Positional Outlook-
C Hector Ortiz*
C Miguel Olivo
1B Aubrey Huff*
Posted best batting average in several years with a .280 mark
1B Enoch Ives
Maybe past 25 years of age, but late development last season might be a sign he's not done growing.
2B Jose Gonzales*
His power potential and speed makes him a prime candidate to be the next Alfonso Soriano.
2B Brent Abernathy
SS Derek Wathan*
3B Dallas McPherson*
OF Magglio Ordonez*
OF Chris Snelling*
OF J.J. Davis*
Closed out the year hitting .300
OF Darrick Thomas
DH Robb Quinlan*
Pitching Outlook:
SP Roy Halladay (logged career best 270.1 innings)
SP Gaby Hernandez (developed into a 5 star prospect)
SP Darren Dreifort (4.01 ERA at Coors)
SP Jason Marquis
SP Jason Davis (team leading 15 wins)
SP Tim Campa
MR Robb Nen
MR Eric Junge
MR Joaquin Benoit
MR Shawn Chacon
MR Kareem Engel (3.83 ERA)
CL Duaner Sanchez (2.64 ERA, 24 saves)
2008 will depend upon a group of youngsters in Gonzales, Snelling, Hernandez, Campa, and Engel. This season will be different, as we have a bonafide ace to anchor the rotation, with a future ace right behind him. The end of our pen will be concrete as Engel and Sanchez proved to be very good towards the end of the season; Sanchez finishing with a 2.64 ERA. The offense has it's limitations, but for now hopefully veterans Ordonez and Huff can help anchor the lineup. We might just have to wait for Zamudio, Garber and Gutierrez to spark our offense, but that would have to happen next season. Our defense will hurt us the most, and often, this season. We have been unable to strike up any trades that could really push us over the edge, but Dreifort should prove to be useful in hopes of having a more competitive season. We were also fortunate to bring in Gaby Hernandez towards the end of last season at the deadline. This is certainly not a team that's solidified. We hope to able to bring in a better balanced offense and one more experienced quality starting pitcher.