Team Report

Team Batting

Jeter

Solano

Wallace

Belt

Nunex

LaRoche

Team Report

Team Batting:

Hardy

A. Hill

Izturis

Youkilis

Teixeira

Ciriaco

Ortiz

With the promotion of Aoki and Darvish to the ML roster and the trading of Olt ... the LAH farm system was fully depleted heading into the draft ... which was something the team definitely wanted to address. Due to the lack of patience and luck, the Halos do not have an internally developed prospects on their major league roster. However, they have found gold in Japan as Aoki, Darvish and Lewis are all big parts of current roster ... so it was no surprise that they looked overseas again for an established Japanese player in this draft and selected Hiroyuki Nakajima. The team expects him to be with the club in 2014.  With their 1st pick of the draft 2.27, the Halos' added Kyle Zimmer an electric arm that they feel could develop quickly and be part of the rotation by 2015. LAH also grabbed a trio of outfielders whom they feel all have 5 tool potential: Michael Choice (expected debut 2014), Rymer Liriano (expected debut 2015) and Courtney Hawkins (expected debut 2016).  With the 2nd to last pick of the draft (13.23), the Halos went high risk / high reward as they selected a young catcher named Jorge Alfero.  Alfero will be a long wait (expected debut 2017), but he should stay at catcher and his plus-plus power should get him into the lineup as a DH if Yadier is blocking him at catcher.

Historically, the Halos have found regular season success with power bats, depth at starting pitching and an extraordinary bullpen. In 2013, it again looks like the Halos will again field some heavy lumber with Granderson, Big Papi, Tex,  a developing Heyward and the addition of Aaron Hill. Also, the offense will be aided by Molina's continued improvement at the plate. All totaled, the Halos could have 9 players with 20+ homeruns.  The pitching staff will again be lead by CC, but new comer, Yu Darvish, might ultimately prove to be the ace of the staff this season. There is also high expectations, that Peavy will return to form now that he is a year removed from his injury. Also returning will be Morrow, Lewis and Nova. This is the 1st season that the Halos are returning 5 starting pitchers and it potentially could be the strongest starting staff in Halo history if everyone can stay healthy.

With the exception of season #1 (2004) bullpen by committee (Tavarez, Guardardo & Beck), Mo Rivera has anchored the bullpen and led the team in saves finishing his career in LA as not only the Halo career save leader but also the TBBL career save leader with 328 saves. Obviously, Mo was a major reason why the Halos' bullpen over the years has been arguably the best in the business. In 2013, the bullpen boasts some strong arms but no clear cut closer. Betancourt is the most likely to take over this season with Gregerson or Pestano waiting in the wings if necessary. There is more comfort from the left side with Perkins, Oliver and O'Flaherty. If the Halos wheel and deal at the trade deadline, it is likely that it will be to address the bullpen. 

The Halos have been notorious traders over the years, seemingly revamping the roster every season through trades. However, the 2013 roster returns more players than in any previous season. The only additions via trade were Aaron Hill to fill a glaring hole at 2b and Luke Gregerson to add bullpen depth. Gregerson was actually drafted by the Halos in 2010, so not exactly a new face. What this new approach will mean in terms of wins, remains to be seen but expectation, as always. are high in Los Angeles. 2012 finally saw the Halos experience some playoff success as they won 8 straight playoff games, before being dismissed by the Saints in 5 games in the World Series. In 2013, the Halos hope to capture their 6th straight division crown and return to the World Series in their continuing effort to win their 2nd World Championship. As this roster ages and the rest of the teams in the league continue to improve, the window to accomplish this goal is closing so there certainly will be an urgency this season.  

