2017 Bob Uecker Division

As we work our way through the division outlooks, we move now to the BUD. Here was the forecast in 2016:

Overall:
1. Wahoos
2. Warpigs
3. DVs
4. FFTs
This should be a tightly contested race, but the pitching staff of the Wahoos will be the difference. The Pigs' defense and bullpen should keep them in the mix for a shot at a wild card. The DVs have lots of young talent; they just need a big year from their pitchers. The FFT batters are not on the young side like the DVs, but they still have plenty in the tank. The FFTs also need to hit on some pitchers to challenge the Hoos and Pigs.

Well, the race couldn't have been any tighter. The Hoos and Pigs battled down to the final series of the regular season. And while the Wahoos dominated the season series, the Warpigs won the BUD before finally figuring out a way to beat the Wahoos in the playoffs and making it all the way to the World Series. The FFTs and DVs did not get the pitching they needed and are still searching for it.

What will 2017 bring? More of the same? Can the Wahoos finally get that monkey/pig off their back? Will the FFTs' lineup of future Hall of Famers finally get the pitching help they need to return to the post season? Will the young studs on the DV roster emerge as a perennial powerhouse? Will the Warpigs win a game?

And... we're off...

Starting Pitching
1. Wahoos
2. FFTs
3. DVs
4. Warpigs
Arrieta, Verlander, Estrada, and the Weekend at Bernie's guy dominate this category for the Wahoos. The FFTs aren't too far back, but will depend heavily on left-handers (Hill, Pomeranz, Duffy, Gio). The DVs and Warpigs have some young guys who just aren't good enough yet. The DVs do have Hendricks, though; and he's so good I'm surprised he's not a Wahoo.

Bullpen
1. Wahoos
2. FFTs
3. DVs
4. Warpigs
The Wahoos and Sidewinders have the two best bullpens in NASOMA. The rest of NASOMA's relievers combined couldn't match the depth and quality of either of these squads.

Catcher
1. FFTs
2. Warpigs
3. Wahoos
4. DVs
Yadier is now an FFT, but he's still the best in the division. The platoon of Realmuto and Cervelli make the Pigs a close 2nd. The Wahoos have a good platoon catcher in Rupp.

First Base
1. FFTs
2. Wahoos
3. DVs
4. Warpigs
Miggy > Encarnacion > Pujols > Moreland

Second Base
1. FFTs
2. Wahoos
3. Warpigs
4. DVs
The Robinson Cano vs Dustin Pedroia debate is still alive and well in the BUD. Cano gets the nod - he's even slightly better defensively. If you're looking to the future, the DVs' Panik is the guy to have.

Third Base
1. FFTs
2. Wahoos
3. DVs
4. Warpigs
The Wahoos' Kyle Seager is the best hitter vs RHP; the DVs' Martin Prado is the best hitter vs LHP; but the FFTs' Adrian Beltre is the best overall. It's close, though.

Shortstop
1. DVs
2. Wahoos
3. FFTs
4. Warpigs
Bogaerts and Corey Seager are the best two shortstops in the division, and they both play for the DVs.

Left Field
1. FFTs
2. Wahoos
3. Warpigs
4. DVs
This is not a strong position for the BUD. For all the FFT moaning about not having a LFer, Ichiro puts them in the top spot. The Pigs would have had #1, but the LoCain trade moves Inciarte out of LF and into center.

Center Field
1. Warpigs
2. DVs
3. Wahoos
4. FFTs
Center field is a little better for the division. Inciarte tops the list. Dexter Fowler has almost identical numbers, but the drop off in defense puts him at #2. LoCain is a good enough platoon for the Wahoos to slot him ahead of Ian Desmond of the FFTs.

Right Field
1. Wahoos
2. DVs
3. FFTs
4. Warpigs
Another pretty good position for the BUD. Adam Eaton, who can't field for shit when he moves over to center, catches everything in right. He's also a balance hitter. Giancarlo is the best talent in RF, but his right side isn't good enough to slot him over Eaton. The FFTs' Reddick/Guyer platoon is better than the Warpigs' Pence/Choo platoon.

Designated Hitter
1. FFTs
2. Warpigs
3. Wahoos
4. DVs
Nelson Cruz will be the full time DH for the FFTs. If the Pigs play Yasmany Tomas at DH, he's every bit as good as Cruz. But if he's in LF, it's Chris Carter - and he's not as good. Khris Davis falls somewhere in between Tomas and Carter, so the Hoos are probably #2.

Draft Picks
1. DVs
2. FFTs
3. Wahoos
4. Warpigs
The DVs will be the envy of all at the Draft, with four 1st round picks.

Overall
1. Wahoos
2. FFTs
3. DVs
4. Warpigs
There are about 4 givens in NASOMA this season, and one of them is that the Wahoos will win the BUD. The FFTs just need to add some pitching, and they'll be a playoff team. The DVs have a young, talented nucleus, but they still have holes to fill. He has the draft picks to do this, but the question is 'Is there enough talent in the Draft to fill those holes?' The Warpigs finishing in the BUD cellar is one of the other 4 givens.