How has your team improved from last year?

Question

And what will they need to improve on to bed one of the best next year?

Answer 1

The Phillies have upgraded their closer by adding Lidge, he has been lights out all season.  They have also upgraded 3B with Feliz, although not a great upgrade but much better than the Dobbs/Helms platoon of last year.

For next season they need at least one more reliable starter, they will probably need a new LF as they are not going to throw 20 million per year at Pat the bat this off-season...then they could always use a little more bullpen help but who can't!

Answer 2

The Orioles were pretty bad last year too, but I knew this year would be worse.  After all, we traded our ace and our All-Star shortstop for ten minor-leaguers.  Obviously, we're rebuilding, and I'm willing to be patient for a few years and trust that Andy Macphail knows what he's doing.

And... Of course the Rangers have exceeded expectations!  Obviously, Josh Hamilton has been a HUGE part of this, and so has Milton Bradley, who is often forgotten because of Josh.  Ian has had a huge year... David Murphy as well (get well soon!).  And who needs Mark Teixeira, we got Chris Davis!

As ever, our pitching sucks, and I think our bullpen was better last year.  So obviously we need to improve on our pitching.  The only guys that have really come through this year are Padilla (I really hate him, but it's the truth!) and Everyday Eddie Guardado.

However, I feel that the next few seasons could be big for the Rangers.  (Not so much for the O's...)  

Answer 3

The White Sox have pitched a whole lot better this year and that has made them better. We are finding more ways to win games than to lose them.

For next year we need to find a real CF and make sure we can sign Joe Crede.  

Answer 4

Yes they have improved from last year.  The acquisition of CC Sabathia has helped them greatly, and Ben Sheets has been able to stay healthy.  There pitching has improved a significant amount from last even though they lost Yovani Gallardo to a torn ACL.  

Their offense is almost the same as last year, except they have a few more veterans on the team who have experience.

Next year by losing Sabathia and Sheets to free agency assuming neither one of them gets signed, the brewers will need to get a #1 or #2 quality pitcher on the rotation.

Answer 5

I think they need to improve on their offense. They really need to bring up the offense and give run support to the pitchers.

I feel they improved their pitching. They have been doing some great pitching and I feel their defense has gotten better.

Great Question. Here's a star. =]

Answer 6

The White Sox are 6 wins away from tying last year's total number of wins. They have a .115 better winning percentage than 2007. But to improve for next year, they're going to have to find a real center fielder. Swisher hasn't done much at center, and Griffey isn't doing a whole lot.  

Answer 7

Yanks didn't seem to improve alot from last year at all. I do think for next year though that they need to do some changes mainly with pitching.  

Answer 8

Oh, the White Sox have done a lot that has made them better this year. First, and probably most importantly, they are winning games. Last year, they were fourth in the Central, and couldn't win games.

Also, the bullpen this year is so much better! I can't express this enough. Last year, the White Sox had one of the worst bullpens in the league. They were blowing games all the time. The White Sox had leads until the pen came in and gave it up. This year, the bullpen and starting pitching is among the best in the league, so with that, they are winning games. Surprisingly, at the All-Star Break, they had the best pitching staff statistically, and not one pitching represented the White Sox.

Also, the offense is executing more. Even though the offense has struggles statistic wise, they often get the runners home, to get some runs!

That's it really. The White Sox have improved a bunch this year!

Answer 9

even though it as be less than a year since Astros traded for him, some how Tejada aged a couple of years. they need the cubs, cards and brewers to disband in order to be good.  

Answer 10

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I agree.  Plus, we've just been a more patient team at the plate this year than ever before, and that pretty much goes for the whole team.  

Answer 11

For the Cubs, they have added a much-needed pitcher, Rich Harden, a much-needed center fielder who has been really good since we signed him, Jim Edmonds, and another great outfielder, Reed Johnson.

We also have Kerry Wood saving, and he hasn't gotten severely hurt yet!!! (YES!) Carlos Marmol is dominant, and Jeff Samardzija has been awesome!

The only thing I can think of changing right now, is getting Marquis out of the rotation. He gives up waaaaay too many runs.

Answer 12

We've gotten Joe Blanton which has helped balance out our rotation.  We had the very good pickups of Chad Durbin and Brad Lidge.  Brad has been phenominal for us as a closer.  Without him, I don't think we'd be in this good a position.  With Adam Eaton out of the picture, we have more consistancy with pitching.  Getting Geoff Genkins was good too b/c he adds a strong right fielder that can pinch hit, and start also. In order to improve next year, I think we need to maybe get one more pitcher.  We really have no problems in the lineups, but we just need to hit.  If we don't hit, we lose.