Fantasy Forces:
RF-Vladimir Guerrero (27)- As stunning as it was to see Vlad nearly top the 40-40 mark, his feats are becoming less and less
surprising. It should be obvious now that not only is he one of the best in the game but one of the best of all time. He has
topped the .300/100/30/100 levels every year he has been a regular, no one in history can say that, while settling in one of the weakest
back-half lineups in the bigs. A one man wrecking crew, he just turned 27 and should put himself on the map while making a run at the
triple crown.
2B-Jose Vidro (28)- Despite playing with a cracked shoulder blade for much of the first half, Vidro held his ground as the second
best run producing pivotman behind Jeff Kent. The switch-hitter is a career .305 hitter and barring nagging injuries is a good bet for
20+ homeruns. He set a career-high in runs last year while just missing 100 RBIs and protected by Vlad, should do it again while being
among the NL hitting leaders.
SP-Javier Vazquez (26)- Vazquez took a step back last year, one year after posting 16 wins with the deplorable Expos. He fought
through a peristent elbow problem while his pitches lacked the zip they had a year earlier. With a wide range of out pitches, Vazquez
is truly one of the tops in the game and is fully healthy again. On any other team he is a 17-20 game winner.
Risky Business:
3B-Fernando Tatis (28)- Two years ago, the Cardinals stunned the baseball world by trading the omni-potent third baseman for Steve
Kline and Dustin Hermanson. Since then, Tatis has struggled through an array of leg injuries and steadily fading career expectations.
Though he still has tremendous power and is only 28, the likelihood of enjoying a full season is highly doubtful. If he does go down
again, which he will at some point, Barrett could find himself back at third as well as the versatile Wilkerson.
Better Days Ahead:
1B-Jeff Liefer (28)-
The last part of the Colon deal, Liefer finally gets a chance to play everyday and considering Lee Stevens numbers from last year,
won't need to do much to earn his keep. After struggling mightily in part-time action last year, a change in scenery will be good and
he should tease opposing pitchers with his budding power skills.
CF-Endy Chavez (25)- Although the Peter Bergeron Experiment is probably not over, the Expos will their immediate center
field/leadoff role to the rookie. Chavez earned a promotion after hitting an International League best .343. Once promoted, he
flashed his speed and quick bat by lacing 5 triples in 125 ABs. He isn't very willing to wait for the walk but is able to put wood on
nearly any pitch with the potential to be a devastating thief on the basepaths. If he stays in the #1 slot, he is an NL ROY candidate. |
Supporting Cast:
LF-Brad Wilkerson (25)- Wilkerson won the left field job in spring training and almost rode it to the NL ROY, finishing second to the
nearly unanimous Jason Jennings. Were it not for a horrible slump in the last month, he may have won it. Despite the dropoff, he
is a smart hitter with good patience and intelligence of the strikezone who should develop into a steady .300/25 hitter. Although he
doesn't have the best speed, he is an effective base stealer.
SS-Orlando Cabrera (28)- Cabrera fell just short of 100 RBIs in '01 but suffered a huge dropoff last year, partially due to a back
problem. With good middle infield power and speed, he lacks the patience to be a top of the lineup hitter but in time may settle
there. He should be better than he was in '01 but his ribbies won't come close.
SP-Tony Armas (24)- Subtract a miserable two middle months and Armas was every bit as good as anyone else on the Expos staff.
Like Vazquez, he is effective with a multitude of pitches. While he dominates righties, lefties have had good success against him but
that should change as he learns more.
SP-Tomo Ohka (27)- Though Vazquez and Colon grabbed most of the headlines, Ohka deserved his own after giving a brilliant
performance, the kind the Red Sox were waiting for before sending him to Montreal in the Ugueth Urbina deal. He doesn't throw nearly
as hard as Vazquez and Armas but has the best control of the three and is only going to get better.
C-Michael Barrett (26)- Barrett came on the scene with a solid rookie season in '99 but faltered over the next couple campaigns
as he struggled to learn the hot corner. Shifted back to his old position, he had his rookie look to him much of last season. He
showed better patience at the plate last year and was more adept at driving the ball. Though Brian Schneider's presence will result in
some missed at-bats, this guy could be an All-Star yet.
CL-Scott Stewart (27)- With Urbina gone to Boston and Scott Strickland traded to the Mets early in the season, Stewart inherited the
closer role and had a good deal of success with it before elbow problems led to a downfall the second half. He had surgery soon after
the season to remove some bone spurs and is expected to be ready for spring training. If he is, the potential is there to be a 30+
save closer this year.
RP-Rocky Biddle (26)- Thrown in as part of the Colon deal, Biddle gives the Expos quality depth in their bullpen as well as another
closer option should Stewart not be ready. He also has the ability to start and could find himself in a variety of roles that would
serve his and the Expos' purpose well.
Past Their Prime:
SP-Orlando Hernandez (33ish)- Hernandez arrival doesn't necessarily make up for Colon's departure but gives the Expos an
established winner who fits very nicely between Vazquez and the younger pitchers. Though he can still be an effective pitcher and
should only be better in the Senior Circuit, he has been on the DLeach of the past 3 years and has had continuing shoulder issues.
Some theorize this is because they believe him to be closer to 40, meaning that his years of pitching in the Cuban League is taking its
toll. |
