(1) Minnesota North Stars - Top 5 last year in pitching and hitting. Hitting should remain strong and pitching will improve with the addition of Zoltan Rogers and Travis Johnson.
(2) Chicago Orphans - Stayed away from Free Agent Market, only action Lewis Nelson who played AAA ball all of last year for the Orphans, but chose to test the FA market. Chicago re-signed him, only to have him swiped by Philadelphia in the Rule 5 draft. Look for the Orphans to be active in the internationals market and Amateur draft.
(3)Detroit Renaissance - By far the most active team in the NL North. Kramr10 acquired Heinie McCormick from Scranton, a player who comes from a winning team and has a World Series Championship. Kramr10 hopes this move helps change the culture in Detroit, stating in regards to the trade "this franchise definitely is stuck in a losing culture, which we are trying to change- kind of thought Heinie could bring a winning attitude." The Renaissance also added SP Matt McClellan, Ace Travis Riley, and set-up man Footsie Hogan.
Detroit should also get a boost from Neifi Alfonzo who hit .359 in AAA last year while collecting nearly 100 walks and only striking out 66 times.
(4) Vancouver Spidermonkeys- added backup defensive Catcher Josh Rapp and lost Ramon Li who hit .305 with 15 HR and 72 RBI's.
NL EAST
(1) Scranton Blue Collars - The self proclaimed "Ace Whore" Stnick44 traded for Red Howard giving the Blue Collars 4 top notch pitchers, and as Stnick says, "4 whored aces in the rotation are better than 8 in the bush."
(2) Dover Diamond Devils - Promoted Trace Karros to bolster the pitching, but lost Armando Perez to Free Agency. Perez knocked 29 HR and 129 RBI's with an average of .305. But don't worry, if history is any indication, Drmvu will find a way to win 100 games just as he has in all but one of Hobbs' seven seasons.
(3) New York Nightmares - Watch out for NY this year! Added P Alex Solano, and claimed Robinson Delaney and Duane Dessens from waivers who are all improvements to the team. Owner tk21775 put big money into signing a big bat Rod Allen and .305 hitter Ramon Li. Allen should see a significant increase in offensive production playing outside of San Francisco. The Nightmares have promoted some good talent to the Majors this year, and the team will begin to close the gap with Dover and Scranton.
(4) Pawtucket Pencil-Necked Geeks- Moved Lee Collins along with his salary in a trade with Philadelphia and got a young player Charles Lo who has potential to be good, but has so far struggled in the Major Leagues.
NL SOUTH
(1)Charlotte Codes - Added Tino Boone to help out a bullpen that was already very very good and they still have Super Sid Fabregas
(2) Durham Bulls - Acquired 3 players via trade and signed 3 others from the free agent market; 5 out of 6 were pitchers. Juan Guillon will be happy to get some help.
(3) Jackson Stonewall - Jackson is excited to see Orlando Lecuona arrive to the majors. Lecuona was drafted 12th overall in the season 5 draft. He hit .328 and had an OBP. of .424 throughout his time in the minors. Manager Poconomets also went out and got some help from the free agent market, adding solid players James Sadler, Stuart Francis, and Chuck Matthews.
(4) Tampa Bay Citrus A team still in rebuilding. Probably the biggest news out of Tampa was trading away Alfredo Rodriguez in a 5 player deal that landed some decent prospects and then re-acquired Rodriguez in the Rule 5 draft. Very tricky.
NL WEST
(1) San Francisco Dedringers - Brettm1220 nearly retired, but announced his return and then fueled his team all the way to World Series Champs. The team is really really good, and still is, but there were many changes in San Francisco in the off-season. Season 7 NL MVP Brendan Flynn wanted money and got it, signing a 3 year contract extension worth 9.6 mil per year. Three others signed extensions, and five players signed after arbitration. All of this increased the Dedringers player salary budget to 96 million. Brettm1220 after signings were over said, "Everybody and their freaking dog wanted more $ via arb or FA, so just couldn't afford everyone," and lost Rod Allen who was second on the team in hits behind only Flynn. Third Basemen Dave Richardson and P Kenny Beltran are also with new teams. They were able to re-sign J.D. Warner who left for free agency and then acquired Defensive SS Aaron Little. Don't be alarmed though, this team will find a way to win a lot of games.
(2) Salt Lake City Golden Crew - Last season the Golden Crew was among the top of the NL in most batting categories, but struggled tremendously in the pitching. SLC traded for P.J. Sweeney and signed three other Pitchers in the free agent market. The pitching might improve with the help, and the return of ace Steven Griffin who was out last year due to Elbow surgery, but the bats might not be as potent with the loss of Russell Damon who was traded away to free up some salary.
