MVP Dark Horse: Dewayne Thompson (MIL)
Cy Young Favorites: Lonny Sanchez (MIL), Ramon Yamamoto (PIT), Carter Maybin (CHI)
Cy Young Dark Horse: Harold Paquette (LA)
Roy Favorites: Ted Westmoreland (RIC), Randall Bryant (CLE), Karim Oliva (VAN)
Roy Dark Horse: Dicky Barkley (VAN)
Projected Division Winners:
AL North: Milwaukee Titans
Season 14: 102-60
Season 15(proj): 104-58
Acquisitions: RP Charlie Gonzalez (acquired from MEM), Dewayne Thompson (acquired from CHA), CF Sherman Smith (acquired from PIT), SP Joaquin Padilla (acquired from PIT), 3B Pedro Navarro (free agent signing)
Departures: SP Dan Sanford (traded to MEM), SP Carlos Ordonez (traded to CHA), 3B Carson Prince (traded to PIT), RF Trent Bird (free agent to HON)
Milwaukee was fairly active this off season, trying to improve upon a squad that was already one of the best in the league. The core of the team remained intact. The Titans still have one of the deepest starting rotations in the league, led by SP Lonny Sanchez. The pitching staff remains mostly intact except for the addition SP Joaquin Padilla. Most of the change came in the field. Pedro Navarro was signed to give the team depth. Veteran Gold Glove CF Sherman Smith also came over from rival Pittsburgh to solidify the biggest area of need for Milwaukee last season, center field. There have also been some changes with incumbent players. Since the team lacks a prototypical shortstop, management has decided to have Toby Barry move from SS to 3B (to replace the departed Prince), while Alberto Lima moves from 3B to SS. Barry will be a fine fielding 3B, but Lima's prowess up the middle will certainly tax his fielding skills. Lima has the arm, and his glove should be adequate, but he probably won't get to as many balls as they would like him to. Sanchez's bat should make up for his defensive liabilities though. The other major acquisition for the Titans was LF Dewayne Thompson from Charlotte. Relying on Thompson will be a huge gamble though. When he is on the field, Thompson is one of the most prolific power hitters in the game. His problem has always been staying on the field. He has been plagued by injuries, both major and minor, throughout his career. The most serious of which he is just recovering from. He had a hamstring tear that cost him the entirety of Season 14. If he can stay healthy, he may be the best acquisition of the off season.
AL East: Pittsburgh Polar Bears
Season 14: 104-58
Season 15(proj): 105-57
Acquisitions: 3B Carson Prince (acquired from MIL), RP Happy Hartman (acquired from HEL), RF Eugenio Estrella (acquired from SAL)
Departures: CF Sherman Smith (traded to MIL), SP Joaquin Padilla (traded to MIL), RP Russell Branson (traded to HEL), RF Bernie Pineda (traded to SAL), SP Denny Owen (traded to SAL)
Although the Polar Bears won the division title and had at least 100 wins for the ninth straight season, the fans and organization were very unhappy with how the season ended. For only the second time in the last seven seasons, the Polar Bears didn't make it to at least the NLCS. To add insult to injury, they were eliminated by their divisional rival, the Chicago Gray Stockings. During the offseason, they clearly targeted upgrading the offense. 3B Carson Prince was acquired from Milwaukee to upgrade 3B. And late in the off season, the Polar Bears pulled off a coup to land multiple time All Star and former AL MVP RF Eugenio Estrella. These moves definitely upgraded the lineup and fielding, but came at the sacrifice of the pitching. The starting rotation is not as deep as the fans are accustomed to with departure of Padilla and Owen. As long as the team still has their Big Three of SP Ramon Yamamoto, SP Jimmie Brownson and SP Benji Armas, they will have one of the top rotations in the league. Those three guys aren't getting any younger though, and their window together will soon start to close. The bullpen is pretty average, but with the strength of the starting rotation, this shouldn't be too much of a problem.The defense should also be amongst the top in the league, which will help the bullpen. The team boasts the reigning NL Gold Glove SS in Stewart Corbin and new 3B Carson Prince is also above average defensively. Departed CF Sherman Smith was a very good defensive CF, winning multiple Gold Gloves. Replacing him will be rookie CF Del Chen. Chen won't provide the offense that Smith did, but he should be just as good defensively (he won a Gold Glove CF in the minors) and will be one of the top base stealers in the league. Pittsburgh should be more balanced this season, and one of the favorites to come out of the NL.
