Tuesday, April 28, 2009

NL EAST S12 Preview

NL EAST


Iowa City KAMIKAZES (NL) PAYROLL 41.4M
LAST YEARS RECORD: 56-106
KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED

SUBTRACTED

NAME

POS

AGE

NAME

POS

AGE

Milt Lee

3b

30

Harry Hayes

c

30

Josh Valentin

2b

28

Neil Fletcher

c

39

Scott Butler

rf

26

Jumbo Tavarez

1b

28

Sam Hawkins

Sp

34

Fred Moehler

Rp

34

Brad Finnessey

cf

23

Rolando Fernandez

P

34

Wilfredo Ordonez

sp

33

Hong-Jin Xaio

Rp

28

Mark Swift

Sp

38

Rich Lloyd

Sp

34

Bump Ford

SP

30

Opening Day Lineup
C Felix Bonilla (R)
1B Trenidad Beltran (S)
2B Josh Valentin (R)
3B Lonny Estrada (R)
SS Vinny Hernandez (R)
LF Geraldo Soto (R)
CF Brad Finnessey (R)
RF Scott Butler (S)
Starting Pitching: David Dominguez, Wilfredo Ordonez, Rich Lloyd, Sam Hawkins, Mark Swift
Closer: Hong-Jin Xaio

SUMMARY: This team started the offseason as the project of all project teams. A makeshift lineup with a weak infield and a disastrous pitching staff has changed into a solid group of players who will field a decent team in Season 12. . This team is going to take commitment to make it work again most of the active starters are 1 year contract guys who are old and vulnerable to injury. The pitching staff features no one under the age of 33 except David Dominguez. There is future hope in the OF corp. of Finnessey, Butler and Soto. Dominguez is borderline ace material and should be an anchor in Iowa, but the farm will need to be replenished if there is to be hope in the future.
HOLES TO ADDRESS:
still need to strengthen the 2B and relief corp.
VEGAS ODDS: 48-1


New York Burros (NL) PAYROLL 37.1M
LAST YEARS RECORD: 106-56
KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

Opening Day Lineup
C J.P. Santiago (S)
1B Scot Bowman (L)
2B Kevin Kwon (R)
3BBip Williams (L)
SS Wayne Brown (R)
LF Luis Matos (R)
CF Sergio Koplove (L)
RF Emmanuel Nation (R)
Starting Pitching: Shayne Nagy, Max Estrada, Harry Ortiz, Bob Mann, Ryan Perry
Closer: Kevin Burke
SUMMARY: The Burros are young and the reining WS champions. Dude Reed was so much of a cancer in the off season they sent him and his 13M contract to AAA to wait on a trade. This team is built to be rebuilt and rebuilt and rebuilt and still win World Series after World Series. The pitching is close to unhittable and that's what puts them on the map. The hitting is good, but does have its holes Nation is an htting liability at times, but will still punch out 40 slams a season. Reed will be moved I can guarantee that much, for what NY will get for this future HOF'er, I don't know.
Holes to Address: They could probably improve on Nations in RF and Kwon at 2B but not a priority.
VEGAS ODDS: 7-1


Chicago Ballbusters (NL) PAYROLL: 93.0M
LAST YEARS RECORD: 97-65
KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED

SUBTRACTED

NAME

POS

AGE

NAME

POS

AGE

Wilson Marshall

SP

33

Alan Benes

2B

30

Francis Charlton

SP

29

Herman Franklin

SP

36

Kenny Marte

RP

34

Andres Lee

RP

34

Mike Hodges

2B

32

Opening Day Lineup
C Kevin Martin (R)
1B Clarence Thompson (S)
2B Jung Miyakazi (R)
3B Julian Bonilla (L)
SS Dan Boone (R)
LF Hal Taylor (L)
CF Don Perry (L)
RF Cy Robinson (S)
Starting Pitching: Carlos Fuentes, Omar Segui, Yannick Fonville, Wilson Marshall, Graham Green
Closer: Edgardo Vazquez
SUMMARY: starting pitching is a little iffy this season; the Ballbusters have 4 solid starters but no lights out guy to anchor the rotation. The bullpen is still strong and should keep the close games close. The lineup is solid but not spectacular and they are aging quickly. They needed to add someone with some punch, but failed to do so. Perry might be better suited for a different position very soon, but he will get by in center for now. This might be a good year to cut lose a few big contract guys and think to the future.
HOLES TO ADDRESS: Starting pitching and CF could be upgraded, but it's not critical
VEGAS ODDS: 15-1

Atlanta Braves (NL) PAYROLL 86.9M
LAST YEARS RECORD: 75-87
KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED

SUBTRACTED

NAME

POS

AGE

NAME

POS

AGE

Jack Sanders

SP

33

Seth Stewart

RP

30

McKay Jennings

RP

29

Opening Day Lineup
C Vic Urbina (R)
1B Donne Witt (S)
2B Kyle Walters (R)
3B Eugene Walker (S)
SS Albert Gonzalez (R)
LF Warren Carpenter(L)
CF Jose Nunez (R)
RF Wes Cox (R)
Starting Pitching: Aaron Shiell, David Martin, Jaret Dunn,
Fred Strange, Matt Dougherty
Closer: Jose Jose
SUMMARY The Braves Offense is a bit shaky and extremely weak. They have decent speed, but will struggle to get guys on the bags to knock in. They need to upgrade the corner outfield with solid power hitting guys to compliment their speed. They also need to balance their lineup with a few Left handed bats. The pitching staff is solid through and through but is aging and will need to be slowly changed out to maintain their skill level as a team. I am not sure this team is heading in the right direction this season.
HOLES TO ADDRESS: OF 2B and offensive upgrades
VEGAS ODDS: 68-1

AL EAST SEASON 12 PREVIEW

AL EAST

Burlington Ice Storm PAYROLL 60.1M

LAST YEARS RECORD: 76-86
KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED

SUBTRACTED

NAME

POS

AGE

NAME

POS

AGE

Shawn Kennedy

C

32

a

Shawn Kennedy

C

32

Pasqual Concepcion

SP

31

Rafael James

LF

35

Benito Javier

C

28

Glenn Osik

2B

32

Johnny Stroud

2B

25

Todd Hardy

RP

35

Pedro Osuna

RF

25

Ray File

DH

28

Tony Kelly

DH

34

Bump Ford

SP

30

Brian Wang

C

31


Opening Day Lineup
C Shawn Kennedy (R)
1B Denny Graham (L)
2B Raul Gutierrez (R)
3B Rolando Johnson (L)
SS Steven Jenner (R)
LF Farmer Drese (R)
CF Johnny Stroud (R)
RF Pedro Osuna (R)
DH Tony Kelly (R)
Starting Pitching: Lucas Neagle, Pasqual Concepcion, Rigo Granados, Jarrod Everett, Carlos Torcato
Closer: R.A. Bellinger
SUMMARY: the hitting is in the place the Storm have added 2 solid hitters through trades in Osuna and Stroud. The Addition of FA Conception also adds a good arm to the rotation.. Thgis team finished sub-500 last season but should have no issues breaking .500 this season if everyone stays healthy. As a team they have solid defense and can play a strong game if the hitting gets going. Pitching is solid but again unspectacular with a solid bullpen closer in Bellinger..
HOLES TO ADDRESS: would benefit moving Stroud back to 2B and getting a solid defender for CF..
VEGAS ODDS: 27-1

Durham Bulls PAYROLL 58.6M
LAST YEARS RECORD: 73-89
KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED

SUBTRACTED

NAME

POS

AGE

NAME

POS

AGE

Clint Malone

SP

28

Al Borbon

RP

31

Daryle Davis

RP

30

Kelvim Sellers

SP

32

Mike Durrington

DH

32

Malcolm Hutton

SS

26

Dario Mouton

DH

33

Opening Day Lineup
C Justin Vernon (L)
1B Tito Hume (R)
2B Deivi Blanco (R)
3B Haywood Woods (R)
SS Scott Rose (R)
LF Junior Buckley (R)
CF Jaret Nathan (S)
RF Richie Cormier (L)
DH Tony Jimenez
Starting Pitching: Jose Rojas, Sherm Taylor, Enrique Saez, Will Gonzales, Bob Hines
Closer: Clarence Adams
SUMMARY The team does not do much extremely well, but they also don't do much poorly either. The Dulls have a lot of power guys who strikeout more than their share. They need to find that dependable .300+ bat to build around. The bullpen is missing a steady arm and the starting rotation has an extra could be a converted starter pitching out of the Pen. Closer Clarence Adams will continue closing after taking on the closer role and filling in better than expected, but another arm in the pen would be welcome.
HOLES TO ADDRESS: upgrade at Catch and 1 superstar would be great for the offense a solid bullpen arm would also add greater depth.
VEGAS ODDS: 30-1


Hartford Ascension PAYROLL: 17.7M
LAST YEARS RECORD: 65-97
KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED

SUBTRACTED

NAME

POS

AGE

NAME

POS

AGE

Clarence Morgan

3B

22

Alfredo Padilla

SP

33

Calvin Lui

2B

22

Josh Brantley

SP

29

Cristobal Jacquez

1B

21

Andres Martin

C

32

Joe Lincoln

RF

25

William Fryman

SP

30

Bob Jenkins

2B

28

Bart Hitchcock

3B

28

Charles Howard

RP

32

Greg Griffiths

3B

30

Alfredo Sanchez

P

29

Glenallen Bell

SP

33

Gus Tabaka

SP

40

Oscar Rollins

RF

27

Opening Day Lineup
C Davey Santana (R)
1B Marquis Ashley (L)
2B Calvin Lui (R)
3B Clarence Morgan(R)
SS Dennis Lockwood (R)
LF Ivan Gonzalez (S)
CF Matthew Hurst (R)
RF Joe Lincoln (S)
DH Cristobal Jacquez (L)
Starting Pitching: Jake Becker,Victor Perez, Willis Ryan, Willis Daniels, Wesley Matthews
CloserKris Aspromonte
SUMMARY: With solid hitters Marquis Ashley, Clarence Morgan and Calvin Lui along with Speedster Matthew Hurst, this team does have offensive tools. The Pitching staff is in shambles, at best you have a pair of middle of the rotation guys. Add in lot of rule 5 draft picks and this pitching staff will struggle to compete with BL hitting. This team badly needs an ace in the rotation to compliment the stable of hitting. The bullpen also has huge holes to address most relievers would struggle in AAA let alone the Show.
HOLES TO ADDRESS: This team badly needs to complete the pitching staff. The Team has one of the worst bullpens in the league and this will need to be addressed with a few last minute free agents.
VEGAS ODDS: 100-1

Washington D.C. old school warriors PAYROLL 64.8M
LAST YEARS RECORD: 66-96
KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED

SUBTRACTED

NAME

POS

AGE

NAME

POS

AGE

Alex Chang

RP

31

Roy Robinson

SP

29

Jeff Foster

C

25

Richard Frazier

1B

28

Vic Toca

RP

35

Cesar Batista

C

35

Emil Rogers

P

35

Ismael Lopez

RP

38

Rube Jefferson

RP

41

Alex Padilla

RP

39

Darryl Sexton

RP

37

Opening Day Lineup
C Mariano Lee (R)
1B Douglas Ainsworth (L)
2B Ozzie Ono (R)
3BGraeme Watson (R)
SS Craig Cooper (R)
LF Trevor Jackson (R)
CF Luther Oliver (L)
RF Victor Mondesi (R)
DH Adam Corsi (R)
Starting Pitching: Julio Carreras, Junior McLemore, Doug Ojala, Darrell Williamson, Chad Goldman
Closer: Tony Eckenstahler
SUMMARY: Trevor Jackson's 50+ SB's are a nice along with his 100+ Runs a year. Cooper is the catalyst for this offense they just need more power around him to balance the order more. A few Lefties would be nice or this hitting will struggle with strong pitching and coaching. Pitching is improving slowly but the rotation could do without Ojala and the bullpen will need to upgrade after key losses of Sexton, Padilla, Lopez and Jefferson.
HOLES TO ADDRESS: Weak at 1B and 2B, and CF. pitching is in need of an ace in the bullpen and 1 more solid arm to start.
VEGAS ODDS: 45-1

Monday, April 27, 2009

NL NORTH S12 Preview

NL NORTH

Detroit Lucky (NL) PAYROLL 50.3M
LAST YEARS RECORD: 59-103
KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED

SUBTRACTED

NAME

POS

AGE

NAME

POS

AGE

Timothy Sutton

RF

21

Harry Chavez

2B

34

Walter O'Brien

CF

32

Charlie Patterson

SP

32

Jimmie Estrada

SP

29

Orlando Pena

RP

33

Norm Knight

C

32

Opening Day Lineup
C Jacob Kwon (L)
1B Bo Glanville (R)
2B
3B Matt Matthews (S)
SS Mario Jenkins (R)
LF Timothy Sutton (R)
CF Mac Parkinson (S)
RF William Stewart (L)
Starting Pitching: Bob Hatteberg, Harry Silva, Jung Martin, Cookie Benitez, Arthur Jacobsen
Closer: Joey Dispenza
SUMMARY: Switching Matthews and Sutton would strengthen the Defense a little bit, but the biggest defensive liability they have is at CF. There is a nice young core in Detroit that should do well this year. Glanville, Stewart and Sutton should be a great core to lean on for years to come. The pitching has seen better days with Hatteberg the only dependable starter. The rest are a ragtag bunch of older guys, There is no depth in the farm to lean on for a while either. Dispenza is a middle of the road closer and at over 9M is overpaid for his skills.
HOLES TO ADDRESS: 2B and CF are dire needs; an upgrade in pitching is a luxury.
VEGAS ODDS: 38-1

