[illeracula]

The games are about to begin, 24 of them to be exact, as the rookies try to impress and the veterans try to show they still have it. The Norfolk Cavaliers were one of the busiest teams this off-season, but still came out ahead in "WAR gained". Ok so not by much, but I will take the +1.0, and seeing that the Seantors dropped 4.9, makes me feel good. We plan to battle for the Western Division title and that title begins now.

Here are the WAR Changes for the league and my movement by category. Spring starts today, with Don Sweetapple on the bump. The lineup will look like this:

Ron Alder (DH)
Mauro Candelaria (1B)
Kent Davis (CF)*
Roberto Perez (3B)
Pablo Freitas (LF)
Tomas Reyes (SS)
Jose Rodriquez (RF)
Augusto Rodriquez (SS)
Jacob Chaney (C)

Things to watch this spring...
Who will end up the starting SS? Augusto Rodriquez was my favorite coming into this season, but with the acquisition of Jose Escamilla we may have a battle. Cody Johnson may factor into this battle as well.

Tomas Reyes will be playing second base, but with Pat Hall on the roster that might change. Reyes will be in the lineup, at 2nd or SS, Pat is playing for a spot.

Jacob Chaney took a little player development hit on the offensive side, and Julio Romero got a bump. I think we have a battle for PT behind the plate.

I think the lineup will be tweaked as well. Roberto Perez may end up in the #2 slot, not sure yet. We will see how Candelaria goes. Mauro doesn't strikeout much, which is why he is there. Kent Davis may end up being our lead-off man, as Ron Alder flourished last season hitting lower in the lineup.

Pitching wise our rotation is pretty set. Sweetapple, Carlos Mateo, Tsueno Sato, Karl Armstrong and Sun Ho. Jamie King and Justin Fresi will be given a shot to see what they have. Essie Bookelman and Dalton Whitaker will fight for the closer role, but other than that our bullpen is set.

Let the games begin...