Free Agent Market: First Base/ DH

It is difficult to win a championship in Cobb without a top-quality offense. While a contender will need offensive contributions from all over the diamond, it is essential to have a top run producer at first base (and designated hitter in the AL). Also, because this is the easiest position to play, non-contenders may choose to allow a fading star to chase a milestone at first base.

OBP leaders: Herman Perry (.372) is still one of the most dangerous left-handed hitters in Cobb. Kip Zeile (.358), Woody Olerud (.347) Roosevelt Ingram (.344) and Alfredo Cruz (.313) round out the top 5. Honorable mention goes to Willie Kotsay (.301) who has a career .349 OBP.

SLG leaders: Herman Perry (.600) remains a significant power threat, and would make a great platoon 1B/DH or pinch hitter for a lot of teams. Kip Zeile (.565) has 636 career HRs and launched 107 HR the past two seasons. Roosevelt Ingram (.505, 33 HR), Alfredo Cruz (.402, 19 HR) and Woody Olerud (.349) are the other top sluggers.

Defense: Speedster Alfredo Cruz has won 2 gold gloves at 1B in the last 4 years.

Notable: Kip Zeile was the season 12 AL MVP. Alfredo Cruz is the career Cobb leader in steals has stolen over 100 bases in each of his full major league seasons and has never been caught more than 10 times.

Free Agent Market: Second Base

This year's group of free agent second basemen is fairly limited. However, the free agent market still presents opportunities for clubs willing to be creative.

OBP: Benji Molina (.372) is the premier second baseman available. Rabbit Lara (.370) and Diego Villa (.365 in 90 PA) are capable veterans at the plate. Tony Saenz (.336) is only a season removed from posting an excellent .375.

SLG: Villa is the hardest hitter in the group (.471) although he may be better cast as a pinch hitter and utility player at this stage of his career. Benji Molina (.463) and Rabbit Lara (.418) are the other top sluggers.

Defense: Benji Molina is a two time gold glove winner at the position, and is still capable of top quality play. Tony Saenz is at least major league average. Buddy Hennessey has superior skills around the bag and is making a comeback attempt after missing a season due to outrageous contract demands. Willis Roth, another comeback candidate but listed as a CF, has very good range at 2B.

Free Agent Market: The Hot Corner

Third basemen must blend quickness with power to have successful major league careers. Some player have managed to combine great defense and the ability to reach base to become assets to their teams. This year's crop of free agent third basemen includes not only the players profiled below, but also players already profiled at SS and the OF who might be better suited for this position. With the glut of 3B types on the market, teams looking for a free agent bargain are in luck.

OBP leaders: Tom Pettite's .371 allows him to profile as a potential leadoff man for some teams. Curtis Chase (.349), Tito Sisco (.344), Ken Daniels (.342), Derrick Crosby (.342) and Domingo Montana (.341) are the other OBP leaders.

SLG leaders: Derrick Crosby and his 30 HR lead this group (.528). Domingo Montana (.506) managed his 9th 100 RBI season behind 27 HR and 31 doubles. Sammy Maduro (.475) Tom Pettite (.441), Ken Daniels (.418) and Curtis Chase (.417) are the rest of the top sluggers.

Defense: Tom Pettite had the best range factor in this group. Domingo Montana has a great glove and throwing accuracy for a 3B. Curtis Chase and Tony Sisco are probably the best all-around defenders. Derrick Crosby may profile as a top defensive RF.

World Series Preview: The Steamers perspective

The Cleveland Steamers

For the third straight year, the Cleveland Steamers have marched through the American League playoffs like a team with something to prove. Of course, Cleveland entered the season as the reigning Cobb champion. But to truly be considered great in Cobb one title is not enough: you must be dynastic. The Cleveland players are determined, perhaps obsessed, to prove they belong among the greatest teams of all time. This determination gives them an edge, and makes them a dangerous opponent.

How they got here: The Steamers were the #4 seed, and swept the Florida Almendares (#5), the Louisville Dogs (#1) and the Tacoma Jerry Gang (#2).

Cleveland Steamers Positional Analysis

C: B

1B: B+

2B: A-

3B: B

SS: B

OF: A

DH/Bench: A

SP: A

Bullpen: A

Who is Hot:

Pitchers: Cleveland’s bullpen. The Steamers ace bullpen arms-- Charles Gold (.143/.143/ .190), Trevor Seelbach (.132/ .193/ .151) and Bruce Weber (.174/.174/.348)-- have shredded opposing line-ups this postseason. If Cleveland’s offense can establish even a slight lead, it will be nearly impossible for Omaha to mount any kind of comeback.

