2036-13: Talons Season Preview: The Offense OF/DH

[jiminyhopkins]

The setup for the outfield and DH will be somewhat unique, lacking a definite starter/bench dynamic and looking more like 6 starters rotating among 4 slots week to week. In fact, this Spring, Deortez was even observed taking reps at first base in order to give this group more options to keep their prodigious bats in the lineup.

LF/CF/RF Jean-Luc Lacaze (6/6/8/7/5 Talents)
The veteran Lacaze came over in a salary dump as the offseason began. Perhaps the biggest star in the old EBA before he turned 22, Jean-Luc transitioned well to the Brewster and has a great string of successful seasons with Huntsville. He signed a huge, front loaded deal before the 2034 season, but San Fernando had to unload the salary so he comes to Phoenix. He'll do quite well at the top of this stacked lineup, and he will greatly improve outfield defense and team speed, as well as ticket sales.

LF Martin Marin (8/8/9/5/8 Talents)
Amazing how a guy with this much talent may be relegated to the weak side of a platoon. But in an era where defense is a simportant as offense (and his team has an All Star DH), this is where Marin's reality currently stands. A fourth overall pick in the 2030 draft, it's hard to believe he just turned 22 years old a month ago. The young Puerto Rican started off on fire in 2035, but faded back to average by mid season. Now with Lacaze in the mix, will he ever get enough playing time to show off his hitting potential? Or will he be traded for pitching?

CF Thad Meyer (8/10/7/5/9 Talents)
Thad was tops in the BBA in doubles with 60, and led the team in wars with 5.2. As the Talons' most complete player, Meyer is a dynamic presence at the top of the Phoenix order. Though with Lacaze in the mix, he has been featured at #3 in games this spring. Like other young Talons, he has signed an amicable deal that buys out his arbitration years.

RF Bartolo Ortiz (8/9/10/6/8 Talents)
It's hard to believe that the Talons achieved as much as they did in 2035 with Ortiz being basically MIA for much of the season. He struggled greatly, only a year removed from his 4.0 war age 20 season. He has the talent to be the most feared left handed hitter in the league if he can just get back to that .324/.388/.590 season of 2034. Just imagine how fearsome the Talon lineup would be if he finds his stroke again this year.

LF/RF Domenic Wyatt (5/6/9/8/2 Talents)
Old friend alert! Wyatt was salary-dumped last season, but came back on a much cheaper deal to get at bats at the corner outfield slots. Injuries will likely prevent him from playing full time, but if he even gets back to being half of what he was before, Wyatt will benefit this team and its fans greatly.

DH Mario Deortez (8/9/9/6/7 Talents)
It's hard being a DH. You hit 40 home runs and drive in over 100 each of the past two seasons, but the heartless war "stat" says you are only worth 3 wins per year. Thats ok for super Mario, though. One look at the BBA projections and its obvious his next goal is to hit 50 bombs. Will the war love him then? Who cares, as long as Talons fans do!

[usnspecialist]

Between Lacaze and Wyatt you clearly had a type of guy you were looking for this winter.

[ae37jr]

Best offense in the BBA.

[usnspecialist]

Best offense in the BBA.

them's fighting words.