ATH 1- 6/4-6/17

[TwinkieGM]

All very good stuff Mr. Plashcke, can't win it without pitching I'll give that baby a +5

Can you match him Jay Mariotti?

[cubsgm]

Its hard to say that the Phillies can't win the division. I know pitching wins championships. I know the Phillies have the troubles in the rotation. To be honest with you the Mets do have a little trouble as well. Glavine has been roughed up in his last couple starts(probably nothing to worry about) and you just can't be gaurenteed that Oliver Perez and Jorge Sosa keep it up. They are coming back to earth and it will be interesting to see if they will bounce back. I think they will and you add Pedro to that rotation then you got a solid 1. THe Phillies are in a bit of trouble as Plashke mentioned. Garcia down Meyers and Gordon down. But the Phillies do have the reiging MVP and the best 2b in the game on the same team. Right now i would say the Phillies can match the Mets in offense. Only untill moises comes back anyway.

I think this division will be determined by offense not pitching. I think pitching will play a role in the divisional winners success. But it will come down to whoever can hit better will win. All three teams in the race have holes in the their staff weather it be in the rotation or bullpen. So therefore the winner of the division will be the Mets. Mainly because they have the most exciting player in baseball in Jose Reyes. They also have boppers thruought the lineupo like Wright, Delgado, Beltran, Green, and ALou. I will take those guys over Howard, Utley, Rollins, and Victorino.

I Sell that the Phillies will win the division but they will keep it close.

[TwinkieGM]

Good points, +4

Sir Ryan?

[bosoxgm]

Tony, this is a major sell. The Philadelphia Phillies? Look at their recent games. In the month of June, they've swept the Mets and they've swept the White Sox. Look at the rest of it. An 8-1 and 13-0 loss against the pathetic and aging San Francisco Giants. A 17-5 shalacking in a series where they lost 2-out-of-3 to the Kansas City Royals. Tony, this is something I like to call inconsistency. I understand teams go through slumps, but they can clearly beat the good teams. The swept the best the NL has to offer. Fact is, if this keeps up, the Mets will eventually come around and knock the Phils out of contention.

Philly has all the tools to do well. With Ryan Howard and Chase Utley, two of the best young stars in the game, and with the speed of Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino, they have the hitting. I don't feel as if they have the pitching. Out of the 20 Phillies pitchers, only 5 have an ERA under 4. The only pitcher who pitches regularly is Alfonseca, who has made 30 appearances. The lineup and mediocre pitching at best will not be enough to carry this team. The inconsistency and weak pitching will not let them win the division.

[TwinkieGM]

Good points +4

Whitlock!?

[royalsgm]

The Philadelphia Phillies have a solid team, and given a healthy roster right now, I could maybe make a case to buy. But given their current situation, I am going to say SELL. I'll sell on the Phillies because I don't think they can compete with the Mets or heck even Braves given their pitching. Cole Hamels is as good as it gets young pitching wise, but look at their current starting pitching. They've got 44 year old Jamie Moyer, 37 year old Jon Lieber, Adam Eaton with a 5.42 ERA, and who the hell knows with Myers and Garcia on the DL.

The Phillies have the makings of what could be a definite contender. They have power hitting St. Louisian Ryan Howard, they have arguably the best 2nd baseman in the league in Chase Utley. They have Cole Hamels, they have Jimmy Rollins, Victorino, and Rowand, etc. They don't have the pitching to stop the Mets offense or any top offense, however, and therefore they won't be contenders. And with their most proven SPs down with injuries, they are too inconsistent and don't have enough pitching.

So unless Mr. Gillick starts making some damn moves soon, the Phillies are headed for a third place finish at best behind the Mets/Braves. They do have the resources to deal for major league players with Drabek, Carrasco, and Golson in the minors, but that would sacrifice the young pitching like Drabek/Carrassco, or a good young outfielder in Golson.

Hitting gets you to the playoffs, pitching wins in the playoffs. Plain and simple the Phillies can't match the Mets hitting or pitching, nor their payroll. haha

[TwinkieGM]

Good stuff +4

After Buy Or Sell, were sayin bye-bye to Mariotti.

Now its out of bounds where its all in-bounds

Here we go guys, whoever sees this first can start it and then whoever sees that can respond, dont wait for me. Your topic: Is Kobe moving, and where if he is?

[bosoxgm]

Tony, I think Kobe is in fact moving. I think there are a few potential buyers lurking in the West and a defenite potential buyer in the East. One of my big time buyers is the Portland Trailblazers. Right now, Portland has a major issue, but it is one a lot of GM's dream of having. Zach Randolph, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Greg Oden are all looking for playing time. Someone is going to be the odd man out. Many people believe this person to be Randolph. Portland may take the option of dealing Randolph and a future first round pick (Because god knows they won't need another) and ship that to LA for Mr. Bryant.

