NL West Preview (Season 4)

NL West Preview

By ESPN Correspondent Rob Neyer

Vancouver Mountain Lions
General Manager: sergei1991
Season 3 Record: 100 Wins – 62 Losses
Season 3 Division Finish: First

ESPN’s Season 4 Predicted Finish: 100 Wins - 62 Losses (First)
ESPN’s Predicted Team MVP: Fernando Rodriguez (Left Fielder)
ESPN’s Breakout Contributor: Humberto Campos (Catcher)
Sporting News Top Minor Leaguer: Jose Acosta (RL Starting Pitcher)

In sergei1991’s first season as General Manager of the Mountain Lions he improved the Mountain Lion’s previous year record by 19 games, an astounding number when you consider the team was already decent to begin with (81-81 in Season 2). Vancouver went from being a die-hard Canuck hockey town to experiencing some serious baseball excitement.

Behind the improved record was Right Fielder Rey James, who made strides on his Season 2 campaign increasing his home run totals from 45 to 54, as well as raising his average 32 points (.294 in Season 3).

“It’s about being patient at the plate,” James says, “I’m learning to take more pitches.”

James, long time super prospect Gene Gaetti (19 home runs 77 stolen bases), and midseason acquisition Fernando Rodriguez (43 home runs 105 RBI over 135 games) combined to drive a very strong and well rounded offense. Nine players hit double digit home run totals for the Mountain Lions. Though the offense was in the middle of the pack in most offensive categories, it figures to improve this season, with all the major pieces intact, young, and improving. Look for last year’s midseason acquisition, Bob Jones, to bring some additional punch to Vancouver’s offense over the course of 162 games.

On the mound the Mountain Lions got quality innings from Sticky Sadler and Adrian Hewson who both logged 200+ innings while sporting a sub 3.70 ERA. 32 year old Josh Clancy was his usual dominating self posting a 14-10 record with 174 strike outs and an ERA of 3.14. This year, at 33, he shows no signs of slowing down, coming into Spring Training in great shape.

“He’s in phenomenal shape,” says Pitching Coach Alberto Armas, “I think he’s primed for another great season.”

How far Vancouver goes this season may be dependent on a revamped bullpen. Although Closer William Rose was spectacular in the regular season winning the NL Fireman of the Year Award (52 saves in 56 chances), the bullpen let Vancouver down in the NL Championship. Wolf Young and Einar Valentin were brought in as free agent acquisitions in the attempt to bring some experience to the pen. Though the Wolf Young signing was criticized by some fellow General Managers, sergei1911 believes the big Texan’s experience will pay dividends in the offseason.

“Few people remember he was an All Star in Season 1 with the Pilots,” says Pitching Coach Alberto Armas. “I think he’s got a lot to teach these young kids of ours.”

The Vancouver Mountain Lions are the class of the NL West with solid hitting and pitching, and should take a deep run in the playoffs. Last year’s bullpen collapse was a bit of a fluke, making the Mountain Lions the logical pick as NL Champs.

San Diego Mad Friars
General Manager: dhomard
Season 3 Record: 78 Wins – 94 Losses
Season 3 Division Finish: Third

ESPN’s Season 4 Predicted Finish: 84 Wins - 78 Losses (Second)
ESPN’s Predicted Team MVP: John Trammell (Starting Pitcher)
ESPN’s Breakout Contributor: Albert Cyr (Right Fielder)
Sporting News Top Minor Leaguer: Alex Relaford (AAA Center Fielder)

Carl Clayton has arrived and the San Diego fans couldn’t be happier according to the sports blogs.

“The man is here. It’s time to challenge for a division title,” one fan posted.

“Clayton will turn this franchise around,” another posted.

While it’s too early to anoint Carl Clayton the savior, there can be no doubt the excitement surrounding his arrival has the fans buzzing. With two All Star games to his credit, 65 career home runs and 221 career stolen bases, Clayton brings a wealth of talent, and perhaps more importantly experience, to San Diego. He will join a very young lineup that featured Chip Evans (30 home runs and 101 RBI last year) as its only returning star.

Filling out the rest of the lineup are some fantastic AAA prospects who will make their ML debut, including Third Baseman John Suzuki, who lit up opposing pitchers to the tune of a .347 batting average, and Albert “Iceman” Cyr who slammed 32 home runs and drove in 132 runs.

