Seamheads Historical League Preview – Part 7 of 7 – Expansion Three Division

In what is the most unique of all divisions, two Expansion teams of the 70s join the four Expansion teams of the 90s that were paired off to form a four team division of the latest entries into Major League Baseball.

Expansion Three consists of the Seattle Marinersand Toronto Blue Jays, both Expansion teams formed in 1977 and a Florida Marlins/ Tampa Bay Raysfranchise as well as a Colorado Rockies/ Arizona Diamondbacksfranchise.  The idea of combining the two came to keep the divisions balanced and to give both the Marlin-Rays and D-Rox a similar sized player pool to choose from as their division counterparts.  Here’s how the rosters shape up:

SEATTLE MARINERS (1977-2008, 4 Playoff Appearances)

GENERAL MANAGER: Seamheads Staff

40-Man Roster

Catchers (3): Kenji Johjima, Bob Stinson, Dan Wilson

Infielders (13): Adrian Beltre, Mike Blowers, Bret Boone, Joey Cora, Alvin Davis, Edgar Martinez, Ken Phelps, Harold Reynolds, Alex Rodriguez, Richie Sexson, Paul Sorrento, Danny Tartabull, Omar Vizquel

Outfielders (8): Phil Bradley, Jay Buhner, Mike Cameron, Ken Griffey Jr., Raul Ibanez, Ruppert Jones, Tom Paciorek, Ichiro Suzuki

Pitchers (16): Floyd Bannister, Norm Charlton, Jeff Fassero, Freddy Garcia, Eddie Guardado, Erik Hanson, Felix Hernandez, Randy Johnson, Mark Langston, Jamie Moyer, Jeff Nelson, J.J. Putz, Enrique Romo, Kazuhiro Sasaski, Mike Schooler, Arthur Rhodes

MY LINEUPS

vs. LHP
1. Ichiro Suzuki (RF)
2. Alex Rodriguez (SS)
3. Ken Griffey Jr. (CF)
4. Richie Sexson (1B)
5. Raul Ibanez (LF)
6. Mike Blowers (3B)
7. Harold Reynolds (2B)
8. Kenji Johjima (C)

vs. RHP
1. Suzuki (RF)
2. A.Rodriguez (SS)
3. Griffey Jr. (CF)
4. Ken Phelps (1B)
5. Ibanez (LF)
6. Blowers (3B)
7. Reynolds (2B)
8. Bob Stinson (C)

Bench:Johjima/Stinson, Sexson/Phelps, Joey Cora, Edgar Martinez, Omar Vizquel, Phil Bradley, Jay Buhner

Rotation
Randy Johnson
Felix Hernandez
Mark Langston
Erik Hanson
Jamie Moyer

Bullpen
Arthur Rhodes
J.J. Putz
Mike Schooler
Norm Charlton

Closer
Kazuhiro Sasaki

On the Farm:Dan Wilson, Alvin Davis, Paul Sorrento, Bret Boone, Danny Tartabull, Adrian Beltre, Tom Paciorek, Mike Cameron, Ruppert Jones, Jeff Nelson, Eddie Guardado, Freddy Garcia, Jeff Fassero, Enrique Romo, Floyd Bannister

Five Questions…

• The pop of Sorrento, Sexson or Phelps or the all-around hitting of Alvin Davis at first?
• A-Rod the Yankee, A-Rod the Ranger or A-Rod the Mariner?
• Can the Big Unit and his 10.58 Ks/9 as a Mariner produce the most Ks in the league?
• Who would you choose as the team’s closer?
• Is Ichiro the best hope from this division to win the league’s batting title?

