Looking to the Draft

What an offseason it was for the Squirrels. Dealing like a man possessed, GM Adam Anson has put the 2011 edition of the Squirrels in position to compete for the eMLB title. Big bats were added in Jay Bruce, Justin Morneau and Bobby Abreu. A true top of the rotation ace was brought in in Francisco Liriano, and in the late hours last night, Anson added the 1.7 pick of the upcoming draft. The Squirrels, unfortunately, had to take on one albatross of a contract in Nate McLouth, but the addition of 1.7 looks to make the move worthwhile. "In a draft with very few superstars available, we felt it was more important to lock up two of the top twelve players than it would be to give contracts to more questionable picks made in the 4th and 5th rounds," said Anson.

The move to acquire pick 1.7 almost certainly assures the team of taking a SS in the first round. Speculation is that the move to attain 1.7 was ownership's best effort to ensure that they land Jimmy Rollins. SS is obviously the glaring need for the 2011 squad, but Anson has made it clear that they would not overpay for a SS simply to fill the position, "A first round selection has got to be first round talent, and someone we can lock up. Derek Jeter is a star, but at this point in his career, we could not see giving him a contract."

Assuming Rollins is available in the 1.7 spot, the question now becomes, who will the Squirrels target with the 1.12 pick? Experts expect the team to address the thin SPing at that spot, but if a major talent falls, it wouldn't be unreasonable for the Squirrels to draft the best available talent. It's been an exciting winter in Republic...one that looks to get more exciting as we approach the 2011 eMLB draft.