NL SOUTH PREVIEW SEASON 20

Durham BullShippers (NL) wishlist3677 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:89-73

LAST YEARS PREVIEW:  The Bullshippers won the Division with a winning record so thats an improvment from last season. Last years preview I was concerned about Durhams lack of scoring when they were in hitter friendly Sante Fe.The move to Durham is still a hitter friendly park but not as extreme as Sante Fe. So the fact that Wishlist was able to score 69 more runs probably was a main factor in a winning season.Looks like Wish is making a move by bringing in a ton of talent. Not only will Durham win this division they will be a force in the post season. The N L South just became respectable. PREDICTION:91-71

OUT: Benito Ozuna , Jose Bonilla , Emmanuel Caseres

IN: Chad Catalanotto , Eswalin Ordonez , Juan Durazo

PREVIEW: My prediction of the Bullshippers division title was spot on but they were not a post-season force.Which suprisingly made me happy, seeing how the Bullshippers lost to my Totems. Wishlists defensive team is second only to Salem with only 78 errors and this makes the pitching staff(3.92 ERA-8th) look very nice..indeed! The only chink in the Durham armour is the hitting(.261 BA-19th) but that is easily fixed. In the offseason Wishlist re-signed Clarence Christiansen then let Ozuna,Bonilla and Caseres go to free agency. To plug the holes Wish signed free agents Catalanotto,Ordonez and Durazo. Looks like Ozuna got too old for Wish's liking and he brought in a younger Catalanotto. This may help the Bullshippers score more runs and finally get over the hump. PREDICTION:95-67

Tampa Bay Stars (NL) neilg View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:82-80

LAST YEARS PREVIEW:  No suprise here. Nelig is now in his 4th season as the skipper of the Tampa Bay Stars and he continues to add youngsters to the farm system. Like 4 first round draft prospects( Wayne Howard , Denny Satou, Hector Mercado , Brian Jackson) and a IFA (Welington Fernandez).So with only 69 wins last year, Nelig will get the #6 draft choice in this years draft .Tampa Bay is still a work in progress and will be coasting this season. Perhaps the waiver wire pickups will land them some future comp picks and this team will look to add another nice prospect in the draft. Right now they may win 80 games.PREDICTION 77-85

OUT: Brady Sefcik , Joe Cunnane , Charles Ramsey , Miguel Martis , Aurelio Mercado

IN: Odalis Mota , Mark Phillips , Emil Aguilar , Wayne Danks , Ricardo Lima

PREVIEW: Nelig Stars won 82 games last year which surpassed my prediction. Tampa Bay has a bunch of young talent and they played well with the waiver wire pickups. The pitching staff (3.58 ERA-4th) was the ..er...Star of the Stars. Which helped overcome a woeful defense (.981 FPct-30th) and hitting (.250 BA-27th) squads.Imagine how good this pitching staff would be with some defense...its scary. In the offseason Nelig re-signed Tarrik Francis then let Sefick,Cunnane,Ramsey and Martis go to free agency. The last player to go was Mercado, getting released outright. With just a few roster spots to fill, Nelig claimed Mota off the wire and signed free agent Phillips. Then he promoted Aguilar,picked up Danks in the R-5, and traded for Lima. The addition of Lima will help the struggling defense but Phillips defensive range has fallen so much, he should be in LF. The great Tampa pitching will try to keep them in the game and it could be enough for a playoff spot.PREDICTION:84-78

Jackson Black Bears (NL) olemiss33 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:73-89

LAST YEARS PREVIEW:  Olemiss and his Jackson Black Bears were worse than my prediction of 100 losses. So he is taking full advantage of a no minimum win rule and the Black Bears will have yet another #1 overall pick. Last year Olemiss added #1 overall pick Jerry Myette to the farm system while adding IFA prospects Carlos Wilfredo and Oswaldo Veras.With the promotion of 3 young studs the Black Bears are a better team, but not good enough to reach .500. I don't think they will lose 111 games but 90 losses could be their future. Olemiss will pick up some more tasty prospects and the farm teams will be hard to beat.PREDICTION: 65-97

