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

AL EAST SEASON 11 Preview

AL EAST

TEAM Burlington Ice Storm PAYROLL 77.0M
LAST YEARS RECORD: 57-105
KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED				SUBTRACTED
NAME	POS	AGE		NAME	POS	AGE
Raul Gutierrez	RF	29		Bono Crede	RF	31
Alan Nixon	SP	29		Alex McNamara	SP	36
Bump Ford	RP	29		Ismael Franco	RP	36
Jarrod Everett	SP	29		Gregg Henry	SP	30
Travis Hardtke	2B	25		Miguel Estrella	LF	32
Brian Mlicki	LF	28		Alfredo Padilla	SP	32
Farmer Drese	LF	28		Alex Gonzalez	RP	31
Rigo Granados	SP	31		Sid Stone	SP	31
Pepper McCall	RP	33		Charles Paquette	CF	31
Denny Graham	DH	25		Mike Hodges	2B	31
R.A. Bellinger	RP	31		Jung Sugawara	RP	31
Alex Lopez	3B	33		Lance Patterson	RP	34
Rolando Johnson	3B	22		Kenny Clinton	RP	31
Heath Alexander	RP	25		Kelvim Sellers	SP	31

SUMMARY: This is a totally remodeled team from 1 season ago when tragedy struck its long standing ownership. 18 new faces are in the program this year. . Defensively the unit is also solid, but offensively the new faces have overall strengthened the lineup. Steve Jenners could be looking at an all-star year with a few good bats around him. The Pitching is revamped; Neale is joined by solid starters Granados and Ford, With Everett and Ecklenstahler rounding out the rotation they should be better off than 1 year ago. The relief corp. is in place with 1^st year closer RA Bellinger at the hot spot where in the past he has had minimal success.

HOLES TO ADDRESS: the outfield is offensively weak and 1b could be upgraded in Free agency right now.

VEGAS ODDS: 45-1

TEAM Durham Bulls PAYROLL 71.9M

LAST YEARS RECORD: 54-108

KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED				SUBTRACTED
NAME	POS	AGE		NAME	POS	AGE
Al Borbon	RP	30		Roy Robinson	RP	28
Vladimir Almonte	RP	27		Diego Mieses	SP	32
				Pedro Ortiz	3B	34

SUMMARY: offensively this team has weapons, Tito Hume will hit has dingers, but also will strikeout 100+ times. 2B Calvo will steal 20 bases but only knock in 50 rbi. Defensively this team is where it needs to be to compete and be elite. The pitching will be the stumbling block. Starting pitching continues to be very hittable, but is improving each season. They are still as a whole the wildest staff in the league. expect a lot of walks. Losing Robinson and Mieses will sting this season. Closer Clarence
Adams will continue after taking on the closer role and filling in better than expected, but another arm in the pen would be welcome.

HOLES TO ADDRESS: CF is still an issue a defensively weak player needs to at least pull is weight on offense. Another starter would be helpful, but getting a top quality guy is going to be tough. The bullpen is missing a steady arm.

VEGAS ODDS: 90-1

TEAM Hartford Ascension PAYROLL: 17.7M
LAST YEARS RECORD: 65-97
KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED				SUBTRACTED
NAME	POS	AGE		NAME	POS	AGE
Alfredo Gardel	RP	29
				Leonardo Daniels	SP	30
				Bump Loiselle	SP	34
				Nolan Crummack	2B	26
				Leo Nielsen	RP	35
				Zoltan Eiland	LF	30
				Alex Kirby	RP	32

SUMMARY: SS Dennis Lockwood and Bart Hitchcock complement each other well, with solid hitters Marquis Ashley, and Speedster Matthew Hurst this team does have offensive tools, but still has a few offensive and defensive liabilities. The Pitching staff is not the worst in the division, but the Loss of Leonardo Daniels does set the team back some. Fryman, Brantley, and Becker are all middle of the rotation types.

HOLES TO ADDRESS: This team badly needs to complete the pitching staff. The Team has one of the worst bullpens in the league and this will need to be addressed with a few last minute free agents.

VEGAS ODDS: 90-1

Washington D.C. old school warriors PAYROLL 64.8M

LAST YEARS RECORD: 66-96

KEY ML TRANSACTIONS:

ADDED				SUBTRACTED
NAME	POS	AGE		NAME	POS	AGE
Douglas Ainsworth	1B	25		Will Crawford	RP	30
Rube Jefferson	RP	40		Peter Roberts	LF	33
David Parker	SP	35		Wendell Dickerson	RP	32
				Julian Canseco	2b	32
				Roberto Borges	C	34
				Vitas Burke	RP	43

SUMMARY: The Old Schoolers have 2 dominant style hitters in 3B Dude Reed and SS Craig Cooper, but have very few other proven hitters around them. RBIs could be far between. Trevor Jackson's speed should help to get a body in scoring position. Pitching Whoas will continue this season, Goldman will continue to get better, but still isn't quite the top line starter he has the potential to be. The Addition of David Parker will bridge the pitching holes, but outside of Shiel, Jackson and Parker, Washington will struggle on the mound. Ismael Lopez looks to get his first real shot as an everyday closer, but could lose the job to perennial closer Darryl Sexton. The rest of the bullpen could struggle with a group of has-beens and wash ups.

HOLES TO ADDRESS: Weak all around starting catcher, 1^st base and 2^nd base, pitching is developing blaring holes without much lost in free agency

VEGAS ODDS: 65-1

All Decade Teams

Wow, Guys it has been 10 seasons and I thought I would put together an all Decade team. Fair warning I based by picks on performance over 10 seasons. So players who played less than 10 seasons did get some what weighed down.