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (1977-2008, 2 World Championships, 2 Pennants, 5 Playoff Appearances)

GENERAL MANAGER: Neate Sager , Ottawa Sun Copy Editor\

40-Man Roster

Catchers (3): Pat Borders, Darrin Fletcher, Ernie Whitt

Infielders (11): Roberto Alomar, Carlos Delgado, Tony Fernandez, Damaso Garcia, Alfredo Griffin, Troy Glaus, Kelly Gruber, Orlando Hudson, Fred McGriff, Rance Mulliniks, Willie Upshaw

Outfielders (7): Jesse Barfield, George Bell, Joe Carter, Lloyd Moseby, Alexis Rios, Vernon Wells, Devon White

Pitchers (19): Doyle Alexander, A.J. Burnett, Roger Clemens, John Cerutti, Jim Clancy, Scott Downs, Mark Eichhorn, Juan Guzman, Roy Halladay, Tom Henke, Pat Hentgen, Jimmy Key, Bill Koch, Paul Quantrill, B.J. Ryan, Dave Stieb, Mike Timlin, Duane Ward, David Wells

MY LINEUPS

vs. LHP
1. Roberto Alomar (2B)
2. Joe Carter (RF)
3. Carlos Delgado (1B)
4. George Bell (LF)
5. Troy Glaus (3B)
6. Devon White (CF)
7. Tony Fernandez (SS)
8. Pat Borders (C)

vs. RHP
1. R.Alomar (2B)
2. Fernandez (SS)
3. Delgado (1B)
4. Bell (LF)
5. Lloyd Moseby (RF)
6. Rance Mulliniks (3B)
7. D.White (CF)
8. Ernie Whitt (C)

Bench:Borders/Whitt, Glaus/Mulliniks, J.Carter/Moseby, Fred McGriff, Orlando Hudson, Alfredo Griffin, Vernon Wells

Rotation
1. Roger Clemens
2. Roy Halladay
3. Dave Stieb
4. Jimmy Key
5. Juan Guzman

Bullpen
Mike Timlin
B.J. Ryan
Mark Eicchorn
Duane Ward

Closer
Tom Henke

On the Farm:Darrin Fletcher, Willie Upshaw, Damaso Garcia, Kelly Gruber, Alexis Rios, Jesse Barfield, Billy Koch, Paul Quantrill, Scott Downs, A.J. Burnett, Vernon Wells, Jim Clancy, John Cerutti, Pat Hentgen, Doyle Alexander

Five Questions…

• The speed and defense of Devon White or the bat of Vernon Wells in center?
• Did Dave Winfield’s one big year in Toronto make him a better choice for the roster than one of the other outfielders?
• McGriff, Delgado or Upshaw at first?
• Is Roy Halladay this team’s ace?
• Were Tom Henke’s glasses kind of cool in a way?

COLORADO ROCKIES (1993-2008, 1 Pennant, 2 Playoff Appearances)
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (1998-2008, 1 World Championship, 1 Pennant, 4 Playoff Appearances)

GENERAL MANAGER: Derrick Goold , St. Louis Post-Dispatch Writer

40-Man Roster

Catchers (3): Chris Ianneta, Charles Johnson, Chris Snyder

Infielders (11): Garrett Atkins, Jay Bell, Vinny Castilla, Stephen Drew, Andres Galarraga, Troy Glaus, Todd Helton, Kaz Matsui, Troy Tulowitzki, Tony Womack, Eric Young

Outfielders (8): Dante Bichette, Jeromy Burnitz, Ellis Burks, Steve Finley, Luis Gonzalez, Matt Holliday, Dale Murphy, Larry Walker

Pitchers (18): Miguel Batista, Taylor Buchholz, Aaron Cook, Manny Corpas, Jeff Francis, Brian Fuentes, Danny Haren, Byung-Hyun Kim, Randy Johnson, Brandon Lyon, Gregg Olson, Chad Qualls, Bruce Ruffin, Max Scherzer, Curt Schilling, Jose Valverde, Dave Veres, Brandon Webb

MY LINEUPS

vs. LHP
1. Eric Young (2B)
2. Matt Holliday (LF)
3. Larry Walker (RF)
4. Troy Glaus (3B)
5. Andres Galarraga (1B)
6. Steve Finley (CF)
7. Troy Tulowitzki (SS)
8. Chris Snyder (C)

vs. RHP
1. E.Young (2B)
2. Stephen Drew (SS)
3. L.Walker (RF)
4. Luis Gonzalez (LF)
5. Glaus (3B)
6. Finley (CF)
7. Todd Helton (1B)
8. Snyder (C)

Bench:Galarraga/Helton, Tulowitzki/Drew, Holliday/Gonzalez, Charles Johnson, Jay Bell, Vinny Castilla, Ellis Burks