OUT: Nigel Hasegawa , Hal Middlebrook , Mike Melfi , Dwight Webster , Junior Maeda , Justin Sweeney , Freddy Lawrence , Danys Megias , Ben Borland , Danny Montana

IN: Chris Yacko , Roberto Cedeno , Jim Caufield , Oswaldo Veras , Rick Prince , Mule Crawford , Carson Bellinger , James Mills , Bruce Montgomery , Fritz Reddick , Sal McDonald , Apollo McNamara

PREVIEW: The Black Bears were better than my prediction and this is good for Olemiss and the league.Jackson won 73 games last year with average pitching (4.33 ERA-14th), below average defense(.982 FPct-24th) and the worst hitting club (.246 BA-32nd) in Wrigleyville. In the offseason Olemiss re-signed Carson Bellinger then let Hasegawa,Middlebrook and Webster go to free agency. Then he released Maeda,Sweeny,Lawrence,Megias,Borland,Montana and Melfi. With most of last years team gone, Olemiss signed free agents Yacko,Cedeno and Caufield. He promoted Veras,Prince,Crawford,Bellinger then picked up Mills,Montgomery,Reddick,McDonald and Mcnamara in the R-5 draft. Gentlemen, the Black Bears are on their way back to contention. 3 young prospects got the Callup and the rest of the roster is a mix of R-5 players and low level free agents. While this team is not ready for prime time yet. The next few years will be good for Jackson Fans and trouble for us.PREDICTION:78-84

Austin City Limits (NL) wylie715 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:73-89

LAST YEARS PREVIEW: Wylies Austin City Limits did have a winning season but just not quite enough to win the division of illrepute. I was wrong about the hiring of a rookie Fielding coach. Austin had one of the best defensive units in all of Wrigleyville(85 Errors,405 Double Plays,.986 Fielding Percentage).Makes me think coaching is not very significant?? Austin also had the 4th best offensive team(.280 team BA) and a average pitching team(4.14 team ERA). So I'm at a loss to why the City Limits only had a .500 record.Maybe it has to do with the fact they were 18-23 in one run games. If that was switched around to 23-18 they would be 87-75 and division champs.With only a couple roster spots open Wylie signed free agent Volquez and picked up Blackburn and Chamberlain in the R-5.This team is good and talented and they should finish with more than 82 wins. Perhaps luck didn't go their way in 1 run games. This year may be the breakout year were waiting for.PREDICTION:90-72

OUT: Clayton Bragg , Chad Wilson , David Pineda , J.P. Mendez

IN: Mike Freeman , Juan Castillo , Jeffrey Moreno , Shaggy Castillo , Slim Coleman , Greg Osterbrock , Olmedo Franco

PREVIEW: It wasn't the breakout year I had hoped for. It was a breakdown year.The City limits finished with 73 wins, far below my prediction. If it wasn't for the 5th ranked defense(.985 FPct-5th) the season could have been worse. The hitting (.272 BA-11th) was decent but the culprit to last seasons decline was the pitching (4.69 ERA-21st). In the offseason Wylie let Bragg,Wilson,Pineda go to free agency, then traded away Mendez. With a couple spots open in the roster, Wylie claimed Freeman and J Castillo off the wire and signed free agents Moreno and S Castillo. Then he picked up Coleman, Osterbrock in the R-5 and traded for Franco. Wylie knows it was "THE Pitching" so he brought in some new arms. Some will be here for awhile, others like the R-5 guys, won't last. Look for Wylie to either promote some pitchers or make some deals early in the season. Right now this team is about 500 with some potential.PREDICTION:81-81

A L SOUTH PREVIEW SEASON 20

Charleston Tobacco Farmers (AL) nwsheehy007 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:82-80

LAST YEARS PREVIEW: The Tabaky Farmers are back on top of the A L South and they finished close to predictions. This year when the rest of the division faltered, Nwsheehy didn't have to play musical playoff chairs . Charleston is built on pitching(3.94 team ERA) and they hoped it would bring them a second Wrigleyville World Series.But they were smoked in the first round by a very good Scottsdale team, and thus ended the dream.The loss of some good pitching may hurt the Tabaky Farmers but he plugged the holes with some competent free agents.They are still a good pitching club and the Tabaky Farmers should win the division title. PREDICTION:87-75

