Here we are in the Texas division you have bitter rivals in this one. The champs in Miracles and the commish whos still looking for that elusive win. Lots of activity from the miracles not all good though.
Hackensack Bulls
Bulls have done a good job setting themselves up for a run this year. Not very active in the meetings but didn't need to be. Just had to draft solid. Round 1 took Granderson. While he is a monster HR hitter will provide solid 3 stats and thats his limit. Runs/HR/RBI and I expect his BB to drop as hes getting older. Still not many have his power. Altuve in round 2. Grabing my sleeper last year. Should give him a ton of steals. Lots of runs and a solid BA. Then Bulls got risky. I am not a fan of Crawford. Injury from last year still an issue heading into camp and I don't think in LA he will produce numbers worthy of his round 3 spot. Round 4 Ichiro was a good pick but nobody knows when the decline will start. As of last year he was rejuvenated after being traded but will that wear off? Johnson in round 6 for saves. Most expect him to come back to earth and I agree. He's not a 50 save guy.. As far as the overall team looks. He has a very nice balance on offense. Solid stud HR hitters and SB guys in Altuve and Castro and hopefully Ichiro. BB will be low and solid BA. Offense will keep Bulls in it alone. The staff is a lot of questions. How does Darvish handle year 2? He did falter 2nd half like I predicted. CC and Strasburg will anchor the staff and will Lincecum return? Saves should be ok and Holds shold be solid. Overall this is a playoff team on paper but given his division it might be tough.
Michigan Miracles
Well last years champ proved he will do whatever it takes to win again. If that means raping the new guy in the league all bets are off there. So after a very active meetings I am not so sure the champs did a better job this year though. He traded CJ Wilson/Kendrys Morales/Albert Pujols then added Goldschmidt/Walker/Frazier. Not sure that worked out in favor of this year. Long term who knows. Moved up to take Gonzalez but I think that was for Posey. I have a feeling the draft was very frustrating for Renner. I don't think he got the guys he was targeting. Next round 4 he took Walker and Frazier and Cuddyer. None are studs and don't see much more then what they showed last year. Then the draft went down hill. Round 5 Bonifacio a platoon guy. Avila hoping to return to solid catcher. I wouldnt bet on it. He's nothing special. 2011 was just a career year. Overall team will have solid power. Decent RBI but lack of top of the order guys will keep runs in check except for big HR weeks. BA is decent and BB ok.. Overall offense not bad. Now we get into the staff. Will Pettitte throw more then 100 innings? I seriously doubt it. He is to fragile. This is his last year. Dickey knuckle work well in the AL East? I think he also comes back to earth. Latos not a fan but did ok in in their HR park. Surprisingly better at home. Rest of the staff is even more questions. Estrada and Griffin and Detwiler. Almost like Renner didnt do the research since a few are fighting for jobs and a utility offense guys. Overall the champs made it tougher on them and right now I think they are on outside looking in.
San Antonio Fire Ants
I think Keith did a hell of a job drfting. Not many reaches and solid picks most rounds. Braun in round 1 can't go wrong. Hopefully doesnt get suspended. Zobrist in round 2. I had him as a 1st given his versitility. Round 4 of Cabrera I dind't like. I know he was later then ADP but nobody knows which Melky will show up. I think 2010 is the real Cabrera making this a bad pick. Risk higher then reward here. Miley must be a favorite player because I got a guy in round 13 that will put similar numbers so based on value IMO not a good pick. Parker next was solid but again SP like him available later. Then the closer run started. Overall top to bottom I like this team. Has solid power and decent Runs/RBI. Might need another speed guy for matchups and BA will be on the downside expecting Melky to come back to earth. Where the question srise for the team is the staff. They need to hold the fort until McCarthy and Beachy come back. Nothing studly but should do ok with the solid pen. Overall look for the Fire Ants to make the playoffs. I think they have a shot at the division..
Soth Texas Heat
Well Berg wasn't very active before draft. Seems a lot of owners got frustrated with the high prices. Still he added Dunn and Robertson and moved Young. Berg wanted to move out of round 1 and was able to move a few spots back. Selecting Aramis was the best available and should do well but he is on the start of the declining years so injury risk even more right now. Then took Sale later in the round. Should produce solid k's but will he last all year? If he did gain stamina he will be studly. Brett in the 3rd another speed guy that was expensive. If he doens't hit near top he loses a lot of value. look for a 260 ba and 40+ SB with 90 or so runs. Juan Pierre will be somewhat closer and was drafted well beyond. Then things got worse. Kubel on the verge of platoon. Having real problems hitting lefties. I think he paid for the HR production last year and that should drop. Nathan a solid pick in 5 and Berkman is breaking down. Burnett solid SP. Madson might prove costly having issues returning from surgery. Will he hold up? Overall Berg did a good job and should be a playoff team. Good power and all offense stats solid. His staff hinges around Sale and Moore. They are solid it will make up if Straily/Miller don't have jobs or if Marcum struggles. I am sure Berg will make the moves needed to stay near the top of the division.
Overall this is how I see it finishing
South Texas Heat
San Antonio Fire Ants
Hackensack Bulls
Michigan Miracles
This is the toughest division and the fact they play each other 3 times is only going to make it harder. San Antonio and Hackensack have easier weeks facing Orios and Eagles 2 times. That will give them a leg up.
Edit 3/23/2013. Due to injuries I have now swapped Bulls and Miracles. I don't see the defending champs able to compete now. His offense is the weakest in the division.
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