NL East Preview: Season 26

This entry marks the fourth of a series of previews by division for the young 26th season of Upper Deck.  A run down of each team will be followed by an overall analysis of the division.  We will continue with the NL East.

Boston Beaneaters

Key additions: RP Clayton Van Poppel, RP Will Ferguson, SP Richard Jackson, RP Armando Hernandez, RP Sam Acosta, SP Nestor Gabriel, SS Julio Villarreal, 3B Aurelio Belisario

Key losses: SS Ivan Romero, 3B Doug Burks, SP Orlando Campos, RP Richie Gwynn, RP Ryan Blevins, 1B Alex Cortez

In season 25, the Boston franchise faced an abrupt change in ownership and, ultimately, its second consecutive losing season.  After a long run of success, including a World Series victory just five seasons ago, the Beaneaters find themselves in the relativey early stages of a rebuild, though new general manager jimmy1217 made some positive steps in that regard this offseason.

All-Star Ivan Romero was allowed to walk via free agency, giving the team the 24th overall pick in this season’s amateur draft as compensation.  Season 25 All-Star 1B Alex Cortez was also traded in a blockbuster deal that brought a couple of future ML contributors and SS Julio Villarreal to Boston.  Steady 3B Doug Burks also left via free agency.

Romero and Cortez helped lead Boston to one of the league’s top offenses a season ago, despite a defense and pitching staff that both ranked second to last.  With their bats out of the lineup, the Beaneaters seem committed to a rebuild, an assessment that includes the departure of reliable starter Orlando Campos.  Several Rule 5 draft picks and pitchers were added to the club to replace their productivity, including relievers Clayton Van Poppel and Will Ferguson, and 25-year old starter Nestor Gabriel.

Charlotte Pups

Key additions: RP Alberto Maradona, RP Glen Thomson, 2B Willie Bennett

Key losses: RF Hamish Chace, SP/RP Del Hernandez, SP/RP Jackie Colbrunn, LF Derrick Watkins

Since GM DWobble took over the Charlotte Pups franchise, he has seemed singularly focused on rebuilding the historic Upper Deck club that has failed to post a winning record since season 20.  A season ago, the Pups were roughly average on all sides of the ball and finished in third place, managing to avoid the cellar for the fourth consecutive season.

This offseason, the franchise’s movement toward youth continued, with aging starters/relievers Del Hernandez and Jackie Colbrunn being let go, as well as longtime LF Derrick Watkins, who won two World Series rings with the franchise in seasons 17 and 19.  Thirty-something relievers Alberto Maradona and Glen Thomson were signed to replace some of those innings, and three-time Silver Slugger winner Willie Bennett became one of the club’s highest profile signings under DWobble’s leadership.

Perhaps the most notable move, though, is the four-year extension of young RF Nipsey Paulsen (.878 OPS in season 25).  And though the club traded Hamish Chance (26 HR in season 25) for a relief pitching prospect, many of the club’s best players, including season 25 Rookie of the Year 1B Steve Edmonds and 25-year old CP Josh Snelling should give Pups fans hope that there is currently more light than tunnel.

New York Knights

Key additions: DH Aaron King, RF Yamid Wilfredo

Key losses: SP Joe Matheson, DH Sparky McMurtry

After two consecutive World Series appearances in seasons 23 and 24, the New York Knights took a step back in season 25… or, as much of a step back as any team that wins 104 games can take.  Despite a record that was actually a two-win improvement over the previous season, the club failed to make the League Championship Series last season.  

With the league’s top pitching staff (3.13 ERA) and a top-five defense, there isn’t much room for improvement.  The Knights were outhit by the league in season 25, though, and GM tedwilliams1 made some moves to spark the club.  Aging bench bat Sparky McMurtry was let go in favor of young DH Aaron King, non-tendered by Baltimore, and the powerful RF Yamid Wilfredo.

Additionally, aging pitcher Joe Matheson was let go after a productive season 25, though it is hard to imagine that they will miss him much.  Under tedwilliams1’s direction, the club’s piggyback-style rotation has led to incredible success, with SP Heinie Swann winning three of the last four National League Cy Young Awards while with the New York franchise.  The Knights’ strong pitching staff should once again power the club in season 26.

Philadelphia Penn Quakers

Key additions: 2B Jolbert Cabrera, SP Bert Bechler, RF Alan Ott, RP Max Trajano

Key losses: SP Von Boucher, SP Joshua Park, RP Glenallen Ferrara, 2B Cleatus Walters

With its above average pitching staff and roughly league-average offense, the Penn Quakers posted their best win-loss record a season ago (87-75) since winning 89 games back in season 22.  Despite that mark of success, as well as the vast improvement the club has made since GM Xtrahits took over after a 99-loss campaign in season 18, Philadelphia again failed to make the postseason for the first time since season 5.