How quickly Suzuki and Cyr develop will play a giant role in who takes second place in this division, and perhaps pushes for a wild card berth. Look Baseball Prospectus Top 100 Prospect, Alex Relaford to get a call up sometime during the midseason if San Diego is in the playoff hunt. He has the tools to contribute immediately at the ML level.

Rookie John Trammell was the workhorse of the Mad Friar’s pitching staff last year logging an amazing 221 innings, and posting a 16-10 record. While Trammell was overlooked in the ROY voting, expect Trammell to continue to improve and be playing in All Star Games by Season 6 if not earlier.

Joining him this year will be Felipe Valdes the Cuban defector who is regarding as a top talent. Valdes posted a WHIP of 1.18 and an ERA of 2.80 in AAA ball last year enroute to a deserved AAA All Star Game selection.

To balance out this youth Mel Gwynn and Christopher Houston will be looked upon to provide leadership for this young staff. Gwynn is a middle of the rotation starter who gets by on guile and his curveball, while Houston is a back of the rotation, ex-professional rodeo rider out of Montana, who regularly hits 90+ MPH on the radar gun. Both are seen as positive clubhouse guys.

San Diego’s patience with its minor league prospects, and selective trades, have put them in a fantastic position for both the present and the future. Expect San Diego to surprise many pundits and fans alike in the NL West, passing Salem by as the second best team in the division.

Salem Slugs
General Manager: 2_black_dogs
Season 3 Record: 92 Wins – 70 Losses
Season 3 Division Finish: Second

ESPN’s Season 4 Predicted Finish: 82 Wins - 82 Losses (Third)
ESPN’s Predicted Team MVP: Phil Saitou (Left Fielder)
ESPN’s Breakout Contributor: Erik Andrews (Right Fielder)
Sporting News Top Minor Leaguer: Kyle Roa (AAA Closer)

Offseason headlines in Salem were dominated by talk of Slug Shortstop Jacob Torres’ second DUI offense in the last 18 months. General Manager 2_black_dogs, tired of the media circus surrounding the one time All Star, promptly put him on the Trading Block. Most insiders expect Torres will be gone by the Season 4 Trading Deadline at the latest and perhaps as early as the start of the regular season.

“Screw Salem, screw 2_black_dogs,” said Torres. “I’ve worked my butt off for this team and do they have your back? No. I’ll be happy to be gone.”

Despite the Torres saga the future looks bright for Salem. A 21 year old (now 22) Phil Saitou showed why he’s been such a prized prospect for such a long time posting a line of .294 36 HRs 98 RBI and 85 Rs. He also judiciously stole 14 bases while only being caught 5 times.

Ricky Kennedy, a late bloomer just entering his prime, slugged 36 home runs while posting a solid .305 average.

On the pitching front, 26 year old Manuel Cortes logged 200 innings for the first time in his career and posted a solid 12-8 record with 144 strike outs.

Despite these positive signs there are some holes to fill. The loss of two time All Star Carl Clayton, to their division rival, San Diego no less, will be difficult to overcome. The fact that it happened via an unforced trade (Clayton claims he didn’t discuss a trade with management) has Salem fans even more perplexed.

“What the heck is management thinking?” Salem radio broadcast personality Tim Eyeman says. “Who goes out and trades an All Star to a division rival? I know Seattle did it last year with Kansas City and look what that got them—Seattle a seat at home during the playoffs and Kansas City some championship rings.”

The main piece of the Clayton deal for Salem was Outfielder Erik Andrews. Andrews was a disappointment with both Kansas City and San Diego last year, hitting only 15 home runs and driving in 41 runs. He’ll need to do better this year as he’s a key part of the Slug strategy. That said the kid has a world of upside, and at 26 is just beginning to enter his prime. Only time will tell if Volcanoes Stadium is the right environment for Andrews to flourish.

In order for Salem to challenge Vancouver, ace Terry Hiatt will also need to return to form. In Season 1 Hiatt was an All Star, but he’s been steadily on the decline ever since. With $24 million dollars remaining on his contract, Salem will be expecting a lot more than the 15-9 record to go with a WHIP of 1.48 and ERA of 4.45. For his part Hiatt seems ready to contribute,

“I’ve just got to concentrate on getting that third out each inning. It’s about focus.”

