TBA 2012 Predictions: Baines Division

This is Part II of a IV part series. For Part I please click here

Baines Division


1) San Antonio

This division race will go down to the wire but the Alamos may have enough to capture their second division title. While the offense may be lacking a bit San An management believes their pitching is strong enough to lead them deep into October. Ace Clayton Kershaw has matured and is probably the best pitcher in the league not named Justin Verlander. Kershaw is followed in the rotation by four strong rotation mates including rookie Ryan Vogelsong. Newcomer Paul Konerko and Lance Berkman will provide most of the offensive firepower with star center-fielder Andrew McCutchen leading off. JJ Putz was brought over to San An in an off-season trade with Napa and displaces Carlos Marmol as the closer.

Projected Lineup:

C: Miguel Montero/Chris Iannetta
1B: Paul Konerko
2B: Chase Utley/Ryan Roberts
3B: Ryan Roberts/Alberto Callaspo
SS: Alcides Escobar
LF: Lance Berkman/Jason Bay
CF: Andrew McCutchen
RF: Josh Reddick/Jon Jay
DH: Travis Hafner/Lance Berkman

Projected Rotation/Closer:


SP: Clayton Kershaw
SP: Shaun Marcum
SP: Josh Beckett
SP: Ryan Vogelsong
SP: Mike Leake
CL: JJ Putz


2) Vero Beach

While the San An pitching staff may be good, the Bums staff is even better. Verlander, Jered Weaver, and CJ Wilson make up the best top three in the TBA. Former LHL Cy Young award winner Javier Vazquez and Matt Harrison round out the rotation although they are good enough to lead some other teams rotations. The bullpen is lead by Joel Peralta, Mark Melancon, and Francisco Rodriguez. Their lineup features standout players such as Brian McCann, Brandon Phillips, and Michael Young as they attempt to make it back to the TBA playoffs for the fourth consecutive year.

Projected Lineup:

C: Brian McCann
1B: Victor Martinez
2B: Brandon Phillips
3B: Michael Young
SS: Yunel Escobar
LF: Will Venable/Nelson Cruz
CF: BJ Upton
RF: Torii Hunter
DH: Edwin Encarnacion

Projected Rotation/Closer:


SP: Justin Verlander
SP: Jered Weaver
SP: CJ Wilson
SP: Javier Vazquez
SP: Matt Harrison
CL: Francisco Rodriguez


3) Halifax

The Mooseheads knocked on the door last year but ultimately fell just short of obtaining the second wild card spot. This year they are on a mission to reverse that. Slugger Jose Bautista leads the best offense in the division. Joining him are a healthy Jacoby Ellsbury, Starlin Castro, rookie Desmond Jennings, and Aramis Ramirez. Roy Halladay once again leads this rotation and will be looking to rebound from a 12-15 season last year. Mike Adams is the best relief ace in the EML and will shut down any fires that arise. Along with Adams, Jason Motte, David Hernandez, Chris Sale, and Casey Janssen easily give them the best bullpen in the league. Look for Halifax to challenge for the division title. I would not be surprised to see the Baines division wind up with three teams over 90 victories this season.

Projected Lineup:

C: Jonathan Lucroy/JP Arencibia
1B: Adam Lind/Miguel Cairo
2B: Aaron Hill
3B: Chase Headley
SS: Starlin Castro
LF: Desmond Jennings/Brent Lillibridge
CF: Jacoby Ellsbury
RF: Jose Bautista
DH: Aramis Ramirez

Projected Rotation/Closer:


SP: Roy Halladay
SP: Cory Luebke
SP: Bud Norris
SP: Chris Narveson
SP: Brandon Morrow
CL: Jason Motte


4) Kansas City

Last year the Bashers surprised everyone by taking three straight games from Vero Beach in the playoffs after losing the first two in the series. That's where the surprise party ended as they were swept by a strong  Marines team. This year they are expecting to go back to the EMLCS, especially after acquiring Ian Kinsler. Ryan Braun will once again lead the offense with Alex Gordon, Alex Avila, Brett Gardner, and of course Kinsler. The top two men in the rotation James Shields and Gio Gonzalez will not be easy to beat but the rotation falls off a bit after that. I believe they will need to upgrade the back end of the rotation to make it back to the playoffs as they will need to at least break into the top 3 in the division and even then that might be enough.

Projected Lineup:

C: Alex Avila
1B: Brett Wallace/Carlos Lee
2B: Ian Kinsler
3B: Scott Rolen/David Freese
SS: Dee Gordon/Ian Desmond
LF: Ryan Braun
CF: Brett Gardner
RF: Alex Gordon
DH: Vladimir Guerrero/Hideki Matsui

Projected Rotation/Closer:


SP: James Shields
SP: Gio Gonzalez
SP: Derek Holland
SP: Aaron Harang
SP: Bartolo Colon
CL: Brian Wilson


5) Helena

Helena finished in last place last season and unfortunately it could be more of the same in 2012. However new addition Dustin Ackley should provide an immediate spark to an offense that scored a league worst 657 runs last season. They were also able to add rightfielder Nick Markakis. Improvements from Peter Bourjos and Casey Kotchman will add to an improved offense. The pitching rotation is where this team will need the most help if they want to compete this season. RA Dickey is the ace of the staff and he just does not fall on the same level as the #1s from the other four teams in the division. A strong bullpen led by Rafael Betancourt should provide the relief and could keep this team in contention late in the year.

Projected Lineup:

C: John Buck/Jason Varitek
1B: Casey Kotchman
2B: Dustin Ackley/Omar Infante
3B: Adrian Beltre
SS: Jason Bartlett
LF: Andre Ethier/Austin Jackson
CF: Peter Bourjos
RF: Nick Markakis
DH: Billy Butler

Projected Rotation/Closer:


SP: RA Dickey
SP: Jaime Garcia
SP: Chad Billingsley
SP: Jason Vargas
SP: Kevin Correia
CL: Rafael Betancourt