EAST STILL BEASTLY: 2009 PREVIEW

EAST STILL BEASTLY: 2009 PREVIEW

With divisional realignment having moved last year’s champion (The Darwin Finches) to the West, but importing a playoff team in its place (The Lexington Rebels), the Eastern Division is arguably still the toughest place to play, or (as christened by GM Andrew Haynes of the world champion Frostbite Falls Flying Squirrels) the ‘Division of Death.’

Some have even gone so far as to suggest that the battle for a world title is usually determined in the East, though the perennial Western Division-winning (and 2007 Series champ) Yuma Firebirds might disagree. But it has to be admitted: there is a keen interest in predicting how things will shake out in the East. This preview represents but one author’s opinion, presented (alphabetically) for your consideration. Players marked in bold are arguably among the best in BARB at their position. Players marked with a question mark (?) have either seen their performance suffer or miss significant playing time due to injuries or off-field issues.

The BROOKLYN MOABS

GM: Eric Caskey (founding BARB member, 7^th year in league, three playoff appearances, one world championship)

2008 Record: (79-75)

Brooklyn’s Projected Lineup: (A-)

RF Ichiro Suzuki ?

2B Chase Utley ?

DH/3B Miguel Cabrera

1B Ryan Howard

C Brian McCann

LF Jay Bruce

SS Troy Tulowitzki

CF B.J. Upton

(3B) Mark Teahen

The Moab’s Rotation? (B-)

Roy Oswalt

Jon Lester

Chien Mien-Wang ?

Fausto Carmona ?

Reyes/Parra/Jimenez

Eric’s Bullpen: (B)

CL Francisco Rodriguez

MR Pat Neshek

MR Matt Lindstrom

Bench Strength: (A)

Defense: (B)

Probably the league’s best lineup in terms of offense, and other than the hot corner (where Cabrera is arguably below-par) solid defensively. The rotation and bullpen would be rated much higher had not so many arms been recently sidelined with injuries. Taylor Tankersley, the projected situational lefty, has regressed and the club has no clear answer for the fifth starter’s spot. But, it has to be said that no club was more victimized by the injury bug last season than the Moabs. If Caskey’s troops can avoid a similar spate of DL moves, then they should easily improve on last year’s mark and challenge for a division crown. A major advantage? Their payroll commitments prior to the draft are significantly less than their divisional rivals, and they will also have the best draft position.

The FROSTBITE FALLS FLYING SQUIRRELS

GM: Andrew Haynes (founding BARB member, 7^th year in league: five playoff appearances, four championships)

2008 Record: 87-65 (earned wild card spot, won playoff and Series)

Frostbite’s Projected Lineup: (B+)

CF Carlos Beltran

2B Aki Iwamura/ Michael Young

DH/1B Albert Pujols

3B Evan Longoria

RF Corey Hart

(1B) Carlos Pena

SS Michael Young

C Chris Iannetta

The Squirrel’s Rotation? (C+)

Tim Lincecum

Cole Hamels

Felix Hernandez

Brad Penny?

Ben Sheets?

Andrew’s Bullpen: (A+)

CL Joe Nathan

MR B.J. Ryan

MR Carlos Marmol

MR Tony Pena

Bench Strength: (B)

Defense: (A-)

They weren’t the best in the regular season, but by the end of the year this club was hitting on all-cylinders offensively, led by a healthy and inspired Albert Pujols. The club’s defense and bullpen were the class of the division, and remain so, but they were extraordinarily fortunate to get as many innings as they did out of injury-plagued starters Penny and Sheets. Can they do it again? It’s hard to bet against a club that has won four of the league’s six championships, but the smart money says they will need to retool their rotation, rebuild their bench all the while dealing with higher payroll issues and worst draft position than their division rivals.

THE LEXINGTON REBELS

GM: Anthony Guerra (1^st year in league)

2008 Record: 87-65 (1^st place, Western Division)

Lexington’s Projected Lineup: (B)

2B Brandon Phillips

RF Jeremy Hermida

3B David Wright

DH/LF Carlos Lee

1B Adrian Gonzalez

CF Curtis Granderson

SS J.J. Hardy

(LF) Michael Bourn

C Bengie Molina

The Rebel’s Rotation? (A+)

Brandon Webb

Josh Beckett?

Danny Haren

Derek Lowe

Rich Harden

Anthony’s Bullpen: (B+)

CL Francisco Cordero

MR Mike Gonzalez

MR Huston Street

Bench Strength: (C)

Defense: (B+)

The division’s best rotation, and possibly the best in the league. The budget bullpen has no huge names, but decent depth. The team’s defense is above-average. The same can not be said of the depth of the team’s star-laden but thin hitting roster, a characteristic of former GM Ronald Melkonian’s tenure. At least three regulars are among the best in BARB at their position; at least three projected starters would be backups on most clubs. This would’ve been a problem if the Rebels had enjoyed the sort of injuries that hit rival Yuma. The Rebels thus provide a test case for the perennial debate between good hitting and good pitching: if the latter tends to prevail, they’ll be in the hunt the whole year. If it’s hitting, though, their lack of depth could prove to be their Achilles’ heel.

THE WORCESTER ELIMINATORS

GM: Matt Caskey (6^th year in league, 1 playoff appearance)

2008 Record: (86-66)

Worcester’s Projected Lineup: (A)

SS Hanley Ramirez

CF Grady Sizemore

C Joe Mauer?

1B Mark Teixeira

RF Jason Bay

3B Adrian Beltre

DH/2B Robinson Cano

LF Carl Crawford

(2B) Derek Jeter

The Eliminator’s Rotation? (C)

Tim Hudson?

Adam Wainwright

Chris Young?

Eric Bedard?

Guthrie/Sanchez/Chamberlain

Matt’s Bullpen: (B- or C+)

CL Joba Chamberlain?

MR Brandon Morrow

MR Mark Lowe

MR Joe Thatcher

Bench Strength: (B-)

Defense: (A-)

Worcester may have the league’s best overall IF (Hanley Ramirez) as well as the best all-around OF (Grady Sizemore), and almost certainly the best 1-4 hitters in the league. But there are serious questions about their rotation and club depth. The bullpen could be a lot better than advertised if Joba Chamberlain isn’t needed to start…but with so many starters coming off injury-plagued campaigns, that isn’t too likely. At some point, the $20 million-dollar monkey which is Derek Jeter’s salary may need to be addressed, as it is more than Brooklyn’s entire rotation is making. Until the financial structure of this team is rebuilt, the ability of GM Matt Caskey to make major upgrades may be limited. Unlike the New York Yankees, teams in the East don’t have unlimited resources….

PREDICTED FINISH, EASTERN DIVISION:

Brooklyn

Frostbite Falls

Worcester

Lexington

MORE PREVIEWS TO COME...!

MORE PREVIEWS TO COME...!