Team Report

Team Batting:

Segura

Weeks

Seager

Davis

Machado

The Houston franchise apparently believes having just pitching and outfielders is the way to build a team since they have 5 outfielders and 4 pitchers in their minor league system . . . and nothing else.  That said, there is a lot to like about the group.  Buxton and Dahl were both MLB draftees this past year and already are finding their names near the tops of outfield prospect lists.  Goodwin, Springer and Starling all have made good progress in their minor league assignments and management is hopeful that they stay on the fast track.  The four pitchers are Appel, Gausman, Manaea and (Jonathon) Crawford.  There was disappointment a year ago when Appel returned to school for another season . . . but he is near the top of the 2013 MLB mock drafts again.  Gausman began his pro career this year and has been receiving solid ratings for his work.  Manaea and Crawford are a couple of college pitchers that management is gambling can turn into something special.

After Felix, the rotation is shaky and may get worse in the next year or so unless some pitching prospects move very fast.  Likewise, the bullpen has been patched together and lacks a true, shot down arm.

Team Report

Team Batting:

Barmes

Ackley

Johnson

Pena

Inge

Team Report

Team Batting:

LeMahieu

Galvis

Betemit

Olt

Donald

Rivera

This is where the main strength lies with the Bombers club.  Currently, there are 7 prospects from the 2013 MLB top 100 prospect list on the roster.  Ryu Hyun-Jin, who was recently signed by the Dodgers from Korea and is looking to make the rotation this year.  Danny Hultzen, James Paxton and Matt Barnes may get a cup of water in the bigs this year.  Dan Straily and Mike Olt already had a brief stint last year and look to get major playing time in 2013.  Last but not least, a pair of SS’s in Francisco Lindor and Carlos Correa could be ready by 2014 if their development continues.

This is tough to write, because the farm system is really the only strength of the Bombers.  Two years in a row of having either the #1 or #2 pick, and having 4 or 5 picks in the first round in the last two years has given the GM a chance to establish some future organic growth within the club.  One of last year’s 1^st round picks, Salvador Perez, already has made an impact and looks to be a potent offensive catcher for years to come.  And a young staff could make the Bombers relevant soon.

The Bombers will again sit amongst the cellar dwellers this year, as the actual useful position players on the roster are few and far between, and it will be a patch work to the end of the season with filling the starting lineup.

The next two years will need to be more about obtaining relevant, current use players to the clubhouse to help augment the minor league prospects that have been added the last two drafts.  Hopefully much like the real life Rays, spending a few years at the bottom will produce plenty of young stars to fill the 40-man roster for many years to come.  With just the 2^nd draft under my belt, hopefully I have enough patience to see this long term plan through.  Realistically, the club looks to be near .500 caliber next year, and then playoff worthy 2-3 years out.

Team Report

Team Batting:

Castro

Beckham

Donaldson

Morales

Callaspo

Carter

Gomes

Young SP’s Sale, Hellickson, Minor and Peralta all showed promise. Rotation ace Greinke, if Lincecum and Jimenez bounce back could be a tough bunch. Bullpen is looking solid, not spectacular but should get job done, committee style.  Offense lead by Starlin Castro/ Kendry Morales and awaiting the arrival of Tavares, Yelich, Fernandez  next yr.

Team Report

Team Batting:

Furcal

Hairston

Reynolds

Votto

Alvarez

Berkman

Scott

Hafner

Team Report

Team Batting:

Escobar

Johnson

Gregorious

Middlebrooks

Goldschmidt

Polanco

Gotham's farm is a conscience balance of promise and proximity. We've passed on potential higher ceiling, higher risk, prospects in order to draft guys who still have solid upside, coupled with a greater chance to reach the majors. Now entering year two of a full-blown rebuild we are still trying to build our franchise's nucleus by acquiring guys we feel are a year or two away. If they don't look like they will pan out Gotham execs will cut their losses and restock.  This is not without risk. Hasty judgment could easily lead to a costly mistake, however, our franchise has too many needs to sit on a bunch of prospects for 3-4 yrs at this time. That philosophy will change once our team's year-to-year core is established. It will be then when the high risk/reward picks become more of the norm. Overall we are happy with our farm's progress. We have a number of middle to back half of the top 100 prospects that we expect to be part of the solution in Gotham for years to come.

