RR Team Previews: 2009 Edition

by BK on Dec 19, 2008 10:19 AM EST Comment 52 comments

At teb7's suggestion, we're doing fan-written team previews for every team in the NL. We did this before the 2007 season, and it was a great way to learn more about the teams we're facing in our league. Instead of saying, "Who the hell is Duaner Sanchez?", we'll be able to say "Suck it, Duaner!". Much more enjoyable.

The way this is going to work, is that people will be able to pick a team to cover, and write a FanPost about them. Included should be at least the answers to the following questions:

What is the team's overall outlook for the 2009 season?
Who are the key losses/additions to the team?
What pitchers/hitters do the Reds not want to see?
Who are the pitchers/hitters the Reds are looking forward to facing?
Any rookies/prospects of interest we can expect to see this season?
Any history of note between the two teams?
Any former Reds?
Any Bill Hall All Stars or Tomo Ohka All Stars?

If you guys come up with any other ideas of what you'd like to see in these, feel free to suggest them.

Ok, here's where you guys come in. If you want to write a preview for a team, leave a comment below calling what team you want. First come, first served. For the RRs in other cities with NL teams, this is a great chance to write about your adopted hometown team. No, you can't pick the Reds. Here are the list of teams, and openings (and I'll update this as we go):

NL East
New York Mets - chesirecat
Philadelphia Phillies - teb7
Atlanta Braves - CamIam
Florida Marlins - Cy Schourek
Washington Nationals - Brendanukkah

NL West
Arizona Diamondbacks - Lakeman
Los Angeles Dodgers - Red Menace
Colorado Rockies - justin007000
San Diego Padres - cesarhernandez
San Francisco Giants - Snake the Jake

NL Central
Chicago Cubs - obc
St. Louis Cardinals - crolfer
Pittsburgh Pirates - Gray
Milwaukee Brewers - ken
Houston Astros - Charlie Scrabbles

Once we get all of the teams assigned, we'll come up with dates to run each post (probably starting in late January or early February when all of the free agents start getting sorted out). If there isn't enough interest, we won't do it, but I'm thinking there are enough people here interested in baseball to get this done, and it'll be a great thing if we can. Leave your thoughts, comments, suggestions, and dibs below.

8 recs | Comment 52 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

I'll do the Nats

I moved to DC the same year the Expos did, but I barely follow the team at all. Now’s as good a time as any to learn a little bit more about them and drop that science on all of you.

My working thesis: They’re terrible, but they always sweep us.

by Brendanukkah on Dec 19, 2008 10:39 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Gimme the Mets

Unless a New Yorker wants ‘em, in which case I’ll take the Pads.

by chesirecat on Dec 19, 2008 10:45 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'll mark you down for them for now

"My wife ain't never ran and got me no pheasant." - Fistbands

by BK on Dec 19, 2008 11:09 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i'll do the Astros

of all our division foes, they are the team i know the least about. it’ll be good for me to get to know the likes of Luke Scott, Adam Everett, Brad Ausmus, and Octavio Dotel.

by Charlie Scrabbles on Dec 19, 2008 11:25 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

You right

it would be a good time for you to take a look at them as Scott, Everett, and Ausmus arent there anymore.

by CamIam on Dec 19, 2008 11:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Also

If no one wants the Braves I will take them.

by CamIam on Dec 19, 2008 11:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't get it

We’’re in process of trying to a guy with a trade record of working with pitches

by Slyde on Dec 19, 2008 12:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’ll take the World Phucking Champions. My mom’s from Philly so I got into their playoff run.

by teb7 on Dec 19, 2008 12:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Brewers

by ken on Dec 19, 2008 12:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

CUBS!!!!!

by obc2 on Dec 19, 2008 1:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

If you wouldn't mind

can we get a couple more recs on this so that it stays visible for a few days. Thanks!

We’’re in process of trying to a guy with a trade record of working with pitches

by Slyde on Dec 19, 2008 1:13 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

I'll take the Dbacks

Bruce Bonser? Boone Bonser? Boot Bonser? BOOSE BONZER?

by Lakeman on Dec 19, 2008 2:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Where are you, BLee?

His Dodgers preview in the first series was outstanding.

by ken on Dec 19, 2008 2:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

That's a great question

Where the hell has BLee been?

"Aio, quantitas magna frumentorum est."

by jch24 on Dec 19, 2008 2:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He hasn't logged on since August

but given how many of the old gang are popping up lately, I wouldn’t be surprised if he makes it back for the class of 2006 reunion.

We’’re in process of trying to a guy with a trade record of working with pitches

by Slyde on Dec 19, 2008 2:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'll take the Dodgers

If BLee shows up and wants them move me to the Cardinals.

by Red Menace on Dec 19, 2008 2:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Put me down for the Marlins

The ghost of Quilvio Veras lives!

...because there's already someone posing as Jacob Brumfield

by Cy Schourek on Dec 19, 2008 2:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I could take the Cardinals or the Pirates.

