Looking Ahead - 2009 BUD

Rhinos

Hitters: ARod, H.Ramirez, Abreu, Braun, Ethier, Rios, Soto, Votto, BJ Upton, Polanco, Y.Molina, Kemp
Starters: Sabathia, Sheets, Burnett, Garza
Bullpen: Lidge, Okajima, Putz, T.Pena, Lindstrom
Picks in the first 100: 16, 18, 49, 62, 79, 94

Opinion: The defending BUD champs are loaded again. This offense is scary-good, and the defense is not too bad either now that Hanley is no longer a 4. The starting pitching, headed by Sabathia, is also very good. If this team has a weakness, it's the bullpen. Adding to the problem is the fact that the Fungoes still get to claim one of these relievers to complete a deal from last spring. But the Rhinos have plenty of picks, including two fairly early ones, and there will be a lot of good relievers in the draft.

Main needs: bullpen


Wahoos

Hitters: Pedroia, Bradley, Youkilis, Morneau, Rollins, Damon, Aramis Ramirez, Ianetta, Reed Johnson
Starters: Hamels, Baker, Lohse, Meche, C.Young
Bullpen: Marmol, Fuentes, Rauch, J.Cruz, Marte, Wuertz
Picks in the first 100: 25, 41, 53, 73, 89

Opinion: The Wahoo offense is just as good as the Rhino offense, and their infield defense is the best in the league. The starting pitching is not quite as good, but Hamels is excellent. The bullpen is pretty deep, too. The Wahoos don't have any early picks, and that will hurt some; but this team doesn't need much.

Main needs: CF


SuperGoofs

Hitters: Quentin, Thome, Nady, Garko, Snyder, Pence, Hunter, B.Phillips, Betancourt, Edmonds, Church, Blake
Starters: Volquez, Marcum, Guthrie, Looper
Bullpen: Broxton, Hoffman, Brocail, Byrdak, J.Lewis, Marshall, J.Miller
Picks in the first 100: 5, 37, 65, 69, 70, 85

Opinion: The first year of the SuperGoofs will be a rough one, but mostly because they're in the hardest division. The Goof offense is average, but deep, with no outstanding hitters other than Quentin. And the best three hitters (Quentin, Thome, and Nady) will leave the Goofs with 4's in both LF and RF. The starters are good and Broxton will be a fine stopper, but this team could be in for a long year.

Main needs: 3B, SS, and a division realignment


Warpigs

Hitters: Pujols, Chipper, Manny, Granderson, Giles, Bay, Furcal, Doumit, O.Hudson, S.Drew, Bartlett, Atkins
Starters: E.Santana, Lackey, Harden, Litsch
Bullpen: Soria, Wagner, Wheeler, Springer, H.Bell, Sherrill
Picks in the first 100: 1, 2, 17, 34, 81

Opinion: The Pigs have a set lineup that should score runs in bunches. The starting pitching is lacking, but having the first two picks in the draft will help that. The pen is pretty average except for Soria and Wagner, who are very good. The fights between the Pigs, Rhinos, and Hoos will be fun to watch. All three teams are easily good enough to win the league.

Main needs: SP