San Antonio: 2013 Preview

Is this the year the Alamos finally win a playoff series?

Last year San Antonio's 94 victories gave them the #4 seed in the playoffs; sending them to Colorado Springs to get quickly bounced out of the playoffs in four games. A second disappointing playoff loss in three years forced some changes to be made.

Out goes Jason Bay- franchise leader in almost everything. Lance Berkman-Alamos lineup staple since 2010. Chris Iannetta-inaugural Alamo. Carlos Marmol-embatted Alamos career saves leader. Josh Beckett/Mike Leake- combined 28 wins last season

David Ortiz headlines the new additions to San An's squad this year while an overhauled bullpen and rotation will try to fill the positions the recently axed Alamos have opened up.

With the changes made to the team, the front office believes the Alamos are poised for a division title but will it lead to an October run?

C: Miguel Montero/Jesus Montero

For the first time in the five-year history of the Alamos Miguel Montero will not be teamed up with Chris Iannetta behind the plate. Instead his fellow countryman and namesake Jesus Montero (no relation) graduates to the majors after a successful September stint with the team last year. Miguel still will get the bulk of the time behind the plate with Jesus playing against lefties.

1B: Paul Konerko

Konerko led San Antonio in hits and runs batted in during his first year with the team last season and will be counted upon to continue that this season. Sliding down in the lineup a bit with the addition of Ortz, a repeat of his .283/24/89 season from a year ago would be all fans should be looking for from him.

2B: Chase Utley/Mark Ellis

Since coming over late in the 2010 season, Utley has given the Alamos a reliable, if not always durable, presence at second base. His solid defense and excellent baserunning combine with his bat to become on of the top second baseman in the league when healthy. That is a big if so spelling Utley against lefties will be Ellis. Ellis again brings solid defense to this position and a decent platoon bat when Utley sits.

3B:  Matt Carpenter/Logan Forsythe

Ryan Roberts and Alberto Callaspo are both gone opening the spot for the two rookies. Carpenter (the Alamos 2nd round draft choice this year) brings a good lefthanded bat to the team. Although he doesn't have much power he has displayed excellent on-base skills versus right-handed pitchers before being drafted. Forsythe came over from Brighton in a deal last summer and although he got a cup of coffee last year (12 at-bats) this is his first as a regular in the TBA. A possible top-of-the order bat against LHP, Forsythe fits in as a good platoon partner with Carpenter.

SS: Alcides Escobar

Escobar excited everyone when he came up in 2010 with a .302 batting average for the Alamos in limited time. In the two years since then he has hit .202. However he brings excellent defense at the most important position on the diamond. Alamos fans are waiting for him to wait and if he does break out this season he can become of the top players at the position.

LF: Jon Jay/Craig Gentry

Jay played excellent ball in 2012 and now will be given the starting role with fan-favorite Jason Bay moving on. He lacks power but hits for a high average (.296 in 2012) along with good speed and defense. Gentry is a burner on the basepaths with a fantastic glove in left. He will play most of his time in left although can spell any of the outfielders if necessary.

CF: Andrew McCutchen

'Cutch' has always been on the brink of being a star in this league but hasn't yet been able to pull it all together for the Alamos. McCutchen is expected to anchor the lineup this year with Berkman gone and are relying on a breakout season from him in order to have any October playoff hopes.

RF: Josh Reddick

Reddick is graduating to a full-time player this season. He had a decent season in limited time last year and if he can stretch that out to a full year will be a very productive player for the team.

DH: David Ortiz

Ortiz is the power bat the team has been missing these last few years. Health will be a concern for the team and he is expected to get plenty of rest during the season with Jay, Jesus Montero, and Travis Hafner filling in when Ortiz can't go. However he immediately solidifies the middle of the lineup. With McCutchen and Konerko expected to surround him in the lineup the Alamos have a formidable middle of the lineup.

SP: Clayton Kershaw/Ryan Vogelsong/Shaun Marcum/Chris Tillman/David Phelps/Tommy Milone/Cole DeVries

Kershaw is one of the best pitchers in baseball and will again anchor this rotation. Vogelsong moves up to the number two spot this year. Tommy Milone is the only other full-time starter on the roster but will be at the back of the rotation. Tillman and Marcum both have injury concerns so will share the third spot while Phelps and DeVries round up the remaining starts.

RP: JJ Putz/Jim Johnson/Scott Atchison/Junichi Tazawa/Aaron Crow/Wesley Wright

Putz returns as the closer after putting up 41 saves in 2012. Jim Johnson is the other returning arm in the pen while the rest were picked up the draft (Crow-2011 draft). Atchison and Tazawa will fill-in Cristhian Martinez and Ramon Ramirez' roles from a year ago while Crow steps in as Marmol's replacement. Wright becomes the lefty specialist. Other relievers who will see time this year include Luis Perez, Pedro Strop, and Jamey Wright.

Bench: Travis Hafner

Hafner is the only player that will open the season with the club not mentioned above. Hafner is on of the few remaining Alamos from the inaugural draft (Kershaw and Miguel Montero the others). He lost his DH spot to Ortiz but becomes the top pinch-hitter for the team and DH when Ortiz is injured.

Although fans are optimistic for another playoff run this season there are plenty of concerns surrounding the team. As is they have a good shot to come away a playoff appearance at the end of the year but will need to improve to make a long run in the playoffs.