Season 80 Q1

Season 80 Power Rankings: 40 Games In

The first 40 games are in the books, and the Mantle World is already starting to separate into contenders, pretenders, surprises and teams searching for answers.

Forty games isn't enough to determine how a season will finish, but it is enough to start seeing what teams are actually built to do. Some clubs are winning because their pitching has been dominant. Others are simply outslugging everyone in sight. A few are riding hot streaks, while several teams that entered Season 80 with legitimate expectations are already trying to stop the bleeding.

This week's rankings look beyond the standings. Record matters, but so do run prevention, offensive production, recent form and the quality of the players producing those numbers.

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THE CONTENDERS

1. Fresno Grizzlies — 28-12

Last Season: 107-55, World Series Champions

It's hard to put anyone ahead of the defending champions right now. Fresno is once again sitting at the top of the AL West, and unlike last season, the Grizzlies aren't relying on one dominant aspect of the roster.

The offense is producing a .815 OPS, while the pitching staff has posted a 3.45 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. Gerald Boyer has already blasted 16 home runs while posting a 1.035 OPS, with Maikel Cervantes (.983 OPS) and Lenny Darnell (.976 OPS) providing plenty of protection.

On the mound, Kiki Escuela has a 2.31 ERA through eight starts, and the bullpen has already converted 14 saves. Fresno has the defending-champion pedigree, the record and the talent. Until somebody knocks them off, they're the team everyone else has to chase.

Why they're #1: The defending champs are winning with both the bats and the arms.

2. Vancouver Fighting Skeletons — 28-12

Vancouver has the same record as Fresno, and there is a legitimate argument that the Skeletons have the best pitching staff in Mantle.

The team has allowed just 132 earned runs, good for a 3.25 ERA, while opponents are hitting only .227. The rotation features Rougned Javier at 1.97 ERA and Alex Cordero at 2.60, with Bill Abbott and the rest of the staff providing plenty of depth.

And then there's Rosell Ramirez. In 35 games, Ramirez is hitting .340 with a .392 OBP and .681 SLG. That's a 1.073 OPS to go with 11 homers.

Vancouver isn't simply winning games. They're making it extremely difficult for opponents to score.

Why they're #2: Elite run prevention combined with a middle-of-the-order bat having an MVP-caliber start.

3. Chicago Coyotes — 26-14

If the Coyotes keep hitting like this, they're going to be a nightmare in October.

Chicago leads the league with a .846 OPS and has scored 240 runs. The power is obvious: 84 home runs in 40 games. Stephen Difo is putting together one of the most spectacular starts of the season, hitting .356/.435/.712 with 16 home runs and 37 RBI.

Malachi Mann isn't far behind at 1.049 OPS, while Al Vazquez is at .940. The Coyotes have multiple legitimate threats throughout the lineup.

The pitching isn't quite on the level of Vancouver or Montreal, with a 3.92 ERA, but Chicago has enough offense to compensate. A team with this much power is never out of a game.

Why they're #3: The league's most explosive offense, led by Stephen Difo.

4. Montreal Expos — 24-16

Montreal might be the most complete team in the league.

The Expos are hitting .284/.361/.461 while simultaneously leading the league with a 3.13 team ERA. Their 1.24 WHIP and .236 opponent batting average are both excellent.

Gene Del Valle is putting together an outstanding season at .352/.434/.656, while Damaso Servet has reached base constantly with a .405 OBP. On the mound, Wilin Inciarte owns a 2.30 ERA and Howie O'Connor has a 2.57 ERA.

There's no glaring weakness here. Montreal doesn't have to win games in one particular way.

Why they're #4: Excellent pitching, excellent on-base production and very few obvious weaknesses.

5. Milwaukee Lagers — 24-16

Maybe the biggest surprise in the league.

Milwaukee is 24-16, has gone 9-1 over its last ten games and is an astonishing 17-4 on the road. That last number deserves attention.

Del Quintanilla has been one of the best hitters in the league, batting .335/.418/.620 with 13 HR and 40 RBI. Emmanuel Castilla has posted a 2.33 ERA, while Hi Miller is at 2.49.

The team isn't dominating any single statistical category, but it is consistently doing enough to win. The 9-1 recent stretch suggests Milwaukee isn't simply benefiting from a hot start.

Why they're #5: A 9-1 L10 and 17-4 road record are difficult to ignore.

6. Toronto Yankdawgs — 24-16

Toronto is perhaps the strangest team in the top tier. The offense is excellent, but the pitching has been anything but.

The Yankdawgs are hitting .283/.349/.467 and have scored 238 runs. Willie Cespedes has a .863 OPS and 14 stolen bases, while David Purcell has 11 homers, 35 RBI and 11 steals.

But the pitching staff has a 4.66 ERA and opponents are hitting .280. Toronto has managed to overcome that because the offense keeps producing.

Can it continue? That's one of the biggest questions of the next 40 games.

Why they're #6: An elite offense and a 24-16 record, despite some very shaky pitching.

7. Cuba Koi — 24-16

Cuba is one of the hottest teams in Mantle.

The Koi have gone 9-1 over their last ten and are riding a six-game winning streak. The overall numbers aren't as dominant as the record: .744 OPS and 3.68 ERA. But the wins are real, and Cuba has been finding ways to win close games.

Vicente Valdes has been a major reason why. He is 5-3 with a 3.11 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and .194 OAV. Walker Rapada has also contributed 16 steals.

The next 20 games will tell us whether Cuba is a legitimate contender or simply the hottest team in the league right now.

Why they're #7: Six straight wins and a 9-1 L10 make Cuba impossible to overlook.

8. Portland Lastplace — 24-16

The name might say Lastplace, but the standings certainly don't.

Portland is one of the best pitching teams in the league, posting a 3.26 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. Mateo Vargas has been outstanding, going 6-1 with a 1.48 ERA and 0.97 WHIP.

The offense is the concern. Portland ranks near the bottom with a .730 OPS and only 191 runs.

But October baseball isn't always about scoring five runs every night. Portland's ability to prevent runs gives this team a very high floor.

Why they're #8: Elite pitching can carry a team a long way, and Portland has it.

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THE NEXT WAVE

9. Cincinnati Hawk Tuah — 24-16

Cincinnati is a fascinating team. The record says contender, while the offensive numbers say something closer to average.

The Hawks are hitting only .726 OPS as a team, but R.J. Gross has been spectacular. Gross is 7-1 with a 1.62 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and a microscopic .136 opponent batting average.

That may be the best individual pitching performance in Mantle through 40 games.

If Cincinnati can get more offense around Gross, this team could climb rapidly.

10. Texas Tweakers — 21-19

Texas doesn't have the record of some teams above them, but the offensive profile is too good to ignore.

The Tweakers are hitting .281/.345/.475 with an .821 OPS. Vitas Surtain has 15 home runs and a .924 OPS, while Yasmany Chacin is at .972 OPS with 27 walks.

The problem is pitching. Texas has a 4.33 ERA.

If the pitching improves even slightly, Texas has enough offense to become a dangerous playoff team.

11. Philadelphia AllStarIncs — 23-17

Philadelphia has the record of a contender and the offense to match it.

Paolo Tejada is having an enormous season: .336/.425/.658, 13 HR and 37 RBI. The team as a whole has posted a .814 OPS and scored 220 runs.

The problem is glaring: a 5.40 ERA.

Philadelphia is essentially winning games by forcing its offense to overcome its pitching. That strategy can work for stretches, but it is difficult to trust over a full season.

12. Honolulu Surfriders — 24-16

Honolulu has quietly put together a very good first 40 games.

The Surfriders are 24-16, 15-5 on the road and 7-3 over their last ten. The pitching staff has posted a respectable 3.80 ERA.

The offense is the concern, producing only a .703 OPS. Kyle Anderson has been one of the brighter spots, hitting .288/.374/.444 with 11 steals.

Honolulu doesn't have the offensive firepower of the teams above it, but the pitching and road record make this team a legitimate playoff threat.

13. Jacksonville DEPLORABLES — 22-18

Jacksonville may be the most underrated team in the league.

The offense is unimpressive at .654 OPS, but the pitching staff is excellent. The DEPLORABLES have a 3.40 ERA and 1.20 WHIP.

Ugueth Gonzalez is 5-1 with a 2.24 ERA, while Jenrry Sardinas has a 2.96 ERA. Juan Maduro has been nearly unhittable out of the bullpen, posting a 1.50 ERA.

Jacksonville has a formula. The question is whether the offense can give the pitchers enough support.

14. Columbus Clippers — 22-18

Columbus is another team whose record is better than its run-prevention numbers.

The Clippers are hitting .266/.328/.437 and have scored 182 runs. Phil Stinson has been outstanding, hitting .319/.393/.521 with 16 stolen bases.

But the pitching staff has a 4.55 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP.

The five-game winning streak is encouraging, but Columbus needs to prove the recent surge is more than a short-term hot streak.

15. New York Metros — 21-19

The move to Yankee Stadium was expected to make New York an interesting offensive team, and the early results are promising.

The Metros are hitting .278/.344/.448, with Albert Martinez posting a 1.009 OPS and Jackson Hausmann hitting .373 with an even 1.008 OPS.

The problem is the pitching staff's 5.07 ERA.

New York has enough offense to remain relevant, but the pitching has to improve before this team can be considered a serious contender.

16. Salem Pitches — 20-20

Salem entered Season 80 as one of the league's elite teams after winning 100 games last season. Forty games in, they're sitting at .500.

The offense is respectable at .776 OPS, led by Trenidad Posada's .940 OPS and 12 home runs. But the pitching staff has slipped to a 4.42 ERA.

With the roster pedigree Salem possesses, it's too early to write them off. But the five-game losing streak is something to watch.

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THE MIDDLE OF THE PACK

17. Indianapolis Hoosier Pies — 20-20

Indianapolis has quietly been one of the league's hotter teams, going 8-2 over its last ten.

Ron Mann is hitting .322/.400/.651 with 11 homers, while Willie Brown has contributed a .933 OPS in limited action.

The problem is pitching. The Hoosier Pies have a 4.88 ERA.

18. Anaheim Agitated Aardvarks — 20-20

This is probably the most difficult team in the rankings.

Anaheim won 108 games last season and is once again playing excellent defense and pitching, posting a 3.31 ERA and 1.19 WHIP.

But the offense has completely disappeared. The Aardvarks are hitting just .254/.311/.404, producing a .715 OPS.

Anaheim is too talented and too successful historically to drop much farther, but the bats have to wake up.

19. Santa Fe Trail — 18-22

Santa Fe has some legitimate offensive stars despite the losing record.

Hainley Lomasney is hitting .367/.451/.619, while Henry Yearwood is at .354/.412/.540.

Unfortunately, the team pitching has produced a 4.96 ERA. Santa Fe can hit, but the pitching has made it difficult to turn that offense into wins.

20. Norfolk Tides — 19-21

Norfolk has enough offense to stay in the conversation, but the pitching is a problem.

The Tides have a 4.88 ERA and .280 opponent batting average. Kevin West is having a strong year at .325/.401/.494, while Sparky Gabriel has 11 home runs.

At 19-21, they're still within striking distance, but the margin for error is getting smaller.

21. Wichita Evil Sheep — 18-22

The World Series runner-up from Season 79 is currently sitting at 18-22, a long way from the 93-win team we saw last season.

Jared Herzog is hitting .355/.427/.555, while Asher Collier is 5-2 with a 3.14 ERA.

The problem is that Wichita's team pitching has produced a 4.21 ERA and the offense only a .734 OPS.

There's plenty of season left, but the Sheep need to start climbing soon.

22. Seattle Run — 18-22

Seattle is the team I could see making the biggest move up these rankings.

