Last your everyone predicted what their team would do prior to the season, let's resurrect the idea and see how everyone does this season.
I'll lead off here.....
Team Strength: Pitching, especially the bullpen, and defense
Team Weakness: Too many question marks on offense
What has to go right: Vega has to continue spring resurgance. Martinez, Aquino, and Miller have to blossom and be consistent
What can't go wrong: A sudden flameout by the back of the bullpen
Team Cy Young: Kirby Gibson
Team MVP: Victor Martinez
Comeback Player of the Year: Lorenzo Vega
Team Rookie of the Year: Carlos Aquino
Most surprising contribution: Gary Fisher, Sp/Rp swingman
Mid-Season Callup with Biggest Impact: Martin Griffin
Outlook: Pitching and defense remain strong, but it might take a while to really sort out the offense. I think the pitching alone will keep the Calzones very competitive, but unless all the youngsters bloom at the same time, it might be hard to make a repeat trip to the playoffs. 87 wins, 3rd place, and a look ahead to next year.
Your team's outlook
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Reg
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Team Strength: Pitching, especially Starting pitching
Team Weakness: Consistent Offensive production
What has to go right: Hansen, Conard and Cline must have good years, similar to the ones they had last year
What can't go wrong: Major Injuries
Team Cy Young: Conan McCullough
Team MVP: Ernest Conard
Comeback Player of the Year: Alfredo Pinto
Team Rookie of the Year: Leonard Martin
Most surprising contribution: Daron Little
Mid-Season Callup with Biggest Impact: Yasunobu Hara or Brent Cochran
Outlook: Pitching and defense remain strong, but this years Dixie league looks to be even more competitive. 1st through 4th place, heck maybe even 5th place, may be decided by just a few games. We seem to be stronger on offense, but it will depend upon players repeating and exceeding last years performances to get the pitchers the run support they deserve. 90 wins and somewhere in the top 4 teams in Dixie.
Team Weakness: Consistent Offensive production
What has to go right: Hansen, Conard and Cline must have good years, similar to the ones they had last year
What can't go wrong: Major Injuries
Team Cy Young: Conan McCullough
Team MVP: Ernest Conard
Comeback Player of the Year: Alfredo Pinto
Team Rookie of the Year: Leonard Martin
Most surprising contribution: Daron Little
Mid-Season Callup with Biggest Impact: Yasunobu Hara or Brent Cochran
Outlook: Pitching and defense remain strong, but this years Dixie league looks to be even more competitive. 1st through 4th place, heck maybe even 5th place, may be decided by just a few games. We seem to be stronger on offense, but it will depend upon players repeating and exceeding last years performances to get the pitchers the run support they deserve. 90 wins and somewhere in the top 4 teams in Dixie.
Reg LeBlanc
General Manager, New Orleans Trendsetters
(2021 - 2037)
General Manager, New Orleans Trendsetters
(2021 - 2037)
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Ghosts
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Bears
Team Strength: Balanced Attack.
Team Weakness: C and 1b. We've "Jack Cobb'd" Remi Young and put an OF at 1b. He only had 2 errors in ST, but his defense rating is a "1" right now. Tidwell and Kawaski are holding down the C spot, and we could be looking at a permanent .200 in the 9 hole as a result.
What has to go right: Martinez, Simmons, and Ishihara (and possibly Edwards or Qiao) -- all new young additions -- have to hold down the bullpen.
What can't go wrong: Boyd has to stay healthy at SS...and the Catchers have to hit.
Team Cy Young: Desmond Barnes
Team MVP: Pat Lilly
Comeback Player of the Year: Luis Moreno
Team Rookie of the Year: Howard Good or Raul Cortez in the 5th SP spot.
Most surprising contribution: Ishihara in relief
Mid-Season Callup with Biggest Impact: Edwards in the bullpen
Outlook: It's been a rough off-season this year. We halved our $20m in debt this year, and wound up $7.5 under budget for the start of the year. Managing our "soft landing" financially -- so we will be debt-free next year -- and remaining competitive has been the most "fun" thing we've done in PEBA...though it was really hard to leave all that money on the table. Anyhow, if Jude Pew gives Lilly some protection, if Benthall and Delgado continue to get better and if our young guns (Joseph Lane at LF, Rauel Cortez or Howard Good in the starting rotation, Ishihara, Martinez, and Simmons in the bullpen -- with Qioa and Edwards in AAA) play the way they should, we should be every bit as good as last year. The bad news is that the law of averages is against all of that happening. The good news is that with some strong expiring contracts (Sepkiecher as a Closer and Jude Pew as a masher), if we aren't competitive we could be looking to get some prospects and cut even more salary half-way through the season...which will leave us with a very strong core in 2009 and $20m or so -- post-arbitration -- to be right back in the mix in 2009.
Record Prediction: 89 games and a seat watching the playoffs.
Team Weakness: C and 1b. We've "Jack Cobb'd" Remi Young and put an OF at 1b. He only had 2 errors in ST, but his defense rating is a "1" right now. Tidwell and Kawaski are holding down the C spot, and we could be looking at a permanent .200 in the 9 hole as a result.
What has to go right: Martinez, Simmons, and Ishihara (and possibly Edwards or Qiao) -- all new young additions -- have to hold down the bullpen.
What can't go wrong: Boyd has to stay healthy at SS...and the Catchers have to hit.
Team Cy Young: Desmond Barnes
Team MVP: Pat Lilly
Comeback Player of the Year: Luis Moreno
Team Rookie of the Year: Howard Good or Raul Cortez in the 5th SP spot.
Most surprising contribution: Ishihara in relief
Mid-Season Callup with Biggest Impact: Edwards in the bullpen
Outlook: It's been a rough off-season this year. We halved our $20m in debt this year, and wound up $7.5 under budget for the start of the year. Managing our "soft landing" financially -- so we will be debt-free next year -- and remaining competitive has been the most "fun" thing we've done in PEBA...though it was really hard to leave all that money on the table. Anyhow, if Jude Pew gives Lilly some protection, if Benthall and Delgado continue to get better and if our young guns (Joseph Lane at LF, Rauel Cortez or Howard Good in the starting rotation, Ishihara, Martinez, and Simmons in the bullpen -- with Qioa and Edwards in AAA) play the way they should, we should be every bit as good as last year. The bad news is that the law of averages is against all of that happening. The good news is that with some strong expiring contracts (Sepkiecher as a Closer and Jude Pew as a masher), if we aren't competitive we could be looking to get some prospects and cut even more salary half-way through the season...which will leave us with a very strong core in 2009 and $20m or so -- post-arbitration -- to be right back in the mix in 2009.
Record Prediction: 89 games and a seat watching the playoffs.
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Alan Ehlers
Tempe
Team Strength: A lot of potential and much improved offense and pitching
Team Weakness: Not enough experience , not much power, staff is inexperienced and could struggle
What has to go right: Starters mature quickly, Romero improves upon his .298 OBP and steal 50 bases
What can't go wrong:
Injuries and Allen drops off from last year
Team Cy Young: Vaugh Harris
Team MVP: Shunso Kichida
Team Rookie of the Year: Greg Jackson
Most surprising contribution: Ishihara in relief
Mid-Season Callup with Biggest Impact: Rivera
Outlook: Tempe is much improved and will be very competitive. The pitching staff is vastly improved and will keep Tempe in most games. However, this team is too experienced to make a playoff push but is headed in the right direction.
Prediction between 70-80 wins and something to build on next year
Team Weakness: Not enough experience , not much power, staff is inexperienced and could struggle
What has to go right: Starters mature quickly, Romero improves upon his .298 OBP and steal 50 bases
What can't go wrong:
Injuries and Allen drops off from last year
Team Cy Young: Vaugh Harris
Team MVP: Shunso Kichida
Team Rookie of the Year: Greg Jackson
Most surprising contribution: Ishihara in relief
Mid-Season Callup with Biggest Impact: Rivera
Outlook: Tempe is much improved and will be very competitive. The pitching staff is vastly improved and will keep Tempe in most games. However, this team is too experienced to make a playoff push but is headed in the right direction.
