A L EAST SEASON 13 PREVIEW

Hartford Crushers (AL) ARomano View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST SEASON:107-55

OUT: Jaret Hoffman , Mo Huff , Ozzie George

IN: Luke Malloy

PREVIEW: After missing the playoffs in season 11. ARomanos Crushers came back last season on a Mission. With A tank of gas,a bible, 2 Packs of smokes and a Bottle of Scotch whiskey. ARomano yelled "Hit IT"!!! and the Crushers cruised all the way to the World Series Championship. With a Wrigleyville World Series Trophy in the trunk of the Bluesmobile. ARomano went on his Mission of God. So he let Hoffman test the free agent market and released Huff and George. Then he signed Malloy to a free agent contract. With only a couple of moves made in the offseason. ARomano's Crushers are going to make another run at the title. And they have the soul to win it all again! Prediction:100-62

Cincinnati Howlers (AL) jmuhtoff View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST SEASON:85-77

OUT: Pedro Matos , Benjamin Hunter , Amos Loiselle , P.T. Armas , Adrian Franco , Robb Holder , Luke Wilhelm

IN: Howard Fischer , Vladimir Polonia , Neil Pierce , Jumbo MacFarlane , Luke Wilhelm , Norberto Ramirez

PREVIEW: Jmuhtoff and his Howlers returned to the playoffs last year. But they lost in the first round to Portland. The upstart Howlers come into the offseason on an up-note. They first let Matos ,Hunter ,Loiselle and Armas go to free agency. And Franco was released outright and Holder and Wilhelm were traded to Portland. Jmuhtoff signed free agents Fischer ,Polonia ,Pierce and promoted MacFarlane. Then in a twist they re-aquired Wilhelm in the R-5 Draft.Finally the Howlers traded for Ramirez. The Barking and Howling will be heard all over Wrigleyville this year . The improved Howlers will be singing all the way to the playoffs. Probably as a wild card. Prediction:92-70

Jmuhtoff's Preview: Season 12 saw the Howlers return to the playoffs and we hope to build on our newfound momentum with a few key pieces this season.Vladimir Polonia takes over at DH where we hope he can hit for a higher average and be on base more often for new slugger Norberto Ramirez , who was acquired in trade for odd man out Robb Holder.We probably overpaid for Howard Fischer but we like to have a big glove on the bench. We expect solid offense and improved defense this year but this is a Jumbo MacFarlane world and we're just living in it.Jumbo has been the best pitcher in the Howler system since being drafted and we think this is the season to loose him to crush his enemies, see them driven before him, and to hear the lamentation of their women.

Indianapolis Indians (AL) ardthomp View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST SEASON:85-77

OUT: Mark Phillips , Ryan Weaver , Aramis Crespo , Glen Marte , Kennie Riley , Bill Green , Tony Duncan  , Evan Thomson

IN: Sherry Wells , Thom Wright , Eswalin Benitez , Denny Keough , Michael Curtis , Braden Duffy , Tony Matos , Ramon Lo

PREVIEW: The Injuns have come along way since Ardthomp took this team over. The Injuns are dancing around the fire after making the playoffs again last season . So after the Pow Wow was over .Ardthomp went into the offseason looking to trade several blankets and shiny beads . First he let Phillips ,Weaver ,Crespo and Marte walk the trail of free agency. Then he traded away Riley ,Green ,Donut Duncan and Thomson . With a Peace Pipe in one hand and a small stack of cash in the other. Ardthomp signed free agent Wells and promoted papooses Wright and Benitez . After trading away several players, plug of Tabakky ,several Ponys and Squaw or two. The Injuns picked up Keough ,Curtis ,Duffy ,Matos and LO. The Injuns did what injuns do!! They drank firewater ,danced ,smoked and traded into the night. And they could make trouble if they stay healthy(Sober). May be in the wild card hunt again. Prediction:90-72

Boston Knights (AL) avantrael View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST SEASON:83-79