Rotation
Randy Johnson
Curt Schilling
Brandon Webb
Danny Haren
Jeff Francis

Bullpen
Bruce Ruffin
Brian Fuentes
Jose Valverde
Taylor Buchholz

Closer
Byung-Hyun Kim

On the Farm:Chris Ianetta, Kaz Matsui, Garrett Atkins, Tony Womack, Dante Bichette, Dale Murphy, Jeromy Burnitz, Max Scherzer, Chad Qualls, Dave Veres, Manny Corpas, Gregg Olson, Miguel Batista, Brandon Lyon, Aaron Cook

Five Questions…

• Who will be the first Hall of Famer to wear a Rockies or D-backs cap?
• It seems like Troy Glaus is on every team in the league.  Should I re-evaluate him from an above average player?
• Within the three expansion divisions, is this the best starting rotation?
• Is there a clear favorite to be the team’s closer?
• Will the bullpen get quality innings from some of the younger choices?

FLORIDA MARLINS (1993-2008, 2 World Championships, 2 Pennants, 2 Playoff Appearances)
TAMPA BAY RAYS (1998-2008, 1 Pennant, 1 Playoff Appearance)

GENERAL MANAGER: Josh Kushnick , Sports Agent

40-Man Roster

Catchers (4): John Flaherty, Toby Hall, Charles Johnson, Benito Santiago

Infielders (12): Miguel Cabrera, Luis Castillo, Aubrey Huff, Derrek Lee, Mike Lowell, Julio Lugo, Fred McGriff, Kevin Millar, Carlos Pena, Hanley Ramirez, Edgar Renteria, Dan Uggla

Outfielders (8): Rocco Baldelli, Jeff Conine, Carl Crawford, Cliff Floyd, Juan Pierre, Gary Sheffield, Preston Wilson, Randy Winn

Pitchers (16): Antonio Alfonseca, Danys Baez, Josh Beckett, Kevin Brown, A.J. Burnett, Ryan Dempster, Kevin Gregg, Bryan Harvey, Roberto Hernandez, Scott Kazmir, Al Leiter, Robb Nen, Carl Pavano, Brad Penny, James Shields, Dontrelle Willis

MY LINEUPS

vs. LHP
1. Carl Crawford (LF)
2. Hanley Ramirez (SS)
3. Gary Sheffield (RF)
4. Derrek Lee (1B)
5. Dan Uggla (2B)
6. Mike Lowell (3B)
7. Preston Wilson (CF)
8. Benito Santiago (C)

vs. RHP
1. Crawford (LF)
2. H.Ramirez (SS)
3. Sheffield (RF)
4. Fred McGriff (1B)
5. Aubrey Huff (3B)
6. Uggla (2B)
7. P.Wilson (CF)
8. Santiago (C)

Bench:Lee/McGriff, Lowell/Huff, Charles Johnson, Luis Castillo, Jeff Conine, Juan Pierre, Cliff Floyd

Rotation
Josh Beckett
A.J. Burnett
Dontrelle Willis
Kevin Brown
Scott Kazmir

Bullpen
Al Leiter
Robb Nen
Roberto Hernandez
Kevin Gregg

Closer
Bryan Harvey

On the Farm:John Flaherty, Toby Hall, Carlos Pena, Kevin Millar, Miguel Cabrera, Edgar Renteria, Julio Lugo, Rocco Baldelli, Randy Winn, Antonio Alfonseca, Danys Baez, Ryan Dempster, Carl Pavano, Brad Penny, James Shields

Five Questions…

• Even if these two teams combined, would anyone in Florida care about baseball in May?
• Can a simulated Scott Kazmir pitch beyond the sixth inning?
• Is there a lack of left-handed options on the pitching staff?
• Derrek Lee, Fred McGriff, Carlos Pena or Kevin Millar at first?
• If Sheffield is the starter in right, is Cliff Floyd or Randy Winn his backup?

PREDICTION

1. D-Backs/Rockies
2. Mariners3. Blue Jays
4. Marlins/Rays

Expansion Three MVP: Ken Griffey Jr., MarinersExpansion Three Cy Young: Randy Johnson, Diamondbacks/Rockies