Here are the highlights of the off-season:
- Selling off the middling SPs. WAS was loaded with 4th/5th starter-types and early on began the process of trading them off. Cy Young winner and ace of the rotation Javier Vazquez was dealt off in a "what have you done for me lately" deal. Hochevar was a piece in the acquisition of stopper R. Soriano. Bud Norris (later reacquired!), Luke Hochevar, and Kyle Kendrick were all dealt for 5th-ish rounders. Nobody had enough heart to give Freddy Garcia a home -- shame on all of you!
- Looking to reload. In the hardest deal I've ever done, young SP Brandon Morrow, who I am high on and have held since the inaugural draft, was traded for oldster Tim Hudson in a move designed to keep the rotation World Series-worthy. I will regret this one every day after this season is over.
- Acquiring young pitching. In a Napa-like Jekyll & Hyde maneuver, after trading Morrow I went about trying to stock some young SPs. First, I overpaid for E. Volquez by sending good draft picks plus valuable Will Venable to Vero Beach. Venable produced a better card than I suspected so I immediately sprained a knee kicking myself in the posterior because I needed a platoon OF vs. RHP. In the next move, I shipped Nolasco & recently acquired Volquez off to Helena for Y. Gallardo. This was a future play: he'll split some time with Lilly as the 5th SP, but will be needed next season. Finally, Evan Meek was acquired from Napa to solidify the bullpen.
- Drafting and not drafting. I felt pretty good about my team going into the draft, so my plan was to draft for a few needs, and then roll some picks over to upgrade my draft position for next season. Matt Joyce (platoon OF vs. RHP) and Miguel Cairo (Util. IF) were acquired to round out the roster, and then picks were traded -- until a few things happened. First, Adam Wainwright goes down for the season. Second, Brighton and Reno continued their relentless march towards juggernaut franchise status. So, hopeful SPs (Harang, Bud Norris) were acquired and I began using my draft picks to shore up the roster for this year.
I'm not going to demur or sugarcoat it: my team is pretty good. Fielding, hitting, and pitching are all high-quality. The hitting is not as strong as last season, but the fielding is better. The interesting thing (and great for the league) is that other franchises are stepping up to meet the challenge, so I predict a pretty competitive season among the "haves".
Starting Pitching: Rotation lines up with Wainwright, Hudson, J. Sanchez, Carpenter, and Lilly/Gallardo. It's good, but aging. Gallardo, Norris, and Harang were all acquired to hedge bets for next year; plus Chris Young (P) was kept in the hope that he regains form.
Relief Pitching: Anchored by shutdown closer Rafael Soriano, there's good versatility with left-handed Breslow and Burnett, LOOGY Joe Thatcher, right-handed Chris Perez (alternate closer) and Evan Meek. It's not a shutdown bullpen, but I think it will suffice.
Catcher: Joe Mauer. W. Ramos and Shoppach will platoon against LHP.
First Base: Mark Teixeira suffered a down year and will be batting near the bottom of the order. Quite a luxury to have. He still brings the fielding.
Second Base: Robinson Cano full-time. He's the best.
Shortstop: Troy Tulowitschjksdfhki. One of the best, but a little short on ABs. Miguel Cairo (with a solid bat) will see some time there.
Third Base: Ryan Zimmerman. Very solid.
Outfield: Plenty of mix and match possibilities here. Carlos Gonzalez will play full-time, but will move positions depending on the match-ups. Victorino will play versus LHP and most RHP due to his CF-1. Willingham, Zobrist, and Matt Joyce will split the other spots and provide pingh-hitting off the bench. Against LHP, the OF could be Willingham (LF), Victorino (CF), CarGo (RF). Against RHP, the OF could be Zobrist (LF), CarGo (CF), Joyce (RF).
Bench: The bench is a hodgepodge of PH specialists. Marcus Thames, Brandon Allen, Shoppach, Jay Gibbons, and Tolleson will all be ready to PH and not much else. Thames should pretty much get 162 ABs, although he could spell Zimmerman for some AB relief with a cover-your-eyes 5e65 at 3B.
Fielding: This will be crazy good. In most lineups, I will have seven 1's on the field (including the entire infield) with the capability to throw a RF2e0 (Zobrist) out there. Any runs scored on us will be earned (figuratively and literally).
All in all, I feel pretty good about the team, but recognize that the competition is very stiff with Brighton and Reno serving as peer competitors. I'm looking forward to starting the season and wish everyone good luck.
Joe (WAS)
Well.....I will say it. You have absolutely nothing that resembles a weak spot. Lineup....excellent. Defense......Stellar. Starters.....terrific. Pen......pretty damn close to lights out.
ReplyDeleteWill you be as good as next year? No,but it isnt because your team regressed. It is because a couple teams closed the gap a bit.
With that said, I don't think you have the luxury of looking past myself, Reno, etc. You are still the big dog, but the gap is short.
The interesting part will be to see how you prepare for next year without making any concessions for this year. I have taken a few notes on your teams handling of personnel and don't question that you will not miss a beat.
And that 2nd paragraph should have said "as good as LAST year".
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