After an abysmal 2010 season the Olivet Killer Eagles are in a position to cut some losses and move on in a different direction. If something could go wrong last year it did, like going from a lottery team to the 9th pick in the matter of a week. Discussions among the front office have already begun to heat up as the team looks to build an instant contender through the draft and via some moves during the winter meetings. GM Larry D Baker Jr was quoted "If we can move some dead weight, we're willing to part with some picks" CEO Hunter Baker also had this to say "We're not happy with the #9 pick so one of our main goals during the winter meetings is to move up into the top 5."
On a side note, with Victor Martinez signing with the Tigers this past Tuesday the Eagles are excited about having him hit in front of Miggy Cabrera and hopefully being a regular DH rather than catcher will help him avoid those thumb injuries from a year ago and play a full season.
Returning this season will be the aforementioned Martinez at Catcher, Billy Butler at 1b, Michael Cuddyer at 3b, Andre Ethier and Vladamir Guerrero in the OF.
The Starting pitching will start with Francisco Liriano and Edwin Jackson. JA Happ finished strong with Houston last season and the team will need him to make another step forward this year as well. Rich Harden, well.... he'll be on the bench until available to be put on the DL. Mike Gonzales likely will be a nice setup man if he can keep healthy with an outside chance of closing.
Senior Draft Advisor Brandon Baker had this to say "Obviously we have some question marks about the core of our team, some risks definitely didn't pan out last season and its back to the drawing board for sure. We like what we have in our lineup but we lack the big bat we lost this offseason when Dunn's contract expired. You cannot just replace a 40 hr guy out of the blue."
It will be interesting to see what the Eagles plans are going forward, but rest assured there is no offseason for this front office, only a "fall break"