They're only 18-22, but they've gone **9-1 over their last ten games**.

The pitching staff is excellent: 3.48 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and a .216 opponent batting average. Bill Valentin has been spectacular at 1.86 ERA and 0.89 WHIP.

The offense is the problem, with only a .666 OPS.

If Seattle's recent surge continues and the offense improves even slightly, this ranking could look very conservative in a month.

23. Austin Celtics — 17-23

Austin is one of the better offensive teams among the clubs with losing records.

The Celtics are hitting .278/.334/.466 and have scored 224 runs. Yasmani Ontiveros is at .966 OPS, while Jeremi Ebert has six homers and 11 steals.

Unfortunately, the pitching staff has a 4.90 ERA and 1.56 WHIP.

The offense gives Austin hope. The pitching gives Austin headaches.

24. Charleston Mezcals — 17-23

Charleston's offense is respectable, but the pitching has put the team behind the eight-ball.

The Mezcals have a .783 OPS, but a 4.93 ERA and 1.51 WHIP. Opponents are hitting .287 against them.

There is enough offense here to make a run, but Charleston needs considerably better run prevention.

25. Minnesota Lakers — 18-22

Minnesota has some intriguing pieces, but the overall results haven't been there.

Munenori Zhang has stolen 18 bases and posted a .380 OBP, while Tony Cayones has 11 home runs.

But the Lakers have scored only 203 runs and have a 4.92 ERA. At 18-22, they're not out of the race, but they need to start converting some of their close games.

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THE STRUGGLING CLUBS

26. Chicago Iveys — 15-25

The Iveys have struggled badly on offense, hitting just .225/.295/.360.

That's the lowest team OPS in the league outside of Montgomery and Jacksonville's low-scoring offense. The pitching isn't good enough to compensate either, with a 4.63 ERA.

At 15-25, Chicago has a lot of ground to make up.

27. New Orleans Voodoo — 17-23

New Orleans has gotten some excellent individual pitching performances, including Miguel Vega's 2.78 ERA and Babe Strausborger's 3.19 ERA.

But the offense is hitting only .234 and has produced a .690 OPS.

The Voodoo are also 2-8 over their last ten games. The pitching has given them chances; the offense hasn't taken enough of them.

28. Kansas City Royals — 15-25

This is the biggest fall from preseason expectations.

Kansas City won 91 games last season and looked like one of the league's established contenders. Forty games into Season 80, they're nine games under .500 and have lost six straight.

There are still bright spots. Ebenezer Cuyler is hitting .278/.371/.543 with 12 HR and 13 steals, while Leonys Rivera has a 2.85 ERA.

But the Royals have a 4.99 team ERA and only a .748 OPS.

Kansas City has traded some of their players and will try to retool around their stars.

29. Montgomery Mules — 14-26

Montgomery is 1-9 over its last ten games and has lost four straight.

The pitching staff has a 5.25 ERA, while the offense has produced only a .655 OPS.

There simply haven't been enough runs on either side of the ledger.

30. Washington D.C. Senators — 14-26

Washington has struggled in virtually every major category.

The Senators are hitting .246/.306/.366 and have a 5.29 ERA. Opponents are hitting .295 against the pitching staff.

The 9-15 road record is respectable, but the 5-11 home mark shows just how difficult things have been.

31. Boston Bruisers — 10-30

Last season, Boston went 91-71 and looked like one of the league's great turnaround stories.

This season has been the exact opposite.

The Bruisers are 10-30, 2-8 over their last ten, and have a staggering 6.15 ERA. Opponents are hitting .305/.372/.529.

Joe Roling is having a respectable season at .842 OPS, but Boston has allowed far too much damage everywhere else.

This is the biggest collapse in the league through 40 games.

32. Colorado Mountain High — 11-29

Colorado currently has the toughest road ahead.

The Mountain High pitching staff has a 7.08 ERA, 1.79 WHIP and has allowed opponents to hit .311/.385/.570.

The offense isn't terrible, but a .710 OPS isn't nearly enough to compensate for that level of run prevention.

Colorado has also lost ten straight.

At 11-29, the Mountain High have already fallen 17 games behind Fresno in the AL West.

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40-GAME AWARDS WATCH

MVP Watch

Stephen Difo, Chicago Coyotes — .356/.435/.712, 16 HR, 37 RBI

Difo currently has the strongest combination of power, average and run production among the league's offensive stars.

Paolo Tejada, Philadelphia — .336/.425/.658, 13 HR, 37 RBI

Tejada has been one of the biggest reasons Philadelphia is sitting at 23-17 despite its pitching problems.

Gene Del Valle, Montreal — .352/.434/.656, 10 HR

Del Valle's combination of average and on-base production has been outstanding.

Rosell Ramirez, Vancouver — .340/.392/.681, 11 HR

Ramirez has been one of the most dangerous hitters on the league's best pitching team.

Del Quintanilla, Milwaukee — .335/.418/.620, 13 HR, 40 RBI

The centerpiece of the league's biggest surprise.

Cy Young Watch

R.J. Gross, Cincinnati — 7-1, 1.62 ERA, 0.68 WHIP, .136 OAV

Those numbers are absurd.

Mateo Vargas, Portland — 6-1, 1.48 ERA, 0.97 WHIP

Vargas has been the engine behind Portland's excellent start.

Wallace Brown, Anaheim — 3-3, 1.43 ERA, 0.89 WHIP

The record doesn't reflect how well Brown has pitched.

Bill Valentin, Seattle — 4-0, 1.86 ERA, 0.89 WHIP

He's one of the biggest reasons Seattle has gone 9-1 over its last ten.

Rougned Javier, Vancouver — 6-1, 1.97 ERA, 0.91 WHIP

Another key piece of Vancouver's dominant rotation.

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THE BIGGEST SURPRISE

Milwaukee Lagers.

A 24-16 record, a 9-1 L10 and a 17-4 road record is not an accident. Milwaukee has legitimate offensive and pitching contributors and currently sits tied for the NL North lead.

THE BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

Boston Bruisers.

A 91-win team from Season 79 sitting at 10-30 after 40 games is impossible to ignore. The 6.15 ERA explains a lot of it.

THE TEAM I'M WATCHING

Seattle Run.

The 18-22 record isn't impressive, but the 9-1 L10 is. More importantly, the pitching numbers suggest this isn't simply a fluke hot streak. Seattle's staff has a 3.48 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP.

If the offense wakes up, Seattle could move dramatically up these rankings.

THE MOST DANGEROUS OFFENSE

Chicago Coyotes.

A .846 OPS and 84 home runs through 40 games is ridiculous. Difo and Malachi Mann have both been elite, and the lineup has enough depth that opponents can't simply pitch around one player.

THE BEST PITCHING STAFF

Montreal Expos.

Vancouver is right there, but Montreal's 3.13 ERA leads the league, while the Expos have paired that pitching with a .822 OPS offense.

THE HOTTEST TEAM

Cuba Koi and Milwaukee Lagers — both 9-1 over their last ten.

Cuba has won six straight, while Milwaukee has gone 17-4 on the road.

THE TEAM WITH THE MOST TO PROVE

Kansas City Royals.

Last season's 91-win club is now 15-25 and has lost six straight. There is too much history and too much talent here to dismiss them, but the Royals need to start showing it on the field.

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THE 40-GAME POWER RANKINGS

Rank	Team	Record	Quick Take
1	Fresno Grizzlies	28-12	Defending champs still look like the team to beat.
2	Vancouver Fighting Skeletons	28-12	Elite pitching with enough offense to win it all.
3	Chicago Coyotes	26-14	The league's most explosive offense.
4	Montreal Expos	24-16	Perhaps the most balanced club in Mantle.
5	Milwaukee Lagers	24-16	The surprise team keeps winning.
6	Toronto Yankdawgs	24-16	Excellent offense overcoming shaky pitching.
7	Cuba Koi	24-16	9-1 L10 and six straight wins.
8	Portland Lastplace	24-16	Dominant pitching makes them dangerous.
9	Cincinnati Hawk Tuah	24-16	R.J. Gross is carrying an excellent pitching staff.
10	Texas Tweakers	21-19	Too much offensive talent to overlook.
11	Philadelphia AllStarIncs	23-17	Great offense, concerning pitching.
12	Honolulu Surfriders	24-16	Strong road record and solid pitching.
13	Jacksonville DEPLORABLES	22-18	Pitching keeps them in almost every game.
14	Columbus Clippers	22-18	Five straight wins and enough offense to compete.
15	New York Metros	21-19	Good offense, but the pitching needs work.
16	Salem Pitches	20-20	Former 100-win team searching for its form.
17	Indianapolis Hoosier Pies	20-20	8-2 L10 has them moving in the right direction.
18	Anaheim Agitated Aardvarks	20-20	Elite pitching, but where did the offense go?
19	Santa Fe Trail	18-22	Dangerous hitters held back by pitching.
20	Norfolk Tides	19-21	Some good bats, but too many runs allowed.
21	Wichita Evil Sheep	18-22	Last year's runner-up needs a turnaround.
22	Seattle Run	18-22	9-1 L10 makes them the team to watch.
23	Austin Celtics	17-23	Good offense, poor run prevention.
24	Charleston Mezcals	17-23	Offense is adequate; pitching isn't.
25	Minnesota Lakers	18-22	Plenty of pieces, but inconsistent results.
26	Chicago Iveys	15-25	Offense has been the major problem.
27	New Orleans Voodoo	17-23	Pitching has given them chances the offense hasn't used.
28	Kansas City Royals	15-25	The biggest disappointment after 40 games.
29	Montgomery Mules	14-26	1-9 L10 and struggling on both sides.
30	Washington D.C. Senators	14-26	Needs improvement in virtually every area.
31	Boston Bruisers	10-30	A stunning fall from last year's 91-win season.
32	Colorado Mountain High	11-29	10 straight losses and a 7.08 team ERA.

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40 games down. 122 to go.

The standings are starting to take shape, but the biggest takeaway from the first quarter of Season 80 may be that there is still plenty of room for the picture to change. Fresno and Vancouver have established themselves as the early heavyweights, Chicago has the league's most dangerous offense, Montreal has quietly assembled one of the most complete teams, and Milwaukee has gone from surprise to legitimate contender.

Meanwhile, Seattle is charging, Cuba is scorching hot, Kansas City is searching for answers and Boston is facing a mountain of problems.

The next 40 games should tell us a lot more about which of these teams are built for October—and which ones were simply enjoying a hot April.

Season 80 NL West Preview

Season 80 Preview: National League West

If there was one division in Season 79 where the top and bottom were separated by a canyon, it was the National League West.

The Vancouver Fighting Skeletons were one of the most dominant regular-season teams in Mantle, finishing 107-55 with an incredible +254 run differential. Seattle finished 27 games behind them, while Boise and Portland each finished 32 games back.

Season 80, however, brings some intriguing changes. Boise is now the Honolulu Surfriders, Seattle added Rodrigo Troncoso, and the National League will use the designated hitter for the first time. Perhaps most importantly, Honolulu will move from Boise's fairly neutral ballpark into a more pitcher-friendly environment.

That could make the race behind Vancouver considerably more interesting.

Season 79 Final Standings

Team	W-L	PCT	RS	RA	Run Diff.
Vancouver Fighting Skeletons	107-55	.660	832	578	+254
Seattle Run	80-82	.494	540	565	-25
Boise Renegades	75-87	.463	723	774	-51
Portland Lastplace	75-87	.463	592	700	-108

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Vancouver Fighting Skeletons

Season 79: 107-55

Player Salaries: $91.5M
Coach Salaries: $9.0M

Let's get the obvious out of the way first: Vancouver is really, really good.

