IBC 2008

[Braves]

Heres the current ATL Braves:

Lineup:
CF Jacoby Ellsbury
3B Garrett Atkins
2B Chase Utley
1B Justin Morneau
RF Jermaine Dye
LF Ty Wigginton
C Ivan Rodriguez
SS Nick Punto (Not happy about it)
P

Rotation:
Pedro Martinez
Brian Bannister
Kevin Slowey
Kenny Rogers
El Doque

CL Joe Nathan
SU Damaso Marte
SU Danny Baez/Juan Salas

[Mets]

You're lucky I'm not the Mets in this league too, or you'd be playing for the wild card.

[Padres]

You're lucky I'm not the Mets in this league too, or you'd be playing for the wild card.

I resemble that remark ...

[Orioles]

Nah, you two would be competing for the wild card. The fish are a teal force to be reckoned with. (yeah, don't love the new team colors, somehow Big Papi in aqua and black seems less intimidating).

[Cardinals]

Nah, you two would be competing for the wild card. The fish are a teal force to be reckoned with. (yeah, don't love the new team colors, somehow Big Papi in aqua and black seems less intimidating).

big papi and what aqua and teal glove?

[Orioles]

The damage will be limited at 1B. The offensive damage will not be limited.

[Braves]

You're lucky I'm not the Mets in this league too, or you'd be playing for the wild card.

Just keep tellin yourself that.

[Phillies]

nl east is mine.

[Twins]

Here's where I stand after a flurry of trades:

C: Justin Towles
1B: James Loney
2B: Michael Hollimon
3B: Brandon Inge
SS: Jason Bartlett
LF: Joey Gathright
CF: Chris Young
RF: Alex Rios
DH: Kevin Kouzmanoff

Bench: Kendry Morales, Nate McClouth, Rob Bowen, Tony Pena, Robb Quinlan

SP: Kelvim Escobar
SP: Doug Davis
SP: Hong-Chi Kuo
SP: Troy Patton
SP: James McDonald

RP: Kevin Cameron
RP: Cha-Seung Baek
RP: Dana Eveland
RP: Greg Smith
SU: Brandon Lyon
CL: Chris Perez

That's a rough estimate of what my 25 man roster would be if the season started today. It'd be an understatement to say that it's still a work in progress. I'm fairly happy with the way the offense has shaken out, but the rotation will take a while. Fortunately, help is on the way:

Gaby Hernandez
Rolando Pascual
Kyle Waldrop
Sean West
David Huff
Kasey Kiker
Wade LeBlanc
Brad Lincoln
Brett Sinkbeil

I have to think that I can get a couple of at least league-average starters out of that list. We'll have to see, I guess.

[BlueJays]

brett - outstanding job you've done in detroit.. you have talent & depth - with more on the way. very young squad that's going to be a force for a long time.

loreta will eventually get pushed out by drew... the DH & pen needs work, but IMO that's really the only weaknesses & can be fixed easily by trading a few prospects.

[Rangers]

Thanks Nate, much appreciated, especially coming from one of the couple guys who has built a perennial powerhouse.

[Mets]

To Detroit:

Godron is blocked now by Miggy.

I'd see what I can get for him. Still would like to see another shut down relief guy to take some pressure off those young starters.

[Cardinals]

To Detroit:

Godron is blocked now by Miggy.

I'd see what I can get for him. Still would like to see another shut down relief guy to take some pressure off those young starters.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and disagree with most of this. I see Cabrera as a 1B/DH from here on out as his D is not stellar and not improving with his increasing girth. being in the AL i think it's a perfect opportunity and place for Cabrera to play since he can hit with the best of them and not have to bring his glove.

I wouldnt trade Gordon unless my socks were knocked off either. having him and Cabrera is a luxury and with the only major weakness being the bullpen here i dont think you move Gordon to improve the bullpen.

but of course I don't run this team but thats just my take.


edit: plus gordon's stock has probably never been lower.

[Rangers]

To Detroit:

Godron is blocked now by Miggy.

