HSH - Halifax

HSH - Halifax






2016 Record - 88-74 (AL Wildcard)
Projected Record - 85-75
Key Additions - Justin Verlander (free agent),
Key Losses - Delmon Young (trade), Scott Hodges (free agent), Kenji Johjima (trade), Craig Hansen (free agent), Mark McCormick, (free agent), Mark Mulder (retirement)


Another puzzling off season from GM Larsen Cain up in the Great White North. After winning not one, but TWO one-game playoffs last season, the Sailors earned a spot in the post-season for third time in the past five seasons. So, Cain will build on this success for 2017, right? Well, sorta. He made the initial splash of the off season, signing Justin Verlander away from division rival Cleveland, and then snagged Delmon Young back at well below market value. Then it gets weird, as Young is shipped to London for beans, Craig Hansen is just let go (along with Mark McCormick and Scott Hodges), leaving fans with a ton of questions about what this lineup will look like heading into the new season.

Halifax ranked #2 in the league in runs scored last season (859) and #2 in walks (384), but that was with Delmon Young (who contributed 100 of those runs and 65 walks). Now, without the big guy, who steps up as the leader of the offense? A return to form by Kendry Morales would help, or maybe a full season for John Mayberry would give you something. Justin Upton is a great complimentary option, but can he lead an offense? Ken Ryu was scooped off the scrap heap...can he put up a .900+ OPS if given a full season? Who catches? SO many questions.

The pitching seems to be more stable. Mulder is out, Verlander is in; an upgrade by most measures. The rest of the rotation will likely fall out like last year, with Ramirez, Miller and McPherson. McCormick's departure leaves an empty spot in the rotation, and there has been fierce competition in spring training. Lambert, Carroll, Graves, and the previously unknown Montero have all put in major claims for that spot. It's anyone's guess who will make the team out of camp. Rule 5 pickup Matt Porter will have to be hidden in the bullpen somewhere, and Inferno or Gatsby will now have to step up to fill Hansen's spot. Kyle Winters looks to have nailed down a spot as well.

Looking ahead, it's tough to predict this team. The entire American League is down (in comparison to the WL), with a good 5 or 6 teams in the mix for three playoff spots. Halifax is certainly in that mix, but there is no guarantee that they can/will win the North. The team has done well to accumulate extra draft picks (6 total) in what looks to be a very talent-rich crop of college seniors, and the pitching depth is growing. It might not be their year in 2017, but the window is wide open.

PROJECTED LINEUP

CF Cole Gillespie
3B Justin Upton
LF Kendry Morales
1B Ken Ryu
RF John Mayberry
SS Kiko Brezovan
2B Craig Scott
C Ryan Christenson

SP Justin Verlander
SP Horacio Ramirez
SP Rand McPherson
SP Andrew Miller
SP Bill Carroll

CL Dante Inferno