AL NORTH
Montreal
Key Additions: None
Key Subtractions: Slick Rolls
Summary: Montreal continues to go through a slow
rebuild. You have to admire a team that has dominated its division like
Montreal has (9 straight division titles) and is still finding ways to re-stock
its’ farm system. There is always the potential for some mid-season trades to
occur (assuming Griffey spends more than 30 seconds on the site in one sitting)
that will further show the fact that Montreal is in rebuild mode. Is there
enough in the tank for a 10th straight title?
Prediction: 82-80
Detroit
Key Additions: Nigel Nicholas, Danny Darwin
Key Subtractions: None
Summary: Detroit did more good than bad in this
off-season, but it’s going to take a lot for a team to recover from being near the
bottom in the AL in hitting, pitching, and fielding. Nicholas and Darwin should
provide some much needed help defensively. The good news is that Montreal is
not the team that it once was, and there is some room for a new team at the
top. Is Detroit that team… we will see!
Prediction: 74-78
Burlington
Key Additions: Preston Brantley (minors), Nick Varitek
Key Subtractions: Frank Denham, Lenny Fassero (sentimental
reasons only)
Summary: Burlington made a couple of moves including
the release of one of the all-time greats Lenny Fassero. His18-year career in
Burlington has finally come to an end. Other than that, Burlington made one
move for the future acquiring Preston Brantley, a talented young SS, and one
move for the now by replacing Fassero with Nick Varitek. Burlington probably
didn’t do enough to challenge for the division this year, but the future looks
bright with Fernando Polanco and Preston Brantley up the middle.
Prediction: 75-77
Wichita
Key Additions: Kevin Burns
Key Subtractions: Oswald Ortiz, Matthew Serrano
Summary: Wichita made 2 trades that really didn’t do
much for the team. Additionally, there were some small FA signings, including
John Whitehead and Trever King, that proved lackluster. While this team isn’t
prepared to compete for a division crown this year, Andrew understands that
this is a marathon and not a sprint. I think that this Wichita franchise is in
much better shape than it has been in the past, and I see a bright future.
Prediction: 64-98
AL EAST
Hartford
Key Additions: Leon Ramsey
Key Subtractions: None
Summary: Hartford is still the team to beat in the AL
East. Like Montreal, Hartford has dominated this division as of late, winning 7
straight titles. Not sure I see much different in Season 19 with Hartford
taking control of the AL East for an 8th straight time.
Prediction: 98-64
Augusta
Key Additions: None
Key Subtractions:
Gerald Grim, Scott Sauer, Christopher Malone
Summary: Augusta released a couple of players in what I
guess is an attempt to clear salary. The cupboard is a little bare at the ML
level; however, you can never underestimate the power of a rebuild. I’m not
sure much changes for Augusta, except for a higher number in the loss column.
Prediction: 67-95
Indianapolis
Key Additions: Ralph Wells, Chuck Ankiel
Key Subtractions: Saul Bonilla
Summary: Indianapolis should experience the biggest change
in W/L’s from last season to this season. They have legitimized their bullpen
by adding the star RP of the FA class in Ralph Wells. They also added depth
with Chuck Ankiel. The rest of the roster has remained in tact, except for the
young stud Saul Bonilla. His bat will definitely be missed, but Indy did
receive some defensive help with Donne Bay and Russell Hamlin. All in all, I
expect big things out of Indy this year… enough to overtake Hartford, we’ll
see!
Prediction: 84-78
Trenton
Key Additions: Vic Wallace (promotion)
Key Subtractions: None
Summary: Trenton is still looking to add ML talent to its
roster and really did so with the promotion of Vic Wallace. Vic is a serious
talent and should boost a lineup that had issues swinging the stick. Hopefully,
this will be enough to put fans in the seats because there is not much else to
look at in Trenton. Should be another tough season.
Prediction: 64-94
AL SOUTH
Jacksonville
Key Additions: Elmer Barker, Jose Reynoso,
Key Subtractions: Howard Cox
Summary: Jacksonville won the second best division in
all of baseball last year but fizzled out in the playoffs. They suffered a key
loss in the rotation but subsequently replaced Howard Cox with an upgrade of
Elmer Barker. The addition of Jose Reynoso should bolster an already impressive
lineup. The Jaguars keep getting older but that doesn’t mean they aren’t
getting better.
Prediction: 101-61
Charleston
Key Additions: Benito Franco, Vic Villafuerte, “Over-the-hill
combo” (Len McGowan, Louis Williams, and Lawrence Kydd)
Key Subtractions: Chuck Ankiel, Bob Moreno
Summary: Charleston made a huge trade early on
sending Bob Moreno to Seattle for Benito Franco. Charleston was without Moreno
all of last year and had the 3rd best ERA in the AL. The addition of
Franco to the 4th best lineup in the AL leaves very few holes for
opposing pitchers. Charleston also added Vic Villafuerte to provide some
stability at 3B and put another bat in the lineup that can hit LHP. Look for
Charleston to push last year’s division winner Jacksonville and World Series
champion Richmond to the brink.
Prediction: 103-59
Richmond
Key Additions: Kenneth Whitten, Rex Mintz, Frank Denham, Gabby
Sefcik
Key Subtractions: Sam Knotts, Oswaldo Ortiz (minors)
Summary: The first thing that needs to be said is
Richmond will be without 3-time Cy Young winner until around the AS Break. That
is a huge loss for the defending champs. With that said, Richmond has been busy
making moves improving the ML ball club by trading for Whitten, Mintz, Denham,
and Sefcik. Veteran Sam Knotts has left but has since been replaced. Richmond
should be stronger, but how will they survive the first half of the season
without Uribe?
Prediction: 97-65
Durham
Key Additions: None
Key Subtractions: None
Summary: Durham is in the final stages of rebuild mode, and
we could see a few of those future stars around the AS Break, but this team is
still 2-3 years away from their 3-time WS Champion form of a few years back.
Prediction: 58-104
AL WEST
Salem
Key Additions: Slick Rolls, Steve Hartman (minors)
Key Subtractions: Elston Park, Elmer Baker, Dante Golub,
Benito Gongora
Summary: Salem should take a step back this year
after losing Park and Baker. Slick Rolls should ease the loss of Dante Golub,
but Salem does have enough in their farm system to make a move for starting
pitching during this season. Regardless, Salem is still the cream of the crop
in the AL West.
Prediction: 106-54
Portland
Key Additions: Julian Grabowski, Archie Omlansky
Key Subtractions: Ralph Wells
Summary: Portland added some major firepower to their
offense with the addition of Grabowski and Omlansky. Losing Wells will hurt but
expect Pedro Mateo to step into that role. I think the SP is still a little
light, but I expect Portland to push Salem early on.
Prediction: 93-69
Seattle
Key Additions: Bob Moreno
Key Subtractions: Benito Franco
Summary: Seattle’s big move was to sure up their SP
which the definitely did by adding Moreno through a trade with Charleston. The
issue is that they traded away their best bat in Benito Franco. Getting out of
Tacoma will naturally help all hitters for Seattle, but this team will struggle
to score runs without Franco.
Prediction: 74-88
Oakland
Key Additions: None
Key Subtractions: Archie Omlansky
Summary: Oakland did a great job of locking up a lot
of young talent on their current roster in Jimmie Fonville, Enerio Perez,
Richard Lawton, and Timothy Brea. However, the biggest issue for this team was
not addressed… starting pitching. Oakland should continue to rebuild over this
next year, and I look for them to be a force in the AL West as Salem gets a bit
older and they start to acquire SP.
Prediction: 61-101
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