OUT: Jeremy George , Jose Calles , Jim Caufield , Eswalin Ordonez , Arthur Phillips , Benito Franco , Carlos Velazquez

IN: Andre Scanlan , Luis Gil , Damaso Martin , Sammy Gandarillas , Juan Marmol , Sam Bailey , Vic Cervelli , Justin Wallace , Kory Span

NWSHEEHY's PREVIEW: The Tobacco Farmers are older...not much else to say. Winter is not coming...it is here. Hopefully these veteran starting pitchers can survive one more year and get in that last playoff run before things fall apart.The bullpen looks like it might be a problem. But this team can hit...and for power. The addition of Damaso Martin as a true DH will make this one of the more potent offenses. 

PREVIEW: When the music stopped last year. The Tabaky Farmers won the tie breaker against Memphis. That put Charleston in the playoffs with 82 wins and a 3rd division crown.Charlestons long balls powered this team with 234 taters(5th best) but they were 23rd in overall hits (1469) ,Curious? The hole in the Tabaky Farmers game is defense. They were ranked 26th overall with a FPct of .982.This doomed them in the playoffs when they met the Moonbats with the #1 ranked offense. In the offseason Charleston re-signed William Tabaka , then let George,Calles,Caufield,Ordonez and Phillips go to free agency. Franco and Velazquez were released outright to complete the purge. With several holes to fill  Nwsheehy signed free agents Scanlan, Gil, Martin and Gandarillas. Then he promoted Marmol, Bailey, Cervelli and grabbed Wallace and Span in the R-5. While the 3 prospect promotions will help out the Tabaky Farmers in the long run. They still haven't fixed their defensive problem. The Tabaky Farmers will try to outscore their opponents again this year. PREDICTION:84-78

Memphis Blues (AL) tchagnon View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:82-80

LAST YEARS PREVIEW:  It's was a sad, sad year for Tchagnon and his Memphis Blues. They finished below .500 and my prediction was very sad indeed.When I look at last years statistics its obvious that the average hitting(.265 team BA) and average pitching(4.38 team ERA) and average fielding(100 team errors) makes for a average team record.TC did pick up Vitas Sager in last years draft and he should be a big defensive help in 3 years.The fans hope that the sweet music will return this season. Tchagnon signed some free agents with short contracts to see if his core players will do better this year. If this team falters look for a fire sale. Playing in this weak division will help them but they will have to win the division to make the playoffs.PREDICTION:85-77

OUT: Al Astacio , Fausto Fernandez , Alex Mateo , Dixie Stankiewicz , Billy Connor ,Aramis Tavarez , Daniel Coleman , Luis Gil

IN: Sammy Oropesa , Junior Maeda , Harpo Cepeda , Will Byrdak

PREVIEW: The short timers almost helped Tchagnon and his Blues reach the playoffs. The Tie-Breaker just wasn't in their favor. Memphis still finished above .500 with a good defensive club(.985 FPct-9th). But they will have to work on the average pitching(4.58 ERA-18th) and hitting(.266 BA-15th) if they want to make it back to the playoffs. In the offseason, Tchagnon re-signed Felipe Jose , Ossie Hyers and let Astacio,Fernandez,Mateo,Stankiewicz and Conner go to free agency. Then he released Tavarez,Coleman and Gil to finish the exodus. He filled the gaps with free agents Oropesa,Maeda and Cepeda, then traded for Byrdak. Memphis helped pitching and offense with the aquisition of Byrdak and Oropesa. but will it be enough?? Anything is possible in this weak division. Right now it's a two horse race with the Tabaky Farmers and the Blues. Hopefully it won't come down to a Tie-Breaker...again.PREDICTION:84-78

Little Rock Posse (AL) illicit View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:74-88

