason will change that.
The Cubs are going to finish fourth, though; nothing will change that besides the Pirates all of a sudden becoming a major league team.
EDIT: Just to say that I know you weren't saying the Cubs suck; I sure was saying that, though.
Agreed, I also see the Brewers having an improved 2007 season. Although it's still way too early to be making accurate predictions.
Wood is a better signing than Ramirez, IMO. In a limited relief role, he could STILL be fantastic as he has been at times.
Don't count out the Astros yet. They are consistently in the picture every year and still have a pretty good infield.
The Cards have serious issues with their rotation. I won't say how well or poorly they'll do next season... but it doesn't look as optimistic at the moment. Even with one or two good signings, they're an aging squad of guys who peaked three or four years ago (save for Pujols).
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