News Season Analysis

2022-2023 Off-Season Recap

TeamKey DeparturesKey AdditionsBreakdownGrade
Aaron Conference East Division
Columbus Moon WalkersRP Max KranickC Blake Swihart, SP Julio Urias, SP Jesus Reyes, RP Miguel Romero, SS Ali Castillo, RP Erik Johnson, RP Joe Biagini, SP Euclides Viloria, RP Sean Carley, RP Andres MunozThe first of two expansion teams joining the UBA for the 2023 season, the Moon Walkers drafted and signed enough talent to field a non-embarrassing team right off the bat, and even boast the 7th oldest roster in the UBA. Look for guys on one year deals to be available approaching the deadline, as Columbus can't seriously contend with Pittsburgh or Holbrook in the AC East.B+
Florida Flamingos3B Tyler Nevin, SS Jason Lebrlebijian, LF Nomar Mazara, RP West Tunnell, SP Christopher Comito (*)LF Eloy Jimenez, RF Jackie Bradley, 1B Lewin Diaz, 2B Yoan MoncadaFlorida spend some big bucks this offseason to add Moncada, Diaz and Jimenez, which will boost offensive production, but the roster still has too many holes and projects to have one of the worst pitching squads in baseball, so this will not be their year. Look for an improved win total over the 62 they have mustered the last two years in a row.B+
Holbrook HawksCF Jake Stone, 2B Bret Boswell, RP Michael Thomas, 1B Eric Hosmer, RP Daniel Wiltz, RF Avisail Garcia, 1B Paul Goldschmidt, 1B Matt Carpenter, LF Ross Adolph (*)SS Nico Hoerner, SP Sean Poppen, SP Gerrit Cole, 2B Owen Miller, 1B Rodrigo DavilaThe Hawks enter the 2023 season having won 100 games in each of the last 2 seasons, but unable to make it out of the first round each time. While they are still built to make a playoff run and smartly extended Maton and Gettys, not enough was done to improve on their position over last year, and expect the Hawks to find themselves in a dog fight for both the AC East title and on of the wild card spots.C
Philadelphia BrotherhoodSP Sergio Elias, C Blake Swihart, CF Andrew McCutchen, RP Kenley Jansen (*), RP Arodys Vizcaino (*), RP Randy Rosario (*)NoneDespite young, established talent (Bart, Bichette and Bellinger) in their lineup, the Brotherhood made no improvements this offseason and project to finish the year in the bottom 5 of most pitching categories. Look for a win total topping out around 70 and the team to be without at least one of it's big 3 by August.C-
Pittsburgh ChampionsSP Chad Pierce, LF Mathieu Ciolino, SP Joe Cruz, C German Burciaga, RP Clayton Andrews (*), 1B Manuel Cortez (*)RP Keynan Middleton, LF Mathieu Ciolino, 2B Andres RodriguezDespite entering the 2022 playoffs as a wild card, the Champions took home the title in a decisive 4-1 victory over Eden Prairie. The Champions may not have splashed the pot much in free agency aside from bringing in reliever Keynan Middleton, but are well positioned for another deep playoff run and are a favorite to come out of the AC with a rotation led by Marquez and the ageless wonder Jose Torres.C+
Aaron Conference Central Division
New Orleans VoodooRP Tommy Kahnle, RF Anibal Rojas, SP Gerrit Cole, RP Keon Kela, SP Sean Poppen, 1B Brad Zunica, 1B Hector Camacho, 2B Cory Spangenberg (*)1B Dan Vogelbach, RP Yoshii YamasakiThe Voodoo spent big on Correa after an 83 win playoff berth in 2021, but flopped to the tune of 64-98 last season. Vogelbach and Yamasaki additions will help, but if the Voodoo want to taste playoff baseball again, it will need to be on the back of homegrown starters Zach Haake and rookie Ismael Sanchez. It's been many years since a team has locked down the AC Central, so New Orleans making a run is certainly possible.B-
Omaha MammothsRF Otojiro Endo, 3B Niko Goodrum, 3B Brendan Rodgers, 2B Joe Panik, CF Ranfy Adon (*)CF Mike Trout, 3B Brendan RodgersThe Mammoths signed big fish FA Mike Trout to a reasonable deal (compared to Correa in New Orleans), coming off the momentum of an 84 win division title last season. A lineup with Soto and Trout in the center of it is a scary thought, but will Omaha have enough pitching to repeat? Will #5 overall prospect Edwin Jimenez's knuckler see major league action? This writer says yes to both - Mammoths win 89 and the division.A-
