AL NORTH SEASON 11 Preview

AL NORTH

TEAM Fargo Favola's PAYROLL 77.7M

LAST YEARS RECORD: 70-92

KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED				SUBTRACTED
NAME	POS	AGE		NAME	POS	AGE
Charlie West	P	26		D'Angelo Mercedes	RP	35
Carlos Feliz	3B	26		Sherm Taylor	SP	31
Joey Hermanson	RP	31		Pedro Espinosa	SP	28
Max Ibarra	DH	32

SUMMARY: Young, talented and ready to break out, this offense got increasingly more potent with the addition of all-star 3B Carlos Feliz. Scoring should not be an issue as the lineup is stacked from top to bottom with new exceptions. Starting Pitcher Marty Hooper an ace in waiting. He should have a better year and guide this team's rotation, but after him in the rotation there is not much to shout about. The Losses of Taylor and Espinosa might haunt the team this season.

HOLES TO ADDRESS: The Team lacks a quality starting Catcher and they need a solid one to handle this pitching staff if they hope to compete. The starting rotation could use 1 more solid starter to give the relief corp. some rest. The Bullpen itself could struggle at times.

VEGAS ODDS: 38-1

TEAM Madison Massa's PAYROLL 78.0M

LAST YEARS RECORD: 112-50

KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED				SUBTRACTED
NAME	POS	AGE		NAME	POS	AGE
Livan Pichardo	RP	25		Gus Tabaka	SP	39
Marcus Thompson	LF	22		Tsuyoshi Gonzales	CF	32
Doyle Twitchell	1B	22		Roger Davis	RP	36
Marty Newhouser	RP	23		Alex Delgado	SP	35
D'Angelo Mercedes	RP	35		Damian Lemon	LF	34
David Hernandez	RP	23		Joey Hermanson	RP	31
Cal Carver	1B	22		Stan Mason	RP	27
Eddie Thomson	RP	26

SUMMARY: Age is beginning to become a factor, even with fresh legs RF Twichell LF Thompson and 1B Carver the team might be running out of wind. For the 3^rd season in a row the Bullpen has been revamped with mainstay Ellis Watson maintaining Closer duties. Injuries to Starting Shortstop Vinny Hernandez slowed the offense last season, and this season injuries could still be an issue and cost the Massa's another chance at glory.

HOLES TO ADDRESS: Scott Biddle's bat filled in nicely last season at 3^rd, but now there is another year on his glove and legs and he might not be as effective. The Loss of Former Aces Delgado and Takada might be more psychological than anything, but the starting rotation is still downgraded some by their veteran loss

VEGAS ODDS: 15-1

TEAM NY Bombers PAYROLL 71.4M

LAST YEARS RECORD: 93-69

KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED				SUBTRACTED
NAME	POS	AGE		NAME	POS	AGE
Philip Baxter	SP	36		Lyle Becker	SP	38
				Dennis Robinson	3B	31
				Benny Jimenez	2B	34
				R.A. Bellinger	RP	31
				Timothy Dye	2B	31
				Luis Mesa	2B	31

SUMMARY: The Loss of Becker has been greatly cushioned by the gain of Baxter. Baxter has been one of the premier pitchers in the League for a decade and looks to finish his career where he had his most success back in the Al North. New York's pitching is one of the best in the AL with 5 top class starts and a solid assortment of relievers. They will not be easy to score on when they get into their groove. The Offense is a good mix of fresh stars , 3B Mills, CF Tankersley, and RF Sheehan, and established stars LF Beltran, C Castillo, and1B Kelly.

HOLES TO ADDRESS: with 3 open roster spots, new York could further strengthen their bullpen by adding another quality arm and add an additional bat for the bench Prospect Pitcher Angel Beltre and RF Sergio Cuddyer will get an extended look this spring.

VEGAS ODDS: 6-1

TEAM Toledo Holy PAYROLL 45.8M

LAST YEARS RECORD: 69-93

KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED				SUBTRACTED
NAME	POS	AGE		NAME	POS	AGE
Emmanuel Nation	IF	25		John Denham	SS	33
Juan Palmeiro	RP	36		Peter Feng	2B	33
Dummy Hogan	2B	22		Eduardo Cordero	RP	29
Max Vargas	CF	22		Jin Jung	RP	34
Tony Campos	RF	29		Trevor Croushore	SP	27
Emil Rogers	RP	34		Louie Suarez	RP	39
Robert Sefcik	RP	32
Sherm Taylor	SP	31
Jose Mercedes	1B	31

SUMMARY: an ever evolving lineup. The offense has strengths with SS Espada and 3B Coleman. Dummy Hogan is a decent standby Leadoff guy with his speed and hitting, but the offense as a hole will sputter. Javier, Alexander and Taylor are a good core to the rotation, but there is drop off after them in the lineup. Newly Acquired relievers Sefcik, and Rogers should add some comfort to an overall weaker bullpen.

HOLES TO ADDRESS: The team is in such a state of flux it's hard to tell where they are going at times, strengthening the bullpen and adding a solid CF would be a start though?

VEGAS ODDS: 45-1