Great Lakes Division

Onto normally the weaker division but not this year. The East took that spot but they are not that far from it. Still should be a wild year with the Gambler in Broskey. Steady Keith. Never say die Larry and the wannabe Shandler in Wagner. :). This division will be active for sure. Except for maybe Keith.


Gaylord Dingers

Mike seems to always find ways to keep his team in contention each year. Falling short some years while making solid runs others. Having last years trade deadline to get contracts and a few winter meetings moves. His team should be in contention. During draft he took Holliday in the first. If this was a redraft league I have no problem with it but as a keeper league I am not a fan of him. He's at an age where it could start to show issues. Especially in the OF which wears on you. Shields in round 2 was the best SP available but how will he fair in a HR park and on a weaker team? I liked BJ Upton as I am a big fan of him really doing well in Atlanta. He should move to elite status this year. Davis round 3 might have been a little bit of a reach but obviously he wanted power. Liked the Samardzija pick. Wanted him myself in round 4. High k's and should take a step forward. Afterwards went closer crazy like many league mates. I think will cost him valuable trade bait later. As for his teams production. Solid Power will lead to good Runs/HR/RBI. SB will be lite and BA should be solid. SP is decent. As long as Shields doesn't fall to much and Garza has no more arm problems (has shown not 100% already) should be a good staff. Kennedy needs to rebound. He has 3 closers and all major question marks. How many will implode? Brothers and Mujica were good for holds but what about this year since they are not 8th inning guys. Still look for Wagner to keep his team in the hunt. I see a playoff team here.

Olivet Killer Eagles

Larry made his run last year hung it all out to dry. Yet came up short and is now rebuilding. He moved most of his contracts for picks. Yet with all that I don't think he will be that bad. Usually starting with almost nothing leads to a down year. Larry had no 1st and took Corey Hart in round 2. While normally a great spot he had an injury and most likely knock him out 1-2 months. Still a decent 2 year keeper. Round 3 was a great pick in Adam LaRoche. Seems to always fly under the radar. 30+ HR and 100+ RBI. Where can you find that in round 3? Wagner probably kicking himself now. Then it was Uggla after which I am not a fan of. Low BA getting worse there and power shrinking. Reddick with his low contact rate most likely not going to produce same as last year. Still I see Larry being in contention most of the year. He has solid power but no speed at all. Low BA will bring that down. Low BA also. Now where this team will struggle is on the SP side. Lots of questions. Cap have a spot in rotation? Ramirez takes a leap forward? Gallardo their only stable SP. RP lots of holds type and high ks'. Overall team made good strides focusing on offense keepers. Yet will most likely be consolidation.

Charlotte Orios

Always active Broskey. Makes plenty of deals but before dust can settle he makes another. Usually leading to over managing and hence not able to see what his team needs. With that the drafted started well. While I don't agree with some of the trades he did to move up and back. He did take 2 solid guys with his early picks in Cabrera and Cespedes. How long they stay on team? Bets anyone? Then it started to go down hill. Round 4 big round he took a SP whos upside is round 4 but his downside is WW. To much risk over reward. Then round 4 rebounded to take Kuroda. He was solid and should be ok as long as he fights the age battle. Still a slightly higher ERA possible. Reached for Eaton after. While he could begin in majors to start he might not produce like a stud. After that questionable closers. Reed and low BA Hardy. Overall Broskey should have kept his team out of lottery as long as he holds onto his proven guys. Lack of Speed and Runs will hurt offense. SP has lots of if's. If everything works in his favor they will be decent. Still hows Lester? Dempster in AL East? Kuroda battling age. Richard? Can Josh stay healthy? Do you gamble much? I wouldn't bet on these odds. RP also issues. Guys who had 6's and 7's ERA. Will Reed finally put it together? He over paid for Hanrahan to have handcuff. Broskey should keep his team in hunt but most likely fall short of any playoffs.


Mid Michigan Tigers

Keith does his homework but he's not active enough during meetings or during season to push his team to the next level. If he only reached out more.   He's most of the time right at the consolidation rounds. Will this year break that? Had an ok team heading into draft. I put him in the same area as Doyel. Pretty safe when it comes to drafting and trading. Billy Butler solid not spectacular 1B. Should help all over except SB. Cabrera a solid pick up and good contract. Keith got 2 three year guys. DeAza was horrible pick. Speed is all over this year and could have taken a guy with stats very close to same a little later. Round 5 had Soriano but how long can he keep it up? Ludwick in round 6 isn't going to have any upside (Hamilton going to press soon). Overall all Keith did ok in the draft. Not a lot of reaches but also not much upside. Power will be middle of the pack and speed lower half. Runs a little lite and RBI should be ok. BA might struggle a bit. SP also has questions. Chapman a SP this year.. How long till injury? How many innings before he tires? Beckett bounce back in LA now? Sanchez did well for the Tigers last year but what about a full season? Hudsona nd Buehrle fight off father time? Scherzer ready to finally control his wildness and be an ACE? Weak closers Francisco on short leash and Perez doens't have the closer stuff. Overall Keith will be in hunt but like most years will come up short especially if he isn't active. For the most part Keith doesn't aggrssively reach out to adjust team via trade but listens to offers. Hopefully he changes that..


Overall this division has vastly improved. Here is the order I see..

Gaylord
Mid Michigan
Olivet
Charlotte

Gaylord is clearly in front while I put Larry and Keith very close. Broskey brings up rear but has made strides over last seasons given the rest of the league somebody has to be lottery here.  Broskey or Larry depending on who packs it in first.