(3) Los Angeles Stars - Early on, Manager ajf00529 announced his plans for the future "not to be another brett favre but I may have to consider calling it quits if my team underachieves again this season...i enjoy the game but the main reason is that i am about to graduate college and will be having a lot less time on my hands..." Later he confirmed his intentions by saying that this season is for sure his last, and said, "I'm going for it all this season...anything less than a championship is a disappointment." With that in mind, LA was one of the more active teams. The Stars signed former 20 game winner A.J. Young to a maximum money contract, and acquired 8 ML players via trade, including Dennys Treadway, Peter Leius, Larry Cannon, and Alberto Calvo who all hit over 20 home runs last season. Perhaps the most significant acquisition was Javier Jacquez a top notch SS, a position the Stars desperately needed.
(4) Scottsdale Snowstorms - Signed SS Ernest Martin who interestingly has never hit a Home Run, but can do some crazy stuff on the diamond and plays pretty good Defense. More significantly was the call-up of Herm Crudale who could really help out the Snowstorms bullpen.
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PLAYOFFS
Division Winners:
Minnesota North Stars
Scranton Blue Collars
Charlotte Codes
San Francisco Dedringers
WildCards:
Dover Diamond Devils
Salt Lake City Golden Crew
NL CHAMPIONSHIP - Minnesota North Stars vs Scranton Blue Collars
NL CHAMP - Scranton Blue Collars
NL SOUTH
(1)Charlotte Codes - Added Tino Boone to help out a bullpen that was already very very good and they still have Super Sid Fabregas
(2) Durham Bulls - Acquired 3 players via trade and signed 3 others from the free agent market; 5 out of 6 were pitchers. Juan Guillon will be happy to get some help.
(3) Jackson Stonewall - Jackson is excited to see Orlando Lecuona arrive to the majors. Lecuona was drafted 12th overall in the season 5 draft. He hit .328 and had an OBP. of .424 throughout his time in the minors. Manager Poconomets also went out and got some help from the free agent market, adding solid players James Sadler, Stuart Francis, and Chuck Matthews.
(4) Tampa Bay Citrus A team still in rebuilding. Probably the biggest news out of Tampa was trading away Alfredo Rodriguez in a 5 player deal that landed some decent prospects and then re-acquired Rodriguez in the Rule 5 draft. Very tricky.
NL WEST
(1) San Francisco Dedringers - Brettm1220 nearly retired, but announced his return and then fueled his team all the way to World Series Champs. The team is really really good, and still is, but there were many changes in San Francisco in the off-season. Season 7 NL MVP Brendan Flynn wanted money and got it, signing a 3 year contract extension worth 9.6 mil per year. Three others signed extensions, and five players signed after arbitration. All of this increased the Dedringers player salary budget to 96 million. Brettm1220 after signings were over said, "Everybody and their freaking dog wanted more $ via arb or FA, so just couldn't afford everyone," and lost Rod Allen who was second on the team in hits behind only Flynn. Third Basemen Dave Richardson and P Kenny Beltran are also with new teams. They were able to re-sign J.D. Warner who left for free agency and then acquired Defensive SS Aaron Little. Don't be alarmed though, this team will find a way to win a lot of games.
(2) Salt Lake City Golden Crew - Last season the Golden Crew was among the top of the NL in most batting categories, but struggled tremendously in the pitching. SLC traded for P.J. Sweeney and signed three other Pitchers in the free agent market. The pitching might improve with the help, and the return of ace Steven Griffin who was out last year due to Elbow surgery, but the bats might not be as potent with the loss of Russell Damon who was traded away to free up some salary.
(3) Los Angeles Stars - Early on, Manager ajf00529 announced his plans for the future "not to be another brett favre but I may have to consider calling it quits if my team underachieves again this season...i enjoy the game but the main reason is that i am about to graduate college and will be having a lot less time on my hands..." Later he confirmed his intentions by saying that this season is for sure his last, and said, "I'm going for it all this season...anything less than a championship is a disappointment." With that in mind, LA was one of the more active teams. The Stars signed former 20 game winner A.J. Young to a maximum money contract, and acquired 8 ML players via trade, including Dennys Treadway, Peter Leius, Larry Cannon, and Alberto Calvo who all hit over 20 home runs last season. Perhaps the most significant acquisition was Javier Jacquez a top notch SS, a position the Stars desperately needed.
(4) Scottsdale Snowstorms - Signed SS Ernest Martin who interestingly has never hit a Home Run, but can do some crazy stuff on the diamond and plays pretty good Defense. More significantly was the call-up of Herm Crudale who could really help out the Snowstorms bullpen.
-----------------------
PLAYOFFS
Division Winners:
Minnesota North Stars
Scranton Blue Collars
Charlotte Codes
San Francisco Dedringers
WildCards:
Dover Diamond Devils
Salt Lake City Golden Crew
NL CHAMPIONSHIP - Minnesota North Stars vs Scranton Blue Collars
NL CHAMP - Scranton Blue Collars
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