Season Preview: Chiang-Mai Kwaan

2017 Record: 76-84, 1st in Far East
Key Additions: 3B David Wright, SS Adrian Cardenas, SP E Krueger
Key Losses: SP Michael Pelfrey, 1B Ken Ryu, SP Mark Prior, LF Walt Coon
2018 Prediction: 75-86

Blech. After finishing 12 games under .500, the lucky Kwaan team managed to backdoor their way into a playoff appearance and put some more money in their coffers. They should have refused that cash infusion from the league just on principle. How embarrassing. The Kwaan finished 14th in the league in runs scored despite a "where have you been?" performance from 2B Cap Jackson, who hit .311 with 110 steals. Outfielder Walt Coon is taking his power to division rival Taipei, leaving just power-hitting catcher Thurman Murman and RF Joe Belinda from a short list of last seasons contributors.
The Kwaan didn't score much last year and the pitching staff delivered just a 10th best ERA ranking (4.71). Gone from last year's staff is Mark Prior to Scotland, and Michael Pelfrey to Philly, leaving a rotation that is suspect with the retirement of Dan Haren.
With Taipei in his division, GM Ben Royer is obviously unconcerned with finishing last and taking the cap hit. It appears he's attempting to stay competitive while adding some picks and prospects for a serious run at a title down the road. Pelfrey went as a rental to Philly for a nice bounty, SS A Cardenas, who will be groomed in the minors for a season or two. It isn't necessarily a bad plan, with no Far East team making you say, "wow!" So if things go right and luck is on his side, Royer could repeat last year's playoff appearance. Or he could finish third, resign Jackson after the season, and hope that CF T Bayne, 2B C Jackson, RF J Belinda and Cardenas are his foundation for the future.

Batting Order
2B C Jackson
SS B Willemburg
RF J Belinda
C T Murman
3B D Wright
1B D Callahan
LF N Swisher
pitcher
CF T Bayne

Yeah, it looks like Royer wants to get tricky and bat his pitcher 8th. We'll see how that goes. Can David Wright show anything for the 4M per Royer's paying him? 1B Callahan had a serious case of "teh suck" last season and you can't ever have first base being a black hole in your lineup. Chiang-Mai has never been shy about making a move so we'll be patient.
Bench spots go to C J Egan, who has some pop but can't seem to see the ball, LF O Lord, 3B H Sloat, LF B Swope (who must have Egan as his hitting coach) and hey, a Rocco Baldelli sighting!

Pitching: Eddie Krueger, Eddie Degerman, Mark Rogers, Dan Brauer, Curt Wilson.
Closer: Cole St. Clair.

Kwaan fans won't see a lot of sock from their guys, but when the other team bats - lookout! Degerman had an ERA over 4 while in pitcher's mecca Scotland, Dan Brauer was just under 6 in Scotland and Rogers is mediocre. That leaves the unproven Wilson (4 appearances last season) and Krueger to hopefully lead the way. I can't see a dominating arm in the bunch just yet but they are young. The underwhelming Cole St. Clair will attempt to be the shutdown guy in the 9th, he'll need a ton of luck to be and average closer.
I can't see this team making the playoffs this season and if they do, Osaka and Kyoto should do serious jail time. There isn't enough power or depth, and the pitching staff is short on experience. The Kwaan are tough to play against, pinning their ears back and scampering around the bases, but unless Nick Swisher and David Wright go off, Chiang-Mai will be coming up short more often then not.