Hitters: Lyle Crudale(.395/.478/.868) has been a one-man wrecking crew, launching 5 home runs in Cleveland’s 10 playoff games.

Who’s Not:

Former Omaha 3B Albert Burnett bashed 36 HR for Cleveland in the regular season. He has managed a mere .350 slugging in the playoffs. 2B Jose Ganadarillas may miss some time with an injury to start the World Series.

Key Match-up: Walter Maroth v. Grant Keats. The Steamers and the Sluggers are, on paper, very evenly matched teams. As a result, this Series will be decided by who can do the little things right. Important to the Steamers success will be stopping Keats and the Sluggers’ running game. With both club's pitching unlikely to yield much scoring, the runners who do reach base are going to be aggressive. Although he has the reputation of being a superb defender behind the plate, Maroth stopped only 14 of 105 basestealers this past season. He also allowed an uncharacteristic 20 passed balls, something else that advances runners unnecessarily.

Why Cleveland will win: Cleveland’s bullpen has been red hot this offseason. The top of their rotation is almost unhittable. They are getting some offense from every position except C and SS where they instead have above average defenders. Right now, their line-up is dismantling pitching staffs. This is top to bottom an excellent team, and is also a team determined to establish itself as a dynasty. Cleveland in 5.

What they are saying:

Albert Hill: “I haven’t been around the league all that long and I know you have to respect a veteran club like Omaha. I just think people should give us more respect for our accomplishments.”

Lonny Boyd: “Too many people let their problems with the GM 's strategy affect their opinion of us. What happens in the front office happens there, what happens on the field happens here, you know? Did they hate Barry Larkin too?“

“There’s a reason they’re called the tools of ignorance: I can’t let my at bats affect my pitch calling. I can't think about free agency. My team needs me out there. ” Walter Maroth on keeping perspective during a batting slump.

“If they win, I’ll name a new ravioli after them.” Cleveland native and long time Steamers season ticket holder Chef Boyardee.

World Series Preview: Omaha Sluggers

Lars the Greek - Cobb Times Herald

The World Series is upon once again, and for the 3rd time in 4 seasons Cobb World is looking at an Omaha Sluggers/Cleveland Steamers tilt for all the marbles. Will Omaha continue their series dominance, or is the 3rd time a charm for Cleveland? The Times-Herald will take a close look at each team and tell you why each one could win or lose a matchup that is becoming one of the biggest rivalries in the league.

The Omaha Sluggers

What can be said about this team that hasn't already been mentioned? The Sluggers are quite simply the most dominant franchise in the history of Cobb World, and this is their 6th World Series in 7 seasons, with 4 titles already to their name. When you think of baseball excellence in Cobb, you think of the Sluggers, and with their pitching and balanced lineup it is hard to pick against them.

How they got here: The Sluggers were the #2 seed behind the Syracuse Beagles, swept the Atlanta Pitbulls and took out the Columbus HoundDogs in 5 games to make the series.

Omaha Sluggers Positional Analysis
C: B+
1B: A
2B: B+
SS: B
3B: B-
OF: A
Bench: B
SP: A+
Bullpen: B+

Who is Hot: Jose Barrios (who else) is once again putting up huge numbers in the playoffs, this time hitting .344 with an OPS of 1.104 to lead the lineup. On the mound virtually every Omaha pitcher is bringing his "A" game to the playoffs, with Clyde Ford having the most microscopic numbers, 2-0 with a 1.02 ERA and .91 WHIP.

Who is Not: CF Peter Mullin is having a playoffs to forget thus far, managing a paltry .145 BA with an OPS of .475. SS John Simpson must have drank the same kool-aid, as he is only managing a .161 BA with a pathetic OPS of .323. Closer Bobby Flores has been a disaster in both of his appearances, managing a 40.50 ERA thus far, which under any analysis isn't good.

Key Matchup: Ivan Canseco vs. Ewell Booker. SP's 1 & 2 Ong and Ford are evenly matched by the Steamers top two starters, Ruben Gonzalez and Bill Palmer. With the injury to Gary Ferguson however, Omaha has a distinct advantage at the #3 spot in the rotation, as Booker is a major drop in quality. Booker will only likely get one start in the series, and Canseco should own this one on paper, and it is a game that Omaha really needs to own to ensure playoff success.