OUT: Vladimir Polonia , Julio Mercado , Charles Suzuki , Charles Yamamoto

IN: Miguel Ayala , Glen Marte , Philip Schultz , Alberto Ramirez , Rip Meares

PREVIEW: Avantreal and his Knights shocked The East by winning the Division in season 11. And even though this team had a good season last year . The rest of the East got better and Avantreal barely missed the playoffs. So he went into the silly season with an eye on returning to the playoffs. Avantreal  let Polonia , Mercado ,Suzuki and Yamamoto go to free agency.  Then he signed free agents Ayala and Marte. Finally he traded for Schultz ,Ramirez and "Let er" Rip Mears. This is one of the toughest Divisions in Wrigleyville. And the teams will slug it out for the wildcard spots. Don't count this team out yet . They may suprise us. Prediction:88-70

Avantreal's Preview: Heya! Boston's outlook is pretty good this year.Upgraded the starting pitching and lost a little power but brought speed and contact back into its game. We arent going to smack the **** out of the ball, but should be able to win with defense, pitching and small ball

A L NORTH SEASON 13 PREVIEW

Portland Pandemonium (AL) pbsilver11 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST SEASON:86-76

OUT: Bey Robinson , Arthur Howard , Norberto Ramirez , Peter Hodges

IN: Samuel Tomlinson , Ariel Gonzalez , Ross Bush , Roy Kramer , Ernie Jenkins , Len Carver , Patrick Miller

PREVIEW: Pbsilver was very happy when he won his 3rd division title last year. But the jubilation was short lived after the Pandemonium lost in the DCS to the 2 time champion Barking Moonbats. Pbsilver has a great core of winners.So he went into the offseason looking to add just a few players.He released Robinson and traded away Howard ,Ramirez and Hodges. Then he signed free agents Tomlinson ,Gonzalez ,Bush and promoted Kramer. Finally Pbsilver traded for Jenkins , Carver and Miller. Looks like Portland unloaded a couple of big contracts in order to resign several players. The bats of Howard and Ramirez will be missed. But this team is still very good. Prediction:88-74

Fargo Prairie Dogs (AL) aaronwayne View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST SEASON:78-84

OUT: Milton Oliver , Frank May , Jose Jimenez , Len Carver , Rip Meares , Luis Lopez

IN: Jamie Delahanty , Pedro Mercedes , Ed Comer , Miguel Piedra

PREVIEW: Slowly aaronwayne has brought this team along. And last season they showed some signs of life. Could this be the year the Prairie Dogs venture out of their hole? Fargo first let Oliver and May go to free agency. Fargo then traded away Jimenez ,Carver ,Meares and waived Lopez. Aaron signed free agents Delahanty , Mercedes and promoted Comer. Finally he traded for Piedra. Fargo has increased their payroll 20 million since last season. It looks like the Prairie Dogs are going for it!! Prediction:84-78

Chicago Aztecs (AL) kumbiakings View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST SEASON:73-89

OUT: Armando Ortega , Pablo Duran , Rich Rando , Albert Uribe , Brady Sefcik , Harvey Rowan , Burt Harris , Felix Ramirez , Ricardo Torres , Mario Hunter , Ramon Lo

IN: Chuck Cummings , J.J. Melhuse , Paul Ryan , Pedro Feliz , Pinky Nady , Charles Wang , Matt Dransfeldt , Vance Schilling , Evan Thomson

PREVIEW: Kumbia and his Aztecas Finished 3rd in the division. A long way from his days as the division Champ. This year Kumbia has lowered his players salary cap by 17 million. First Kumbia let Duran ,Ortega ,Rando ,Uribe ,Sefcik and Rowan go to the free agent market. Then he released Harris, refusing to pay his Arbitration demands. Kumbia traded away Ramirez ,Torres ,Hunter and Lo .Dumping several big contracts. With a ton of holes to plug ,Kumbia signed free agents Cummings ,Melhuse and Ryan. Then he picked up Feliz ,Nady and Wang in the R-5 draft. Finally he traded for Dransfeldt ,Schilling and Thomson. With the offseason moves it looks like a classic Rebuild year. By shedding salary and picking up Bargain and R-5 players. The Aztecs still have 11 million in cap space. Look for Kumbia to build his farm system.Prediction:67-95

Trenton Truckstops (AL) district5 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST SEASON:70-92