Another team I think that may like Kobe is the Minnesota Timberwolves. Kevin Garnett has been very unhappy and has been very vocal about his unhappiness. If the T'Wolves brought in Kobe, Garnett and Kobe could be potentially the best 1-2 punch we've ever seen. Now, who would they give? Maybe a deal like Ricky Davis, a future pick, and Rashad McCants would do the trick. This doesn't seem like the primary fit for Kobe Bryant, but I think there is a defenite possibility he could go there.

Finally, the place that makes the most sense, the Chicago Bulls. Playing in the East, Bryant could compete against the Big Bad Detroit Pistons and Lebron James and his Cavs every year and he would add depth to the conference. Now, why do the Bulls make sense? Kobe could go to Chicago for Ben Gordon and Luol Deng, in a trade that would be fair everywhere. Money would work out. Equal value would work out. Age would work out. This deal makes sense for both sides.

So, there you have it. Kobe will be a Blazer, Bull, or Timberwolf by the middle of fall. Period.

[TwinkieGM]

(someone else respond to him)

[cubsgm]

I dont really see Kobe moving anywere. He is just upset at the ownership because they haven't gave him the help they told him they would. Kobe is a big time superstar and a big time ballhog. Teams will look at that and see it as a lose/ lose situation. THey gain a big salary and big time ball hog. THey also lose some premium young talent to get him.

As for the Portland making a run at him it does make some sense but i dont think it will happe. LA wants premuim value and players. Trading Kobe for a PF and picks that could range anywhere for a stud in Kobe is a very big risk. Not to mention the Lakers lose the only reason to go see the Lakers and gain a very productive player but not a guy that will but fans in the seats. Portland has the potential to be a playoff team so that means the pick will be high.

Kobe would make since to team with KG but its the wrong way. IF Kobe plays with KG they both will be wear purpel and gold. THe T'wolves have a decent nucleus and could improve with their pick. I do agree a KG and Kobe would maek the greatest combo in a long time maybe ever but it will take a lot for each to move. I doubt Ricky and Rashad and a pick land Kobe. You put KG and Kobe on the same team with Foye you have a playoff team so that pickw ill be low. Ricky nor Rashad put fans in seats and Ricky isnt a young guy to repalce Kobe.

The Bulls do make sence. I see the Bulls making a serious run. But i think that it would make more sense for them to go after KG. They have a host of premiter players to be effect but lacked a low post presence in the playoffs and Kobe cnat help that. PJ Brown nor Ben Wallace can take over in the post like a KG can. Look at the Spurs, Timmy would open up the offense for Tony and Manu and others. Kg would do the same for the Bulls guys. THe Lakers or the T'wolves would be getting great young players for their teams and wouldnt miss a whole lot as far as production.

I SELL Kobe being traded. But I buy the idea of him being SHopped around for awhile.

[Reali]

its not buy or sell. your arguing with each other and your eliminated already bro. can the royals or dodgers please show up

[royalsgm]

Sorry, you can eliminate me if you want to go ahead. I can't write a big argument till after this weekend b/c im busy the entire time till then. Like I said, my sister's wedding is Saturday, and im busy till everybody is heading back to their homes which is Sunday night at earliest.

[marinersgm]

i will SELL kobe moving..

As Phil Jackson, said he sees Kobe being a Laker next season. Even if Kobe doesn't want to be in LA, he will be. LA will do what it takes to bring in a big man down low. I see the Lakers acquiring Jermaine O'Neal tony. They will in fact move Bynum just for Kobe with a future first round pick JUST FOR KOBE. Long term this deal makes no sense. But they will acquire a player like O'Neal to give Kobe the comfort to feel like he has someone else even though Jermaine may be one of the most overrated big men in the game. What has he does for Indiana? Absolutely nothing! Kobe will stay in LA and another first round playoff exit in the TOUGH WEST is bound to happen! Next offseason Kobe will be gone. The Lakers will be left with Jermaine O'Neals contract, no pick and no future big man in Bynum!!

[Reali]

WILL RANDOM PPL PLEASE STOP POSTING IN HERE!

So with the Royals out, looks like showdown will be between the Sox and Dodgers, let me know when you guys can do it.

[TwinkieGM]

Well, you guys suck.

Plashke-18
Ryan-20
Whitlock-15
Mariotti-14

Thats the final standings. I'll start a new one with hopefully more active members tomorrow.