Orlando SunRaysRP Andres Munoz, C Austin Allen, CF Trent Clark, SP Alex Cobb, RP Augusto Reyes, RP RJ Hively, SP Nick Barnese, SS Nick Allen (*), LF Blake Rutherford (*)RF Jodd Carter, RP Augusto Reyes, RP Mark LammThe Sunrays have found themselves floundering around 500 the last two seasons, and decided to shake up the roster and move superstar Trent Clark to the Rebels. Some may see it as a risky move, but Orlando was able to lock up the top 2B in the game Biggio in doing so. The roster doesn't feel complete enough and the rotation lacks definitive firepower, so expect another 80-85 win season.B
San Antonio ArmadillosSS Willy Adames, RP Julio Mireles, RP Efrain Contreras (*)C Yan GomesThe Armadillos have struggled to climb out of the basement for awhile now, and unfortunately only have the 16th ranked farm system to show for it. A couple of stars (Reid Schaller, Carlos Ventura) will likely fade in the noise of a mediocre roster for another year.C
Aaron Conference West Division
Cardiff Bay BarrageRP Tyler Anderson, RF Wil Myers, RP Tom Milone, SP Freddy Peralta, RP Jace FryRP Brad Hand, 1B Paul Goldschmidt, C Willson Contreras, SS Adeiny Hechavarria, 2B Jose Altuve, LF Micker AdolfoThe Barrage made some quiet improvements over a 78 win team last year, and you hope that management keeps building around the best SS in baseball, Seager. A lineup without many holes but without a second star, and a staff lacking depth beyond 24 year old budding ace Frias should equal 83 wins for the Barrage in 2023.B
Nevada NighthawksRF Corey Dickerson, 2B Daniel BritoSnagging star catcher Gary Sanchez in the expansion draft gave Nevada fans hope that the Nighthawks weren't going to roll over. Unfortunately, Sanchez was hurt in early Spring Training and won't be able to lead his team until May or June. Look for the Nighthawks to be active around the deadline, moving as many vets as possible (Sanchez, Jansen, Fulmer, Bucci, etc), and a finish of 65 wins for their inaugural season.C+
Palo Alto Pranksters2B Dan Murphy, SP Vance Worley, CF Michael Smith, 3B Jorge Saldana, C Aaron Ackerman (*), CF Cole Roederer (*), C Yan GomesSP Sergio EliasThe Pranksters reign of terror in the AC West ended after the 2021 season, but there's a few more financial matters that need to be resolved before Palo Alto can turn the corner on this rebuild. Look for steady hitting from Ibarra and Garcia, with Ruiz, Lindow and Masquifelt all making positive strides together. But, Palo Alto likely tops out at 75 wins.C-
Portland Sea DogsSP Masahiro Tanaka, CF AJ Pollock, LF Yancarlos Sabino, RP Justin De Fratus, SP Austin Sodders (*), CF Jake Cave (*)SP Joe CruzThe Sea Dogs were mainly quiet this offseason, but despite sporting an unassuming team, they should be able to cobble together a good amount of wins in 2023. Finding a balance between offense and good defense could be their downfall.C-
Yellowknife ThievesSP Jordan Romano, SP Carlos Martinez, SP Michael Fulmer, LF Eloy Jimenez, RP Aneurys Zabala (*), RP Fabian Cota (*)NoneThe Thieves won't get a good grade this year, especially after losing in the wild card round with a 109 win team and not making a single addition, but it's still hard to bet against the Thieves in the AC West, and likely the AC title. #4 prospect Roberto Sanchez will likely get time to replace SP's lost to free agency, and they have enough arms to keep them in ball games, while their stacked lineup of Mondesi, Adell, Mejia, etc. should work to keep their run differential favorable throughout the season. D+
Ruth Conference East Division
Atlanta BanditsCF Bradley Zimmer, SP Nate Pearson, 2B Yoan Moncada, RF Corey Dickerson, SP Pedro Avila, LF Brandon Nimmo, C Chris Davis, SP Victor Rodriguez, SP Jairo Solis (*)C Carlos Santana, RP Nick BurdiThe Bandits are in a transition phase where a few moves to add around superstar Tatis Jr. could make them a contender, but a top heavy lineup and a shallow pitching staff leave them in the pretenders category instead. They can top their 73 wins easily in 2023 unless they end up selling at the deadline.B-