Beyond the aforementioned Cortes and Hiatt, Salem will look to Diego Martinez to continue his development and be a solid starter in the middle of the rotation. Scouts and experts are mixed as to whether he can be anything beyond a number four or five type guy. His control of his fastball and curveball are solid enough for a number three pitcher, however his fastball tops out around 85 MPH allowing patient hitters to sit back and take hacks. Salem Pitching Coach Desi Armas will have the important task of developing Martinez.

With Clayton out and the Torres saga continuing, Salem needs to figure out the middle of their infield. That said, the pieces are there for another winning season if the middle infield situation comes to a resolution and the pitching staff holds up. ESPN predicts a bit of a backslide for the Salem franchise.

Tacoma Thunderbirds
General Manager: aaron_clarke
Season 3 Record: 62 Wins – 100 Losses
Season 3 Division Finish: Fourth

ESPN’s Season 4 Predicted Finish: (72 Wins - 90 Losses) Fourth
ESPN’s Predicted Team MVP: John McMasters (Starting Pitcher)
ESPN’s Breakout Contributor: John McMasters (Starting Pitcher)
Sporting News Top Minor Leaguer: Stu Dolan (AA Right Fielder)

“I don’t know what the hell kind of squad I’ve got,” new General Manager aaron_clarke famously remarked when he took over the Thunderbirds last year. “I’m not positive anyone can actually play ball on this squad.”

Coming off a 44-118 disastrous showing in Season 2 which famously ended in a locker room brawl, after star First Baseman Fernando Tejada urinated on then Manager Todd Cox’s office door during a team meeting, the only place to go was up. Cox was fired, along with General Manager dtzoog. General Manager aaron_clarke was brought onboard and immediately moved Tejada to Philadelphia signaling the beginning of change. The change led to an 18 game improvement over last year, and the Thunderbird AAA squad coming within a game of the Championship.

“I think we’re moving in the right direction now,” aaron_clarke says. “We just needed to evaluate our talent and make some sensible and strategic moves.”

Coming over as part of the Fernando Tejada trade was Starting Pitcher Ernie Sanders. Sanders posted a 12-6 record as a rookie supported by a solid 1.22 WHIP and 3.35 ERA. To top it off Sanders also picked up a Gold Glove.

Fellow rookie, and Rule 5 pickup, Roger Brown was strong at the beginning of the season before fading in the end. He logged 203 innings while posting a 7-16 record supported by a 1.35 WHIP and 4.66 ERA.

Both will be joined this year by AAA NL Cy Young Winner John McMasters. McMasters is a crafty left hander who challenges hitters on the corners. As a Baseball ProspectusTop 100 prospect, he’s expected to be the staff’s future ace.

All three will need to post WHIPs under 1.30 and ERAs under 4.00 this year for Tacoma to compete.

On the offensive side of the diamond Tacoma will introduce some new players including speedster Andy Haney who swiped 73 bases in 77 attempts. Cy Lowry, who was acquired from Vancouver also brings a jet pack with him from AAA logging 60 stolen bases in 74 attempts. If either can get on base on a regular basis they should be able to cause some problems for opposing batteries.

Bip Moreno returns to the Thunderbirds after inking a $22 million dollar contract over the next four years. Moreno might be one of the best kept secrets in the NL West slugging 42 home runs last year despite playing in the league’s most pitcher friendly park.

”Many people forget he slugged 55 home runs and drove in 155 for a good Boston squad in Season 1,” says Tacoma Hitting Instructor Herman Potvin.

Rookie Outfielder Tony Javier also flew under the radar posting a 20/20 season (21 home runs and 36 stolen bases).

“Doesn’t bother me to be unknown man, doesn’t bother me one bit,” says Javier.

The major question for Tacoma is how to replace the departed Midre Lopez. Lopez was a staple at Catcher for Tacoma and was unwilling to re-sign after enduring three consecutive losing seasons. How well Zoltan Shermann does in handling his pitchers and using his bat, will go a long way in determining whether this team continues to improve or regresses.

“I can’t be Midre,” says Shermann, “I can only be me.”

The Thunderbird’s know their time to compete for a division title is not now, but the young prospects the club acquired need to show signs of maturing. If the young pitchers take steps backward or if the young outfielders falter it could be another long three years in Tacoma. More than likely Tacoma continues its march forward improving 5 to 10 games on last year’s record.