OUT: Yorvit Moreno , Maximo Cochrane , Malachi Newson , Richard Nichols , Todd Ojeda , Larry Montgomery , Don Robinson , Stan Davis , Benny Leon , Matt Dransfeldt , Victor Rodriguez

IN: Luis Lopez , Tommie Reynolds , Hugh Lloyd , Dennis Burke , Derrin Price , Dan Mitchell , David Otanez , Bum Lawton , Felix Ramirez , Ricardo Torres , Mickey Harville , Dan Scutaro , Tripp Kent , Woody Piersoll , Tony Cedeno

PREVIEW: Shynet left his team to pursue a career in the theater. He got the part of Bashful in the Off Broadway production of Snow White and the Seven Naughty Dwarfs.Hey, Midget Porn is in these days. So district5 picked up this team for a song and a dance. Literally!! He performed the Staying Alive Dance of Saturday Night Fever .A wrigleyville fan favorite to be sure.  Once his platform shoes cooled down and he packed away his polyesther jumpsuit. District moved this team to Scenic Trenton and setup shop next to the Mercer County Airport . First he let Moreno ,Cochrane ,Newson , Nichols and Ojeda go to free agency. Then he Released Montgomery ,Robinson ,Davis ,Leon and traded away Dransfeldt and Rodriguez. Now to plug Dem Holes. First district Claimed Lopez and Reynolds off the Wire. He then Signed free agents Lloyd ,Burke ,Price ,Mitchell ,Otanez and promoted Lawton. Finally he traded for Ramirez ,Torres ,Harville , Scutaro ,Kent ,Piersoll and Cedeno. After the Truckstops broke out the Hose and washed away the muck and the sludge of the past. They Fixed up the old joint. So with a new coat of paint and a Neon sign. The Truckstops will win more games this year. The overhauled Truckstops may get a wild card. Prediction:87-75

N L WEST SEASON 13 PREVIEW

San Francisco Kickapoos (NL) mark3313 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST SEASON:111-51

OUT: Vinny Tartabull , Philip Schultz , Alberto Ramirez

IN: Rafael Benitez , Macbeth Lofton , Richard Nichols

PREVIEW: Mark and his Juggernaught have owned the NL West. But the post season is another story. The WIS gods are cruel bunch, to be sure. So with a solid core of superstars Mark went into the offseason Hoping for that magic player or two to bring the trophy back to old San Fransisco. He let Vinny "Shameless" Tartabull go to free agency. Then he traded away Schultz and Ramirez to Boston. With the loss of some studly pitching ,Mark signed veteren pitchers Benitez ,Lofton and Nichols. I believe that with all them superstars, its hard to pay them all. So mark had to let Tartabull and Ramirez go and replace them with older less expensive players. With that said, this team is still a force and perhaps older wiser players will be better in the post season. Worth a try! Prediction:105-57

Tucson Ectoplasm (NL) snowedin View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST SESAON:89-73

OUT: Hank Blume , Xavier Arnold , Julian Navarro , Neil Pierce , Miguel Ayala , Willie Sanchez

IN: Mike Malloy , Ozzie George , Odalis Oropesa , Patsy Hartman , David Cerda , Eswalin Canseco , Tyrone Beck

PREVIEW: The Wild Card Ecto's went into the postseason as the #6 seed and lost in the first round to Tampa Bay. This year the Tucson Fans want the Division Title and Snowedin is feeling the pressure. First he let Blume ,Arnold ,Navarro ,Pierce ,Ayala and Sanchez go the free agent market. Now with some cap room he went out and signed Malloy ,George and Oropesa. Then he promoted Hartman ,Cerda and Canseco and traded for Beck. It looks like snowedin was busy again building a winner. This team will make the playoffs.Probably as a Wild Card. Prediction:93-69

Vancouver Totems (NL) madmuldoon View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST SEASON:82-80

