HSH: Atlanta Flyers

Atlanta Flyers

Atlanta ended the 2016 regular season with an 89-71 record, good for first place in the south, but just two games ahead of second place San Juan and only eleven games ahead of last place Baltimore. The way things are in the South, that’s more of a statement about the strength of the division than an indictment of the Flyers. The South had three teams finish with winning records last year, the only division that can make that claim.

What does that mean for Atlanta? Well, first off it meant that general manager Jim Masters had his work cut out for him in the offseason. In what might be the League’s most cutthroat division, Masters had to find a way to stay under budget and resign Homer Bailey, Mark Prior and Carlos Zambrano. That trio promised to pull in a sum that would just about equal, for instance, Taipei’s entire payroll. Surely the Flyers would have to kiss one of the big three good bye, right? Especially after Prior’s name had been bandied about in trade talks in the months leading up to the auction.

Not so fast, my friend. Bailey was resigned first, at $15 million a year. Next up was Zambrano, who Masters locked up for $13 million a season. Finally it was Prior, whom Masters matched on a three-year, $45 million dollar contract. That’s a lot of skrilla, but it’s also a lot of W’s (a combined 110-60 over the last three years). Match them up with Darren Lemming and you’ve got over $60 million committed to four players. For comparison’s sake, Taipei is currently rocking a payroll of $40 million…for its entire roster. Granted, that explains why Atlanta is a perennial favorite and Taipei is, well, Taipei.

So anyway, regardless of the results in Atlanta, that is a lot of money to entrust to 10 percent of your 40-man roster. But take a closer look and you’ll see where it makes sense. Masters only has one guy (Lemming) that he needs to resign before Prior, Zambrano and Bailey are up for auction again, and by that time, Prior and Zambrano will be nearing 40 years old, meaning he can leave one (or both) unprotected in order to restrict catcher Jeff Clement. With young guns Al Krieger and Ryan Tucker waiting in the wings, Atlanta’s rotation will be a strength for the next three years, if not longer.

As for the offense, there’s talent there, but it’s not overflowing. A few years back, this team looked like an unstoppable force. They fell more towards the middle of the pack in 2016, but any lineup with Lemming isn’t one to sneeze at. Clement is poised for a breakout season and we all got a taste of what Gregory Golson can do (42 homeruns last year). Outside of that, there’s a lot of questions. Atlanta’s not running castoffs out there or anything, but there’s a definite drop off in talent once you get past Lemming, Clement and Golson. The good news is that Masters has a lot of middle-infield and outfield options, so if something’s not working, he shouldn’t have to stick with it for too long.

So what does that mean for 2017 (that was a dope rhyme, by the way)? Well, they aren’t going to win 100 games or anything, but the Flyers’ offense is as good as any in the division and its pitching is potentially as good as there is in the league. Expect anywhere from 85-to-95 wins and another playoff berth.

Projected lineup

1. Smaza, Curt R 2B

2. Javery, Kevin R SS

3. Lemming, Darren L CF

4. Golson, Gregory R LF

5. Clement, Jeff L C

6. Brady, Josh R RF

7. Twain, John S 1B

8. Jacobo, Edwin R 3B

Outlook

Two rookies (Smaza and Javery) at the top of the lineup? It’s what I would do. Berroa might have earned another year at short stop after hitting 28 home runs last year, but historically he’s been pretty bad. The middle of the lineup is fearsome, so if the front and back ends produce, this team could score in bushels.

Projected Rotation

1. Bailey, Homer R

2. Prior, Mark R

3. Zambrano, Carlos R

4. Tucker, Ryan R

5. Krieger, Al R

Outlook

Extremely right handed, but talent is talent and you can’t argue with this group. Zambrano and Prior embark on what might be their final contracts while Bailey, who just signed his first big deal, leads the youth brigade. Krieger could be the favorite for Rookie Pitcher of the Year. Basically, there isn’t a weakness here, no matter how hard you look.