Divisional Overview: The NL East is a division that will see at least three teams improve on last season. This division is going to gain ground overall against the league, albeit perhaps only a little. Cleveland is young and not fully formed, but it has the potential for a bright future. Look for them to nip at St. Louis' heals. The Fake ID's have a pit to dig out of and it's unlikely they'll make up nearly enough in just one year to get out of the basement. St. Louis needs to find a way to close the gap on first while the Buckeyes veteran GM has once again pieced together aging vets and role players to remain the front runner for 1st in the division. And one last note, I've left off talking about defense because talking about defense is boring. If defense is your thing, I apologize for not offering you any of your thing.
Columbus Buckeyes
The Bats: With only a few minor moves to shore up its middle infield and CF positions the team comes into season 49 with a largely unchanged lineup. Sure, the all-star CFer Crawford arrives circuitously via Jacksonville, but will his production translate outside the comforts of Coors Field? Otherwise, the Buckeyes will be relying heavily on outfielders Keith Jones and Billy O'Sullivan to continue their production at the plate in an attempt to maintain the team's seasonally respectable offensive output.
The Balls: While rdierkers was content to make only a few minor position player moves this offseason he had lots of work to do on the pitching side of his team. With the loss of Morey, Viciedo, and Bradley from the starting rotation, Columbus will look to 35 year old all-star and three time CY award winner J.P. Rapp to lead a revamped starting crew that now includes Miro, Diaz, Cook and proven winner Pelaez; all added through FA signings and trades. Although the loss of CY winner Lawrence Morey is a big one, the Buckeyes new arms should be more than sufficient to keep up the teams strong pitching into season 49. Their bullpen will be helmed at least one more season by time-defying Sam Stock, who at 40 years old is still one of the most dependably good bullpen arms in the league.
Summary and Prediction: The Columbus Buckeyes have enjoyed a remarkably consistent level of success for many years, having won less than 90 wins only once in their ten seasons under rdierkers. They have finished 1st in the division 3 of the last 4 seasons, and they've had success in the post-season making the LCS 3 of the last 6 seasons. Columbus should remain consistent winning 92-95 games this season and again winning the division.
St. Louis A-Bombs
The Bats: St. Louis will improve their record in season 49, but it won't be because of increased production at the plate. The A-Bombs have been less than mediocre at the plate the past couple of seasons under cyben5150 landing at or near the bottom of the league in most statistical measures. They made no real significant improvements to their lineup this off-season instead opting to bolster their pitching staff while they wait for their better position player prospects to mature in the minors. They have a few seasons to wait as their best prospects are still quite young.
The Balls: Will Hale may take a starter's role in his sophomore year, while 38 year old free agent signing Bud Watson has an opportunity to extend his career with his new team. 36 year old veteran starter Wagner is joined by FA signings Flores and Bonilla (both 34 years old). And cyben5150 landed Edgmer Gil (SP/RP) and Nicasio (RP), both good signings. These pitching signings aren't going to help their anemic offense and they aren't going to turn St. Louis into anything resembling a 90's Atlanta Braves staff, but they are good enough to project an improvement to the team's pitching performance for season 49.
Summary and Prediction: Without any great losses to the team's roster cyben is counting on his pitching additions to help continue to build on his team's decent bounce back season last year. Count on the A-Bombs cracking the 80 win plateau and perhaps even winning 85. Probably not good enough for the post season, but heading in the right direction.
Cleveland Vikings
The Bats: Starting with Darren Pressley at 2B Cleveland has good young talent that should only continue to improve. Up the middle of the field they have Pressley (22), the SS combo of Mulholland (27) and Benitez (26), and CFer Santana (24). I don't like that they no longer have Brown in CF, but it's a minor detail. Each of these new players have solid potential to improve and contribute, especially Pressley. RFer Suarez is also only 22 years old rounding out a core of good to very good young players in the Vikings' lineup. It appears Tex Siddall may be called upon to keep third base warm for a season or two until highly touted prospect Carlos Martin is ready to take his throne as the Vikings future 3B starter. Expect the Vikings' offensive output to improve as these young players continue to improve at the plate. Cleveland should be at least a slightly more respectable hitting team in season 49.
The Balls: A lot of eyes will be on young 23 year old starting pitcher Placido Tejada who is filled with promise but who lost nearly half his season due to injury last year. klown is hoping Tejada can join young Henry Holm as the team's one-two punch at the top of a more reliable starting staff in S49. I'm a big fan of Mark Post's. Last year was a career year for him. There's every reason to think he'll be just as good this year. 4 or 5 more wins from improved pitching alone is reasonable enough to expect.
Summary and Prediction: I'm bully on the Vikings. With players like Pressley and Tejada how could one not be? klown has made steady improvement to his club since taking the helm 6 seasons ago. I think the Vikings should be flirting with 82 wins this season, which would be right in line with their trajectory. Cleveland has plenty of cap space too. If they get a chance to improve during this season they won't be hampered by financial restraints. Cleveland is a very close third place team this year and their race with St. Louis should be some of the division's best entertainment.
Jacksonville Fake ID's
The Bats: Jacksonville was busy this offseason. Owner topoftheworl was clear in his vision to management: Make moves! Arruebarrena (CF) and Figureoa (1B) are gone. But Chico Astacio (2B), one of a few players Jacksonville deftly recycled from the FA market, was used to help lubricate a trade that brought in Rico Merced (3B). After an early signing of Phil Crawford (CF) the fans thought they had an all-star CFer to look forward to watching this year. However, the GM recycled him too and they've had to "settle" for the lately signed FA A.J. Brown. I think the fans have got it wrong. I think they'll be pleasantly surprised with his bat. The Fake ID's lineup will hold steady at least from last season. And I don't think the GM is done dealing.
The Balls: Pitchers came and went galore! Ozuna, Kung, Feuntes, and Tarasco are gone. O'Brien, Merced, and Johnson are now bullpen options courtesy of free agency. Joining him in that pen are Tiny James, who came in a deal with the Mashers, and Tito West and Michael Garcia, who have been called up to the Show from the minors. I see a pitching staff that is going to have to be utilized very creatively in order to get what the team needs off the mound. One of the many deals made in Jacksonville saw GM top pick up the terrific young prospect Rando Monroe who isn't long from getting to the Bigs.
Summary and Prediction: Last season seemed at first to me to be somewhat of an anomaly for the historically powerful Fake ID's. With the exception of one or perhaps two other similarly anomalous seasons Jacksonville is usually competing for the division title. If nothing else no one will be able to say that management didn't do everything it could to put a more competitive team on the field in S49. I predict they succeeded. To what extent is hard to say without understanding the pitching strategy. With a few more moves, don't be surprised if they find a way to win 70 this season. They will be last, but they will be the most improved.
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