The Fighting Skeletons didn't merely win 107 games. They did it while producing a +254 run differential, scoring 832 runs and allowing only 578. Their .663 expected winning percentage was almost exactly in line with their actual .660 mark.

There was no obvious statistical smoke and mirrors here. Vancouver was simply better than almost everybody.

Their season ended in disappointment, as they fell to Kansas City in the NLDS 3 games to 2. However, 5's have been wild for Vancouver lately having won the World Series in Season 70 and Season 75. They are hoping Season 80 will bring a similar return to glory.

An Offense Loaded With Production

One of the most impressive aspects of Vancouver's offense was its depth. The club received significant production from several different players rather than relying on one superstar.

Victor Guerrero was perhaps the most impressive all-around offensive performer. In only 130 games, Guerrero hit .325/.389/.535 with 23 home runs, 67 RBI and 98 runs scored. His .925 OPS was the best among Vancouver's regular players. The 24-year old should be a centerpiece in Vancouver for a long time.

Then there was Juan Javier, who was outstanding in a different way. Javier hit .316 with a .424 OBP and .515 SLG, producing a .938 OPS in 107 games. He also drew 76 walks in only 412 at-bats. He is getting up there in age, but still able to produce great OBP seasons.

Rosell Ramirez supplied the big power, hitting 41 home runs and driving in 114 runs. Richard Kata added 30 homers and 101 RBI, while Jorge Navarro hit 29 homers and scored 90 runs.

And then there was Charley Twitchell, who hit .298/.368/.495 with 15 home runs in just 289 at-bats. He and Javier provided excellent production as the catching tandem last season.

Put all of that together and it's easy to understand how Vancouver scored 832 runs.

The Pitching Was Just As Good

Vancouver's pitching staff may actually have been the more impressive half of the team.

Louie Manuel was outstanding, going 20-7 with a 2.12 ERA and 1.09 WHIP over 237.1 innings. He struck out 205 batters while holding opponents to a .207 average. Unsurprisingly he took home Rookie of the Year honors with that performance.

Danry Cabral was nearly as effective, posting a 2.25 ERA over 228 innings. He allowed a .239 opponent average and struck out 166.

Rougned Javier added 171 innings with a 2.63 ERA, while Tanyon Cohen was a dominant weapon out of the bullpen. Cohen posted a 2.08 ERA in 73.2 innings and struck out 65.

The bullpen also received strong work from Johnny O'Connor, who posted a 2.83 ERA in 101.2 innings.

This wasn't a team that simply outslugged people. Vancouver could beat you in virtually every way.

Season 80 Outlook

The biggest question isn't whether Vancouver can win the NL West. It's whether the Skeletons can finally translate their regular-season dominance into a championship.

With $91.5M committed to player salaries and another $20M available for prospects, the organization has the financial foundation to remain competitive without sacrificing the future.

The arrival of the DH should only make an already deep offense more flexible.

Key Players: Victor Guerrero, Juan Javier, Rosell Ramirez, Louie Manuel, Danry Cabral and Tanyon Cohen.

Best Case: Another 100-win season and a serious World Series run.

Worst Case: Some regression from 107 wins, followed by another deep playoff appearance.

Bottom Line: Vancouver is the clear favorite until somebody knocks them off.

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Seattle Run

Season 79: 80-82

Player Salaries: $97.2M
Coach Salaries: $11.9M

Seattle is probably the most intriguing team in the division after Vancouver.

The Run finished just 80-82, but their underlying profile wasn't terrible. Seattle scored only 540 runs, yet allowed just 565. That means the Run were much closer to being a respectable team than their .494 record might suggest.

The Offensive Problem

Seattle's biggest problem was obvious: the offense didn't score enough.

Matt Crocker led the club with 16 home runs and drove in 73 runs, but hit only .248/.332/.369.

Pat Hayashi produced a .332 OBP but only a .327 SLG, while Walter Loe provided some speed with 22 stolen bases but posted a .328 OBP. The tandem were also excellent defensive, providing a Gold Glove winner on both sides of the infield.

Andres Diaz hit .241/.303/.349 with only eight home runs.

The lack of power and extra-base production was a major reason Seattle scored only 540 runs.

That is where the new DH could become important. Seattle now has another lineup slot that can be used to inject offense into the lineup without worrying about putting a pitcher in the batting order.

The Pitching Staff Gives Seattle Hope

Seattle's pitching was considerably better than its offense.

Bill Valentin was excellent, going 11-7 with a 2.19 ERA over 189.1 innings. He allowed only 118 hits and posted a remarkable .178 opponent batting average.

Christopher Skinner also gave Seattle a quality season, going 13-8 with a 2.54 ERA over 223.2 innings.

Bartolo Romero contributed 160 innings with a 3.26 ERA, while Harold Richardson threw 188 innings and struck out 174 with a 3.35 ERA.

Zip Sutton was their 5th best SP by ERA, but he still managed to put together a 3.81 ERA.

Wayne Lambo provided excellent work on the back end, picking up 48 saves with a 3.44 ERA winning Fireman of the Year last season. In between, Peter Singleton (91.2 IP, 3.24 ERA) and Don Negrin (78 IP, 3.00 ERA) will great at getting the ball to the 9th.

That is a pitching staff capable of supporting a winning team.

The Offseason Additions

Seattle added a player this offseason that five seasons ago would have been a massive move in Dana Robinson. The 3x MVP and 11x Silver Slugger isn't the player he once was, but Robinson should be able to help provide some offense from the DH spot coming off a season where he finished with a 1.010 OPS.

Seattle also added Rodrigo Troncoso from Texas as a Type B free agent.

That isn't necessarily the type of splashy acquisition that gets headlines in the offseason, but it fits Seattle's needs. This team doesn't need to completely rebuild its pitching staff. It needs to find ways to turn more of its low-scoring games into victories.

Season 80 Outlook

Seattle could be the biggest sleeper in the division.

If the Run can add even 50-75 runs to last year's offensive total without significantly sacrificing their run prevention, they could move from 80 wins toward the upper 80s.

Key Players: Bill Valentin, Christopher Skinner, Harold Richardson, Wayne Lambo and Matt Crocker.

Best Case: An improved offense pushes Seattle into the wild-card race.

Worst Case: The bats remain stagnant and the Run once again hover around .500.

Bottom Line: Seattle is much more dangerous than last year's record suggests.

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Honolulu Surfriders

Season 79: Boise Renegades, 75-87

Player Salaries: $72.4M
Coach Salaries: $12.6M

The former Boise Renegades enter Season 80 with perhaps the most fascinating story in the NL West.

The franchise has a new name and a new home, but not a new owner. More importantly, the move from Boise to Honolulu changes the baseball environment.

Boise was a slightly hitter-leaning ballpark. Honolulu is pitcher-friendly.

Boise has a park factor of 1.070 while Honolulu has a park factor of 0.956, taking away some balls that would have been HRs in left field. That could have a substantial impact on a roster that scored 723 runs last season but allowed 774.

There Is Plenty of Offensive Talent

The former Renegades were not a bad offensive team.

Dana Robinson was spectacular, hitting .335/.397/.613 with 36 home runs and 118 RBI. Losing him in free agency will hurt a little as the future hall of famer is declining in power, but can still be productive.

Kyle Anderson also had an excellent season, hitting .308/.383/.540 with 21 home runs, 79 RBI, 90 runs and 34 stolen bases.

Dennis Chamberlain finished his rookie season with a .726 OPS, and Honolulu is hoping he can get a bump in production in year 2.

Yordano Lindor supplied 15 home runs despite hitting only .239.

Nomar Hoying added 15 homers and 37 stolen bases, while Lawrence Jones hit 24 HRs with a .796 OPS. Then came the big offseason trade.

Honolulu traded Hoying and Jones to Indianapolis for William Yoon and a prospect. Yoon should provide some much needed ability to get on-base with a lifetime .364 OBP in the majors.

There is enough talent here to believe Honolulu can remain productive even in a less favorable offensive environment.

But the Pitching Needs Help

This was the weakness in Boise.

The club allowed 774 runs, nearly 200 more than Vancouver.

Malcolm Miles was one of the better performers, going 14-7 with a 3.23 ERA over 167 innings.

Charles Kuttler posted a 3.41 ERA over 177 innings, but Marc Garland and Joe Maxwell both finished with ERAs near or above 4.00.

The bigger problem was the bullpen, as they didn't have anyone besides Fritz Gilbert (3.59 ERA in 72.2 IP) or Polin Grandal (3.72 ERA in 96.2 IP) to consistently move the ball to the 9th without giving up runs. Eli Canderlaria was pretty good in a closer role picking up 15 saves with a 3.23 ERA as a midseason call up, so I would expect him to have a bigger role this season.

Gilbert retired this offseason, so Honolulu signed veteran Riccio Mesa from Portland coming off a 3.38 ERA last season, as well as minor league free agent David Andrelczyk from Seattle.

The move to Honolulu could help here. A pitcher-friendly environment won't suddenly make a mediocre pitcher an ace, but it could reduce the damage caused by home runs and extra-base hits.

The Ballpark Experiment

This may be the most interesting question surrounding the Surfriders.

What happens when a team that scored 723 runs moves into a park designed to suppress offense?

Anderson and Yoon should be able to produce anywhere. But the secondary hitters may see their home numbers change significantly.

On the other hand, the pitching staff could benefit from exactly the same environmental shift. With HRs being more neutral to RF, it will be interesting to see if Honolulu tries to add any lefty pull hitters that won't have HRs taken away in LF.

Season 80 Outlook

Honolulu is the division's biggest wild card.

The franchise has a strong $26.5M prospect budget, one of the highest in the league, while only carrying $72.4M in player salaries. That gives the organization significant financial flexibility.

Key Players: Kyle Anderson, William Yoon, Dennis Chamberlain, Malcolm Miles and Charles Kuttler.

Best Case: The pitching improves dramatically in Honolulu and the Surfriders challenge for 85-plus wins.

Worst Case: The offense loses too much from the park change and the pitching doesn't improve enough.

Bottom Line: Honolulu could be much better—or much worse—than its predecessor's 75-87 record.

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Portland Lastplace

Season 79: 75-87

Player Salaries: $49.1M
Coach Salaries: $9.9M

Portland finished with the same record as Boise, but the underlying numbers were considerably less encouraging.

The Lastplace scored only 592 runs and allowed 700, resulting in a -108 run differential.

The Offense Needs More Consistency

Willis Osting was one of Portland's better offensive performers, hitting .258/.327/.456 with 27 home runs and 67 RBI.

Justin Livesay supplied 31 home runs, although his .211 batting average limited the overall value of that power.

Howie Fitzgerald also struggled, hitting just .205/.264/.346 despite appearing in 157 games.

Jarrett Franco finished with a .250/.339/.370 slash line in 476 ABs.

Tex Collier was productive a .766 OPS in 470 ABs, but is a free agent now. No one else on the roster had an OPS above .700 last season.

Those numbers help explain why Portland scored only 592 runs.

The DH gives Portland another opportunity to put an offensive player into the lineup, but the team needs more than one additional bat to solve its problems.

Pitching Problems

The pitching staff wasn't strong enough to compensate for the offense.

Mel Wilkinson threw 242 innings but finished 10-19 with a 3.57 ERA. Darrell McNeil added 202 innings with a 3.92 ERA.

Meanwhile, Chadd Liefer posted a 3.99 ERA over 191.2 innings and has since departed for Minnesota as a Type B free agent.

They are hoping that rookie Joe Murphy can bolster their rotation. Murphy was the 14th pick in the Season 76 draft, but has a career 4.05 ERA in the minors.