Why Omaha will win: Because they have done it 4 times before, twice vs. Cleveland. Really, is there any reason to pick against them? With the way their starters have been pitching, it would be difficult for a whole team of Ted Williams to get a hit. But other than experience, history, starting pitching, having the best pitcher and hitter in the history of the league playing at their best, there is a thing called karma. Omaha seems to have it, and it is tough to stop it. Sluggers in 6.

What they are saying:

Jose Barrios, "I have a ring for every finger, I need another one in case one of them gets lost showing off my bling to the kids in Cleveland."

Kazuhiro Ong, "It's on like Donkey Ong!"

Grant Keats, "We couldn't get it done last year when I was with Wichita. Time for some sweet revenge against those steaming turds in Cleveland, and this time I have some backup."

Bench Coach Dave Maxwell, "You have to respect Cleveland, not many teams can make the World Series four seasons in a row. That is quite an accomplishment. But I'll be pulling out all my dirty tricks to ensure that they don't win back to back championships. The road to the trophy goes through Omaha, and by the end of the series they will know it."

Free Agent Market: Starting Pitching

Starting pitching is the most valuable commodity in baseball. It controls the flow of the game and elite starting pitching can win championships nearly on its own. There is a good reason the two largest contracts ever given out in Cobb were awarded to starting pitchers. Unlike last season with Dean Hernandez or Season 4 with Phillip Brown, no pitcher is going to command a salary anywhere close to $20,000,000 per year. However, there is still some fine talent available.

FIP: Far and away, the top pitcher available is Benito Rodriguez (3.06 in 166 IP). It would be surprising for Rodriguez to not double his present salary in free agency. The next best available pitchers are Jolbert DeLeon (4.01 in 148 IP- mutual option) and Jason Sheldon (4.27 in 185 2/3- mutual option). The top 5 is rounded out by Ruben Montero (4.38 over 199 2/3 innings) and the aging but still capable Josias Morales (4.41 over 180 1/3).

Strike out artists: Also available this offseason are RJ Winn (7.91 k/9, 3.47 ERA over 174 IP), Rabbit Leyritz (7.46 k/9, 5.09 ERA over 178 2/3) , Bernie Lopez (7.17 k/9, 4.60 ERA over 189 IP), and Mac Xaio (6.83 k/9, 4.54 ERA over 208 1/3). Xaio was the only free agent to pitch more than 200 innings in Season 13.

Ruben Montero is tops among free agent starters with 18 wins. Now a long relief pitcher, Wilson Sobkowiak had 20 wins as a starter back in Season 11.

Free Agent Market: Relief Pitchers

A solid bullpen is a requirement for a championship club. Bullpens are hard to build, however, and the performance of relief pitchers is notoriously volatile. Fortunately, this year's group of free agent relievers features some very dependable and highly effective pitchers.

FIP: Yorvit Hernandez is the top bullpen ace available for season 14 (3.15 over 65 1/3 IP). The ground-ball specialist also has experience as a closer, converting 80 of 97 career opportunities. Southpaw Brace Keller (3.79 in 98 IP) had a sparkling 10 - 0 record this past year and converted 46 of 50 opportunities in Season 12.

Fireman Albert Franco (3.86 in 128 1/3 IP) was arguably even more valuable to Pawtucket's success than last year's super free agent Dean Hernandez (4.11). Dominant veteran Gerald Kojima (3.95 in 70 2/3 IP) and Virginian Pat Creek (3.90 in 30 IP) round out the top 5 relievers by FIP.

Notable: Ryan Kinney ( 4.09 over 134 2/3) appeared in 99 games for Omaha. Wilson Sobkowiak managed a 14 and 3 record, Cory Jenkins was 11 and 3 and ageless Flip Heathcott was 7 and 2.

Something left in the tank? Albert Cordero (4.23 FIP in 25 2/3 IP) , Bob Maduro (4.32 FIP in 17 IP), Alfredo Collins (4.36 FIP in 73 IP), David Encarnacion (4.91 FIP 15.2) , and Miguel Fernandez (4.97 FIP in 48 2/3 IP) might still be able to contribute to the right major league team in some capacity.