Monday, March 29, 2010

NL North Preview

Minnesota Baggies (1st, 114-48)

Additions:
N/A

Departures:
INF Morrie Corrimer (FA, New Orleans)
2B Jarrod Rupe (Trade, New York Knights)
P Andruw Shields (FA)

Key Position Players:

SS Cristobal Mercedes - He's coming off a career year where he won the Silver Slugger award at SS and drove in 122 runs.

1B Fausto Jimenez - Easily the best power hitter on the team. He led in HR's last season with 38.

Key Pitchers:

SP Phil Won - Won came over midseason in a trade last year and won 14 games for the Baggies giving him an astounding 27 wins total last season. He's expecting another big year this season.

SP Stuart Davidson - Davidson is a seasoned veteran who's won two Cy Young awards in his career.

Stock:
Steady


Cleveland Indians (2nd, 79-83)

Additions:
P Carl Kraemer (Trade, New York Knights)
RF Bryant Worthington (Trade, Atlanta)
LF Dante Daniels (FA, Atlanta)

Departures:
P Tori Stevenson (Trade, New York Knights)
CF Louis Johnston (Trade, Atlanta)
1B Tim Mitchell (FA)

Key Position Players:

OF Fergie Sutton - Sutton nearly carried the Indians into the playoffs last season. He finished second in the MVP vote last season and is the leader of this team.

3B Ken Swann - Swann is coming off a bit of a disappointing season where almost all of his numbers dipped. He needs to have a bounce back season for the Indians to improve.

Key Pitchers:

SP Hooks Ball - Ball has been a great pitcher since he came into the league but hasn't had the run support to get the wins he deserves. He hopes to have his best season yet this year.

SP Carl Kraemer - The Indians brought in Kraemer to boost their rotation to attempt to compete with Minnesota. He's switching leagues which could benefit him this year.

Stock:
Up


Wichita Swashbucklers (3rd, 77-85)


Additions:
P Alejandro Valentin (FA, Nashville)
P Kris Greenwood (FA, Tampa Bay)
P Fausto Costilla (FA, Anaheim)

Departures:
P Craig Carpenter (FA)

Key Postition Players:

LF Miguel Valentin - Valentin led the team in HR's (30) and RBI's (84) last season.

1B Doug Campbell - Campbell has been a very consistent player over the years for Wichita. He hopes to have another solid season this year.

Key Pitchers:

SP Andrew Lyons - Lyons has consistently been improving over the past few seasons. However, he's 33 and his best years may be behind him.

RP Vasco Lira - Lira is a dynamite young pitcher who did very well last season as the closer.

Stock:
Steady


Buffalo Crusaders (4th 69-93)

Additions:
P William Evans (FA, Detroit)
P Shaggy Hill (FA, Detroit)
RF Donaldo Cruz (FA, Portland)

Departures:
LF Buddy Judd (Trade, Arizona)
2B Lew Thompson (Trade, Scranton)
SS Olmedo Guzman (FA, Chicago)

Key Position Players:

C Julio Cervantes - The best returning player from last season. He's the leader of a young, rebuilding team this season.

1B James Abe - This 25 year old is hoping to have a breakout season this year.

Key Pitchers:

SP Carlos Guillen - Guillen won 17 games last season including 5 complete games. He's hoping to have a similar season this year.

SP Stretch Durocher - Durocher has been good for Buffalo for the last few seasons but he's hoping to have his best season yet.

Stock:
Steady


Prediction:

Minnesota is still the favorite to win this division again this season but the gap seems to be closing. Cleveland has made improvements this offseason and it should be a closer race this season.

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