Expectations
For all the noise around Miami and Ottawa, it was Philadelphia who ended up with the worst record in the league. Anything approaching .500 would be a significant step forward.
Best Case
Overall number 1 pick Bullet Joe Rogan pairs with Steve Carlton to anchor the rotation and the offense improves overall, with both Bobby Abreu and Aaron Judge taking significant steps forward (and the Stars figuring out how to get both of them in the lineup at the same time).
Worst Case
Rogan struggles, as do Hardie Henderson and Ray Collins, leaving the staff as poor as last season and the aging bats–Rico Carty, Ted Kluszewski, Buck Freeman–lose more productivity than is gained elsewhere.
Key Questions
- What does the bullpen look like?
- How does the OF resolve, and most importantly how much of Aaron Judge‘s debut performance was a mirage?
- Can the flashes of talent on the IF shown last year from Juan Samuel and Roger Peckinpaugh deliver over a full season?
Trade Bait
All of the older talent, including the puzzling FA signee John Titus, could be moved on, with Buck Freeman perhaps being especially attractive.
Roster Evaluation
| POS | Elite | Strong | Solid | Meh | Weak | Unknown |
| C | Lollar | Scioscia | ||||
| 1B | Kluszewski | Killebrew | ||||
| 2B | Utley | |||||
| 3B | Ramírez Rolen | Ward | ||||
| SS | Fletcher Rollins | |||||
| LF/ RF | Judge | Carty Hendrick | Magee | |||
| CF | Davis | |||||
| SP | Carlton | Collins | Jackson Ward | Henderson Stieb | ||
| End | Howry | Kennedy | ||||
| RP | Belcher | Gatewood Rogan |
Pretty miserable. Judge is demoted due to playing time. I mean, the good news would be that there is, um, lots of room for improvement?
Talent Ratings
| WBL | Minors | |
| Raw Power | 1B Ted Kleszewski U Harmon Killebrew | U Dolph Camilli |
| Batting Eye | U Harmon Killebrew | U Dolph Camilli |
| Contact | 1B Ted Kluszewski | 1B Cecil Cooper |
| Running Speed | P/OF Charles Rogan | IF Roger Peckinpaugh IF Juan Samuel |
| Base Stealing | OF Sherry Magee | OF Garry Maddox |
| IF Defense | 3B Scott Rolen | IF Pinky May |
| OF Defense | P/OF Charles Rogan | SS Wally Gerber |
| Stuff | P/OF Charles Rogan | P Hardie Henderson |
| Control | RP Bob Howry | P Robin Roberts P Bill Stearns |
| Velocity | RP Bob Howry | RP Luke Weaver |
Best In The Minors
| Rank | Age | POS | Name |
| 1 (38) | 23 | P | Bill Gatewood |
| 2 (74) | 18 | P | Chris Archer |
| 3 (76) | 23 | U | Harmon Killebrew |
| 4 (81) | 22 | C | Bill Dickey |
| 5 (114) | 22 | OF | Richie Ashburn |
| 6 (122) | 21 | 1B | Prince Fielder |
| 7 (127) | 26 | P | Jack Easton |
| 8 (128) | 19 | P | Bruce Hurst |
| 9 (150) | 23 | SS | Roger Peckinpaugh |
| 10 (167) | 23 | P | LaTroy Hawkins |
It’s not totally dire, as there is some good mid level talent, and the trio of Killebrew, Dickey, and Ashburn should all come good. Gatewood and Killebrew start the season in the WBL.
| Most | Least | |
| Age | U Rico Carty, 37 | P Chris Archer, 18 |
| Height | P Bill Gatewood, 6’7″ OF Aaron Judge, 6’7″ P Steve Hamilton, 6’7″ | P/OF Charles Rogan, 5’7″ C John Clapp, 5’7″ |
| OPS | IF Michael Cuddyer, 1.048 (—) | IF Johnny Mitchell, .505 (AAA/AA) |
| HR | IF Michael Cuddyer, 46 (—) | IF Johnny Mitchell, .1 (AAA/AA) IF Pinky May, 1 (—) |
| SB | IF Juan Samuel, 36 (WBL/AAA) | Many with 0 |
| WAR | OF Aaron Judge, 4.0 (WBL/AAA) | C Tom Egan, -1.4 (AA) |
| W | Hardie Henderson, 10 (WBL/AAA) Larry Jackson, 10 (WBL/AAA) Robin Roberts, 10 (WBL/AAA) | Scott Mathieson, 1 (—) Kevin Hagen, 1 (—) Jerry Casale, 1 (—) |
| SV | Bob Howry, 25 (WBL) | |
| ERA | Adalberto Mejía, 3.70 (—) | Kevin Hagen, 8.57 (—) |
| WAR | Ray Collins, 2.9 (WBL) | Bronson Arroyo, -1.5 (WBL/AAA/AA) |