To begin one of the more aggressive offseasons for a club, Xtrahits took part in a blockbuster with the New Britain Rock Cats, acquiring All-Star CF Jolbert Cabrera to play second base, a move that will vastly increase the production at the position over former 2B Cleatus Walters.  Though the club did have to part ways with a pair of prospects and starter Von Boucher to make the deal work, starter Bert Bechler, with 189 career wins and five All-Star appearances, was signed to replace him in the rotation.  SP Joshua Park and RP Glenallen Ferrara were also let go.

The Penn Quakers also signed season 25 Gold Glove winner Alan Ott to fortify the bench and reliever Max Trajano to contribute out of the pen.  In addition to those transactions, one of the most significant moves was the retention of free agent LF Will McRae, one of the best hitters in this season’s free agent class and a longtime Penn Quaker.

NL East Analysis

New York had a fairly quiet offseason, though as one of the best teams in the entire league - one who retained much of last season’s roster - you wouldn’t expect the Knights to need much revamping in an attempt to return to their third World Series in four seasons.  They should once again be the favorite to take the NL East, though several huge upgrades in Philadelphia should make the division tighter and could give the Penn Quakers their third playoff berth in franchise history.

Under new management, Boston made strides in their rebuild efforts and have multiple first round draft picks this season, which should excite fans in what one might expect to be a down season.  Charlotte, on the other hand, had their most aggressive offseason under current leadership and should be competitive sooner than later, though the Pups may still be a season or two off.

NL East Preview: Season 24

This entry marks the sixth of a series of previews by division for the young 24th season of Upper Deck.  A run down of each team will be followed by an overall analysis of the division.  We will continue with the NL East.

Boston Bean Town Bow Sox

Key additions: CF Les Hatcher, SP Bob Leyritz, LF Vic Arenado, RP Francisco Abreu, C Ralph Kirby, CP Roscoe Barkley

Key losses: 2B Alexi Mairena, CP Rod Zavada, 3B Rodney Bradley, RP Eric Stewart, 2B Hersh Winston, LF Lee Kennedy, C Davey Torres

In season 23, the Bow Sox featured an electric offense led by three-time All Star third baseman Rodney Bradley and the National League’s eventual Most Valuable Player, 1B Billy Ray Lane.  The team won just 83 games, though, due in part to a pitching staff that surrendered more than four and a half runs per nine innings.  Yet in spite of the team’s many All Star caliber players, Boston underwent a major makeover this offseason.

Despite the overall pitching problems, the back of the bullpen was a point of strength for Boston.  Impending free agent closer Rod Zavada saved 39 games, though his cost in free agency turned out to be prohibitive.  In a decisive move, general manager Xtrahits dealt starting catcher Davey Torres, who triple slashed .289/.399/.504, to acquire season 23 Fireman of the Year Roscoe Barkley.  Torres was then replaced by the selection of Ralph Kirby in the Rule 5 Draft.  The team also lost Bradley to free agency, but have replaced him internally with Hector Beltre.

Xtrahits also moved to sign Bob Leyritz to stabilize a disappointing rotation, as well as Francisco Abreu, Vic Arenado, and Les Hatcher to fortify a bullpen and bench that both lost players, including Alexi Mairena and Hersh Winston, who remains unsigned.

Despite a new look team, a five year extension to Lane and the promotions of 22-year old top prospect RF Jacob Swann and CF David Koh provide the underpinnings of a strong core for seasons to come.

Charlotte Pups

Key additions: C Johan LaHair, , RF Nipsey Paulsen, SS John Crede, CF David Bogaerts, 3B Marwin Manto, SP Joaquin Cairo

Key losses: 3B/RF Ted Park, 2B Kelly Kinsler, LF David Valdes, CF Oscar Carr

After a long and successful run that included six World Series championships, the Charlotte Pups franchise changed hands over the offseason after three consecutive seasons of under .500 baseball.  The club’s new general manager, DWobble, moved aggressively to re-shape the team.  The Pups’ offseason certainly may qualify as the league’s busiest, particularly on the trade front.

The Pups let various players leave, including long time centerfielder Oscar Carr and type A free agent Kelly Kinsley, and traded LF David Valdes and RF Ted Park.  The club picked up several useful pieces, such as Gold Glove caliber John Crede to start at shortstop this season and offensive catcher Johan LaHair.  And while the club mostly had its aims set on the future, Rule 5 draftees Marwin Manto and Joaquin Cairo could prove to be useful complementary pieces in the future.