There is one returning bright spot in the bullpen: Henderson Edgin recorded 35 saves and posted a 1.29 ERA in 69.2 innings. Unfortunately, Portland lost Gail Neill (3.01 ERA in 107.2 IP) and Riccio Mesa (3.38 ERA in 69.1 IP) to free agency.

21 year old rookie Steve Lindblom will be called on to be a key part of the bullpen.  The former 3rd overall pick has been dynamite in the minors with a career 2.53 ERA.

Season 80 Outlook

Portland has the lowest player payroll in the division at $49.1M, but also has $20.0M available for prospects.

That could be a sign that the organization is better positioned for a longer-term rebuild than an immediate push toward contention.

Key Players: Willis Osting, Justin Livesay, Henderson Edgin, Steve Lindblom, Mel Wilkinson and Darrell McNeil.

Best Case: Young players emerge and Portland climbs toward .500.

Worst Case: The offense and pitching both remain below average and Portland falls further behind.

Bottom Line: Portland has the most work to do in the division.

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Players Who Could Define the NL West

Victor Guerrero, Vancouver
A .325/.389/.535 season makes Guerrero one of the premier offensive players in the division. If he gets a full 162-game workload, his production could be enormous.

Juan Javier, Vancouver
His .424 OBP jumps off the page. Javier's combination of patience and production gives Vancouver another extremely difficult out.

Rosell Ramirez, Vancouver
Forty-one home runs and 114 RBI make Ramirez one of the division's premier run producers.

Louie Manuel, Vancouver
A 2.12 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 205 strikeouts over 237.1 innings is the profile of a legitimate ace.

Bill Valentin, Seattle
His .178 opponent batting average was remarkable. Seattle needs another season like this from Valentin.

Kyle Anderson, Honolulu
A .308 average, .383 OBP, 21 homers and 34 steals makes Anderson one of the most complete players on the Surfriders roster.

Henderson Edgin, Portland
With 35 saves and a 1.29 ERA, Edgin was one of the few Portland players who performed at an elite level last season.

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The Biggest Storylines

Can Anyone Challenge Vancouver?

The Fighting Skeletons won 107 games last season and had a +254 run differential. The rest of the division combined for 230 runs of negative run differential.

That is an enormous gap.

Seattle appears to have the best chance to close it, but Honolulu could be the wild card.

What Will Honolulu Look Like?

The Boise-to-Honolulu move isn't simply a change of address. The Surfriders are going from a hitter-friendly park to a pitcher-friendly park.

The first few months of Season 80 should provide an excellent indication of how much that change affects the club.

The DH Arrives

The National League will use the designated hitter for the first time in Season 80.

That gives all four teams another offensive roster spot and could be particularly valuable for clubs such as Seattle and Portland, where additional offense is desperately needed.

Seattle's Low-Scoring Puzzle

Seattle allowed only 565 runs but scored just 540.

That is a team begging for offensive improvement. The pitching staff is good enough to keep the Run competitive. The question is whether the lineup can finally provide enough support.

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Season 80 NL West Prediction

Projected Finish	Team	Projected Record
1	Vancouver Fighting Skeletons	101-61
2	Seattle Run	85-77
3	Honolulu Surfriders	80-82
4	Portland Lastplace	70-92

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Final Word

The NL West enters Season 80 with a familiar favorite and three teams trying to figure out how to close an enormous gap.

Vancouver has the best combination of offense, pitching, depth and organizational flexibility. Victor Guerrero, Juan Javier, Rosell Ramirez and Jorge Navarro give the lineup tremendous depth, while Louie Manuel, Danry Cabral, Rougned Javier and Tanyon Cohen give the pitching staff a foundation few teams can match.

Seattle may be the most logical challenger. The Run's 80-82 record doesn't tell the whole story. A pitching staff featuring Bill Valentin, Christopher Skinner and Harold Richardson kept Seattle in games all season. If Matt Crocker and the rest of the offense can take a step forward, Seattle could become a legitimate wild-card contender.

Honolulu is the unknown. William Yoon and Kyle Anderson give the Surfriders legitimate offensive stars, but moving from Boise's slightly more hitter-friendly environment to Honolulu's pitcher-friendly park could change the team's statistical profile. If the pitching benefits more than the offense suffers, Honolulu could surprise.

Portland faces the longest climb. Willis Osting and Justin Livesay provide some power, while Henderson Edgin anchors the bullpen, but the team needs improvement across the roster and needs it rookies to step up.

And then there is the new DH, which adds another wrinkle to the National League race.

For everyone else, however, the target remains obvious.

Vancouver is the team to beat.

Season 80 Prediction: Vancouver Fighting Skeletons win the NL West.

Season 80 NL South Preview

Season 80 Preview: National League South

The National League South enters Season 80 with a familiar name at the top and plenty of questions underneath. The Wichita Evil Sheep won 93 games last season, reached the World Series, and came within one game of a championship. The Montgomery Mules were solid at 84-78, while Jacksonville and New Orleans finished below .500 and now face the challenge of closing a significant gap.

There is also a major change coming to the division: the National League now has a DH. That could have a particularly interesting impact on this division, where several clubs have legitimate offensive pieces but also carried some weak bats in their lineups last season.

Wichita remains the obvious favorite, but the race for the other playoff spots could be considerably more interesting.

Season 79 Final Standings

Team	Record	Win %
Wichita Evil Sheep	93-69	.574
Montgomery Mules	84-78	.519
Jacksonville DEPLORABLES	75-87	.463
New Orleans Voodoo	68-94	.420

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Wichita Evil Sheep

Season 79: 93-69

Runs Scored: 766

Runs Allowed: 671

Expected Winning Percentage: 0.561

Season 80 Payroll: $85.3M

The Evil Sheep enter Season 80 as the unquestioned class of the division. They won 93 games, survived a dramatic NLCS against Kansas City, and then took Fresno to the World Series before falling to the defending champions.

And while the championship ultimately went to Fresno, Wichita demonstrated that it has the roster necessary to win the whole thing. The question for Season 80 isn't whether Wichita is good enough to contend. It is whether the Evil Sheep can get back to the World Series and finish the job this time.

The Offense

Wichita scored 766 runs last season and hit 212 home runs, giving it one of the more dangerous offensive attacks in the National League. The addition of the DH should only increase the team's ability to keep productive bats in the lineup.

Norman Zimmermann remains one of the central pieces. He hit .276/.327/.491 with 28 home runs, 109 RBI and 80 runs in 149 games. He was the team's primary run producer during the regular season and remains one of the most important middle-of-the-order bats in the division.

Henderson Sorrento provided excellent all-around production, hitting .288/.373/.424 with 18 home runs, 74 RBI and 91 runs. His .797 OPS and strong on-base percentage make him an ideal table-setter for the power bats behind him.

Then there is Dave Long.

Long hit .246/.309/.463 with 32 home runs and 87 RBI during the regular season. Those numbers alone make him a major offensive weapon, but his postseason performance turned him into one of the defining figures of Wichita's championship run.

Jared Herzog was the Game 7 hero. He hit 23 home runs with a .872 OPS during the regular season and then delivered the decisive blow in the NLCS finale, launching a go-ahead three-run homer in the eighth inning after Wichita had fallen behind 6-4.

Herzog shouldn't be labeled an "x-factor" based on a small postseason sample, but that Game 7 home run will forever be part of the franchise's history. Wichita needed a hero, and Herzog provided one.

Kennie Romero was another intriguing offensive piece, posting a .265/.417/.453 line with nine home runs in only 66 games. His .870 OPS suggests there is additional offensive upside available if he receives a larger role.

The addition of the DH should also help Wichita maximize its roster depth and potentially find additional at-bats for players who don't need to be on the field defensively every day.

The Pitching Staff

The pitching staff was good enough to carry Wichita through the postseason, and the top of the rotation is impressive.

Orlando Fernandez led the way with a 17-4 record, 3.31 ERA and 1.23 WHIP over 236.1 innings. He struck out 179 hitters and provided exactly what a contender needs from its ace: durability and consistent innings.

Asher Collier went 14-12 with a 4.29 ERA over 203.1 innings, while Babe Dipoto went 7-11 with a 3.56 ERA in 151.2 innings. Harold Lennon added 191.1 innings and 141 strikeouts despite posting a 4.75 ERA.

The bullpen also has some intriguing pieces. Ron Hermida converted 37 saves while posting a 2.55 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 53 innings. Louis Benedict had a spectacular 2.36 ERA and 0.95 WHIP over 61 innings.

That combination of an innings-eating rotation and a reliable late-inning group gives Wichita one of the safer pitching staffs in the division.

Offseason

Wichita added two Type B free agents: Bingo Osborne from Indianapolis and Ned Halter from Portland. Neither move represents a massive overhaul, but Wichita didn't need one.

The important thing was maintaining the core that reached the World Series.

Season 80 Outlook

Wichita is the team everyone else in the NL South is chasing. The Evil Sheep have a proven offense, a deep pitching staff, postseason experience and the confidence that comes from knowing they were only one series away from a championship.

The new NL DH should make an already dangerous offense even more difficult to navigate.

Key Question: Can Wichita avoid the kind of late-season and postseason drama that nearly ended its championship hopes last year?

Bottom Line: This is a championship-caliber roster. Anything short of another serious playoff run should be considered a disappointment.

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Montgomery Mules

Season 79: 84-78

Runs Scored: 699

Runs Allowed: 704

Expected Winning Percentage: 0.497

Season 80 Payroll: $62.3M

Montgomery finished nine games behind Wichita last season, but the Mules were still a respectable 84-78 and remain the most credible challenger to the Evil Sheep in the division after settling for a wild card birth last season.

The bigger question is whether Montgomery can improve enough to turn a solid regular-season club into a legitimate postseason threat.

The Offense

Montgomery hit .260/.321/.393 last season and scored 699 runs. The offense wasn't spectacular, but there was a strong collection of everyday contributors.

Rod Ritz was one of the team's best overall hitters, batting .290/.357/.435 with 18 home runs, 75 RBI and 95 runs in 150 games.

Bing Heisey provided the team's biggest power impact, hitting 28 home runs with 89 RBI and a .861 OPS. His .506 slugging percentage was easily among the team's best.

Benny Ambriz hit .291 with 66 runs, while Cliff King contributed 15 home runs, 57 RBI and a .751 OPS.

Glendon Davis added 23 home runs and 58 RBI, while Mel Roberts hit 21 home runs with 70 RBI and a .793 OPS.

Unfortunately for Montgomery, Roberts is no longer with the club. He signed with Toronto during the offseason.

That creates an immediate question for a lineup that was already only average in overall production.

The Pitching Staff

Montgomery finished Season 79 in the middle of the pack with a 4.11 team ERA and a 1.34 WHIP.

Danny Olivares was the ace of the rotation, finishing 15-4 with a 2.50 ERA and 1.11 WHIP over 190.2 innings.

Pablo Fernandez finished with a losing record at 7-10, but was mostly successful with a 3.65 ERA.

The rest of the rotation wasn't quite as good. Jiggs Karns was 13-12, but had a 5.70 ERA. Stu Ball had a 4.12 ERA in 152.0 IP, Rip Kulik had a 4.44 ERA in 81.0 IP, and Shane Lush had a 3.91 ERA in 94.1 IP.

A wildcard could be Macbeth Jodie who was called up late last season and had a 2.29 ERA in six starts.

The bullpen has some good arms as well. James Holmes was their most successful reliever, finishing with a 3.31 ERA in 89.2 innings. Hooks Bell had a 3.99 ERA in 88 innings. Carmen McGee had 36 saves, but his ERA was worse at 4.66.

The pitching gives Montgomery a chance to stay in the race, but some improvements could be needed.

