League Previews
AL North
Chicago Fire
After 111 wins last season, a new owner, Gregor199, will take over this formidable squad. However, I do not see a repeat out of this aging group. Matt Hanrahan and Lonny Ozuna are likely HOFers but at 37, do either have anything left in the tank? Santo Infante is still a great player but 100 wins would be a lot to ask him to carry. I think this division may be up for grabs.
Toronto Blue Jays
Newcomer, lfkbibanul (are u Turkish?), takes over this young squad that was in need of a face lift. All the best players on this team are younger than 27 and that bodes well for the future. Marquis Parker is the best all-around player but was OTB during spring training so it looks like this franchise is still rebuilding. Alex Rijo has great promise as a MI of the future. I like the direction but we are still a few seasons away.
Toledo Mudhens
Our former commish leads his squad into its 17th season. A good Mixture of young and Old talent will give him a shot at the division title. A couple preseason trades brought added ammo in Willis Jodie and Marvin D'Amico to spruce things up. Those additions plus superstar, Mike Foxx, may just give mjdato the bump he needs to displace Chicago. Maybe enough to rekindle the trash talk days with Coach34.
Rochester Red Wings
Yesac03 takes over a franchise in need of direction. Weston and Martinez make up an excellent, young MI and Ron Liverman is a real good SP1. There is some good stuff to work with here but this group ain't ready for Prime Time yet. The goal should be .500 this season and improvement after that.
Prediction
Toledo 98-64
Chicago 97-65
Rochester 80-82
Toronto 72-90
AL East
Florida Fishy Fupes
Caesari steps in to take over this dormant group right before opening day. The previous owner dropped off from his previous division dominance to hang around .500 and, as all of us know , that is a recipe for disaster. Jim Truman is a good SP1 and the rest of the staff is pretty damn good, BUT...this team needs offense. Could be a struggle to stay at .500 but I have faith in ownership to get this thing going in the right direction.
Durham Ravens
The commish called in a favor to get TomHighway on board to take over Durham. This is a squad that really liked to hang around .500 as well. That's is not good. The new owner jumped right in and signed some veteran pitching to help the troops and I expect a lot of roster activity to help win now and build for the future simultaneously. A run at the wildcard is not out of the question but this division belongs to...
Boston Royal Giants
My odds on favorite to win it all. Nelsonba added Douglas Kendall in FA to an already great team. Bad thing for all of us is that this team is also very young. If you want to do a rebuild, you should read Nelson's book on the subject. Trevino, Beltre, Gonzalez, Banks, Ishii, etc. The list is long of potential All-Stars. I am pissed off right now...
Charleston Harbor Dawgs
Reigny jumped on this rebuild. Many seasons of struggle will eventually lead to the gold at the end of the rainbow. Though still a few seasons away from competing with Boston, this franchise has some good young talent. It is just not ready for the ML yet. I think last place is coming but brighter days are ahead. Nash Taft is a pretty good layer but he doesn't have help. A more active off season might have helped more but at least ownership is engaged and looking to the future.
Prediction
Boston 115-47
Durham 84-78
Florida 78-84
Charleston 60-102
AL South
Little Rock Minnesota Iron Rangers
Identity crisis much? Longest name award winner, twinsfan2936, steps into a pretty good situation in Little Rock. This team finished first 4 of the last 6 seasons and has a good core group. Melendez, Gomez and Gonzalez are all top shelf ML guys and have some good veteran support. I think this crew will be a playoff team come late season. Don't screw it up!
Tampa Bay Tougersons
A long time owner left this team in good shape for newcomer greffb1. Javy Valentin is a stud. Gio Castro and Marshall Washington can hit HRs. This division will be tight and should come down to pitching and health. If that is the case, I am not sure that this staff has all the pieces.
Memphis Graceland
I like this group, headed by another newcomer but old timer gaheel84, to be much improved and to make a run at this division. Some savvy preseason moves have really improved things in Memphis. Russell Bolling and Orlando Martin are a great 1-2 punch as SPs. Esmerling Rivera was a great addition to the offense. This could be a three team race to the wire. Nice job!
Iowa City Cyclones
Amarner32 stepped into this one with wide eyes and big hopes. As a newbie, growing pains are expected. Good news is that this franchise is pretty good and should be competitive. Darren Weber is a real good, young player and Sammy Siqueiros is a top-notch SP. However, I think this team is falling behind others in the division. Work some magic marner...or ask some questions and we will help you!
Prediction
Memphis 91-71
Little Rock (but really wants to be in Minnesota) 88-74
Tampa Bay 79-83
Iowa City 71-91
AL West
Wichita Natural Lights
KCWizards has joined our humble little world as a first timer to HBD and jumped right in with both feet. A nice, cheap signing of Beamer Howington should give this squad a little boost and not much cost. Couple that with an already good core group of Alfredo Wooten, Ernest Brinkley, and Esmerling Oliva and you have the makings of a competitive team. A good example of good work by a newbie!
Seattle Whiplash
A quick turnaround is possible in the great Northwest. One down season in last season (57 wins) was quite a surprise to most. Jim Knight and Omar Garland can hit HRs but will find it harder to do in Safeco Field. Pitching will automatically improve as this stadium will drop ERAs like a lead balloon (or as Led Zeppelin). However, this pitching staff is a little weird looking to me. Not sure where the big innings will come from. Lets see if it works out for newcomer sirdaveyboy.
Sacramento Schnauzers
The threatening canines are about the only squad here that could threaten jibe's stranglehold on this division. I like Houston, Garland, Pujols, Grim and the crew to make a run at it. The pitching staff is pretty good with innings eater Placido Ontiveros. Grim and Guzman need to pitch like SP1s here to make it interesting.
Vancouver
The dynasty may be over for our 4-time WS winner but Jibe still has a formidable team. He keeps adding more payroll to keep his vets and sign new ones. Eventually the entire $185 budget will be in payroll. Superstars like Victor Telemaco, Bobby Joe Tekotte (isn't there a song about this guy?), and Yannick Porter will keep on winning. However, it will be closer this time. Geronimo Galarraga and Christopher Wulf are real good SPs still. I think he can win this division but the WS is a NO. (See Boston above^)
Prediction
Vancouver 92-70
Sacrammento 86-76
Wichita 79-83
Seattle 70-92
