Key Departures: SP Mike Tedder? (traded), SP Tom Sharp?(waived)
Key Arrivals: none
Starting Rotation
John Rasmussen (33)– Still the staff ace. Had a solid year last season and I think can be expected to be a little better this year.
Russell Martin (28)– Saw his ERA balloon to over 5 last year. I expect that to come down and the wins to go back up.
Ramon Ayala (35)– Much has been made of Ayala becoming the league's first 200-200 guy. Actually had a pretty good year last season all things considered. I expect the loss total to remain high but I actually expect single digit victories this season.
Antonio Aguila (28)– Aguila is a tough one to predict. High stuff and solid pitches lend to the notion he can dominate thru strikeouts. However weak movement and control ratings lead to him struggling at times. I think he will beat his win total of last season (6) but I'd also expect him to be in the double digit losses.
Jose Romero (26)– Romero is looking at getting his first real big chunk of consecutive starts. I can see both double digit wins and losses for the youngster.
Bullpen
Not a whole lot to say here. Closer Justin Marco is back in that role but who knows for how long as father time continues to beat on him. Byron Gonzalez and Jorge Garcia return as the go to guys. Perhaps young Darryl Robinson makes some noise? I can see him getting the nod at closer at some point and then never giving it back up. He will walk more hitters than Chris will like but he may just be so dominant in every other way that he overcomes the BB's.
2011 Madison Preview (position players)
Key Offseason Departures: none
Key Offseason Arrivals: none
Catchers
Cam Adams (24)– Young catcher that showed some good pop but a low average held him back a bit. Look for the average and OBP to rise a bit but I fully expect a sophomore slump in the power department.
Cesar Fuentes (29)– Backup catcher. What more is there to say?
First Base
Rafael Rodriguez (42)– Love the move to first base. Should reduce the wear and tear and injury chance and give him the shot he needs at the all-time hits record.
Second Base
Jaiden France (36)– Sacrificing a bit of D here but its worth it to keep France's bat in the lineup. I expect the typical France year of late. .290ish average and mid 20's homers.
Third Base
Charles Puckett (34)– Ummm its Charles Puckett? Not exactly a shock that I'm predicting a good season from him.
Shortstop
Bopper Kengos (34)– See above.
Side note- How come we never have come up with a sweet nickname for the duo of Crickett and Bopper?Left Field
Ed Mansfield (27)– This is it. This is the season that Mansfield goes nuts and gets his name recognized like the infield duo that normally take the Wolve's headlines. Average near .330 and nearly 30 bombs. BOOOOM!
Center Field
Dan Zimmerman (23)– Pretty sweet defense with a bat that has potential but has been lacking in actual production. I think he puts it together this season and has a solid year. Pushes that average near .300.
Right Field
Deivi Contreras (34)- Straight from Chris himself we see this guy in right field. Never heard of him. I think he has an "ok" season but it will not be worth the atrocious D he is going to play in the outfield.
Designated Hitter
Jason Wortman (39)- Freshly signed he jumps right back into a Wolves uniform and at an extreme discount from what he wanted as an extension. Win for Madison.
Backups
Honestly there is no one of note here. I fully expect injuries and the waiver wire to make the backup spots on Madison a revolving door.
2011 Madison Preview (overview)
Everyone predicts doom and gloom for Madison. I don't see it that way. I see a lot of bounceback candidates on this team along with the studly Crickett and Bopper. I think Rasmussen goes nuts and has a superb season, Mansfield wins the Silk and overall Madison gets back to the post season. 95 wins, another division title, an epic 7 game series against Vancouver to win the right to go to the Landis and we all win when we get to watch Chris agonize over every move he makes in the Landis. I have Atlantic City winning in 6 games though.
