2016 MLB thread. THE CUBS HAVE BROKEN THE CURSE! Chicago Cubs are your 2016 World Series champions

[champcruthik]

All good. Truthfully not half as passionate about Cleveland baseball as I used to be.

Grew up on Sandy, Robbie, Thome, Vizquel, Matt Williams, Lofton, Manny, Justice.

Now I'm more into football, soccer, tennis. Starting to fade from college sports also.

 

[madj55]

Nats are 4.5 back of the Reds...won 18 of their last 23. Too bad they turned it on a little too late.

 

[cedric ceballos]

Nats are 4.5 back of the Reds...won 18 of their last 23. Too bad they turned it on a little too late.

If around this time next week their only 2 games back I'd say they got a slight shot. They have to keep winning though.

 

[champcruthik]

Marlins could help your cause.

Wasted season for Giancarlo. Wish Texas landed him or J. Upton.

 

[proshares]

Those bastards probably will get Stanton this offseason. For a bucket of balls or something I could totally see Loria taking a deal without Profar at the center.

 

[champcruthik]

Daniels is salivating at that prospect.

You have an early pick for WS matchup?

 

[proshares]

Yanks/Dodgers - A-Rod walk off in the 9th in Game 7 is the homer pick.

A serious pick...I might go Boston/St. Louis with St. Louis in 5 or 6. I'm pretty confident in saying Atlanta and LA will flame out in the NLDS against Pitt and St. Louis. I cannot state enough how overrated Detroit is. I think Texas is in for another disappointment against Cleveland in the WC game. Oakland will beat Detroit in 4.

I'll probably be completely wrong though.

 

[champcruthik]

Sox/Cards here. Boston in 7. Largely depends on Ellsbury's health.

Tempted to make Oakland my AL pick.

 

[proshares]

Same here, I like Oakland's team this year.

I just need the Yanks to make the WC game. Give me something to root for. Don't want Mo to go out like this they just can't seem to hold Boston down. You watch the last series and this series and you can see that Boston has not been THAT much better than the Yanks to close out the year.

 

[champcruthik]

All without Brett Anderson. Cespedes is liable to swing a hot bat in any series. WS MVP type streak. Hot or cold, nothing in between.

Boston has that magical it factor to me, intangible quality.

What's the word on Jeter, definitely returning?

 

[Johnny_Cakes]

Thanks for the kind words, guys. Definitely appreciated here. Feels like the A's never get the attention they deserve.

Brett had back spasms last night, he definitely is not someone to depend on going into the playoffs as a difference maker. We've been very lucky that Colon, Parker and Gray have been largely dependable and exceptionally good.

 

[proshares]

He's probably finished for this season unless they make a deep run, same for Brett. I've never been one to complain about injuries but they have just been stacked against us this year.

 

[champcruthik]

Donaldson, Lowrie, Crisp, Moss, Reddick, Young.

Someone will get hot and get the job done to help Cespedes.

 

[Johnny_Cakes]

Donaldson is one of the best third baseman in the AL. If it weren't for Miguel Cabrera, he could arguably be the best.

 

[champcruthik]

Beltre, Longo, Manny?

 

[Johnny_Cakes]

Beltre, Longo, Manny?

He's absolutely with them offensively, better numbers than Manny and Longoria this year. I would take him defensively over Beltre, too.

 

[lpheat22]

Manny Machado would like a word with you

 

[Johnny_Cakes]

Manny Machado would like a word with you

Look up their numbers, see for yourself.

 

[proshares]

He's right. Donaldson has been better overall than everyone except Miggy and maybe Beltre.

 

[Johnny_Cakes]

The reason no one feels this way is because Donaldson plays on the west coast for a poor team, while Machado is in the middle of the AL East and makes great defensive plays.

 

[champcruthik]

Manny's ceiling is also higher than Donaldson's.

Migs and Beltre top two for me.

Longo had an "off year," but nobody is taking Donaldson over him at the hot corner.

 

[GreenNGold89]

Manny is a stud and will be a superstar for a long time, but Donny is having a better year than him. Miggy is obviously number 1, but Donny has made a case for the 2 spot with Beltre.

 

[Johnny_Cakes]

Manny's ceiling is also higher than Donaldson's.

Migs and Beltre top two for me.

Longo had an "off year," but nobody is taking Donaldson over him at the hot corner.

The offensive difference between Donaldson and Machado is pretty significant. Maybe Machado overcomes him in that respect in time, but today Donaldson is the better hitter.

 

[champcruthik]

Respect your opinion.

Has everyone cooled on Longo? Two rather mediocre years of baseball from him.

 

[Johnny_Cakes]

I like him a lot, he's still a defensive stud. Seems like his bat is falling in value a bit, but I'd still bet on his to deliver good numbers.