Team Preview: Slick

We'll be putting one of these out every day until opening day, with various scribes doing the writing. Expect different styles each time, except with mine, because I can't form cohesive paragraphs and insist on writing everything in some sort of bulleted format.


20 Words or Less : A team with a formidable offense but subpar pitching that needs to fight dormancy to avoid being a doormat.

R: Despite being heavy on middle-order guys, this projects to be a strong category for Hansen, with excellent on-base guys coupled with a few table-setters. 80% of the expected starters scored at least 87 runs last year. Expect: 900-915 runs, 3-6 points*

HR: Six guys produced 26+ last season, and none of them fluky. Torii Hunter will see a regression, but should settle in around the 25 HR mark. Lance Berkman and Jim Thome are two of the most stable power skill sets in fantasy, and should combine for 70 homers. Albert Pujols , if healthy, figures to eclipse 40 again, but backup Carlos Delgado provides power insurance. Expect: 230-240, 3-6 points

RBI: Pujols, Vlad, Berkman and...Lowell? It's not wise to expect another 120 from Mike, but 90 is certainly within range should Adrian Beltre start slow for the 8th year in a row. Will have a big edge at the catcher spot, where Jorge Posada is second only to Victor Martinez in run production from that position. Michael Young is also an elite producer of RBI from the SS position. Expect: 900-910, 4-7 points

SB: Figures to be the strongest category for Hansen, predicated almost entirely on the status and playing time of Juan Pierre. Eli's least favorite baseball player of all-time stole 64 bases last year, and if he's allowed to compile 600 at-bats again, he'll break 60. Brian Roberts will cross 40, making a likely 100 between two guys for Slick. Torii Hunter should chip in near 20, while Beltre and Young are double-digit guys. Expect: 140-150, 8-10 points.

OBA: Another very good column for this club; three hitters should be over .400. Posada, Vlad around .380 and Roberts and Young around .360 offset the low averages of Hunter, Pierre and Beltre. Expect: .363-.368, 5-7 points

W: Middle of the pack, nothing guaranteed. Dontrelle Willis, should he merely not suck worse than last year, will have a chance to win a lot in Detroit, because he piles up innings and stays in games. Clay Bucholz is a guy who's going to get a shot in Boston because of their hurty pitching staff, another fertile ground for wins. Kelvim Escobar won't win another 18, but he's still got a great chance to lead this staff; health permitting. Expect: 85-90, 1-4 points

SV: Rumors are that Joba Chamberlain becomes a starter later this season, meaning there are only two closers on this roster. They're both very good, but it's simply not enough. Can't rule out a savvy wire pick the minute news breaks on any closer situation though, that's for sure. Expect: 65-70, 1-3 points

K: Brett Myers and Chamberlain have the best K/9 on the roster, though they could both conceivable spend time in the bullpen this year, which would spell death for this counting category. No strikeout ace to be found. Expect: 1090-1130, 1-3 points

ERA: Six of the eight starters on the roster reside in the American League. I don't know if there's an actual measurement for that kind of thing, but doesn't being in that league at at least a half a point to your ERA? (Not yours mind you. I doubt any major leaguers are reading this) Gil Meche and Jeremy Guthrie were very good here last year, but expect a regression. A healthy Myers should come in below 4.00, and Joe Nathan is liable to stay under 2.00. Expect: 4.00-4.05, 2-3 points

WHIP: The only starting pitcher kept is an albatross in a major pitching category. I did read in Sports Illustrated that the improvement of his teams defense (read: no more Hanley behind him) this year will improve this category, and I believe it. I don't believe it will improve it to under 1.45, but it will improve. Expect: 1.35-1.37, 1-3 points.

*Don't bother adding up the points because I just looked at last year's standings and put in where my projection would fit in. It has no relevancy to the strength/weakness of other current VUFSA offerings. It's just a fucking guess.

Most Important Player: Torii Hunter. The new Angel has a monster contract and a fragile skill set, with an erratic track record. Still, he's a great four category player when on, and assuming he plays as well after getting paid as before.

Biggest Question: Will Albert Pujols' elbow hold up all year?
Biggest Answer: It'd almost be better if it didn't, and he got surgery early to come back fresh in '09 when Slick has a better chance of competing.

Haiku Summary: Work to do on Arms. Bats much greater than team name. Check at least weekly.