Great Lakes Division Preview

This was a much maligned division last year and took a lot of verbal abuse from the rest of the league. That should change this year, especially when the division includes four of the premier 1B in the league. We welcome back a former owner, Chris Broskey, who I am somewhat familiar with since I took over his "old" team a few years ago. Best of luck to all.

Offense...

1. Charlotte-Led by Votto, Hanley Ramirez, Utley. Excellent overall.
2. Gaylord- Pujols, Crawford, Aramis Ramirez. Whenever you have the best player in the game your offense can't be too bad.
3. Olivet-A well balanced group led by Dunn, Stubbs, and Morales. Pretty solid up and down with the exception of SS. Rayburn qualifying at 2B is a bonus since he won't put on an IF glove all year.
4. Mid Michigan-Led by Miguel Cabrera this is a pretty good group but in comparison to the others in the division they land here.

Pitching...

1. Gaylord-Hamels, Kuroda, and a solid relief corp land this group in the top spot in the division.
2. Mid Michigan-Lincecum, Lee, Wilson. After this group there is a good size drop off in talent.
3. Olivet-Shields and Hanrahan head the starting and relief corps. I'm not sure that's a good thing.
4. Charlotte-As good as Charlotte's offense is the pitching is that poor. With the exception of Verlander(stud) the rest of the group is decent but forgetable.

Prediction--the team that steps up in the pitching department during the year will take this division.

Bench...

All fairly close but it breaks down like this...

1. Olivet-Pretty good backups all around.
2. Mid Michigan-couple of extra WW pickups will round out this bench nicely.
3. Gaylord-Good IF backups with some pitching to boot.
4. Charlotte-Too many question marks on this bench to rely on.

Preseason Division All-Star Team. Extras in a position occurred if they were too close to seperate. Five OF will be listed along with five SP and five RP

C-Victor Martinez
1B-Albert Pujols
2B-Chase Utley
3B-Aramis Ramirez
SS-Hanley Ramirez
OF-Michael Bourn, Drew Stubbs, Carl Crawford, Ichiro Suzuki, Nelson Cruz
SP-Tim Lincecum, James Shields, Cole Hamels, Justin Verlander, Cliff Lee, John Danks
RP-Brian Wilson, Joel Hanrahan, Joakim Soria, Francisco Rodriguez, Huston Street

Preseason All-Stars by team

Gaylord-7
Mid Michigan-5
Charlotte-5
Olivet-4

Predicted order of finish...

1. Gaylord
2. Mid Michigan
3. Charlotte
4. Olivet

Next up...

EAST DIVISION