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