Sunday, March 20, 2011

Season 20 Preview - AL North

FARGFARGO:
FA signings: Luis James (closer), Orlando Molina (3B/IF), Sammy Mesa (OF), JR Hamelin (SS)

James is merely the best closer in the history of all HBD. Maybe his most special quality at this point is that his ratings really haven’t taken a hit with his age (37).
Molina and Mesa are both vets in their mid-30’s, but can still be effective role players on the right team.
Hamelin looks to be an effective fielding SS, albeit with a below average glove for the position. Although signed to a $3.5m contract, he has not played above AA.

Trade Acquisitions: Jamey Williams (SP), Richard Tanaka (3B)
Williams is in his prime and could challenge for the Cy Young in the AL. Tanaka, only 24, is the prototypical third basemen with power, but with the added bonus of playing excellent defense.

Losses: Felix Suppan, Midre Owen, Brian Yosida

Last season: 79-83, 2nd place in the AL North
Runs: 747 (14th in AL)
ERA: 4.34 (7th in AL)
Fielding: .983 (11th in AL) 56/33 +/-

Conclusion: With the addition of Williams and James, finishing below .500 again is an unlikely outcome. The offense needs to pick it up and Tanaka at 3rd should help replace the departing Suppan. There are 2-3 high quality players in AAA that may begin with the team or contribute as the season progresses. They may be the factor that wrests the division away from Buffalo.




BUFFALO:
FA Signings: Deion Long (P)
A quiet off-season for the reigning division champs, Long is a 36 year old SP most recently with Atlanta.

Trade Acquisitions: None

Losses: Rodney Franklin, BC Cabrera

Last season: 85-77, 1st place in AL North
Runs: 844 (5th)
ERA: 4.58 (10th)
Fielding: .982 (12th) 32/84 +/-

Conclusion: Not much has changed with Buffalo and that may not be a good thing as Fargo looks poised to do something about the Bulldozers championship.



PHILADELPHIA:
FA Signings: Don Matheson ( C),
Matheson is a solid backstop, but not much more. The 33 year old signed for $7m over 2 years.

Trade Acquisitions: Sidney Tessmer (SP), Yorman Rijo (OF), Tony Porter (OF)
Tessmer is a top of the rotation SP, and should immediately help a struggling staff. The 2 position players are both young and should contribute.

Losses: Scott Prior (DH), Roy Morgan (P)

Last season: 61-101, 4th place AL North
Runs: 824 (8th)
ERA: 6.23 (13th)
Fielding: .978 (13th) 22/100 +/1

Conclusion: The run production looks to remain roughly the same. The addition of Tessmer would be huge to any staff, but is especially important to the lackluster Hawks squad. However, it’s not likely to make impact in the standings, especially with so few prospects in AAA.



DETROIT:
FA Signings: David Dong (1B/LF)
Dong looks to platoon with Marty Steele - that’s right, a Steele/Dong combo worthy of Burroughs (or Becker and Fagen).

Trade Acquisitions: Chris Mayer (RP), Damion Tabaka (RP), Lon Hampton (SP), PT Rosario (2B), Nigel Walker (SS)
Busy on the trade front but not in free agency, the North Stars will have some new faces for season 20. Mayer (a lefty) was swapped to Jacksonville for a similar RH closer. Tabaka has not pitched in the majors but looks to hold down a setup B role. Hampton is a veteren RH SP who may have control issues, but he should pitch a lot of innings. Rosario hopes to steal 100 bases again, while Walker looks to improve defense at the SS position.

Losses: Marcus Simontacchi (SP), Wayne Barrett (SP), Chipper James (2B), Lenny Small (OF), Ramon Ryu (SS/3B)

Last Season: 78-84, 3rd place AL North
Runs: 834 (7th)
ERA: 4.88 (11th)
Fielding: .986 (T4th) 70/32 +/-

Conclusion: The bullpen looks strong, and the rotation looks a little better as well so maybe the pitching will do well enough to improve upon last seasons’ franchise worst record. The lineup composition is different but not radically so.