Prediction between 70-80 wins and something to build on next year
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Tyler
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Team Strength: Offense. Our 3-4-5 workers are George Riley, Jon Wood, and Rob Wright.
Team Weakness: the bullpen could easily still suck
What has to go right: The offense must be the juggernaut it has shown it can be in spring training, averaging 5.75 runs per game.
What can't go wrong: Crete must be the above-average start I'm counting on him to be.
Team Cy Young: Ralph Dean (SP)
Team MVP: George Riley (SS)
Comeback Player of the Year: Will Thomas (RF)
Team Rookie of the Year: Jorge Ortiz (1B/3B)
Most surprising contribution: Kirby Ryan (SP)
Mid-Season Callup with Biggest Impact: Alberto Vega (1B, AAA)
Outlook: Rodriguez Cup. Finishing with 102 wins and taking the second Dixie Division pennant as well.
Team Weakness: the bullpen could easily still suck
What has to go right: The offense must be the juggernaut it has shown it can be in spring training, averaging 5.75 runs per game.
What can't go wrong: Crete must be the above-average start I'm counting on him to be.
Team Cy Young: Ralph Dean (SP)
Team MVP: George Riley (SS)
Comeback Player of the Year: Will Thomas (RF)
Team Rookie of the Year: Jorge Ortiz (1B/3B)
Most surprising contribution: Kirby Ryan (SP)
Mid-Season Callup with Biggest Impact: Alberto Vega (1B, AAA)
Outlook: Rodriguez Cup. Finishing with 102 wins and taking the second Dixie Division pennant as well.
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John
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Team Strength: A balanced core of talented, youthful players on both the hitting and pitching sides
Team Weakness: Youth is a double-edged sword, and this team failed to capitalize on a chance to gain valuable post-season experience last year
What has to go right: Key players need to take the next step in their development - CF Salvador Bernal, SS Naoaki Kichida, LF Aaron Turner, SP Kijuro Kojima
What can't go wrong: Injuries of course, as well as regression from these young players lacking professional track records. Infield depth is flimsy.
Team "Golden Arm" :) : SP George Thompson - Let's hope that work down in Winter Ball paid off!
Team MVP: Thompson
Comeback Player of the Year: SP John "Pep" Roach - A rough season with Yuma last year, but I'm optimistic the change of scenery will do him good
Team Rookie of the Year: C Ching-hsia Chin - He'll split time with Robun Fujimoto, but I believe he has the talent to claim the position for himself before all is said and done
Most surprising contribution: MR Alberto Magana - Mercy, he was awful starting in Tempe last year, but I believe he has a chance to rebound and could be a valuable part of the pen
Mid-Season call-up with the biggest impact: SP Ryuichi Yamauchi - Injures might make this "mid-season" call come much sooner than mid-season
Outlook: It's the balanced attack that makes me most positive about the Borealis's chances this year. With the exception of the left side of the infield, there are reasonable backup options in place to cover an injury or two at pretty much all the positions. The talent is certainly there for a deep run, but the real question is there enough talent to compete in the stacked Desert Hills? Last year I didn't think so (and I was proven right). This year... yes, there just might be. I predict a 93-69 finish, good for 2nd place in the division and a Wild Card berth in the playoffs. After that... well, that's when things will get interesting, I suppose.
Team Weakness: Youth is a double-edged sword, and this team failed to capitalize on a chance to gain valuable post-season experience last year
What has to go right: Key players need to take the next step in their development - CF Salvador Bernal, SS Naoaki Kichida, LF Aaron Turner, SP Kijuro Kojima
What can't go wrong: Injuries of course, as well as regression from these young players lacking professional track records. Infield depth is flimsy.
