Brighton took over the franchise last year and endured a long and painful season. Brighton management jettisoned many veterans and limped to the finish line just shy of 100 losses. The off season has been extremely active as well. No one remains from the original inherited team. With all of these moves, has Brighton become elite? Playoff contender? Is mediocrity on the agenda again. Lets take a look at what is:
C- This is the obvious weakness of the Brighton team. Russell Martin returns after suffering through an injury plagued and not very productive season. His throwing has improved slightly, but his defense has suffered. He still manages to get on base, but the power is lacking and his speed has decreased. After many failed attempts to acquire a frontline catcher, Brighton decided to get a defensive compliment to Martin in Humberto Quintero. Facts are facts and fact is that HQ couldn't hit out of a wet paper sack. He was brought in to keep baserunners honest. Neither player should by a home in the area as Brighton intends to solidfy this spot via draft or trade.
1B- This spot is set with team MVP Miguel Cabrera returning. His defense has improved and is an MVP candidate.
2B- Ian Kinsler will be the main 2B. While his power/speed is down, his OBP is elite and his defense is solid. Due to injuries, he will be spelled by Macier Izturis who can hold his own offensively and defensively.
SS- Stephen Drew provides exactly what Brighton loves out of his MI. Good D, good pop, good OBP. His name isn't as sexy as Hanley Ramirez or Derek Jeter, but he is a top quality SS who Brighton is happy to have.
3B- This position is a productive platoon. Ian Stewart will face right handers and has the pop and defense to do well. Casey Blake steps in vs. southpaws and does it very well. Blake will occasionally spell Cabrera at 1B.
LF- The well traveled Carl Crawford steps in and gives Brighton something it has never had.....I legit stolen base threat who can also get on base. That isn't his only talent. His steller defense in LF is a welcome addition.
CF- Last years top draft pick Colby Rasmus returns as the every day CF. Per Brighton requirements, he is solid defensively and gets on base at a good clip. The power is there as well. Once the K's are under control, Brighton will be set for years in CF.
RF- Korean import Shin Soo-Choo was acquired to provide offensive support to the team. His OBP, power, speed, and arm make him a multi-faceted threat and round out a solid OF.
4th OF- Coco Crisp will provide quality AB's vs. LHP relieving all OF at some point. He hist lefties well, runs like the wind, and can catche the ball as well.
SP- Brightons first ever trade brought in its ace pitcher in Jon lester. He was the lone bright spot on a poor Brighton staff last year and will once again be expected to lead the way. Management didn't want Lester to be alone this year so Cole Hamels and Max Scherzer were brought in to fill the #2 and #3 slots. Lefties fare well in the stadium and Scherzer hopes to build upon his solid 2nd half. John Lackey had a poor season, but his 200+ IP will be more than adequate to fill the #5 slot. Management hopes for a rebound.
RP- The hodgepodge of Rodney, Madsen, Troncoso, Rauch were all jettisoned and Joakim Soria was brought in to close the door. He is a top 5 closer and also very consistant. Bridging the gap in the 6-7-8 innings will be lefty Matt Thornton who can also close. RHP Darren O'Day and Matt Guerrier will also be heavily relied upon to get this team to the 9th.
Draft- Brighton traded off a young SP in Buchholz in order to trade into the #3 position and is looking for a building block. Final decisions have yet to be made, but rest assures, this pick will play a pivotal role in the future of this franchise. Brighton has also accumulated 2 second round picks and 3 thrid rounders to help build pitching depth and maybe grab a prospect or 2.
Brighton has high hopes for the season. Management realizes that the evil empire is in it's path and acknowldeges that the Washington franchise is the team to beat. However, the wild card is wide open and management has served notice that it will no longer be the patsy, will no longer roll over, and if you look past them, you may just end up with an L next tou your name in the box score.
C- This is the obvious weakness of the Brighton team. Russell Martin returns after suffering through an injury plagued and not very productive season. His throwing has improved slightly, but his defense has suffered. He still manages to get on base, but the power is lacking and his speed has decreased. After many failed attempts to acquire a frontline catcher, Brighton decided to get a defensive compliment to Martin in Humberto Quintero. Facts are facts and fact is that HQ couldn't hit out of a wet paper sack. He was brought in to keep baserunners honest. Neither player should by a home in the area as Brighton intends to solidfy this spot via draft or trade.
1B- This spot is set with team MVP Miguel Cabrera returning. His defense has improved and is an MVP candidate.
2B- Ian Kinsler will be the main 2B. While his power/speed is down, his OBP is elite and his defense is solid. Due to injuries, he will be spelled by Macier Izturis who can hold his own offensively and defensively.
SS- Stephen Drew provides exactly what Brighton loves out of his MI. Good D, good pop, good OBP. His name isn't as sexy as Hanley Ramirez or Derek Jeter, but he is a top quality SS who Brighton is happy to have.
3B- This position is a productive platoon. Ian Stewart will face right handers and has the pop and defense to do well. Casey Blake steps in vs. southpaws and does it very well. Blake will occasionally spell Cabrera at 1B.
LF- The well traveled Carl Crawford steps in and gives Brighton something it has never had.....I legit stolen base threat who can also get on base. That isn't his only talent. His steller defense in LF is a welcome addition.
CF- Last years top draft pick Colby Rasmus returns as the every day CF. Per Brighton requirements, he is solid defensively and gets on base at a good clip. The power is there as well. Once the K's are under control, Brighton will be set for years in CF.
RF- Korean import Shin Soo-Choo was acquired to provide offensive support to the team. His OBP, power, speed, and arm make him a multi-faceted threat and round out a solid OF.
4th OF- Coco Crisp will provide quality AB's vs. LHP relieving all OF at some point. He hist lefties well, runs like the wind, and can catche the ball as well.
SP- Brightons first ever trade brought in its ace pitcher in Jon lester. He was the lone bright spot on a poor Brighton staff last year and will once again be expected to lead the way. Management didn't want Lester to be alone this year so Cole Hamels and Max Scherzer were brought in to fill the #2 and #3 slots. Lefties fare well in the stadium and Scherzer hopes to build upon his solid 2nd half. John Lackey had a poor season, but his 200+ IP will be more than adequate to fill the #5 slot. Management hopes for a rebound.
RP- The hodgepodge of Rodney, Madsen, Troncoso, Rauch were all jettisoned and Joakim Soria was brought in to close the door. He is a top 5 closer and also very consistant. Bridging the gap in the 6-7-8 innings will be lefty Matt Thornton who can also close. RHP Darren O'Day and Matt Guerrier will also be heavily relied upon to get this team to the 9th.
Draft- Brighton traded off a young SP in Buchholz in order to trade into the #3 position and is looking for a building block. Final decisions have yet to be made, but rest assures, this pick will play a pivotal role in the future of this franchise. Brighton has also accumulated 2 second round picks and 3 thrid rounders to help build pitching depth and maybe grab a prospect or 2.
Brighton has high hopes for the season. Management realizes that the evil empire is in it's path and acknowldeges that the Washington franchise is the team to beat. However, the wild card is wide open and management has served notice that it will no longer be the patsy, will no longer roll over, and if you look past them, you may just end up with an L next tou your name in the box score.
This team pretty damned good. I genuinely think we should be co-favotires in the NL. Your bullpen is ridiculously good -- you didn't even mention Kuo! Your lineup is great and you'll beadding to it with the 3rd pick I am sure.
ReplyDeleteI still don't match up offensively, but you won't have as easy a path to the world series this year as Reno and myself will be right there. Edgewater, london, and others aren't ready to write it in either. Will be a fun year and the NL is much tougher this year.
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