Hardball Dynasty's

Emmett Brewington

C'mon guys, my owner said he'd trade me for virtually any offer. Broken down shortstop pushing 40? Offer up. Minor league slugger with zero speed? Put it on the table.

Maybe some lunch meats? Everyone likes lunch meat. Bratwurst? Pork links? Head cheese? HE SAID IT WON'T TAKE MUCH! Hello? Anyone? Anyone? Buehler? Buehler? Buehler?

A L NORTH SEASON 18 PREVIEW

Fargo Prairie Dogs (AL) aaronwayne View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:97-65

LAST YEARS PREDICTION:96-66   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.

OUT: Walter Kerr , Art Stewart , Phil Satou

IN: Manuel Latos , Alex Gonzales

PREVIEW: Yep Aarons P-Dogs were barking up a storm last year. And their bite was pretty nasty also. The P-Dogs hit .274 and crushed 233 homers and continued to play great defense (84 errors and a .986 FPct). They also had a very good season on the mound with a team ERA of 4.20.All this made the P-dogs the Big Dogs in The AL with the #1 seed in the playoffs.But they were biten by the Moonbats in the second round and were swept in 3. Next year Aaron will have to make sure the P-Dogs get their shots to cure them from Moonbat fever. In the offseason he took Kerr,Stewart and Satou for a ride and dropped them off at the entrance ramp to free agency.The roster was trimmed down to 25 due to the abandonment of the afor mentioned Dogs. They were expendable after last years promotions of Latos and Gonzales.Aarons P-Dogs are a lean mean fightin machine and will probably win the A L North again.If they slip up the Misfits will move in.Hopefully they can get past the post season failures.PREDICTION:96-66

Minnesota Misfits (AL) pbsilver11 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:88-74

LAST YEARS PREDICTION:83-79  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"

OUT: Orlando Lee , Tony Rosado , Vic Chavez , Roger Richard , Fonzie Bittle , Len Carver , Willie Alonso , Geronimo Cruz

IN: Omar Perez , Hector Benitez , Glen Trujillo , Mark Phillips , Rheal Scott , Zach Goodwin , Claude Coleman

PREVIEW: I'm glad the Misfits had a better year. My Magic 8-ball pick has not fared well in previous predictions. And Pbsilver looks to put the nightmare of season 16 far in his rearview mirror. Last year the Misfits were a very good hitting team (.280 BA) but the pitching( 4.92 ERA) and fielding(122 errors) were suspect at best.Perhaps Pbsilver may want to invest in some defensive players in the future? He first let Lee,Rosado,Chavez,Richard and Bittle go to free agency.Then he released Carver and traded away Alonso and Cruz.To fill the holes Pbsilver signed free agents Perez,Benitez,Trujillo and Phillips and traded for Scott,Goodwin and Coleman. The misfits brought in some big bats in free agency and traded for some defense and pitching. Overall they will still try to outscore you and hope the pitching and defense keeps them close. I'm not sure they can do that.PREDICTION:81-81

Chicago Black Sox (AL) Dullaghan View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:70-92

LAST YEARS PREDICTION:85-77  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.

OUT: Felix Ramirez , Julian Stern , Luis Flores , Ricardo Hernandez , Tony Matos , Bill Neagle , Jamie Taguchi , Marco Shouse

IN:  Tom Hutton , Orlando Lee , Edgar Flores , Tino Gong , Roberto Cedeno , Edgar Martinez

PREVIEW: The young Black Sox had growing pains.My prediction of 85 wins was pretty pathetic. The below average hitting(.264 BA) couldn't overcome the 5th worst pitching( 5.29 ERA) and the 3rd worst defensive team(130 errors). So Its not a suprise why this team finished so bad. Perhaps an upgrade in the defense will help the pitching?? In the offseason Dullaghan first let Ramirez,Stern,Flores,Hernandez,Matos,Neagle and Taguchi go to free agency and released Shouse outright.To fill the gaps Dullaghan signed free agents Hutton,Lee,Flores,Gong and Cedeno and promoted Martinez. The Black Sox let a bunch of talent go to free agency and picked up a couple comp picks. But theis team still may be a year or two away from being a solid big league team. PREDICTION:79-83

New Britain Bruins (AL) dodgersgale View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:57-105

LAST YEARS PREDICTION:70-92  Looks like another Good draft pick for next year. Meanwhile Kumbia will pick up prospects.

OUT: Dan Scutaro , Edgar Flores , Desi Bonilla , Ronnie Bradley , Roberto Cedeno , Glen Trujillo , Charles Fox , Vincenzo Piper , Sammy Romero , John Jodie , Eswalin Benitez , Armando Vidal

IN: Herm Harris , D'Angelo Solano , John Daniels , Vic Martin , Chet Brohawn , Tony Jang , Rico Mateo , Shane Ryal , Seth Rando , Eddie Whitehill , Gary Dimaggio , Miguel Blanco , Deivi Gabriel , Gerardo Martinez , Albert Cabeza , Gorkys Soriano , David Cabrera , Roberto Arias , Shayne Janish

DOGERSGALE PREVIEW: Scored 733 Allowed 962 3rd worst Fielding .977 2nd worst Record 57-105 2nd worst Only kept 3 members of pitching staff that gave up 962 runs. Out of the starters from last year ONE remains in a starting position, Lloyd Perry. (Tollberg relegated to the bench,and LaRocca to split time at DH). The new team is a lot like the “Major Leagues” team that featured a bunch of cast offs and rookies. Playing the part of: Jake Taylor (broke down defensive catcher), Lloyd Perry! Ricky “wild thing” Vaughn,Gorkys Soriano! Roger Dorn (vet trying to get away) Herm Harris! Willie Mays Hayes: Gerardo Martinez! Eddie Harris (old starter, with no heat)- Rico Mateo! Pedro Cerrano : Shayne Janish Okay you get the idea… The team was overhauled completely.Ownership changed hands and as soon as the season opened the team was dismantled. Rookies Shayne Janish (rule 5), Deivi Gabriel, Gerardo Martinez, Roberto Arias (rule 5), Gary Dimaggio (30 yrs and rookie),Miguel Blanco (super stud), David Cabrera, D’Angelo Solano, Albert Cabeza, and Gorkys Soriano. There was a lot of talent hiding in the minors and even though some are early it was time to bring them up so that they can positively impact the franchise.Payroll was kept under $40 million and the team has the 2nd pick. They plan to be very active in the international market. In the coming years the team will spend more on training (but there are limits put on when a new owner takes over).The team is cognizant of putting a competitive team on the field for the fans and city of New Britain. The Bruins are here to stay and to eventually win.The team expects to score about 660 runs (about 4 runs per game). With improved defense and pitching the team should allow about 700 runs (about 4.3 rpg), and should therefore finish below .500. Prediction: 77-85

PREVIEW: I will not trash Kumbia . It is not my way. And I had several interactions with him over the years and we got along nicely. But in fairness he did not do this team justice and I can't blame many owners when they criticized him.The Mish stepped in and brought in Dodgersgale to take over the team. Dodger loaded up all the equipment and moved the Montreal franchise to New Britian.I'm not sure where New Britain is, but I like the fact that New is in the name. Its kind of fitting for this club, they need a New start.In the offseason Dodger let Scutaro,Flores,Bonilla,Bradley,Cedeno,Trujillo,Fox and Piper go to free agency.Then he released Romero,Jodie,Benitez and Vidal.With the Dirty Dozen gone ,Dodger claimed Harris and Solano off the wire and signed free agents Daniels,Martin,Brohawn,Jang,Mateo,Ryal,Rando andWhitehill. Then he promoted Dimaggio,Blanco,Gabriel,Martinez,Cabeza,Soriano and Cabrera.Finally he picked up Arias in the R-5 and traded for Janish.Wow...Dodger gutted this team and brought in bargin bin free agents then promoted several young future superstars and sprinkled it with some others thru various transactions.Your guess is as good as mine how this turns out?? But with the combonation of veterans and prospects this team looks good. And they have lots of cap flexability. Things are new and shiny in New Britain.PREDICTION:81-81

A L EAST SEASON 18 PREVIEW

Hartford Crushers (AL) ARomano View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:91-71

LAST YEARS PREVIEW:81-81  The Crushers and ARomano are no way this bad so they should rebound in the offseason. If ARomano goes on vacation this team will finish at the bottom. but if he sticks around they will finish about .500.

OUT: Rico Mateo , Chet Brohawn , Ed Norman , Royce Jennings , Tino Gong

IN:  Luis Flores , Bennie Davis , Felix Ramirez

PREVIEW:  Last year was an anomaly and the Crushers rebounded nicely. ARomanos guys lived up to their names.The Crushers were the best hitting club in Wrigleyville with a batting average of .299 , .364 OBP and 288 Taters. You could hear the announcer say all season in Hartford "That one was Crushed".In the post season ARomanos Crushers fell in the first round to the vaunted Salmonbellies.In the offseason ARomano re-signed Kris Glauber and let Mateo,Brohawn and Jennings go to free agency. Then he released the Gong show.With a few vacancies to fill, he signed free agents Flores,Davis and Ramirez. One of the reason the offensive numbers are so gaudy, is the fact that Welch Park is a extreme hitting park. And this team is built to win there. What suprised me was the fact that the Crushers had a better road record than home record.But if you can keep the game close you have a chance to beat this team. And Good Luck with that!Next year will be the same. The Crushers will make the playoffs and run into a good pitching team and try to outscore them. PREDICTION:89-73

Louisville Howlers (AL) jmuhtoff View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:79-83

LAST YEARS PREVIEW:90-72  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.

OUT: Placido Cruz , Stuart Mench , Hughie Leon , Freddie Mohr , Hal Middlebrook , Buster O'Connor , Luke Wilhelm

IN: Art Stewart , Royce Jennings , Virgil Owen , Harpo Cepeda , Steve Henderson

PREVIEW: I was wrong when I though the Howlers would battle for the division.The Howlers almost made it to .500 with the waiver wire pickups. Perhaps that is why they were on the Wire. But hey, the wire guys for the most part were nice pickups. Freddie Mohr and Kevin Holmes had pretty good years .Only Stuart Mench was considered a bust.In the offseason Jmuhtoff resigned Kevin Holmes and Victor Lima and let Cruz,Mench,Leon,Mohr,Middlebrook and O'Conner.Then he released Wilhelm to finish trimming the fat. Jmuhtoff signed free agents Stewart and Jennings and promoted Owen.to finish filling the squad, he grabbed Cepeda and Henderson in the R-5 draft. Last year was a nice try with the waiver pickups and it looks like Holmes got a new contract out of it. This year The Howlers went a different way. They filled the holes with Free agents and R-5 pickups. The Howlers increased the payroll to bring in the talent and they look like a solid team. Can they get by the Crushers? Perhaps,anything is possible. But it will be long odds.PREDICTION:84-78

Boston Knights (AL) avantrael View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:71-91

LAST YEARS PREVIEW:90-72   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.

OUT: Craig Serrano , Doug Tewksbury , Lyle Ruffin , Tony Jang , Jorge Blanco , Cesar Blanco

IN: Ron Hall , Christopher Beimel , Toby Gorzelanny , Sidney Tresh , Luther White

PREVIEW: Avantreal's boys fell on their swords last season. And my prediction was way, way off in a land far, far away.The Knights Defense was atrocious (126 errors) which made them the third worst pitching team (5.45 ERA) in Wrigleyville. Bostons Great Offense (.282 BA) could not overcome the failures of the Pitching and Defense.This failure was apparent on the road where the Knights were only 31-50.Looks like Avantreal has some work to do in the offseason so he first re-signed Alberto Ramirez , Victor Lilly and Rafael Valdez. Then he let Serrano,Tewksbury,Ruffin,Jang and Blanco go to free agency and released Blanco.The Knights started filling the gaps with waiver claim pickups like Hall,Beimel and Gorzelanny.Then he signed free agent Tresh and grabbed White in the R-5 draft.The signing of Tresh will help the defense but the 3 waiver pick ups are low level big leaguers, at best.Perhaps with 2 roster spots open ,Avantreal will promote Albert Sierra and Len Hawkins or make a trade for some pitching.With only 4 million in cap space that will not be easy. Right now with the pitching, this team is not goinig anywhere.PREDICTION:70-92

Pittsburgh Pirates (AL) ardthomp View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:68-94

LAST YEARS PREVIEW:81-81 O/U 12  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.

OUT: Michael Curtis , Lloyd Marshall , Hugh Wells , Taylor Workman , Ed Frazier, Frank Hukata , Steve O'Connor , Don Hyzdu , Herm Harris

IN: Terry Lewis , Kevin Martin , Dan Evers , Trent Green , Will Schoendienst , Benny Tavarez , Tim Powell , Kevin Sheffield , Bono Kroeger , R.J. Lima

PREVIEW: Well now we know! These Swashbucklers didn't scare anybody and only won 68 games. The Pirates were marooned on a the Deserted Island of Death.And when Ardthomp was rescued in the offseason. All he could say was "Wilson.....Oh Wilson ...No Wilson.....NO!! Poor Ard he is adjusting to light switches and ice cubes as we speak. Ard slipped on his eye patch, grabbed a piece of eight at the local brothel and went to work rebuilding his Bucaneers. He first let Curtis,Marshall and Wells walk the plank. And threw Workman,Frazier,Hukata and O'Connor in a dingy and cast them adrift.He then traded away Hyzdu to Durham and threw Harris overboard where he was claimed off the waiver wire.After the carnage, Ard shanghaied Lewis,Martin and Evers in free agency and promoted minor league captives Green,Schoendiest,Tavarez,Powell,Shefield and Kroeger.Finally he traded for Lima to handle some catching duties.Ard did improve his Pirates with many additions to his crew. They are mostly a young bunch with a veteran here and there.And with a new hitting coach it will be interesting to see how the new guys sail.Right now they look like a middle of the pack team.PREDICTION:81-81

A L SOUTH SEASON 18 PREVIEW

Memphis Blues (AL) tchagnon View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:88-74

LAST YEARS PREVIEW:92-70   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. 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.

OUT: Edgard Torres , Seth Rando , Dan Evers

IN: Jorge Blanco , Alex Mateo

PREVIEW: It's happy days in Memphis. Tchagnon threw away his Muddy waters CD's and flushed his Zoloft down the toilet.The Memphis Blues won another Division crown due to a tie breaker(21-9 division record).The jubilation was short lived, when in the playoffs, they were beaten in the first round.In the offseason Tchagnon let Torres,Rando and Evers go to free agency. Then he plugged the holes with free agents Blanco and Mateo.The Blues lost only a couple of players and with a upgrade at catching and Josh Parker stepping back in the Closer position. This should be another good year.The Blues will be near the top of the Division again. PREDICTION:87-75

Charleston Tobacco Farmers (AL) nwsheehy007 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:88-74

LAST YEARS PREVIEW:90-72  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.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.

OUT: Emmanuel Caseres , Arthur Phillips , Fred Lee , Al Astacio , Darren Baez , Terry Morandini , Rick Surkamp

IN:  Clarence Christiansen , Jose Calles , Vicente Rodriguez , Phil Satou , Ivan Cortes , Bob Murphy


PREVIEW: The Tabaky were smoking hot when they lost the tie-breaker in the division battle. And with the tough A L West gobbling up the wild cards. The Tabaky Farmers were left without a chair when the playoff  music stopped. Nwsheehys youngsters got another year of expierience under their belts and that is a good thing. Once the smoke cleared, Nwsheehy went into the offseason to make some tweaks to this good team. The Tabaky Farmers let Caseres,Phillips,Lee and Astacio go to free agency.Then they released Baez,Morandini and Surkamp. To fill in the gaps they signed free agents Christiansen,Calles,Rodriguez,Satou and picked up Cortes,Murphy in the R-5. The Tabaky Farmers still like to hit the long ball but they're batting average needs improvment. The additions should help with that and this team will be battling for the Division, again. PREDICTION:87-75

Charlotte Sometimes (AL) hatton98 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:65-97

LAST YEARS PREVIEW:76-86  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.

OUT: Raul Veras , Jose Sanchez , Tripp Kent , Harry Paz , Jackson Brooks , Terry Lewis , Cam Jones , Harry Saberhagen , Santiago Rodriguez

IN: Buck Jodie , Tony Rosado , Felix Gao , Walter Kerr , Yorvit Delgado , Will Byrdak , Alan LeCroy

PREVIEW: The Sometimes never even sniffed 500. Sometimes you lay a egg and this time I laid a big one with my prediction..With only 65 wins it seems this franchise is in disarray and needs some help with a poor pitching staff (5.15 ERA,1.49WHIP) and poor defense(118 errors, .981 FPct).The Sometimes were a decent hitting team (.270 BA) and its something to build on. In the offseason, Hatton let Veras,Sanchez,Kent,Paz,Brooks,Lewis,Jones,Saberhagen and the Kitchen sink go to free agency.Then he released Rodriguez outright.With alot of holes to fill,Hatton signed free agents Rosado,Gao,Kerr,Delgado and Byrdak and claimed Jodie off the wire.Finally he promoted LeCroy. Hatton upgraded his pitching staff but never addressed the defense. Perhaps the hitting and pitching may overcome. Usually this isn't the case.PREDICTION:76-86

Nashville Posse (AL) illicit View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:60-112

LAST YEARS PREVIEW:78-84   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.

OUT: Denny Keough , Dwight Webster , Mack Manning , Freddy Weiss , Julio Fernandez , Christopher Locke , Shane Ryal , Ronald Ramirez

IN:  Julio Fuentes , Terry Oliver , Danny Baker , Matt Fedroff , Dan Coles , Danny Baker , Kevin Poole

PREVIEW: Oh Dear! The Posse have hit the 100 million rock bottom.The Nashville Posse had the worst pitching in Wrigleyville with a 5.60 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP.They gave up a mind boggling 989 runs with 241 Taters...Egads! You can say the Posse were good at Hanging Sliders and Curves.And Illicit could be heard in the clubhouse screaming."Get a Rope"! The good news is. The season is over and the slate is clean. Illicit went into the offseason and lynched Keough,Webster,Manning,Weiss,Fernandez and Locke.Then he strung up Ryal and Ramirez for good measure. With many of last years players swinging in the wind, Illicit signed free agent Sherriffs: Fuentes and Oliver. And promoted Deputys: Baker,Fedroff,Coles,Baker and Poole.The Posse improved in pitching and fielding in the offseason. But can these young Buckarroos get the Posse back on the right trail? Time will tell. PREDICTION:75-87

A L WEST SEASON 18 PREVIEW

Scottsdale Shock Squad (AL) coach34 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:105 57

LAST YEARS PREVIEW:90-72  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.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!!

OUT: Yorvit Delgado , Ewell Morris , B.C. Olivares

IN: Luis Cortes , Albert Coleridge , Nelson Hodges

COACH'S PREVIEW:  The SS look to defend their title with just a couple of changes to theur roster in S18- but they could be BIG changes. Offensively, the SS let Ewell Morris walk, moved Jack Shave from CF back to 3B, and added CF Luis Cortes to the line-up.This should help make the SS even better defensively. The other change comes at the end of the bullpen. Closer Yorvit Delgado decided to walk after owner/GM Coach34 publically ridiculed him for his poor performance in last year's playoffs.The SS could pay the price for letting him walk as they were unable to sign or trade for another closer. Bullpen by committee in S18 for the SS----well, you can now add Vinny Goldman as my attempt to add a closer- but had to give up set-up man Billy Conner

PREVIEW: The Scottsdale Shock Squad keeps getting better folks. Last season they won the World Series against the Juggernaught San Juan Santurce Crabbers.When Coach added his 3 new pitchers last season I thought this team was gonna be pretty good. But I was suprised at the success they had against the best teams in wrigleyville. Great Job coach, Well deserved . With a repeat in mind ,Coach went into the offseason. First he re-signed Aramis Crespo and let Delgado,Morris and Olivares go to free agency.After a few players left, Coach was left with a few roster spots open. He signed free agents Cortes and Coleridge then he promoted Hodges. Coach is gonna miss Yofeet Stinks and Olivares in the bullpen. But Cortes was a upgrade over Morris. This is basically the same team and they will Battle for the Division. At worst they will grab a wild card berth. Then look out! PREDICTION:100-62

Helena Barking Moonbats (AL) sordie View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:100-62

LAST YEARS PREVIEW:100-62   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.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 .

OUT: Micah Jones , Clarence Spoljaric , Tony Pena , Jose Calles

IN:  Robin Cirillo , R.A. Ward , B.C. Olivares

PREVIEW: I forgot to warn the Moonbats about the new kid in town, The Shock Squad. I'm sure Sordie knew that it would be a battle again for the division. And the Moonbats did very well indeed, but they just missed the division by 5 games. In the post season, Sordies nocturnal bloodsuckers went into the second round against Scottsdale, and lost game 5. I'm sure Sordie and his rabid friends are foaming at the mouth looking for revenge. So in the offseason he re-signed Chad Frazier and Jose Roque to extensions and let Jones,Spoljaric,Pena and Calles go to free agency.Now Sordie has several holes to fill and he signed free agents Cirillo,Ward and Olivares.Sordie still has a few roster spots open at this writing. And he has a couple buns in the AAA oven (Louis White,Andres Borbon , Larry Walker ). He could rush these guys up or spend some of that 20 million in cap space on free agents. My guess he wants to keep some money for IFA's or a Pony. But its nice to have options. Sordie always fields a good team and the Moonbats will be in the thick of a division race.Probably grab a wild card at the least.PREDICTION:100-62

Salem Salmonbellies (AL) mdymond View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST SEASONS RECORD:98-64

LAST YEARS PREVIEW:92-70  I'm gonna quit doubting the Salmonbellies. They won their first division crown and absolutely demolished my prediction finishing with 99 wins.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!!

OUT: Benjamin Taylor , Lucas Myers , Rolando Jose , Robin Cirillo , Ivan Ortiz , Luis Cortes , Gus Grossman , Darren Holmes

IN: Javier Veras , Arthur Phillips , Tony Matos

PREVIEW: Mdymond and his Salmonbellies are a pain in our sides.And with the move to a neutral Park in Salem . The Salmonbellys will have a better offensive output. In fact Mdymond considered re-naming his team the Salembellies but decided against it. Word has it he nixed the re-naming due to the size of the bellys in Salem.Belly Bucking in the Stands might cause the bleachers to collapse.And nobody wants to see that!Mdymond went into the off season and let Taylor,Myers,Jose,Cirillo,Ortiz,Cortes and Grossman go to free agency and traded away Holmes to the Crabbers. This left many holes in the lineup so he signed free agents Veras,Phillips,Matos and thats it so far. But Mdymond has AAA prospects Tony Hernandez, Victor Ozuna and Esteban Guzman waiting in the wings.He also has about 25 million in cap space and has one of the lowest payrolls in Wrigleyville. My guess is he'll bring up the youngsters and save the money for more IFA's and his 5 first round draft picks. Things are looking good in Salem.PREDICTION:90-72

Arizona Cobras (AL) swishnev23 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:83-79

LAST YEARS PREVIEW:81-81  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.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.

SWISH'S PREVIEW:  After reaching a high water mark of 22 games above .500 in Season 17 the Cobras fell out of contention due to a lack of pitching. Enter Season 18 and the Cobras opened up their wallets this offseason to sign Gus Grossman and Micah Jones to big contracts.The Cobras hope that these players benefit their clubhouse since they have playoff experience from their tenure with other AL West clubs.Johnny Stone and Ricardo Torres will again look to create havoc on offense and Alexi Rios and Harry Padilla are two young sluggers looking to make their mark this season,as well. With a major financial commitment made by the upper management, the Cobras look to end their playoff drought this season.

OUT: Carson Bailey , Rico Trevino , Bennie Davis , Walt Lieberthal

IN: Gus Grossman , Micah Jones , Stu Elder , Kimera Oliver , Miguel Piedra

PREVIEW: Swish and his Cobras finished close to predictions . And Swish did pick up several IFA's (Anibal Tavarez,Cesar Berroa,Miguel Tabaka) along the way.He also grabbed Jerome Cochrane in the draft.Now in his 5th season Swish can be proud that his guys have improved evey year while beefing up the farm system. In the offseason he let Bailey and Trevino go to free agency and Released Davis outright.Then he traded Lieberthal to Durham .To fill the holes he signed free agents Grossman,Jones and Elder. Finally he traded for Oliver and Piedra to finish his lineup. Like last season, Swish had lots of cap space but this time he landed several top shelf free agents. And with last years late editions of Alexi Rios , Randy Rogers , Tony Wood , Gorkys Lopez this team is ready to take their place among the heavyweights.This division just got a little tougher.PREDICTION:90-72

N L NORTH SEASON 18 PREVIEW

Madison Muskellunges (NL) daddiothree View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:84-78

LAST YEARS PREVIEW:90-72  It has been a year since the Muskies burned down the house. And they finished about where I predicted. Also as predicted they spent a small fortune in the IFA Market. Picking up players like Carlos Sierra for 21 million. I look at this young bunch of potential super stars and wonder if they will mesh into a winner. With the last years promotion of Billy Ensberg and this years additions. The Muskies team is making its move. This team is my sleeper pick for season 17.

OUT: Billy Ray Bryant , Sammy Campos , Claude Coleman

IN: Geronimo Cruz

PREVIEW: My sleeper pick came thru with flying colors. Although they didn't reach my prediction of 90 wins . They did win the division and reach the second round of the playoffs, where they lost to the Kickapoos.The Muskies are for real and the fans in Madison have been tailgating and partying before every home game. With a spring in his step, Daddio went into the offseason and re-signed Rodrigo Merced to an extension.Then he let Bryant go to free agency and released Campos. Finally he traded away Coleman to finish cleaning out the deadbeats. With most of his team intact, Daddio traded for Cruz and has 3 R-5 Players waiting to be assigned. I doubt the R-5 guys will make the squad but he could use a backup catcher . It looks like the Muskies are standing pat and have only 55 million in salaries.Daddio will pick up some nice IFA's and still battle for the division. Madison could make the playoffs.PREDICTION:88-74

Chicago Bleacher Bums (NL) hshack View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:83-79

LAST YEARS PREVIEW:81-81  I thought the Bleacher Bums would win this division . But they finished in the bottom 6 games short. I had High hopes after they did well in the playoffs. And they picked up some nice free agents. But such is life in this division. You can predict every team about or below 500, But picking which will win ...........Thats the perdicament! This team has a 84 million payroll and still has 11 million to spend on free agents. Maybe they will get a win for every million spent. That would be Hshacks Christmas wish!

OUT: Endy Glynn , Javier Veras , Bill Green , Charles Ramsey , Jarrod Mann , Kris Karros

IN:  Santiago Rodriguez , Dan Scutaro

PREVIEW: They pert near got a win for every million spent. Merry Christmas Hshack! But he really wanted the division as a present and just missed it. Then in the post season he was taken out in the first round by division foe Madison. But Hshack is a glass half full kinda guy so he was happy just to be in the playoffs again. The Bleacher Bums have been getting better every season and they go in the offseason with optimism.Hshack let Glynn,Veras,Green,Ramsey,Mann go to free agency and traded away Karros.With only a couple roster spots open he signed free agents Rodriguez and Scutaro. And at the time of writing there are still 2 spots open. With 17 million in cap space, hshack could sign some good free agents or make a trade for a few good players.Right now they are good team with the possibility to be very good.PREDICTION:85-77

Milwaukee Sturgeon (NL) pat007ohmss View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:80-82

LAST YEARS PREVIEW:87-75  The Old dogs hunted for the first 80 games or so then took a Nap.And by the time they woke up. The Sturgeons were champs of the division of Illrepute. This team was in the post season with only 79 wins. Milwaukee picked up several Comp picks in the draft. But with no scouts it may not matter. By replacing Dong with Dick Collins this team is free of disease. And if Patrick can get his revamped pitching staff up to snuff. They may bring this Division back to respectability.

OUT: Dick Collins , Vic Velazquez , Javier Lopez , Jimmie Gonzalez

IN:  Quinton Sauer , Vic Chavez , Rolando Jose , Derrin Price

PREVIEW: It was a struggle for this team to reach 80 wins. And I thought they would be a little better with a 107 million payroll.Dick Collins turned out to be a tool and he petered out.This division is no longer the division of illrepute and I know that Patrick is not satisfied with a sub 500 record. So In the offseason he let Collins,Velazquez,Lopez,Gonzalez go to the free agent market.Then he signed free agents Sauer,Chavez,Jose and Price to replace the departed.The Sturgeons try to outscore their opponents. And if they can just improve the pitching/defense they may win the division.Patrick improved his pitching slightly and this may be enough to get this team on the right track.PREDICTION: 81-81

Trenton Toyotas (NL) Sandberg10 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:69-93

LAST YEARS PREVIEW:83-79  Sandbergs Toyotas ran out off gas at the finish and just missed the division, and my prediction. It's the second consecutive second place finish in the Division of Illrepute. Pizza Pizza! It looks like the Toyotas are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. After 7 years of rebuilding, and the influx of young talent with a few free agent additions. This team could break .500. But as we know, young players can be fickle. This team talent wise is better than before.

OUT: Keith Williams , Louie Mendoza , Jimmie James , Earl Christenson , Edgardo Rivera , Walt Barfield

IN:  Miguel Maradona , Mike Drew

PREVIEW: Man the Toyotas laid an egg last season. Yep, that smell isn't from the catalytic converter. Its from last seasons 69 win season.The Toyotas Hitting (.251 BA ) and defense(126 errors) scrapped them.It was the 9th consecutive losing season and the Trenton fans are ready to riot. They want a winning season and have been wearing paper sacks over their heads at all the Toyota's Homegames.In the offseason Sandberg let Williams,Mendoza go to free agency and released James,Christianson,Rivera and Barfield.To fill the empty slots ,Sandberg promoted Maradona and Drew.Not sure if these guys will ever play up to there ability. But they will have to show me one winning season before I jump on the band wagon. Again. PREDICTION:74-88