Offseason

The Mules suffered two notable losses. Cecil McNichol left for Norfolk as a Type B free agent, while Mel Roberts signed with Toronto as a Type A.

That's significant because Roberts was one of Montgomery's more productive offensive players last season.

Season 80 Outlook

Montgomery's path to contention is fairly straightforward: the pitching needs to take a step up while the offense finds a way to replace Roberts' production.

The Mules don't necessarily need to become an offensive juggernaut. They simply need to score enough runs to take advantage of what should again be a very good pitching staff.

Key Question: Can Montgomery replace the offense lost in free agency?

Bottom Line: Montgomery has the ability to challenge Wichita, but the margin for error is much smaller than it was a year ago.

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Jacksonville DEPLORABLES

Season 79: 75-87

Runs Scored: 611

Runs Allowed: 640

Expected Winning Percentage: 0.479

Season 80 Payroll: $28.1M

Maximum Prospect Budget: $44.4M

Jacksonville is one of the most fascinating teams in the entire division because the organization appears to be operating on two different timelines.

The big-league payroll is just $28.1M, by far the lowest figure in the division, while the maximum prospect budget is a massive $44.4M. That tells you almost everything you need to know about the organization's current strategy.

Jacksonville is building for the future.

The Offense

Unfortunately, the current major-league offense struggled badly last season. The DEPLORABLES hit just .235/.299/.355 and scored only 611 runs.

Robbie Stinson was the standout, hitting .285/.402/.513 with 19 home runs and a .915 OPS. He was easily one of the team's most productive hitters.

Efren Nieto hit .273/.349/.466 with 23 home runs, 68 RBI and 73 runs, while Roger Sanders contributed 19 home runs and 85 RBI with a .814 OPS.

Trevor Rudolph supplied 32 home runs and 81 RBI despite hitting only .231, making him one of the team's most important power sources.

Josmil Seanez hit .276, while Gene Mayne contributed a .716 OPS.

The problem is that the top performers were surrounded by too many weak offensive seasons. Jacksonville had several regulars below a .600 OPS, and the team simply couldn't generate enough traffic or power consistently.

Rudolph and Mayne are still free agents, so Jacksonville will have to replace their production.

The Pitching Staff

Interestingly, the pitching was considerably better than the record might suggest.

Jacksonville posted a 3.60 team ERA (7th best in the majors) and a 1.22 WHIP, 

Ronald Bando threw 231.1 innings and went 12-16 with a 3.93 ERA. Ugueth Gonzalez was even better, posting an 11-8 record with a 3.21 ERA and 1.13 WHIP.

Carlos Molina added a 3.50 ERA over 182.1 innings, while Jose Trinidad had a 2.85 ERA and 1.02 WHIP.

The bullpen was quietly excellent. Yamid Arguelles had a 1.91 ERA and 0.93 WHIP, while Torey Matos posted a 1.83 ERA.

That makes Jacksonville's 75-87 record somewhat surprising. The pitching was good enough to support a winning club; the offense simply wasn't. Things will be a little bit tougher without Bando (signed with Charleston) and Matos (signed with Kansas City). But Jacksonville is building for the future.

Offseason

Jacksonville did not make any major Type A or Type B free-agent moves from the offseason list.

That isn't necessarily a problem given the organization's financial strategy. With up to $44.4M available for prospects, the DEPLORABLES appear far more interested in building the next version of this team than patching holes with expensive veterans.

Season 80 Outlook

The addition of the DH could help Jacksonville immediately by giving the club another opportunity to hide a weak defensive player or get another bat into the lineup. But a league-wide change isn't enough to solve the underlying offensive problems.

Jacksonville needs development. The organization has the financial room to invest heavily in prospects, and that may ultimately be more important than its Season 79 total.

Key Question: Can the DEPLORABLES squeeze enough offense out of the current roster to make their excellent pitching matter?

Bottom Line: Jacksonville is unlikely to challenge Wichita or Montgomery immediately, but the organization may be much more dangerous in a couple of seasons.

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New Orleans Voodoo

Season 79: 68-94

Runs Scored: 600

Runs Allowed: 694

Expected Winning Percentage: 0.435

Season 80 Payroll: $66.9M

New Orleans enters Season 80 looking for a substantial turnaround after finishing 68-94 last season. The Voodoo were 26 games behind Wichita and 16 games behind Montgomery, so there is plenty of work to do.

But there are enough legitimate offensive pieces here to believe the club can improve.

The Offense

New Orleans hit .245/.303/.378 and scored 600 runs last season. The biggest problem was not a lack of individual talent so much as a lack of consistent production throughout the lineup.

Howie Noonan was one of the team's best all-around players, hitting .283/.328/.410 with 13 home runs and 105 runs scored. His 197 hits led the club. He signed with the Iveys in the offseason, so the Voodoo will need a new CF.

Masao Chiba added 26 home runs and 81 RBI, while Giomar Hechavarria hit 21 home runs with 70 RBI.

Rick French hit .271/.343/.432 with 25 home runs and 91 RBI, while Nori Park delivered a strong .272/.316/.485 line with 29 home runs and 89 RBI before hitting free agency

The Voodoo therefore have a legitimate power core. The problem is that too many other regulars produced OPS marks below .700, and the team struggled to turn its home-run production into sustained run scoring.

The new DH could be particularly helpful here. New Orleans has several bats that can provide offensive value but may not necessarily need to occupy a defensive position every day. Edgar Rincon has been waiting 8 years in the minors for his chance to shine with a 0.965 OPS, so he could provide a boost to the lineup and help replace the losses of Noonan and Park.

The Pitching Staff

The pitching staff posted a respectable 3.75 ERA and 1.37 WHIP last season. That's not disastrous, but the combination of walks and baserunners put too much pressure on an offense that wasn't scoring enough.

Miguel Vega was the ace, going 14-9 with a 2.69 ERA and 1.28 WHIP over 224.1 innings. He also struck out an impressive 235 hitters. He remains one of the best pitchers in baseball.

Babe Strausborger posted a 2.55 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 173 innings, while Kenneth Christenson had a 2.80 ERA with 160 strikeouts over 167.1 innings.

Those three pitchers give New Orleans a strong foundation at the top of the rotation.

The problem was the back end. Santiago Arguelles went 9-17 with a 5.13 ERA and 1.51 WHIP, while Dean Smith went 7-16 with a 4.54 ERA and 1.53 WHIP.

The bullpen had some bright spots. Max Guardado went 9-8 with a 3.50 ERA over 128.2 innings, while Albert Alvarez recorded a 3.98 ERA.

Offseason

New Orleans made one notable Type B free-agent addition, acquiring Jude Peterson from Columbus.

Peterson hit .247/.320/.430 with 19 home runs and 74 RBI for Columbus last season. That is exactly the kind of middle-of-the-order production the Voodoo need.

Season 80 Outlook

New Orleans has enough pitching at the top and enough power in the lineup to improve significantly from 68 wins.

The problem is that the Voodoo have to find a way to close the enormous gap between their best players and their weakest regulars.

The addition of Peterson is a step in the right direction, and the DH could give the offense another boost.

Key Question: Can New Orleans turn its collection of individual offensive and pitching talent into a consistently productive team?

Bottom Line: A 10-to-15 win improvement is realistic, but the Voodoo still look like a team a year away from serious contention.

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The NL South Division Race

1. Wichita Evil Sheep

Wichita is the defending NL champion and has the deepest combination of offense, pitching and postseason experience in the division. The NL DH only makes the lineup more dangerous. The Evil Sheep should be favored to win the division again.

2. Montgomery Mules

Montgomery have a good core of players, but losing Mel Roberts hurts. If the offense holds together, the Mules could remain the most serious threat to Wichita.

3. New Orleans Voodoo

New Orleans has more upside than its 68-win record suggests. Miguel Vega, Babe Strausborger and Kenneth Christenson give the team a legitimate rotation core, while the addition of Jude Peterson could help the offense. A significant improvement is possible, but a playoff berth may still be a year away.

4. Jacksonville DEPLORABLES

Jacksonville's strategy appears to be focused on the future. The  ability to have up to a $44.4M maximum prospect budget dwarfs its $28.1M major-league payroll. The current club could surprise if its pitching continues to outperform expectations, but the offense remains a major obstacle.

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Players to Watch

• Norman Zimmermann, Wichita — 28 HR, 109 RBI, .819 OPS
• Dave Long, Wichita — 32 HR, 87 RBI and a huge postseason
• Jared Herzog, Wichita — .872 OPS and the unforgettable NLCS Game 7 homer
• Bing Heisey, Montgomery — 28 HR, 89 RBI, .861 OPS
• Jose Trinidad, Montgomery — 2.85 ERA, 1.02 WHIP
• Robbie Stinson, Jacksonville — .915 OPS
• Miguel Vega, New Orleans — 14-9, 2.69 ERA, 235 strikeouts
• Nori Park, New Orleans — 29 HR, 89 RBI, .801 OPS

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Season 80 Prediction

Projected Finish	Team	Prediction
1	Wichita Evil Sheep	98-64
2	Montgomery Mules	86-76
3	New Orleans Voodoo	78-84
4	Jacksonville DEPLORABLES	73-89

Final Thoughts

The NL South has a clear favorite but an interesting collection of teams behind it.

Wichita has already proven that it can survive October and reach the World Series. With virtually the same core returning and the new DH potentially making the offense even deeper, the Evil Sheep should be one of the National League's elite teams again.

Montgomery is the obvious challenger, although losing Mel Roberts makes the gap a little wider.

New Orleans is the division's potential wild card. The Voodoo have enough pitching and power to make a substantial jump if the supporting cast performs better.

Jacksonville is playing the long game. The $44.4M prospect budget suggests that the organization is less concerned with winning 80 games in Season 80 than building a team capable of winning much more in the seasons ahead.

For now, however, the division still belongs to Wichita.

Prediction: Wichita Evil Sheep win the NL South.

Season 80 NL East Preview

Season 80 Preview: National League East

The National League East enters Season 80 with one established favorite, three teams looking to close the gap, a dramatic ballpark change, significant roster movement, and an entirely new designated hitter rule.

Boston enters as the defending division champion after one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent Mantle history. The Chicago Iveys finished second but were still 17 games behind the Bruisers. New York and Columbus were separated by just two games at the bottom of the standings.

On the surface, Boston appears to have control of the division.

But Season 80 brings enough change to make the race considerably more interesting.

• Boston Bruisers: 91-71
• Chicago Iveys: 74-88
• New York Metros: 73-89
• Columbus Clippers: 71-91

Boston's challenge is proving that its incredible Season 79 turnaround was sustainable. Chicago is attempting to improve through free agency. New York is moving from Citi Field to Yankee Stadium. Columbus enters with an offense that may have more upside than its 71-win record suggests, but a pitching staff that desperately needs improvement.

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Boston Bruisers

Season 79 Record: 91-71
Runs Scored: 771
Runs Allowed: 696
Expected Winning Percentage: .548
Season 80 Player Salary: $86.4 million

Season 79 represented one of the most extraordinary turnarounds in recent Mantle history.

After winning just 38 games in Season 78, Boston exploded for 91 victories and captured the NL East championship. That represents an improvement of 53 wins in a single season.

The question entering Season 80 is no longer whether the Bruisers are capable of competing.

They already proved that.

The question is whether they can handle the transition from surprise contender to expected division favorite.

A Deep and Productive Lineup

One of the biggest reasons for Boston's success was the depth of its offense.

Joe Roling was the club's most productive all-around offensive player. In 162 games, Roling hit .280 with 34 home runs, 94 RBI, 127 runs scored, and a .868 OPS. His combination of power and speed was particularly impressive, as he also stole 33 bases.

The Bruisers also received excellent production from several other regulars.

Carson Hendrickson hit 25 home runs and posted an .844 OPS, while Mat Gibson was an excellent contact hitter, batting .313 with an .822 OPS.

Cliff Higgins contributed 19 home runs, 75 RBI, 98 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases, while Julio Cruz hit .299 over a full 162-game season.

The lineup was not dependent upon one player carrying the offense.

That may be the most encouraging aspect of Boston's Season 79 performance.

Dioner Querecuto hit .287 with 16 home runs and 74 RBI. Giomar Pujols added 14 home runs and a .784 OPS. Even players lower in the lineup provided respectable production.

Cla Lennerton provided another major middle-of-the-order presence, hitting 29 home runs and driving in 102 runs. He departed for Charleston via free agency, so Boston will need to replace his production. Early indications are that Delino Garcia will step in at 1B. Garcia is not an offensive powerhouse with a career OPS a little over 0.600, but he will provide some solid defense.

Boston scored 771 runs, and the player statistics suggest that the offensive performance was built on genuine lineup depth rather than one or two extraordinary seasons.

Brian Snelling Was the Ace

While the offense was deep, the biggest individual star on the pitching staff was unquestionably Brian Snelling.

Snelling went 20-7 in 33 starts, throwing 236.1 innings with a 2.32 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP in a career best season.

He was one of the most dominant starting pitchers in the league last season. We'll see if last season was a flash in the pan or if he is a new man in Boston.

Behind him, Boston had additional rotation support from Ned Benes, who went 16-12 with a 3.78 ERA in 195.1 innings.

Jose Arias won 11 games, although his 4.28 ERA indicates that he was less consistent than the top two starters. Wandy Volquez added 13 victories but posted a 4.34 ERA.

The back end of the rotation was an area where Boston was less dominant. Dee Sandberg went 9-16 with a 4.75 ERA.

This is an important consideration entering Season 80.

Boston has a solid ace. It has a strong No. 2 starter. But continued rotation consistency behind Snelling could determine whether the club remains a 90-win powerhouse.

Can the Bullpen Improve?

The bullpen was solid but not overwhelmingly dominant.

Vladimir Moraga posted a 3.82 ERA over 96.2 innings, while Ronnie Nessy had a 3.51 ERA in 56.1 innings.

Boston's relief staff did its job well enough to support a division championship, but the club could become even more dangerous if it finds additional late-inning consistency.

Season 80 Outlook

Boston enters as the clear favorite.

The lineup is deep. Roling, Hendrickson, Gibson, Higgins, Cruz, and Querecuto all contributed significantly during Season 79.

Snelling gives the Bruisers a legitimate ace capable of carrying the staff.

The biggest question is sustainability.

A 53-win improvement creates enormous expectations. Boston will not surprise anyone this season.

Bottom line: The Bruisers have earned their status as division favorites, but repeating a 91-win season will require another year of strong performances throughout the roster.

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Chicago Iveys

Season 79 Record: 74-88
Runs Scored: 673
Runs Allowed: 751
Expected Winning Percentage: .449
Season 80 Player Salary: $90.7 million

Chicago technically finished second in the NL East last season, but there was a massive difference between second place and first.

The Iveys were 17 games behind Boston.

At the same time, they finished just one game ahead of New York and three games ahead of Columbus.

That makes Season 80 especially important for the franchise.

The Iveys need to determine whether they are moving toward Boston or remaining part of the tightly packed group below the division champions.

Alfredo Grace Led the Offense

Alfredo Grace was Chicago's most productive everyday hitter in Season 79.

Grace hit .289 with 28 home runs, 98 RBI, and an .829 OPS over 158 games.

He was a legitimate middle-of-the-order producer and one of the biggest reasons Chicago's offense remained competitive.

Rio Doyle was another important contributor, hitting .280 with 19 home runs, 78 RBI, and an .806 OPS.

Chicago also received strong performances from several players who may not immediately stand out based solely on traditional counting statistics.

David Watson hit .269 with 18 home runs and an .808 OPS, while Lisalverto Portillo was particularly good at getting on base, finishing with a .361 OBP and 21 HRs.

Several other regulars finished below league-average offensive levels.

Domingo Navarro contributed 20 home runs and 67 RBI but posted a .241 average and .728 OPS, while Renyel Vega hit .219 with a .640 OPS despite appearing in 160 games.

Chico Duran hit .263 with 16 home runs and a .711 OPS He will be hitting for the Coyotes across town this season.

Chicago's offensive ceiling could improve substantially if the club can get more consistent production from the bottom portion of the lineup.

The Starting Rotation Needs More

The Iveys allowed 751 runs last season, and the starting rotation was a significant reason why.

Nicky Vance was arguably the club's most reliable full-season starter, going 10-11 with a 3.89 ERA over 199 innings, but he signed with Texas in the offseason.

Brook Lee threw 224 innings but posted a 4.02 ERA, while Mason Palmer went 13-13 with a 4.27 ERA.

Stu Hatcher struggled to a 4.64 ERA and a 8-15 record and Chicago elected not to re-sign him.

There was some reason for optimism from Ricardo Johnson, who recorded a 2.78 ERA and 1.22 WHIP over 55 innings. The challenge is determining whether that performance can translate into a larger role as he was used out of the bullpen due to his limited durability.

Offseason Changes

Chicago was active during the offseason.

The Iveys added P Pedro Melendez (career 4.55 ERA) from Philadelphia, P Darryl Roberts (career 4.74 ERA) from Norfolk, and 1B Angel Baez (.659 OPS last season but career .770 OPS) from Wichita.

The additions suggest Chicago is trying to remain competitive while building for the future.

Season 80 Outlook

The Iveys have enough offensive talent to improve.

Grace and Doyle provide a strong foundation, and the continued development of players such as Watson could increase the lineup's ceiling.

The larger concern is pitching.

Bottom line: Chicago should have an opportunity to improve on 74 wins, but a serious move toward division contention will probably require more from the starting rotation.

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New York Metros

Season 79 Record: 73-89
Runs Scored: 649
Runs Allowed: 687
Expected Winning Percentage: .474
Season 80 Player Salary: $103.1 million

No team in the NL East enters Season 80 with a more fascinating combination of circumstances than New York.

The Metros were a 73-win team last season, but their expected winning percentage of .474 was better than their actual .451 mark.

More importantly, New York is moving from Citi Field to Yankee Stadium.

The franchise is going from a pitcher-friendly ballpark to a hitter-friendly environment.

That could fundamentally change the identity of the team.

Doug Langford Provides the Power

Doug Langford was New York's primary power source in Season 79.

Langford hit 33 home runs and drove in 93 runs while posting a .792 OPS.

His batting average was only .250, but his power production was essential for a team that scored the fewest runs in the division.

The move to Yankee Stadium immediately raises an intriguing question.

Can Langford become even more productive in a hitter-friendly environment?

If Yankee Stadium boosts the Metros' power production, Langford could be one of the players most likely to benefit.

Ernie Leonard Was the Best All-Around Hitter

Ernie Leonard was arguably New York's most complete offensive player.

He hit .284 with a .373 OBP and .807 OPS while contributing 15 home runs and 67 RBI.

His ability to get on base gives the Metros a valuable offensive foundation.

New York also received productive performances from players with more limited playing time.

Albert Martinez hit 12 home runs with a .795 OPS in only 63 games.

Jackson Hausmann was even more productive on a rate basis, batting .282 with 11 home runs and an .807 OPS in 73 games.

Those two players provide an interesting source of potential offensive upside entering Season 80.

Felipe Berrios Leaves

The Metros will need to replace Felipe Berrios, who signed with Santa Fe.

Berrios appeared in 157 games and contributed 15 home runs and 74 RBI.

While his .724 OPS was not elite, he was a significant part of New York's everyday lineup.

The Metros did add Max Gil from the Chicago Coyotes, but replacing Berrios' production will remain an important challenge.

The Pitching Was Better Than the Record

New York's pitching staff was arguably the most encouraging aspect of the team's Season 79 performance.

The Metros allowed only 687 runs, the lowest total in the division.

Jaret Medders was the standout.

Over 209.1 innings, Medders posted a 3.22 ERA and an outstanding 1.14 WHIP.

Pablo Andino added 200.2 innings with a 3.81 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP.

Derek Blake was another useful piece, going 12-7 with a 3.39 ERA while working both as a starter and reliever.

The bullpen had several strong performers.

Bruce Page was excellent in the 9th finishing with 38 saves and a 1.76 ERA.

Erik Pritchett posted a 2.42 ERA over 63.1 innings. Dante Craig was heavily used, appearing in 77 games and throwing 116 innings with a 3.80 ERA and an excellent 1.09 WHIP.

Gregory Harvey recorded a 2.54 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 60.1 innings, but is a free agent nearing the end of his career.

Those numbers suggest New York has a real foundation on the pitching side.

The Yankee Stadium Challenge

However, the move to Yankee Stadium introduces a major variable.

The Metros' pitchers benefited from a pitcher-friendly home environment at Citi Field.

Now they will pitch half their games in a more favorable environment for hitters.

The same move that could help Langford and the offense could potentially hurt Medders, Andino, and the rest of the pitching staff.

Season 80 may ultimately depend on which effect is greater.

Season 80 Outlook

New York may be the division's biggest wild card.

The offense has room for improvement. The pitching was better than the 73-89 record suggested. And the ballpark change could significantly alter the club's statistical profile.

Bottom line: If the Metros can improve their offense without losing too much pitching effectiveness at Yankee Stadium, they could make a significant jump in the standings.

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Columbus Clippers

Season 79 Record: 71-91
Runs Scored: 723
Runs Allowed: 807
Expected Winning Percentage: .448
Season 80 Player Salary: $35.0 million

Columbus finished last in the division, but the Clippers may be one of the most interesting teams in the NL East when examining the underlying statistics.

The offense was not the primary problem.

Columbus scored 723 runs, more than Chicago or New York.

The problem was run prevention.

The Clippers allowed 807 runs, easily the highest total in the division.

Gaylord Helling Was a Star

Gaylord Helling was one of the best hitters in the division when healthy.

In only 119 games, he hit .289 with 34 home runs, 86 RBI, and a .915 OPS.

That level of production was exceptional.

If Helling can remain healthy over a full season, Columbus could have one of the more dangerous hitters in the National League.

Kolten Trajano Provides Enormous Upside

Kolten Trajano was another major offensive bright spot.

Despite playing only 76 games and collecting just 262 at-bats, Trajano hit 22 home runs with a .911 OPS.

His .373 OBP and .538 slugging percentage suggest tremendous offensive upside.

The combination of Helling and Trajano gives Columbus two players capable of producing at an elite level.

Additional Offensive Contributors

Don Tamura appeared in all 162 games, scoring 106 runs while adding 17 home runs and 75 RBI.

Felix Nick provided considerable power with 32 home runs and 94 RBI, although his .220 average and .696 OPS illustrate the inconsistency of his offensive profile.

Phil Stinson added a .354 OBP and stole 74 bases.

Charley Kelly hit .328 with a .414 OBP and a .929 OPS in limited action.

The Clippers also lost Jude Peterson to New Orleans.

Peterson contributed 19 home runs and 74 RBI in 115 games, making him a meaningful departure from the lineup.

The Pitching Problem

While the offense contained numerous bright spots, the pitching staff explains why Columbus won only 71 games.

Ernie Watson led the rotation with 184 innings, but posted a 4.16 ERA.

A.J. Ross struggled badly, going 8-17 with a 5.73 ERA and 1.70 WHIP.

Henry Heffner recorded a 5.02 ERA, while Chico Osoria struggled to a 7.19 ERA.

There were some encouraging individual performances.

Karl Anderson was excellent in a hybrid role, going 8-3 with eight saves and a 3.04 ERA over 130.1 innings.

Brett McCartney added 10 saves with a 3.65 ERA and 1.18 WHIP.

Pepe Johnson went 10-2 with a 3.71 ERA over 89.2 innings.

The bullpen and swing roles contained useful pieces.

The rotation was the larger problem.

Season 80 Outlook

Columbus has more offensive potential than a typical 71-win team.

Helling, Trajano, Tamura, Stinson, and Nick give the Clippers multiple players capable of making an impact.

But allowing 807 runs makes the path forward obvious.

The Clippers need pitching.

With only $35.0 million committed to player salaries, Columbus has considerable financial flexibility compared with several teams in the division.

Bottom line: If the Clippers can find meaningful rotation improvement, they could become considerably more competitive. Without it, even a strong offense may not be enough.

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The NL East Offseason Picture

The four teams enter Season 80 from very different positions.

Boston is trying to defend a division championship and prove that its remarkable turnaround was sustainable.

Chicago was active in free agency and is attempting to move beyond the middle of the standings.

New York faces perhaps the most dramatic environmental change of any team in the league with its move to Yankee Stadium.

Columbus has offensive upside but must address a pitching staff that allowed more than 800 runs.

Meanwhile, the introduction of the designated hitter in the National League creates another important variable.

Teams with productive hitters who previously lacked a clear defensive position now have an additional opportunity to get those bats into the lineup.

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NL East Storylines to Watch

1. Can Boston Do It Again?

Going from 38 wins to 91 wins is remarkable.

Doing it again may be even harder.

The Bruisers have a strong foundation, particularly offensively, and Brian Snelling gives them a solid ace. But they now enter the season with expectations.

2. The Yankee Stadium Experiment

No team has a more fascinating ballpark storyline than New York.

The Metros scored only 649 runs last season but allowed a division-low 687.

Yankee Stadium could help players such as Doug Langford and Ernie Leonard produce more offense.

But it could also make life more difficult for a pitching staff that was the club's greatest strength.

3. Can Chicago's Offseason Additions Make a Difference?

The Iveys have added Pedro Melendez, Angel Baez, and Darryl Roberts.

Chicago was already a team with some offensive talent, led by Alfredo Grace and Rio Doyle.

The key will be determining whether the roster additions can provide enough improvement to close the enormous gap between the Iveys and Boston.

4. Is Columbus Closer Than It Appears?

A 71-91 record usually suggests a rebuilding team.

But Columbus had several outstanding offensive performances.

Gaylord Helling produced like a star. Kolten Trajano was dominant in limited playing time. Phil Stinson was a menace on the basepaths..

The Clippers do not necessarily need to rebuild their entire roster.

They need to prevent runs.

5. The National League Gets the DH

For the first time, the National League will use the designated hitter.

This could particularly benefit teams with offensive depth.

Boston and Columbus both have enough productive hitters that the additional lineup spot could become meaningful. Chicago and New York may also use the DH to provide additional flexibility for players who are more valuable offensively than defensively.

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Season 80 NL East Prediction

1. Boston Bruisers
2. New York Metros
3. Chicago Iveys
4. Columbus Clippers

Predicted Division Winner: Boston Bruisers

Boston has earned the right to enter Season 80 as the favorite.

The lineup is deeper than any other in the division, and Brian Snelling provides a dominant ace at the top of the rotation.

The Bruisers may not win 91 games again, but there is enough evidence in the individual player statistics to believe that Season 79 was built on more than luck.

The Wild Card: New York

The Metros may have the highest variance of any team in the division.

The pitching staff was already strong, led by Jaret Medders and Pablo Andino.

The offense has potential, particularly with Doug Langford's power and the productive performances from Ernie Leonard, Albert Martinez, and Jackson Hausmann.

Everything changes at Yankee Stadium.

Chicago's Opportunity

The Iveys have enough offensive pieces to improve and have been active during the offseason.

But the starting rotation must improve.

Columbus Has the Most Obvious Problem to Fix

The Clippers have enough offense.

The statistics make that very clear.

But the pitching staff allowed 807 runs.

Until that changes, Columbus will have difficulty moving significantly up the standings.

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Final Thoughts

The NL East is a fascinating division because every team enters Season 80 with a completely different central storyline.

Boston is trying to prove its transformation is sustainable.

Chicago is trying to turn an active offseason into meaningful improvement.

New York is moving into a completely different baseball environment.

Columbus is trying to build around a surprisingly interesting collection of offensive talent while fixing its pitching.

Boston enters as the favorite.

But the rest of the division has legitimate reasons to believe Season 80 could look different from Season 79.

The biggest question remains Boston.

Was the 91-win season the beginning of a new era for the Bruisers?

Season 80 will provide the answer.

Season 80 NL North Preview

Season 80 Preview: National League North

The National League North enters Season 80 with a clear two-team race at the top—at least on paper. Montreal and Kansas City combined for 186 wins last season and separated themselves from the rest of the division. But the offseason has created some interesting changes, particularly between those two rivals.

Toronto and Milwaukee, meanwhile, enter the season looking to close significant gaps. The Yankdawgs were active in free agency, while Milwaukee added several pieces after a difficult 103-loss season.

Season 79 Final Standings:

• Montreal Expos: 95-67
• Kansas City Royals: 91-71
• Toronto Yankdawgs: 72-90
• Milwaukee Lagers: 59-103

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Montreal Expos

Season 79 Record: 95-67
Season 79 Finish: NL North Champions, lost in NLDS
Runs Scored: 741
Runs Allowed: 546
Season 80 Player Salary: $85.2 million

Montreal enters Season 80 as the defending NL North champion, and there is a strong argument that the Expos were even better than their 95 wins suggest. Their expected winning percentage was an outstanding .634, driven primarily by one of the best pitching staffs in the league.

The biggest question entering the offseason was whether Montreal could maintain its roster. The answer was not entirely yes.

The Expos lost several important contributors through free agency, including Ed Hannahan, Nevin Bettis, and Hi Miller. Hannahan and Bettis were particularly significant losses, as both were productive members of Montreal's offense.

The Offense

Montreal's lineup was deeper than its overall run total might initially suggest.

Hannahan was also a major contributor before departing for Charleston. He hit .302 with 32 home runs, 92 RBI, and a .909 OPS in 539 at-bats. Replacing that production will not be easy.

Nevin Bettis, now with Milwaukee, was another important departure. He hit .290 with 22 home runs and a .821 OPS in 128 games.

Fortunately for Montreal, the club still has a number of productive offensive pieces.

Ubaldo Oropesa was one of the most dangerous hitters in Season 79. In 580 at-bats, he hit .288 with 40 home runs, 92 RBI, and a .899 OPS, winning the MVP award in the process. He provides legitimate middle-of-the-order power and remains one of the foundational pieces of the Montreal lineup.

Adys Alonso hit .282 and scored 97 runs while appearing in 147 games. He may not possess the same power ceiling as Oropesa, but his ability to consistently reach base and score runs remains important to the lineup.

Stewart Buford supplied significant power of his own, hitting 33 home runs and driving in 91 runs.

Damaso Servet was particularly productive in limited playing time. He appeared in 82 games and hit .295 with 18 home runs, 53 RBI, and a .955 OPS. If he receives an expanded role, he could become an even bigger part of Montreal's offense.

Angelys Vazquez was another extremely productive player in a smaller sample. In 195 at-bats, he hit .313 with 11 home runs and an excellent .966 OPS.

That type of depth gives Montreal some reason for optimism despite the losses of Hannahan and Bettis.

The Pitching Staff

Pitching was the foundation of Montreal's Season 79 success.

The Expos allowed just 546 runs, by far the best total in the NL North. That dominance was driven by an exceptionally strong starting rotation.

Wilin Inciarte was one of the best pitchers in the entire league. He went 19-5 with a 2.26 ERA in 191.1 innings. He struck out 186 batters and posted an exceptional 0.83 WHIP en route to his 2nd Cy Young award.

Inciarte's combination of wins, strikeouts, and run prevention gives Montreal a legitimate ace.

Howie O'Connor was almost as impressive. He went 17-6 with a 2.48 ERA over 195.2 innings while striking out 152 hitters.

Having two pitchers capable of producing those types of seasons gives Montreal an enormous advantage over most teams.

The rotation also received contributions from Wilkin Cedeno, who went 11-10 with a 3.49 ERA in 175.1 innings, and Wilin Siqueiros, who logged 197 innings with a 3.93 ERA.

Montreal also had useful depth in the pitching staff. Rip Branyan posted a 2.77 ERA in 117 innings while working primarily out of the bullpen. Theodore Roberts finished last season with a 2.57 ERA and 30 saves.

Season 80 Outlook

The losses of Hannahan and Bettis are significant. Montreal's offense will need other players to take on greater responsibility.

But the pitching staff gives the Expos an exceptionally high floor. Inciarte and O'Connor form one of the best one-two combinations in the league, and Montreal's ability to prevent runs was the primary reason the club won 95 games last season.

The question: Can Montreal replace enough of its lost offense to remain ahead of Kansas City?

Bottom line: The Expos remain the team to beat. The division may be closer than last season, but Montreal's pitching gives them the edge entering Season 80.

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Kansas City Royals

Season 79 Record: 91-71
Season 79 Finish: Second Place, NL North, lost in NLCS
Runs Scored: 751
Runs Allowed: 639
Season 80 Player Salary: $88.5 million

Kansas City came within four games of Montreal last season and remains the most obvious challenger to the Expos.

The Royals also enter Season 80 with something else to build upon: a postseason run that demonstrated they could compete against the league's best teams.

Their season ultimately ended in a dramatic seven-game NLCS loss to Wichita. Kansas City pushed the Evil Sheep to the limit before Wichita rallied late in Game 7 to complete the series comeback.

The challenge for Kansas City is replacing some important departing talent.

Cookie Suzuki left for Anaheim, Carlos Pena signed with Santa Fe, and Shane Freel departed for the Chicago Coyotes. The Royals did, however, make a major addition by signing Billy Kennedy away from Texas.

The Offense

Kansas City's lineup was one of the better offensive groups in the division during Season 79. The Royals scored 751 runs and had several hitters capable of carrying the offense.

Ebenezer Cuyler was arguably the most dangerous hitter on the roster. He hit .287 with 35 home runs, 93 RBI, and a .922 OPS. The two-time MVP is the driving force in this lineup.

Parker Peavy added another major source of power, hitting 35 home runs with 81 RBI and an .871 OPS.

Those two hitters give Kansas City significant middle-of-the-order power.

Yoshinori Johjima was one of the most consistent hitters on the club. He hit .313 with 33 doubles and an .832 OPS while appearing in 132 games.

Antonio Porter was another important contributor, hitting .291 with 22 home runs and 90 RBI.

Michael Abe appeared in 155 games and hit .287 while scoring 70 runs.

Kansas City also received a productive season from Bing Buck, who hit 18 home runs with a .796 OPS.

The Royals have the type of lineup that can create pressure throughout the batting order. They may not have had one overwhelming superstar season, but they had multiple players capable of producing above-average offense.

The Pitching Staff

Kansas City's pitching staff was strong throughout much of Season 79.

Paulie Terry provided valuable durability, going 13-12 with a 3.05 ERA over 191.2 innings.

Willie Iglesias was even more effective from a run-prevention standpoint. He went 12-9 with a 3.02 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP in 179 innings.

Hank Tulowitzki had one of the best records on the staff, going 14 -3 with a 2.92 ERA.

Arthur Pierre added another quality season, posting a 3.08 ERA in 158 innings. while Seth Sadowski finished with a 3.78 ERA in 157 IP giving him a fairly successful rookie season.

The departure of Cookie Suzuki removes an important arm from the staff. Suzuki went 13-8 with a 3.65 ERA in 160.1 innings last season. New Royal Billy Kennedy went 10-8 with a 4.22 ERA in hitter friendly Texas last season. The Royals will hope the change of scenery helps Kennedy improve on those numbers.

The bullpen will feel the losses of Pena and Freel as Pena was their most used reliever with 98 IP at a 3.98 ERA and Freel was dominant with 43 saves in 46 chances with a 2.06 ERA last season. They currently have Kennedy setup to be the closer. They also brought in Torey Matos who has a career 3.88 ERA, but was especially solid for Jacksonville last season with a 1.83 ERA. They also picked up Deunte Spivey via the Rule 5 draft, so they will be hoping for some immediate returns from him.

The Royals return several pitchers capable of giving them quality innings, and the rotation remains a major strength.

Season 80 Outlook

Kansas City does not have to dramatically improve to win the division. They won 91 games last season and finished only four games behind Montreal.

The question is whether the Royals can offset their departures while maintaining their depth on both sides of the ball.

The addition of Billy Kennedy could prove important, while the continued development and performance of players such as Cuyler, Peavy, Johjima, and Porter will determine whether Kansas City can take the next step.

The question: Can the Royals turn a four-game deficit into a division championship?

Bottom line: Kansas City is firmly in the division race. Montreal deserves the preseason edge, but the gap is small enough that the Royals could absolutely emerge as the NL North champion.

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Toronto Yankdawgs

Season 79 Record: 72-90
Season 79 Finish: Third Place, NL North
Runs Scored: 613
Runs Allowed: 708
Season 80 Player Salary: $52.7 million

Toronto enters Season 80 in an interesting position.

The Yankdawgs finished 72-90 last season and were clearly behind Montreal and Kansas City, but the organization did not simply stand still during the offseason.

Toronto added Kirt Pryor and Mel Roberts, two Type A free agents. The Yankdawgs also have the lowest player salary commitment in the division at just $52.7 million while maintaining the largest potential prospect budget in the division at up to $35.5 million.

That creates an intriguing combination of current flexibility and future potential.

The Offense

Toronto's offense struggled significantly last season, scoring only 613 runs. The team finished with a .684 OPS, making run production a major area of concern.

Paul Adams was one of the clear offensive bright spots. He appeared in 150 games and hit .294 with 27 home runs, 62 RBI, and an .872 OPS.

Adams gives Toronto a legitimate middle-of-the-order threat.

Willie Cespedes also supplied power, hitting 23 home runs with a .806 OPS.

Alfonso Hollands contributed 25 home runs and 73 RBI in a solid rookie season.

The problem for Toronto was that there were not enough productive seasons surrounding its top hitters.

Sal Gryboski hit .259 with 16 home runs and a .757 OPS, while Kyle Winston provided a .754 OPS in a part-time role although he was traded to the Coyotes this offseason.

Beyond that, the offense struggled to consistently create scoring opportunities.

The addition of Kirt Pryor could be particularly important as he was one of the best hitters in baseball last season with  37 HRs, 138 RBIs, and a .967 OPS. Mel Roberts should also contribute at Catcher, coming off a down year for his standards with a 0.793 OPS.

Toronto is excited about rookie 3B David Purcell. The 21 year old former #4 pick in the draft is on the ML roster to start the season.

The new additions will help, and Toronto needs additional impact production if it hopes to significantly close the gap in the division.

The Pitching Staff

Toronto's rotation had some legitimate strengths.

Ken Gibson was the standout. He went 12-8 with a 2.98 ERA over 199 innings and struck out 206 batters.

That is the profile of a pitcher capable of leading a competitive rotation.

Fred Grace logged 221.2 innings and struck out 174 hitters while posting a 3.33 ERA.

Vicente Valdes provided another large workload, throwing 218.2 innings. However, Valdes has since departed for Cuba, making his replacement a major question entering Season 80.

Jose Solano went 13-12 but posted a 4.60 ERA, while the rest of the staff struggled to consistently prevent runs.

The departure of Valdes means Toronto will need someone to absorb a substantial number of innings. Toronto is calling upon rookie Eddie Hernandez to fill those innings. The Italian former IFA has a career 4.29 ERA in the minors, so we will see how he transitions to the majors.

Season 80 Outlook

The Yankdawgs appear to be a team in transition.

The additions of Pryor and Mel Roberts indicate that Toronto is attempting to improve rather than simply waiting for the future. The team's large prospect budget also gives the organization the ability to continue developing its pipeline.

However, the gap between 72 wins and the 90-plus-win pace of Montreal and Kansas City remains substantial.

The question: Can Toronto improve its offense enough to become a factor in the division race?

Bottom line: Toronto looks improved, but the top two teams remain difficult targets. The more realistic immediate goal may be pushing toward .500 and putting pressure on the division leaders.

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Milwaukee Lagers

Season 79 Record: 59-103
Season 79 Finish: Fourth Place, NL North
Runs Scored: 654
Runs Allowed: 873
Season 80 Player Salary: $52.6 million

Milwaukee enters Season 80 with the biggest challenge in the division.

The Lagers lost 103 games last season and finished 36 games behind Montreal. Their expected winning percentage of .366 closely matched their actual performance, suggesting that this was not simply a team victimized by bad luck.

The offseason, however, brought meaningful additions.

Milwaukee signed Nevin Bettis, a Type A free agent from Montreal, as well as Hi Miller, another former Expo.

Those moves do not instantly transform the Lagers into contenders, but they represent an attempt to bring proven production into the organization.

The Offense

Milwaukee's biggest offensive strength last season was power.

Alfonso Mercedes was one of the best offensive players in the entire division. He appeared in all 162 games and hit .278 with an incredible 54 home runs and 136 RBI.

Mercedes posted a .939 OPS and was unquestionably the centerpiece of Milwaukee's offense.

Wilsen Smith provided another major source of power, hitting 44 home runs with a .908 OPS.

Having two players combine for 98 home runs gives Milwaukee something many rebuilding teams lack: legitimate star-level power.

Del Quintanilla added 28 home runs and 86 RBI.

The Lagers also received useful production from Yeico Cruz, who hit .283 in 151 games.

The problem was overall depth. Milwaukee's team batting average was just .244, and the club needed more consistent production around its biggest power hitters.

The addition of Bettis could help address that issue. He hit .290 with 22 home runs and a .821 OPS for Montreal last season.

That is a significant offensive addition to a lineup already featuring Mercedes and Smith.

The Pitching Staff

Pitching was Milwaukee's largest weakness last season.

The Lagers allowed 873 runs, the worst total in the NL North.

Marc Davidson posted the best ERA among Milwaukee's primary starters at 3.79, although his 7-14 record illustrates how difficult the overall situation was. He is now with Anaheim after departing as a free agent.

Frank Anderson provided durability, throwing 204.2 innings, but he posted a 4.97 ERA.

Matthew Cedeno threw 170.1 innings with a 4.49 ERA, while Kenny West posted a 5.11 ERA. Both hit the free agent market after the season ended.

Thus there will be some new faces in the rotation. Hi Miller was mostly successful in Columbus but struggled the last few seasons in Montreal. He has a career 3.70 ERA. Ryan King (career 4.33 ERA) and Vladimir De Los Santos (career 3.91 ERA) were signed as free agents this offseason, and Milwaukee made a last minute trade with Montreal to bring in Emmanuel Castilla (career 4.62). They should all help improve the floor of the Lagers pitching rotation at the very least. 

Milwaukee had some useful relief contributions, including Elvis George, who posted a 3.80 ERA over 111.1 innings.

But the overall staff simply allowed too many runs. The Lagers defense was in the bottom third of the league in most major categories. If they can get more + plays and reduce the - plays, that should provide some additional help.

That remains the central issue entering Season 80.

Season 80 Outlook

Milwaukee's offense may actually be capable of becoming interesting.

Mercedes and Smith provide elite power, while the addition of Bettis gives the Lagers another proven offensive contributor.

The problem is whether the pitching staff can improve enough to support that offense.

A team can overcome an average pitching staff with elite offense. It is much more difficult to overcome a staff that consistently allows close to 900 runs.

The question: Can Milwaukee find enough pitching improvement to take advantage of its impressive power hitters?

Bottom line: The Lagers should be more interesting offensively, but the pitching staff will determine whether the improvement translates into a significantly better record. Their goal will just be to raise the floor this ceiling and see what they have to build upon.

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The Division Race

The NL North appears to have a clear hierarchy entering Season 80.

Montreal and Kansas City are the established contenders.

The Expos won the division last season behind dominant pitching, while Kansas City finished just four games back and demonstrated during the postseason that it could compete with elite competition.

The biggest storyline may actually be the offseason movement between the two organizations.

Montreal lost Hannahan, Bettis, and Miller, while Kansas City lost Suzuki and Pena. Both clubs have enough returning talent to remain contenders, but both also enter Season 80 with questions that did not exist a year ago.

Toronto is attempting to close the gap through free agency and future development, while Milwaukee is trying to build around one of the most powerful offensive combinations in the league.

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NL North Players to Watch

Wilin Inciarte, Montreal

A 19-5 record, 2.26 ERA, 186 strikeouts, and 0.83 WHIP made Inciarte one of the dominant pitchers in the division last season. He is the foundation of Montreal's championship hopes.

Ubaldo Oropesa, Montreal

After hitting 40 home runs and posting an .899 OPS, Oropesa becomes even more important following the departures of Hannahan and Bettis.

Ebenezer Cuyler, Kansas City

Cuyler hit 35 home runs with 93 RBI and a .922 OPS. Kansas City will need another big season from him if the Royals are going to overtake Montreal.

Parker Peavy, Kansas City

Peavy matched Cuyler with 35 home runs and gives the Royals another major source of middle-of-the-order power.

Paul Adams, Toronto

Adams hit .294 with 27 home runs and an .872 OPS. Toronto needs him to remain one of its offensive anchors.

Alfonso Mercedes, Milwaukee

Fifty-four home runs and 136 RBI speak for themselves. Mercedes was one of the most productive offensive players in the league and gives Milwaukee a legitimate superstar.

Wilsen Smith, Milwaukee

Smith added another 44 home runs. The Mercedes-Smith combination gives Milwaukee enormous power potential.

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Season 80 NL North Prediction

1. Montreal Expos
2. Kansas City Royals
3. Toronto Yankdawgs
4. Milwaukee Lagers

Predicted Division Winner: Montreal Expos

Montreal's pitching gives the Expos the narrow preseason advantage. Losing Ed Hannahan and Nevin Bettis will make the offense more difficult to project, but a rotation led by Wilin Inciarte and Howie O'Connor is an enormous advantage.

Kansas City is the biggest threat. The Royals won 91 games last season, have a balanced lineup, and possess enough pitching depth to challenge Montreal throughout the season.

Toronto is the division's wild card. The Yankdawgs have taken steps to improve and possess financial flexibility and a strong prospect budget. A jump toward contention is possible, although the gap remains significant.

Milwaukee has the longest climb. The Lagers have genuine star power in their lineup, but major improvement from the pitching staff will be required to escape the bottom of the division.

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Final Thoughts

The NL North may be one of the more straightforward division races entering Season 80, but that does not mean it lacks intrigue.

Montreal enters as the favorite, but Kansas City is close enough to make this a legitimate race. The Royals have already proven they can win at a high level, and the difference between first and second last season was only four games.

Behind them, Toronto is trying to take a step forward, while Milwaukee is attempting to build a more competitive team around one of the most dangerous power combinations in Hardball Dynasty.

The race for Season 80 begins with Montreal and Kansas City. The question is whether anyone else can force their way into the conversation.