Well this is the week the teams sort themselves out for either a playoff contender or a next year wonder. :) After this week only 6 weeks remain and anybody 15 or more out are pretty much toast. The top 6 is the target. 5 of the top 6 are in good shape. Nor Cal is currently the bubble team and there is a decent gap between him and the 5 team in Columbus. I will now do a report card for all the teams and make observations as where they look to improve either for run or next season.
1A. Gaylord: Team has put it together winning 8 in a row and currently tied for 1st. Team has a solid batting but are in desperate need of speed. Rest are in good shape. Still not sold on BB the entire year. Though the addition of Thome helped a lot. As for the pitching they are very light on K's and questionable SP staff. Grade A
Next Move:Look for Gaylord to make a run at a SP or 2. Most likely one that can get K's. They will also look for some speed.
1B. New Jersey: I have said it since opening day. I have the best hitting top to bottom covering all 6 categories. Nothing has changed. Top 2-3 in the league in all areas except BA. Blame that on Helton. Staff solid but question marks on durability. Pen is very good. Grade A
Next Move: Mets are pretty set other then depth they won't need much for a playoff run.
3. ES Blacksox: Top team in the West. Doesn't say much but is a playoff hopeful. Team has produce far better then I predicted preseason. Solid hitting but in need of a power bat or 2. Staff is pretty solid but the pen needs some attention. Grade A
Next Move: look for ES to acquire a big HR bat or 2 by deadline. Possibly another closer or setup man.
4. Carolina:Team is producing where I expected but this is the time where they fade EVERY year. Will this be the same?? Will Carolina make the critical moves to keep them in the playoff hunt? Team is stuck in the middle for hitting. They could use another HR bat and possibly a SB guy. For the pitching Clemens was a sight for sore eyes. and a needed on. Putz solid closing is one less area to need but the setup needs help. Grade B
Next Move: Team should look for a power bat and/or SB guy. They could look for a setup man or a K SP.
5. Columbus:Team is solid hitting and built to compete with that. They are up in the top 2-3 in all hitting like the Mets. The only area I say they will need is SB. As for pitching I have said it all year. He will need another quality SP. You will have problems competing with guys at or near 5+ ERA's. Pen is solid right now as long as Otskua is closer. Grade B
Next Move: Look for Columbus to acquire a speed guy using a power bat as bait. They will also improve that staff..
6. Nor Cal:Another team that I had a little lower but is producing wins right now. Team is built around power but need to work on the other areas. SB/BB/BA. Those areas they are avg at best. The pitching is thin and they could use 1 or even 2 due to injuries. Solid closers and setup men. Grade B
Next Move: Look for the team to get some more speed and a SP or 2 to make them a legit contender. Without that I am afraid they will not maintain their spot.
7 South Texas: Team on the bubble and looking to make a move to the playoffs. Most noticeable improvement needs. A few power bats. Their staff has been solid so far but a few young guys how will they produce in Sept? Got a 2nd closer and that will help. Good setup men. Grade C
Next Move: Look for South Texas to get a power bat or 2 using one of their young SP possibly as bait. They could also use some speed. Might not have enough trade bait to achieve the improvements needed.
8. Knoxville: They are very similar to South Texas. In need of a power bat or 2. If this team wants to make the playoffs they will need to make some move. Right now with this team they will not. Speed and BA are solid. Rotation is ok but in dire need of a K SP or 2. Good saves but only 1 quality setup man. Grade C
Next Move: If they want to make a run they need to get a power bat or 2. They also could use a K SP and another setup man. Like South Texas I don't think they have enough trade bait to make the moves needed to make a serious push.
9. Springfield:This is an odd team. Solid hitting production but RBI's are way down. Lots of solo HR's I suspect. Great speed but will need some BB and BA guys. The Staff is solid for now with a couple of young SP. Good closers but NO setup men. Grade C
Next Move: This team is in much better shape then the 2 above them. They need to get a hitter that can get them some BB and high BA. Somebody like Helton or Hafner would really propel this team. They also need some quality setup guys.
10. Olivet: Not sure what to make of this team. I had them as my top team yet they are on the verge of packing it in. They are solid in hitting 4 of 6 stats. They could look for speed AND BA guys. Staff is decent and should do well enough but they can't get any wins. Saves are in need and having 4 Holds guys keeps them up top each week. Grade C
Next Move: Look for Olivet to get some speed and a closer if they really want to make a run. Question will be answered this week. Still expect this team to make a run but Eastern title is slipping.
11. Brewers: Brewers each year expect to make playoffs and each year fold. Well this is looking like another. They need a LOT of improvements. Little power and no speed. That combo hurts along with no trade bait. They improved their SP at the cost of hitting but they have nothing around it. Not enough quality closers or setup men. Grade D
Next Move: Can you say next year? Look for them to start trading their expiring contracts and non extended guys for contracts very soon. Though not sure it will help for next year as they don't have much left.
12. PB Bombers: Team flirted with playoffs but since week 7 they have only won 3 series and have dropped out. The main reason is hitting. Below avg in almost every category. Pitching staff is ok but the rest is in need of help. Closers and setup men cover half the starting lineups. I think you will start seeing fire sale soon. Grade D
Next Move: Team will be selling soon. Most likely non contract guys or non keepers.
13. Dallas: Here is a team that will be looking towards next year. They have a few good keepers but will need a couple more if they want to improve NEXT year. Teams hitting isn't horrible but when you build it around a Tampa Bay team it's going to struggle. The SP has killed them. high ERA few K SP 1 Hold guy and 1 closer. Grade D
Next Move: FIRE SALE!! Team will start moving the players they don't want to keep after this week.
14. Mid Michigan: This team has a solid hitting club. Nothing great but nothing horrible. It is close to the top 1/3 of the league in all offensive stats, except runs. Teams pitching is the problem. They have a decent group of starters when healthy but only 1 closer and MR is weak at best. hey should be better then their record but facts are they are toast. Grade D
Next Move: They should be moving some players for next year VERY soon if they want to improve for next year. As of now they only have 3 solid guys.
15. North Texas: They have been done for a LONG TIME and not trying for even longer. Not much went right for them other then being in the AROD sweepstakes. They want to improve on next year Looking to move Vlad to a team for a 2 month rent but will they get the type of player they want for him?? Grade E
Next Move: Move everybody then can for next year.
16. Bay Area:Tough injuries and flops like Bonds killed this team. They can extend Blalock and Rollins but everybody else will be moved for a contract. They will need to if they want to make a 180 next year. Grade E
Next Move: Like everybody down here. Looking to improve next year. Will Bay Area make any moves too?? Looks like a team not being managed right now.
17. Encinitas: No matter how bad this year paned out for them they have a lot of bright young guys for next year. 3 extensions means they could really give them a shot at a playoff team if they get good quality. Grade F
Next Move: Well this team didn't have a lot for 2006 but is in better shape for 2007. Look for them to acquire some guys to extend. If they really want to improve next year.
18. Michigan: Well we all knew they were the worst due to former owner not having a clue how to run a team. Team has been for a long time looking to get ANY guys for next year but nobody have biten yet. They have some keepers and their best move was a 3 year on Verlander but being new to the league and contracts they made some bad ones. Pie, Marte,Burgos are some bad ones. Olsen MIGHT pay off next year but this team is really a few years away from playoff contention. Grade F
Next Move: Already in full force to getting contracts but don't see them getting enough to turn it around next year. yet a good draft and good contracts will give them a chance in 2008. We will have to wait and see with this team.
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