Post by Commissioner Erick on Nov 4, 2018 19:14:29 GMT -5
1) Houston Astros
2019: 111-51, AL West Champion. Defeated Minnesota 4-3 in ALDS. Lost to New York Yankees 4-2 in ALCS.
Who They Were: Houston was a dominant regular season, using a stupendous amount of high-end talent to bludgeon the league into 111 wins. Carlos Correa, Alex Bregman, and Daniel Murphy were each Silver Sluggers, while the pitching staff was third best in the league. Outside of Game 5 of the ALCS, the offense took a step back in the playoffs, with the supporting cast not producing at all. That, combined with the cruelty of small sample baseball led to their falling short of a World Series berth. Still, Houston put together an All-Timer of a roster.
Offseason Review: Looking at the failings of their role-players, Houston decided to eschew role players and acquire more superstars. Mookie Betts and Mike Trout were brought in, while numerous depth pieces (and Daniel Murphy) were not brought back. Houston will have some work to do to fill out its 25-man roster, but the amount of star power on board is astronomical.
On the Farm: Unsurprisingly, as the team made moves to bring in stars, the minor league system lost much of its talent, especially in the upper levels. There are very few players who have demonstrated both good scouting evaluations and production in the mid-or-upper minors, meaning Houston's stars will have to carry them.
Best Case Scenario: Role players don't win championships, generational talents do, and Houston has them in spades.
Worst Case Scenario: A bit of regression and an injury or too leaves Houston winning 90 games.
Key Questions: Outside of Dallas Keuchel and Joe Musgrove, your rotation isn't nearly as deep as it was last season. Does that concern you at all?
The position players for your opening day roster are basically set. Do you have confidence in anybody who won't necessarily make the opening day roster to fill in and help your team in case there's an injury?
2) Texas Rangers
2019: 89-73, 2nd Place AL West. Lost to Minnesota in Wild Card Game.
Who They Were: For the second year of three, Texas got off to a frigid start before turning it around in the second half and earning a postseason bid. The offense carried the team as Paul Goldschmidt, Francisco Mejia, Kyle Seager, and Carlos Santana each posted a wRC+ of 121 or higher. Despite being only eighth in home runs, Texas finished third or fourth in most significant AL batting categories. The offense made up for a very disappointing showing by a big-name pitching staff, one where Cole Hamels, Justin Verlander, Sonny Gray, and Yu Darvish brought pedigrees and ERA of 4.62 and higher. Even Madison Bumgarner, whose 4.32 ERA masked a stellar season, bombed in Texas' depressing wild card showing, giving up all nine runs in the 9-2 defeat.
Offseason Review: Texas completely revamped its pitching staff, jettisoning all five big-name starters from the team. Rick Porcello and Shelby Miller were brought aboard to lead the staff, but the rest of the rotation will be comprised of unknowing, uninspiring arms. Carlos Santana was allowed to depart without a signature replacement, and the Rangers continue to have question marks at their corner outfield spots.
On the Farm: Depending on how the pitching staff shakes out, Texas will have some arms in the upper minors that can patch immediate rotation holes or contribute in the bullpen right away should Texas need it. Aside from that, Texas doesn't have an incredibly well-stocked farm. Raimfer Salinas is the most intriguing player in the system but hasn't had an at-bat above High A.
Best Case Scenario: The offense slugs its way to 88 wins
Worst Case Scenario: Just because nobody knows these pitchers, doesn't mean they'll be less disappointing than last year's pitchers.
Key Questions: You have a brand new rotation, with the exception of last year's sixth starter Juan Parra. Do you think the back of the staff will be good enough to keep you competitive?
Kyle Lewis hasn't hit above Double-A, Ryan O'Hearn is coming off a brutal year, and scouts aren't very high on Luis Gonzalez or Monty Harrison. Are you worried you'll be able to get enough production from your corner outfielders?
3) Los Angeles Angels
2019: 76-86, 4th Place AL West
Who They Were: After a solid start, a rough second half dropped the Angels below .500. The offense wasn't very good as they were last both in hits and stolen bases, and despite Mike Trout's 28 bombs, only ranked twelfth in home runs. However, buoyed by Andrelton Simmons, the Angels had the best defense in the AL and the third best starting pitcher ERA in the AL.