I'd see what I can get for him. Still would like to see another shut down relief guy to take some pressure off those young starters.

John and Nate, these two issues (Cabrera blocking Gordon and me not having a DH) that you raised take care of themselves if you look at them together. As I've mentioned to anyone who's inquired, I view Cabrera as my long term DH. He's not a 3B. Gordon is my long term 3B, and Fielder is my long term 1B. I obviously need upgrades in the back of the pen, but all along that was the last stage of my plan. I wish I had a good closer, but I'm certainly not using Alex Gordon to upgrade my pen.

[BlueJays]

I wouldn't either.. u could upgrade your pen using prospects further down the ladder & do just fine. draft a closer(tho that didn't work out well for me when I took ryan wagner 3rd overall.. live & learn.) if need be, trade some of the guys buried behind others, have a closer tossed in a trade.. but no need giving up on gordon this early for a closer.

also, one guy I overlooked is taveras.. hate him. I'm a willy t hater. pussy arm, not impressed w/his defense or hitting. get rid of him, wait on gordon to emerge & step into 3rd - slide miggy to DH, patch the pen & u boys in the ALC are gonna have your hands full for a long time.

[Rangers]

also, one guy I overlooked is taveras.. hate him. I'm a willy t hater. pussy arm, not impressed w/his defense or hitting. get rid of him...

Well, in theory, that's McCutchen's spot. He's no sure thing either, of course, but he, more than Taveras, is slotted in that spot in the big picture. In the mean time, Taveras may suck, but he rates well defensively, gets on base and steals some bases, so he'll fill a role.

[Tigers]

Starting Rotation
1. A. J. Burnett, RH - 10-8, 3.75 ERA, 9.8 K/9, 3.7 BB/9, 1.19 WHIP
2. Joe Blanton, RH - 14-10, 3.95 ERA, 5.7 K/9, 1.6 BB/9, 1.22 WHIP
3. Dontrelle Willis, LH - 10-15, 5.17 ERA, 6.0 K/9, 3.6 BB/9, 1.60 WHIP
4. Anibal Sanchez, RH - 2-1, 4.80 ERA (2006 - 10-3, 2.83 ERA, Threw MLB "No-hitter" during his rookie season)
5. Virgil Vasquez, RH - 12-5, 3.48 ERA, 7.37 K/9, 1.92 BB/9, 1.11 WHIP (AAA)

Starting Lineup
1. Ryan Church, LF - .272/.349/.464, 15 HR, 1 3b, 43 2b (.287/.360/.506 versus right handers)
2. Asdrubal Cabrera, SS - .283/.354/.421, 3 HR, 2 3b, 9 2b (.310/.380/.448 total in AA/AAA)
3. Nick Swisher, RF - .262/.381/.455, 22 HR, 1 3b, 36, 2b
4. Carlos Delgado, 1b - .258/.333/.448, 24 HR, 30 2b
5. Adam Jones, CF - .246/.300/.400, 2 HR, 1 3b, 2 2b (.314/.382/.586 in AAA)
6. Rick Ankiel, DH - .285/.328/.535, 11 HR, 1 3b, 8 2b (.267/.314/.568 in AAA) (43 HR's between AAA and Majors)
7. Bengi Molina, C - .276/.298/.433, 19 HR, 1 3b, 19 2b
8 Morgan Ensberg, 3b - .231/.320/.396, 12 HR, 13 2b, (.257/.345/.486 versus Left Handers)
9. Ryan Raburn, 2b - .304/.340/.507, 4 HR, 2 3b, 12 2b (.292/..394/.540 in AAA)

