Fantasy Forces:
1B-Jim Thome (32)- Thome took advantage of his pending free agency by producing the best year of his career, topping 50 homeruns for the
first time while hitting over .300 for the first time since '96. Though one of the top homerun hitters in the majors, with contract in
hand, we can expect Thome to drift back to earth in '03. While still among the top producers at first, his transition to the NL will
have its effects. He plays in a pitching-heavy division in a park which isn't friendly to lefty averages. His presence, however,
will make everyone else in the lineup more productive.
SP-Kevin Millwood (28)- Although the signing of Thome made more headlines, Millwood's acquisition may play a bigger role in the
Phillies goal of reaching the Fall Classic. After lingering in the shadows behind Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz throughout his career,
Millwood proved his shoulder issues are behind him by compiling one of the best second halves in the majors last year. He will be the
Opening Day starter and a huge inning eater and is a darkhorse Cy Young candidate.
RF-Bobby Abreu (29)- Despite his decline in homeruns in '02, Abreu was his steady dangerous self in all other areas. One
of the most patient hitters in the game, he is a speedster with power and lets his game work around that, but with 50 doubles don't think
the power isn't what it used to be. With all but four of his career homeruns coming off righties, Abreu is not going to hit many more
homeruns than he does now, but is a top 30-30 threat on a yearly basis while ranking among the hit leaders.
LF-Pat Burrell (26)- Perhaps no one was happier with the signing of Thome than Burrell who established himself as one of the
game's top power hitters last year. Hitting from the cleanup spot, the bulky lefty will be the recipient of a vast upgrade in RBI
opportunities while he continues to work towards perennial .300/40 seasons. Don't be surprised if this is the first as he outproduces
the $85 million man
SP-Randy Wolf (26)- Just when Wolf was ready to become the permanant ace, Millwood comes to town and relegates him back to
number two. Putting a substandard first half behind him, the pedestrian lefty was nearly unhittable over the second but fell victim to
deplorable run support. That will change this year.
CL-Jose Mesa (36)- With the hype surrounding the Smoltzes, Gagnes and Hoffmans of the world, Mesa's production continues to go
virtually unnoticed. He has 87 saves the last two years but led the league in blown saves while converting primarily "easy"
save opps. With the boost in offense and pitching, the aging vet will have even more leaway and should convert 40 again.
Risky Business:
CF-Marlon Byrd (25)- Like Duckworth, Byrd has seen his development fall behind schedule but nonetheless will be given the everyday
center field spot following the departure of Glanville. Fast, powerful and quick, he was once hyped to be an All-Star five-tool talent
but is looking more like the next Jose Cruz Jr.
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Supporting Cast:
SS-Jimmy Rollins (24)- A year after vying for the NL ROY, Rollins looked impatient and out of place as he struggled to find his
stroke. Enamored with his double-digit power potential instead of his blazing speed, the switch-hitter was continually beat with high
heat and let his frustrations leak onto the basepaths. A workhorse, Rollins will benefit from Thome's presence and should come closer
to his rookie form.
3B-David Bell (30)- The Phillies may not be expecting Bell to duplicate Rolen's production but they are expecting to rely on him to
provide the bulk of production from the back half of the lineup. Miscast as a leadoff hitter periodically for the Giants, the
2-dimensional vet will follow a devastating trio in the middle and should benefit nicely.
2B-Placido Polanco (27)- Even though the Phillies took it in the backside by being forced to deal Rolen, Polanco's arrival may
be a blessing in disquise. Though he doesn't have the power or production skills of the former Philly, the sweet swinging scrapper
will slide into the second spot while playing the pivot and give relatively just as much value from the second spot as Rolen will from the
Cardinals fifth spot.
SP-Vincent Padilla (25)- While Duckworth has the stuff but not the mentality, Padilla has a major league repertoire but needs
to build up arm strength. While earning a spot on the All-Star team, Padilla tossed a mindboggling 121 innings and subsequently wore
down to merely average after the break. Firmly entrenched in the third spot, Padilla should be a valuable segway to the back half of
the rotation.
SP-Brandon Duckworth (27)- No longer a prospect, it is time for Duckworth to put up or step down. Struggling to find
consistency despite a diverse effective arsenal, Duckworth has been trying to break in for 3 years now and remains a perennial
project. He will get a spot in the rotation out of camp but will have to produce to stay there.
Better Days Ahead:
SP-Brett Myers (22)- For a pitcher who shows as much command as Myers, he sure doesn't strike out a lot of hitters. Instead
of overpowering hitters, he seems content to let his infielders do the work, keeping his powerful arsenal down in the zone. While this
surely keeps his teammates busy, it should be a sign of maturity as he caters to his strengths and understands the value of an out versus a
strikeout. This will go a long way in developing him into a middle-of-the-rotation pitcher.
Past Their Prime:
C-Mike Lieberthal (31)- At an age when most catchers begin to see a downfall in production, the NLs second best producing backstop
is trying to merely stay healthy. This year he slides further down the lineup and will be hard-pressed to see action in 130 games.
After undergoing arthroscopic surgery this offseason, his '99 season appears to be his zenith and he should settle into a steady producing
mainstay although his steady is still better than most NL catchers. |
