Brighton 2013 Team Preview

After winning the title in 2011, 2012 was going to be a retooling.  While the Bearcats had a solid season and made the playoffs, they were quickly dispatched by the Washington Booze Hounds.  2013 should hopefully mark a return to beng a legitmate title threat.  Despite their title win, Brighton has yet to be able to unseat Washington from the top perch in the division.  While management will not say this is the year, it should be a tighter race than in years past.  Brighton made some trades to bolster the now chances and drafted to fill some holes.  Ladies and Germs.....your 2013 Bearcats.

CATCHER- Buster Posey.  Poseys injury in 2011 waas a huge problem for Brighton as they had to plug the hole with useful, but unspectacular vets Yorvit Torrealba and Ryan Hanigan.  Posey came back with a bang by winning the NL MVP.  Yorvit and Hanigan are now gone.  Management toyed with the idea of moving Posey to 1B, but adding Gonzalez allows Posey to stay behind the dish.  He will be death to lefties and dangerous to righties.  To spell Posey, management brought in veteran ob base specialist John Jaso.  While hapless vs lefties, Jaso gets on base at a prolific rate vs righties and his defense is now adequate.  Versitle Josh Donaldson will be on standby in case of injury. 

FIRST BASE- Adrian Gonzalez.  Well.....Gonzalez suffered through a less than Gonzalezesque season.  The defense is still there, but the power numbers took a dip.  With a return to the NL, Brighton is hoping for a rebound to form.  In the meantime, it isn't as if he is horrible.  His defense and OK bat will suffice for the season.  if he doesn't rebound, Posey or Miguel Cabrera may slide over next year.

SECOND BASE-Ben Zobrist.  The 1 rating is gone, but the solid power, speed, OBP returns.  Zobrist was a big reason behind Cabrera's season.  He may see some time in RF as well in certain matchups.  While the D dropped, he still is a solid defender who will man the middle for the season.  A favorite of management.

SHORTSTOP- Elvis Andrus.  The defense is the calling card as the 1 returns.  This year, Andrus will be dropped to the 8 slot this year and that is where he should be.  Outside of the defense, Andrus speed is welcome on a lineup that contains, Posey, Cabrera, Gonzalez among others. 

THIRD BASE- Miguel Cabrera.  He won the triple crown in strat and in real life.  The MVP now slides acrss the diamond to play the hot corner.  While the defense is not as bad as feared, he will not get to a lot of balls.  Brighton management will swallow the bitter pill of having a 4 in the lineup because of the damage he can do at the plate.  Another monster year is expected.

LEFT FIELD- Alex Gordon.  Another defenseive player for the Bearcats as well as a doubles machine.  Gordon finally got his 1 rating and will set the table for the bigger bats.  Gordon does struggle somewhat vs lefties so he will be spotted gainst some of the tougher southpaws of the league.

CENTER FIELD- Dexter Fowler.  Fowler returns for his 2nd stint with the bearcats.  Fowler has progressed at the plate.  Management hoped for his 1 rating to return, but a 2 is not bad.  Fowler hit .300 and improved his discipline as well.  Brighton likes switch hitters who can battle from both sides of the plate and Fowler fits the bill.

RIGHT FIELD- Norichika Aoki.  Some pundits expected Brighton to select Brandon Moss in the 2nd round and that may have been the way to go.  However, Brighton expected Aoki to go first round and was thrilled to select him in the 2nd.  He is capable vs righties and lefties and can hit.  While not a power hitter, he just hits.  he also offers some speed in front of the bigger bats and management is happy to have him.

KEY BENCH-
John Jaso (C) Pinch hitter, backup catcher, on base specialist vs righties.
Luis Cruz- (Util IF).  defensive replacement for Cabrera, pinch hitter.
Chris Young- (Util OF) Part time vs lefties.  Defensive replacement.
Eric Young Jr (Util).  Pinch hitter......that's it.
Bryan Lahair (1B/OF).  Poor mans Moss.  Power bat vs lefties off bench.
Kevin Fransen (3B).  Excellent PH.
Jonathon Herrera (UTIL IF).  Defensive minded backup IF
Jason Donaldson- (UTIL).  3rd catcher and hopefully a decent 3B for next yr.
Andruw Jones- (OF) Nice power as an injury fill in
Daniel Nava (OF) High OBP vs rghties.  Outfield depth.
Johnny Giovotella, Josh Vitters, Jordany Valdespin-Longshot prospects

The rotation got a major facelift in the draft aqnd via trade.  The rotation shapes up as follows:

SP- Cole Hamels.  The defacto ace of the staff.
SP-Hiroki Kuroda.  An aging, but very capable #2.
SP-Yu Darvish.  Management coveted Darvish since last season.  his nice 2nd half bodes well for the Bearcats.
SP-Bronson Arroyo-Another veteran who should be a nice #4
SP-Kris Medlen/Ross Detwiler.  Due to usage, this rotation slot will be more or less a platoon of sorts depending on matchup.  Both will get some solid pen work as well.

CL-Rafael Soriano.  Brighton has had a revolving door in this department.  Soria was replaced by Axford who is now replaced by Soriano.  RS had a nice year and his move to Washington should help.  Should he falter, the rest of the pen should pick up the slack.
RP-Wade Davis-He has an excellent card with nice K-Rate.  Added bonus is that he is starting for KC this year which could potentially increase his value.
RP-Vinnie Pestano-Another solid K-Rate RP
RP-Craig Breslow.  Verteran southpaw.  One of 3 LHRP that could make opening day roster.
RP-Sean Marshall.  Another veteran lefty who could see some save opportunities depending on matchup.
RP-Eric Stults.  Nice lefty numbers and plenty of innings.  Will be lefty specialist/mop up guy.
RP-Sam Lecure.  Rounding out the pen is this decent righty.
RP-Medlen/Detwiler.  Whomever is not starting.

OTHER PITCHERS OF NOTE:
SP-Jon Lester.  The longest tenured Bearcat will be used sparingly while management patiently awaits a return to form.
SP-Miguel Gonzalez.  Solid season for the career minor leaguer.  Will see spot stat and long relief at times if not traded. 
SP-Dan Straily, Chris Archer, Brad Boxberger-The usual pitching prospects that are planted each year.
SP/RP-Josh Collmenter.  Bullpen depth who could see some long relief duty.  Outside shot of returning to 2011 form. 


BRIGHTON STRENGTHS:
1)  Well balanced lineup that includes the reigning AL and NL MVP.  No easy outs.
2)  An improved bench
3)  Rotational depth and flexible pen.
4)  Defense outside of Cabrera is very good. 

BRIGHTON WEAKNESSES:
1)  Outside of Cabrera, the team lacks the big boppers.
2)  Lot of base cloggers in Cabrera, Gonzalez, Posey.
3)  Resides in the same division as perennial powerhouse Washington Booze Hounds. 

Overall, management likes their chances at making a deep run this season.  of course, the Washington Booze Hounds will be a huge obstacle in the division and the road to the Series will almost certainly involve a trip through Washington.  London has a fearsome rotation and Mike Trout.  Oahu and Oregon are not ready to rebuild and should prove competitive.  Despite the rebuild, Brighton is notoriously subpar vs. Reno as well.  Never discount Nassau either as they may make some teams take notice.  A world series is the ultimate goal for this season and management feels they have made some prudent deals and picks to make them a name to take note of come playoff time.