Bullpen:
Rafael Soriano, Closer - 3.00 ERA, 9 saves, 9.9 K/9, 2.1 BB/9
George Sherrill, LH - 2.36 ERA, 3 saves, 11.9 K/9, 3.6 BB/9
Mark Madson, RH - 3.05 ERA, 1 save, 7.1 K/9, 3.8 BB/9
Jonathan Albaladejo, RH 1.88 ERA, 9.2 K/9, 1.5 BB/9
Eric O'Flaherty, LH - 4.47 ERA, 7-1, 6.3 K/9, 3.5 BB/9 (versus lefties .183/.278/.204)
Ryan Rowland-Smith, LH - 3.96 ERA, 9.7 K/9, 3.5 BB/9

Bench:
Willie Bloomquist, 2b/SS/OF - .277/.321/.329
Bryan Anderson, C - .298/.350/.388 (AA)
Jose Lopez, 2b/3b - .252/.284/.355, 11 HR, 2 3b, 17 2b
Marcus Thames, OF/1b - .242/.278/.498, 18 HR, 15 2b (.310/.341/.586 versus left handers)
Brad Wilkerson, OF


Minor Leagues:
Pitchers:
1) Josh Johnson, RHP (Marlins - DL)
2) Mike Hampton, LHP (Braves - MLB)
3) Todd Jones, Closer (Tigers - MLB)
4) Matt Miller, RHP (Indians - AAA)
5) Mark Lowe, RHP (Mariners - AAA)
6) Elizardo Ramirez, RHP (Reds - MLB)
7) Chad Reineke, RHP (Astros - AAA)
Jason Vargas, LHP (Mets - AAA)
9) Emiliano Fruto, RHP (Nationals - MLB)
10) Waldis Joaquin, RHP (Giants - Low A)
11) Gustavo Chacin, LH (Bluejays - MLB)

Position Players:
12) Ben Zobrist, SS (D-Rays - MLB)
13) Chris Snelling, LF/RF (A's - AAA)
14) Ian Desmond, SS (Nationals - High A)
15) Adam Everett, SS (Astros - MLB)


Still in the market for a left handed hitting 3b to platoon with Ensberg. Rotation is shaping up nicely for the long term with Burnett being the "old man" of the rotation at age 30. D-Train still only 25, so plenty of time for him to rebound after a rough 2007. Blanton the workhorse at age 27 and Sanchez still only 23. The last spot in the rotation could be filled by the youngster Vasquez or the reclamation project that is Mike Hampton. Josh Johnson should be ready to make his comeback in 2009 after TJ surgery.

Lineup consists of a youth movement, after adding Asdrubal, Ankiel, and Adam Jones to the mix along with the possible addition of Ryan Raburn who is coming off a strong season in AAA and the bigs.

Bullpen should be a strength and is loaded with young arms, with the likes of Soriano, Sherrill, Madson, Albaladejo, O'Flaherty and Rowland-Smith.

Bench a mixture of this and that, with Bryan Anderson coming on strong to replace Benji Molina in the near future. Thames provides a strong right handed bat off the bench that murders lefties and Wilkerson provides alot of K's and every now and then a HR.

2008 will be all about the young guys on the roster making their mark in the league.

[Yankees]

Lineup:
1) Chone Figgins-3b: .330/.393/.432
2) Michael Young-ss: .315/.366/.418
3) Todd Helton-1b: .320/.434/.494
4) Chipper Jones-dh: .337/.425/.604
5) Victor Martinez-c: .301/.374/.505
6) Brad Hawpe-rf: .291/.387/.539
7) Torii Hunter-cf: .287/.334/.505
Chris Duncan-lf: .259/.354/.480
9) Kelly Johnson-2b: .276/.375/.457

Bench:
Michael Lamb, David Dellucci, Melvin Mora, Mike Rivera

Others: Craig Brazell, Shane Costa, Javier Guzman, Andy Phillips, Matt Treanor, Eliezer Alfonzo

Rotation:
1) Rich Harden - 1-2, 2.45 era, 1.13 whip
2) Fausto Carmona - 19-8, 3.06 era, 1.21 whip
3) Sean Marshall - 7-8, 3.92 era, 1.37 whip
4) Gil Meche - 9-13, 3.67 era, 1.30 whip
5) Jarrod Washburn - 10-15, 4.32 era, 1.38 whip