Team "Golden Arm" :) : SP George Thompson - Let's hope that work down in Winter Ball paid off!
Team MVP: Thompson
Comeback Player of the Year: SP John "Pep" Roach - A rough season with Yuma last year, but I'm optimistic the change of scenery will do him good
Team Rookie of the Year: C Ching-hsia Chin - He'll split time with Robun Fujimoto, but I believe he has the talent to claim the position for himself before all is said and done
Most surprising contribution: MR Alberto Magana - Mercy, he was awful starting in Tempe last year, but I believe he has a chance to rebound and could be a valuable part of the pen
Mid-Season call-up with the biggest impact: SP Ryuichi Yamauchi - Injures might make this "mid-season" call come much sooner than mid-season
Outlook: It's the balanced attack that makes me most positive about the Borealis's chances this year. With the exception of the left side of the infield, there are reasonable backup options in place to cover an injury or two at pretty much all the positions. The talent is certainly there for a deep run, but the real question is there enough talent to compete in the stacked Desert Hills? Last year I didn't think so (and I was proven right). This year... yes, there just might be. I predict a 93-69 finish, good for 2nd place in the division and a Wild Card berth in the playoffs. After that... well, that's when things will get interesting, I suppose.
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Jason
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Team Strength: Strong lineup based more on contact, gap hitting, and speed than on pure mashing although Imada, Fillion, and Adachi could all hit 20+ HR this season.
Team Weakness: Suspect pitching rotation featuring several middle of the rotation type pitchers but no true ace.
What has to go right: Middle of the lineup must drive in runs to make up for the inexperience of Chris Harris and Manuel Rodriguez at the bottom.
What can't go wrong: Bullpen has to hold leads... was middle of the pack last year but must improve to make a playoff push.
Team Cy Young : Antonio Rivera (SP). Looking to come into his own on the mound this season. Improved his shaky control at Winter Ball.
Team MVP: Narahiko Imada (1B). Young Japanese masher looking to take the next step after 30/95 last year.
Comeback Player of the Year: Juan Gonzales (SP). 22 year old was sent to AAA last year where he suffered a season ending injury befroe he was going to be called back up.
Team Rookie of the Year: Chris Harris (3B). Filling the shoes of the departed Ollie Morris, Harris will be looked to to come up with timely hits and play a solid 3rd.
Most surprising contribution: Antonio Delgado (CL). Bounced around the bullpen last season before settling into a middle relief role where he excelled. Now is being called on to close games.
Mid-Season call-up with the biggest impact: Gonzales (SP). Worlds of talent for the fallen lefty, just needs to get healthy and get his feet under him in AAA before coming to the big club.
Outlook: Moncrieff, Rivera, Ageda, Croker, and a player to be named later will form a decent starting staff while Imada, Morse, Fillion and Co. put numbers on the board at a competitive rate. The fate of this team may fall to the revamped bullpen's ability to hold leads at the ends of games. 94 wins and an SL Wild Card berth seem to be a fair forecast for this squad.
Team Weakness: Suspect pitching rotation featuring several middle of the rotation type pitchers but no true ace.
What has to go right: Middle of the lineup must drive in runs to make up for the inexperience of Chris Harris and Manuel Rodriguez at the bottom.
What can't go wrong: Bullpen has to hold leads... was middle of the pack last year but must improve to make a playoff push.
Team Cy Young : Antonio Rivera (SP). Looking to come into his own on the mound this season. Improved his shaky control at Winter Ball.
Team MVP: Narahiko Imada (1B). Young Japanese masher looking to take the next step after 30/95 last year.
Comeback Player of the Year: Juan Gonzales (SP). 22 year old was sent to AAA last year where he suffered a season ending injury befroe he was going to be called back up.
Team Rookie of the Year: Chris Harris (3B). Filling the shoes of the departed Ollie Morris, Harris will be looked to to come up with timely hits and play a solid 3rd.
Most surprising contribution: Antonio Delgado (CL). Bounced around the bullpen last season before settling into a middle relief role where he excelled. Now is being called on to close games.
