[luckymann]

LAST YEAR: 61-79 21 GB, 6th / .284 / 3.54
BNN PREDICTION: 59-95 29 GB, last / .244 / 2.91
FARM SYSTEM: 11th
BEST PROSPECT: P Johnny Lush (13th)
PAYROLL: 12th, $22,970
HIGHEST PAID PLAYER: OF Willie Wilson, $1,893
CASH BALANCE: $110,253
GAINS: 3B / RF Jack Rothrock (trade); P Steve Fireovid (trade)
LOSSES: C Al Fitzmorris (trade)

It is tough to fathom how and why Cleveland have been so terrible the past two seasons, in which they went a combined 122-158 and finished next-to-last both times. Unfortunately for Naps fans, the experts are predicting an even rougher ride in 1904. And still I don’t fathom why. I don’t think they’re that bad. Nor do I think they’re that good.

They do have one of the league’s premier players in centerfielder Willie Wilson, who put together a stellar 1903, leading the AL in hits (208), runs (119) and total bases (281) while amassing 5.3 WAR and providing 24 Batting Runs. His counterpart in left, Luke Scott, is another solid player. But – exacerbated by the tragic loss in a freak accident of RF Turkey Stearns for the season and perhaps beyond – the dropoff from there is fairly pronounced, and it is this thinness of calibre across the position players that is undoubtedly the main culprit in the club’s poor performance. Making matters worse is the fact that their farm system at the moment does not look to hold the answers to turning this around.

If there is any hope of this team avoiding the cellar this year it is their pitching. They have a really sturdy rotation, led by gun Cy Falkenberg, who’s just about the best pitcher in the FL and should improve on his 12-14 / 3.44 rookie season. He is backed up by three solid hurlers in Dickey Kerr (15-13 / 3.32), Barney "The Yiddish Curver" Pelty (10-20 / 3.82) and rookie southpaw Johnny Lush. But all four are young and pretty raw, which could mean a lack of consistency that, when combined with a sputtering offence that’s fairly easy to pitch around, will rack up more losses than one would like. 95 of them, if the experts are to be believed. Ouch.

As I said, I don’t share the thought that this group will finish last, I see them more as mid-standings gonfalon. It’s where the Naps go from here that interests me. Should they use their high Draft picks wisely this year – especially at catcher, 1B, and in the middle infield – the club has the makings of a decent squad a few seasons down the track. Until then, however, I suggest Cleveland fans take the lead from their team’s nickname and go for a nice long nap.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: P Cy Falkenberg; P Johnny Lush; CF Willie Wilson