Team Review: Las Vegas Rat Pack

The Rat Pack went from last to being one of the top teams in the league this year. They actually had the second-best record in the league, but were unfortunate enough to be in the same division as the Newark Sugar Bears. The Rats worked tirelessly and turned over their roster several times to reach the Promised Land.

What went right: Just about everything. The Vlad Guerrero deal paid off (.342, .984 OPS, 14 HR, 49 RBI in 55 games). Carlos Pena, the team's first round draft pick, was an MVP candidate (53 HR, 130 R, 137 RBI, 1.023 OPS). The team had no real holes in their lineup. Erik Bedard and A.J. Burnett had great seasons in the rotation.

What went wrong: The bullpen was a bit disappointing. Joe Nathan, acquired from D.C., was a bust. Josh Beckett, acquired from Blue Ridge, didn't provide as big of an impact as hoped for, but the club didn't give up all that much to get him. The team was one game short of making it to the DMBL World Series, so it's hard to say that they got anything really wrong though.

2009 Outlook: The Rats mortgaged the 2009 season (and possibly 2010) in exchange for a run last season - they traded away 6 picks this year and only got one back and dealt 4 picks already in 2010. Nevertheless, the team has a pretty decent core for next year, particularly in their pitching, and with a little bit of good fortune, could return to the post-season.