Youth. It's been a veteran exodus over the past two years in Gotham. We spoke about the farm already. We are definitely amongst the youngest teams in the league, and after this season, probably the youngest. Promising young corners infielders with power. Outfield depth. An improving team defense.

The rotation. We are striving to build rotation that can go 8 or 9 deep with quality options to carry year over year. We have acquired a number of young pitchers via the trade and draft routes, now that has to begin to take shape. Outfield depth is a strength, but we really need a couple of them to step forward if Gotham is to be successful in a couple years. We will eventually need LH power to better balance the lineup. The bullpen is shallow, but that is least of our concerns as a rebuilding team and will be the last thing we address.

When the long standing Michigan franchise changed management and moved operations to Gotham last year, it was obvious that this was a veteran team on the decline. The commitment to winning comes in many forms. For Gotham, this manifested itself as a long term plan to rebuild the entire franchise from the ground up. We knew coming in that this could take 4, possibly 5, seasons to turn around. Though it will be tempting to try and take short cuts to become competitive sooner, Gotham management is resolute in their stance that they need to see their long term strategy through. It's the only way achieve our goals of becoming a perennial contender in the future.

The first year saw almost 70% of the roster turned over from the year before. Year two will be one that focuses on player evaluation with close attention paid to the real life performances of the farm and young on-disk players. Hopefully, we see some more pieces of the puzzle fall into place and the roster turnover ratio reduced by 50% or more. If not, year three may look a lot like year two. Time will tell.

Team Report

Team Batting:

Rollins

Punto

Hannahan

Wigginton

Moore

Cooper

Team Report

Team Batting:

Avilles

Zobrist

Nelson

Helton

Herrera

Jones

I just try to be competitive every season....sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

Team Report

Team Batting:

Cabrera

Murphy

Ramirez

Alonso

Moustakas

Baker

The crown jewel of the Smackdown farm system is Jurickson Profar, who will hopefully be ready to contribute to the Smackdown in 2014.  After him, the current farm system is many years from producing in a meaningful way.  Ryan Kalish, Robbie Grossman, and Tim Wheeler profile as fourth outfielder types that may see some MLB action in 2013 so could provide some ABs to the Smackdown next year.  After skipping prospects for the first part of the 2013 TBBL draft to fill gaps in the major league team, the Smackdown looked at longer-term plays, drafting Kris Bryant and Austin Wilson, two college players that project to go in the first round of this year’s MLB draft, and Lucas Giolitto and Aldaberto Mondesi, both 17 year-olds with promise but a lot to prove (plus Giolitto is recovering from TJ surgery).  Hopefully Bryant, Wilson, Giolitto, and Mondesi will be seen as top 100 prospects next year.

After leading a 9-21 collapse last September that pushed the Smackdown far away from a playoff berth, with three starters producing ERAs near 8 and a fourth near 6 for the month, starting pitching looks to be a strength this year.  The Smackdown get a full year from Stephen Strasburg for the first time, and R.A. Dickey was added to front the staff in a trade for Will Middlebrooks and Bud Norris.  The Dickey trade pushes Josh Johnson back to the #3 spot, giving the Smackdown a very strong top 3.  Wandy Rodriguez, hoping to rebound from a horrendous 2012 TBBL (325 baserunners in 195 innings anyone?), is the #4 starter and Jake Westbrook is the #5.  Defense will also be a strength, especially with the addition of #1 draft pick Everth Cabrera at shortstop and lots of range in the outfield of John Jay, Michael Bourn, and Josh Reddick.

The Smackdown will need that pitching and defense recipe to win as the offense may have trouble scoring runs.  Power hitting continues to be a weakness, with only Aramis Ramirez and Reddick offering decent power.  When Jeff Keppinger is the guy with your team’s second-highest OPS, you know you might have trouble scoring.  The Smackdown will have to rely on speed, stringing together multiple hits, and some Jim Thome pinch-hit homers to plate enough runs this year.  Catching is also a weakness, with John Buck and his sub .200 batting average slated to get the majority of the starts.  The bullpen could go either way – there’s some quality there with Sergio Romo, Neftali Feliz, and Craig Stammen, but the depth will be tested.

