Tigers & Angels Big Winter Winners

[TheBearcatHimself]

the AL which has inarguably deeper lineups if for no other reason than the presence of the DH.

And I would argue that would be the only reason they have deeper lineups. Unlike the National League, AL teams have to give every-day position-player money to Designated Hitters which in turn increases the quality of hitting at that position (because if you don't hit they will find someone else who can). However, at every other position you have the same necessity for both fielding and hitting, which becomes statistically insignificant when comparing both league's numbers.

So basically the only argument that the AL has better lineups begins and ends with the DH.

However I do agree that Dontrelle is a vastly overrated pitcher making a career off the hype of his rookie season (2003) and his third season (2005). Outside of those years he has Kyle Davies-like stuff: can get guys out, but only every 5th hitter. In between you get 2 walks a double and a bomb.

Here are Willis career win totals in succession 03-07: 14, 10, 22, 12, 10

Even including the statistically aberrant year of 2005 his 162 game average is still a win-loss record of 14-11. That in the world of Major League Baseball (and not AAAA) is very pedestrian at best. Willis will see a huge drop-off, unless Leyland can sprinkle his old-man baseball fairy dust on him and resuscitate Dontrelle's career.

Cabrera however is the man, and losing 15-20 lbs. as has been reported will only make him more dangerous and explosive. HUGE pickup for them at 3B.

[bste_lax]

You also have to give the Marlins some credit. They sold both players at probably one of their highest values and got, yet again, a lot of young talent in return.

[StrykerFSU]

This article doesn't necessarily prove my point but it does add some stats to back me up a bit. From April, 2006:

(AJ) Burnett, for all the potential synergies the Jays could generate by matching him with his favorite pitching coach, was likely to take a hit to his raw numbers from Florida. Not only was he moving to a tougher park, and the DH league, but (as he suggested and as I immediately agreed) the AL was simply a much tougher league than the National League.

Is the talent gap really that significant? This isn't merely a case of looking at anecdotal examples like Matt Clement's struggles in the AL after his NL success. For example, the AL played .540 ball against the NL in interleague play in 2005. That mark was just .508 in 2004, but the AL was still better despite being handicapped by having its pitchers have to hit in NL parks.

Then there's the the record of the AL vs. the NL in the last eight World Series, in which the AL has won 29 games and the NL 12. That's probably closer to the true mark of how far apart the leagues are.

http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/the-talent-gap/

They do some interesting statistical analyses of players transitioning between the leagues that I won't copy to hear, but the point is that there is a talent gap between the two leagues.

Also consider that through 2007 the AL leads the NL interleague play 1250-1202 and has won every All-Star game since 1997 (excluding the infamous tie).

There's a reason pitchers seem to eek out a few more years over on the senior circuit before retiring (see Martinez, Pedro; Hernandez, Orlando; Johnson, Randy; Moyer, Jamie), struggle initially when moving to the AL (see Beckett, Josh), or go from a castoff in the AL to a contributor in the NL (see Pineiro, Joel).

Also take a look at the rosters of the playoff teams from the respective leagues. Red Sox, Indians, Angels, Yankees vs. Rockies, DBacks, Cubs, Phillies...I think all four of the AL teams are better than those NL squads.

But anyway, we agree that Willis is overrated and will most likely struggle next year.

[onpoint]

"Gator fans wear jorts". We all know these facts to be true so a citation is unnecessary.

Touche, sir.