Needs: The Fishes have three power hitters on the roster so they'll be looking for speed on offense. They have holes at shortstop, third base, catcher, and second base. They also need to begin building a bullpen and finish their starting staff.
Possible Targets: Is it too early to pick Dee Gordon at shortstop, a player that could steal 50 bases but offers little power? Outfielders Desmond Jennings and B.J. Upton provide a better combination of power and speed but that would give the Fishes two outfielders and two first basemen on the roster with 30 players leaving the board before they draft again. If the Fishes decide to take a starting pitcher, Dan Haren and Ricky Romero will likely top the list. The team could also start the rush for closers, and pick Jose Valverde.
Needs: The top priority for the Slammers is protecting Holliday in the batting order. The team needs both power and speed. If the Slammers decide to add a second closer or a fourth starting pitcher, they could pressure their East Division rivals.
Possible Targets: For pure power, David Ortiz might be the biggest home threat on the draft board but he is restricted to playing the utility position which limits roster flexibility. Jimmy Rollins can hit 20 home runs and steal 30 bases at shortstop, but he's 33-years-old and has a recent injury history. If the Slammers add Haren or Romero, the team could have four starters capable of 200+ strikeouts each.
Needs: This team has lacked power for two years so that should be addressed quickly. A home run/RBI threat would compliment Ramirez. The team also needs a base stealer. While the bullpen has a solid foundation, it could become one of the league's best with the addition of another reliever. Given Johnson's injury history, adding another top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher early would also be wise.
Possible Targets: Outfielder Shin-Soo Choo can hit 20 homers and steal 20 bases, so he takes care of two needs. He was a keeper for Twinkle Toes last year. Outfielder Shane Victorino can also be a 20/20 player and was a keeper for Los Coche Bomba. Haren or Chris Carpenter could provide the starting pitcher insurance the team needs while adding closer Rafael Betancourt solidifies the back of the bullpen.
Needs: Gravely has provided focus for a team that lacked identity the past two years. She could add a power hitter or a stolen base threat to further solidify the offense. A second starting pitcher would give the Menehunes a 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation. Gravely could also begin to build the bullpen, a weakness for the team in the past.
Possible Targets: A third baseman, such as David Wright or Ryan Zimmerman would nearly complete the infield and fill a shallow position. The same argument could be made for drafting catchers Joe Mauer or Brian McCann. Adding Japanese pitching star Yu Darvish would help Lincecum. Another tempting target is closer Drew Storen.
Needs: Give it a Yankee could use a speedy infielder or outfielder to supply runs and stolen bases. A power-hitting third baseman would also compliment Gonzalez. The bullpen also needs bodies.
Possible Targets: Shortstop Starlin Castro is one of the best hitting middle infielders in the game, capable of stealing 20 bases. Adding outfielder Michael Bourn would make the team difficult to beat in the stolen base category. A sneaky pick would be to add Matt Moore, who is currently eligible as a relief pitcher but will more than likely start at Tampa. It would give the team a good young starter with position flexibility.
Needs: This team is well-rounded and owner Sunni York has the luxury of waiting for the best available player.
Possible Targets: Could first baseman Mark Teixeira drop this far? It's certainly possible. The same can be said for starting pitchers Haren, Romero and Carpenter. Closers J.J. Putz and Andrew Bailey would provide insurance in case the run on bullpen arms begins later in the first round.
Needs: The offense returns 116 home runs and 42 stolen bases so the run on relief pitching could start here. A second starting pitcher is also needed.
Possible Targets: Brown has built an offensive juggernaut. If he decides to continue down this path he could add third basemen Brett Lawrie, Alex Rodriguez or Kevin Youkilis. Starters Ian Kennedy and Adam Wainwright would compliment Lee while closer Joel Hanrahan would guarantee the team collects saves.
Needs: A power-hitting corner infielder would provide insurance for Belt. The team also needs a second baseman to fill the last difficult infield position. For two years, owner Carla King has been looking for consistency in the bullpen. She'll have an opportunity to add a closer early.
