A L NORTH SEASON 17 PREVIEW

Fargo Prairie Dogs (AL) aaronwayne View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:101-61

LAST YEARS PREDICTION:90-72  This team lost a couple superstars in Nunnally and Holder . But heres the question ...Is Ordonez worth 20 mil...Time will tell. Don't bet against the P Dogs they should contend for the division again.

OUT: Bryan Buckley , Brandon Thomson , Fernando Urbina , Javier Manzanillo , Freddie Mohr

IN:  Phil Satou , Vic Bellhorn , Ryne Bryant , Joel Crane

PREVIEW: It looks like Ordonez was worth every penny. And the P-dogs won this division running away. They were 24 games up on the second place Chicago at seasons end. Then in the playoffs the P-Dogs were swept by the A L champs. In the offseason Aaronwayne let Buckley and Thomson go to free agency. Then he traded away Urbina and Manzanillo and waived Mohr. Aaron signed free agents Satou, Bellhorn,Bryant and Crane to fill the holes.The P-dogs were 3rd overall in batting average last season and they were the second best defensive squad. So I'm not suprised that they went after pitching in the offseason.Look for Aarons P-Dogs to take the division again. And perhaps the pitching will help in the post season.PREDICTION:96-66

Chicago Black Sox (AL) Dullaghan View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:77-85

LAST YEARS PREDICTION:65-97  It looks like Dullaghan is starting to mold this team his way. With a few more free agents than last year they will improve. But not a 500 team yet.Oh and they have the #1 overall pick this year!!

OUT: Christopher Locke , Jimmie Nieves

IN:  Wandy Matos , Juan Guerrero , Ollie Greenwood , Dom Woods , Max Cubillan , Will Bradshaw , Matt Milligan , Rafael Sanchez

PREVIEW: The Black Sox finished above my prediction. That could mean they are ready to contend soon. Dullaghan did Pick up #1 pick Rich Piper and filled the farm with IFA's. So with the future looking bright and the #15 pick in the draft(Big Improvement). Dullaghan first let Locke and Nieves file for free agency. Then he spent 24 million on Matos and Guerrero. He promoted #1 pick overall Greenwood, Wood and Cubillan.Finally he picked up R-5 players Bradshaw, Milligan and Sanchez.This team is new and improved with Free agents and youngsters from the farm. Sprinkled with a few R-5 cast offs. They may be ready for primetime.And while the youngsters will add more pop to the lineup. They still need more cooking before they are able to field their positions(Greenwood). So this team will only reach about.500 due to the lack of a great defensive CF'er. PREDICTION:85-77

Minnesota Misfits (AL) pbsilver11 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:68-94

LAST YEARS PREDICTION:90-72 Though this team is better they finshed just short of making the post season. With the core of this team intact and with the nice additions. The rest of the league should lookout for the Misfits. They will battle for the Division this year.

OUT: Billy Savage , Joseph Maeda , Harry Paz, Vicente Rodriguez

IN: Raul Castillo

PREVIEW: The Misfits pulled the plug around last years Amatuer draft. So its not suprising they finished way below my prediction. First he let Savage, Maeda, Paz and Rodriguez go to free agency. Then he signed free agent Castillo. Like I said ,Pbsilver traded for several youngsters last year . And some were put in the bigs right away (Willie Alonso,Thom Gates). And he also promoted Jon Edwards early last year.So its hard to tell how this young team will fare. My magic 8 ball said "Decidedly So" PREDICTION:83-79

Montreal Rois (AL) kumbiakings View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:65-97

LAST YEARS PREDICTION:72-90  Unlike last season I have a clear picture of this team. The Rios aren't going to wow anyone. They are in the 4th year of a rebuild and with a 40 million dollar payroll . They will be adding IFA's and Draft prospects to the Minors. Perhaps next year they will make a move for the division??

