1) Brighton
Washington has won this division all four seasons by this may be the year they fall short of the title. After winning the TBA Championship in 2011, the Bearcats came back with 92 wins in 2012 but were bounced out of the playoffs in 4 games by their division rival. They have revamped this year in their quest to return to the Championship Series and are my preseason favorite to win as best team in the TBA.
Projected Lineup:
C: Buster Posey
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
2B: Ben Zobrist
3B: Miguel Cabrera
SS: Elvis Andrus
LF: Alex Gordon
CF: Dexter Fowler
RF: Norichika Aoki
Projected Rotation/Closer:
SP: Cole Hamels
SP: Hiroki Kuroda
SP: Yu Darvish
SP: Bronson Arroyo
SP: Kris Medlen
CL: Rafael Soriano
2) Washington
As shown here they should be challenged for first place but will have no problem getting back to the postseason. The Booze Hounds are year in and year out a top team and this year will be no different. Expect a 4th consecutive 100-win season from them. However injuries will play a part this year as shortstop Troy Tulowitzki will miss most of the season and TBA Iron Man Mark Teixeira will be forced to miss his first game in TBA history. However Derek Jeter was brought in to play short when Tulo can't and Chris Carter comes to the rescue for Tex. The rotation is still one of the best two in the LHL and the bullpen gives them arguably the best overall pitching in the TBA .
Projected Lineup:
C: Joe Mauer
1B: Chris Carter/Mark Teixeira
2B: Robinson Cano/Jamey Carroll
3B: Ryan Zimmerman
SS: Troy Tulowitzki/Derek Jeter
LF: Carlos Gonzalez
CF: Angel Pagan/Franklin Gutierrez
RF: Josh Willingham
Projected Rotation/Closer:
SP: Doug Fister
SP: Andy Pettitte
SP: Matt Garza
SP: Yovani Gallardo
SP: Adam Wainwright
CL: Grant Balfour
3) Oregon
The Beavers are always hanging around .500 ball but have never been able to make the jump to snag a wild card spot. This year will be similar as they will compete for the second wild card spot but should finish right around the .500 mark again. Although projections having them coming up short, a couple of extra wins could push them into the playoffs for the first time. An average offense led by Carlos Beltran, Jimmy Rollins and Paul Goldschmidt will need help from a veteran rotation to have that happen. Sergio Romo is the clear leader in the bullpen and will be called on to save games for manager Bob Boyd.
C: George Kottaras/Erik Kratz
1B: Paul Goldschmidt
2B: Emilio Bonifacio/Daniel Descalso
3B: Placido Polanco/Jordan Pacheco
SS: Jimmy Rollins
LF: Juan Pierre/Chris Denorfia
CF: Roger Bernadina/Andres Torres
RF: Carlos Beltran
Projected Rotation/Closer:
SP: Mark Buehrle
SP: Jason Hammel
SP: Colby Lewis
SP: Carlos Zambrano
SP: Kevin Millwood
CL: Sergio Romo
4) Nassau
The G-Men of Long Island have done a great job rebuilding this team so far although they are still a year or two from competing. However that does not mean they cannot surprise with a wild card appearance this year. A hot start and an addition or two could easily place Nassau in ballgames come October. The addition of Matt Harvey in the draft to go along with Jon Niese, Homer Bailey, Dan Hudson, and Zach Britton gives this team a young rotation with plenty of upside. If they can stay healthy and continue their growth, this could be a top rotation soon. A better bullpen will help add to last years 70 wins. The offense added Curtis Granderson in November and he immediately becomes a big home run threat for the team in the middle-of-the-order.
C: Jason Castro/AJ Ellis
1B: Kendry Morales/Mark Reynolds
2B: Josh Rutledge/Daniel Murphy
3B: Brett Lawrie
SS: Brandon Crawford/Ruben Tejada
LF: Lucas Duda/JD Martinez
CF: Curtis Granderson
RF: Matt Joyce/Justin Ruggiano
Projected Rotation/Closer:
SP: Jon Niese
SP: Homer Bailey
SP: Chris Capuano
SP: Jeff Karstense
SP: Chris Young
CL: Wilton Lopez
5) Mackinaw
The Islanders are in the middle of a complete rebuild of their team. After winning only 40 games a year ago they have significantly improved (how can they not be) but are still in the rebuilding process. Projected for around 60 wins by the TBABlog they still will have a long season but they future is on the horizon. Young players Eric Hosmer, Jason Kipnis, Jemile Weeks, Mike Moustakas, Pedro Alvarez, and 1st overall pick Bryce Harper provide a solid foundation for this team. Wade Miley adds to Brandon McCarthy, Paul Maholm, and Bud Norris for a pitching staff that could surprise this year.
Projected Lineup:
C: Derek Norris/Welington Castillo
1B: Eric Hosmer
2B: Jason Kipnis/Jemile Weeks
3B: Pedro Alvarez/Mike Moustakas
SS: Steve Lombardozzi/Clint Barmes
LF: David DeJesus/Jayson Werth
CF: Coco Crisp
RF: Bryce Harper
Projected Rotation/Closer:
SP: Brandon McCarthy
SP: Wade Miley
SP: Paul Maholm
SP: Bud Norris
SP: Scott Feldman
CL: Jon Rauch
I definitely agree that this is the year that Brighton upends Washington in the division, and that the two of them are far and away the class of the division.... right now. Mackinaw and Nassau both look to have very bright futures coming. Mackinaw's offense looks like it could be scary good with Harper, Kipnis, Hosmer, etc... And Nassau's starting staff could be very good as well in a year or two. I think that Oregon is at a crossroads. The Beavers are not quite good enough to really compete, not quite bad enough to be considered bad, not quite old enough to tear apart, not quite young enough to build around... Tough division to be in if you aren't Brighton or Washington.
ReplyDeleteEamonn (NAP)
Should be a dogfight. I think I do a good job acquiring quality talent, but Joe is the superior tactition. He knows the percentages and platoons wheras I go from the gut. Could go either way.
ReplyDelete