Milwaukee Blue Stockings (NL) PAYROLL 45.3M
LAST YEARS RECORD: 63-99
KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED

SUBTRACTED

NAME

POS

AGE

NAME

POS

AGE

Harvey Carson

Lf

22

Ellis Small

RP

Grant Badilla

CF

22

Garrett Ferguson

RP

39

Everett Ritz

SP

23

Gus Wood

RP

31

Hideo Tamura

SP

22

Chris Leon

3B

29

Daniel Henry

RP

25

Pete Barnes

SS

33

Andre Kolb

SS

31

Rolando James

C

24

Raul Morales

RP

32

Sven Groom

SS

23

Rudy Shouse

C

31


Opening Day Lineup
C Rudy Shouse (R)
1B Lorenzo Estrada (R)
2B Arthur Worthington (R)
3B Elvis Lundquist (R)
SS Andre Kolb (R)
LF Scott Clarke (R)
CF Grant Badilla (S)
RF Tony Campos (L)
Starting Pitching: Keith Junge, Tori Walker, Angel Mateo, Jesus Melendez,
Everett Ritz
Closer: Raul Morales
SUMMARY Upgraded at Catcher should help the pitching in Milwaukee. The Starting staff is young and very talented. They will be able to carry this team at times. The Blues also feature young Studs in Scott Clarke and Lorenzo Estrada. Badilla and Groom should both improve as the year moves on, but might struggle out of the gate. Having Carson and Alanso on the bench gives this team great depth in the outfield OF and at 2B, but they really need to address the lack of a solid everyday 3B. Morales wins the closer role by default.
HOLES TO ADDRESS: 3B and Bullpen Help
VEGAS ODDS: 28-1

Cincinnati Bowties (NL) PAYROLL: 65.9M
LAST YEARS RECORD: 89-73
KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED

SUBTRACTED

NAME

POS

AGE

NAME

POS

AGE

R.J. Polanco

P

34

Tanyon Hartman

P

42

Dennys White

P

34

Brandon Mercedes

CF

30

Hugh Aldridge

RP

31

Bump Loiselle

P

35

Hades Sedlacek

SS

30

Bill Hayes

C

36

Phil Baek

3B

32

Alex Wang

SP

31

Opening Day Lineup
C Brent Sheets (R)
1B Damon Miller (S)
2B Carlos Hernandez (S)
3B Jerry Robinson (R)
SS Stephen Allen (R)
LF Greg Bush (R)
CF Virgil Stein (R)
RF Jesus De La Vega (L)
Starting Pitching: Clarence Patrick, Ralph Ainsworth, George Jordan, Freddy Hurst, Butch Brush
Closer: Roy Murphy
SUMMARY The Bowties have an offensive powerhouse in Herandez and Brent Sheets, but the players around them are starting to drop off. The loss of Wang is cushioned slightly by the gain of Brush, but the bowties really could only pursue one huge FA this off-season and that was Brent Sheets. The rotation is quite strong as a 3 man tandem. Patrick and Ainsworth could sit on top of most rotations.
HOLES TO ADDRESS: A starting CF would go along way
VEGAS ODDS: 19-1
Philadelphia Balboas (NL) PAYROLL 53.0M
LAST YEARS RECORD: 88-74
KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED

SUBTRACTED

NAME

POS

AGE

NAME

POS

AGE

Juan Guerrero

2B

30

Justin Smith

1B

34

Dan Ellis

CF

33

Paulie Duran

CF

30

Albert Rincon

RP

28

Opening Day Lineup
C T.J. Little (S)
1B Eugene Pryce (L)
2B Wade Prince (R)
3B Javier Martin (R)
SS Arthur Dunn (R)
LF Hunter Wilkerson (S)
CF Walter Lawrence (L)
RF Valerio Guillen (S)
Starting Pitching: Del James, Charlie Johnson, Louie Gutierrez, Miguel Seanez, Jose Astacio
Closer: Babe Rose
SUMMARY An injury to Guillen will have him sitting out the start of the season and will slow the Balboa offense down. The Balboas have a solid offense and great defensive presence and are a truly grinding team. No one guy will beat you, but as a team they will find their way to the top. The rotation is a mixed bag Johnson is an elite starter and james and Gutierrez are good support men, but the rotation takes a drastic turn after that. Rose should get another chance to close this season and he should have better success than in the past.
HOLES TO ADDRESS: Pitching and CF upgrades
VEGAS ODDS: 20-1