HSH - Paris

HSH - Paris





2016 Record - 87-74 (World Champs)
Projected Record - 93-67
Key Additions - Adam Dunn (free agent), Danys Baez (free agent), Hong Chi Kuo (free agent), Chris Kolkhorst (free agent)
Key Losses - Brock Landers (free agent), B.J. Ryan (free agent), Justin Morneau (free agent)

It took a one-game playoff with Kyoto to even get into the playoffs, but once the post season started, Paris rolled, going 12-2 to wipe out London, Chiang-Mai and Philly. The momentum should get Paris off to a faster start in 2017, and if the spring training numbers can be believed, this Pimpernel squad is primed and ready to go.

The normally potent Paris offense was decidedly average in 2016, scoring just 804 runs (good for 7th in the league) despite finishing 4th in homeruns. The batting averages of most of the starters were very good, but only Rivera and Robinson eclipsed the 100 RBI mark. Free agent pick-up Adam Dunn is exactly the kind of player who goes nuts on the Pimpernels, so I expect nothing short of 45 HR and 120 RBI from the old man. Cuban import Youliesky Gourriel seems to have fallen out of favor with management after an injury riddled '16 season; the power hitting third baseman is batting 8th. Ryne Robinson has been slotted down to 3rd, taking advantage of his run production capabilities. Expect this to be a top 5 offense this year.

Average offense, average pitching. The Pimps were 8th in the league in team ERA (4.42) but all five starters had winning records. Willis and Williams get the big bucks, but BH Kim and Les Beltre led the team with 15 wins each. The bullpen was a sore spot, losing 30 games combined despite pretty good years from Jonathan Papelbon and Kyle Farnsworth. Danys Baez should provide a reliable fourth option in the bullpen (along with Scott Williamson). The spring numbers these guys put up were very impressive; could Les Beltre be the most underrated starter in the league?

No more taking the division by surprise this year. It's going to be a dog fight with London all season long, and as long as the team stays healthy, 90 wins is well within reach. It's nice to see some young blood finally being injected into the roster, but it seems that cagey old vets can always get a deal in ol' Paris (Rollins, i'm looking at you). Whatever works.

PROJECTED LINEUP

SS Spaz Dinkman
2B Stu Watwood
CF Ryne Robinson
RF Juan Rivera
LF Adam Dunn
1B Nick Johnson
C Troy Paris
3B Youliesky Gourriel

SP Jerome Williams
SP Dontrelle Willis
SP Les Beltre
SP Carl Pavano
SP Byung-Hyun Kim

CL Jonathan Papelbon