Bullpen:
Cl - Joakim Soria - 2-3, 2.48 era, 0.94 whip
Su - Aaron Heilman - 7-7, 3.03 era, 1.07 whip
Su - CJ Wilson - 2-1, 3.03 era, 1.21 whip
Lh Su - Royce Ring - 1-0, 2.70 era, .206 lh baa
Mr - Brian Wolfe - 3-1, 2.98 era, 0.99 whip
Mr - Ryan Franklin - 4-4, 3.04 era, 1.01 whip
Lr - Carlos Villanueva - 8-5, 3.94 era, 1.35 whip

Others: Edwar Ramirez, Troy Cate, Kevin Hart, John Bale, Bryan Bullington, Matt Chico, Sean Henn, Matt Morris, Luis Vizcaino

Well we'll hit - and I love the way the rotation and pen are shaping up - lot of depth and versatility, should be able to succeed if injuries happen...again...

[Dodgers]

2008 Dodgers

Lineup
1. SS - Orlando Cabrera - .301/.345/.397
2. LF - Travis Buck - .288/.377/.474
3. 3B - Mike Lowell - .324/.378/.501
4. 1B - Nick Johnson - .290/.428/.520 (2006)
5. CF - Torii Hunter - .287/.334/.505
6. 2B - Brendan Harris - .286/.343/.434
7. RF - Melky Cabrera - .273/.327/.391
8. C - Chris Iannetta .218/.330/.350

Bench
1. 1B - Lyle Overbay
2. CF - Corey Patterson
3. LF - Willie Harris
4. C - Carlos Ruiz

Rotation
1. Francisco Liriano - 2.16/1.00/.205 (2006)
2. Brad Penny - 3.03/1.31/.260
3. Ted Lilly - 3.83/1.14/.236
4. Greg Maddux - 4.14/1.25/.285
5. Jason Hirsh - 4.81/1.34/.243

Bullpen
1. Joakim Soria - 2.48/0.94/.187
2. Brett Myers - 4.33/1.28/.234 (2.87/1.21/.229 as RP)
3. Russ Springer - 2.18/0.91/.181
4. Juan Cruz - 3.10/1.26/.205
5. Aaron Fultz - 2.92/1.32/.228
6. Derrick Turnbow - 4.63/1.32/.183
7. Eric Gagne - 3.81/1.35/.245
8. Cla Meredith - 3.50/1.39/.296

[Cardinals]

should be an interesting 2008 given these new and improved lineups ive been seeing, a lot of these prospect hounds of the past are turning into contenders quickly this year.

[Reds]

Nationals 2008 ....so far

C - Schneider/Olivo platoon - VG defensively some pop from Olivo. Schneider performs better than projection due to RFK factor.
1B - Ryan Howard - Phelps will play vs the occasional tough lefty because he hits them well.
2B - Brian Roberts - Nice on base, speed, and power combination
3B - Crede or Fields - depends on the projections.
SS - K. Greene - VG fielder with decent power.
LF - Matt Diaz - Check out his numbers, he will project very well. He could play some RF if Fields ends up here.
CF - Randy Winn - good defense and decent hitter. Could see others in this spot depending on the numbers (Gutierrez, Guzman, Choo?)
RF - Carlos Quentin - solid AAA numbers again should still make him project well. Several others can play here as well (Gutierrez, Choo, maybe Stairs).

C Depth - Olivo, Hall, Phelps also caught for Pirates last year.
IF Depth - C. Izturis, Cintron, Stairs (1B), Phelps (1B), Fields or Crede.
OF Depth - Gutierrez, Guzman, Choo, Fiorentino, Stairs, Fields?

SP - Ian Snell
SP - Jake Westbrook
SP - Aaron Cook
SP 4-5 - Lohse, Olson, Inman, Brown, Green, Mason - depending on who projects best.

MR - three of the following - Torres, Mateo, Peguero, Roenicke, Colome, Flores, Feldman, Guevera - really wide open because projections can land all over the place with these guys.

