Season Preview -- Need Help

[Clay]

OK... since you all were so kind with the appreciation of the "22 in '82", I decided I would try to squeeze in a preview for this year. I'm going to change formats a little -- I'll return to this original format for next year's "24 in '84" with the expansion.

This season I'm going with "Top 3 in '83"

Basically a series of "Top 3" lists that cover a few different topics in the BLB.

Here's where y'all come in.... if you have any players, situations, competitions, strategies, or changes that you want to make sure I'm aware of before I start writing, please feel free to drop me a quick PM or post them here. I'm trying to keep up... but I don't know what 22 different guys are thinking.

ANYWAY... I'm shooting for around Opening Day to start putting them out.

Thanks in advance.

[Carlos]

Good idea. I'd contribute and write something before the season but 1) I don't know what to write about just yet and 2) I'm not sure if I have a clear enough idea on what everyone might be thinking to even write. I don't mind assuming - it happens in real life but again I still have to think of a topic.

I guess for me I can bring up a few things:

1) Diaz vs. Seagarra. Both will be platooning at DH with Diaz getting most of the at-bats against right-handed pitching. Seagarra is rated the better prospect so it'll be interesting to see if he locks up the full-time spot before mid-season.

2) Don Chaundler. There's a log jam at both SS and 3B for this prospect. He's been placed on the Active Roster to back up both Zamarida and Tesina. This may be a chance for him to show his BLB ready ability for a potential trade partner or perhaps even bump Seagarra and Diaz in the DH spot - which if it happens could move Zamarida to the DH spot since Chaundler is a better fielder.

3) Who is the Number 5 starter in Denver? Minor League Pitchers Denny Erwood and Mohamed Makungu will join 2nd year pro Philippe Gagne in a Spring Training battle for the spot.

4) Taurino Gonzalez is being tagged the starting catcher with the recent move of Jerry Fortin to Virginia. How long before 20 Year Old 1982 First Round Pick, Chet Reed, takes over and begins his tenure as Denver's catcher of the future?

5) Is Joe Arredondo, the career relief pitcher, really the best starting pitcher not named Jerry Dean? In 1982 he was pushed to the starting rotation after the All-Star Break and finished 4-5 with a 3.45 ERA, giving up 126 hits and striking out 93 in 135 IP.

[Jim]

Top 3 starting rotations, top 3 "3,4,5" hitters, top 3 most improved teams through FA acquisitions/trades, top 3 favorites to win the title this year.

[Guest]

Also, maybe Top 3 FA Bargains and Top 3 FA Overspendings.

[Jistic]

Clay I have an idea since we're starting to get a little bit of history under our belts. How about a feature on grading some past drafts? Or trades from a years gone by? Just a thought.

[Clay]

That's a great idea for a piece. Doesn't have to be at the start of the season though.

THat's a good reminder to owners.... we get bonus money for articles. Hint, hint for those that need the dough.

[dkgojackets]

Speaking of FA overspendings, I just shelled out $5,555,555 a year for a career .238 hitting center fielder.

O' Brian is the only new starting position player on the team.

I'm not real sure about the move, but my CF was garbage hitting last year and couldn't field.

[Lintyfresh85]

Top 3 list huh?

How about:
Most improved team heading into 83.
The biggest loser of the 1982 offseason.
Biggest darkhorse in 83.

[Clay]

I think I'm good on categories... what I was actually hoping for is people to talk about their teams. Anyway, if I put it together... I'll figure something out.

[rubisco43]

1. Bullpen; young and inexperienced.
2. Starting pitching; Rumsey is a year older, can Dan Jones continue his performance from 2nd half of last year, can Brad Taylor improve, will our 2 young starters fulfil their promise?
3. The big trade with Hartford; will they justify mortgaging our future pitching?

[Lintyfresh85]

California:

1. Can the team finally find a solid RH power hitter? After losing Truex via trade, the LH heavy team has struggled with LHP.

2. Can the three Rule 5 SP's make the team and actually contribute?

3. Will the Wildfire be able to build off last year's 30 win improvement, or will they fall back to earth?

[mahoney2]

I'm hoping for an over .500 season and have the idea I can put together a pretty good season with a little luck.

Prediction:
85-77, 2nd place in the division.

Storylines:

Jimmy "Butch" O'Loughlin: $17.5mm free agent acquisition, looking forward to seeing what he'll do in the new league.

http://www.simgamingnetwork.com/blb/...layer_312.html

Judson "Mugshot" Gill: #1 overall pick, has been a disappointment so far, but he's finally reached his potential (downgraded potential anyways.) so this is his shot, rated at 5/6/4 I think he has the chance to be decent.

http://www.simgamingnetwork.com/blb/...ayer_2510.html

Pedro Eires, he's looking to once three-peat as BLB home-run champ this season.

http://www.simgamingnetwork.com/blb/...layer_169.html

Prospect to Watch:

SP: Braedon McMenemy, AA: McMenemy was the 5th pick in the 3rd round last year. He played pretty much all of his rookie season in AA and the game's AI is suggesting he's ready for AAA. While he's going to stay there for now, I would like to see him in AAA by the end of the year.

http://www.simgamingnetwork.com/blb/...ayer_3430.html

[Pat]

Washington:

1. Trading SP Pateshall for OF Bing. Good move?
2. Paying up for Sierra
3. Mix of youngsters with old veterans
4. Joe Rodriguez's showing in the WBC, now #5 SP
5. Talk about how good my team is..and how good my farm system is...

[liquidcrash]

Carolina:

1. Can we replace Nick Latham? (No.)
2. Who is going to hit the ball, besides Nino?
3. Has Joe Ponte peaked?
4. With the Bock Division looking pretty weak, can the Tobs contend in the division?
5. What happened to this team in just two years since winning the championship?

I'm working on a season preview for my team for Opening Day, those are just some ideas I'm thinking about.

[Guest]

Pittsburgh:

1. Will Francois Dupuis earn the contract we gave him?
2. Can Joe MacKnight rebound from his horrible '82 season?
3. Can Howard Haydon live up to expectations?
4. Will the pitching rotation be improved at all?
5. Can the team pull off a trade this century?