This will be the first of four previews of the eMLB teams prior to the Winter Meetings. This helps to refresh my memory of what each team has and gives me a better idea of what each team might or might not do during the meetings. More for me but it may make for some interesting reading while you are sitting on the can taking a Berg. First up...
Atlantic--he should have guys named Hawkeye and Trapper on his team since it is more of a MASH unit than a baseball team. What should he do? As much as possible. What will he do? Probably not much considering his only valuable trade chip can't be traded. Grienke has a NT attached to him. None of his injured players will make valuable contributions this year so really this is a major rebuild. Keep the #5 pick if you think there is a 5 yr worthy player there or trade that #5 pick and try to acquire extra picks. You need quality players. Other than Grienke your best player is named Rizzo. That's a HUGE drop in talent. I will project this as a lottery team for 2014.
Oviedo--this manager has a knack of putting together teams that few think are that good and turning them into, by the end of the year, quality playoff teams. It would appear that he has traded out of the first round. With that being said he has probably acquired extra picks, as is his forte. He is set at 1B, UTL, 1 OF slot, C, 1 SP, although it was reported today that Hamels has a sore shoulder, and 1 closer. The extra picks will come in handy in restocking the cupboards. Nothing is for sure as to who he might select but OF and SP will have to be looked at closely early in the draft but if one of the top 5 pitchers doesn't drop for him look for Oviedo to put off SP and work on offense early.
Dallas--he has a habit of not being able to pull the trigger on trades when doing so could very well help his team. I have seen a slow shift in this philosophy recently but he still believes too much in the players on his team and consequently overvalues them. This year some solid pieces return. Major areas of concern early should be OF and SP/RP. I know he really likes his pitching but Garza and Lynn, at least to me, are far from sure things. With the 8th pick in the first round, which he will probably keep, I could see a top OF being taken. In his mock he has Butler there. I don't see it happening. Too many other needs and knowing him he may select one of the five top SP available this year.
Toledo--welcome to the newest member of eMLB. He inherits a quality club. Very lucky considering what some of us took over when we came into the league. Big needs on the left side of the infield along with OF and RP. Starters are very solid and could be used as trade pieces but he may sit back and see how the meetings play out in his first season. He has been very quiet up to this point in the winter. Lee or Kershaw could bring nice returns if put on the trading block. I could see a 3B being drafted here or a solid OF. All the SS available are pretty good but not worthy of a top 10 pick. You never know. New owners have a way of surprising.
After the draft of course I will preview each team and give out my rankings. Next up...Great Lakes.
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Good stuff there. As you know of one official deal I have acquired another sp heading into draft and still looking to add another body. I realize you need about 8-10 solid keepers not just fillers to compete going into draft. If not your taking starters in rounds 10+ and the quality of players at those rounds isn't top notch. So my offseasons plans were to move back in draft acquire more picks and trade some of them to get bodies. Each year I have different plans. Last year I tried to get a second 1st but that didn't work. Only time will tell if it worked but in my history it would be foolish to bet against me.
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