LSU - Fuentes
RSU - Duchscherer

Closer - B.J. Ryan - if his projection isn't that great or he starts the season on DL there are a lot of ways to juggle the pen.

The preliminary line-up.

1- Roberts 2B (290/377/432 - 50/57 sb/sba)
2- Winn CF (300/353/445)
3- Diaz LF (338/368/497)
4- Howard 1B (268/392/584 - 47hr)
5- Crede (283/323/506 - 30hr 2006, INJ most of 07) or Fields (244/308/480 - 23hr's 373ab) 3B
6- Quentin RF (214/298/349 majors, 348/430/574 AAA) had INJ issues
7- Greene SS (254/291/468 - 27hr - Petco factor)
8- Schneider C (235/325/336 - RFK factor)

Obviously a lot may change depending on how the numbers come out, especially regarding spots 5 and 6.

[Mariners]

2008 D'Backs

Lineup (w/ B.A. League Ranking)

1. Rickie Weeks - 2B
2. Russell Martin - C
3. B.J. Upton - CF
4. Mark Teixeira - 1B
5. Jeff Francoeur - RF
6. Justin Upton - LF (1 SL/ 1 CLL)
7. Ian Stewart - 3B (5 PCL)
8. Reid Brignac - SS (6 SL)

Bench

1. Jesus Flores - C
2. Felix Pie - OF (6 PCL)
3. Alberto Callaspo - IF

Rotation

1. Matt Garza (3 PCL)
2. Adam Loewen*
3. Mike Pelfrey (12 PCL)
4. Jeff Niemann (9 IL)
5. Johnny Cueto (4 SL)

Bullpen

1. Bobby Jenks
2. Brandon Morrow
3. Smith, Joe
4. Bill Bray*
4. Joey Devine

D.L.

1. Joel Zumaya
2. Cesar Carrillo
3. Mark Rogers

AAA arms

1. Manny Parra* (8 SL)
2. Alan Horne (7 EL)
3. Matt Harrison*
4. Ricky Romero*
5. David Purcey*

Lower Arms

1. Daniel Cortes (12 CRL)
2. Brandon Erbe (7 CRL)
3. Chris Tillman (3 CLL)
4. Omar Poveda (12 MWL)
5. Tony Butler*
6. Matt Latos (1 NWL)
7. Juan Ramirez (3 NWL)
8. Wilmer Font (5 AZL)
9. Jairo Heredia (15 GCL)

Bats

1. Carlos Gonzalez - OF (10 SL)
2. Fernando Martinez - OF (3 EL)
3. Hainly Statia - SS (15 CLL)
4. Chris Marrero - OF (2 CRL/ 5 SAL)
5. Carlos Triunfel - 3B/SS (6 CLL/ 6 MWL)
6. Hank Conger - C (5 MWL)

[Angels]

The Indians squad is shaping up nicely. Still looking to make a few more moves, but here's how the IBC's 2008 Most Improved team looks right now:

LINEUP (monster middle of the order):
2B L.Castillo
SS J.Wilson
LF A.Soriano
RF M.Ordonez
DH K.Griffey
1B J.Giambi
3B C.Blake
C J.Clement/J.Valentin
CF G.Mathews

BENCH (let's hope injuries don't force these guys into full-time players):
J.Valentin/J.Clement
N.Garciaparra
A.Gonzalez
E.Hinske

ROTATION (5 of the 6 based on projection/inevitable injuries):
M.Batista
D.Cabrera
L.Hernandez
E.Loaiza
V.Padilla
C.Silva

BULLPEN (7 deep to compensate for rotation full of #4's):
C.Cordero
A.Otsuka
F.Rodney
J.Frasor
A.Guzman
E.Gonzalez
S.Gallagher

[Mets]

Gallagher in the rotation might be a better idea than Padilla or Loaiza. He did have 18 minor league starts before being called up.

[Angels]

Yup. We'll see how the projections look.