 WITH   ARCHIVES | |
|
And we're back. Thank you very much. While we were away, we missed the first C.R.A.B.S. trade in just over 43 years. Maine sent 3B Scott Brosius to Roseville for SP Terry Mulholland and C Dan Wilson in one of those harmless, benign trades, that doesn't really change a damn thing. Sorry I mentioned it. In this latest installment of "Life According to Ace", we begin the first of a three part series delving deep into each team's collective psyche to ask the age old question debated by scholars on a daily basis- should Davis draft Damian Jackson or Ramon Martinez? Alright, it's not quite "To be or not to be", but whose axin' ya anyways? With only about two months until the world famous C.R.A.B.S. Free Agent Draft, it's time for widdle 'ol me to do all the legwork for all the teams and tell them who to draft. Let's start at the top with 2000's four playoff teams: CRABAPPLE SURGEONS (NEEDS- SP, C, 1B, 2B, OF, RP)- Being the two time defending champs, you'd figger they probably don't have a lot of holes to fill. Well, kick me in the teeth and call me Smiley- you'd be right. Crabapple released SP's Brian Moehler, Pedro Astacio, and Rick Helling, so they could either bring back two of them or go in another direction. It's astute observations like these that are going to get me that Pulitzer yet! Keep in mind, they still have the young 'uns- Ryan Anderson and Jason Grilli. Maybe it's time to let the Pampers Patrol take over the rotation. A backup catcher, backup secondbaseman, backup firstbaseman, and maybe another reliever. That's it. No quick fixes, like Maine last year. No overhauls. Just a couple a guys to fill in when the champ's stars need a breather. Not exactly brain surgery, ya know. MAINE LOBSTERS (NEEDS- SP, SS, RP)- Well, how do you follow last season's haul? Mike Hampton, Livan Hernandez, Octavio Dotel, Jeffrey Hammonds, and Derek Bell all came in last year's draft to help lead the Lobsters to their first-ever World Series appearance. After lopping off the rest of their pre-2000 pitching staff, the Crustaceans need to re-stock. Unfortunately for them, there's no Hampton's or Hernandez's's's' in this years draft. Helling starts with an H, but that's about as close as yer gonna get. Expect the Lobster's to be heavy in the Steve Trachsel mix. Other starter's that could find their way to the northeast include Cal Eldred, Frank Castillo, and Brett Tomko. The only other major need here is to find a replacement for Tony Batista (sliding over to third base) at shortstop. When you realize that the best answers at short in the draft are Mark Grudzielanek and Rey Ordonez, you get the feeling that Maine may make another deal soon, possibly involving 2B Damion Easley. Another reliever would fill this team out just fine, thank you, maybe in the form of former Lobster Steve Kline. Kinda like Crabapple here, just a tuneup, please. SACRAMENTO GIANTS (NEEDS- C, SS, 2B, RP)- Now, let's all go to the land of pretend. Pretend that Sacramento had made their cuts. Pretend that I know what they are. So, I'm pretending now that they will need a new backup catcher behind Bobby Estalella, because they cut Doug Mirabelli. I'm pretending now that Brad Ausmus would fill the bill nicely. I'm also pretending that they would need a backup for short and second, because I'm pretending they cut Mike Benjamin. I'm also going to pretend that they would draft Benjamin again, so the point is moot. If you pretend that they cut John Franco, like I am, you could pretend that they would need a new reliever to join Mr. John Wetteland. Pretend they're interested in Kaz Sasaki or Mike Jackson. Now, pretend that they still have a few roster spots to fill, so they look for some prospects (Remember, this is how they got Ben Grieve and Todd Helton a looong time ago). I like to pretend that they're looking at 3B Pedro Feliz or SP Kurt Ainsworth. I'm pretending that this team is pretty laden with stars, albeit aging in the rotation, so let's pretend that we can count them out of the Johnny Damon/Steve Trachsel/Ken Caminiti bidding wars. Let's pretend that we're done pretending and that we're ready to go on to the next team. CHICAGO WHITE SOX (NEEDS- SP, C, 2B)- I can be counted among those who believe last year's post-season appearance by the Sox was just a fluke. So, unlike the other playoff teams, the needs are greater in the Windy City. Let's begin with the rotation. Aaron Sele and Denny Neagle make a fine pair to start with, but after that things begin to fall apart. Did I hear you say Steve Trachsel? I thought I did. And you'd be correct in thinking that this team needs Steve Trachsel. Did I hear you say Brett Tomko? Right on the money. Let's throw in Glendon Rusch for good measure. If the Sox could come up with Trachsel, Tomko, and Rusch, they would take a big step forward in proving 2000 was no fluke. But, be careful, if Chicago throws their money around like they did in '96 with Neagle, they won't be able to afford to bring even Doc Gooden back. A catcher is sorely needed to help Sandy Alomar and A.J. Hinch to actually finish the season, and maybe even contribute a little. John Flaherty, Chris Widger, or Darrin Fletcher could cut the mustard here. And by God, how good could this team be if they actually received a little production from second? Don't even worry about it, because there's no production from second in this draft. Could we see a Mike Bordick or Deivi Cruz deal for Damion Easley? Maybe, maybe not. Chances are the Sox will have to stick with Mark McLemore yet again. There ya go, no glaring holes to fill, just a little sprucing up of the rotation, and maybe some sticks in the infield, but again, beware of how the Chicago brass tosses out the bills at the start of the draft. That wraps up Part One. Well, what did you expect Peter Gammons? Come back in 14, and we'll give you the skinny on Oakland, Scottsdale, and Roseville. Until then, Aces everyone…… |