LAST YEARS PREVIEW: The 100 million dollar Posse rode hard but came up on the short end of the rope. It was an improvement on last years finish but not where illicit had hoped. It seems the Posse pitching staff is still hanging curveballs with the second worst team ERA(5.23).  Illicit may be ready to string up a pitcher or two........just sayin. On the good side, Nashville picked up  Grant Ventura  in last years draft and he should be deputized in 3-4 years.Posse pitching is still weak as a kitten and this makes for another down year. Hanging out in the A L basement is the only hanging going on here.PREDICTION:70-92

OUT: Bryan Buckley , Nick Byrne , Kirk Davidson

IN: Jim Roundtree , Rene Walker

PREVIEW: The Posse were run out of Nashville. Illicit and his players were chased out by unruly fans hoisting pitchforks and yelling "The Posse Stink". So the Posse sprayed on some deodorent and moved to Little Rock where the fans recieved the club with open arms. Last years team wasn't too bad. They won 74 games with a average offense(.270 BA-13th) and horrid pitching(4.86 ERA-24th) and defense(.977 FPct-31st). In the offseason Illicit let Buckley,Byrne and Davidson go to free agency. Then he replaced them with free agents Roundtree and Walker. Will the new digs be kinder to the Posse? Probably not. Weak pitching and Defense is always a killer no matter where you play or how you smell.PREDICTION:72-90

Charlotte Sometimes (AL) hatton98 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD:61-101

LAST YEARS PREVIEW: Hattons Sometimes did get close to .500 last year. And his team was much better defensively(85 team errors,.986 FPct) and the pitching was good(3.91 team ERA). The culprit seems to be the offense.They hit below last years .270 team batting average and finished with a team .260 average. Charlotte added Louis Ramirez in last years draft and David Hernandez in the IFA market. And these two prospects will be great additions in a few years.Pretty much the same team as last year. Hatton did promote Al Carrasco last year after 30 games, which makes him a rookie this year. And Hatton could do the same thing this year with all that talent in AAA. Right now Charlotte is a .500 team. If he brings in some minor league talent or makes some trades this team could win the division. PREDICTION:81-81 as of now

OUT: Anthony Malone , Chad Catalanotto , Walter Kerr , Welington Quixote , Rich Hendrick , Denny Hunt , Jorge Lopez , Ricardo Lima , Will Byrdak , Scott May

IN: Emmanuel Caseres , Dixie Stankiewicz , Taylor Riggs , Santiago Rodriguez , Albert Glynn , Ren Chang , Shayne Janish , Jonathan Valdes , Pedro Figureoa

PREVIEW: Sometimes you feel like a nut,sometimes you don't. Well I feel like a nut after I predicted a .500 season for Charlotte. Hattons young team had improved every season till last year. Hattons pitching(5.03 ERA- 29th) was the big culprit in his 101 loss season.The hitting ( .286 BA-14th) and defense (.984 FPct-16th) was average so its not all bad for Charlotte. In the offseason Hatton let Malone, Catalanotto and Kerr go to free agency. He released Quixote,Hendrick,Hunt and Lopez, then traded away Lima,Byrdak and May. With many holes to fill Hatton brought in free agents Caseres,Stankiewicz,Riggs and Rodriguez. He then promoted Glynn,Chang,Janish,Valdes and picked up Figureoa in the R-5.I like the direction the Sometimes are going this offseason. Bringing up some young talent while keeping salaries low.This team could be good in a few years, but for now they will do well to hit even steven.PREDICTION:70-92

