Catcher: Stan Brennen-
Brennen is a solid, if militantly unspectacular, player. Behind the plate he is decent, and he threw out 35% of attempted base stealers. At the plate, Brennen was equally solid, as he hit .285 with a .778 OPS. Scouts agree that there is little potential for much improvement in Brennen’s play, but if he can replicate his performance from 2011, which was good for 2.3 WAR, the Gamblers will be absolutely thrilled.
First Base: Takanobu Eida/Finnan Lapsley-
The Gamblers utilize a platoon at first base, and as a result, Lapsley gets the vast majority of the playing time at the position, because he generally plays against right-handed pitching. Although Lapsley has a number of holes in his game, one skill which Lapsley possesses in abundance is his raw power: last year, he hit 26 home runs, and all 26 came against right-handed hitters. If he can continue to hit home runs while striking out in roughly 25% of his at-bats, the Gamblers will happily sign up for that deal. Eida provides solid hitting against lefties.
Second Base: Eric Martin-
Martin is one of the top second basemen in the game, and he is coming off yet another starting appearance in the All-Star game. Martin is an ideal presence at the top of any team’s batting order, and the defense he provides at second base is invaluable as well. Although Martin’s 25 Caught Stealings last year were far too many, the fact remains that Martin posted 6 WAR, and there is no reason to expect any kind of drop-off in performance.
Shortstop: Melvin Lopez-
Although many players begin to fall off the proverbial table once they hit the age of 35, Lopez seems to be a model of consistency. Although he doesn’t do anything supremely well, he seems to do everything fairly well, and that consistency makes him an asset to the Gamblers. Although advanced metrics didn’t love his defense last year, Gamblers fans should be happy to know that defensive wizard Clifford Martin will be available as a late-game defensive replacement.
-As this article was heading to press, news leaked that Lopez will be out for the next five weeks.
Third Base: Wilfredo Bonilla-
Over the last three years, Bonilla has been remarkably consistent, hitting 26,25, and 28 home runs, respectively. Bonilla also has a terrific eye and draws a number of walks. Atlantic City is likely counting on Bonilla to be an integral part of its lineup, and with good reason. Bonilla offers a well-rounded offensive skill-set that makes him an asset to any lineup. Although his defense is not great, his offensive prowess more than makes up for any other flaws he might have.
Left Field: Bob Goodwin-
Another terrific offensive player whose well-rounded game makes him one of the top hitters in the Atlantic City lineup. Although Goodwin apparently needs to learn how to ride a scooter like a competent adult, there aren’t many other flaws that anyone could find in Goodwin’s game. Goodwin also plays a fantastic left field, and he is eligible to be a free agent after this season ends. If Atlantic City doesn’t sign Goodwin to an extension during this season, expect Goodwin to land a massive contract from the highest bidder. In the meantime, he will be one of the better, and more underrated, hitters in the league.
Center Field: Milt Linares, Jr.
Of course, one of the reasons that Goodwin has been underrated is because of who he plays next to. Linares is one of the top center fielders in the game, and almost certainly the fastest player in the league. Although injuries cost Linares roughly 30 games last year, Linares was still able to steal 72 bases while posting an .815 OPS and playing his normal, superlative, centerfield. Although there could be whole articles written about Linares and what he brings to the table, it is sufficient to say that as long as Linares is healthy, he will be his team’s best player every night.
Right Field: Claude Arcimboldo/Mark Hurt-
Although this position appears to be largely up for grabs, it is likely that whoever wins the job will end up sharing at-bats with his competitor, along with whoever the Gamblers acquire during the course of the upcoming season. Neither player is a particularly gifted hitter, but Arcimboldo’s defense likely gives him a slight advantage to be named the starter.
Designated Hitter: Valentin Lugo-
Although Lugo’s 2011 season was far below both his, and Atlantic City’s, usual standards, the Gamblers are hopeful that Lugo can rebound to his 2009 and 2010 form. If he can do that, then the Atlantic City offense will be very formidable.
PITCHERS
David Crocker-
The unquestioned ace of Atlantic City’s staff, Crocker has not had an ERA over 4 since 2003, and there is no reason to expect that to change. Although Crocker does not have overpowering stuff, he does an excellent job every time he takes the ball, and he will be a big part of Atlantic City’s success this year.
Jared Dorsey-
Dorsey might not be the team’s ace, there is no question that he has the most dominant stuff of anyone in the Atlantic City rotation. Last year he posted terrific strikeout numbers, and he also does a great job of inducing ground balls. The only thing holding Dorsey back from stardom is his lack of control. If Dorsey can do that, he could become a great, instead of a merely good, starting pitcher.
Maxwell Johnson-
Johnson is a largely unspectacular pitcher, which shouldn’t come as a surprise, because he is the team’s third starter. He is generally only an innings-eater, and Atlantic City will look for him to continue in that role next season.
Ira Arthur-
Another middle-of-the-road type pitcher. As a 32 year old, it’s unlikely that any significant improvements are coming. The one thing he does have going for him, however, is that he has the name of a 120 year old man.
Brett Cochran-
At 26, Cochran likely has more room for improvement than the other pitchers on Atlantic City’s staff. Like the pitchers above him, Cochran is not a strikeout pitcher; instead, Cochran relies on inducing a large number of ground balls. Last year, Cochran accumulated 2.9 WAR, and any other contribution he makes this season will be much appreciated by Atlantic City fans.
BULLPEN
Beningo Escolerd-
A solid middle reliever who is a bit of a journeyman around the MBWBA. Although he has played on a number of teams, he has also provided quality innings in nearly all of his stops.
Joe Miller-
Miller was a solid middle reliever last season, as he threw 61 quality innings, and was responsible for bridging the gap to Atlantic City’s sterling closer…
Art Messer-
Messer is a superior talent, and Atlantic City fans can react very positively whenever they see him entering a save situation.PREDICTION Expect another down to the wire battle between Atlantic City and Montreal, as Atlantic City's stellar lineup will need to stay healthy and continue to produce. If Atlantic City's key players can remain healthy and stay on the field, there is an excellent chance that Atlantic City can win the division and advance to the playoffs after a brief hiatus.
And surely my brother did not mean this Atlantic City when thinking about retiring. I don't even know what state Atlantic City is in...