Mid-Season call-up with the biggest impact: Gonzales (SP). Worlds of talent for the fallen lefty, just needs to get healthy and get his feet under him in AAA before coming to the big club.
Outlook: Moncrieff, Rivera, Ageda, Croker, and a player to be named later will form a decent starting staff while Imada, Morse, Fillion and Co. put numbers on the board at a competitive rate. The fate of this team may fall to the revamped bullpen's ability to hold leads at the ends of games. 94 wins and an SL Wild Card berth seem to be a fair forecast for this squad.
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Coqui
- All-Star
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Team Strength: Nothing spectactular. Neither the pitching nor the offense on this team is all that good. Starting pitching, however, could really step up and be the key. I think we go at least eight deep.
Team Weakness: Offense. George Riley left and took most of the runs with him. This could get a lot worse before it gets better. A lot of youth means some hope for the future.
What has to go right: The offense must somehow score enough to support the pitching.
What can't go wrong: If the starting pitching falters, we lose 100 again.
Team Cy Young : Oscar Holloway (SP) and it isn't even close.
Team MVP: Holloway again. Gerardo Soto, Orlando Valadez, Luis Hernandez and Arron Campbell could eventually win this.
Comeback Player of the Year: I honestly don't see anyone who will improve that much.
Team Rookie of the Year: Ruben Valentin (OF). Plays the outfield well and has the potential to just mash.
Most surprising contribution: Geoffrey Porter (IF). Plays every infield position and does it well. Not rated well but should contribute on the basepaths.
Mid-Season call-up with the biggest impact: Sergio Guillen (SP). A young stud only a strained sphincter from the bigs.
Outlook: An improvement on last year. The starting pitching carries the team and the Longshoremen threaten .500.
Team Weakness: Offense. George Riley left and took most of the runs with him. This could get a lot worse before it gets better. A lot of youth means some hope for the future.
What has to go right: The offense must somehow score enough to support the pitching.
What can't go wrong: If the starting pitching falters, we lose 100 again.
Team Cy Young : Oscar Holloway (SP) and it isn't even close.
Team MVP: Holloway again. Gerardo Soto, Orlando Valadez, Luis Hernandez and Arron Campbell could eventually win this.
Comeback Player of the Year: I honestly don't see anyone who will improve that much.
Team Rookie of the Year: Ruben Valentin (OF). Plays the outfield well and has the potential to just mash.
Most surprising contribution: Geoffrey Porter (IF). Plays every infield position and does it well. Not rated well but should contribute on the basepaths.
Mid-Season call-up with the biggest impact: Sergio Guillen (SP). A young stud only a strained sphincter from the bigs.
Outlook: An improvement on last year. The starting pitching carries the team and the Longshoremen threaten .500.
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Dinosaurs
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Team Strength: bullpen. Despite trading away my closer and primary set up man last season, this is the area of the team that is budding with young, high ceiling talent on the ML squad.
Team Weakness: Starting Pitching. This wasn't a strength going into spring training and with the injury to Encarnacion for most if not all of the season, it didn't get any stronger. At least I've rid myself of the majority of overpriced starters that sucked last season.
What has to go right: Marked improvement from the offense, which is actually possible even though I traded away my second best hitter in Conrad over the offseason. And league avg. pitching.
What can't go wrong: Worse starting pitching than last season, but I've got three rookies in the starting rotation, growing pains can be expected
Team Cy Young: Raul Pinto (CL)
Team MVP: Ramon Flores (1B)
Comeback Player of the Year: Miguel Velasco (SS) make or break year for him.
Team Rookie of the Year: Roman Mendoza (RF/CF)
Most Surprising contribution: Bryan Brown (SP), showed alot in the offseason scouting ratings jump and spring training performances.