Offseason Review: Mired in mediocrity, the Angels made a bold trade, dealing Mike Trout for a package that provides both short and long-term value. The deal leaves the Angels short a star, but other offseason moves were made to shore up an awful bullpen, while providing some salary relief for a stingy owner. The offense may struggle some more, but this may be an even better defense and a deeper rotation than last season's edition.
On the Farm: Jonathan Arauz was the jewel obtained from Houston in the Trout trade, and while he may start in Triple-A, is an incredibly fluid athlete that leads to a beautiful swing and grace in the field. While he's been miserable in two international stints, the 21-year old tore up Triple-A last season. Pavin Smith has a weird profile, but he's always been able to get on base in the minors. Jake J. Thompson and Chris Rodriguez are a pair of arms that can help the team this year. There are useful pieces in the upper minors, but not a lot of potential impact players in the lower portions of the system.
Best Case Scenario: The Angels max themselves out on fundamentals and win 80 games.
Worst Case Scenario: The Angels go an entire season without scoring more than three runs in a single game.
Key Questions: Your team didn't have a lot of hitting prowess last year, and you traded your best player. How do you envision your offense working?
Your bullpen wasn't very good, but you were active on the margins this offseason to try and rectify that. Can you talk about your plans to improve the pen?
4) Oakland Athletics
2019: 77-85, 3rd Place AL West
Who They Were: Oakland won a game more last year than in 2018 as they got a superstar season out of Franklin Barreto. Barreto hit .307 with a barely fathomable 64 doubles. However, Oakland had the second worst defense in the league and didn't have a star performance from anybody on the roster to complement Barreto.
Offseason Review: While the team lost Max Schrock and the surprisingly useful Scott Van Slyke, Oakland upgraded its talent base by acquiring Jesse Winker, Matt Duffy, and Carlos Santana. Winker and Duffy should help the team's defense, while Santana should bolster the offense. They didn't take steps to improve the rotation externally though, hoping a pair of youngsters with ERA in the 5's last year can hold down the back of the staff.
On the Farm: Despite a few trades, it's a deep farm with talent at a lot of levels and for a lot of positions. A.J. Puk and Norge Ruiz are expected to earn spots in the rotation, but Logan Shore, Kevin Gowdy, and Raul Alcantara could challenge them from Triple-A. Adam Hasely could earn a spot as the starting right fielder, though Marino Campana and his explosive power could challenge that in a year or so. There's more talent lower in the system, including last year's number six pick Dingo Gagen, who had a nice debut in rookie ball last year.
Best Case Scenario: The pitching and defense improve for Oakland to reach .500.
Worst Case Scenario: The pitching is bad and a lack of impact hitters results in 95 losses.
Key Questions: None of your candidates for the fourth and fifth spots in your rotation had an ERA under 5 as starters at any level last season. How will you patch together a winning rotation with players who have not produced inspiring results?
You have a number of options to flank Franklin Barreto as a shortstop. Who will be your starter at short, who will make the roster as a backup, and who will start the season in the minors?
5) Seattle Mariners
2019: 64-98, Last in AL West
Who They Were: Aaron Dunham made a ton of moves, but the wheeling and dealing left Seattle with a strange, mismatched roster. Only three regulars hit .271 or higher, and every starting pitcher except Marcus Stroman who started at least eight games had an ERA of 5.79 or higher. The staff kept the ball in the park better than any in the league, but they allowed the most walks so it didn't matter.
Offseason Review: Seattle continued its tradition of trying to make value moves in either acquiring or trading away talent. Jesse Winker was sent to Oakland for a cache of prospects, while Jake Junis and Rob Refsnyder were brought in to add to the rotation and infield respectively. However, most of the same players who got a lot of playing time last year return, so it's hard to expect marked improvement. Jeff Samardzija's long return from rotator cuff surgery will help the rotation s he's looked solid in Spring Training.
On the Farm: It's a pretty good system, especially in the upper reaches. Most of the better and more developed prospects are pitchers, but the very top of the system is headlined by two position players. Lazarito Armenteros has speed and defense that can play in the majors a year from now, while Aramis Adelman has a short swing, a great glove, and an advanced feel for baseball. At worst, the Seattle has the underpinnings of a good run-prevention club in the near future.
Best Case Scenario: Samardzija and mere regression take the team to 77 wins.
Worst Case Scenario: Stroman and Samardzija can't make up for a bad offense and the team loses 93 games.
Key Questions: You mentioned in a Trident Tribune presser how the spring was going to provide competition for the final two starting pitching spots in your rotation. Who won those positions and why?