OUT: Vince Tipton , David Nunez , Paul Ryan , Jacque Li , Charles Fox , Geronimo Candelaria , Francisco Sanchez , Lance Jeffcoat , Ebenezer Daniels , Vance Schilling , Juan Guerrero

IN: Dennys Webster , Danny Hidalgo , Mario Hunter , Ronnie Bradley , Ross Bush , Vic Meadows , Juan Mujica , Cory LaRocca

PREVIEW: The Rios finished about were I predicted. And they did pick up tons of draft prospects. While Kumbia will not have as many draft picks this year he will be shopping in the IFA market. In the offseason Kumbia let Tipton,Nunez,Ryan,Li,Fox and Candelaria go to free agency.He then released Sanchez,Jeffcoat,Daniels,Schilling and Guerrero. With the entire team to fill. Kumbia claimed Webster and Hidalgo and signed free agents Hunter,Bradley and Bush. Then he promoted Meadows,Mujica and LaRocca. Looks like another Good draft pick for next year. Meanwhile Kumbia will pick up prospects. PREDICTION:70-92

A L EAST SEASON 17 PREVIEW

Louisville Howlers (AL) jmuhtoff View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:92-70

LAST YEARS PREDICTION:84-78  Jmuhtoff moved his team from Cincy to Louisville thinking that Slugger Field fit his squad better.Perhaps Louisville will be kinder to Jmuhtoffs club . But with the pickup of some superstars in a trade , will definatly help.

OUT: Tracy Gardner , Harry Pena , Tyrone Beck , Vic Velazquez , R.A. Ward , Raul Veras

IN: Freddie Mohr , Kevin Holmes , Stuart Mench , Tomas Cruz , Billy Tenbrink , Philip Schultz

PREVIEW: The Howlers have blossomed in Slugger Field. They bested my predicition by 8 games and won the division. But in the post season they were ousted in the first round by the A L Champs. Bad luck for Jmuhtoff. In the offseason he let Gardner,Pena,Beck,Velazquez,Ward and Veras go to free agency. To fill the holes of the departed Jmuhtoff claimed Mohr,Holmes and Mench off the waiver wire.Then he signed free agents Cruz, Tenbrink and Schultz. It's very unusual to fill your holes with waiver wire pickups. But these 3 wire players are decent players and Jmuhtoff didn't have to give up anything but salary to sign them. So cudos to him! One thing for sure the Howlers have plenty of Power bats now. And with some bullpen help they will try and outscore everyone. They should battle for the division.PREDICTION:90-72

Boston Knights (AL) avantrael View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:91-71

LAST YEARS PREDICTION:88-74  Boston has almost 30 million in cap space to wheel and deal this year. This makes predictions a little tough but they made the playoffs the last 2 years ....so i'll have to bet they will this year .

OUT: Henry Wells , Jesse Buhner , Yorvit Nunez , Glen Marte , Philip Schultz

IN: Tomas Alvarez , Shawn Terry , Bernard Wilson , Jimmie Nieves

PREVIEW: Avantrael and his Knights had a great year. But they missed the playoffs with 91 games. Its frustrating after making it last year with only 88 wins.I've been there! So the Boston Nocturnals went gently into that good night of the offseason. And let Wells,Buhner,Nunez, Marte and Schultz go to free agency. Then they signed free agents Alvarez, Terry,Wilson and Nieves to plug the gaps. Boston always hits for a high average, steals bases and plays good D. But their starting rotation can be eratic at times. So with the addition of a trio of pitchers it looks like Avantrael is trying to fix that. This team should fight for the division and may get a wild card if they fall short.PREDICTION:90-72

Pittsburgh Pirates (AL) ardthomp View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:70-92

LAST YEARS PREDICTION:81-81  Ardthomp moved his team to thier new HQ in Pittsburgh ,complete with a cement pond. Now that the Injuns morphed into Pirates they will be raping ,pillaging and plundering in the offseason. Basically what they did as Injuns!Not sure if this team will win now that they're in Pittsburgh. They will have to show me something before I jump on the Ship!!