Mid-Season-Call-up with the biggest impact: Anastasio Juarez (SP), disappointing spring training led to demotion to AAA, but I have a feeling I haven't seen the last of Juarez in Fargo
Outlook: A few games below .500 would be a step in the right direction, but going to have to get some decent starting pitching to get there. I truly expect the offense to be better with the upgrades at catcher and both middle infield spots.
Team Weakness: Starting Pitching. This wasn't a strength going into spring training and with the injury to Encarnacion for most if not all of the season, it didn't get any stronger. At least I've rid myself of the majority of overpriced starters that sucked last season.
What has to go right: Marked improvement from the offense, which is actually possible even though I traded away my second best hitter in Conrad over the offseason. And league avg. pitching.
What can't go wrong: Worse starting pitching than last season, but I've got three rookies in the starting rotation, growing pains can be expected
Team Cy Young: Raul Pinto (CL)
Team MVP: Ramon Flores (1B)
Comeback Player of the Year: Miguel Velasco (SS) make or break year for him.
Team Rookie of the Year: Roman Mendoza (RF/CF)
Most Surprising contribution: Bryan Brown (SP), showed alot in the offseason scouting ratings jump and spring training performances.
Mid-Season-Call-up with the biggest impact: Anastasio Juarez (SP), disappointing spring training led to demotion to AAA, but I have a feeling I haven't seen the last of Juarez in Fargo
Outlook: A few games below .500 would be a step in the right direction, but going to have to get some decent starting pitching to get there. I truly expect the offense to be better with the upgrades at catcher and both middle infield spots.
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Badgers
Team Strength: Offense. This year they have started off great, much different from last year.
Team Weakness: Bullpen. I have high expectations for the closer role, but otherwise, the rest are on shaky ground.
What has to go right: The young guys need to step up. This teams survival is based off of their production.
What can't go wrong: The offense has to score. Last year's performance wasn't acceptable.
Team Cy Young: Takamori Tanaka
Team MVP: Miguel Lleua
Comeback Player of the Year: Miguel Lleua
Team Rookie of the Year: Ken Brooks
Most Surprising contribution: Theron Palmer
Mid-Season-Call-up with the biggest impact: George Taylor. So far Cordova has been injured quite often, and Taylor might have to step up to the plate.
Outlook: I can confidently say that the Nutmeggers will finish not only over .500, but within .010 of .600. This teams youth will be masked by its veteran like performances.
Team Weakness: Bullpen. I have high expectations for the closer role, but otherwise, the rest are on shaky ground.
What has to go right: The young guys need to step up. This teams survival is based off of their production.
What can't go wrong: The offense has to score. Last year's performance wasn't acceptable.
Team Cy Young: Takamori Tanaka
Team MVP: Miguel Lleua
Comeback Player of the Year: Miguel Lleua
Team Rookie of the Year: Ken Brooks
Most Surprising contribution: Theron Palmer
Mid-Season-Call-up with the biggest impact: George Taylor. So far Cordova has been injured quite often, and Taylor might have to step up to the plate.
Outlook: I can confidently say that the Nutmeggers will finish not only over .500, but within .010 of .600. This teams youth will be masked by its veteran like performances.
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Denny
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Team Strength: As usual, it's the brute force offense that piles up enough runs to outscore the enemy.
Team Weakness: As usual, it's the starting rotation other than Felipe Lara, MacGyvered together with rubber bands and baling wire. Oh, and the catchers; I've honestly never really bothered trying to improve that spot.
What has to go right: The bullpen (upgraded last year at midseason and a bit more over the winter) has to hold the fort long enough for the offense to win it in the late innings. Also, the retooled corner OF positions will probably see a bit of dropoff in production compared to Frazier and Erickson last year, but they have to come fairly close.
What can't go wrong: Well, if a good chunk of the team continues to hit below the Mendoza Line, we may be in trouble.
Team Cy Young : Felipe Lara (SP). The cocky Chilean is once again the only true threat in the Palm Springs rotation.
Team MVP: John Gustafson (CF). It would be nice to say "Ollie Morris" here, but until Owe-More does something in the postseason I'll go with our other five-star guy.
