2007 Team by Team Preview - FFTs

FFTs

Starting Pitching:
P.Martinez, R.Johnson, Jennings, Westbrook, Helling - the Unit will have a good card - shuts down lefties; Pedro gives up the longball and only has 132 innings, but low BA against and low whip; Helling teams with Pedro to make one full starter; Jennings is balanced and good - although he walks too many lefties; Westbrook has a lot of innings, but his BA against is 290 on one side and 300 on the other.

Bullpen:
M.Rivera and Fr.Rodriguez - the only question is 'Which one is better?'

Catcher:
I.Rodriguez - only regular catcher last season to have more caught stealings than steals - should be a -4 or -5; he also had a good season with the bat, especially vs lhp
J.Lopez - 36 years old - can't catch - can't throw - can't hit... probably a cut

Infield:
Teixeira (1b-1) - good power and on base on both sides, but better vs lhp
Kent (1b-3, 2b-4) - 400 at bats; okay vs rhp but crushes lefties; his average climbs 90 points in the clutch
Iguchi (2b-2) - might have to give way to Freel or Kent vs lhp, but very good on the right side; should be a 2e10 or 2e12
Furcal (ss-2) - good onbase - good speed; a little better vs lhp; lots of errors
Crede (3b-1) - good power and defense... gains in the clutch... but fairly average everywhere else; walked only 11 times in 361 atbats vs lhp.
C.Jones (3b-4) - Chipper pounds rhp; okay vs lhp; not quite a full season of at bats (411)

Outfield:
Freel (rf-2, lf/cf-3, 2b-3, 3b-4) - plays 5 positions, good speed, walks a lot; especially good vs lhp
Ichiro (cf/rf-1) - an amazing fielder; could be the first 1(-5) in cf since Cesar Geronimo - and deservedly so; probably a rf/cf- 1e3(-5); oh, and he can hit and run a bit, too; he's a little better vs lhp, but both sides will be good
Matsui (lf-4) - new addition; was injured most of last year (172 AB), but his OPS vs rhp is over 1000; pity about the defense
Green (rf-4) - balanced, although slightly below average
Payton (of-2) - not great, but not bad and very balanced; is a 2 in all three spots
Sheffield (rf-4) - like Matsui, spent most of 2006 injured (150 AB); only had 32 AB's vs lhp, but had excellent numbers; right side isn't all that good; how is he not a 5 in rf?
Sullivan (cf-2) - not very useable, but lots of upside
Kotsay/Lane/Conine - This team is deep. I will list the odds of these three making the roster the way the NFL lists their injuries every week:
Kotsay: questionable
Lane: doubtful
Conine: out

Designated Hitter:
Some combination of Chipper and Kent, I would guess - with a sprinkling of Matsui and Sheffield.

Uncarded Guys:
None

Draft Status:
Picks 15th. No first, but an extra 3rd.

Outlook:


(Translation: This team made the World Series last year and should be back for more post-season action in 2007. Their defense (1's at the corners, 2's up the middle, the best catcher arm, and the best defensive outfielder in the game) is superb. Their bullpen is only 2 deep pre-draft, but has two incredible right handers. Their offense has speed (Ichiro, Furcal, Freel) and power (Tex, Kent, Chipper, Crede). If the rotation can keep from letting them down, this is a 95 to 100 win team (that is, until his next trade - hehehe). The NERDD is going to be fun to watch. Glad I'm not in it.)

The Oilers are next. Killer Bees on deck. Inmates in the hole (so to speak).