Looking Ahead - 2009 MFD

Inmates

Hitters: Dunn, Howard, Ankiel, C.Guillen, Beltre, K.Johnson, Theriot, David Murphy, VMart
Starters: J.Santana, Floyd, Vazquez, Myers
Bullpen: Villanueva, Franklin
Picks in the first 100: 22, 28, 38, 44, 60, 76

Opinion: The defending MFD champs have a few holes to fill if they are to repeat. The offense is very left-handed and not very deep. The defense is not great either. The pitching staff starts with Johan Santana and then drops off. The bullpen needs to be completely rebuilt. As great as Santana is, winning the MFD will be hard to do; and the only reason it's even possible is that the entire division is down again this year.

Main needs: C, OF, pitching


Buckeyes

Hitters: Giambi, Werth, Cust, Winn, Grudzielanek, Y.Escobar, Crede, Kouzmanoff, K.Suzuki
Starters: Buehrle, E.Jackson, R.Johnson, Maddux
Bullpen: D.Oliver, Madson, Gregg, Gaudin, Durbin, Colome
Picks in the first 100: 9, 42, 57, 74, 83, 86, 90

Opinion: A year away from the post season has the Buckeyes hungry, but he'll need a good draft. The offense has a couple of good bats, but the Buckeyes will be forced to manufacture runs again this year. The pitching staff is, in a word, old. There are some good numbers there, but still not a real strength. On the other hand, the Buckeyes have a really good shot to win this division.

Main needs: 1B, offense, and Geritol


Nads

Hitters: JD Drew, Burrell, Ad.Gonzalez, Willingham, Uggla, Glaus, C.Guzman, Eckstein
Starters: Webb, Dempster, Arroyo, Bannister
Bullpen: Saito, Affeldt
Picks in the first 100: 7, 23, 39, 55, 71, 87

Opinion: Could this finally be the year the Nads win the MFD and go to the playoffs? The Nad lineup is probably the best in the division. There are a couple of holes, but Drew, Burrell, Gonzo, Uggla, and company will score some runs. And Webb and Dempster give the Nads two excellent starters. Unfortunately for them, Arroyo and Bannister will both be bad. And the bullpen, other than Saito, is lacking. The Nads have big needs and no extra picks, so it will be tough, but this team has a chance to win this year. The quality of the Nad draft will tell the tale.

Main needs: C, CF, SP, bullpen


Mavs

Hitters: Huff, Dye, DeJesus, Blalock, Dmitri Young, Weeks, Hardy, Chris Young, J.Upton, Laird, Headley, Kendrick, Butler
Starters: Matt Cain and four days of rain?
Bullpen: Street, Valverde, Romero, Weathers
Picks in the first 100: 3, 19, 26, 35, 51, 67, 99

Opinion: The Mavs have some good young players, but not a lot of good cards right now. Huff will be great, DeJesus will be an excellent table-setter, and Dye brings power; it drops off a bit after that. But Young, Upton, Hardy, Headley, and Kendrick are on the verge of big things. The pitching staff doesn't have much beyond Cain. Gallardo and Bailey are still around, but offer no help for 2009. The Mavs have the third pick in the 2009 draft, so another elite young player should be added to this team. This division is winnable, but 2010 is probably a better bet for the Mavs return to the post season.

Main needs: C, SP