Comeback Player of the Year: Donnie Sutton (RF). OK, he didn't actually play for Palm Springs last year, but I am hoping he will put up better numbers in the friendly (for lefties) confines of Elderberry Field than he did in Florida.
Team Rookie of the Year: Christian Butler (ML). There's not many guys to pick from here, as the Codgers are tending to live up to their name, but I expect Dracula to take a bite out of the opposition (sorry...) as he is groomed to take over the closer spot in 2009 or 2010.
Most surprising contribution: Mushanokoji Furukawa (DH). "Mush" is only rated two stars nowadays, but he always seems to come through with the timely hit when necessary.
Mid-Season call-up with the biggest impact: Keitaro Nakayama (1B). He's essentially major-league ready right now, just needs the logjam ahead of him cleared. If I ever get around to trading Martin Hayes it could happen.
Outlook: As usual, I predict my club will win it all
Probably up through the wild-card back door again like last year, heh.
Team Weakness: As usual, it's the starting rotation other than Felipe Lara, MacGyvered together with rubber bands and baling wire. Oh, and the catchers; I've honestly never really bothered trying to improve that spot.
What has to go right: The bullpen (upgraded last year at midseason and a bit more over the winter) has to hold the fort long enough for the offense to win it in the late innings. Also, the retooled corner OF positions will probably see a bit of dropoff in production compared to Frazier and Erickson last year, but they have to come fairly close.
What can't go wrong: Well, if a good chunk of the team continues to hit below the Mendoza Line, we may be in trouble.
Team Cy Young : Felipe Lara (SP). The cocky Chilean is once again the only true threat in the Palm Springs rotation.
Team MVP: John Gustafson (CF). It would be nice to say "Ollie Morris" here, but until Owe-More does something in the postseason I'll go with our other five-star guy.
Comeback Player of the Year: Donnie Sutton (RF). OK, he didn't actually play for Palm Springs last year, but I am hoping he will put up better numbers in the friendly (for lefties) confines of Elderberry Field than he did in Florida.
Team Rookie of the Year: Christian Butler (ML). There's not many guys to pick from here, as the Codgers are tending to live up to their name, but I expect Dracula to take a bite out of the opposition (sorry...) as he is groomed to take over the closer spot in 2009 or 2010.
Most surprising contribution: Mushanokoji Furukawa (DH). "Mush" is only rated two stars nowadays, but he always seems to come through with the timely hit when necessary.
Mid-Season call-up with the biggest impact: Keitaro Nakayama (1B). He's essentially major-league ready right now, just needs the logjam ahead of him cleared. If I ever get around to trading Martin Hayes it could happen.
Outlook: As usual, I predict my club will win it all
Probably up through the wild-card back door again like last year, heh.-
John
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Just make sure not to play him during day games. And watch his temperament on the mound... he tends to turn a little "bat"-ty sometimes.Codgers wrote:Team Rookie of the Year: Christian Butler (ML). There's not many guys to pick from here, as the Codgers are tending to live up to their name, but I expect Dracula to take a bite out of the opposition (sorry...) as he is groomed to take over the closer spot in 2009 or 2010.
*rimshot* Thank you, I'll be here all week! Enjoy Tony Bennett, and try the shrimp cocktail!
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Sandgnats (Bill)
Team Strength: Undoubtedly our pitching staff. Our rotation is so strong that our # 5 starter, Floyd Jackson, has SISA ratings of 64-38-41 (64-46-47 by Head scout)with 75% GB. Our bullpen is very strong as well. I’m writing this after 22 games have passed and incredibly the pen has stacked up 9 wins and 15 saves! They earned us (5) 1-run wins this last sim alone!!
Team Weakness: Offense (although upgraded from 2007) is still below average and we do not have great offensive depth at all.
What has to go right: STAY HEALTHY! 1 injury at a time is manageable, but simultaneous offensive injuries could severly hurt this team. New Sandgnats-Mark Frazier, Manny Lopez, and P.J. Thomasmust produce near their capabilities and we'll be in great shape.
