Post by John Kruk on Feb 6, 2008 0:45:44 GMT -5
The Defending Champs are ready to do just that. The team fields an explosive offense that added Miguel Cabrera. The rotation is full of aces and the pen has some good veteran arms with a dominate closer in Oscar Villarreal. We look to win the NL East and make a push to win another World Series Title.
Lineup
1. RF- Freddy Guzman- Freddy is just a pest. He has great speed and walks quite a bit. We are looking for him to take his game to the next level this year. Freddy should be at the top of the leader boards in OBP, steals and runs.
2. SS- Paul Thorpe- Paul is coming off a solid rookie year. He plays good defense and should sport a 370+obp with nice speed. Thorpe should score at least 100 runs in this spot.
3. 3B- Alex Gordon- Alex is an All-Star, he hits for power and has some speed. This could be his best year. The protection of Miguel Cabrera should deem well for Alex. We look for another 35+ homer year and upwards of 125 RBI's.
4. LF- Miguel Cabrera- Miguel is a huge addition to the middle of the lineup. The team looks for him to pay off right away. He should bring a 300 average with 45+ homeruns and 125+ RBI's. An MVP award is not out of the question.
5. C- Justin Morneau- Justin is a premier hitting catcher. He should belt out 40+ homers and get over 100 RBI's. He should be an All-Star this season.
6. CF- Hunter Pence- Hunter had a very nice rookie season and should continue to shine. He plays great defense and brings some speed to the base paths. He should go 25-25 this year while hitting over 300.
7. 2B- Alfonso Soriano- Soriano is a basher with speed. He should go 30-30 and fight for an All-Star bid.
8. 1B- Chick Short- Chick is coming off a disappointing rookie year but looks to rebound and hit for higher average. He moves to first base after spending last year in LF.
Bench
2B/SS Freddy Sanchez
OF John- Ford Griffin
OF/ 2B Shane Victorino
C/ 3B Lou Palmisano
1B Sean Casey
Rotation
1. Joel Pineiro- Joel is a work horse that brings it game in and game out. He could win 20 games.
2. Roy Oswalt- Roy is a strong pitcher that seems to be on winning teams. We look to Roy to win 15+ games and post an era under 3.50.
3. Jeff Francis- The number two strikeout pitcher last season looks to win 20 games this year.
4. Dustin McGowan- McGowan has been on a tear since the All-Star break two years ago. Dustin wants to jump into the top tier of starters and win 15+ games.
5. Emiliano Fruto- Fruto had a solid rookie season and looks to improve his game and win 15 games this season.
Pen
Closer- Oscar Villarreal- Oscar broke out his shell last year and looks to continue his dominance. 45 saves is not out of the question.
Juan Rincon- Juan wins games and pitches quality innings out of the pen. We look for him to keep trucking.
Brandon Medders- Big time arm with a strong will.
Jason Isringhausen- He has a very solid career and should continue this seasons.
Sendy Rleal- He has been good and should continue.
Fransico Cordero- He was signed as a free agent and should log some quality innings.
Lineup
1. RF- Freddy Guzman- Freddy is just a pest. He has great speed and walks quite a bit. We are looking for him to take his game to the next level this year. Freddy should be at the top of the leader boards in OBP, steals and runs.
2. SS- Paul Thorpe- Paul is coming off a solid rookie year. He plays good defense and should sport a 370+obp with nice speed. Thorpe should score at least 100 runs in this spot.
3. 3B- Alex Gordon- Alex is an All-Star, he hits for power and has some speed. This could be his best year. The protection of Miguel Cabrera should deem well for Alex. We look for another 35+ homer year and upwards of 125 RBI's.
4. LF- Miguel Cabrera- Miguel is a huge addition to the middle of the lineup. The team looks for him to pay off right away. He should bring a 300 average with 45+ homeruns and 125+ RBI's. An MVP award is not out of the question.
5. C- Justin Morneau- Justin is a premier hitting catcher. He should belt out 40+ homers and get over 100 RBI's. He should be an All-Star this season.
6. CF- Hunter Pence- Hunter had a very nice rookie season and should continue to shine. He plays great defense and brings some speed to the base paths. He should go 25-25 this year while hitting over 300.
7. 2B- Alfonso Soriano- Soriano is a basher with speed. He should go 30-30 and fight for an All-Star bid.
8. 1B- Chick Short- Chick is coming off a disappointing rookie year but looks to rebound and hit for higher average. He moves to first base after spending last year in LF.
Bench
2B/SS Freddy Sanchez
OF John- Ford Griffin
OF/ 2B Shane Victorino
C/ 3B Lou Palmisano
1B Sean Casey
Rotation
1. Joel Pineiro- Joel is a work horse that brings it game in and game out. He could win 20 games.
2. Roy Oswalt- Roy is a strong pitcher that seems to be on winning teams. We look to Roy to win 15+ games and post an era under 3.50.
3. Jeff Francis- The number two strikeout pitcher last season looks to win 20 games this year.
4. Dustin McGowan- McGowan has been on a tear since the All-Star break two years ago. Dustin wants to jump into the top tier of starters and win 15+ games.
5. Emiliano Fruto- Fruto had a solid rookie season and looks to improve his game and win 15 games this season.
Pen
Closer- Oscar Villarreal- Oscar broke out his shell last year and looks to continue his dominance. 45 saves is not out of the question.
Juan Rincon- Juan wins games and pitches quality innings out of the pen. We look for him to keep trucking.
Brandon Medders- Big time arm with a strong will.
Jason Isringhausen- He has a very solid career and should continue this seasons.
Sendy Rleal- He has been good and should continue.
Fransico Cordero- He was signed as a free agent and should log some quality innings.