NL South: Richmond Rebellion
Season 15(proj): 92-70
Acquisitions: SP Julian Castillo (free agent signing), IF Ernest Strickland (free agent signing)
Departures: SP Phillip Hill (free agent to CLE), RF Phil Brinson (free agent to CHI), RP Happy Hartman (free agent to HEL), 1B Humberto Javier (free agent to MEM), 1B/LF Maicer Almanza (traded to NOR), RP Ken Balfor (free agent to SAL), COF Mark Strickland (free agent to HON)
Over the last two seasons, the Rebellion have elevated themselves from a middle-of-the-pack team to a perennial playoff team in the NL. The team is now poised to take the next step to pennant contender. Normally, when a team loses seven veteran players off of the big league roster, it will take a step backwards in the standings. That won't be the case in Richmond. While those veterans were all nice players, simply letting them walk away was a very smart move by the front office. It accomplished three things. First, it freed up plenty of salary space to allow for two major signings. Second, the team has now stockpiled six Type B comp picks for the upcoming Amateur Draft. Richmond has a very good scouting department, especially in the college ranks, and this years draft should provide some very good pieces for their farm system. Third, the departing veterans cleared the way for some young players to make their debut at the big league level. There are a number of solid players that are in the Rebellion minor league system that are on the verge of making that leap to the Show. Rico Duran is close to being ML ready. Although he has been playing 2B in the minors, its become clear that he simply doesn't have the glove work to play that spot at the big league level and will have to move to another position, probably left field. SP Otis Beimel and SP Sandy Carver are also both on the verge of starting their big league careers as well. All three of these could be called up this season in response to a major injury, but the word out of the front office is that they would like them to get one or two more seasons down on the farm before getting called up. This season, there are two rookies that will play a major role in the Rebellions quest for their third consecutive divisional title. 1B Harold Lampkin will be called upon to be the regular starter at 1B. Lampkin is a durable player, who should need little rest and is solid enough with the glove. He will be an above average hitter, who has good plate discipline and above average power. He will be a very good #5 or #6 type hitter. The bigger impact this season will be Season 11's first overall draft pick, LF Ted Westmoreland. He is the complete hitter, and possesses prodigious power. He hit at least 45 home runs in each of his last three seasons in the minors. By the end of this season, he will probably be the best hitter on his own team and one of the top hitters in the NL. To help mentor the young stars and take this team to the next level, the team made two big free agent splashes. Ernest Strickland will be the regular starter at 3B moving young star Justin Kingland to 2B. The Rebellion really opened up the vault for veteran starter and future HOFer Julian Castillo. The 37-year old just inked a 3 year deal worth $37.5M. While Castillo is starting to show signs of his age, he is still an All Star caliber pitcher who will provide and Ace presence at the top of the rotation. The Rebellion are on the verge of breaking into the elite class of teams in the National League.
NL West: Los Angeles Sharks
Season 14: 84-74
Season 15(proj): 86-72
Acquisitions: none
Departures: RF Moises Wilfredo (free agent to HEL)
The Los Angeles Sharks have owned the NL West for the last eight seasons. The Sharks have always fielded one of the top pitching staffs in the league, and were a team that was a tough out in the post season. This year may be the last one for the Sharks at the top of the division. The Sharks still have one of the most potent tandems at the top of their rotation with SP Harold Paquette and SP Esteban Hernandez. Management made a strong run at SP Julian Castillo as well, but were unable to convince the veteran to sign with them instead of Richmond. The Sharks have a solid veteran laden team. But many of the key veterans upon which the foundation of the team is built are beginning to show their age and have their skills erode. C Tony Colome, 1B Rico Melendez, 2B Max Carrasco and LF Felix Wagner are all very good veteran players who will have to have their playing time carefully monitored to maximize their production while minimizing their injury risk. This presents much more of an issue for the marathon regular season. If this team gets into the playoffs, it won't be an issue. Assuming the key players stay healthy, this team is the kind of team that could get hot and make a deep playoff run. But the clock is ticking on the Sharks.
