Sunday, January 25, 2009

AL SOUTH/ AL WEST Season 11 PREVIEWS

AL SOUTH


TEAM Charlotte Winstons PAYROLL $85.9M
LAST YEARS RECORD: 78-84
KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED

SUBTRACTED

NAME

POS

AGE

NAME

POS

AGE

Spike Meusel

SS

24

Rogers Cox

SS

29

Esteban Morales

C

27

Carlos Torcato

RP

31

Hong-Jin Xaio

RP

27

Geraldo Soto

CF

30

Karl Fryman

RP

33

Ken Lidge

C

33

Tito Green

RP

36

Alvin Boudreau

1B

32

Bum Bryant

DH

24

SUMMARY: Tough season 10. The team performed well below their skills. 3 solid SS's cover for the lack of other positions on the depth chart. Offensively the team has 3 big bats in Chiasson, Syr and Jacquez. The catchers on the roster provide the offensive, but won't help the pitching staff at all. Starting Pitching is team strength; they are a well established rotation who will pitch tough innings. Chang will have endurance issues and won't complete many games. This staff should be lights out if the catchers hold up their end of the deal. The bullpen has veteran arms, but will be volatile at times, with newly acquired Fryman slated to close, they could have the next rollercoaster. Paul Bell, and Hong-Jin Xaio should hold their own and might get a shot at closing if Fryman falters. McKnight and Toca are both established relievers who are past their primes; their stamina will limit their effectiveness at this point in their careers.

HOLES TO ADDRESS: loss endurance guys in the Pen might wear on the staff late in the season, if the pitching staff has a few tough outing it could be costly. Overall though this is a good young unit and should compete

VEGAS ODDS: 15-1

TEAM Houston Colt .45's
PAYROLL $90.3M

LAST YEARS RECORD: 77-85

KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED

SUBTRACTED

NAME

POS

AGE

NAME

POS

AGE

Alex Delgado

SP

35

Ismael Ortiz

SP

35

Bobby Ray Clark

2B

22

Jimmie Valentin

RP

35

Dave Washington

SS

31

SUMMARY: Defensively this team is above average. At the Plate Taylor has lost something on this swing, but he's still a great player. Along with Seth Rolle and Albert Frazier this should be the center of the lineup. With 3 all-star starting pitchers led by Ace Kiki Arroyo the rotation should hold their own. Delgado will be a marked upgrade over Ortiz in the rotation. Frias is a future all-star closer, not sure if he will be completely lights out this season, but he deserves his shot in the fire. The rest of the bullpen are able and should provide stability if they don't have to pitch on short rest. A couple long nights and this bullpen will be fried quickly.

HOLES TO ADDRESS: Overall the team is weak on the infield corners and at CF. The team has the offense to cover these shortcomings at the plate. An inning eating reliever would be a welcome addition.

VEGAS ODDS: 28-1

TEAM OC Chickens PAYROLL $77.3M

LAST YEARS RECORD: 113-49
KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED

SUBTRACTED

NAME

POS

AGE

NAME

POS

AGE

Rafael Almanzar

RP

30

Jeff Carson

3B

26

SUMMARY: The World Series champs lost very little from their championship team. Harry Vosberg was acatalyst last season and was resigned to provide his glove and bat to defend their title. The lineup up in Oklahoma is still the most established in the league with big bats surrounding Vosberg of Shave, Dubose, and Olson. Murderer's Row has been reborn. The pitching staff is anchored by Greg Arnold, but is an aging group who might not be as effective this season. The Bullpen is made up of 2 top notch guys in Closer Matthews and RP Mendoza.

HOLES TO ADDRESS: With 3 open roster spots the team is capable of giving RP Winston Ryan an extended look from the minors or looking. The chickens might be able to check the FA market to strengthen their bench and pen.

VEGAS ODDS: 5-2

TEAM Louisville Loud Mouths PAYROLL $71.5M
LAST YEARS RECORD: 80-82
KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED

SUBTRACTED

NAME

POS

AGE

NAME

POS

AGE

Bucky Anderson

SP

32

Bryan Stanley

RP

34

Russell Cook

SP

32

Trent Thompson

CF

33

Santos Amaral

RP

32

Glenallen Bell

SP

32

Fausto Guzman

3B

28

Mark Swift

SP

37

Adam Quinn

RP

28

SUMMARY: Freddie Reynolds was the center piece to a surprising St. Louis team. Now the team is under new management and looks to build on its revival. RF
Louie Rosario has all=star potential, but is coming off a sub-par rookie season. Guzman is trying to revitalize his career with a fresh start in
Louisville
. Garza defensively is fine at SS. The starting pitching is above average and improving. They should hold their own this season. Closer Feliz is dominant

HOLES TO ADDRESS: Guzman is capable at 3B, but will not provide a consistent performance. Dee Prince at 1B is still below average at the plate.