What can't go wrong: We cannot sustain multiple offensive injuries and succeed this year. We cannot go back to back playoff games without scoring a run!
Team Cy Young: Nelson ’Nails’ Anderson
Team MVP: Nelson ’Nails’ Anderson
Comeback Player of the Year: A little strange since this is our second year, but Si-on Yi(SS)
Team Rookie of the Year: Norberto ‘Pickles’ Pacheco(SP). Nobody knows about this guy, but you will by the end of the season!
Most surprising contribution: Floyd JacksonML #5 starter
Mid-Season Callup with Biggest Impact: Not a lot of room on the ML squad for callups, but Carlos Riveraat AAA is too good to keep down there.
Outlook: I am very confident in this 2008 team. Pitching is extremely solid. Offense is not powerful, but adequate. If several hitters get hot at once, we can dominate for a while. But, our overall success clearly hangs on the pitching. I convinced my partner(Dean) to spend some more this year and go for it as we have several back loaded contracts. So, being this good in 2009 will prove to be extremely difficult. It will be quite the challenge to fight off the Badgers of Kalamazoo. Honestly, if we’re ever going to win it all though, this year will be our best opportunity. I’m pretty confident we can grab close to 95-100 wins. Our rotation is made for playoff baseball. We will have a playoff birth and should be able to hang in there with SL’s best. So, we have a good a shot as any team to win the Rodriguez cup! GO SL!
Team Weakness: Offense (although upgraded from 2007) is still below average and we do not have great offensive depth at all.
What has to go right: STAY HEALTHY! 1 injury at a time is manageable, but simultaneous offensive injuries could severly hurt this team. New Sandgnats-Mark Frazier, Manny Lopez, and P.J. Thomasmust produce near their capabilities and we'll be in great shape.
What can't go wrong: We cannot sustain multiple offensive injuries and succeed this year. We cannot go back to back playoff games without scoring a run!
Team Cy Young: Nelson ’Nails’ Anderson
Team MVP: Nelson ’Nails’ Anderson
Comeback Player of the Year: A little strange since this is our second year, but Si-on Yi(SS)
Team Rookie of the Year: Norberto ‘Pickles’ Pacheco(SP). Nobody knows about this guy, but you will by the end of the season!
Most surprising contribution: Floyd JacksonML #5 starter
Mid-Season Callup with Biggest Impact: Not a lot of room on the ML squad for callups, but Carlos Riveraat AAA is too good to keep down there.
Outlook: I am very confident in this 2008 team. Pitching is extremely solid. Offense is not powerful, but adequate. If several hitters get hot at once, we can dominate for a while. But, our overall success clearly hangs on the pitching. I convinced my partner(Dean) to spend some more this year and go for it as we have several back loaded contracts. So, being this good in 2009 will prove to be extremely difficult. It will be quite the challenge to fight off the Badgers of Kalamazoo. Honestly, if we’re ever going to win it all though, this year will be our best opportunity. I’m pretty confident we can grab close to 95-100 wins. Our rotation is made for playoff baseball. We will have a playoff birth and should be able to hang in there with SL’s best. So, we have a good a shot as any team to win the Rodriguez cup! GO SL!
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John
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Oh, I know about him... I've been watching him tear up the league since Spring Training (where he allowed a measly 1 run in 12 innings). With a 2.55 ERA after four starts and a K/BB ratio of over 5:1, "Pickles" is shaping up as one of the most impactful adds of the off-season. My only quibble would be that I'd like to see him pitching deeper into games, which he did in his last start against Canton (7 IP, no runs, 3 hits, 1 BB, 9 K in a winning effort). Gnats fans should be tickled about "Pickles" (ugh)!Sandgnats (Bill) wrote:Team Rookie of the Year: Norberto ‘Pickles’ Pacheco(SP). Nobody knows about this guy, but you will by the end of the season!
Of course, at 30 years old he's only a rookie in the Ichiro sense of the word.