The ML team will suck again.
Lineup vs R
2B Dustin Pedoria - Holding down the leadoff spot by default
RF Ichiro Suzuki - SOMEONE TAKE HIM PLEASE
1B Garrett Jones - Solid 1B who can play great defense, 20 HRs and 85 RBIs in 2008.
CA Jeff Clement - Sooner or Later, He has to develop quickly
3B Adrian Beltre - Popluarity is the only thing keeping him on team.
DH Joey Votto - Kills RHP, needs to develop that power a little more.
SS Angel Berroa - Has the potential to be a solid player, performance is another story
LF Mike Morse - Because hes a better option than Jason Ellison
CF Adam Jones- Out of pure necessity, maybe his development will speed up.
Lineup vs L
2B Pedoria
RF Suzuki
1B Jones
CA Clement
3B Beltre
SS Berroa
DH Morse
LF Ellison - At least he can play defense...
CF Jones
Bench
CA Rob Johnson- Defensive Specialist
OF Ellison - see Johnson without a bat
IF Mike Morse - Versatility in the IF is a plus
Rotation
RH Jeff Weaver - Can he stay healthy for a full season to be respectable?
RH Clay Bucholz- He lost 18 games despite the 4.38 ERA and 1.36 WHIP
LH David Purcey- Please for the love of god don't walk 100 batters
RH Gil Meche - For a guy with all that talent, PITCH LIKE IT
LH Jarrod Washburn - Its make or break for him.
Mopup
LH Eric O'Flarethy- Will learn the ropes.
RH Jon Huber - Has a career 3.81 ERA in 2 seasons (44 appearances).
Middle
RH Emliano Fruto - He not going to be closer material like in TSSL
RH Austin Bibens-Dirkx - Starting to get command of his pitches, vastly improved from 2007 to 2008
RH Justin Lehr - Rare Righty thats BETTER vs lefties.
RH Cha Seung Baek - He is the next in line after Ramirez when he fails.
Setup
RH Fruto - He will double duty as the setup man
LF George Sherill - Please just let him face LHB.
Closer
RH Brandon League- Will have growing pains in 2009, but has the most talent in the bullpen.
This will be another basement dwelling team in 2009 but the future looks bright
Top 10 Spects
1. OF Issac Galloway- 9-9-10-8-7 talent, 9-8-9 running, 9 arm
2. SS Carlos Trunifel - 9-10-9-8-7 talent, 9-7-8 running, 10 arm, 7 range
3. SP Michael Bowden - 9-10-8 talent, 8 end, 67 groundball%
4. CA Jeff Clement - 8-7-10-7-5 talent, 8 range, 7 arm
5. CF Adam Jones - 7-8-10-8-6 talent, 8-8-8 run, plays 2B and SS
6. OF Wladimir Balentien - 8-7-10-6-5 talent, plays all 3 OF spots
7. SP Jay Crew- 10-7-8 talent, 98-100 MPH, 8 end
8. 3B Matt Tuiasosopo - 8-7-10-4-6 talent, 7-7-7 run, also plays SS
9. SP Tony Butler- 9-6-9 talent, 8 end, 65 groundball%
10. OF Danny Almonte - 7-7-10-5-4, 9-8-8 run, 10 arm, all 3 OF spots.