Wild Card: Chicago Gray Stockings
Season 14: 97-65
Season 15(proj): 99-63
Acquisitions: RP Johnny James (free agent signing), SP Lonnie Bard (free agent signing), RF Phil Brinson (free agent signing), 3B Boots Knotts (acquired from SAL), COF David Cedeno (acquired from OAK), SP Pedro Marquez (acquired from OAK), SP Pedro Franco (acquired from OAK)
Departures: SP Willis Bottenfield (traded to SAL), RF Fonzie Buehrle (traded to OAK), 3B Yusmeiro Martin (traded to OAK), SP Jesus Palacios (traded to OAK), SP Greg Maranville (free agent to SCO), Heath Hewitt (free agent to NOR)
The Gray Stockings are coming off of the best season in franchise history. They managed to exercise some of their demons with their long rivalry with the Pittsburgh Polar Bears. Although the Gray Sox are still looking for their first divisional championship, they won their first NL Pennant last season. They did so by sweeping the Polar Bears in the NLDS. This season the goal is, of course, to take that last step and raise a championship banner in the South Side. The goal during the off season was to get younger. The team has always boasted one of the top pitching staffs in the league, but ace pitcher and future HOFer SP Julio Telemaco just isn't the pitcher he used to be. While still a solid piece, he just isn't capable of being the center piece of a pitching staff anymore. The Gray Stockings were very happy with their off season, and felt like they accomplished their goal of improving the team while also making the roster younger. The major pieces that were acquired were LF David Cedeno who is 24 replaced the 30-year old Fonzie Buehrle and SP Pedro Franco, 25, replacing the the 33 year old Jesus Palacios. Phil Brinson was added for some depth off of the bench. With the key players from last year still in place, and a fresh infusion of youth, the Gray Stockings are poised to successfully defend their NL Pennant.
Wild Card: Cleveland Lake Shores
Season 15(proj): 88-74
Acquisitions: CF Fernando Rivera (acquired from HON), SP Philip Hill (free agent signing)
Departures: SP Leo Nady (traded to HON), SP Jeremi Wainhouse (free agent to NO)
The Cleveland Lake Shores have established themselves as players in the National League. The team enjoyed its best season since its move to Cleveland. The Lake Shores upset the favored Milwaukee Titans in the NLDS. The trip to the NLCS was a pleasant surprise for fans and the city of Cleveland fully embraced their magical playoff run. They were eliminated by division rival Chicago in a thrilling seven game series. Now the Lake Shores will try to catch lightning in a bottle twice, this time taking it all the way to the Fall Classic. This year's Lake Shores will be upgraded in the field. Fernando Rivera was acquired from Honolulu to man center field. He is only an average hitter, but he is a stud defensively and very fast. He is also very durable and shouldn't need to be spelled in the field much. Also new in the field this season will be rookie LF Randall Bryant. Bryant is a very fast, defensive left fielder who is also an above average hitter. He doesn't have huge power, but he has plus power, a good batting eye and a very professional approach at the plate. Bryant will be a very nice addition to a lineup that already boasts All Stars C Matt Wolf, 1B Oswaldo Canseco and 3B Glen 'Super Mario' Dawkins. The pitching for Cleveland is solid, but long in the tooth. SP Arlie Kingland, 35, SP Philip Hill, 35, and SP Sammy Dali, 36, will all be relied upon for heavy innings. The Lake Shores, playing in the toughest division in the NL, will probably have to rely upon the Wild Card to get into the playoffs. There are a number of NL teams that will be in that race too. Hopefully, the veteran laden pitching staff will be fresh enough after a grueling Wild Card race to continue to pitch well against the elite NL teams in the playoffs.
Teams to Watch:
Helena Bighorns
Season 15(proj): 84-78
Acquisitions: RF Moises Wilfredo (free agent signing), RP Vince Moore (free agent signing), RP Russell Branson (acquired from PIT), Craig Figeroa (aquired from BAL)
Departures: RP Johnny James (free agent to CHI), RP Happy Hartman (traded to PIT), SP Wesley Washington (traded to BAL)
The Helena Bighorns were the surprise team of Season 14. They finsihed 3rd in the Wild Card race, only missing the playoffs by a few games. This offseason, the Bighorns were clearly targeting improvment in the bullpen, adding 3 new relief pitchers. They also made a pretty big splash with the signing of veteran RF Mosises Wilfredo. Wilfredo should enjoy the friendlier ballpark in Helena, instead of the pitcher's haven of Dodgers Stadium. Most of the other changes to the roster have been minor ones. With nearly the same team as last season, the Bighorns should expect similiar success. The major difference will be that this season the Bighorns probably won't be sneaking up on many teams. The Bighorns should be in the mix for a Wild Card berth right up until the final days of the season.
