12 players from last year return in addition to the "immortal"

Steve Holm from the 2005 season to the 2007 edition of the Navigators/Defenders franchise. Pitching looks solid with Double A vet Chris Begg fronting the rotation along with 2006 starter and fellow blogger Garrett Broshuis, and newcomer Nick Pereira, who generated a lot of cyber discussion went he jumped over Double A Connecticut to Triple A Fensno from Single A San Jose last year upsetting Defenders fans. Returning pitchers from last season are bullpen hurlers Osiris Mataos, Jeff Petersen, and Geno Espineli, a sometime spot starter. The buzz on the staff is closer Brian Anderson who some Giants fan see as their future closer.

In the field the team returns first baseman and 40 man roster member Travis Ishikawa, touted outfielder Eddy Martinez-Esteve, catchers Todd Jennings and Steve Holm, the third year double play combo of 2B Derin "D-Mac" McMains and SS Jake Wald, OF Alex Requena and OF Brian Horwitz.

In looking at the stats of the new hitters coming in and what I know about the "old" guys it looks like it might be another season of close ball games with no one guy(s) who is a bopper. It's a team that can spray the ball around for sure which will help at Dodd.

Misc player notes: Former Defenders P Jesse Floyd and 3B Brian Buscher were assigned to the New Britain RockCats by Minnesota so we'll be seeing them again later this month.