Last Year's Finish:
Team | GM | Record |
Erikf29 | 102-60 | |
Japheth007 | 97-65 | |
Indiansrck27 | 82-80 | |
Idigapygmy | 33-129 |
Pawtucket has won the division each of the last three seasons, but Minnesota closed the gap last year. Pawtucket is led by some serious bat power in Enrique Piedra, who hit 40 HRs and batted .339 last season and Alex Rosa who belted 49 long balls with a .332 batting average, taking home the MVP award last season. But Sammy Diaz might be the biggest addition to this team's continued success over the next few seasons. Having played in only 127 games last year after being called up to the majors, he turned in an average campaign but Pawtucket is looking for solid improvement out of Diaz going forward. If batting was the only thing you thought Pawtucket had, you'd be wrong. They boast a pair of sub 3.00 ERA starters in Pedro Saenz and Adrian Wyatt. Pawtucket looks like a strong contender not only to win the NL North, but also to go deep into October.
Minnesota has been a consistent team over the last decade, failing only once in 10 years to not post a record over .500. However, just being over .500 doesn't always get you into the postseason, especially not when you have Pawtucket in your way. Minnesota made it back to the post season last year for only the third time in the same stretch. This team is solid all around, just like Pawtucket. Unfortunately (for Minnesota fans) their bats just don't quite match up to the power that Pawtucket brings. Nick Bolton is their franchise position player and he can hit the long ball with the Pawtucket trio, as can Alfonso Santiago, the man behind the plate, but after Bolton and Santiago their lineup lacks much more pop and is aging. Edgard Blanco is on the downside of his career and while he can make good contact, he hasn't always been reliable about seeing the ball out of the pitchers hand. That said, he has had two straight career years with batting average and Minnesota hopes he can keep it up. Even in the case of Santiago he has issues with Righties. Ronnie Brown is one of the key's to their success this year. If he can continue to improve in his 5th ML year, they could push Pawtucket. They also need a strong year from Philip Pittinger, who has had an up and down career from year to year and never really broke out with a huge win season, despite strong ERAs. All in all I wouldn't be surprised if Minnesota put together a playoff season, I'm just not sure I see them taking the division crown.
Ah – Buffalo. My personal rivals to the North. GM irck claims they're ready to compete, in something other than the International Free Agent market. They have a lot of talent, but talent doesn't always equate to wins, especially when it's young and unproven. Last year's ROY winner Joey Parkinson looks to be ready for another stellar year. After knocking 42 balls over the fence Buffalo is expecting more of the same this year. This team brings up a plethora of new kids to the ML level this year, hoping to move past Minnesota (and I'm sure irck thinks he can move past Pawtucket too) and into the playoffs. Last year's monster IFA signing, Paul Masato, starts the year at 2b for Buffalo. Word on the street is he's ready for the big time, but he isn't proven yet. Same can be said about SS Hector Tavarez, who is getting his first ML action this year. But the player Buffalo is most counting on is #2 draft pick, Buddy Uribe, from just two seasons ago, who has Ace potential. Uribe is the guy that could make or break the season for Buffalo.
Finally, Pittsburgh. The once perennially powerhouse has had it rough the last few seasons. After multiple horrific injuries the team went into rebuilding mode. Nearly everyone from the glory days has been moved for whatever price could be had. There isn't much to talk about on their ML roster other than Rule 5 Draftee Davey Cora. Cora should help a lineup that desperately needs defense and any type of bat. The future looks better for Pittsburgh, with quite a few players that project to break into the majors within the next two years, including RF Mark Montgomery, CF Jimmie Hague and 1B/CoF Aaron Cooper. But none of that is helping them this year.
My Projections:
Team | GM | Record |
Erikf29 | 95-67 | |
Indiansrck27 | 89-73 | |
Japheth007 | 88-74 | |
Idigapygmy | 60-102 |
*Denotes Playoff Team
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