Off-Season Decisions: San Antonio

9:10 November 4-San Antonio
 
After a regular season in which the Alamos took home the Edgar Martinez League's best record they were rudely ousted by their division rival Vero Beach Bums in 5 games in the EMLDS. With a number of roster concerns, owner John Garcia will be challenged to get this team back in a position to compete next season. Let's take a look at the upcoming roster decisions needed to be made along with comments from Garcia's conference.

Catcher: Starting catcher Miguel Montero is only 26 and despite injury concerns has Garcia's confidence as the franchise catcher. Chris Iannetta will again be the right-handed complement for Montero. The youngster Josh Thole is the big question-mark. He played excellent in limited time down the stretch for the Alamos but there might not be enough room on the roster for him next season. Garcia admitted he would listen to offers for Montero but if he is moved it would most likely need to be apart of a larger deal. Thole has already been mentioned around the league by the Alamos and the phones are open listening to offers for him.

First Base: James Loney and Lance Berkman are both not guaranteed to return next year and Garcia has said he is listening to offers for both of them.

Second Base: Chase Utley just came in at the trade deadline last season and would like to remain with the team next season. Despite a poor post-season he remains one of the top second baseman in the game and unless Alamos management get a variety of top young talent Utley should be back in San Antonio next year.

Third Base: Scott Rolen somehow keeps improving at age 35 and next year will be one of the top third baseman in baseball. However at his age the Alamos are set on dealing him. Garcia will be listening to any and all offers concerning the Gold Glover. Unless the Alamos bring in a new third baseman it seems Alberto Callaspo will be manning third next year.

Shortstop: Miguel Tejada looks like he is at the end of his tenure in San An. "Miggy", a fan favorite, will likely be shopped this off-season as Alcides Escobar becomes the full-time shortstop. Escobar's bat is a big question mark but Garcia made it clear that they are looking to get younger and more athletic meaning the job should be Escobar's at this point.

Left Field: The biggest certainty of this roster is that Jason Bay will be starting in left next year for the Alamos. Bay has been the Alamos leader these past two seasons and unless blown away with an offer will be an Alamo next season.

Center Field- And here's the biggest question mark for the team. Mike Cameron will not be re-signed leaving a huge hole in the Alamos lineup. Fernando Martinez and Jordan Schafer are not close to ready to take over yet and JD Drew has lost enough speed where center field is out of the question. The Alamos could look to the draft for a replacement but without a first round pick will most likely search for trade options instead.

Right Field- JD Drew and Kosuke Fukudome are the incumbents here and, as has been the case as almost every other position, are both in their mid-30s. It's very likely one of them get traded if not both. Drew won the 2010 Davy Crockett Award, given to the Alamos Most Valuable Player, but will be dealt if the right deal comes along.

Designated Hitter- Brad Hawpe was the DH mainstay in the lineup last season but it does not look as if the Alamos will renew his contract. If they do trade him or decide not to keep him, Travis Hafner will take over. Hafner has had injury problems the past two season but if healthy could be a big part of the San An lineup.

Rotation: Youngsters Clayton Kershaw and Jair Jurrjens remain some of the top young pitchers in the league and will continue to anchor this rotation in 2011. Joel Pineiro pitched great for the Alamos last year and should be back as well. The rest of the rotation is a little murky. Andy Pettitte has struggled as an Alamo these past two years and reportedly wants out. This team is on the way down and Pettitte wants to go to a contender next year for a shot at the TBA Championship. If he does get dealt, that leaves JA Happ and Chris Volstad. Neither are guaranteed roles with the team as their names have been mentioned in trade talk but would be solid #4/5 options if needed.

Bullpen: Despite a year in which he was sent to AAA to work out some control issues, Carlos Marmol will be back at closer next year. He was discussed in trades at the trade deadline in July but at this time he seems set for a return to San Antonio. Robinson Tejeda after a magnificent year as a set-up man will return in the same role. Injuries to Alfredo Aceves, JP Howell, and Josh Outman have left them thin in the bullpen behind the previous two righthanders. It is expected that the Alamos will not tender contracts to any other reliever outside of Marmol and Tejeda, meaning they will need to upgrade through the draft.



REVIEW:
Availables: Miguel Montero/Josh Thole, James Loney/Lance Berkman, Scott Rolen, Miguel Tejada, JD Drew, Kosuke Fukudome, Brad Hawpe, Travis Hafner, Andy Pettitte, JA Happ, Chris Volstad

Not As Readily Available But Let's Talk Anyway: Chase Utley, Alcides Escobar, Joel Pineiro, Carlos Marmol