OUT: Kennie Reynolds , Quinn Kingman , Juan Hernandez , Ariel Gonzalez

IN: Nicky Romero , Hugh Cole , Nolan Leach

PREVIEW: I was suprised my team finished above .500 last year . Seeing how I'm sort of rebuilding. so with a core of overachievers I went into the offseason with optomism. I let Reynolds ,Kingman ,Hernandez and Gonzalez test the free agent market. I promoted Romero ,Cole and Leach  late last season. And I decided to keep them on. I lost a good pitcher to rival Wichita and this year will be a year of picking up IFA's and dratf picks. Perhaps next year I will bring in a high priced stud Player. For now we will be in the West basement. Prediction:70-92

Wichita Wind (NL) hoopcoach07 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST SEASON:76-86

OUT: Walter Kerr , Jalal Shea , Ryne Bryant , Julio Fernandez , Ignacio Herrera , Pasqual Bonilla , Mike Malloy

IN: Mark Phillips , Quinn Kingman

PREVIEW: The Wind finished at the bottom of the Division of Death.( No shame in that) But don't tell Hoopcoach that. Kerr , Shea and Bryant went to free agency. Hoppcoach then released Fernandez ,Herrera ,Bonilla and Malloy. He signed Phillips and Kingman to big ole contracts. The Wind lost a couple of good players to F/A. But they also signed a couple of good ones. This team probably won't make the playoffs but their headed in the right direction. Prediction:81-81

N L SOUTH SEASON 13 PREVIEW

Tampa Bay Stars (NL) jmas410 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST SEASON:100-62

OUT: Apollo West , Quinn Hatteberg , Hugh Lloyd , Tripp Kent

IN: Bryan James , Brady Sefcik , Matt Gibbons , Gio Villano , Jose Jimenez , Cole Herrmann , Clarence Christiansen

PREVIEW: Tampa Bay won their 10th division title last season. So with a strangle hold on the N L South, jmas wants more(Greedy LOL). First he let West ,Hatteberg and Lloyd go to free agency and released Kent. To fill the holes of the departed he signed free agents James and Sefcik. Then he promoted Gibbons and picked up Villano in the R-5. Finally jmas traded for Jimenez , Herrmann and Christiansen. Tampa will probably win the Division again. The Tampa Fans hope they win their second World Series. Prediction:98-64

Houston Colt 45's (NL) BBMogul View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST SEASON:79-83

OUT: Craig Savage , Burt Tomlinson , Victor Cruz , Miguel Chavez , Ernie Jenkins , Patrick Miller

IN: Apollo West , Carlos Estrada , Sting Hansen , Miguel Melo , Peter Hodges , Tomas Alvarez , Robb Holder

PREVIEW: What !! no Manatees? It looks like Sandleaguer packed up his leftover Rubber Manatees and left town in the middle of the night. BBMogul has stepped in and moved the team to Houston. This team had a low overall salary and BB upped it by 30 million . With a bag full of money BB went into this offseason ready to spend. First he let Savage , Tomlinson and Cruz go to free agency and released Chavez. Then he Traded away Jenkins and Miller. He signed  West (18.5 mil) and promoted Estrada and Hansen. Finally BBmogul picked up Melo in the R-5 draft and traded for Hodges , Alvarez and Holder. The revamped Houston bullpen is much better and this may put them over the top. I like this team as my sleeper pick.  Prediction: 90-72

Durham Natty Knights (NL) tjdove123 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST SEASON:71-91

OUT: John Daniels , Phil Dunwoody , Jake Womack , Terrence Pierre , Jimmie Gonzalez , Tino James , Jae Kojima , Denny Keough , Michael Curtis , Tony Matos

IN: Ryne Bryant , Ken Hardtke , Bill Neagle , Haywood Titan , Benji Aquino , Pablo Moreno , Rob Rasmus , Arthur Howard , Kennie Riley , Tony Duncan , Felix Gao , Billy Connor

PREVIEW: Lagzilla left Wrigleyville after his New Orleans Hip Waders sprung a leak and filled with Oil. With a truckload of Soap and several FEMA trailers .Tjdove123 packed up the entire team and relocated them to Durham. Like the Houston Colts above ,the Natty Knights increased the salary cap and went a spending on players. But first they  let Daniels , Dunwoody ,Womack ,Pierre and Gonzalez go to free agency. Then they released James and traded away Kojima ,Keough ,Curtis and Matos. Tjdove pulled out his Checkbook and signed free agents Bryant(10 Mil) ,Hardtke and Neagle(19.7 mil). They promoted Titan and Aquino then picked up Moreno and Rasmus in the R-5. Finally they traded for Howard ,Riley ,Tony"The Doughnut" Duncan ,Gao and Conner. This team went through a major makeover. And with Talent added to the starting rotation. This team should increase their win total. Prediction: 81-81

Tjdove's Preview: The Natty Knights had a very busy offseason adding the likes of Tony Duncan, Ryne Bryant, Bill Neagle, Arthur Howard, Felix Gao, and Billy Connor.The additions of Bryant, Neagle, Gao, and Connor should help rebuild the pitching staff while Howard and Duncan should help w/ the free agent loss of John Daniels. We are hoping for breakout seasons from youngsters Ross Griffen and Ben Taylor

Austin City Limits (NL) wylie715 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST SEASON:71-91

OUT: Geronimo Candelaria , Gabe Roberts , Miguel Perez , Luis Mota , Braden Duffy , Pascual Mercedes

IN: Walter Kerr , Trot Borders , Renyel Guerrero , Bill Green

PREVIEW: Wylies team rebounded from a horrible season 11 to finish with 71 wins. So he uprooted the Charlotte Chimps and moved them to Austin. The fans in the Lone Star state are excited and advanced ticket sales are through the roof. Now that the Poo flinging era has come to an end. Wylie went into free agency with a spring in his step and clean shoes. First the City Limits let Candelaria go to free agency and released Roberts ,Perez and Mota. Then they traded away Duffy and placed Mercedes on the Wire. Wylie went to the Market and signed free agent Kerr . He picked up Borders and Guerrero in the R-5 draft. Finally he traded for Green . The new digs may help in ticket sales but on the field this team needs a little more.Prediction:75-87

N L EAST SEASON 13 PREVIEW

Syracuse Moose (NL) rugby1 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST SEASON: 101-61

OUT: Gerald Hasegawa , Bill Neagle , Dan Evers

IN: Posiedon Borders

PREVIEW: First the good news. The Moose won the division and the N L Pennat for the second consecutive year. The bad news is ,that they lost again in the Series. I wish I had that bad news. So with a proven winner already assembled ,Rugby probably only wants to tweak his lineup.  First Hasegawa , Neagle and Evers left the Moose for free agency. Then he picked up Borders in the R-5 draft. Like I said ,Rugby only lost a couple of players and he still has 7 million in cap space. So he may do some promotions or pull off a trade later . Still this team is stout and they will battle San Juan for the Division. Prediction:98-64

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

LAST SEASON: 92-70

OUT: Bryan James , Rudy Morton , David Satou , Cesar Morales , Gail Phillips , Clarence Christiansen , Cole Herrmann

IN: Vinny Tartabull , Joseph Maeda

PREVIEW: The Crabbers have battled their division nemisis the Moose year after year.And again settled for a wild card berth last year. Ralph hopes this is the year they win their second division title. So with that in mind Ralph went into the offseason with a vengance. First he let James , Morton and Satou go to free agency. Then he released Morales and Phillips and traded away Christiansen and Herrmann. Finally he signed free agents Tartabull and Maeda. This could be the year the Crabbers win the division. They will have to stay healthy though . If they don't win the division look for them as a wild card contender.Prediction:98-64 possible Wild Card

Rbedwells Preview:  The Santurce Crabbers, frustrated in the playoffs the past four seasons, are going unconventional. In is a 4-man rotation, at least for the first part of the season: #p2304618Cho,p Weston, MacDougal, and Shea . They're backed by a new, improved bullpen: Pimentel, Tartabull, Krivda, and Hyun as the main men,and Werth, Munoz, Leary, and Oliva in backup bullpen roles. If a 5th SP is necessary later in the season, Gonzalez and Stockton are in AAA waiting by the phone.The lineup is bolstered by the addition of Rookie of the Year candidate Okajima and strong-armed backstop Gray , with all other significant contributors returning.Overall, the team lost P Clarence Christiansen, (traded) RP Gail Phillips, (released during arb) UT David Satou, and LF Bryan James (declined to re-sign both as FAs).The team has added RP Vinny Tartabull (FA signing), RF Junior Okajima (rookie), and C Sam Gray (rookie). Also, INF-OF Jackie Guthrie may join the rookie corps later in the season.Overall, owner Ralph Bedwell feels like the team should be the best Crabbers team yet, with the new pitching scheme making most efficient use of the team's best arms,and Okajima adding pop and depth to the lineup. CF Ryan Vaughn should be improved, superstar B Pablo Samuel should once again challenge for the MVP, and sluggers #p1653273Glen Hughes,p Willie Mercado, Steven Tartabull, and Erubiel Espinosa are all threats to hit 30+ homers. The Syracuse Moose remain division favorites, but they will have stiff competition this season from the Santurce Crabbers.

Atlanta Peachfuzz (NL) desanders View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST SEASON:66-96

OUT: Willie Karros , Felix Gao , Billy Connor

IN: Philip Alexander , Richard Kelly , B.C. Palacios , Julian Navarro , Julio Fuentes , Flash Reimold , Ruben Reyes

PREVIEW: Desanders bought this team from long time owner Boehnerm. Desanders made a fortune by selling 2 dollar bills for 5 bucks apeice. Plus shipping and handling . You know the one they're selling on TV. Only in America !! So with his new found wealth .Desanders moved the team from Scenic Trenton to Beautiful Atlanta. The first move the Peachfuzz(LOL) made was to let Karros go to free agency. Then he traded away Gao and Connor. Atlanta then claimed Alexander and Kelly off the waiver wire. They signed free agents Palacios and Navarro to contracts .Then  Fuentes was picked up in the R-5 draft. Finally they traded for Reimold and Reyes. Desanders still has 13 million in cap space and he may be looking to pickup a tasty IFA prospects or trade for a superstar contract. This team has improved but not to the point of beating San Juan and Syracuse. Prediction: 75-87

Burlington Coat Factory (NL) ehull11 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST SEASON:62-100

OUT: Dewey Coleman , Jose Martin , Brian Cox , Sherry Wells , Todd Santangelo , Woody Piersoll , Ruben Reyes , Flash Reimold

IN: Felix Guerrero , Jason Ransom , Victor Rodriguez

PREVIEW:  The new owner of the Christian Beavers is ehull11.He is fairly new to HBD but has an impressive record. He bought this team at an IRS auction after the team was seized for back taxes. It seemed that they used the religous exemption improperly. The old Beavers claimed that baseball was a Religion. But the Obama administration is pro basketball and didn't buy the Religous angle. Ehull11 moved the team lock stock and barrel to Historic Burlington. And of course named them the Coat Factory. The first offseason move was to let Coleman and Martin go to free agency. Ehull11 then released  Cox ,Wells and Santangelo and traded away Piersoll ,Reyes and Riemold. Burlington then promoted Guerrero and picked up Ransom in the R-5. Finally they traded for Rodriguez . Burlington has a total team salary of 36 million. So they are not going to compete for the division this year . Ehull11 will pick up tasty IFA's and grow them prospects. Prediction: 70-92

N L NORTH SEASON 13 PREVIEW

Kansas City Spittoons (NL) zmoty9 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST SEASON:94-68

OUT: Scot Kirwan , Felipe Urbina , Tyrone Beck

IN: No players added

PREVIEW: Zee, won his 3rd straight division title last year. The Spittoons lost to the Kickapoos in a tough 5 game DCS series. In order to Take the next step. The Spittoons need a player or two and some luck. First Zee let Kirwan and Urbina go to free agency. Then he traded away Beck to Tuscon. It looks like Zee is going with the hand he was dealt. By letting a couple low level pitchers go and trading away a slugger. He is betting this same bunch will rise to the occasion. And why not ? they proved again and again they're winners. PREDICTION:96-66

Milwaukee Sturgeon (NL) pat007ohmss View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST SEASON:86-76

OUT: Alexander Stein , Ken Hardtke , Enrique Rosado , Alan Baumann , Macbeth Lofton , Raymond Jennings , Andres Gomez , Dick Collins

IN: Julio Mercado , Norman Munro , Javier Lopez , Dan Evers , Jae Kojima

PREVIEW: The Sturgeons had a resurgence last season after several years of retooling. With 111 million dollar payroll. Patricks team should start playing like 111 million. His philosophy is: Screw the draft and IFA's!! I'm going after free agents. So in the offseason he first let Stein, Hardtke, Rosado, Bauman and Lofton test the free agent market. Once the fish were fillet. He signed free agents Mercado, Munro, Lopez and Evers. Finally he traded for Kojima. It was out with the old and in with the new . With 16 million spent in free agency ,Patrick hopes this team starts earning their money. If this team starts slow or is out of it by the all-star break. Patrick will be moving some players. Prediction:85-77 Possible wild card

Seattle Supersonics (NL) kevingrt13 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST SEASON:60-102

OUT: Duane Thompson , Bump Killefer , Javier Lopez , Wiki Arias , Kevin Suzuki , Jamie Delahanty , Turner Sheridan , Walt Park

IN: Burt Harris , Charles Yamamoto , Sammy Sanchez

PREVIEW: The Supersonics are in year 4 of their rebuild. So it was no suprise they finished near the bottom. In the off season, Kevin let Thompson, Killefer, Lopez, Arias, Suzuki and Delahanty go to free agency. Then he released Sheridan and Park. Seattle signed free agents Harris and Yamamoto to contracts. Finally they promoted Sanchez. Perhaps its another season on the mend in Seattle. But their payroll is low and they have 20 million in cap space. They could trade for a big star or transfer money to pick up tasty IFA's. Perhaps next year they will make their move. Prediction:70-92

Tacoma Toyotas (NL) Sandberg10 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST SEASON:59-103

OUT: Ross Bush , Khoury Henley

IN: Brett Woodson , Jerome McNamara , Ron Clayton

PREVIEW: Sandberg10 and his 6 time division champion Toyotas suffered their worst season last year. I believe that he is in a rebuild here. So in the silly season he let Bush and Henley test the free agent market. Then he claimed Woodson off the waiver wire. Sandberg promoted Mcnamara to the bigs. Finally in the R-5 draft, he picked up Clayton. Looks like the Toyotas will vie for the #1 pick in the draft. Prediction:60-102

The HARTFORD CRUSHERS are Wrigleyville World Champs

ARomanos Hartford Crushers squeezed by the Moose in game seven to win the 12th Wrigleyville World Series.It wasn't an easy road to the title for the Crushers. They had to play the defending champs Memphis Blues in the DCS.Winning 3 games to 1. Then in the LCS the Crushers were matched against the always tough Barking Moonbats.They won in 5 games. Finally ARomano's bunch faced the 3 time NL Champ Syracuse Moose. And the Moose were defeated for the second consecutive year by the upstart Crushers.

   I caught up to ARomano in Driggs Idaho. Were he was busy at his latest venture . It seems ARomano has bought and refurbished the Spud Drive-In. The Always amiable ARomano was standing by a flatbed truck with the worlds largest Potato. We shook hands and he motioned me to a seat near the entrance of his new theater. So I asked him.  Before I get into your amazing run to the Wrigleyville Championship. What ever possessed you to buy a huge Potato and a Run Down Theater in podunk Idaho??" He shifted his weight and replied." I was in the Dog house with the Missus. She bought a new Brazierre and asked me what I thought of it? Well I told her that it would sure keep her Tits off the Plate when she was eating.So because of that I was bunking at Mark3313's place. Then I won this place in one of Marks late night Poker Game. I figured that even if the theater goes belly up. I can chop up the Massive Tater and serve it at Crushers games ." Yea that Potato will make alot of Fries. Anyways Congrats on your Title. What does the future hold for the Crushers? ARomano smiled and said."I think my team is just coming into its own. And I look forward to winning many more Titles in Wrigleyville." Just then a young filly in daisy dukes walked by and ARomano was off to do a little recruiting . I hope he brought his Check book she may want a signing bonus!!  Well It was great visiting Driggs Idaho .Perhaps you'all will stop by for heapin helping of some hospitality!!! This is I B Lyon reporting for Mad News