[mikev]

2010 Crusaders Offense

The Crusaders 2010 offense returns a megastar, added a couple pieces, and suffered a few absolutely signifigant losses. The team finished #6 in the MBBA in 2009 according to runs scored (806 total), and at least being equal to that will likely be necessary for a playoff run.

Starting Lineup

1. Tagashashi Takahashi, CF
2009: .295/.335/.377, 2HR, 21RBI, 20 2B, 14.4 VORP

Takahashi, one of the central pieces in the Jeff Ladner trade, was aquired by the team in response to the spring training injuries suffered by incumbent Jose Avila as well as standout left fielder Francisco Mendez, both of whom are lost for the entire 2010 season. Takahashi, currently in search of a nickname according to teammates, is a speedster with good range and a cannon for an arm. He'll take Mendez' leadoff spot and Avila's center field position for 2010.

2. Pedro Cruz, 3B
2009: .280/.340/.434, 23 HR, 93 RBI, 29 2B, 39.4 VORP

The receipient of a hefty contract extension keeping him in California until 2013, Cruz will be asked to play a bigger role in the offense with the loss of Avila and Mendez for the year. He posted career bests in several categories last year, and will need to duplicate some of that again.

3. Jakob Forest, 1B
2009: .352/.456/.559, 25 HR, 113 RBI, 38 2B, 101.1 VORP

This guy's okay I guess.

4. Kinnosuke Sasaki, DH
2009: .247/.301/.428, 9 HR, 27 RBI, 12 2B, 3.1 VORP

Sake-bomb (credit JQ for the nickname) was a free agent pickup who some seemed to think wasn't much of an upgrade over Enrique DeJesus. Our scouts think he's got immense power, possibly 30 home run potential, and he's shown flashes of that potential before.

5. Tony Reyes, RF
2009: .263/.335/.423, 13 HR, 74 RBI, 30 2B, 14.4 VORP

Originally signed as a backup, Reyes came out of nowhere in 2008 to claim the starting job for himself and backed it up in 2009 with another solid campaign. The Puerto Rican saw a bit of a drop in his power numbers last season, but he also cut back on his strikeouts. He's another guy that we can just kinda toss out there and know he'll do his job - one less thing to worry about is good for us.

6. Carl Hollingsworth, 2B
2009: .302/.341/.384, 6 HR, 48 RBI, 23 2B, 19.2 VORP

Hollingsworth, a free agent signing towards the end of the offseason, inked a 2 year deal to play for California and was promptly injured for the first part of the season. While not quite the player he used to be, Hollingsworth is still a doubles machine (23 last year was actually his career low) and his high average and good OBP makes him a solid #6 hitter.

7. Pedro Vargas, SS
2009: .259/.325/.386, 14 HR, 71 RBI, 22 2B, 22.0 VORP

Moving to shortstop for the 2010 season, the former second baseman still hasn't quite lived up to his immense potential. He'll be given every opportunity to contribute, and his willingness to move to shortstop to help the team has been a major help.

8. Jack Bryant, C
2009: .254/.329/.384, 12 HR, 59 RBI, 19 2B, 19.6 VORP

Bryant, aquired from Manhattan in order to replace free agent to be Carlos Becerra, will assume the starting role for the season. Signed to a multi year extension after being aquired, Bryant will be with the team through 2011.

9. Nick Cox, LF
2009: .262/.305/.373, 6 HR, 31 RBI, 11 2B, 1.2 VORP

A one time super-prospect who has suffered multiple talent hits and is essentially a backup/defensive replacement, Cox is penciled in as the starting left fielder as of now for the Crusaders. Quite simply, he'll have to play over his head to keep his job. A fair base-stealer, Cox could possibly be a decent guy to get on base before the lineup turns over and the big bats come back up, but rumor has it that the team is currently on the lookout for a better option than him at the corner OF spot.