Pitching. Sumple as that, we need a true number one starter. We gifted it to them, like the Rhinos winning superleague. Gutted

Must be gutting for the Rangers. It's one thing to lose a Grand Final after 30 games but to play over 170 and then twice be one out away from winning it. Man, sickening. Love the world series though. Shame the final game didn't have the drama of game six because you can't beat heroics mixed with the odd bit of human error.

Any of you watched the current series of Curb Your Enthusiasm with the Bill Buckner show? Worth a watch as it's brilliantly done.

La Russa has retired.

Best news I've heard all year that. What's the chances of Albert staying now that he's gone? I'm not sure it matters that much now because La Russa is harder to replace than Pujols.

Pineda trade confirmed. Deepest rotation in the AL.

Wow... http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/74982 ... 214m-offer

Wow... http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/74982 ... 214m-offer

Indeed. That's a big outlay considering Cabrera's there but with V-Mart out and Verlander likely to only be there for a few more years the window is now. Their division is looking a bit weak and getting home should see them home again.

Does anybody think this figure will be topped? No NL team is going to go that long without the DH role so that means it's back to the Orioles (surely can't compete with that), Mariners (surely too expensive) and Rangers. If I was the Rangers I'd do it because Pujols will tail off before Fielder and Hamilton is too injury prone to be looking towards him for the next five years (he's also a couple of years older than Prince).

I think the Mariners would be better waiting a couple of years for when the Rangers and Angels start to slow down whilst their pitching matures along with Montero. Build for two years time, particularly because the Royals are supposed to be primed for a run in 2013 if their prospects work out.

Fielder at the Tigers could make the AL postseason exciting next year if it's the Yankees/Red Sox, Tigers, Rangers, Angels get through.

I've only just read that the Astros will be moving from the National league to the American League after next season.The fans arn't happy and I don't blame them,if you've grown up watching one type of baseball it'll be strange for them getting used to watching DH's and no pitchers batting all the time and not just during inter league games.

As for Fielder joining the American league aswell as Pujols it just means to me the Al title will be down to the big spenders while Philly will be favourites in the NL anybody could make it to the world series as it's wide open in that league.

The Marlins look good. Pujols leaving the Cardinals and Fielder kleaving leaves the NL central wide open.

It does. It's there for the taking almost. No excuses really (bar injuries but that's the same for everybody). I wouldn't write off the Cards though. Despite losing Pujols and La Russa I don't know what the new guy is like. He could be every bit as good which would be bad news lol.

I haven't really seen much of Latos so can't really comment with that much authority about his game. He sounds like he has 200+ innings in him and if we can get that out of him, Arroyo and Cueto we could have a serious shot at the pennant. The Phillies rotation is still ace but that batting line up is getting a bit creaky whilst in the NL West the Giants should be thereabouts but can't say about the Diamondbacks or Dodgers. Bit more of a lottery baseball and there's usually at least one surprise team a year. Hope it's not the Pirates because I would prefer the division games to be easier. Should be an interesting year for the Reds.

Normally I don't that much of interest in the AL barring checking out headlines but I can't wait for the play offs on that side. If, as expected, it's the Yankees, Tigers, Rangers and then one of Red Sox, Rays, Angels, it could be pretty explosive.