Vancouver Tragedy Twins
Season 14: 75-87
Season 15 (proj): 83-79
Acquisitions: 3B Rolando Alomar (free agent signing), 3B Hong-Chih Cheng (free agent signing)
Departures: CF Emil Miller (free agent to ATL)
The Tragedy Twins have been in rebuild mode for a number of seasons. The fruits of that rebuilding labor are on the verge of paying off. While they are probably still one season or so away from making the playoffs, they may be capable of surprising the league by making some noise this season. The squad is young and developing and will only get better over the coming seasons. A number of rookies will be asked to make major contributions towards Vancouver's success this season. LF Raul Martin will provide speed and defense in the outfield, and should be able to provide some offensive production as well. 1B Karim Oliva has displayed prodigious power and an uncanny eye for the strike zone in the minors. Oliva some times has problems following the breaking ball, or holding up on off-speed pitches however. If he solves those problems, he will be a very potent force at the plate. Expect Oliva to have a couple of 50+ home run seasons over the course of his career. SP Johnnie Lukasiewicz will be asked to anchor a spot at the bottom of the Twin's pitching rotation as will SP Sean Trachsel. The player the team is most excited about is SP Dickey Barkley. Barkley might be the most highly decorated minor league pitcher in the history of the SPL. In his five season MILB career (one season at each level) the former South Carolina State Bulldog has won 4 Rookie of the Year Awards, 4 Cy Young Awards and been named to 5 All Star teams. With all of that hardware and a career 97-13 MILB record and a 2.24 ERA to go with it, Barkley has more than proven he is ready for the big time. Now, not only will he have to prove that he belongs in the Majors, but he will be asked to pair up with team mate SP Benny Bonilla and anchor the top of the team's rotation. This team will be solid and should be in both the divisional race and the Wild Card hunt as well. And as solid as they'll be this season, they will only be getting better in the seasons to come. Not only will their current crop of young players continue to develop and gain experience, but there are still a number of highly touted prospects in the minors that will be getting their call in the coming seasons. Included among these prospects are players like 3B Richard Granderson and IF JJ Haley. Good things are in store for the Tragedy Twins in the comings seasons. And as the Sharks team gets older and may begin to loosen their strangle hold on the division, Vancouver may be ready and poised to assume the mantle of NL West champion.
On the Rise
San Diego Wiley Coyotes
Season 15(proj): 64-98
Acquisitions: RF Logan Hollingsworth (acquired from CHA), CF Dan Stein (free agent signing)
Departures: C Osvaldo Carreras (traded to CHA), RP Thomas Engle (traded to CHA)
As have most of the teams in the NL West, the Wiley Coyotes have been mired in a perennial rebuild. Since the move to San Diego, the front office has been very patient. They have kept the payroll very low and quietly amassed one of the most talented farm systems in the SPL. Although many of those prospects appear to be ML ready now, management is determined not to rush their development. Still, this off season's acquisition of Logan Hollingsworth and the huge 3-year, $52M contract given to Dan Stein send a clear message to the rest of the league. That message is: Get ready. This year's rookie is SS Desi Limon. The cannon armed infielder is only the opening salvo of what will be a wave of talented rookies that will start to make their living in the confines of Petco Park. Next year's salvo should include the COF duo of Darwin Crawford and Jeremi Henry, as well as SP Pepe Sosa. Sosa in particular is what many fans have been waiting to see, and the front office has seemed immune to their pressure to bring him up right away to help the big league squad. Sosa was signed as an international free agent during Season 13 for a whopping $33M. Most experts think the princely sum was well worth it however. He may be the most talented international player the league has seen in ten years. This San Diego squad is certainly not ready yet, but it will be very soon.
