AL SOUTH/ AL WEST Season 11 PREVIEWS

AL SOUTH

TEAM Charlotte Winstons PAYROLL $85.9M
LAST YEARS RECORD: 78-84
KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED				SUBTRACTED
NAME	POS	AGE		NAME	POS	AGE
Spike Meusel	SS	24		Rogers Cox	SS	29
Esteban Morales	C	27		Carlos Torcato	RP	31
Hong-Jin Xaio	RP	27		Geraldo Soto	CF	30
Karl Fryman	RP	33		Ken Lidge	C	33
Tito Green	RP	36		Alvin Boudreau	1B	32
Bum Bryant	DH	24

SUMMARY: Tough season 10. The team performed well below their skills. 3 solid SS's cover for the lack of other positions on the depth chart. Offensively the team has 3 big bats in Chiasson, Syr and Jacquez. The catchers on the roster provide the offensive, but won't help the pitching staff at all. Starting Pitching is team strength; they are a well established rotation who will pitch tough innings. Chang will have endurance issues and won't complete many games. This staff should be lights out if the catchers hold up their end of the deal. The bullpen has veteran arms, but will be volatile at times, with newly acquired Fryman slated to close, they could have the next rollercoaster. Paul Bell, and Hong-Jin Xaio should hold their own and might get a shot at closing if Fryman falters. McKnight and Toca are both established relievers who are past their primes; their stamina will limit their effectiveness at this point in their careers.

HOLES TO ADDRESS: loss endurance guys in the Pen might wear on the staff late in the season, if the pitching staff has a few tough outing it could be costly. Overall though this is a good young unit and should compete

VEGAS ODDS: 15-1

TEAM Houston Colt .45's
PAYROLL $90.3M

LAST YEARS RECORD: 77-85

KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED				SUBTRACTED
NAME	POS	AGE		NAME	POS	AGE
Alex Delgado	SP	35		Ismael Ortiz	SP	35
Bobby Ray Clark	2B	22		Jimmie Valentin	RP	35
				Dave Washington	SS	31

SUMMARY: Defensively this team is above average. At the Plate Taylor has lost something on this swing, but he's still a great player. Along with Seth Rolle and Albert Frazier this should be the center of the lineup. With 3 all-star starting pitchers led by Ace Kiki Arroyo the rotation should hold their own. Delgado will be a marked upgrade over Ortiz in the rotation. Frias is a future all-star closer, not sure if he will be completely lights out this season, but he deserves his shot in the fire. The rest of the bullpen are able and should provide stability if they don't have to pitch on short rest. A couple long nights and this bullpen will be fried quickly.

HOLES TO ADDRESS: Overall the team is weak on the infield corners and at CF. The team has the offense to cover these shortcomings at the plate. An inning eating reliever would be a welcome addition.

VEGAS ODDS: 28-1

TEAM OC Chickens PAYROLL $77.3M

LAST YEARS RECORD: 113-49
KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED				SUBTRACTED
NAME	POS	AGE		NAME	POS	AGE
				Rafael Almanzar	RP	30
				Jeff Carson	3B	26

SUMMARY: The World Series champs lost very little from their championship team. Harry Vosberg was acatalyst last season and was resigned to provide his glove and bat to defend their title. The lineup up in Oklahoma is still the most established in the league with big bats surrounding Vosberg of Shave, Dubose, and Olson. Murderer's Row has been reborn. The pitching staff is anchored by Greg Arnold, but is an aging group who might not be as effective this season. The Bullpen is made up of 2 top notch guys in Closer Matthews and RP Mendoza.

HOLES TO ADDRESS: With 3 open roster spots the team is capable of giving RP Winston Ryan an extended look from the minors or looking. The chickens might be able to check the FA market to strengthen their bench and pen.

VEGAS ODDS: 5-2

TEAM Louisville Loud Mouths PAYROLL $71.5M
LAST YEARS RECORD: 80-82
KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED				SUBTRACTED
NAME	POS	AGE		NAME	POS	AGE
Bucky Anderson	SP	32		Bryan Stanley	RP	34
Russell Cook	SP	32		Trent Thompson	CF	33
Santos Amaral	RP	32		Glenallen Bell	SP	32
Fausto Guzman	3B	28
Mark Swift	SP	37
Adam Quinn	RP	28

SUMMARY: Freddie Reynolds was the center piece to a surprising St. Louis team. Now the team is under new management and looks to build on its revival. RF
Louie Rosario has all=star potential, but is coming off a sub-par rookie season. Guzman is trying to revitalize his career with a fresh start in
Louisville. Garza defensively is fine at SS. The starting pitching is above average and improving. They should hold their own this season. Closer Feliz is dominant

HOLES TO ADDRESS: Guzman is capable at 3B, but will not provide a consistent performance. Dee Prince at 1B is still below average at the plate.

