Position by position, I really don't see any "big" disappointments looming. Whether you consider the performance of a particular player disappointing is based on your expectation from the start. For the most part, we can expect equal to or better performance from each of our starters.

 

C Castro = Pudge, Castro's defense may be a bit less, yet he still has a strong arm. Castro will have increased power, >20 HRs with higher BA. RBIs may be less, but primarily because he will hit later in the line-up.

 

1B Hee Sop Choi < D Lee, yet Choi will be better than last year, and should do well. Not much of a drop-off offensively, if at all. His defense will be a bit less than Lee.

 

2B Castillo + You know what to expect from Luis. His BA will be over .300. He should be healthier with increased SBs. Increased runs scored and similar RBIs.

 

SS Gonzalez + Another strong defensive year, and will improve at the plate as he will be more consistent.

 

3B Lowell = Mike is coming off a career year, and if he remains off the DL will improve his yearly performance.

 

LF Conine - could see some drop-off, but not substantial.

 

CF Pierre = Don't expect less from JP with his strong work ethic. SBs may be off as McKeon doesn't run him as often.

 

RF Cabrera > Encarnacion Expect greater than 20 HRs and 100 RBIs. A full year of Cabrera is a nice upgrade.

 

Beckett + Josh will have a stronger start and more wins, probably 17-19 wins

 

Pavano + Could very well have a career year. 15-17 wins.

 

Penny + Will become more consistent. Learned how to "pitch" rather than throw at the end of last season, 15-17 wins

 

Willis = Likely will not start off as quickly as last year, but will be more consistent throughout. 14-16 wins.

 

Burnett/Oliver < Redman It will take AJ some time to return to form. Oliver is average. Probably 9-11 wins between them.

 

 

The biggest unknown really is injuries. It's impossible to predict, but the greatest disappointment next year will be whoever ends up on the DL for a good part of the season.

:chair At the risk of being crucified on this site, I think the biggest disappointment may be Conine. He is at that age where the skills can disappear overnight. I know he is a fitness freak, but I think there is a chance his offensive numbers will disappoint....hope not but could be! :confused

Conine was the man throughout the playoffs, starting in those Philly series, but lets not forget him starting his season with the Marlins lik 3-25. Don't forget that during that 3-for-25 slump he still played solid D (he ranks within the top 3 or 5 according to various advanced metrics), moved runners over and worked the count.

 

 

 

1. Mike Lowell may not be able to match his power numbers. Remember during All-Star break when he said he wasn't a HR hitter, he just got a few up and over the wall? Modest fellow.

2. Luis Castillo may not return to previous form. His hip may be rested and he may trust it more this year, but we don't know what the injury did to his speed.

3. Jeff Cox. We scored a lot of runs that most third base coaches would have put stop lights on. Will Cox take the same risk? Another question might be if those risks helped or hurt more last year.