THE CRABBERS LEAVE OPPONENTS SCRATCHING

 Hello Wrigleyville , I.B. Lyon here reporting for MAD News. Rbedwell and his Santurce Crabbers have Clawed their way to another World Series win. The San Juan Santurce Crabbers have played in 3 of the last 4 World Series and won 2 of them. They dominated this years playoffs with a 11-1 record and left some of us scratching our heads and the rest, just scratching.
   I caught up to Ralph at the Republican National Convention in Tampa Bay. After taking a Taxi to the Southern Comfort Inn were Ralph booked the 100 proof room. I knocked on the door and could hear muffled voices and the sound of people moving within. After several minutes and rapping my knuckes raw. The door opened and three lovley babes squeezed by me followed by a midget,a baby goat and a someone in a Pinocchio suit with a very long nose. Then a disheveled Ralph slapped me on the back and ushered me in saying. "Welome I.B.Lyon,Welcome". I stumbled over and assortment of liquer and vegatable oil bottles and nearly fell when I stepped on a slip and slide. There were no chairs in the room and Ralph noticed my apprehension and said. " Sorry I.B, I threw out all the chairs after giving them a good scolding.But hey, Pop a squat there on the bed". I gingerly sat with my back on the headboard and said. " Congrats Ralph on another World Series win. And if I remember correctly, you told me 4 years ago at Mammasitas House of Pinoche that you would win some more rings. And here we are!". Ralph smiled as he combed the chocolate sauce in his hair to one side and said."I couldn't be more proud of my kids (Not the baby goat).They cut thru the playoffs like Lizzy Borden at a family reunion."
    He poured us a couple Blantons and I asked. " How much longer can this team win before you have to retool?" He eyed me for a second ,popped a couple Viagras, grabbed the bottle and took 2 deep swigs. then said. " I don't know when I'll have to blow this team up. But I do know that I have to blow up some toys before my friends return with the Crisco." Ralph then grabbed a inflatible purple Manatee with a crimson Tutu and began to blow it up.
   I took that as my cue to leave. And I swiftly exited Ralphs private World Series Celebration.I caught a Taxi back to the airport.Made my way thru the myriad of Republican Delegates yelling at empty chairs and thought to myself. Ralph sure knows how to party and play this game of ours. Congtrats again to Ralph and his World Champion San Juan Santurce Crabbers.

THIS YEARS DUROCHER NOMINEES

This will be the 5th year that we award one of our own with thw Durocher Award. All 4 are worthy of mention and I hope all owners will participate in the voting process. Thankyou all.


MARK3313 - Mark is a worthy nominee just for his tireless work keeping this world filled. Add his juggenaut of a team and he has to be considered one of the favorites.Marks Kickapoos won their 4th Wrigleyville World Series last season and will have the top seed in this years N L playoff bracket.Here is what one owner had to say while nominating Mark: "I nominate mark3313 for The Durocher Award this season because he once again put an amazing team on the field and for his continued excellence in this world."



SWISHNEV23 - Looks like Swish will win the tough A L West and grab the top seed in this years AL playoff bracket. Swish's Cobras are among the best Hitting,Pitching and Fielding teams in Wrigleyville.They are a sound team and are a favorite to make it back to the World Series.Here is a comment from one nomination: " I nominate swishnev23 (Arizona). He has created a monster of a team in the AL West."



RBEDWELL - Not only is Ralph one of the most successful owners in Wrigleyville, he is also the one I go to for answers. His knowledge of this "game of ours" is extensive and can be a great resource when you have a head scratching problem. While his Crabbers will make you scratch in other places, they usually are a top seed in the playoffs.And this year is no different, with a 100+ win team and the #2 seed in the NL bracket.Ralph is a worthy nominee.Here is what one owner had to say: " My nomination is rbedwell. He gets the most out of his players and teams. In one word: Winner."



SORDIE- For the first time EVER, Sordies Moonbats missed the playoffs last year. That was 14 consecutive years and BABY they are BACK!They sport the 2nd best record in the A L and will be a force in the playoffs. Sordie is a worthy nominee just for the ability to get back off the canvas and the Moonbats are a wild card in name only.  This comment sums it up best. "I nominate sordie. He's a funny guy. Give that man a pony."

THE WEEK IN WRIGLEYVILLE S-19 #8

TRADES

The SYRACUSE MOOSE traded Vicente Prieto to the MEMPHIS BLUES for David McDonald

The Blues get a solid starting pitcher for the stretch run. The Moose get a Pitching Prospect that we may see in the Bigs next year.


M L INJURIES

Joe Valdes
What can you say about Joe "Momma" Valdes? He hits the D L for the 3rd time this year and is ready to come back off the DL. Momma don't let your babies grow up to be Bandits.

Art Stewart
This is just a continuation of the previous 15 day DL. Swish is using the 15 day DL hoping Art "Smoke" Stewart heals faster.He could use this Smolder in his Shoulder guy in the playoffs.

