TEAM EVALUATIONS: MILLERS

Team: Millers

Conference: Patriot

Division: Central

2009 Record: 85-77, 4th place (as Stars)

Typical lineup:

1B Kendry Morales

2B Adam Kennedy

SS Orlando Cabrera

3B Mike Lowell

LF Curtis Granderson

CF Torii Hunter

RF Jermaine Dye/Nate McLouth

C Ryan Doumit/Ronny Paulino/Yorvit Torrealba

DH David Ortiz/Jermain Dye

This is a pretty balanced lineup with good depth in the outfield.  The team OPS is amazingly similar to the Derelicts, and even a bit lower.  The defense looks very strong across the board, except maybe behind the plate.  Torrealba is the only good defender of the three, and he won't get the bulk of the playing time.

Starting Rotation:

Roy Halladay

Bronson Arroyo

Carlos Zambrano

Nick Blackburn

Tommie Hanson/Brad Bergesen

A very strong top half, led by perennial All-Star Halladay, and a bottom half that will still get people out.  Hanson may become the #2 guy as soon as next year.

Bullpen:

Tyler Clippard

Todd Coffey

Pedro Feliciano

Frank Francisco

Angel Guzman

Joe Thatcher

Closer:

Rafael Soriano

The pen is an embarrassment of riches.  It will be very difficult to come back against these guys.  Soriano might have some homer issues, but he's generally lights out.

Minors:

Billy Wagner

J.R. Towles

The Millers are built to contend now.

Pitching will be the key to the Millers success this year, and it should be a pretty good year.  Halladay will probably win 20, with Soriano saving at least 30 behind a strong set-up staff.  The offense is not championship caliber, though, and even though the Millers may vie for a playoff spot, I can't see them going far.

Predicted Record: 90-72