I anticipate the Smackdown will do a good enough job limiting runs with strong starting pitching and defense and just enough with the offense that we’ll end up with a positive run differential, a winning record, and a wildcard playoff spot.  If the pitching tanks, it’s going to be a long year.  If the Smackdown do get to the playoffs, Dickey, Strasburg, and Johnson could make the Smackdown a tough opponent.

Team Report

Team Batting:

Aybar

Pedroia

Francisco

Konerko

Dominguez

Lineup and bullpen. The lineup, led by Pedroia, Ethier, Trumbo Konerko , and company, is again strong. A deep pen is needed in Coors Field and Herrera was added to Hernandez, Collins, and Mujica - strong pen.

The starting rotation; even a return of all-time Glads winner, Joe Blanton won't save us this year. Gio and Kennedy are a decent 1-2 but the Santana brothers, and Blanton may struggle.

A team record 92-win team in 2012, returns strong again in 2013. If the rotation can consistently give us 5 decent innings our lineup and bullpen should be able to pull out enough games to make a return trip to the TBBL playoffs.

Team Report

Team Batting:

Reyes

Uggla

Wright

Gonzalez

Rizzo

Hitting, especially against LHPs. I hope we can turn the seasons that Posey, Wright and Stanton had in 2012 into a strong playoff run.

pitching.  I think we will do well in the regular season but don’t know if we have the aces to survive against the stacked teams we’ll see in the playoffs.

I love Rob’s commitment to making everything about the TBBL excellent.  The web page is astounding.  The deadlines are crisp and reliable.  The competition is top notch.  This is a league I would recommend in a  heartbeat to anyone who wants a top-shelf DMB experience.

Team Report

Team Batting:

Escobar

Kendrick

Jones

Howard

Young

Moreland

Travis D'Arnaud leads this farm system followed by Gattis, Gilmartin, Martin, Meter and Graham.

There is some depth at SS for the future and Prado can play just about everywhere.  Unfortunately, he can only hit once every 9 batters. Also, Hamilton roaming in CF should provide some pop alongside Alfonso Soriano. Chipper Jones will begin his farewell tour in hopes of putting up some impressive numbers. If any owners would like to send him a farewell gift, they are more than welcome to do so. I will provide an address for shipment upon request. The catching tandem of McCann and Ross is decent.

The Confederates come into the season trying to make their fourth consecutive appearance in the playoffs.  It will certainly be a challenge as the team is quite thin in most areas. Led by a one-two punch of Vogel song and Dempster, probably spells trouble for a team with Mitch Moreland grazing in RF for half the season.  Michael Young coming off a down year and Escobar playing significantly below his historical stats also lends to concern for the Confederate’s brass. The bullpen also leaves little to be desired as most of the arms for this year are mediocre at best. 

The GM of the Confederates is on the hot seat as he has been on a bit of a bad streak in terms of trades lately. He decided to go with a youth movement during the draft as he did not select one player above the age of 27. It’s obvious this team will struggle unless some significant trades are made to help the Confederates this year. Otherwise, the Confederates will take their lumps and hope some of the young guys along with their current veterans can make a splash next year. 

The Confederates probably have a ceiling of 75 wins with a floor of 60 wins. 

Team Report

Team Batting:

Drew

Kipinis

Headley

Swisher

Cruz

Javier Baez, ss, Jackie Bradley, cf, Garin Cecchini, 3b, Clint Coulter, c, Jon Denney, c, Clint Frazier, cf, Luis Heredia, sp, Lance McCullers, sp, Jonathan Singleton, 1b, Matt Szczur, cf

A deep and talented farm system, with several key players in the upper minors and ready to take the next step, as well as depth in the lower minors and amateur ranks.  A pair of all-star caliber hitters in the middle of the lineup with Adam Jones and Chase Headley.  A deep rotation with no real weak links.  Derek Lowe, the franchise leader in nearly every major counting stat, will not need to make many starts, having finally been relegated to mop-up duty.