Cape Fear CarnivoresCF Mike Trout, LF Ka'ai Tom, RP Alex Blackford, SP Duane Underwood, SP Joe Musgrove, RP Keynan Middleton, RP Seth Lugo, RP Miguel Romero, SS Starlin Castro, C Carlos Santana, RF Franmil Reyes (*), RP Max Kranick (*)CF Jose Aguilar, RP Tarlandas Mitchell, 1B Matt Carpenter, SP Matt Peacock, SP Nick Barnese, RP Daniel Wiltz, C Chris Davis, SS Willy AdamesThe Carnivores surprised many with a 89 win 2022 season (just missing the playoffs), and added a strong SS in Adames plus a lot of smaller pieces. However, their division is too strong and Cape Fear is still not at that level yet, and losing Trout is a huge hole. Look for 2022 ROY winner Frias to make a serious play for Cy Young this season, but Cape Fear is just an 85 win team, likely only good for 3rd place and out of the playoffs.B+
Charleston RebelsC Will Smith, RP Juan Zambrano, CF Jose Lopez, SS Jonathan Villar, CF Jodd Carter, 3B Hector Ramirez, RP Juan Cuesta (*), CF Jake McCarthy (*), 2B Greg Cullen (*)CF Trent Clark, SP Chris SaleThe Rebels didn't like missing the playoffs in 2022, and responded with adding Clark via trade and Sale via free agency, which was necessary to keep up with the major moves just within the RC East. The Rebels are well positioned to be a playoff team in 2023 but are likely a 90 win Wild Card team.A
New York City Baseball ClubC Willson Contreras, SP Spencer Howard, SP Angel Cuan, RF Ramon Marcelino, SP Jordan Holloway, SP Brian Matusz, RP Carlos Nunez (*)CF Ryan McKenna, SP Jordan Romano, C Austin Allen, 1B Chad McClanahan, SP Alex Cobb, RP Julio Mireles, 2B Kyle Seager, RP Seth Lugo, 3B Jorge SaldanaThe Baseball Club have won 95 games each of the last 3 years but are having trouble making noise in the playoffs. Management responded by bringing in star CF McKenna, and ace Jordan Romano. Barring injuries, the Baseball Club is likely a 104 win team with a strong chance to face the winner of the AC in the WCS this year.A
Ruth Conference Central Division
Eden Prairie LandsharksSS Raul Pujols (*), RP Fernando Baez (*), 1B Rodrigo DavilaSP Chad Pierce, SP Carlos MartinezThe Landsharks made it to the big dance but couldn't take home the trophy in 2022, but responded with adding veteran starters Martinez and Pierce while not losing any important pieces. The Landsharks are very deep and very talented, and are positioned to take back the RC Central crown in 2023.B-
Fargo RageRP Jorge Sanchez, SP Jimmy Nelson, SS Nico Hoerner, 1B Dan Vogelbach, 3B Charles Leblanc (*)NoneThe Rage are coming off of 76 and 75 win seasons, and decided to clean house with new management. Unfortunately, the front office was riddled with strange illnesses and beat writers noted they were too slow to respond when free agents were looking for a matching offer. Therefore, the Rage are likely a 65 win team in 2023, and will figure out ways to sell their talent, including Kelenic, Guerrero Jr and Acuna.D+
Phoenix FirebirdsRF Alan Sanchez, CF Ben Revere, LF Michael Brantley, RP Pedro Rodriguez, SP Andrew Lockett, 2B Andres Rodriguez, SP Bryan Mata (*), SP Forrest Whitley (*), SS Dansby SwansonLF Nomar Mazara, RP Nate Garcia, SP Joe Musgrove, RP Williams Jerez, SP Jordan LylesIt's been a few years since the Firebirds have topped 70 wins, and 2023 doesn't look to be any different. A few new faces will take the field in Phoenix but they are still in full rebuild mode, with an eye on improving their 15th ranked farm system.C
Salt Lake BeesSP Kodi Whitley, C Chadwick Tromp, SS Eric Stamets, SS Jose Iglesias, RP Jake Diekman, SP Shane Bieber, RF Mookie BettsNoneThe Bees barreled through the regular season of 2022 with ease, ammassing 110 wins, but were exposed in the playoffs and promptly shipped Bieber and Betts to San Francisco to try and balance the books. Unfortunately, the Bees will be back down to earth in 2023, topping out at 84 wins.D+