Jason Heyward is a clear starter, but who will get your other two starting outfield positions?
2019: 111-51, AL West Champion. Defeated Minnesota 4-3 in ALDS. Lost to New York Yankees 4-2 in ALCS.
Who They Were: Houston was a dominant regular season, using a stupendous amount of high-end talent to bludgeon the league into 111 wins. Carlos Correa, Alex Bregman, and Daniel Murphy were each Silver Sluggers, while the pitching staff was third best in the league. Outside of Game 5 of the ALCS, the offense took a step back in the playoffs, with the supporting cast not producing at all. That, combined with the cruelty of small sample baseball led to their falling short of a World Series berth. Still, Houston put together an All-Timer of a roster.
Offseason Review: Looking at the failings of their role-players, Houston decided to eschew role players and acquire more superstars. Mookie Betts and Mike Trout were brought in, while numerous depth pieces (and Daniel Murphy) were not brought back. Houston will have some work to do to fill out its 25-man roster, but the amount of star power on board is astronomical.
On the Farm: Unsurprisingly, as the team made moves to bring in stars, the minor league system lost much of its talent, especially in the upper levels. There are very few players who have demonstrated both good scouting evaluations and production in the mid-or-upper minors, meaning Houston's stars will have to carry them.
Best Case Scenario: Role players don't win championships, generational talents do, and Houston has them in spades.
Worst Case Scenario: A bit of regression and an injury or too leaves Houston winning 90 games.
Key Questions: Outside of Dallas Keuchel and Joe Musgrove, your rotation isn't nearly as deep as it was last season. Does that concern you at all?
The position players for your opening day roster are basically set. Do you have confidence in anybody who won't necessarily make the opening day roster to fill in and help your team in case there's an injury?
2) Texas Rangers
2019: 89-73, 2nd Place AL West. Lost to Minnesota in Wild Card Game.
Who They Were: For the second year of three, Texas got off to a frigid start before turning it around in the second half and earning a postseason bid. The offense carried the team as Paul Goldschmidt, Francisco Mejia, Kyle Seager, and Carlos Santana each posted a wRC+ of 121 or higher. Despite being only eighth in home runs, Texas finished third or fourth in most significant AL batting categories. The offense made up for a very disappointing showing by a big-name pitching staff, one where Cole Hamels, Justin Verlander, Sonny Gray, and Yu Darvish brought pedigrees and ERA of 4.62 and higher. Even Madison Bumgarner, whose 4.32 ERA masked a stellar season, bombed in Texas' depressing wild card showing, giving up all nine runs in the 9-2 defeat.
Offseason Review: Texas completely revamped its pitching staff, jettisoning all five big-name starters from the team. Rick Porcello and Shelby Miller were brought aboard to lead the staff, but the rest of the rotation will be comprised of unknowing, uninspiring arms. Carlos Santana was allowed to depart without a signature replacement, and the Rangers continue to have question marks at their corner outfield spots.
On the Farm: Depending on how the pitching staff shakes out, Texas will have some arms in the upper minors that can patch immediate rotation holes or contribute in the bullpen right away should Texas need it. Aside from that, Texas doesn't have an incredibly well-stocked farm. Raimfer Salinas is the most intriguing player in the system but hasn't had an at-bat above High A.
Best Case Scenario: The offense slugs its way to 88 wins
Worst Case Scenario: Just because nobody knows these pitchers, doesn't mean they'll be less disappointing than last year's pitchers.
Key Questions: You have a brand new rotation, with the exception of last year's sixth starter Juan Parra. Do you think the back of the staff will be good enough to keep you competitive?
Kyle Lewis hasn't hit above Double-A, Ryan O'Hearn is coming off a brutal year, and scouts aren't very high on Luis Gonzalez or Monty Harrison. Are you worried you'll be able to get enough production from your corner outfielders?
3) Los Angeles Angels
2019: 76-86, 4th Place AL West
Who They Were: After a solid start, a rough second half dropped the Angels below .500. The offense wasn't very good as they were last both in hits and stolen bases, and despite Mike Trout's 28 bombs, only ranked twelfth in home runs. However, buoyed by Andrelton Simmons, the Angels had the best defense in the AL and the third best starting pitcher ERA in the AL.
Offseason Review: Mired in mediocrity, the Angels made a bold trade, dealing Mike Trout for a package that provides both short and long-term value. The deal leaves the Angels short a star, but other offseason moves were made to shore up an awful bullpen, while providing some salary relief for a stingy owner. The offense may struggle some more, but this may be an even better defense and a deeper rotation than last season's edition.