VEGAS ODDS: 19-1

AL WEST

TEAM San Francisco Hitch Hikers PAYROLL $99.5M

LAST YEARS RECORD: 63-99

KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED				SUBTRACTED
NAME	POS	AGE		NAME	POS	AGE
Pedro Rodriguez	RF	28		Edgar Morales	SP	29
Achilles Hayes	RF	34		Bo Adams	RP	33
J.T. Griffiths	RP	24		Dean O'Brien	3B	31
Orber Park	SP	22		Chad Gray	RF	29
Andy Washington	SP	30		Keith McCall	3B	29
Fred Taylor	RP	22		Jack Serafini	LF	32
Harry Lopez	RP	24		Clay Ludwick	1B	35
Edgardo Almanzar	2B	27		Steve Smart	SS	30
Michael Ramirez	LF	26		Johnny Van Hatten	3B	31
Shea Harper	RP	24		Sean Washington	SP	33
				Heath Gibson	LF	32
				Jung-Lee Kojima	RP	35
				Garret Blackley	RP	33

SUMMARY: Shed some age again. The Team also added a proven hitter in 2B Almanzar. Ramirez should be given plenty of chances to become a solid Ml'er here. As a whole this team has upgraded from last season, but will still struggle at times CF Jim Walker is fast, but strikes out more than his share. The pitching is improving, Andy Washington is a big upgrade over Sean Washington, but Punto is a huge defensive liability at Short. SF will miss Smarts superior defense this season.

HOLES TO ADDRESS: The offense is starting to fill in, but this team is old for its record and payroll. The hitchhiker's pitching has a good start, but needs a few more quality arms. The AAA is still barren, so free agency might be the only answer.

VEGAS ODDS: 100-1

TEAM KC McCoys PAYROLL $88.4M

LAST YEARS RECORD: 91-71

KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED				SUBTRACTED
NAME	POS	AGE		NAME	POS	AGE
Alfredo Velazquez	SP	24		Willie Watkins	RP	29
Hipolito Olmedo	RP	26		Morgan Lambert	LF	30
Dustin Eischen	RP	24		Jerry Martin	2B	35
Grant Febles	RP	27		Mark Swift	SP	37
Dennis Gilbert	3B	31		Lariel Almanza	C	37
Bono Crede	RF	31		B.C. Ozuna	SP	38
Phil Tabaka	C	29		Raul Ibarra	RP	38
				Tito Owens	3B	31

SUMMARY: With Ozuna, Ibarra and Swift went the pitching staff's average age drop by 10 years without losing much effectiveness. The Additions of Gilbert and Crede are big upgrades for the offense. Seanez should love having Gilbert set the table for him. The offense still has holes in the lineup at Catcher, but both catchers are here for their defense and the way they handle the pitching staff.

HOLES TO ADDRESS: One solid hitting catcher and the team are complete. Harding is still effective, but probably no longer a full season type guy or even an everyday guy.

VEGAS ODDS: 12-1

TEAM LAS VEGAS GAMBLE PAYROLL $83.1M

LAST YEARS RECORD: 92-70

KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED				SUBTRACTED
NAME	POS	AGE		NAME	POS	AGE
Doug Elarton	RP	26		Herbert Liverman	LF	31
Fritz Lowe	SS	29		Pete Barnes	SS	32
Cesar Lugo	SS	30		Bump Ford	RP	29
Davey Mora	RP	32		Rafael James	1B	34
				Hector Almanza	SP	31
				Arlie Pettyjohn	SP	30
				James Allensworth	RP	33
				Fred Lundquist	SP	31

SUMMARY: The Gamble was the surprise team last season. Compiling 90 wins an almost 30 game improvement. It's even more remarkable when you consider Star player Prieto was injured part of the season. The Addition of Fritz Lowe adds a sure defender at short. Prokopec is set to steal another 100 bases this season. Osuna returns for his 2^nd season as the teams closer and should hold his own again. Luis Carraco is also there in case of problems.

HOLES TO ADDRESS: Starting pitching is just average to slightly below. If they could land an ace this team is a sure playoff contender. The farm does have some pitching help on the horizon, but is it ready?

VEGAS ODDS: 15-1

TEAM Wichita Sizzlers
PAYROLL $82.3M
LAST YEARS RECORD: 115-47
KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED				SUBTRACTED
NAME	POS	AGE		NAME	POS	AGE
Pedro Espinosa	SP	29		Carlos Feliz	3B	26
Jimmie Valentin	RP	32		Charlie West	RP	26
Steve Smart	SS	30		Edgardo Vazquez	RP	31
				Clarence McDowell	LF	33
				Greg Long	SS	34
				Fritz Lowe	SS	29
				Edgardo Almanzar	2B	27

SUMMARY: Last season this was the team to beat in the AL and they were beat. A major shakeup occurred and here we are. Gone are established stars Feliz, McDowell, Long, Lowe and Almanzar. In their place comes Steve Smart. Offensively this team does not have the fire power it once had and it might take the team some time or plays to develop, unlike last season where lightning could strike at anytime. The starting pitching is older and better. They are still the best in the AL. The Bullpen still could be the Achille's Heel of the team. This could be a down year in Wichita.

HOLES TO ADDRESS: The biggest issue for the team will be in middle relief getting from the starters to Matthews is still going to be a challenge. Valentin is basically taking the place of 2 lost arms. I'm not sure he's up for the challenge.

VEGAS ODDS: 14-1