Baltimore Panthers

2016 Record: 78-82 (last in South)
2017 Projected Record: 84-76
Key Pickups: Cliff Gatsby (free agent), Oliver Perez (free agent), Dennis Tankersley (trade)
Key Losses: Prince Fielder (trade), Ricardo Romero (trade), Hubie Bluege (free agent)

Despite almost reaching .500 last season, the Panthers once again finished in the South's cellar. What does finishing no higher than 2nd two times in the last 10 seasons get you? A salary cap of 61 million dollars, for one. With that 61M, GM Jose Gutierrez has a roster that isn't going to roll over and die for anyone. It features 2 trophy winners from last season (Rolaids Reliever and Top Pitching Prospect) and last year's leader in Wins (El Ron Ubardo). Baltimore also managed to sign Closer Cliff Gatsby during the winter auction and resign IF Dallas McPherson and SP Joel Hanrahan. RF Vladimir Guerrero is 39 and the longtime Panther is probably done after this season but will provide some veteran leadership to Baltimore's bounty of young talent.




Baltimore currently has 26 pitchers as Panther property but none of the vets, save Gatsby, are the story here. Ubardo, Zach Putnam, Cole St. Clair, Broderick Blaemire, Cole DeVries, Doug Weston and Ben Cepeda are a solid foundation for Baltimore's future pitching staff and we may see several of them in big roles this season. Panthers fans have seen plenty of mediocre vets throughout previous versions of the club but look for more of them to be pushed aside this spring. Eulogio De La Cruz was the best reliever in SLB last season, and he may get bumped to setup new closer Gatsby. When was the last time Baltimore could have that kind of competition on their own team?

Offense was a problem last season and may not be much improved heading into 2017. Last season the Panthers scored just 762 runs, 10th in SLB. They struggled to hit the long ball (13th) and just like last year, their offense is reliant on Guerrero (39 years old) and McPherson (35). Vladdy hit just 25 bombs last season and is showing his age on the bases with just 4 SB and 14 GIDP - this from a former 30/30 player. McPherson can play anywhere on the infield for Baltimore which is an asset, but in order for this squad to threaten division foes Atlanta and San Juan, players like 25 year-olds Teddy Gammell and Allan Martinez along with 24 year-old Kieron Pope will have to continue to improve.

Projected Lineup
CF Kieron Pope
2B Frank Vanderwal
RF Vladimir Guerrero
SS Dallas McPherson
3B Teddy Gammell
LF Allan Martinez
C Bobby Dean
1B John Atwood

Outlook

Some young guys who can actually hit on Baltimore this season. If McPherson and Guerrero decline as expected, will two rookies (Atwood and Vanderwal) come through when counted on? Newly acquired IF Kippy Sunderstrom is a capable backup. Are Pope and Martinez the real deal? Is there enough speed there to manufacture runs if there's a power outage? They'll scrap for runs but should be fun to watch.

Projected Rotation
El Ron Ubardo
Dennis Tankersley
Zach Putnam
Oliver Perez
Joel Hanrahan

Closer
Cliff Gatsby

Outlook
Will Putnam make this squad out of spring training? Or will Kyle Newby get another opportunity to showoff his 5+ ERA? This team may have some holes in Long or Middle Relief but what team doesn't have the same problem? At least Gutierrez has options this spring and may have the next good, young team in SLB.