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DETROIT WOLVERINES (41-43 in 1881)
Detroit did better than expected as a new team in 1881. However, they haven't really made any significant changes this year, so it's difficult to see how they can be much better in 1882. Look for them to finish near .500 this year, possibly a little better if King Kelly and Pete Hotaling bounce back with big years.
37 C Barney Gilligan (0-22-.200-0) - A good-fielding catcher who can't hit at all.
21 1B John Reilly (0-8-.206-3) - This promising 23-year-old appears to have won the starting first base job from Martin Powell.
13 2B Bob "Magnet" Addy (0-18-.228-3) - At age 37, his best years are probably behind him. Detroit will be happy if he can just continue being a good glove man at the keystone spot.
4 2B-SS Sam Wise (1 for 5 lifetime) - The 24-year-old Wise looks like a middle infielder for the future for this club. He'll split time with Addy and King Kelly.
17 SS-RF King Kelly (0-29-.282-6) - Kelly regressed a bit in his first season in Detroit, but he is still the team's best player. He'll split time between right field (his more natural position) and shortstop.
36 3B Steve Bellan (0-29-.250-3) - He's always been a good fielder, and last year Bellan actually got his hitting back up to a productive level. He is due to become a free agent after the season.
34 LF Steve King (0-21-.224-0) - He will turn 40 in June, and appears to be at the end of his usefulness, but he insists he can be productive for Detroit this year.
43 CF Pete Hotaling (1-36-.226-1) - After having two very good seasons in Cincinnati, Hotaling was not good at all in Detroit. The team needs him to find his hitting stroke in 1882.
28 RF Orator Shaffer (0-21-.216-0) - He had a very poor 1881, but Detroit didn't exactly have a lot of options, so they brought him back to platoon in right field this season.
30 P Tommy Bond (17-16, 1.91; lifetime 51-64 record) - He had the best season of his career last year, and now Detroit is looking for him to repeat that outstanding performance.
45 P George Derby (12-12, 2.29 as a rookie) - He was the best rookie pitcher of 1881, and will likely share time with Bond in something close to a 50-50 arrangement.
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