Realistically what do you guys think this team is capable of finishing? I think i am drinking too much of the pitching and defense kool-aid but i think they can make a run at the pennant.

91

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Anywhere from 1st to 3rd probably.

They still aren't that good of a defensive team. Teahan at 3B is average at best, Ramirez still makes dumb errors, we don't know yet about Beckham, and Konerko is acceptable. In the OF, Rios is a clear upgrade in CF, and Pierre is better than Podsednik. Quentin is back in his more natural position, but he still has to prove himself as an above average defensive player. AJ is still the catcher who can't throw anyone out.

Are they better than last year? Probably. Are they better than average? Debatable.

I do like the pitching staff a lot, both the starters and bullpen.

My biggest worry is the lineup. I think they may end wasting a good pitching staff with a mediocre lineup.

I see them maxing out at 90 wins and fighting for the division until the end. Realistically, I see them winning 86 and finishing 5 games behind the Twins.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

it is going to be very interesting to see how ozzie handles ramirez if he makes the same mental errors as he did last year

He'd probably just use Vizquel more, especially in late innings.

I think the division is going to be a battle - the Twins lineup (especially with Hudson solidfying the #2 spot) is deep and dangerous. Interesting to see how they will adjust to playing outside. Their indoor/outdoor splits the last few years haven't been favorable.

I really dis-heartened that KW isn't attempting to make a move on Johnny Damon. Yes, I know he's a Boras guy, but so is Andruw Jones, so it is possible to do a deal. You could rotate him through the outfield and DH him against right handers and hit him second. I'd like to move Beckham down the order to take advantage of RBI opportunities.

With Damon, I think they win the division by 4 games.

Without ... not sure.

agreed, damon would look real good in the 2 slot and he gives ozzie what he wants in a dh that can play the field. He still has some pop in his bat too as he showed last year. supposedly the braves offered him a one year deal worth about 6 mil, kenny has to watching this closely i would think

88 or 89 wins at this point.
I think the head-to-head matchups between the Twins determine the division. They are in it until the last week of the season at the very least.

IF they get into the playoffs and those front 4 starters are healthy, I like thier chances.

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i predict KW will blame the fans for not coming to games.

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Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

93-69 Win Division

89 to 91. They are going to win the division. The Twins have a great lineup but the starting pitching is not very good.

the season doesn't start til April. Check back then

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I'm going to bounce from the spot for awhile but I will be back at some point to argue with you about this hoops stuff again. Playoffs have been great this season. See ya up the road.

I'm out.