New Jersey Athletics 2017

[mikezone13]

Spring Training

We're not expecting much change from our core team, with the expansion draft only hurting our backup players, despite veteran pitcher Bob Thompson moving on.

We're still looking for an improvement in our rotation and potentially a 2B.

Our bullpen continues to be a rock with Hynes, Newbold, Benton, Jones and Castro backing up a solid rotation of Sepulveda, Boyer, Peters, Martinez and Craft.

In the hitting department we expect to see more from catcher Jeff Nielsen who will be starting his third season and is yet to hit better than .240. Mayfield, Harmon, Talley and Taylor will be our starting infield unless any deal can get us an improvement at 2B. Ron Cooper is currently the infield backup and all round utility guy.

In the outfield we'll be starting the veteran trio of Garlez, Geboyan and Fowler with Tommy Wiggins taking the backup role.

That means we have gaps for another infielder, an outfielder and a backup catcher, although Rob Fletcher is pretty good defensively so will likely win the backup C spot.

[mikezone13]

End of Spring Training

We're yet to add that one or two players who would make us an even stronger unit, however having Bob Peters back from injury bolsters our rotation.

In an interesting switch we have moved the ageing Ignacio Garlez from the outfield and on to 1B, while Tim Mayfield, previously an outfielder, reverts to LF from 1B. This isn't an idea way to start the new season, however Garlez just doesn't have the range to be effective anymore, yes the inevitable decline has begun for the veteran.

This season is a concern, we have no decent backup for our rotation and our best bats (Garlez and Geboyan) look like they're on the decline. That means Tim Mayfield, Josh Talley and Jeff Fowler will need to step up, while catcher Jeff Nielsen needs to start performing like the 3rd year major leaguer he is, rather than the promising rookie.

If we challenge for the Patriot League it will all be done to few injuries and the dominance that we can still get from our rotation and our bullpen.