In with the new:
SP Robert Robles - Trade with Boston
SP Eric Myers - Trade with Alabama
SP Adrian Rivera - Trade with Seattle
SP Jesus Cantu - Trade with Boston
RP Juan Sousa - Rookie Year
RP Bill Thompson - Trade with Seattle
RP Chris Baldwin - Rule 5 from San Francisco
RP Aurelio Ontiveros - FA pickup
RP Robinson Ayala - FA pickup
C Neal Herrera - Trade with Boston
3B Jose Vidro - Rookie Year
SS Brandon Padgett - Rookie Year
LF Steven Yanez - Rookie Year
Starting Pitching:
No ACE but will the BEEF are filled with #2 and #3 starters up and down the pitching staff.
SP Robert Robles - Career 3.49 ERA.
SP Bob Johnson - Had a breakout rookie year with a 3.51 ERA, we need him to continue or even improve from last year. Last years lack of run support will not happen this year with a more potent offense.
SP Eric Myers - A 4.02 career ERA and a ground ball pitcher. That should play into the teams strength as the infield should have a positive ZR as a whole.
SP Alan Emery - Midseason callup last year. Started 18 games and had a 3.38 ERA. As a groundball pitcher he should strive with the defense behind him.
SP Jesus Cano - Not fully developed but developed enough to start at the MLB level.
SP Adrian Rivera - The one true question mark in the staff. Has never been a good pitcher, we are hoping being surrounded by halfway decent players he can pick up his game this year.
Lineup:
Much improved lineup that could be top 3 in HR's this season
CF Alfonso Gabril - Probably more suited to bat 9th but nobody has the speed he has and if he gets on it'll help the guys hitting behind him
LF Steven Yanez - We are expecting a large leap from his July callup numbers. Potential Gold Glove left fielder.
3B Jose Vidro - Should finish no worse than 2nd in the ROY race. Could be a top 5 MVP candidate as well. Expect a .280/35/95 season.
RF Carlos Gomez - Runaway ROY candidate last year until July hit. Absolutely hit the wall after the All Star break. We will try to give him some extra days off to combat it this year. Expect .300/41/100 this year.
C Neal Herrera - Fan favorite that can absolutely hit. This will be his only year in Omaha so we want to see him leave a winner. Expect a .320/22/87 season.
1B Bill Graves - Can he go a year without striking out over 200 times? He hasn't done it in 2 seasons so far, don't see it changing this year. Expect a .247/42/107 season.
2B Bob Adams - Back after a year off due to injuries. Moved over to 2B to see how he fares there, but him and Padgett should make an amazing DP duo. Expect a .232/44/84 with 40 stolen bases. He will strike out at least 200 times this year.
DH Tim Scott - Could leadoff if need be. Has the speed to do so and a slightly better eye than Gabril. Will DH due to Yanez' ability to play defense compared to him. Expect a .236/21/64 with 50 stolen bases.
SS Brandon Padgett - We saw the strikeout record broken last year. It will be broken again this eyar. Padgett has an all or nothing approach at the plate. Expect a .184/43/79 season. He will break the record for strikeouts, his 162 average is 354
Record:
2076 - 46-116
2077 - 64-98
2078 - 91-71 (projection)
The Beef will make the playoffs this year baring a bunch of injuries like last season. The Beef could potentially compete for the Division Title as well.
Perfect season projection:
Beef lose in the ALCS.....to fucking MIAMI
