N L EAST PREVIEW SEASON 28

Syracuse Moose (NL) rugby1 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:82-80 (Division Winner)

LAST YEARS PREVIEW: Picking the Moose to win the division was easy with the decline of  Cincy, and San Juan is still cooking his prospects. Rugby's team went into the playoffs as the #4 seed and beat the 92 win Utes in 4. Then they met up with the Big Bad Black Bears in the DCS. The Moose got eaten and lost in 4 games.In the off-season Rugby let Gomez and Allen go to free agency then he re-signed Allen and released him. The Moose are full of super-star players and are a force to be delt with. They should win this division and don't be suprised if they are the ones doing the eating in the playoffs.PREDICTION:100-62(Division Winner)

OUT: Alexander Erickson , Khiry Allen , Al Jones , Chip Johnson

IN: Nicholas Paramore

PREVIEW: My prediction of the Moose as a 100 win division winner was lucky. They won the division with 82 wins because the rest of the division pretty much sucked. Regardless, Rugby got into the playoffs with a very good pitching staff. They were ranked #4 in the NL with a ERA of 3.94 and allowed only 674 runs. They used the pitching in the post-season to get past the 100 win Lone Stars, then lost to the 112 win Black Bears. In the off-season Rugby re- signed Julio Johnson and let Erickson, Allen, Jones and Johnson go to free agency. He signed free agent Paramore to replace the ageing Allen. Right now Rugby has a couple roster spots open and there are many, many tasty prospects in AAA waiting for the call. This team is better than the 82 wins last year and should win this division with about 90+ wins. PREDICTION:95-67(Division Winner)

Cincinnati Red Light District (NL) jeff2106 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:76-86

LAST YEARS PREVIEW: I figured Jeff's Red Light Districts had turned to many tricks and were wore out.  And this year there were to many good teams in the N L, and it would take 90 wins to get in the post-season. Jeff only had Comp picks in the first round of the draft, but he did pick up some prospect talent (Patrick Tolar , Miguel Padilla and John Spoljaric). In the off -season Jeff re-signed Fernando Urbina , Garry Olsen , Joaquin Pena and let Diaz,Arredondo,Martis, Zurbaran, Mcknight, O'Donnell, Karnuth, Gil and Mercado go to free agency. He claimed Mitchell off the wire and signed free agents Taylor, Pryce, Campos, Jones and Astacio. The Red Light Districts still have a good rotation and bullpen, but the hitting and defense are poor. Jeff lowered his cap space by 20 million so he may be looking to tearing this old team down and re-building (Avg Age 31.8-oldest in Wrigleyville).PREDICTION:75-87

OUT: Joaquin Pena , Omar Bonilla , R.J. Roque , Felipe Zurbaran , Ramiro Pena , Fernando Urbina , Alex Outman , Will Schoendienst , Victor St. Clair , Eric Serrano

IN: Haywood Leslie , Glen Harris , Geronimo Cruz , Bernard Verdugo , Bump Tyson , Pat Shelley , Pascual Astacio

PREVIEW: Jeff's Red Light Districts are moving towards reload mode and the 76 win season was expected. Last years team was old and Jeff wanted to pick up some prospects in the draft. But out of three 1st round picks only Vin Segui signed, with the other 2 not receiving offers. No D-Picks for Cincy. In the off-season Jeff re-signed Garry Olsen , Ahmad Forster and let Pena, Bonilla, Roque, Zurbaran, Pena, Urbina, Outman and Schoendiest go to free agency. He released St Clair and Serrano. Jeff signed free agents Leslie, Harris, Cruz, Verdugo, Tyson and Shelley and promoted Astacio. With 30 million in cap space I would lean towards a rebuild year but with only 8 mil in the international scouting budget...I'm leaning for a re-tool year. Jeff sure could have used them D-picks. If Jeff uses the cap space to pick up some stud players in a trade or two this team will be in the wildcard race. Or he may just hope a stud IFA falls in his lap. Right now they would be lucky to reach .500. PREDICTION:76-86

Wichita Wind Sizzlers (NL) zsiegri View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:73-89

LAST YEARS PREVIEW: Z's Wind Zizzlers  finished with 70 wins and that's alright with him. He added Norberto Navarre , Darryl Moore and  Antonio Osbourne to a already stocked farm system. In the off-season Z re-signed Mickey Harville and let Cabeza, E Rivera, Pimentel, Gutherie, Powell, Washington, R Rivera and Hill go to free agency. He released Craddock, Prieto, Washington , Cordero and traded away Martin and Flores. Z signed free agents Valdes, Adams, Martin, Elcano, James, Pena, Wilson, Pena and Sosa. He  promoted Renteria and picked up McIntyre in the R-5. Z blew this team up and has 30 million in cap space to transfer to prospects. Look for Wichita to pick up tasty IFA's and win about 60 games. Can you say Re-build!PREDICTION: 62-100

OUT: Mickey Harville , Alex Elcano , Giomar Molina , Vance Kendall , Bernard Wilson , Jonathan Valdes , Al James

IN: Albert Sandoval , Thumper Worrell , Matthew Marshall , Alex Outman , Russ Orr , Cesar Roque , Spud Kraemer , Geronimo Valverde , Erubiel Guillen

PREVIEW: Zsiegri's Wind Sizzlers did better than predicted with 73 wins. And the re-build is going better than expected with the addition of  McKay Hogg and Paul Shibata to the prospect pool. In the off-season Z re-signed Desi Sosa and let Harville, Elcano, Molina, Kendall, Wilson and Valdes go to free agency. He traded away James to the Cheese Steaks. Zee signed free agents Sandoval, Worrell, Marshall, Outman, Orr, Roque , Kraemer and picked up Valverde and Guillen in the R-5. Zee went out and signed 23 million worth of free agents , most are middle of the road free agents. All the stud prospects are still in the minor leagues and need a couple more years to cook. Wichita is a average team at best right now.PREDICTION:79-83

San Juan Santurce Crabbers (NL) rbedwell View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:57-105

LAST YEARS PREVIEW: Ralph is bringing his youngsters along slowly and finished close to .500. He continues to add even more prospects like Harry Hiattand Harry Urena. In the off-season Ralph re-signed Aurelio Johnson and let Johns go to free agency. He released Pena, Lockwood ,Sosa and waived Romero. Ralph signed free agents Greisinger and Vincente. At the time of this article , Ralph still had 5 roster spots open. He still has Don Itou, Jalal Milton, Kyle Stevens and Tito Lidle sitting in AAA waiting for the phone call. He may or may not promote them. It's impossible to predict with a incomplete line-up. PREDICTION: None

OUT: Juan Parra , Andres Ferrer , Al Vincente , Aurelio Johnson , Geovany Maduro , Hersh Paul , Jin-Chi Ishida

IN:  Blake Hammonds , Rafael Pena , Logan Allensworth , Ryuu Jung , John Jang

PREVIEW: Ralph was competing for the #1 overall pick in next years draft...and he WON!! He will pick #1 overall for the first time since season 24. The Crabbers did add Wilt Simpson , Jimmie Suarez and Harry Rodriguez to the farm system last year.  In the off-season Ralph let Parra, Ferrer, Vincente and Johnson go to free agency and he released Maduro, Paul and Ishida. Ralph claimed Hammonds and Pena off the wire and promoted Allensworth. Jung and Jang were picked up in the R-5 draft. The studly prospects are trickling up to the bigs but there are still many in the pipeline waiting. Right now this team can win anywhere from 60 to70 games, as is. PREDICTION:70-92

A L EAST PREVIEW SEASON 28

Rochester Tigers (AL) wcrebel View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:84-78 (Division Winner)

LAST YEARS PREVIEW: I predicted a 81-81 record for the Pirates and in true Pirate fashion they won 82 games. AAARRGGHH! Ardthomp did pick up Wilin Matos and Oscar Ross in the draft so last year wasn't a total loss. In the off-season Ardthomp let Pena, James, Liverman, Miller, Blackburn go to free agency and released Rollins. He signed free agents Lockwood, Leslie, Richard and McKnight. Ard brought in 4 veteran pitchers thru free agency. But the real story here was last years promotion of Hipolito Hernandez. The kid looks good and he could make all the difference in this weak division. The Pirates will be raping, pillaging and plundering all the way to Madagascar.PREDICTION:89-73(Division Winner)

OUT: Carlos Gomez , Jung Kim , Geovany Aguilar , Nicholas Paramore , Edgar Carrasco , Danny Wilson , Charles Fujiwara , Vic Mercado , Gustavo Nunez , Charlie Lockwood , Haywood Leslie

IN: Gene Larish , Dom Woods , Aaron Wells , Alex Elcano , Walt Lieberthal , Rob McNamara , Edinson Trinidad , Thomas Dingman , Tim Perry , Cozy Williams

PREVIEW: Ardthomp's Pirates won the division as expected and after losing in the first round of the playoffs. He sailed away never to be seen again after 20 seasons (.482 win Pct). Ard will be missed and he is on a beach some where sporting a new eye-patch. Wcrebel took over this team and moved them to Rochester. Welcome Wcrebel and may you have success and a great season. In the off-season Wcrebel re-signed Chris James and Bob Karros and let Gomez, Kim, Aguilar and Paramore go to free agency. He released Carrasco, Wilson, Fujiwara, Mercado, Nunez, Lockwood and Leslie. Wcrebel claimed Larish off the wire and signed free agents Woods, Wells, Elcano, Lieberthal, McNamara, Trinidad, Dingman, Perry. Finally he picked up Williams in the R-5 draft. Sufferin Succotash !! When you get a new owner, a house cleaning is sure to ensue. Wcrebel kept the core of young studs and brought in older seasoned vets. The defense will be good and while the offense should hit there share of homers, the average will be in the middle of the pack. The Rotation is near the bottom in the AL and the bullpen looks decent, keeping the ball on the ground. I think right now the Tigers will win between 80 and 90 games. PREDICTION:85-77(Division Winner)

Augusta Northmen (AL) avantrael View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:72-90

LAST YEARS PREVIEW: I stated that the Northmen would be lucky to reach 71 win and they went out and won 77. Take that Mad! Avantrael added some talent to the farm system by picking up Matt Norman , Victor Rodriguezand Brett McCorley in the draft.In the off-season Avantrael re-signed Davey Wise and let Lee and Fernandez go to free agency. He released Halter and Hernandez Then Avantrael signed free agents Alonso and Romo and picked up Saito and Moreno in the R-5.Augusta lost a good bullpen pitcher in Frenandez and their GG center fielder, Hernandez. To replace the Dez's, they picked up some R-5 pitchers(Saito, Moreno) and will plug Del Lee in CF. They are not upgrades and the Northmen will hope that Junior Sano and Alex Olivares can overcome their loss. Methinks not. PREDICTION:70-92

OUT: Reese McGee , Pat Shelley , William Mateo , Phil Koh , Thumper Worrell , Paxton Wells , Clint Conway

IN: Yorvit Diaz , Johan Sullivan , Ronald Rivers , Tomas Aguilera

PREVIEW: Avantrael's team is stuck in the 70's with polyester and disco. They won 72 games with above average pitching (4.50 ERA with 807 runs allowed) and below average hitting (.260 BA with 726 runs scored). Giving up more runs than you score is never good. On the good side, Avantrael did add Andy Vasquez and Esteban Perez in the draft. In the off-season Avantrael let McGee, Shelly, Mateo, Koh, Worrell, Wells and Conway go to free agency. He signed free agents Diaz and Sullivan and picked up Rivers and Aguilera in the R-5. Augusta still has 3 open spots on the M L roster and depending on Avantraels moves, This team could go either way. Right now they are a .500 team.Here come the 80's and a mullet hairdo for Avantrael. PREDICTION: 81-81 with a upside

Louisville RedTails (AL) jmuhtoff View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:65-97

LAST YEARS PREVIEW: When I picked Jmuhtoff's RedTails to win the division with a mid-80's record, many thought I was Mad, And I am! But This division is one of the weakest right now and Jmuhtoff's team was the strongest. They went into the playoffs as the #4 seed and gave the 93 win Blues all they could handle. But ended up losing game 5 at home....I feel your pain! In the off-season Jmuhtoff let Troncoso, Allen, Lieberthal , Kershaw go to free agency. He released Broxton. and traded away Pryce. Jmuhtoff claimed Wood off the wire and signed free agents Chang, Hill and Rivera. He promoted Gutierrez, Green, Garces and traded for Earley and Tatis. The only free agents I like are Green and Garces. Early is a great add but Tatis will only be effective against lefties. I think the Red Tails are a sub .500 team this year. PREDICTION:77-85

OUT: Darron Moses , Chien-Ming Chang , Yank Hill , Johan Sullivan , Freddie Long , Edgardo Rivera , Luis Vizcaino , Pablo Aramboles

IN: Nate Kashmir , Carlos Rios , Britt Lukasiewicz , Carlos Alvarez , Davey Renteria , Jim Creek

PREVIEW:I thought the Red Tails would be a sub.500 team and they finished well below that mark. It was a big step back from the 83 wins and a playoff berth. Having the worst pitching team in Wrigleyville will do that. Jmuhtoffs pitching staff allowed 925 runs with a ERA of 5.38. He did draft Dusty Spence with his first round pick but he can't help out the pitching. In the off-season Jmuhtoff let Moses, Chang, Hill, Sullivan, Long and Rivera go to free agency and released Vizcaino and Aramboles. Jmuhtoff claimed Kashmir and Rios off the wire and signed free agents Lukasiewicz and Alvarez. He promoted Renteria and Creek from AAA. The pitching was the problem last year and Jmuhtoff brought in some new arms. But it won't be enough even in this weak division.PREDICTION:75-87

New York Life Model Decoys (AL) fencer024 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:57-105

LAST YEARS PREVIEW: Thank God or Mark Knopfler, for that matter, that Fencer came in a rescued this team. The team was in a shambles and he righted the ship with the help of some owners that traded some badly needed farm hands. Fencer was able to add some prospects in this years draft, he grabbed Terrence Gibson , Harry Mujica , Otis Holdridge , Ray Greyand Richard Stanley . He also added many IFA's to shore up farm with Tony Molina being the best of the bunch. In the off-season Fencer re-signed Geronimo Cruz and Cristobal Beltran and let Reed, Hines, Lee, Delgado and Barker go to free agency. He released Jang and Leslie and traded away Price and West. Fencer signed free agents Acosta, Baker, Martinez and picked up Torres and Xavier in the R-5. And he made a Blockbuster trade that brought in Dickerson, Ochoa and Medlen. Fencer raised some eyebrows with his trades and I wont criticize them. But according to the franchise standings, this team is weak defensively but will hit for a high average with not many homers. The rotation will walk many a batter and get hammered by right handed hitting.The bullpen is near the bottom in all categories. This adds up to another losing season in New York, But it will take time for Fencer to right the ship. And thanks for sticking in there Fencer. PREDICTION:67-95

OUT: Glen Harris , Jamie Yang , Geronimo Cruz , Cookie Bennett , Willie Aquino , Michael Marshall

IN: Claudio Schmidt , Jesus James , Addison Terrero , Alving Franco

PREVIEW: Fencer was right there in the draft sweepstakes but will have to settle for the #2 pick. They only won 57 games like the Crabbers but lost the tiebreaker. Or was it that they won the tiebreaker..........?????? I'm so confused.....I think they won the tiebreaker only to lose the #1 pick?? He did get the #1 pick last year and selected Victor Pujols with the pick. In the off-season Fencer re-signed Al Zerbe and let Harris, Yang, Cruz and Bennett go to free agency. He released Aquino and Marshall. Fencer signed free agents Schmidt and James, picked up Terrero in the R-5 and traded for Franco. New York is a improved club and may with a couple moves take this weak division. But as they sit right now they should finish below .500.PREDICTION: 70-92

N L NORTH PREVIEW SEASON 28

Madison Muskellunges (NL) daddiothree View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:94-68(Division Winner)

LAST YEARS PREVIEW: The Muskies are a very good team and they finished close to my prediction and won the division. They had a 15 game lead on the rest of the N L West around roster expansion and coasted to the playoffs.They went into the post season as the #2 seed and beat the Juggernauts in 5. Then in the NLCS they did the improbable ........Beat the back to back champion Black Bears in 5. This was Daddio's first trip to the Wrigleyville World Series and his Muskies gave it a good go.But in the end they couldn't quiet the Vancouver bats and lost in 6. In the off-season Daddio re-signed Eddie Locke and let Tenbrink, Ferrer, Guzman, Sanchez, Henry, Matos, Mercado, Laffey, Mullins go to free agency. He claimed Tekotte off the wire and signed free agents Gil, Wood, Goodwin, Prieto, Cabeza, Weston, Arredondo and Davis. The Muskies lost many pitchers and both catchers to free agency but replaced them with veteran free agents. Most are 30 and older and signed short term. Daddio has his Core of Stars and brings in good solid Major Leaguers to field a good team. They should win the division again. PREDICTION:92-70(Division Winner)

OUT: Dom Woods , Diego Acosta , Sammy Sanchez , Albert Cabeza , Reed James , Torey Acosta , Eddie Locke , Gene Weston , Carlos Sierra

IN: Cliff Grey , Glen Meadows

PREVIEW: Congrats to Daddio and his World Champion Madison Muskellunges. The Muskies played very well last year ,I can attest to that. They owned my Zoids in the regular season and post-season. It's always been about the hitting in Madison and last year was no different. They were the best in the N L with a batting average of .274 and 918 runs scored. Daddio had his bats singing in the post-season . They swept my Zoids in the DCS and beat the Black Bears in the N L Championship Series.In the World Series they powered a 4 games to 1 series win over the Salem Salmonbellies. Who ever said pitching wins Championships, never played HBD. In the off-season Daddio let Woods, Acosta, Sanchez, Cabeza, James, Acosta, Locke, Weston and Sierra go to free agency. He promoted Grey and Meadows, and that's all folks. The World Champion Muskellunges have been left on the beach. They were my pick to win this division, but right now, this abandoned team will wither and die.PREDICTION:None

Milwaukee Sturgeon (NL) pat007ohmss View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:84-78(Wildcard)

LAST YEARS PREVIEW: Patricks Sturgeons were in the division race early but found them selves 17 games back by the All-Star break. In the off-season Patrick let Acosta, Person, Vargas, Martin, Lim, Boucher, Weston and Bennett go to free agency. He signed free agents Leonard, Allen, Marmol, Cordero, King and Dean. The Sturgeons have the highest cap in the league at 125 million and Patrick has spent 122 million so far. Can money buy you a winner...yes....but so far not in Milwaukee. Perhaps this will be the year? It depends on who fills the remaining  4 open slots on this years Major League Roster. Right now they are a expensive average team.PREDICTION: 81-81

OUT: Juan Marmol , Thom Gates , Derrek O'Brien , Kevin Leonard , Marty Allen , Hick Boucher , Carlos Alvarez , Carlton Sheets , Miguel Martinez , Bob Neugebauer , Rafael Pena , Albie Vazquez

IN: Ron Clayton , Roger Serrano , Jerome Cochrane , R.J. Roque , Reed James , Rafael Pimentel , Phillip Brock , Scooter Corey , Alfredo Herrera

PREVIEW: The Sturgeons won 3 more games than my 81 win prediction and grabbed a wildcard. This was the first playoff berth in 11 seasons and the 5th in franchise history . Patrick's team also relies on offense to win games, they were ranked 4th last year in the NL with a batting average of .266 and 759 runs scored. In the playoffs Milwaukee took my Ziods to a fifth game in the first round but lost. Still the highest paid team in Wrigleyville finally showed some life...and that's a good thing. In the off-season Patrick re-signed Stubby King and let Marmol, Gates, O'Brien, Leonard, Allen, Boucher, Avarez, Sheets, Martinez and Neugerbauer go to free agency. he put Pena and Vazquez on the waiver wire and they were claimed. Patrick signed free agents Clayton, Serrano, Cochrane, Roque, James and Pimentel and picked up Brock, Corey and Herrera in the R-5. The core of this team are Dick Heilman , David Cabrera , Victor Ramirez and James Wainhouse and they make 42 million combined. Patrick signed a bunch of old farts to 1 or 2 year contracts and added a few R-5 guys . This team has 2 more years before most of the big contracts expire and then maybe a re-build. They will win about the same amount of games as last year and with Madison out of the picture...they could sneak in to the playoffs again. PREDICTION: 85-77

Philadelphia Cheese Steaks (NL) gbuck44 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:83-79

LAST YEARS PREVIEW: Gbuck has decided to stick it out for another season . He packed up all the bats and balls in his Buckboard and moved to Philly. He lit out of Scranton pretty fast after word got around that he was leaving.  The buck naked Scrapper fans lived up to their names and chased Gbucks Buckboard to the city limits. By the time he arrived in his new digs in Philly, his wind blown hair made him look like Buckwheat instead of Gbuck. He buccaneer got kilt!! In the off-season Gbuck re-signed Jacque Kobayashi and let Hurst, Baker, Green and Taylor go to free agency. He released Espinoza and traded away Earley, Tatis, Ochoa, Medlen and Leon. He signed free agents Vizcaino, Miyakazi, Mota, Tenbrink, Cruz, Toca, Lee and promoted Ausmus. The trades brought in Masaoka, Pryce and Price. With so many moves I have to go to franchise rankings to make my assessment. Defensively and Offensively the Cheese Steaks are in the middle of the pack . The pitching seems to be a little better. Looks like a average year for the Cheese Steaks, PREDICTION:81-81

OUT: Jose Lee , Julio Fernandez , Yorvit Diaz , Tom Yerkes , Sam Price , Alving Franco , Hipolito Maduro , Grover Robinson , Jung Masaoka , Damion Wang , Donaldo Balboa , Gene Larish

IN: Hideki Ma , Omar Bonilla , William Mateo , Bob Neugebauer , Clayton Bragg , Enerio Olmeda , Cristian Satou , Oswaldo Veras , Quentin Hermansen , Jesus Rodriguez , Danny Barker , Alex Suarez , Al James , Ralph Barrett

PREVIEW: Gbuck's Cheesy Steaks finished with 83 wins ,pretty close to the preview prediction of 81 wins. They had decent pitching and defense last year and the offense was below the N L average of .257. Gbuck did pick up a stud in last years draft, Grover Robinson . He will be a good Cheese Steak when cooked. In the off-season Gbuck let Lee and Fernandez go to free agency and released Diaz and Yerkes. He traded away Price, Franco, Maduro, Robinson, Masaoka, Wang and Balboa and Larish was lost on the waiver wire. He claimed Ma off the wire and signed free agents Bonilla, Mateo, Neugebbauer, Bragg, Olmeda and Satou. the trades brought in Veras, Hermansen, Rodriguez, Barker, Suarez James and Barrett. This years new look Cheyenne team will have be great defensively and will be in the middle of the pack offensively. The rotation will walk many a batter but keep the ball on the ground. The bullpen is the weak link on this team and they may blow a lead or two. With Madison MIA this team is my pick to win the division. PREDICTION: 89-73(Division Winner, Cheesy Steak Dinner)

Tacoma Toyotas (NL) Sandberg10 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:82-80

LAST YEARS PREVIEW: The Toyotas had another bad year and are in the shop getting a overhaul(Sorry Sandberg..I had to do a car thing). While Sandberg hasn't taken the Toyotas apart down to the chassis. He has replaced many of the parts and is adding tasty prospect parts to his farm system. He did however fail to sign the #2 pick overall, but will get a D-pick in this years draft.In the off-season Sandberg let Elcano, Miller, Delgado, Cunnane go to free agency and lost Trevino to the waiver wire. He promoted Soto and Jackson and traded for Martin and Flores. Last year Sandberg called up his blue-chip prospects (Henderson Glynn , Rich Smart , Daniel Ray Flaherty , Fausto Johnson). The Toyotas have a very good pitching staff with the promotions and with the trades. I think they get to the .500 mark or better. (Late Note from Sandberg: Bump Tyson will be on my ML roster to start the season. ) PREDICTION:82-80

OUT: Hector Ruth , Bump Tyson , Luis Fernandez

IN: Juan Marmol , Davey Portugal

PREVIEW: Sandberg and his Toyotas finished exactly as predicted, 82 wins. The hitting (.265 BA) and pitching (4.00 ERA) was above average but the defense was near the bottom (.982 FPct). The Toyotas played in the fewest 1 run games, going 16-14 in the category.  I thought that was a interesting stat. Tacomas #3 overall pick (Dan Weston) in the draft refused to sign but he did sign the #6 pick (Davey Portugal) and the # 37 pick (Sergei Roskos). So last years season wasn't Totaled after all. In the off-season Sandberg let Ruth and Tyson go to free agency and released Fernandez. He signed free agent Marmol  and promoted  Portugal. The Bump experiment is gone and Sandberg has brought up last years draft prospect with one year in the minors under his belt. It may be a bumpy ride for this years Toyotas and the a blowout or two are certain. They will still be a near .500 team. PREDICTION:85-77

A L NORTH PREVIEW SEASON 28

Fargo Prairie Dogs (AL) aaronwayne View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:96-66(Division Winner)

LAST YEARS PREVIEW:  Aarons P-Dogs finished close to where I thought they would. Even so, they just about won the division, but giving up 870 runs and 229 long-balls is hard to overcome.But help is on the way,Aaron picked up some pitching in the draft and they will help in 1-2 years (Curtis Nelson, Harvey Romero). In the off-season Aaron let Leonard, Vincente, Henriquez , Blair go to free agency and released Dean and Romo. he signed free agents Javier, Gomez, Gamel,Vargas, Pimentel to fill the holes. Aaron spent 24 million on free agents and they are all solid players.His starting rotation is good and the bullpen will be great against RH hitters.The starting line-up defensively is poor but they are very good offensively. All in All I think the P-dogs will play better, and in this weak division, they could easily win it.PREDICTION:87-75

OUT: Pascual Vargas , Rafael Pimentel , Francis Doumit , Alex Gamel , Marshall Winn , J.J. Lansing , Edgardo Alvarez , Kendry Bocachica , Ben Farley

IN: Dick Pence , Giomar Molina , J.B. Battle , Chien-Ming Chang , Yuniesky Trevino , Jason Faulk , Eduardo Navarro , Lewis Taft

PREVIEW: The Money Aaron spent in free agency helped get the P-Dogs over the fence and running the streets.  Who let the Dogs out? . They easily won the division with a 96 win season and they did this with great pitching. Fargo was the 3rd ranked pitching staff in the A L with a ERA of 4.25. In the post-season the P-dogs sat out the 1st round with a bye then mauled the Blitz in the DCS. In the ALCS the P-dogs couldn't swim with the Salmonbellies and were swept away. In the off-season Aaron re-signed Emmanuel Soto and let Vargas, Pimentel, Doumit, Gamel, Winn and Lansing go to free agency. He released Alvarez and Bocachica and put Farley on the waiver wire. Aaron signed free agents Pence, Molina, Battle, Chang , Trevino , promoted Faulk , Navarro and picked up Taft in the R-5. With a re-vamped catching corps and some addition of good players. Fargo should win this division but the Bruins are getting better and should give them a run for the money. Aaron will be back in the playoff and may make it back to the ALCS. PREDICTION:95-67(Division Winner)

New Britain Bruins (AL) dodgersgale View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:84-78

LAST YEARS PREVIEW: Dodgers team did win the division but it wasn't easy. As predicted they did get challenged from the other teams in the division but finished 4 games ahead of the P-dogs. I also predicted they would be under-dogs in the playoffs and I was dog-gone wrong. The Bruins beat the 90 win Salmonbellies in the first round then surprised the 96 win Tabaky Farmers in the DCS. Dodger found himself in the ALCS and took the eventual Champs to a 7th game. All in all my prediction of a bad playoffs for the Bruins was colder than a 3 dog night! In the off-season Dodger re-signed Johnny Stone and let Martinez, George and DeHaan go to free agency and released Velazquez. This is pretty much the same team as last year and Dodger still has a roster spot open. They should win about 85-90 games and are always dangerous in the post-season.PREDICTION:88-74(Division Winner)

OUT: Johnny Stone , Placido Telemaco , Bill Skinner , Vic Cervelli

IN: Nicky Fordham , Gavin Everidge , Ramiro Pena

PREVIEW: Dodger's guys didn't win the division and missed the playoffs. This was mostly due to the emergence of Fargo as a playoff force. The Bruins were lucky the previous year when they made the playoffs as a #4 seed while winning only 83 games. And continued the lucky streak by making it all the way to the ALCS. Season 27 wasn't so lucky and this is a fairly young team and may get better with more playing time. The strength of New Britain is the pitching. They were the best in the A L last year with a ERA of 3.95 and only allowed 704 runs. If they could improve on the 15th ranked hitting...Dodger's team may take off. In the off-season Dodger let Stone, Telemaco, Skinner and Cervelli go to free agency. He then signed free agents Fordham, Everidge and Pena. The loss of a great pitcher like Telemaco can be looked at as a bad thing but Dodger was happy he left and retired. His 20 million a year contract and diminished abilities were a drain on this team. With the extra cash in hand, Dodger was a smart shopper and picked up 3 good free agents to compete with the P-Dogs. It's a cathartic experience getting shed of a BIG contract and now that New Britain has some cap space they can make some mid-season acquisitions. I think this team has a good chance at the division but will come up a bit short and settle for a wildcard. PREDICTION:90-72(Wildcard)

Hartford Insurance (AL) pbsilver11 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:79-83

LAST YEARS PREVIEW: PB's Team has me pulling on whats left of my hair. I thought they would be in the running for a wild card ,but this was not so. The Insurances are stuck at 78 wins , at least they're consistent, and with a weak division they only finished 5 games back of the Bruins. In the off-season PB re-signed Pasqual Perez and let Surkamp, Franco, Pena go to free agency. He signed free agent Mullens,  picked up Terrell in the R-5 and traded for West. Mullins and Terrell will improve an already stout defensive squad. And West will improve last years team .267 BA. Hartford will make it a 3 team fight for the division.PREDICTION:84-78

OUT: Cesar Roque , Aaron Wells , Jesus James

IN: Phil Koh , Tony Romero , J.P. Mendez , Cesar Acosta

PREVIEW: PB's Insurance were stuck at 78 wins the last two seasons and last year they upped the game and won 79......WhooHoo!! They did almost get second place in the division but lost the tie-breaker to New Britain. Last year the batting average did improve to .273 but the pitching was still a little below average (4.64 ERA). In the off-season PB re-signed Kendry Torcato , Dick Badenhop and let Roque, Wells, James go to free agency. He signed free agents Koh, Romero, Mendez and picked up Acosta in the R-5 draft. The loss of James, who I really like, Will be a blow . But it was softened by the pickup of Koh and Romero. Mendez is a career .300 hitter and will definitely help the offense. PB also has some options to fall back on in AAA if the new guys, like Acosta, don't pan out. Right now the Insurance look like a average team but the season is long and he has options. PREDICTION: 83-79

Chicago Black Hawks (AL) hacker7 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:74-88

LAST YEARS PREVIEW: The Black Hawks went the other way. Instead of winning 6-8 more games than last year, they lost 10 more.In the words of our governor here in the great state of Texas.........Whoops!! Last year wasn't a total loss, Hacker picked up Sam Sheridan in the draft. In the off-season Hacker released Sosa and lost Larish on the waiver wire. He signed free agent Fernandez and picked up Tomko in the R-5 draft.Same guys as last year with a couple new guys in the bullpen. Maybe they will win a couple more games but not enough to get to the .500 mark.PREDICTION:75-87

OUT: Randy Palmer , Robinson Glover , Ernest Spencer

IN: Danny Wilson , Vernon Teagarden

PREVIEW: The Black Hawks finished about where we expected, just shy of .500. It's not from a lack of trying, Hacker has done everything he can think of to make this team win. He even speed promoted his first round pick all the way to the bigs last year (Gary Jacquez). That's just this side of desperation.In the off-season Hacker let Palmer, Glover go to free agency and released Spencer. He signed free agent Wilson and picked up Teagarden in the R-5 draft.This team has been carried by Rich Piper and he may get some help this year if Sam Sheridan gets promoted. Gary Jacquez is back in AAA and he may get the call-up soon. The addition of Wilson was OK but he walks too many batters for my liking. And Teagarden isn't ready for the bigs. This team has some studs and it will take a MVP year from Piper to make the playoffs.PREDICTION:75-87