We want to build long period of time. I didn’t come here for the shot run.

by Gray on Dec 19, 2008 2:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'm giving crolfer the Cards since he's in MO

You okay with the Pirates then?

"My wife ain't never ran and got me no pheasant." - Fistbands

by BK on Dec 19, 2008 4:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sure.

I think I could muster something up.

We want to build long period of time. I didn’t come here for the shot run.

by Gray on Dec 19, 2008 4:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I can take the Cards

Or any other team. I’m exposed to plenty of Cards info here.

People Don't Kill People. Burning Couches Kill People.

by crolfer on Dec 19, 2008 3:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Giants

Please. I won’t disappoint you. I passed high school.

by Snake the Jake on Dec 19, 2008 9:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Hey Im interested in the giants

their minor leagues specifically. Ill help you if you want.

No bees? Then who will sting me and walk on my sandwiches?

by The Crushinator on Dec 26, 2008 10:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The Giants

signed the Big Unit.

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?

by BubbaFan on Dec 26, 2008 11:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sure...

Their minor league system is the fun part though so we would have to split up the minor league duties.

Tim Lincecum, good prospects, and Edgar Renteria?

by Snake the Jake on Dec 29, 2008 12:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Dang, I wish I saw this thread earlier

Padres and Rockies are remaining. Ugh.

I will take the bullet and write about those exciting San Diego Padres!

You went full retard. No one ever comes back from that. - Sgt. Osiris

by cesarhernandez on Dec 19, 2008 11:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

thanks for taking one for the team cesar

so who wants to tap the Rockies?

i know. im just making it less appealing.

by Charlie Scrabbles on Dec 20, 2008 12:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Rockies

It really ought to be Cool God or Gay Jesus. Or I guess bobestes, since he lives out there.

by Brendanukkah on Dec 20, 2008 12:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Cool God has forsaken us, and isn't around anymore

It’s up to his gay son now.

"My wife ain't never ran and got me no pheasant." - Fistbands

by BK on Dec 20, 2008 1:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry, it seems to already be assigned.

My birthday week has been a total blur…..cock, cock, cock, organ music, cock, cock, cock, children’s nativity play, cock, cock, cock, seeing all of the faces that only attend once a year, cock, cock, cock, awkward memories with the clergy attached to promises to attend more often, cock, cock, cock, rinsing my mouth out with holy water, cock, cock, cock, and making my way over to the firehouse to have my traditional dinner with those fine, brave gentleman. (after which I woke up days later, sore and bruised in the dumpster behind a police station, those boys really know how to make a Queer Messiah feel dirty with their latent hero bullshit). And I wake up only to realize that the Rockies have already been assigned. Bummer. Maybe I’ll make it rain frogs in Denver or something.

I heart Man Mounting.

by Gay Jesus on Dec 28, 2008 8:23 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

Tell you what.

You and justin can wrestle for it.

"My wife ain't never ran and got me no pheasant." - Fistbands

by BK on Dec 28, 2008 8:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i mostly want to do it

because i’ve done little to add to this site.

"It is a damn poor mind indeed which can’t think of at least two ways to spell any word."-Andy Jack

by justin007000 on Dec 28, 2008 8:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i was going to say i would do it

since i went to denver you, and my dad worked with Aaron Cooks’ mom.

"It is a damn poor mind indeed which can’t think of at least two ways to spell any word."-Andy Jack

by justin007000 on Dec 21, 2008 12:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

its yours

well you mentioned Cook, you already know more than me.

(joking – all star game, yada yada)

Seriously though, you’re a regular, plus you lived there. so, go for it.

by sharks on Dec 21, 2008 4:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

he didn't live there

he went to the Democratic Convention. Or, hadn’t you heard? It was some time after he went to Cuba.

We’’re in process of trying to a guy with a trade record of working with pitches

by Slyde on Dec 21, 2008 8:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The Democratic Convention

isn’t held in Cuba?

I have discovered in 20 years of moving around a ballpark, that the knowledge of the game is usually in inverse proportion to the price of the seats. - Bill Veeck

by PeteyHendrix on Dec 21, 2008 12:55 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

Good job, one rec for you sir

"Aio, quantitas magna frumentorum est."

by jch24 on Dec 21, 2008 1:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

what ev

by sharks on Dec 22, 2008 12:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

sorry

you probably don’t get the joke. Let’s just say that justin is worldly.

We’’re in process of trying to a guy with a trade record of working with pitches

by Slyde on Dec 22, 2008 7:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

no not that

the he didn’t live there part…unless you mean that part…damn now I’m confused

by sharks on Dec 23, 2008 5:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

ah, well then I'll get you caught up

justin saw Barack Obama’s head on a giant screen at Invesco Field, while the rest of us saw it on TVs in our houses. Ergo, he knows all about the Colorado Rockies.

We’’re in process of trying to a guy with a trade record of working with pitches

by Slyde on Dec 23, 2008 8:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs