NL SOUTH S10 Preview

NL SOUTH

TEAM Florida Marlins PAYROLL $65,410,666

LAST YEARS RECORD: 90-72

KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED				SUBTRACTED
NAME	POS	AGE		NAME	POS	AGE
				Julio Martin	P	28
				Moose Isringhausen	P	30
				Francis Charlton	P	27

 

SUMMARY: In the past, I have been accused of undervaluing the Marlins. Picking against them, and degrading their skills on the Weekly Power rankings. But what have the Marlin's added to improve their place in my heart. Not a whole lot. But they did not lose a whole lot either. A strong team who can field and hit with the league leaders and have the pitching to compete to boot. They still are a little weak in the middle relief and toward the end of the rotation. A solid Young team that improves every year. Should make a repeat in the playoffs in S10

HOLES TO ADDRESS: it would be great to add the extra solid bullpen guy or a dependable 5^th starter. Farmhand Clint Gonzales might fit the bill.

VEGAS ODDS: 13-1

 

 

TEAM Houston Labs PAYROLL $49,699,000

LAST YEARS RECORD: 72-90

KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED				SUBTRACTED
NAME	POS	AGE		NAME	POS	AGE
Benjamin Medina	SS	22		Fred Moehler	P	34
				Heath Hansell	P	38

SUMMARY: overall this team has the talent to compete. Their pitching is above average led by Graham Green. The offense features no real superstar but many great players like speedster Jim Walker and DT Hutch.

HOLES TO ADDRESS: Hutch is the best option at SS the team has 3 capable players at SS and could probable trade to upgrade other positions.

VEGAS ODDS: 23-1

 

TEAM Richmond Revolution PAYROLL $49,436,000

LAST YEARS RECORD: 74-88

KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED				SUBTRACTED
NAME	POS	AGE		NAME	POS	AGE
Bubba Griffiths	C	29		Brady Borders	CF	36
Gary McRae	P	32		Terrence Donovan	C	33
Ross Mann	C	29		Bernie Suarez	P	33
Nipsey Diaz	LF	21
Robert Schultz	2B	22
Erik Blackley	SS	26
Jody Forrest	P	26

 

SUMMARY: Richmond is bringing up the next generation this season. In are Diaz and Schultz who should compete for ROY honors. Rule 5 Pick Forrest should pitch a few quality innings, but overall the pitching is still going to hold this team back.

HOLES TO ADDRESS: They have 3 decent starters, but this team could still use at least 1 more plus starter. They have a few choices down on the farm, in another year or 2 this could be the team to beat.

VEGAS ODDS: 25-1

 

TEAM TEXAS OUTLAWS PAYROLL $61,313,000

LAST YEARS RECORD: 85-77

KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED				SUBTRACTED
NAME	POS	AGE		NAME	POS	AGE
Gus Weber	P	30		Luis Belliard	C	36
Bob Shaw	DH	28		Juan Palmeiro	P	35
Erubiel Lecuona	LF	27		Heath Gibson	LF	31
Carter Warden	P	26		Marc Grilli	LF	33
Jung Gao	P	30		Clay Sosa	RF	35
Nate House	P	22		Jeff McKnight	P	36
R.J. Glynn	3B	26		Matty Lee	P	27

 

SUMMARY: pitching is still strong in Texas, but the offense has some serious holes. Lecuona is not much of an upgrade over Gibson and Grilli. The team took a step back in the bullpen as well.

HOLES TO ADDRESS: need a quality catcher and 1 more guy to stabilize the Bullpen

VEGAS ODDS: 28-1