OUT: Al Harding , Sammy Estrada , Enrique Cordero , Mario Hunter , Ed Norman , Charles Ramsey , Corey O'Brien , Albert Coleridge

IN: Cesar Gonzales , Carlos Gomez , Brent Ganzel , Milt Knepper , Clark Bierbrodt , Dean Matusz , Adrian James , Esmerling Suarez , Don Hyzdu

ARDTHOMP'S PREVIEW: The Pirates didn't have much in the way of ML pitching coming back, so they decided to bring up some youth. This could backfire in a big way or it could be a pleasant surprise.
The Pirates also decided to bring up Carlos Gomez to play Right Field this season. Don Hyzdu was brought in via a trade to help add some power to the lineup.

PREVIEW: The Pirates scuttled the ship on a reef early in the season.And Ardthomps buccaneers finished 11 games below .500. So it looks like there will be some players walking the plank if they dont shape up. First Ardthomp resigned Hugh Wells and Lloyd Marshall .Then he let Harding,Estrada, Cordero,Hunter,Norman and Ramsey file for free agency.Finally he traded away O'Brien and Coleridge. Then with many holes to fill Ardthomp Signed free agent Gonzales and promoted Gomez,Ganzel,Knepper,Bierbrodt,Matusz and James.And finally he traded for Suarez and Hyzdu . The Pirates completely revamped this team from the farm system and sprinkled in a couple of players here and there. Youth is great but they are unpredictable in the Bigs. Right now its hard to tell how this team will do.PREDICTION: 81-81 with O/U of 12

Hartford Crushers (AL) ARomano View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:33-129

LAST YEARS PREDICTION:90-72  The Crushers finished pretty close to my prediction. And they won this division in spite of my Chicken bones. In the playoffs they went all the way to the LCS losing in 6 to a Good Charleston team.The main core of this good team is still in tact. But Crushers play in one of the toughest divisions in Wrigleyville so its not a lock that they win the Pennant.

OUT: Jay Glanville , Deivi Tavarez , Enrique Mangual , Santos Mercado

IN: Ed Norman , Rico Mateo , Michael Henry , Louie Rodriguez

PREVIEW: What we have here is a good owner going on vacation. I understand!! I need a break from the make-believe world occasionally. Especially when I get outbid on a tasty IFA. The Crushers and ARomano are no way this bad so they should rebound in the offseason. ARomano let Glanville,Tavarez,Mangual and Mercado flee to free agency.Then he signed free agents Norman and Mateo and promoted Henry and Rodriguez. If ARomano goes on vacation this team will finish at the bottom. but if he sticks around they will finish about .500. PREDICTION: 81-81

A L SOUTH SEASON 17 PREVIEW

Memphis Blues (AL) tchagnon View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:96-66

LAST YEARS PREDICTION:88-74  With a payroll of 106 million the Blues are High on Big Time free Agents. With the departure of aging stars the Blues should end up on a High Note.

OUT: Terry Lewis , Herman White

IN: Ivan Gimenez

PREVIEW: The Blues were a singing all the way to a division championship. But they were silenced in the first round of the playoffs by a tough Scottsdale team. That made Tchagnon real sad and he went into the offseason looking for some harmony. First Tchagnon resigned Edgard Torres and let Lewis and White head to free agency. With only one hole to fill he promoted Gimenez to the bigs. This is the same team but with more experience. They still are the favorites to win this division and maybe they can go further in the post season.PREDICTION:92-70

Charleston Tobacco Farmers (AL) nwsheehy007 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:92-70

LAST YEARS PREDICTION:100-62  With 2 American League Pennants in 3 years. You can never count out the Power of the Tabaky!! With the call up of some young studs this team is as good or better than last years.

OUT: Brent Reuschel , Al Hackman , Al Astacio , Alfredo Stull , Mel Bennett

IN: Herman White , Enrique Mangual , Emmanuel Caseres , Carlos Velazquez

NWSHEEHY'S PREVIEW: My self-evaluation of the Tobacco Farmers is a touch pesssimistic. We are the same team, just a little older. I reserved 27 million to play the FA game,and did not get the SP1 and the RF I wanted. I compromised with Mangual (SP) and Caseres (RF). I do have a young Catcher in the wings ready to be the catalyst (much like Buster Posey in the Giants's magical run two years ago).My strength is definately hitting with Sanches, Coleman, Serrano in the middle of the lineup.

PREVIEW: After winning the division last season I thought the Tabaky Farmers added more youth to the lineup. But maybe I was optomistic in my thinking that the youngsters could hit the ground running. But they still had a decent year by any standards. In the offseason Nwsheehy resigned William Tabaka and let Ruechel, Hackman,Astacio and Stull go to free agency. Then he released Bennett outright. With some gaps to plug the Tabaky farmers signed free agents White, Mangual and Caseras and picked up Velazquez in the R-5 draft. Like I said above "you can never count out the Power of the Tabacky". Thats their game ,Power Baseball. With the addition of some good pitching this team may be in the postseason. Regardless the hitting will be there and I think they will at least vie for a wild card berth.PREDICTION:90-72

Nashville Posse (AL) illicit View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:68-94

LAST YEARS PREDICTION:81-81   Looks like the same for these High-priced under achievers. But who knows in this game?? They may take exception to this preview and start playing like thier paychecks.

OUT: Mack Manning , Roberto Cedeno , Mo Huff , Peter Meng , Jared Hermansen

IN: Julio Fernandez , George Cordova , Bryan Buckley , Jesse Buhner , Miguel Baez

PREVIEW: The Posse Still are overpaid for their play. But they did improve by 3 games.So in the offseason, Illicit will look to jettison some slackers. And he cleared up 23 million by letting Manning, Cedeno, Huff,Meng and Hemansen go to free agency. With a pocket full of cash Illicit signed free agents Fernandez, Cordova, Buckley, Buhner and promoted Baez. The posse are built in the free agent market. But they did promote a vey nice prospect this year. Sometimes the free agents are hit and miss so perhaps the Posse will hit it, this time. Still they will have to convince me first. PREDICTION:78-84

Charlotte Sometimes (AL) hatton98 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:64-98

LAST YEARS PREDICTION:70-92  With all the R-5 players and cast-offs of a few teams. This team resembles the Bad News Bears. But with the right coach and a little luck they may reach .500. This team is looking more towards the draft after picking up Scottsdales #21 pick. Sometimes your the Hammer..Sometimes your the Nail. This team is the Nail..for now.

OUT: Ronnie Bradley , Gail Phillips , Eddie Whitehill , Rick Cashman , Nigel Hasegawa , Ross Bush , Jerome Stevenson , Cam Jones , Vin Brooks , Ken Walton , Wandy Matos

IN: Scott May , Harry Paz , Terry Lewis , Harry Saberhagen , Raul Veras , Miguel Lind , Orber Dotel , Sean Beckett , Guillermo Mateo

PREVIEW: The Sometimes were nailed to the bottom again last year. And I'm sure thats by design. They restocked the Farm system with alot of Draft prospects. In the offseason Hatton98 let a bunch of players go to free agency . He did pick up a couple comp picks for Cashman and Phillips. Then he released Walton and Matos. Not sure why he let Matos go Hatton could have traded him for some prospects easy. With alot of holes to fill Charlotte spent 36 million by signing free agents May,Paz,Lewis,Saberhagen,Veras,Lind and Dotel. Hatton then picked up Beckett and Mateo in the R-5 draft. With the farm system replenished Hatton went out and spent some cash on some nice free agents. They have improved the pitching staff with all the new free agents and picked up a defensive player. They may be a .500 team for now and will pick up some more prospects for the future. PREDICTION:76-86

A L WEST SEASON 17 PREVIEW

San Diego Salmonbellies (AL) mdymond View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:99-63

LAST YEARS PREDICTION:74-88  The Salmonbellies finished way better than I predicted. And they missed the playoffs by a Cunt hair. For this feat  Mdymond was voted as the Durocher Award Winner.At the time of writing this the mdymond has yet to plug the holes of departing players.  The Slamonbellies did pick up several 1st round comp picks in this years draft and also get a D-pick for a unsigned pick last year. So with 6 first round picks the future looks bright for the Salmonbellies. 

OUT: Jimmie Guerrero , Ivan Ortiz , Wayne Zerbe , P.T. James , Mac Wagner , Miguel Lind

IN: Edgard James , Harry Johnson , Glenallen Brower

PREVIEW: I'm gonna quit doubting the Salmonbellies. They won their first division crown and absolutely demolished my prediction finishing with 99 wins. The Salmonbellies had a great run in the post season but were beaten in the ALCS by the Moonbats. This off season Mdymond first let Guerrero, Ortiz and Zerbe file for free agency. Then Mdymond released James, Wagner, Lind and Myers, Choosing to resign Lucas Myers. With some roster slots to fill Mdymond signed free agent James and picked up Johnson and Brower in the R-5 draft.This team continues to suprise me. With a Payroll under 30 million they keep winning like 100 million dollar team. I think its good for the league that a low budget team has success.While winning the Salmonbellies keep adding studley prospects to the farm system (Glenallen Brower ). I'm becoming a believer!! PREDICTION:92-70

Helena Barking Moonbats (AL) sordie View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:97-63

LAST YEARS PREDICTION:102-60  The Moonbats finished near what I predicted. But they fell short in the playoffs in the DCS. A tough 5th game loss to the Hartford finished the dreams of a repeat. Sordie replaced the Big Bats lost in Free Agency. But didn't replace the defensive skills of Canseco. This team will score more runs and that could be trouble for the rest of us .

OUT: Gabe Kent , Rene Jensen

IN: Rick Cashman

SORDIES PREVIEW: The pride of Helena, the Barking Moonbats (named for Ralph Bedwell's political leanings),remain a potent force though a little older and a little staler. This is essentially the same team that snuck into the season 16 Series as a wild card team from the increasingly dominant AL West.The 'Bats did lose Gabe Kent, the southpaw workhouse of the bullpen, to free agency, but are looking to its own free agent pickup, Charlotte castoff Rick Cashman,as well as under-utilized leftie, Peter Hodges, to pick up the slack. While Helena is optimistically reserving room in its trophy case, the dramatically improving competition, particularly in its own division, makes for dicey post-season prospects.

PREVIEW: Sordie may not have won the division last year but he got revenge on the Salmonbellies in the playoffs. The Vaunted Moonbats made it all the way to the World Series, but lost in 6 games. Not a bad year! In the offseason Sordie resigned Hub Taguchi and David Martin ,then let Kent and Jensen go to free agency.He picked up Cashman in the free agent market to shore up the bullpen.The Moonbats still have plenty of cap space to make some moves. It's nice to have options but it looks like they're standing pat with last years group. Look for the Moonbats in the post season . PREDICTION:100-62

Scottsdale Shock Squad (AL) coach34 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:96-66

LAST YEARS PREDICTION:89-73  The Shock Squad finished exactly as predicted. Finishing with a respectable 85 win season. This team went in the offseason ready to take the next step.With the improvment of defense and the bullpen look for this team to vie for a wild card berth.

OUT: Edgard James , Harry Saberhagen , Felipe Navarro , Kevin Holmes

IN:  B.C. McMillan , Chien-Ming Dong , Harry Suarez

COACH34'S  PREVIEW: The Shock Squad enter S17 with lots of hope and excitement. Coming off their best season in 10 seasons,the Shock Squad decided to keep their offense intact. Led by "bash brothers" Marty Allen and Ricky Mann , the SS hope for another 50+ HR's from each player. All-Star and Silver Slugger Torey Acosta ,Walt Nation , Jack Shave , and Ewell Morris also help provide offense. On the mound, the SS also keeps its bullpen intact. Fireman of the Year Yorvit Delgado returns as Closer.But the SS made some changes to the rotation, signing Harry Suarez , B.C. McMillan , and Chien-Ming Dong in hopes of strengthening its starting 5. Look for another good season in Scottsdale

PREVIEW: I knew this team was ready for the post season and they did grab the final wild card slot. This is the toughest division in Wrigleyville so I have to commend Coach on a great job with the Shock Squad.In the post season Coach won his first round match but in the DCS he was edged in 5 games by division foe San Diego. Now with a good thing going in Scottsdale. Coach went into the offseason by Resigning Jerome Floyd after refusing to pick up his option. Then he let James and Saberhagen go to free agency and released Navarro. Finally he waived Holmes and he was scooped up by the Howlers. To fill the holes in the rotation, Coach signed free agents McMillan, Dong and Suarez. Coach Knew his team has firepower and a good pen. It was his Starting rotation that needed fixing up. If the 3 new arms pan out it could be trouble for the rest of this division. The Shock Squad has a decent chance of making the playoffs,  Again!!.PREDICTION:90-72

Arizona Cobras (AL) swishnev23 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:75-87

LAST YEARS PREDICTION:70-92  Swish improved his Pitching with Bellhorn and "Whoda" Stankiewicz. And he also improved his defense with Christiansen and Mieses. But this team still has a few years before the farm Hands grow up. Then they will be contenders.

OUT: Tom Hutton , Vic Bellhorn , Daniel Seneca , Logan Brock

IN: Ricardo Torres

SWISH"S PREVIEW:  With the other three teams in the AL West making the playoffs last season the Cobras pushed hard in the offseason to trade for a top of the line starting pitcher and sign a franchise impact bat and fell short in both categories.Arizona did sign veteran OF Ricardo Torres to provide some protection for DH Johnny Stone this season as Rico Trevino's seemingly annual trip to the disabled list has put the team in a bind offensively the past few seasons.The pitching staff has seven members under the age of 27 this season and it will be their improvement/impact that will either take the Cobras to the next level or force them to go to Plan B.The Cobras front office is going to push for a .500 record this season and the fans should be disappointment if that's not reached.

PREVIEW: Its a tough Division to play in but Swishnevs guys are making some noise in the A L West. They finished a little better than predicted and that is an improvment from the previous year. In the offseason Swishnev let Hutton , Bellhorn, Seneca and Brock go to free agency.Then he signed free agent Torres for 9 mil a year.The Cobras got younger after a flurry of trades last year. Swish tried to pick up some high dollar free agents.So he transfered money from his Prospect budget to snag some. But now after being outbid in the Market.He has a ton of cap space available to trade for one. As of now the Cobras are a .500 team but if he picks up some talent from a fire sale mid season. They could vie for a playoff spot. GL Swish. PREDICTION:81-81

N L WEST SEASON 17 PREVIEW

San Francisco Kickapoos (NL) mark3313 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:118-44

LAST YEARS PREDICTION:110-52   Its number 3 for Marks guys. With another trophy in his case. Mark will want to keep most of these guys around for next season. Marks team lost a tad due to free agency. But still they are the class of the NL.

OUT: Billy Tenbrink , Fernando Park , Arthur Griffiths , Julian Navarro , Justin Cust , Orber Dotel , Oscar Li

IN: Macbeth Lofton , Henry Wells , Andre Scanlan

PREVIEW: Marks guys had a great regular season as expected . But they were upset by a very good Burlington team in the post season. This bunch of superstars can hear the clock ticking but they have only a couple of more great years left. With that in mind I'm sure Mark will be trading some veterans for youth soon. Like Sosa to the Totems.LOL All fun aside, Mark lost Tenbrink,Park,Griffiths,Navarro,Cust,Dotel and Li to free agency. Then he signed free agents Lofton,Wells(On the waiver wire) and Scanlan.As of this writing the Kickapoos have 4 open roster spots. They have 2 R-5's yet assigned and about 4 million in cap space. Looks like Mark will either go after a few bullpen pitchers and some bench help when free agent prices fall.Or promote some Nice AAA prospects. But its still the same core bunch of super stars. This team will definatly win the division and go far in the playoffs.PREDICTION:108-54

Vancouver Totems (NL) madmuldoon View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:83-79

LAST YEARS PREDICTION:81-81   Last year  I brought up youngsters Padilla ,Hughes ,Damon and Blake. I also traded for Fernandez during the playoffs. I hope this team can at least get to 500. Then I will bring up some more talent from the farm system next season.

OUT: P.T. Peron , Rex Harrelson

IN: Rolando Valenzuela , Peter Okajima , Corey O'Brien

PREVIEW: My youngsters did well last season and got my team back in the post season after a long drought. It was probably due to a down year in the NL. No way a 83 win team wins a wild card in seasons past. But I'm grateful just the same. In the offseason I let Peron and Harrelson head to free agency. Then I promoted Valenzuela and Okajima . Finally I traded for O'Brien to shore up my bullpen. I'm excited about the additions of Rolando and Peter. They will add some pop to my anemic lineup. Hopfully they will start out strong.PREDICTION:85-77

Boise Brown Sox (NL) soxfan_9 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:73-89

LAST YEARS PREDICTION:85-67  Maybe it was to much to ask a new owner to hit the ground a running. I still think this team has potential and so does Soxfan 9. It looks like Soxfan has increased the talent.....again. They will have to show me before I go out on a limb again.

OUT: Happy Wengert , Rico Mateo , Napoleon Ledee , Kevin Martin

IN: Louie Bottenfield

PREVIEW: The Brownsox finished about the same as last year. Soxfan probably is scratching his noggin trying to get his guys to play like a 84 million dollar team.Nothing is more frustrating than signing guys and they play like crap. On the upside Soxfan9 did pick up some nice prospects in the draft. In the offseason Soxfan released Happy and traded away Napoleon. looks like Martin has cleared waivers so who knows whats gonna happen there. The only player added so far is Bottenfield. He was brought in via a trade.There were 2 players added late last year(Cesar Melendez and Al Vincente). So as of this writing the Brown sox have 1 roster spot open. This is a very young team with talent. Will they get on a roll?? Only time will tell. PREDICTION:81-81

Wichita Wind (NL) hoopcoach07 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:55-107

LAST YEARS PREDICTION:70-92  The wind has about 20 players on the M L roster. So some late pickups are soon to come. Hoopcoach still has 17 million in cap space so he can go several directions. With what he has now it's safe to say he's still rebuilding.

OUT: Diego Mercedes , Cesar Gonzales , Chick Small , Neil Averill , Dutch Moore , Fernando Rijo , Alan Dunston , Diego Crespo

IN: Felix Guerrero , Bo Mercedes , Yank Hill , Johnny Shunick , Kyle Romero

PREVIEW: The great Witchita rebuild continues . And while the play on the diamond reeks of Chimp poo for the 3rd consecutive year. The prospects are piling up and that is a great deodorant for losing.That means the Wind fans can take the clothspins off their noses and stand down wind again. First Hoopcoach resigned Old Man Victor Roosevelt and J.J. Melhuse. Then he let Mercedes and Gonzales head to free agency. He released Small,Averill andMoore then waived Rijo,Dunston and Crespo. With some holes to fill Hoopcoach first Signed free agent Guerrero then promoted Mercedes , Yank (Hank) Hill and Shunick.Finally he picked up 3 R-5 players assigning only Romero. This team definatly got better with the promotions and the luck of landing Romero.But the Wind needs pitching badly. Until they address that problem they will finish in the basemaent. But if they make a trade or two for some good pitching .Add 20 wins to my prediction. PREDICTION:68-94

N L SOUTH SEASON 17 PREVIEW

Santa Fe Sergeis (NL) sergei91 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:96-66

LAST YEARS PREDICTION:90-72  It looks like Santa Fe is going with last years squad with a few tweaks. And with another year together, they may gel. With the decline of the Stars this could be their chance at the division pennant.