Possible Targets: Mark Reynolds makes sense because he plays both first and third base and is capable of hitting 40 home runs. The problem is those pesky strikeouts. Michael Morse and Lance Berkman can both play first base and the outfield and have power bats. Starting pitchers Brandon Morrow and Anibal Sanchez could help the team corner the strikeout market. Tyler Clippard and Jonny Venters, two of the best set-up men in the league, should be available for holds.
Needs: A good set-up man and corner infielders with power. In addition, the team could use outfielders or a shortstop to supply stolen bases. The Mirrors draft early enough that they should be able to satisfy at least one of those needs with their first pick.
Possible Targets: Shortstop J.J. Hardy is coming off a 30 home run, 80 RBI season. First baseman Ryan Howard, despite the Achilles injury, is still one of the best home run hitters in the game. Set-up man David Robertson had 34 holds and 100 strikeouts last year and would give the Mirrors a great start on building a solid bullpen.
Needs: High Cheese is fairly balanced so it may come down to choosing the best available player with the first pick. That could be a set-up man, corner infielder, or catcher to satisfy a position need or an outfielder with power/speed combo.
Possible Targets: At this point in the draft, teams are waiting to see who is available. This represents the 90th pick overall. A look at the ADP (Average Draft Position) for players nationally shows second baseman Rickie Weeks, outfielder Jason Hayward, and pitchers Yu Darvish and Matt Moore being picked most often at this point in the draft.
Needs: Offense. The team needs a complete infield, including catcher. Finding a quality first baseman and third basemen can provide needed power while the speed could come from shortstop and second base.
Possible Targets: On the surface it would seem the Jersey Boys will draft an offensive player but adding another pitcher could be a good strategic move, given the arms race started by division rival Scully's Slammers. Jordan Zimmerman would be an excellent third starter while Kenley Jansen is an up-and-coming bullpen arm. Outfielders Nick Markakis and Corey Hart could provide power, though Hart will miss several weeks to start the season recovering from knee surgery.
Needs: Pitching and offensive speed. This team has plenty of power so a speedy outfielder or shortstop could be on the wish list. Drafting this late it could be tough to find a 200+ strikeout starter but a closer will be available.
Possible Targets: If Mat Latos or Ubaldo Jimenez are available, they would be great picks. Their ADP's indicate they might be there for Los Coche Bomba. Veteran shortstop Derek Jeter doesn't steal a lot of bases anymore but his ADP is 112. Outfielder Carl Crawford does steal bases but he's battling a wrist injury and could miss Opening Day.
Needs: Building a pitching staff is important if the team hopes to keep pace in the East Division. A power-hitting first baseman or outfielder or a speedy middle infielder would also benefit the team.
Possible Targets: Choosing a closer such as Ryan Madson or Jordan Walden would begin the process of building the bullpen. Starting pitcher Cory Luebke could be available and is eligible as a starter or reliever. Outfielder Drew Stubbs would provide power and speed and would make The Machine a very difficult team to beat in the offensive categories.
Needs: Infielders and a bullpen. Adding a third starter would give Greene a leg up on North Division rivals in key pitching categories.
Possible Targets: Emilio Bonifacio is one of the best base stealers and run scorers in the game and is eligible to play third base, shortstop and the outfield. Carlos Marmol and Sergio Santos are quality relievers that will protect The Bulls against the inevitable run on closers.
Needs: Middle infielders and a catcher will be high priorities as will pitchers. The team has plenty of power at the plate but needs to focus on its pitching staff.
Possible Targets: Shortstops Alexei Ramirez or Jhonny Peralta would fill a difficult position with a quality player. Young second baseman Dustin Ackley is considered a star in the making and could be a player to build on. Set-up man Eric O'Flaherty was brilliant last year and would provide solid WHIP and ERA support.
Needs: A second baseman, third baseman, catcher and pitchers. At this point in the draft, owner Robert Hood will have back-to-back picks and an opportunity to react to moves made by West Division rivals.
Possible Targets: Catchers Miguel Montero or Alex Avila would plug a hole at a shallow position. Does closer Joe Nathan have one more great season in his arm? The Lower Haighters probably need to take at least one closer before another 30 players are taken off the board.
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