Biggest part of this is that we need power from the OF. Should be getting a minimum of 30 HRs a year from the OF but closer to 40 would be nice. Don't think we were anywhere close to that this year.
Rodriguez had a great year that could have been much better. The injury took away his power and his ability to switch hit. I'm looking forward to him taking a huge step forward next year. He could eventually be a 20 HR 20 SB guy in college.
I'd prefer to have Burns in the Grubbs/Volantis role next year but I was going strictly based off of our current roster. My preference is portal SP for the Saturday role. I'd like to move Borba to 1B or DH with a portal addition in the other spot. Rodriguez at 3B and Mendoza at 2B.
Potential Lineups as I currently see it.
C Chamberlain
1B Stewart
2B Mendoza
3B Borba
SS Rodriguez
LF Williams
CF Gasparino
RF Farmer
SP: Volantis
SP: Burns
SP: Flores
Even if no one on the list leaves that is not a good team. Volantis and Burns would be really good but would need Flores to take a big step forward or for someone else to. Bullpen would have a lot of good pieces but not the dominant guys like this year. I'm not worried about the midweek starter seeing how they used that role this year.
The lineup would have some solid players but no one great. Stewart is a significant downgrade but should be easy to find an upgrade there in the portal or slide Borba over to first. I don't see a great option for SS on the current roster. I think Rodriguez will take a massive leap at the plate next year, especially since he will be healthy.
Portal Needs in order of importance:
Catcher
Power hitting 1B or DH
SS
SP
power hitting OF
RP
(I am not familiar with nor want to include incoming freshmen until they are on campus.)