OUT: Randy Finley , Emmanuel Caseres , Travis Hocking , George Cordova , Scott May , Hiram Sweeney, Stuart Mench

IN: Alex Mateo , Apollo West , Brandon Thomson , Nash Newson , Fernando Santiago

PREVIEW: The Sergeis Did exactly as predicted. They surged past the falling Stars and grabbed their first division Pennant. In the playoffs the Sergeis lost in the DCS to the Champs. They have come a long way from a perennial loser. With their heads held high, the Sergeies went into the offseason looking to take the next step. First in the offseason, Sergei lost Finley and Caseres to free agency but did resign Alex Mateo. Then he released Hocking, Cordova, May and Sweeney which were scooped up by various teams. Finally he waived The Menchster and Lousville snatched him up by the short hairs. With some holes to fill Sergie signed free agents Mateo, West and Thompson . He then promoted Newson and picked up Santiago in the R-5. The Sergeis lost a little talent but brought in some nice veteran players. This division is still theirs to lose . PREDICTION:92-70

Tampa Bay Stars (NL) neilg View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:79-83

LAST YEARS PREDICTION:90-72  With the loss of talent in the free agent market. The Stars will have a tougher time in the regular season. But if they pick up some key pieces. They may win the division again. Right now it looks like a step back year.

OUT: Tripp Kent , Apollo West , Braden Duffy , Ivan Sierra , Cal Chiasson , Matt Dransfeldt

IN: R.A. Ward , Jose Gonzalez , Gail Phillips , Tom Hutton , Tim Saunders

PREVIEW: It was a step back year for the falling Stars. but the news isn't all bad for sophmore owner nelig. He picked up a ton of talent in last years draft and has several picks in the first round this year.The Stars look like they're reloading and in the offseason they lost Kent , West, Duffy, Sierra, Chiasson and Dransfeldt to free agency .But the Stars were able to resign Brady Sefcik and J.T. Nichols . To fill some holes Neilg first signed free agents Ward ,Gonzalez, Phillips and Hutton. Then he picked up Saunders in the R-5 draft. I was a little optomistic in last years prediction, so I think the Stars will finish about .500 this year. PREDICTION:81-81

Jackson Black Bears (NL) olemiss33 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:69-93

LAST YEARS PREDICTION:65-97  Olemiss was dealt a bad hand. But he's making the best of it. Look for a fire sale soon.

OUT: Stan Fassero , Ben Davis , Chien-Ming Dong , Odalis Oropesa , Miguel Melo , Dicky Wilson , Phil Satou , Carlos Estrada , Tony Rosado

IN: Oscar Li , Derrin Price , Jamie Miyakazi , Louie Elcano , Ricardo Jacquez

PREVIEW: It was predicted that olemiss33 would have a rough first year. And they did. They continue to collect nice prospects so it won't be bad for long. If I could give him one bit of advice...Don't skimp on the training. Your prospects need a high training budget to meet their projections. With that said. Olemiss went into free agency and lost Fassero, Davis, Dong and Oropesa. Then he released Melo, Wilson and Satou when they took the team to Arbitration. Finally he traded away 2 SuperStars to Madison(Estrada and Rosado). To plug some gaps. Olemiss33 signed free agents Li and Price then promoted Miyakazi , Elcano and Jacquez. It's obvious with the ousting of top talent that the Black Bears are freeing up money for prospects.Looks like a rebuild in progress here. PREDICTION:62-100

Austin City Limits (NL) wylie715 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:66-96

LAST YEARS PREDICTION:88-74  This team is very young and talented. This may be the season of the City Limits. I think if they don't win the division now, it will be soon. My guess is... at least a wild card.

OUT: Trot Borders , Darron Fullmer , Tomas Cruz , Allen Garcia , Frank Cook , Renyel Guerrero , Jim Roundtree , Shawn Terry

IN: Michael Gardner

PREVIEW: Man!! what happened?? I'm like Wylie WTF??. I'm at a loss why these guys laid a big turd.This bunch has talent to burn. Perhaps it's their youth that hurt them. They are a very young bunch with only 2 players above 30.I just hope Wylie doesn't panic and blow this team up. In the offseason he released 8 players due to there suckiness. You know who you are. After Wylie vented his frustrations he picked up Gardner in the R-5 draft. Last season, after the start of the season. Wylie promoted some of his youngsters in hopes of 1)Getting his team going and 2) Giving them some M L experience(Eduardo Valdes , Fausto Santayana , J.P. Mendez , Cedrick Meyers , Jackson Reed , J.P. Mendez). This Team is Very,Very young and that may be why they are so streaky. But after a down year the odds are they will be good this year.PREDICTION:86-76