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As the Sherwood Park Ice open up training camp in Billings, Montana for the 1st season, some positions on the Ice's roster are still up in the air and General Manager Brendan Macgranachan is keeping a close eye on thing this season as he hopes some of his prospects will start to respond, especially the pitching staff where Macgranachan hopes that closer Harold Bydrak will be able to move into the starters role and let another prospect, last years #1 overall pick Bill Brauneller into that closer role for experience but he says it will all depend on how things go.
"Obviously that's the situation we would prefer (Brauneller to the closer role and Bydrak into the rotation) but we don't want to rush anything and if Bill doesn't look ready in spring training then we'll send him to Surrey or Double-A and get some of his stuff and command worked out. We have some guys capable of closing that can step in and fill the void." Says Macgranachan, "That's the last thing I want to happen is to rush a guy in but if he looks ready, why hold him back?"
The rotation looks like a big, ugly mess in Sherwood Park right now. Bydrak, Reg Holzshu, Aderly Sanchious, Sandez Uzzle and Vladmir Zosky right now look like the possible rotation. Macgranachan is trying to work out a deal for another arm but it might have to be plugged up with a free agent of some sort.
The bullpen may even be scarier to the Ice. If Brauneller can't go at closer, Macgranachan's got a mess in his hands. Veteran Steele Dolinger, who has set-up in previous years, could get the nod or so could Mike Katoll, Del Buechele and Blaine Soreson. Right now, anybody has a shot in the pitching department but once free agency opens up; many pitchers will be looked at.
Offense is a much different story as it looks like the bats are starting to wake-up. The offense goes where leader Dario Crawford goes and it went nowhere when Crawford struggled in the final two months and Macgranachan is looking at way to get Crawford involved. Highly-touted prospect Billy Berry is looking more and more like a bust everyday and his time is ticking as with Bill Osborn who came back strong after missing a few months with a back injury. Remy Aubertin struggled in centerfield last year and Ice fans are hoping he comes back strong. Jorge Farnsworth, acquired for Toronto last year was a pleasant surprise as he .270+ and led the team is swiped bases. Not to be mistaken though, this is still not a Cold Lake-caliber offense.
Defensive, Crawford will start behind the plate with rookie Jason Walker making a push for back-up. If he looks out of place, rumor has it that former Iceman Nehemiah Ayalla might be signed to be backing-up Crawford. Bill Klinger looks like he will be the starting first-baseman with Pokey Pinherio moving to left-field. A battle at second base is emerging between Efren Kallen and Armand Trappey. Shovel Heise gets the nod at shortstop with Felix Masoe fighting hard for a roster spot. Abe Jerich looks good to go at 3rd base after Skyrocket Funaro got released. Former Japanese star James Willard, also a third baseman looks to be suited for DHing. Pinheiro, Osborn, Aubertin, Luther Wela and Jim Kaiser are battling for three outfield positions.
With more then capable replacements for these players and like Macgranachan says, "There's not too much room for error"
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