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Sparrow · 07-25-2010, 10:19 PM

10/25/2009

Starting Pitching

There are three solid starters on the roster for 2010.

Jeremy Bonderman- 2010: $9.7M 2011: $9.8M 2012: $10.3M 2013: $10.8M 2014: $11.3M
This was an extension signed last July. That's a lot of committed money, and long term deals for pitchers make me nervous. To date, he has been great, and he can anchor our rotation.

James Shields- Going into arbitration, offered $5.19M. A very nice 27 year old. Will make a fine #2.

Paul Maholm- Going into arbitration, offered $2.92M. Building off a career year. More of a back end starter, but should be fine.

Chris Smith, Adam Loewen, Jason Vargas, and Sean West are the front runners for the #5 spot. Lowen was terrible last year and would be a great non-tender candidate if he hadn't already been offered arbitration. The rest are unkowns. This has me nervous.

Relief Pitchers

The bullpen looks like a potential strength of the team. Hopefully this area won't require much attention, but relievers seem to fluctuate year to year so we'll see.

Gary Majewski was the closer for most of the year, but Darren O'Day took over late in the year. Mike Gonzalez appears headed to free agency but is easily replaced by Eric O'Flaherty, Billy Wagner, and Damaso Marte. Saul Rivera and Jason Frasor are also in the picture for bullpen spots.

Catchers

This is a big, big need.

Joe Mauer- On his way out. All Star 5 of his 6 seasons, and now going to get paid. I'm not sure how to string together the money to keep him.

Robert Fick- Will be 36 by opening day. His personality is his only strength at this point.

First Base

Travis Hafner- 2010: $12.5M 2011: $12.5M Former rookie of the year and former most valuable hitter. His numbers seem to be on the decline but he can still mash.

Infield

Has the potential to fall apart due to free agency, although wasn't very good to begin with. Before the virtual day ends, I will have to seriously look into trying to keep some of these guys.

The free agents: Mark DeRosa, Chone Figgins, and Ronnie Belliard. Limited value as all players had an OBP less than .300. Figgins can steal some bases, DeRosa has some pop.

The rest: Junior Spivey and Anderson Hernandez. Spivey at least has a SLG above .400, but strikes out too much.

Outfield

Of the 5 outfielders on the roster, 3 are eligible for free agency. Nice talent in the outfield.

The free agents: Rocco Baldelli, Andruw Jones, and Rondell White. White is a non-issue, but Baldelli and Jones will be tough losses if I can't extend them.

The rest: Brad Wilkerson and Nate McLouth. Wilkerson is a bargain at $3M. At $11.23M, McLouth better have a good year.

Overview

This team will be very susceptible to injuries to a starting pitcher, and will be weak in the back end of the rotation. The infield is shaping up to be a disaster, including, catcher. The outfield and bullpen look like strengths of the team. It's a long off-season, but I'm not encouraged at the teams prospects for 2010.

07-25-2010, 10:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sparrow All Star Reserve Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 790 Thanks: 192 Thanked 68x in 55 posts	The Roster 10/25/2009 Starting Pitching There are three solid starters on the roster for 2010. Jeremy Bonderman- 2010: $9.7M 2011: $9.8M 2012: $10.3M 2013: $10.8M 2014: $11.3M This was an extension signed last July. That's a lot of committed money, and long term deals for pitchers make me nervous. To date, he has been great, and he can anchor our rotation. James Shields- Going into arbitration, offered $5.19M. A very nice 27 year old. Will make a fine #2. Paul Maholm- Going into arbitration, offered $2.92M. Building off a career year. More of a back end starter, but should be fine. Chris Smith, Adam Loewen, Jason Vargas, and Sean West are the front runners for the #5 spot. Lowen was terrible last year and would be a great non-tender candidate if he hadn't already been offered arbitration. The rest are unkowns. This has me nervous. Relief Pitchers The bullpen looks like a potential strength of the team. Hopefully this area won't require much attention, but relievers seem to fluctuate year to year so we'll see. Gary Majewski was the closer for most of the year, but Darren O'Day took over late in the year. Mike Gonzalez appears headed to free agency but is easily replaced by Eric O'Flaherty, Billy Wagner, and Damaso Marte. Saul Rivera and Jason Frasor are also in the picture for bullpen spots. Catchers This is a big, big need. Joe Mauer- On his way out. All Star 5 of his 6 seasons, and now going to get paid. I'm not sure how to string together the money to keep him. Robert Fick- Will be 36 by opening day. His personality is his only strength at this point. First Base Travis Hafner- 2010: $12.5M 2011: $12.5M Former rookie of the year and former most valuable hitter. His numbers seem to be on the decline but he can still mash. Infield Has the potential to fall apart due to free agency, although wasn't very good to begin with. Before the virtual day ends, I will have to seriously look into trying to keep some of these guys. The free agents: Mark DeRosa, Chone Figgins, and Ronnie Belliard. Limited value as all players had an OBP less than .300. Figgins can steal some bases, DeRosa has some pop. The rest: Junior Spivey and Anderson Hernandez. Spivey at least has a SLG above .400, but strikes out too much. Outfield Of the 5 outfielders on the roster, 3 are eligible for free agency. Nice talent in the outfield. The free agents: Rocco Baldelli, Andruw Jones, and Rondell White. White is a non-issue, but Baldelli and Jones will be tough losses if I can't extend them. The rest: Brad Wilkerson and Nate McLouth. Wilkerson is a bargain at $3M. At $11.23M, McLouth better have a good year. Overview This team will be very susceptible to injuries to a starting pitcher, and will be weak in the back end of the rotation. The infield is shaping up to be a disaster, including, catcher. The outfield and bullpen look like strengths of the team. It's a long off-season, but I'm not encouraged at the teams prospects for 2010.