Steady progress in year four of the long and arduous rebuilding process.  Several players appear to be reaching their potential (Adam Jones, Headley, Kipnis, Estrada) and several prospects appear on the verge of contributing on the big league level (Shelby Miller, Jake Odorizzi, Jonathan Singleton, and Jackie Bradley).  I am hopeful to get to 80 wins this season, and if things break right, possibly even contend for a playoff spot. 

Team Report

Team Batting:

Utley

Kinsler

Tulowitzki

Encarnacion

Freeman

McDonald

Hosmer

J.O. Berrios, ,Clayton Blackburn, Nick Castellanos, Jedd Gyorko, Billy Hamilton, Alen Hanson, Carlos Martinez, Anthony Rendon, 
Carlos Rodon, Jorge Soler, Jameson Taillon

Exact quote from the GM:  "See you in October"  Wow that's brazen

Team Report

Team Batting:

E. Johnson

Turner

Freese

Carpenter

Chisenhall

Ishakawa

Not much here for the Mammoths as we enter/continue a rebuilding era. There are a couple of young pitchers who might help someday, Tyler Skaggs & Sonny Gray, but otherwise what you see is what we have. We hope that Rubby De La Rosa can recover from his arm woes.

We do have some good young players in the lineup; as long as he is healthy, David Freese is as good as anyone at 3B. Desmond Jennings is still young enough to improve, this will be his first full season. The Mammoth pitching staff looks to be pretty decent as well, with Lance Lynn joining Jason Vargas at the top of the rotation. Of course, playing our home games in PETCO Park makes our pitchers look somewhat better than they might really be.

The Mammoths lineup after the first four or five hitters is fairly weak, it looks like we are going to really be in trouble against LHP's. We took a flyer on veteran Mark Ellis to shore up second base but still have a multi-player rotation at SS.

We are hoping to reach .500 this season, you have to walk before you can run. Looking forward to getting the season started.

Team Report

Team Batting:

Peralta

Holt

Lawrie

Craig

Gillaspie

Loney

Team Report

Team Batting:

Pennington

Lombardozzi

Longoria

Morneua

Frazier

Morneua

The Paddlers have a full complement of 10 prospects, 4 position players and 6 pitchers.  They are led by Wil Myers, Mike Zunino, Archie Bradley, Justin Nicolino and Aaron Sanchez.

The Paddlers went to a full on rebuild last season and thus we have a number of nice young players.  Trout, Longoria, Bumgarner, Scherzer and Lucroy should be valuable players for a number of years.

We are very weak at shortstop and second base and could use another RH outfielder.  Rasmus needs to step up this year or he may not be a Paddler next season…losing patience.

Team Report

Team Batting:

Rodriguez

Barney

Roberts

Pujols

Bell

Morrison

Team Report

Team Batting:

Tejeda

Cano

Beltre

C. Lee

Dobbs

Butler

Team Report

Team Batting:

Andrus

Phillips

Rodriguez

Fielder

Valbeuna

Parmalee

Team Report

Team Batting:

Crawford

Infante

Zimmerman

Cabrera

--

Smoak

Team Report

Team Batting:

Cabrera

Weeks

Sandoval

Adams

Hairston

Carp

Carlos Santana behind the dish and Kris Medlen can be a huge trade chip if FWK chooses to move either

What can you say about this team?  Not a whole lot that’s for sure. There is that “P” word that has been bantered around the front office this year and I guess we’ll find out just how much POTENTIAL there is here.  This year we’ll see if Chris Davis is the real deal or smoke and mirrors. Sorry to you Chris Carpenter owners, but here’s hoping Rosenthal steps up in a big way.  Which Jemille Weeks will we see this year; it’s an odd year so the Panda should be healthy all year. Much attention was paid to the pitching staff this off season so hopefully the likes of Richards, Doubront, Corbin and Santiago will help solidify things. If healthy and productive the infield should be in good shape.  As far as the outfield goes, wait till next year lol.