1998 Spring Training Position Battles

[Carlos]

There's a huge battle going on for the 3rd/4th and possibly 5th outfield spot. Rex and Bornstein already have their spots.

The leader, despite his poor play so far in ST, is Pat Marlin. The way he played in the playoffs last year he has pretty much earned the #3 spot.

Behind him is Alex Gomez. We've been waiting for Gomez to play to his ratings for 3 years now. He's not showing too much in ST.

That 5th spot is still being considered at the moment, but if it were to happen, its a tough pick between speedy veteran, Geoff Southerland and the young prospect, Nagisa Kobayashi. Both are knocking the cover off the ball trying to earn a spot.

If Alex doesn't watch it, he may find himself back in Annapolis.

Pat Marlin might just be one of those slow starters. He had very good numbers in half of a season and if his playoff play continued that trend, I can trust your faith in him.

The benefit in Gomez is he is 24. Tommy Jenkin has been expected to "hit" since 1996. He hasn't, but suddenly his scouting report (verbal portion) and his ST stats seem to indicate that he's finally figured it out. Some of these young guys just need to grow. Problem with Gomez is he is probably arbitration eligible so he needs to figure it out now.

I don't know, I wouldn't be surprised if you just make it a battle of Sutherland or Kobayashi for that 4th spot. Those two look like they want to roll.

[Carlos]

hey you asked.

I was messing with you. I like a good fun time with a clown.

Have some also:

Starting pitching: Johnson vs Cosio. From what we saw in spring training, Cosio most likely starts the year off in AAA, but eventually expect to see Cosio push Johnson to a bullpen role or perhaps a 6 man rotation.

Well, I think one of the issues you're facing with Cosio is Morgantown pushing him too quickly when he signed an undrafted minor league deal with them. AAA at 18? In reality he might need an extra AAA year, but he looks to be good and has the stamina to start.

Bullpen: Jimmy Dedrick/ Fei-hsien Loong/ Shawn Lewis fighting for one RHP role.

Loong could probably benefit from some AAA time, but you do risk upsetting him (he's already unhappy. Geez, does the guy have hemorrhoids?

I like Dedrick. He got his cup of coffee last year and I'm a firm believer that it helps guys. He just needs to keep the walks down or he'll be in a lot of trouble.

Shawn Lewis wants to show you what he's got. Let him show you.

CF- Jordan Gonzalez vs Ral Vlez. This spot most likely will some day be Jordan's, but might for now start in a AAA role unless he leaves us no choice but to leave him up.

So you've already decided this battle? That doesn't make it a battle. Silly clown.

We started with 36, but next sim down to 31 players. We seem to be treating the roster trimming like football.

Agreed. This is the most I've left up in years. Usually down to my final 25 by now so they get more work in.

[Carlos]

I've got three, maybe as many as five SP's battling for two spots in my rotation. Odds-on favorites are Rookie Tom Stolarik and old timer Alex Gonzalez. Neron Rosado did OK in his first ML season, but I don't see much room for improvement. Roman Duratny might get his first look-see this spring. We'll probably give Loic Chouinard another shot too.

Hard to comment on these. This is just that point where you're deciding between options and contracts, opportunity and happiness.

There's no win-win here. Someone is gonna feel upset and someone is gonna make you wish you didn't bring them up. Gonna happen.

[Clay]

I have four "battles"....

#1) 5th and 6th Stater (if I use 6 this season)

Bojorquez
Kim
Boehmer
Heath

Obviously the BIG 4 are locked in (though Morgan almost left town until some pussy got gun shy)... these 4 are in an open competition. If I love two of them, I may roll 6 again... but I was super happy with a 5 man rotation last year.

#2) Setup/Closer

ST1 was Walker (SU) and Adrian Martinez (CL)... Efrain Gray comes back from injury this SIM and will be given a chance to Close. Martinez, the most under appreciated guy in the league (see Last Call voting the last two seasons), like Gray is a Starter who never got a 3rd Pitch... might be better off in the early part of the Pen as he has some stretch to him. Meanwhile, Walker looks like a legit SU and Jody Richards may also be one. #WorldChampProblems

#3) Shortstop

It's more of a defense thing.... Chavez, Maeda, Baez and Colon are the starting Infield. Locked in. No doubt. However, who is going to play SS is the question. Baez is getting starts in ST, but Colon looks on paper like he might be a better option. However, he played a few games there last year and sucked. Odds are, Chavez will just stay there and play himself back into shape... but... it's something we're watching.

#4) The urge to kick all you bastards out...

Probably won't happen... but it's a battle.

[Gyrodork]

...There's no win-win here.

Kinda' my feeling regarding the up-coming season.

I need a couple of guys to turn it around (SP Davis and SP Harrison, 2B Gonzalez) and one guy to turn it on (1B de Luna). If that all happens, we make a good run. If I don't get at least one of those pitchers and one of those hitters to show up, we miss the playoffs.

Of course... I could be wrong about that.