Robinson Division
- Bristol or Montreal
- Montreal or Bristol
- Ottawa or Beaconsfield
- Beaconsfield or Ottawa
Of all the divisions to predict, this is the toughest one. From top to bottom this division is going to prove tough to beat. How these teams draft could have a large influence on the outcome of the standings.
Bristol Wicketment (By a Hair): 58.3 WAR Possible Division Champ
Bristol gets the nod with the third best offense in the league and the second best pitching staff in the league. All-Stars include Giancarlo Stanton 6.9), Justin Upton (5.0) and Josh Donaldson (5.0). Their line-up also includes four other hitters having a WAR of 3.0 or better.
The staff features two aces with Max Scherzer (6.0 WAR) and Stephen Strasburg (5.6) and two other above average arms in Chris Archer and Yu Darvish promise to keep opposing hitters off balance. Dylan Bundy who has been on the farm for years, will get the nod in the fifth spot. Bristol also is holding onto three other starters for possible trade bait if the need should arise during the season for a late push.
Draft Strategy: The weakest link is the pen. There are not a lot of players out there who could make an impact on this team, so look to Bristol to draft young in the first few rounds and fill out the pen.
Montreal Menace (oh so close) —57.9 WAR Possible Division Champ
Montreal has been on a TRADING TEAR of late and it has brought them closer to Bristol. Their pitching was strong before, but now it’s the strongest in the league. The Menace were going into the season with Chris Sale (7.7) and Jeff Samardzjia (3.8) as their two aces, but that was before they acquired Luis Severino (5.7) and Zack Greinke (5.1) in the last few weeks. Right now Jose Berrios (2.8) gets the start in the fifth spot who should hold his own. The pen is anchored by Craig Kimbrel, however there are five other spots to fill in if there is a desire to get the nod over Bristol.
In acquiring Luis Severino, the Menace gave up SS phenom Corey Seager (5.7), but turned around and acquired Jose Ramirez (6.6) to stable their infield. Minding first base will be All-Star Joey Votto (6.6) who is complimented by Justin Turner (5.5) at the Hot Corner. There are plenty of players in the early part of the draft who can make an immediate impact on this team, especially in the outfield, so look for the Menace to grab a strong bat or two before turning their attention to the pen. Look for the Menace to continue their trading ways.
Ottawa Nationals — 44.3 WAR Potential Wild Card Winner
I believe that Ottawa has an outside shot at a Wild-Card birth, along with Beaconsfield, Madawaska and Sao Paulo. Ottawa has great potential to improve themselves in the draft, with the ability to add one major bat and if everything goes down the way they hope it will, at least another impact arm, if not a bat.
The team’s strength is the pitching with Carlos Carrasco (5.5), Jacob deGrom (4.4) and Jose Quintana (3.9). Danny Salazar is the weak link of the staff and there is hope he will be upgraded. The pen is nothing special.
A quick look at the offense and one might not think its too bad. Nolan Arenado (5.6) at third is the lone All-Star but George Springer (4.5) and JT Realmuto (3.6) provide above average production given their positions. What’s interesting, is the Eugenio Suarez and his 4.1 WAR are just sitting there not getting used, as he is another third sacker who just turned 25 … so he could be used as a valuable trade chip.
Needs: There is no SS on this team, so look for someone to give them some WAR above 2.0. With Bellinger most likely headed to Beaconsfield as the third pick in the draft, and with Madawaska picking two before him, Ottawa should come away with at least a pitcher or hitter in the 4.0 WAR to give them much needed help.
Beaconsfield Pathfinders: 43.2 WAR Potential Wild Card Winner
One isn’t sure if there is room in the Betty Ford clinic for obsessive traders, but if there is, Brodeur should find a room there. Along with Montreal and Hamilton, there is no other initiator of trades than Brodeur. Heck, Brodeur had his whole roster revamped before the Playoffs were finished.
The Pathfinders find themselves as a team without All-Stars, but they feature some above average players. If the Pathfinders grab Bellinger with the first pick, he will be added to five other hitters who are above average producers. Gary Sanchez (4.4) leads the team followed closely by Daniel Murphy (4.3) and Lorenzo Cain (4.1). The tem features a good mix of young and old, and should give the team some excitement for the season. The team also features another first round pick, and they may manage to bring in another impact player, which may prove all the difference between them and Ottawa.
The pitching is same as the offence, no star, and no weakness. From top to bottom they are pretty solid with some outstanding arms in the bullpen.