1ST TEAM

C Neil Fletcher 37 6 time all start and former league MVP. in his day he was the most dominant catcher in the league even now as a shadow of his former self he can burn you.

1B Diego Santiago 36 4 time all-star and he is represented in the top 50 in all offensive categories except 3B and SB. a Career .333 hitter.

2B Freddie Reynolds 28 The Most prolific power hitter in the game currently. He has oer 500 career dingers and is a 6 time all-star. This former MVP and gold glover has had 4 70+ homer seasons. and he's only just reaching his prime at 28.

3B Dude Reed 32 4 time all-star and a career .320 hitter. Dude has been the center all the the linups he has been in. He is top 50 career in all offensive categories except SB where he's only in the top 100.

SS Scott Biddle 33 2 time all-star, Injury troubles have shortened Biddle's career stats, but he still manages to rank among the top 50 in all offenisive categories except HR's where he's still rank 98th.

LF Vic Mullins 37 Probably the most dominant player of his day. 4 time MVP and 7 time all-star. Mullins is second in Career Homeruns and 1st in career RBIs with a ridiculous 1440 an average of 144 a season for those poor at math. Also has 4 70+ homerun seasons.

CF Don Perry 32 5 time all-star. To call him and his impact underrated is an understatement. he is top 50 in everything but SB and is a career .310 batter.

RF Casey Kaline 30 Former MVP and 4 time all-star. He is the career 2B, 3B, and Runs leader and is 2nd career SB. Top 50 across the boards makes his the 1st team selection and he was ROY in season 1.

DH Bill Darwin 34 3 time all-star. Darwin is a career .325 hitter who has never hit less than 20 bombs a season. his patience at the plate has earned him over 1000 walks in his career.

SP Timothy Garcia 37- Most dominant pitcher in league history. Career SO, Wins and ERA leader. 5 Cy Youngs 7 time all star and should have League MVP honors.

SP Philip Baxter 35 3 time Cy Young Winner and 8 time all-star. Baxter was the Premier pitcher in the AL for the 1st 9 years and is now enjoying sucess in the NL

SP Greg Arnold 32 Former ROY and 4 time all-star he has 2 20 game winning seaosn to his credit and a career ERA of 3.75.

RP Chris Sears 34 2 timefireman of the year award winner and 6 timeall star. Sears has notch no less than 8 saves in every season.

RP Jose Chavez 32 former fireman of the year and 6 time all-star, Chavez is 2nd in career saves with 290.


2ND TEAM

C Bill Hayes 34 3 50+ home run seasons, and a career .292 hitter Bill is top 50 in hits RBI, and Runs.

1B Roosevelt Hanson 30 former MVP and Gold GLover this 3 time all- star has been an elite force for any team he has played for. a top 50 hitter in all categories except SB. He is a welcome addition to any lineup.

2B Luis Amaral 34 6 time all star and 2 time gold glover. Amaral is top 50 in all statistical categories except Homeruns where he still ranks in the top 100.

3B George Harding 34 6 time all star 2 time gold glover. HArding apitimizes grit at the corner. He hait no less than 44 dingers his list 7 seasons in the majors.

SS Darwin Alexander 32 an unheralded SS in his day who never had 1 breakout season. But he was consistant at the plate and in the field where he ranks in the top 50 in Run, RBI, HR, and 2B.

LF Trenidad Beltran 34 3 time all star and the career hits leader for the majors. Beltran sports a lofty .355 career batting average.

CF Tsuyoshi Gonzalez 31 2 time gold glover whose consistansy has him ranked in the top 50 in every category but HR and SB.

RF Matt Shave 27 Youngest member of the all decade team, but he is here for good reason 3 time MVP and an all-star every season he has been in the league. Shave has 4 60+ HR seasons and is a 1st ballot HOF.

SP Gus Tabaka 38 5 time all-star and 2 time 20 game winner. most wins in the AL for the decade, he does sufer from Jack Morris's HOF issue. Is it the team that got all those wins or was it the pitcher.

SP Michael Foster 30 3 time all star and sports a career 3.42 ERA and a lifetime BAA of only .248

SP John Overbay 35 former 20 game winner and 3 time all star. Overbay had the bad luck of pitching most of his career in Coors Stadium. Still ranks near the top in wins for a career at 127.

RP Darryl Sexton 35- 6 time all-star and a former fireman of the year. Sexton has been a dominant force for 10 seasons averaging 50 appearances a year.

RP Jose Jose 31- 4 time all star . Jose has made a career of stabilizing bullpens.

Honorable Mention:

C Luis Belliard 35
1B Sean Fryman 33
Carl King 35
Brace Miller 33
2B Ozzie Watson 36
Harold Valdes 36
Vic Ramirez 33
3B Alex Lopez 32
Pedro Roque 31
Jullian Bonilla 32
SS Vinny Hernandez 29
Albert Frazier 26
LF Del Prieto 27
Hal Taylor 31
Marc Grilli 33
Thomas Campbell 29
CF Mateo Johnson 29
Brandon Slocumb 35
Brady Borders 36
RF Brad Sellers 36
Clarence McDowell 32
SP Louis Suarez 37
Louis Madina 36
SP Lyle Becker 36
Graham Green 32
SP Kiki Soto 31
Bob Hatteberg 31
RP Ellis Watson 29
RP Jeff McKnight 36