VEGAS ODDS: 19-1

AL WEST

TEAM San Francisco Hitch Hikers PAYROLL $99.5M

LAST YEARS RECORD: 63-99

KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED

SUBTRACTED

NAME

POS

AGE

NAME

POS

AGE

Pedro Rodriguez

RF

28

Edgar Morales

SP

29

Achilles Hayes

RF

34

Bo Adams

RP

33

J.T. Griffiths

RP

24

Dean O'Brien

3B

31

Orber Park

SP

22

Chad Gray

RF

29

Andy Washington

SP

30

Keith McCall

3B

29

Fred Taylor

RP

22

Jack Serafini

LF

32

Harry Lopez

RP

24

Clay Ludwick

1B

35

Edgardo Almanzar

2B

27

Steve Smart

SS

30

Michael Ramirez

LF

26

Johnny Van Hatten

3B

31

Shea Harper

RP

24

Sean Washington

SP

33

Heath Gibson

LF

32

Jung-Lee Kojima

RP

35

Garret Blackley

RP

33


SUMMARY: Shed some age again. The Team also added a proven hitter in 2B Almanzar. Ramirez should be given plenty of chances to become a solid Ml'er here. As a whole this team has upgraded from last season, but will still struggle at times CF Jim Walker is fast, but strikes out more than his share. The pitching is improving, Andy Washington is a big upgrade over Sean Washington, but Punto is a huge defensive liability at Short. SF will miss Smarts superior defense this season.

HOLES TO ADDRESS: The offense is starting to fill in, but this team is old for its record and payroll. The hitchhiker's pitching has a good start, but needs a few more quality arms. The AAA is still barren, so free agency might be the only answer.

VEGAS ODDS: 100-1

TEAM KC McCoys PAYROLL $88.4M

LAST YEARS RECORD: 91-71

KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED

SUBTRACTED

NAME

POS

AGE

NAME

POS

AGE

Alfredo Velazquez

SP

24

Willie Watkins

RP

29

Hipolito Olmedo

RP

26

Morgan Lambert

LF

30

Dustin Eischen

RP

24

Jerry Martin

2B

35

Grant Febles

RP

27

Mark Swift

SP

37

Dennis Gilbert

3B

31

Lariel Almanza

C

37

Bono Crede

RF

31

B.C. Ozuna

SP

38

Phil Tabaka

C

29

Raul Ibarra

RP

38

Tito Owens

3B

31

SUMMARY: With Ozuna, Ibarra and Swift went the pitching staff's average age drop by 10 years without losing much effectiveness. The Additions of Gilbert and Crede are big upgrades for the offense. Seanez should love having Gilbert set the table for him. The offense still has holes in the lineup at Catcher, but both catchers are here for their defense and the way they handle the pitching staff.

HOLES TO ADDRESS: One solid hitting catcher and the team are complete. Harding is still effective, but probably no longer a full season type guy or even an everyday guy.

VEGAS ODDS: 12-1

TEAM LAS VEGAS GAMBLE PAYROLL $83.1M

LAST YEARS RECORD: 92-70

KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED

SUBTRACTED

NAME

POS

AGE

NAME

POS

AGE

Doug Elarton

RP

26

Herbert Liverman

LF

31

Fritz Lowe

SS

29

Pete Barnes

SS

32

Cesar Lugo

SS

30

Bump Ford

RP

29

Davey Mora

RP

32

Rafael James

1B

34

Hector Almanza

SP

31

Arlie Pettyjohn

SP

30

James Allensworth

RP

33

Fred Lundquist

SP

31

SUMMARY: The Gamble was the surprise team last season. Compiling 90 wins an almost 30 game improvement. It's even more remarkable when you consider Star player Prieto was injured part of the season. The Addition of Fritz Lowe adds a sure defender at short. Prokopec is set to steal another 100 bases this season. Osuna returns for his 2nd season as the teams closer and should hold his own again. Luis Carraco is also there in case of problems.

HOLES TO ADDRESS: Starting pitching is just average to slightly below. If they could land an ace this team is a sure playoff contender. The farm does have some pitching help on the horizon, but is it ready?

VEGAS ODDS: 15-1


TEAM Wichita Sizzlers
PAYROLL $82.3M
LAST YEARS RECORD: 115-47
KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED

SUBTRACTED

NAME

POS

AGE

NAME

POS

AGE

Pedro Espinosa

SP

29

Carlos Feliz

3B

26

Jimmie Valentin

RP

32

Charlie West

RP

26

Steve Smart

SS

30

Edgardo Vazquez

RP

31

Clarence McDowell

LF

33

Greg Long

SS

34

Fritz Lowe

SS

29

Edgardo Almanzar

2B

27

SUMMARY: Last season this was the team to beat in the AL and they were beat. A major shakeup occurred and here we are. Gone are established stars Feliz, McDowell, Long, Lowe and Almanzar. In their place comes Steve Smart. Offensively this team does not have the fire power it once had and it might take the team some time or plays to develop, unlike last season where lightning could strike at anytime. The starting pitching is older and better. They are still the best in the AL. The Bullpen still could be the Achille's Heel of the team. This could be a down year in Wichita.

HOLES TO ADDRESS: The biggest issue for the team will be in middle relief getting from the starters to Matthews is still going to be a challenge. Valentin is basically taking the place of 2 lost arms. I'm not sure he's up for the challenge.

VEGAS ODDS: 14-1