Offensive Outlook: Slightly Above Average
This is a group that will clearly be led by a very good outfield group. I think Werth, Heyward, Rasmus and Davis provide a great, diverse skill set and will keep this team in contention on offense most weeks. I would expect further improvement from both Heyward and Rasmus this season as they continue to mature. Also the combo of Mauer and Pedroia is as good as it gets at their respective positions. If it weren't for a general lack of even league-average production at key spots like 1B, 3B, SS and DH, this might have been one of the better offenses. This team will likely compete in average, runs, and runs batted in. They will probably struggle in steals, HR and BB most weeks.
Pitching Outlook: Slightly Above Average
Two weeks ago this may have been the best pitching staff in the league, but Wainright's injury really hurt them. With both Wainright and Strassburg on the DL for most or all of the year, the Bulls' SP depth took a major hit. Still, it's hard not to like the 1-2 punch of Lester/Latos, and Marcum/Hughes are both pretty darned good too. The key to this rotation will be the #5 spot - there are rumors the Giants might cut Zito in the spring, which would leave Femmel in the unenviable position of counting on Drabek and Hunter week-to-week. I'm not in love with the pen. No one knows what roles Sale and Ogando will play and Jenks is buried in a deep bullpen. Marshall and Rhodes are both solid. I figure this pitching staff will be very competitive in wins, ERA, WHIP and K. I think they will struggle in holds and saves.
Depth Outlook: Iffy
Not a lot of proven, quality depth on the offensive side. The fact is, no one really knows what to expect from guys like Freeman, Freese, Ramos and Lowrie. Even Podsednik's role is in question. If I'm Femmel, I drop the extra MRP and start trolling for SP depth right now.
3. Gaylord Dingers (Great Lakes Division Champions, #3 Playoff Seed)
Offensive Outlook: Slightly Above Average
If you just look at names, the offense looks like a juggernaut. But this isn't 2005 anymore. There are major injury and production concerns swirling around guys like Aramis Ramirez, Posada, Beltran, Furcal, Pena and Roberts. I do think Ramirez, Furcal and Roberts bounce back, but I'm not sold on Beltran's knees and Posada could lose AB's to Montero as the season wears on. Pena will be a big wild card for this offense. I'm not convinced the outfield will hit for enough power for this team to advance much beyond the first round of the playoffs if it remains as-is, which means they will need production from Willingham. Still, this team will compete in average, RBI, runs, walks and SB week to week. I think they struggle in HR.
Pitching Outlook: Average
It looks like Wagner attended the "Mike Reynolds School of Building a Rotation" during the winter. Outside of Cole Hamel and maybe AJ Burnett (and that's a reach), nothing really stands out here. Kennedy could take another step forward this season, but Kuroda and Zambrano are basically league average innings eaters. The bullpen is excellent. K-Rod, Street, and Soria give him the best 3-headed closing combo in the league, and Bard and Betancourt are very good set-up men. If it weren't for the bullpen, this pitching staff would be a mess. As it stands, they will compete in ERA, wins, strikeouts, holds and saves every week. WHIP could be a problem.
Depth Outlook: Decent
Wagner has a ton of infield depth, which is something most lack, but has virtually no outfield depth. He will probably find himself rotating Wilingham and Beltran from the lineup to the DL on a regular basis. The pitching depth is interesting - loaded with solid relievers, and really only two questionable SP to backup a questionable rotation. He will have problems with his pitching all season.
2. Springfield FLying Squirrels of Republic (West Division Champions, #2 Seed)
Offensive Outlook: Explosive
This is a group that has a track record for producing power, speed, average and walks. There is a nice balance of proven vets (Morneau, Uggla, Rollins, Abreu, Beltre), young studs (Bruce, Upton, Montero), and even a solid bounce-back candidate. Assuming they remain healthy, this group will be extremely competitive in nearly every category. In my opinion, Morneau's health will play a huge role in how successful this team is.
Pitching Outlook: High-Risk
Hard to argue with CC and Liriano, but the rest of the starters are every bit as risky and unknown as those two are good. You have to figure Anson has to hit on one of Hellickson, Chacin and Wood - I'm betting on Hellickson. I also think the odds are pretty good that one of Wood and Chacin will likely struggle - I'm betting on Wood. It's a huge risk starting all three. The bullpen is decent, but not great. In my opinion, this team will probably experience its struggles with saves, WHIP and possible ERA much of the season.
Depth Outlook: Thin
Not a ton of infield depth here - quality or otherwise. If Beltre, Prado, Rollins or Morneau misses a lot of time, this team is in trouble. I do like the OF depth. I think Anson will use Garland and Davis more than he expects this season.
1. Rochester Red Sox (East Division Champions, #1 Seed)
Offensive Outlook: Dynamic
Rich has what I think is the most dynamic, diverse offense in the league. His lineup is loaded with power and speed, he should score and drive in a ton of runs, and hit for a decent average. He has well above average players at four of five infield spots and three stud outfielders to carry the offense. One category he will struggle with is walks, as he only has one hitter who drew more than 70 walks in 2010. It's my belief that Mark Reynolds and Brignac will drag down the batting average and I'm not convinced Coghlan is a legitimate fantasy starter.
Pitching Outlook:
I have mixed feeling about the starting rotation. Obviously, it's hard not to like Kershaw, Anderson and Haren. It's reasonable to expect at least modest improvements in Kershaw and Anderson as they mature. Haren struggled in 2010, but will benefit from pitching half his games in Anaheim. In my opinion, the days of Lowe and Beckett being anything more than serviceable fantasy pitchers are gone. I think there will be a good number of wins and strikeouts from this quintet, but I believe Beckett and Lowe will drag down the WHIP and ERA. The bullpen is decent, but not great. Axford needs to prove he's for real, no one knows Kimbrell's role in ATL, Capps will probably be setting up by the All Star break, and Massett and Belisle are solid. I think this group will compete in holds week to week, but will find saves hard to come by later in the season.
Depth Outlook: Thin
Rich could have as many as three dead spots on this roster with Cabrera, Brantley and Trout riding the pine. Barton is solid and should probably be DH'ing to help with the walks. Betancourt and Valencia should be able to help out in short stints. I like Peavy and Westbrook on the bench - I think Peavy is an excellent sleeper this season. Rich might consider releasing Zumaya and picking up another SP for extra depth.
No comments:
Post a Comment