On the Farm: Jonathan Arauz was the jewel obtained from Houston in the Trout trade, and while he may start in Triple-A, is an incredibly fluid athlete that leads to a beautiful swing and grace in the field. While he's been miserable in two international stints, the 21-year old tore up Triple-A last season. Pavin Smith has a weird profile, but he's always been able to get on base in the minors. Jake J. Thompson and Chris Rodriguez are a pair of arms that can help the team this year. There are useful pieces in the upper minors, but not a lot of potential impact players in the lower portions of the system.
Best Case Scenario: The Angels max themselves out on fundamentals and win 80 games.
Worst Case Scenario: The Angels go an entire season without scoring more than three runs in a single game.
Key Questions: Your team didn't have a lot of hitting prowess last year, and you traded your best player. How do you envision your offense working?
Your bullpen wasn't very good, but you were active on the margins this offseason to try and rectify that. Can you talk about your plans to improve the pen?
4) Oakland Athletics
2019: 77-85, 3rd Place AL West
Who They Were: Oakland won a game more last year than in 2018 as they got a superstar season out of Franklin Barreto. Barreto hit .307 with a barely fathomable 64 doubles. However, Oakland had the second worst defense in the league and didn't have a star performance from anybody on the roster to complement Barreto.
Offseason Review: While the team lost Max Schrock and the surprisingly useful Scott Van Slyke, Oakland upgraded its talent base by acquiring Jesse Winker, Matt Duffy, and Carlos Santana. Winker and Duffy should help the team's defense, while Santana should bolster the offense. They didn't take steps to improve the rotation externally though, hoping a pair of youngsters with ERA in the 5's last year can hold down the back of the staff.
On the Farm: Despite a few trades, it's a deep farm with talent at a lot of levels and for a lot of positions. A.J. Puk and Norge Ruiz are expected to earn spots in the rotation, but Logan Shore, Kevin Gowdy, and Raul Alcantara could challenge them from Triple-A. Adam Hasely could earn a spot as the starting right fielder, though Marino Campana and his explosive power could challenge that in a year or so. There's more talent lower in the system, including last year's number six pick Dingo Gagen, who had a nice debut in rookie ball last year.
Best Case Scenario: The pitching and defense improve for Oakland to reach .500.
Worst Case Scenario: The pitching is bad and a lack of impact hitters results in 95 losses.
Key Questions: None of your candidates for the fourth and fifth spots in your rotation had an ERA under 5 as starters at any level last season. How will you patch together a winning rotation with players who have not produced inspiring results?
You have a number of options to flank Franklin Barreto as a shortstop. Who will be your starter at short, who will make the roster as a backup, and who will start the season in the minors?
5) Seattle Mariners
2019: 64-98, Last in AL West
Who They Were: Aaron Dunham made a ton of moves, but the wheeling and dealing left Seattle with a strange, mismatched roster. Only three regulars hit .271 or higher, and every starting pitcher except Marcus Stroman who started at least eight games had an ERA of 5.79 or higher. The staff kept the ball in the park better than any in the league, but they allowed the most walks so it didn't matter.
Offseason Review: Seattle continued its tradition of trying to make value moves in either acquiring or trading away talent. Jesse Winker was sent to Oakland for a cache of prospects, while Jake Junis and Rob Refsnyder were brought in to add to the rotation and infield respectively. However, most of the same players who got a lot of playing time last year return, so it's hard to expect marked improvement. Jeff Samardzija's long return from rotator cuff surgery will help the rotation s he's looked solid in Spring Training.
On the Farm: It's a pretty good system, especially in the upper reaches. Most of the better and more developed prospects are pitchers, but the very top of the system is headlined by two position players. Lazarito Armenteros has speed and defense that can play in the majors a year from now, while Aramis Adelman has a short swing, a great glove, and an advanced feel for baseball. At worst, the Seattle has the underpinnings of a good run-prevention club in the near future.
Best Case Scenario: Samardzija and mere regression take the team to 77 wins.
Worst Case Scenario: Stroman and Samardzija can't make up for a bad offense and the team loses 93 games.
Key Questions: You mentioned in a Trident Tribune presser how the spring was going to provide competition for the final two starting pitching spots in your rotation. Who won those positions and why?
Jason Heyward is a clear starter, but who will get your other two starting outfield positions?
