Conference: Patriot
Division: Central
2009 Record: 91-71, 2nd Place
Typical Lineup:
1B Joey Votto/Aubrey Huff
2B Ian Kinsler
SS Elvis Andrus/Reid Brignac
3B Alex Rodriguez/Michael Young
LF Johnny Damon
CF Randy Winn
RF David Murphy/Josh Anderson
C Kurt Suzuki/Dioner Navarro
DH Aubrey Huff/Michael Young/Alex Rodriguez
Votto, Kinsler, A-Rod and Young are spectacular, but the outfield is mediocre at best, and the fewer AB to Dioner Navarro, the better. Defensively, it looks pretty good, except in LF with Damon.
Starting Rotation:
Josh Johnson
John Danks
Joe Blanton
Ricky Nolasco
Jake Peavy/Mark Rzepczynski
Wade Davis/John Niese/Chris Young
It's better than all the names makes it look, although having nine guys who can start is something to be envious of. Johnson is an ace and Danks is better than average. Blanton and Nolasco are effective innings munchers, and the combinations of Peavy and Rzepczynski and the Davis/Niese/Young will get people out.
Bullpen:
Craig Breslow
Tim Byrdak
Darren O'Day
Jose Valverde
Sean White
Great versatility with O'Day coming sidearm from the right side and Byrdak missing a lot of lefty bats, plus Breslow and White getting righties out and Valverde also able to close. This is a major strength.
Closer:
Francisco Cordero
Better than average and should be in a lot of games.
Minors:
Jason Heyward
Will Myers
Michael Taylor
Jaff Decker
Heyward is ready now and will move right into the Fishflies weak RF spot and put up big numbers. Taylor, Myers, and Decker are longer-range prospects that can all play. The lack of pitching prospects is probably a conscious strategy, and shouldn't be a problem in the short term.
The nine starters, the bullpen, and the stars in the infield will carry the Fishflies to a lot of wins. I expect them to take the division, and then bow out gracefully to the Chuggers in round one of the playoffs.
Expected Record: 96-66
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