In reshaping the organization’s future, DWobble made several impactful moves.  The Pups acquired 25-year old Nipsey Paulsen, who will eventually slide in as the team’s everyday right fielder, as well as CF Yasiel Tapia, current ML contribution 3B Don Kelleher, relievers Ezequiel Marrero and Avisail Valenzuela, and starter Ralph Wilkerson.  Charlotte was certainly aggressive in its trade strategy, but has created a foundation conducive to a new era of success for the franchise.

Cincinnati Lumber Company

Key additions: RP Mark Suzuki, RP Harry Clark, IF/OF Sergi Moehler, SP Joe Matheson, SS Doug Burks, RP Ivan Fife

Key losses: CP Fausto Romero, SP Alberto Maradona, OF Willie Alcantara, 2B A.J. Cox

Though just three seasons removed from winning the World Series, the Philadelphia Athletics featured a roughly average offense in season 23 that bogged down a top ten pitching staff and the second best defense in the league.  Bullpen issues also plagued the club, which include 21 blown saves.  Owner tommymax would work to address some of these needs, though not before relocating the club from Philly to Cincinnati, rebranding the Athletics as the blue collar Lumber Company.

Aside from the name change, the Lumber Co. is relatively similar in structure to last season’s squad - not a huge surprise after its eighth consecutive playoff appearance.  Tommymax declined the team’s end of a mutual option on closer Fausto Romero and signed a trio of relievers - Harry Clark, Mark Suzuki, and Ivan Fife - the latter two of which have thus far closed games with great success.  In one other noteworthy loss, long-time starter Alberto Maradona, who posted 64 wins over parts of six seasons with the franchise, was allowed to walk, though his innings have been replaced by the signing of long-time Old Style SP Joe Matheson.

Clearly, the bullpen issues that the club faced in season 23 have been addressed.  As for the offense, the Lumber Company parted ways with two part time players in Willie Alcantara and A.J. Cox, moving decisively to replace their roster spots with Doug Burks and Sergi Moehler.

Most notably, perhaps, is that the team gave contract extensions to season 21 Cy Young winner Tyreace Beck and SP Orlando Campos.  Beck’s deal is a three-year pact set to begin next season, while Campos’ extension takes him only through next season.  Taken together, these moves should serve to strengthen a perennial contender led by big boppers LF Ivan Romero and 1B Carlos Mota.

New York Knights

Key additions: SP/RP Travis Thurman, 3B Stuffy Stanley, RF Willie Alcantara

Key losses: RP Mark Suzuki, RP Sean Fischer, DH Mel McMasters, RP Harry Clark

Last season, tedwilliams1 took over as general manager of the Knights franchise and led the club to its best record since season eight, as well as the club’s fourth World Series appearance.  The Knights had the league’s best pitching staff (3.18 ERA) and its best defense (.988 fielding percentage), but an anemic offense that triple slashed .246/.307/.377 is perhaps what prevented the team from taking the crown against eventual champs Albuquerque Arrows.

The team’s most important moves are probably those that occurred internally.  Tedwilliams1 accepted the $20 million mutual option on Heinie Swann, clearly valuing the reigning Cy Young winner’s contributions despite hit exorbitant price tag.  New York also extended CF Juan Seneca and six-time All Star LF Glen Raines, as well as CP Gil Gibson and stud SP Dummy Wyatt, among others.

However, New York was forced to deal with some losses. Relievers Mark Suzuki, Sean Fischer, and Harry Clark, all three contributors to last season’s successful bullpen, were signed away and have been replaced by several others, primarily Travis Thurman, in the midst of a career renaissance. Further, the team brought in Stuffy Stanley to add some offense to the lineup, and Willie Alcantara’s pedigree to fortify a bench that also lost Mel McMasters, one of the team’s best bench bats.

NL East Analysis

This season, the NL East may once again come down to Cincinnati and New York. The Lumber Company retooled its pitching staff and has the offensive pieces to win. Season 23 pennant winner New York also retooled its pen, while also working to fix one of the league's worst offenses. Either or both teams may need in-season trades to push them over the top, however, should their offseason moves prove inadequate in addressing their biggest needs.

Meanwhile, Boston was aggressive in its efforts to remain competitive despite losing several of the offseason’s biggest free agents. They may be in the mix for the postseason as well, though it may take a few deadline deals to turn on the heat and fully replace lost production.

As for Charlotte, the Pups had an incredibly busy offseason and, though they will likely not compete this season, DWobble has certainly built the foundation for what should be a competitive team in the seasons that come.