Robinson Division<\/p>\n
Of all the divisions to predict, this is the toughest one.\u00a0 From top to bottom this division is going to prove tough to beat.\u00a0 How these teams draft could have a large influence on the outcome of the standings.<\/p>\n
Bristol Wicketment<\/strong> (By a Hair):\u00a0 58.3 WAR\u00a0 Possible Division Champ<\/p>\n Bristol gets the nod with the third best offense in the league and the second best pitching staff in the league.\u00a0 All-Stars include Giancarlo Stanton 6.9), Justin Upton (5.0) and Josh Donaldson (5.0).\u00a0 Their line-up also includes four other hitters having a WAR of 3.0 or better.<\/p>\n 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.\u00a0 Dylan Bundy who has been on the farm for years, will get the nod in the fifth spot.\u00a0 Bristol also is holding onto three other starters for possible trade bait if the need should arise during the season for a late push.<\/p>\n Draft Strategy:\u00a0 The weakest link is the pen.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n Montreal Menace<\/strong> (oh so close) —57.9 WAR Possible Division Champ<\/p>\n Montreal has been on a TRADING TEAR of late and it has brought them closer to Bristol.\u00a0 Their pitching was strong before, but now it\u2019s the strongest in the league.\u00a0 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.\u00a0\u00a0 Right now Jose Berrios (2.8) gets the start in the fifth spot who should hold his own.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n 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.\u00a0 Minding first base will be All-Star Joey Votto (6.6) who is complimented by Justin Turner (5.5) at the Hot Corner.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Look for the Menace to continue their trading ways.<\/p>\n Ottawa Nationals<\/strong> — \u00a044.3 WAR Potential Wild Card Winner<\/p>\n I believe that Ottawa has an outside shot at a Wild-Card birth, along with Beaconsfield, Madawaska and Sao Paulo.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n The team\u2019s strength is the pitching with Carlos Carrasco (5.5), Jacob deGrom (4.4) and Jose Quintana (3.9).\u00a0 Danny Salazar is the weak link of the staff and there is hope he will be upgraded.\u00a0 The pen is nothing special.<\/p>\n A quick look at the offense and one might not think its too bad.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 What\u2019s 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 \u2026 so he could be used as a valuable trade chip.<\/p>\n Needs:\u00a0 There is no SS on this team, so look for someone to give them some WAR above 2.0.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n Beaconsfield Pathfinders:<\/strong> 43.2 WAR Potential Wild Card Winner<\/p>\n One isn\u2019t sure if there is room in the Betty Ford clinic for obsessive traders, but if there is, Brodeur should find a room there.\u00a0 Along with Montreal and Hamilton, there is no other initiator of trades than Brodeur.\u00a0 Heck, Brodeur had his whole roster revamped before the Playoffs were finished.<\/p>\n The Pathfinders find themselves as a team without All-Stars, but they feature some above average players.\u00a0 If the Pathfinders grab Bellinger with the first pick, he will be added to five other hitters who are above average producers.\u00a0 Gary Sanchez (4.4) leads the team followed closely by Daniel Murphy (4.3) and Lorenzo Cain (4.1).\u00a0 The tem features a good mix of young and old, and should give the team some excitement for the season.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n The pitching is same as the offence, no star, and no weakness.\u00a0 From top to bottom they are pretty solid with some outstanding arms in the bullpen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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.\u00a0 From top to bottom this… 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