Training Camp: Newark Sugar Bears

The Sugar Bear championship run was finally broken last year, but does anyone really think it's over?

Positional battles: The Sugar Bears may be one of the most platoon-heavy teams in the league, so not everyone is actually fighting for a job per se, but any playing time at all. Going into the season it looks like the platoons will be Salty and Olivo at catcher, Cabrera and Fontenot at second, and Lowrie and Vazquez at short. Some other defensive subs can be expected too. The rotation is set, with Brett Myers and Javier Vazquez relegated to subbing in when the other starters get injured.

Pre-season surprises/disappointments: Andy Pettitte was disappointed to be cut after putting up a 1-0, 0.60 line in two starts. Nonetheless, Newark had no room for the veteran. Kevin Gregg could be this year's no-name awesome Newark reliever - he went 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA and one save in 12 appearances - but that role will probaby be filled by Joey Devine, who didn't pitch in the preseason.

Another top producer who was sent packing was Melky Cabrera (.324/.378/.529). Luke Scott also had an impressive spring, hitting .320/.358/.587 with 5 homers and 14 RBIs. Jim Thome led the team with 18 RBIs, but his .213 batting average should send him back to the farm squad. The Sugar Bears surprisingly had many players hitting below the Mendoza line, though many only had limited at bats.

Roster outlook: The Sugar Bears made a few cuts already, but still need to trim the roster by 5 players. The Sugar Bears have five ineligibles and will probably cut several of them (Smoltz and Pie look like likely candidates, despite Newark's loyalty toward Smoltz). DH-only Jim Thome may be in trouble as well as Myers. Scott's great performance also doesn't assure him of sticking with the team, as Melky and Pettitte can attest.