Toledo TroutheadsRP Rafael Montero, SP Jalen Beeks, 1B Lewin Diaz, 2B Jose Altuve, RF Darius Day, LF Eli Boike, RP Edgar Santana, RF Clint Frazier (*), RP Carson Fulmer (*), SP Shane Baz (*)SP Luis Perdomo, SP Matt Harvey, SP Martin Agosta, LF Si-dao Chin, 1B Brian Anderson, LF Trey HarrisToledo made just enough moves to field a team, of sorts, in 2023 but aside from rising ace Cardodor (who inside sources are concerned he's trying to pitch through shoulder issues and management is turning a blind eye), there's not much to get excited about in Trouthead nation. Look for another 100 loss season while the #1 overall prospect and the #8 farm system continue to develop.C
Ruth Conference West Division
Hollywood StarsSS Tim Beckham, RP Nate Garcia, RP Euclides Viloria, RF Nick Longhi (*), SS Devin Hairston (*), C Melvin Novoa (*)2B Bret Boswell, SP Alejandro Requena, SP Nate Pearson, SP Andrew Lockett, RF Avisail Garcia, CF AJ Pollock, SS Starlin Castro, CF Raul Castillo, RP Paco Rodriguez, RP Miguel MejiaThe Stars made many key moves after a disappointing 83 win season in 2022, only good for 3rd place. If healthy, a lineup featuring Albies, Torres, Conforto and Alvarez should put up the most runs in the AC West, while a strong staff of Wacha, King Felix and Co. tally significant wins. The only team without a top 100 prospect, look for it not to matter in 2023 as the Stars approach 100 wins and a division title in a division where there could be as many as three playoff teams.B+
Oregon DucksSP Matt Harvey, SS Adeiny Hechavarria, RP Brett Wallach, SP Nick Bucci (*), RF Danny Mars (*)NoneThe Ducks have two of the best players in baseball - Devers and Harper - and the second best farm system in the league. However, timing has rarely been in their favor, as their pitching staff will likely lose many games on their own and their supporting cast in the field aren't strong enough to pick up the pieces when Devers and Harper slump. Look for a 90+ loss season here, as the division they're in will play into how many times they lose this year.D+
San Francisco SpartansSP Chris Sale, LF Micker Adolfo, RP Brandon Mauer, SP Matt Peacock, 2B Jason Kipnis, RP Enny Romero, C Gary Sanchez (*)SP Shane Bieber, RF Mookie Betts, SS Dansby SwansonThe Spartans were unhappy with 2 years and no playoff berths after winning it all in 2021, so they moved in on Shane Bieber, Mookie Betts and defensive standout Dansby Swanson all via trade. An outfield full of top 5 talent with Waters, Cameron and Verdugo should slug with 1B Trejo coming off of a 51 HR season, but it remains to be seen if they have enough innings eaters below Bieber to win enough in August and September. They will likely benefit from the 5th playoff spot and take a wild card berth.B+
Seattle Steelheads1B Josh Bell, CF Rudy Martin, 2B Irving Lopez, C Carson Kelly, CF Lane Thomas, SS Franklin Barreto, SP Michael Brettell (*), RP Max KranickThe Steelheads have won 74 games each of the last two seasons, and project to hit approximately the same mark in '23. A classic top-heavy team with All Stars Robles, Tucker, Hansen and Garcia, the rest of the team is below average and will lose many games in their own division.C-
Yakima Valley PippinsRF Jackie Bradley Jr., RP Brad Hand, RP Aaron Phillips, CF Ryan McKenna, 2B Owen Miller, SP Julio Urias, SP Biaiardo Marineo (*)SS Franklin Barreto, 3B Tyler Nevin, RP Jake Diekman, RP Jorge SanchezThe Pippins have won the tough AC West twice in a row, but chances of a three-peat are slim with the improvements made by Hollywood and San Francisco. This will definitely be a three horse race, but look for Yakima Valley to be fighting for a wild card spot when September rolls around. Key moves were made this offseason to keep their team in strong contention (Barreto, Diekman), but there's more talent on other teams in this division. An 87-92 win team will need a couple breaks to be back playing October baseball.A-

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