Expectations
A deep playoff run, much like last year.
The Gothams could also benefit from additional depth throughout the organization and, perhaps, by not trading away all their damn picks this year.
Best Case
Either Gaylord Perry or Juan Marichal (or both) step forward, joining Christy Mathewson among the league’s elite; the bullpen continues to dominate; and the offensive pieces that clicked last season–Pete Runnels, Pinky Higgins, Jimmy Sheckard, Johnny Callison–continue to do so (or are covered through increased performance/playing time for George Van Haltren or Carl Furillo in the OF).
Worst Case
The bullpen falters, and only Matty remains viable as a starter while everyone not named Willie Mays and Buster Posey struggles offensively.
Key Questions
- Like so many other teams, the rotation is key.
- The infield feels fragile, so how that plays out will bear watching.
- How will the Gothams get PA’s for Benny Kauff?
Trade Bait
The Gothams do have a lot of OFers lying around, but it’s not clear who is actually surplus to requirements. With Kauff’s emergense, perhaps one of the Sheckard / Callison / Van Haltren group, or maybe last year’s 4th OF, Carl Furillo?
Instead, in an attempt to solve their MI issue, the Gothams obtained Davey Concepción, who promptly disappointed and was jettisoned to the minors.
Roster Evaluation
| POS | Elite | Strong | Solid | Meh | Weak | Unknown |
| C | Posey | Westrum | ||||
| 1B | Adcock | Clark | ||||
| 2B | Runnels | Doyle | ||||
| 3B | Higgins | Suárez | ||||
| SS | Crawford | |||||
| LF/ RF | Callison | Van Haltren Sheckard | Furillo | |||
| CF | Mays | Kauff | ||||
| SP | Mathewson | Perry | Marichal Waddell | |||
| End | Norris | Nen | Percival | |||
| RP | Howe Sutton | Hubbell |
There’s a chance, right? A few improvements, and the Gothams could be in the mix.
Talent Ratings
| WBL | Minors | |
| Raw Power | CF Willie Mays | OF Wally Berger IF Jim Ray Hart |
| Batting Eye | C Wes Westrum | C Dick Dietz |
| Contact | IF Pete Runnels | 1B Bill Terry |
| Running Speed | OF Jimmy Sheckard | OF Charlie Hamburg IF Pat Listach IF Freddie Patek IF Tim Shinnick OF Kyle Tucker |
| Base Stealing | OF George Van Haltren | IF Hap Myers IF Tim Shinnick |
| IF Defense | IF Eugenio Suárez | IF Neifi Pérez |
| OF Defense | CF Willie Mays | OF Jo-Jo Moore |
| Stuff | SP Christy Mathewson | P William VanLandingham |
| Control | P Juan Marichal | P Al Spalding |
| Velocity | RP Robb Nen RP Troy Percival | P Rick Helling |
Best In The Minors
| Rank | Age | POS | Name |
| 1 (53) | 24 | P | Masahiro Tanaka |
| 2 (56) | 19 | OF | Kyle Tucker |
| 3 (60) | 22 | P | William VanLandingham |
| 4 (86) | 25 | P | Al Spalding |
| 5 (104) | 22 | SS | Joe Sullivan |
| 6 (112) | 23 | P | Jordan Montgomery |
| 7 (155) | 21 | IF | Tom Burns |
A very weak system in need of some serious replenishment, although Tucker and a couple of the arms should come good eventually.
| Most | Least | |
| Age | 1B Joe Adcock, 39 | 1B Bill White, 19 OF Kyle Tucker, 19 |
| Height | P Mat Latos, 6’6″ P Jordan Montgomery, 6’6″ P Carson Smith, 6’6″ | IF Freddie Patek, 5’5″ |
| OPS | OF Carl Warwick, 1.025 (—) | IF Adam Everett, .381 (—) |
| HR | IF Chick Fulmer, 48 (—) | C Steve O’Neill, 1 (AAA/AA) |
| SB | OF Jimmy Sheckard, 37 (WBL) | Many with 0 |
| WAR | IF Jim Ray Hart, 5.6 (—) CF Willie Mays, 5.6 (WBL) | IF Frank Malzone, -5.6 (—) |
| W | Christy Mathewson, 17 (WBL) | Lefty Hoerst, 2 (—/AA) |
| SV | Brian Wilson, 29 (WBL) | |
| ERA | Joe Bush, 2.86 (—) | Matt Cain, 7.68 (AAA) |
| WAR | Christy Mathewson, 4.4 (WBL) Wei-Yin Chen, 4.4 (—) | Lefty Hoerst, 6.20 (—/AA) |