[luckymann]

LAST YEAR: 71-69 11 GB, 5th / .280 / 3.33
BNN PREDICTION: 83-71 5 GB, 3rd / .240 / 2.40
FARM SYSTEM: 4th
BEST PROSPECT: OF Frank Schulte (5th)
PAYROLL: 14th, $22,673
HIGHEST PAID PLAYER: 2B Danny O’Connell, $1,900
CASH BALANCE: $118,284
GAINS: NONE
LOSSES: NONE

Despite winning 9 more games than the year before and halving the gap between them and the top club, the Highlanders will most likely feel somewhat underwhelmed with their 1903 season. At times they looked like world-beaters, only to completely lose their way and take some time to find it again. That’s how it usually works with young clubs on the way up, a fact that should temper any sentiments of disappointment. As should the fact that they aren’t far off the pointy end right now.

This is a special group New York has put together, of that I have no doubt. But I’m worried they didn’t make efforts to improve it even further in the offseason. Not on the offence, where players such as outfielders John Wilson, Frank Schulte and Moose McCormick, and infielders Danny O’Connell, Eric Soderholm and Jack Wilson (that’s not confusing at all...) are good enough thanks very much. Really they don’t have a weak link among their position players, and even their secondary lineup would give a few FL teams a run for their money.

No, it is in the pitching ranks I would have liked to see them shore things up. Not that their rotation – Jeremy Bonderman, 20-game winner Mike McCormick (really, is this some sort of set up? I’m glad I’m not their equipment guy...), 20-game loser Juan Nieves and Marty Pattin – didn’t do a pretty good job last year, posting the third-best ERA and lowest RPG total in the AL. But injuries happen, and should they happen in this group there’s not much by way of backup. So an insurance policy or two would perhaps have been prudent. Of course, with all that excess talent in the playing group, said insurance policy is only a phone call and some keen negotiating away at all times.

You almost get a sense of inevitability about this Highlanders club at the moment. This may not be their year, they may need just one more; but I reckon they’ll give it an almighty shake all the same. A few of their AL counterparts would be feeling pretty nervous I’d say.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: OF John Wilson; P Jeremy Bonderman; OF Frank Schulte