Kyoto Busido

2016 Record: 86-75
Projected Record: 97-73
Key Additions: BB BooYa (trade), Roy Oswalt (trade), Antonio Mule (trade), Jeremy Reed (free agent)
Key Losses: Theodore Unger (trade), Ed Miller (trade), Hank Blalock (free agent), Kelvim Escobar (ret)

GM Darin Keesing let opportunity slip away last season as the Bushido underachieved and missed the wildcard by one game. Instead of making an impact move at the deadline, Keesing stood pat and saw the eventual wildcard winner take the Series. Yes, Keesing, that could've been your team. Apparently ownership called him on the carpet after the season and the Bushido were active all offseason - plenty of swings and misses during the winter auction and lots of trade talk as well. Might've been a hiccup signing Jeremy Reed for 8M per season but Kyoto did have the money to throw around. It was a good time for Reed to be one of the few free agent bats.

RHP Jake Peavy returns to Kyoto as their number two starter. This time he'll be second on the hill to newly acquired Roy Oswalt, who replaces Hall of Famer Kelvim Escobar. Jordan Auerbach, who's impressed management this spring, looks to take a spot in the rotation as well. The 23 year-old will likely be sandwiched between oldtimer Jason Jennings and 27 year-old Hank Daniels. That rotation will do nicely as long as they put up their career averages and Auerbach doesn't implode when the pressure of the regular season starts.

Offensively, the Bushido have added the big bat they needed when they acquired LF Antonio Mule from division rival (excuse me, doormat) Taipei. Mule should be raking in Kyoto for the next 10 seasons as he seems to be comfortable in the Bushido lineup, hitting 14 HR in 25 spring training games. This team seems ready to put more than a scare into Chiang Mai this season if Mule will (seriously, Taipei traded Mule in a rebuilding move? Mule is 24! Isn't that what you rebuild with? Sheesh.) keep this up and expect the kid to be the face of the Bushido for years to come. Keesing also added a new catcher (doesn't he do that every season?) in Bill Hitchcock and a couple of decent bench pieces in Ryan Howard, Andruw Jones and Aramis Ramirez. New SS BB BooYa hit over .300 last season and stole 90 bases, giving Kyoto the speed they've been dearly lacking. This team looks totally revamped and rejuvenated this spring. Look the heck out, East.

Projected Lineup
SS BB BooYa
3B Ed See
CF Josh Hamilton
LF Antonio Mule
RF Jeremy Reed
1B Mark Hamilton
C Kiel Thibault
2B Chase Utley

Remember when Utley was good? He still slugged .506 last season. Mule and Josh Hamilton will battle for the team HR lead. Is Reed's contract going to be a burden this season or next? The 30 year-old BooYa better still have his wheels because he'll have to scamper around the bases with these bats behind him.

Projected Rotation
Roy Oswalt
Jake Peavy
Hank Daniels
Jordan Auerbach
Jason Jennings

Closer
Huston Street

Street returns to use his 9th inning post. He'll grab plenty of saves. If Auerbach falters, there's Runelvys Hernandez and Jeremy Guthrie ready to grab some starts - they don't have to be great. Just hold the fort until the offense starts firing. They'll miss Unger in the 'pen but have plenty of time to figure out how to replace his innings.