1) Chone Figgins - cf - .330/.393/.432 -.825 ops - 41 sb's
2) Michael Young - ss - .315/.366/.418 - .784 ops - 13 sb's
3) Todd Helton - 1b - .320/.434/.494 - .928 ops
4) Chipper Jones - 3b - .337/.425/.604 - 1.029 ops
5) Victor Martinez - c - .301/.374/.505 - .879 ops
6) Brad Hawpe - rf - .291/.387/.539 - .926 ops
7) Chris Duncan - .259/.354/.480 - .834 ops
Mike Lamb - dh - .289/.366/.453 - .819 ops9) Kelly Johnson - 2b - .276/.375/.457 - .832 ops
Analysis: Would like to updgrade the DH and have Mike Lamb go back to the bench, where he would be a very valuable asset. Otherwise, this lineup is the strongest that I have had top to bottom. Figgins and Young will set the table nicely for what has to be one of the strongest 3-6 slots in all the IBC (Helton, Chipper, VMart, Hawpe). Following those three, and closing the lineup, will be Duncan-Lamb-Johnson, all players who sports nice obp's, and ops over .819.
Bench:
Mike Rivera, Melvin Mora, David Dellucci, Andy Phillips
Analysis: It is what it is - Dellucci gives a decent lh bat, Rivera provides late-inning defensive help for VMart, Mora gives nice versatility and a solid rh bat, and Phillips can play a few positions w/ some pop.
Rotation:
1) Rich Harden - 1-2, 2.45 era, 27/25.2 k/ip 1.13 whip, .202 baa
2) Fausto Carmona - 19-8, 3.06 era, 137/215 k/ip, 1.21 whip, .248 baa
3) Rich Hill - 11-8, 3.92 era, 183/195 k/ip, 1.19 whip, .235 baa
4) Gil Meche - 9-13, 3.67 era , 156/216 k/ip, 1.30 whip, .263 baa
5) Jarrod Washburn - 10-15, 4.32 era, 114/193.2 k/ip, 1.38 whip, .268 baa
Analysis: Far and away the best rotation I've had since I've been here. Barring injuries the trio at the top is the best I've ever had - and Meche makes a very nice #4. There will be a battle for the 5th spot in the rotation, but after 2 great SIM yeras, Washburn has the inside track.
Bullpen:
Cl) Brian Wilson - 1-2, 2.28 era, 18/23.2 k/ip, 0.97 whip, .188 baa, 6 sv
Su) CJ Wilson - 2-1, 3.03 era, 63/68.1 k/ip, 1.21 whip, .208 baa, 12 sv
Su) Aaron Heilman - 7-7, 3.03 era, 63/86 k/ip, 1.07 whip, .224 baa
Mr) Brian Wolfe - 3-1, 2.98 era, 22/45.1 k/ip, 0.99 whip, .224 baa
Mr) Kevin Hart - 0-0, 0.82 era, 13/11 k/ip, 1.00 whip, .189 baa
Lh Sp) Royce Ring - 1-0, 2.70 era, 21/20 k/ip, 1.50 whip, .206 lh baa
Lr) Carlos Villanueva - 8-5, 3.94 era, 99/114.1 k/ip, 1.35 whip, .236 baa
Analysis: No true closer, but a lot of depth, and a lot of talent. Brian Wilson goes into the season with the inside track on closing. This is the strongest I've been 1-7 for my bullpen, but the weakest I've been at the top.