Andres Ferrer
The Bleacher Bums get more sand kicked in their faces. Andres "Fault" Ferrer will miss 2 weeks with a strained shoulder. Its been a tough year for Hshack and Chicago.

Rheal Scott
Rheal "E" Scott has a bum arm and it will sideline him for 2 weeks. Pbsilver is Rhealy bummed out.

Ramiro Pena
Daddio is hoping to get Madison back in the post-season. Ramiro "Ball" Pena will make that harder by going on the 15 day DL .


INTERNATIONALS

Matty Tavarez Fargo Prairie Dogs Age: 18 B/T: L/L Born: Chacao, VE Position(s): 1B View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Just another Dog in the minor leagur yard.

Julio Bonilla Fargo Prairie Dogs Age: 23 B/T: S/R Born: Villa Altagracia, DO Position(s): CF View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Some speed and range for the minors.

David Villalona Helena Barking Moonbats Age: 18 B/T: L/L Born: Bonao, DO Position(s): P (SP1) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Sordie paid 12 million and a big league contract for this talented pitching prospect with health issues.

Al Benitez Cincinnati Red Light District Age: 18 B/T: R/R Born: San Cristobal, DO Position(s): P (SP5) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

This kid will take his 10.5 million and throw a party in the Red Light District. Condoms anyone??

Brian Cheng Helena Barking Moonbats Age: 18 B/T: R/R Born: Osaka, JP Position(s): P (SuA) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

I wanted this prospect ,but was out bid by Sordie. It took 9.9 million for this future All-Star Set-up/Closer.

Jose Lugo Jackson Black Bears Age: 18 B/T: L/L Born: Bethania, PA Position(s): P (SP3) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

10.2 million for this  #3 or #4 pitching prospect. Nice pickup for Olemiss33.

Domingo Seanez Salem Salmonbellies Age: 18 B/T: R/R Born: Santiago, MX Position(s): P (none) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Needs a DITR bump on the splits to make the Bigs.

Orlando Hernandez Salem Salmonbellies Age: 24 B/T: R/R Born: San Cristobal, DO Position(s): 1B View Hardball Dynasty Profile

900k and a S/T invite for this DH. He could play in the bigs right now if needed.

Jesus Montanez Salem Salmonbellies Age: 18 B/T: R/R Born: Solito, AW Position(s): CF View Hardball Dynasty Profile

For 7 million and a S/T invite this kid could be a  future GoldGlove 2nd baseman.He has great speed and contact but his low RH split may doom him to platoon duty.

Al Espinosa Vancouver Totems Age: 18 B/T: S/R Born: Barahona, DO Position(s): SS View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Just spending........

Gerardo Campos Vancouver Totems Age: 18 B/T: R/R Born: Elias Pina, DO Position(s): P (none) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

That leftover......

Al Teheran Vancouver Totems Age: 18 B/T: R/R Born: Villa Gonzalez, DO Position(s): 2B View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Prospect budget..........

Alex Chen Vancouver Totems Age: 19 B/T: S/L Born: Tokyo, JP Position(s): 1B View Hardball Dynasty Profile

So My minors..........

Ezequiel Barcelo Vancouver Totems Age: 18 B/T: R/R Born: Yamasa, DO Position(s): SS View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Will be stocked next year.........

Tino Martin Salem Salmonbellies Age: 19 B/T: L/L Born: Osaka, JP Position(s): P (SuB) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

I was outbid for this nice minor league prospect.Wasn't willing to give him a S/T invite.

Carlos Bonilla Vancouver Totems Age: 18 B/T: S/R Born: Higuey, DO Position(s): LF View Hardball Dynasty Profile

With 400k left ............

Andres Martinez Vancouver Totems Age: 20 B/T: R/R Born: Haina, DO Position(s): C View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Alls I got were these two.

Eduardo Valdes Louisville Howlers Age: 20 B/T: S/R Born: Tacubaya, MX Position(s): 1B View Hardball Dynasty Profile

A Minor league slugger who will be at the Howlers spring training.