Hypno’s Projected Order of Finish:
1. Fargo
2. Buffalo
3. Detroit
4. PhillyO:
FA signings: Luis James (closer), Orlando Molina (3B/IF), Sammy Mesa (OF), JR Hamelin (SS)

James is merely the best closer in the history of all HBD. Maybe his most special quality at this point is that his ratings really haven’t taken a hit with his age (37).
Molina and Mesa are both vets in their mid-30’s, but can still be effective role players on the right team.
Hamelin looks to be an effective fielding SS, albeit with a below average glove for the position. Although signed to a $3.5m contract, he has not played above AA.

Trade Acquisitions: Jamey Williams (SP), Richard Tanaka (3B)
Williams is in his prime and could challenge for the Cy Young in the AL. Tanaka, only 24, is the prototypical third basemen with power, but with the added bonus of playing excellent defense.

Losses: Felix Suppan, Midre Owen, Brian Yosida

Last season: 79-83, 2nd place in the AL North
Runs: 747 (14th in AL)
ERA: 4.34 (7th in AL)
Fielding: .983 (11th in AL) 56/33 +/-

Conclusion: With the addition of Williams and James, finishing below .500 again is an unlikely outcome. The offense needs to pick it up and Tanaka at 3rd should help replace Suppan. There are 2-3 high quality players in AAA that may begin with the team or contribute as the season progresses. They may be the factor that wrests the division away from Buffalo.

BUFFALO:
FA Signings: Deion Long (P)
A quiet off-season for the reigning division champs, Long is a 36 year old SP most recently with Atlanta.

Trade Acquisitions: None

Losses: Rodney Franklin, BC Cabrera

Last season: 85-77, 1st place in AL North
Runs: 844 (5th)
ERA: 4.58 (10th)
Fielding: .982 (12th) 32/84 +/-

Conclusion: Not much has changed with Buffalo and that may not be a good thing as Fargo looks poised to do something about the Bulldozers championship.



PHILADELPHIA:
FA Signings: Don Matheson ( C),
Matheson is a solid backstop, but not much more. The 33 year old signed for $7m over 2 years.

Trade Acquisitions: Sidney Tessmer (SP), Yorman Rijo (OF), Tony Porter (OF)
Tessmer is a top of the rotation SP, and should immediately help a struggling staff. The 2 position players are both young and should contribute.

Losses: Scott Prior (DH), Roy Morgan (P)

Last season: 61-101, 4th place AL North
Runs: 824 (8th)
ERA: 6.23 (13th)
Fielding: .978 (13th) 22/100 +/1

Conclusion: The run production looks to remain roughly the same. The addition of Tessmer would be huge to any staff, but is especially important to the lackluster Hawks squad. However, it’s not likely to make impact in the standings, especially with so few prospects in AAA.



DETROIT:
FA Signings: David Dong (1B/LF)
Dong looks to platoon with Marty Steele - that’s right, a Steele/Dong combo worthy of Burroughs (or Becker and Fagen).

Trade Acquisitions: Chris Mayer (RP), Damion Tabaka (RP), Lon Hampton (SP), PT Rosario (2B), Nigel Walker (SS)
Busy on the trade front but not in free agency, the North Stars will have some new faces for season 20. Mayer (a lefty) was swapped to Jacksonville for a similar RH closer. Tabaka has not pitched in the majors but looks to hold down a setup B role. Hampton is a veteran RH SP who may have control issues, but he should pitch a lot of innings. Rosario hopes to steal 100 bases again, while Walker looks to improve defense at the SS position.

Losses: Marcus Simontacchi (SP), Wayne Barrett (SP), Chipper James (2B), Lenny Small (OF), Ramon Ryu (SS/3B)

Last Season: 78-84, 3rd place AL North
Runs: 834 (7th)
ERA: 4.88 (11th)
Fielding: .986 (T4th) 70/32 +/-

Conclusion: The bullpen looks strong, and the rotation looks a little better as well so maybe the pitching will do well enough to improve upon last seasons’ franchise worst record. The lineup composition is different but not radically so they shouldn't do any worse on offense.

Hypno’s Projected Order of Finish:
1. Fargo
2. Buffalo
3. Detroit
4. Philly

No comments: