[Bluellama44]

Starting Pitchers

We have a clear #1 starter, and although he isn't an ace, he's done very well with us over the years. The rest of the rotation is subject to change.

Danny Fuentes (31, throws L) - A 2 time All Star, Fuentes is 38-44 with a 2.85 ERA in 4 seasons with us. He's making a hefty $200K per year for the next 5 seasons, so if we get an opportunity to trade him for a good return, we'll take it.

Nick Kain (29, throws R) - He lacks good stuff and any gas on his fastball, but has gotten by on his control. I personally don't buy his success, but he went 4-3 with a 3.06 ERA last year.

Cody Hurley (26, throws R) - Like Kain, he lacks a strong fastball and gets by on control. He's a horrible guy to have in the locker room, so I'm probably going to non-tender him.

Jose Mora (26, throws R) - Man we're really good at getting starters who don't throw hard. He's still on his rookie contract and put up a 3.63 ERA last year, so I plan on having him stick around.

Martin Lopez (28, throws R) - Maybe the worst starting pitcher in the in the league, Lopez won 2 games last year and lost 23.

Relief Pitchers

Our bullpen will definitely see changes over the offseason, so I'm just going to list the guys who should still be contending for spots by Opening Day.

Jason Springer (32, throws R) - He has a good curveball-cutter mix, but really struggles with control. There could be big potential here.

Blake Cline (32, throws L) - Throwing a hard cutter and nice slider, Cline should be a fairly reliable lefty option for us.

Nate Cross (25, throws R) - Cross puts great movement on his pitches and draws a ton of groundballs. He desperately needs to cut the walks down.

Matt Nickey (32, throws L) - He has a very nasty curveball and not much else. Nickey should be a decent lefty option.

You'll notice we lack any good young pitching. This is something we need to address throughout the offseason, whether it's through trades or signings.

Infield

Our infield last year was about as bad as they come.

1B Victor Krueger (36, bats R) - A 4 time All Star, Krueger was once an amazing player but is way past his prime. His $240K contract will mercifully end this offseason.

1B/2B Rich Butler (26, bats L) - He's a free swinger and plays run of the mill defense.

2B Rafeal Rangel (30, switch hitter) - Nothing but speed. Very disruptive in the locker room.

2B Fernando Nunez (29, bats R) - He should be able to make a decent amount of contact and turn some double plays.

2B/SS Manny Gomez (25, bats R) - Plays good 2B defense but can't hit.

3B Tony Sistos (35, bats R) - He has a rocket for an arm at third base but lacks much of a bat. He'll be making $150K per year until after the 1971 season.

SS Gabriel Silva (26, bats R) - He can't do anything at the plate besides walk, and he plays subpar SS defense.

SS Name Unknown (?, ?) - No one really cared to ask him his name because he hit .134 last year. Fans decided not to look when he's up, so no one really knows how he bats.

Yikes.

Catchers

We have a pretty good crop of catchers. No need to try and spend money on the catcher during the offseason.

C Jon Pimentel (27, bats R) - He can't take a pitch, but he handles pitchers well. Good 3rd catcher material.

C Travis McConnell (26, bats R) - He has some pop and can field well. McConnell is probably my favorite catcher in the organization.

C Teodoro Ceraolo (33, switch hitter) - A 5 time All Star, Ceraolo is a good defender but is no longer a threat at the plate. His $160K contract expires after next season.

Outfield

This, although it isn't a very strong outfield, is definitely the bright spot of our team. All of the guys I mention here could be good trade bait, but I also wouldn't mind keeping them.

OF Danny Vasquez (31, bats R) - A 2 time All Star, I think his best days are behind him, but he's still decent.

OF Jorge Rivera (23, bats R) - One of the most promising hitters on the team, the kid can crush the ball but has no business fielding in the outfield. Perhaps some first base training is in order for Rivera.

OF Mike Wargo (25, bats L) - He makes a lot of contact but lacks power. Wargo plays super hard and should be our third biggest threat on the basepaths.

OF Tyler Blin (25, bats L) - Undoubtedly the fastest player on the team, Blin needs to get on base more.

OF Ricardo Ramirez (23, bats L) - I think we have one of the most underrated young players in the league here in Ramirez. He gets on base at a good rate and crushes line drives into the gaps routinely. I'm very curious to see the kind of season he puts together when given adequate playing time.

OF Rob Grabenstein (22, bats L) - There's a lot of untouched potential in Grabenstein. His bat clearly wasn't ready for the majors last year, as his .187 BA demonstrates, but he has great speed, plays phenomenal defense, and may even be a solid hitter who slaps the ball into the gaps when he reaches his potential.

Moving forward, the outfield isn't a spot we'll really need to improve on. Everywhere else is a different story.