AL East Scouting Report, Part 1

This is the first of a 5 part series where I will be analyzing the AL East. As a member approaching my 4th season, I hope this provides a good read and provide present and future readers of this blog a good idea of the quality of ownership we have. I will be posting each of the teams separately in order of reverse finish in standings last season (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New York, Norfolk), followed by a final projection of all the divisions and perpetual World Series winner.

Philadelphia Phillies
GM/Owner -- bball10 (2nd Season, 58-104 Record)

Season 10 Recap
Record: 58-104 (4th Place, 23 GB)
BA/OBP/SLG: .278/.344/.430
R/HR/RBI/SB: 809/201/789/133
ERA/WHIP/SO: 6.26/1.63/1,038
Sv/SvO: 26/40

Key Additions
Vladimir Hernandez (2B)
Luis Estrada (C)
Norm Mantei (P)
Donatello Barker (LF)
Junior Lee (P)
Christopher Lockhart (1B)
John Wang (P)
Nash Ponson (P)
James Robbins (P)

Key Losses
Orlando Guerrero (P, Released)
Eddie Brinkley (P, Released)
Gus Burkett (P, FA)
Don Jensen (P, FA)
Ken Spencer (LF, Released)
Bobby Sherman (2B, FA)
Travis Sandberg (3B, FA)
Miguel James (1B, FA)
Ron Niekro (P, Claimed off Waivers)

Projected Starters

C Henry Foster / Luis Estrada
1B Christopher Lockhart
2B Eduardo Miranda
3B Walt King
SS Al Clifton
LF Achilles Ramirez
CF Vladimir Hernandez
RF R.J. Benitez
DH Donatello Barker


SP William Woods
SP John Manning
SP Junior Lee
SP Russ Schneider
SP ????
CL John Wang

Taking a look back to Season 10, there wasn't much doubt as to why this team finished 4th in the division. The Phillies tried 10 different pitchers in the starting rotation, with little success to find a consistent rotation throughout the season. There best pitcher last season (Ron Niekro) was claimed off waivers by division rival Norfolk. GM bball10 didn't keep it a secret that the Phillies would be big players in the FA market, and they did NOT disappoint. Going into Spring Training, they have signed 9 new players that were not on the club last year, putting a big focus on Relief Pitching (4 out of 9 signings).