AL NORTH PREVIEW

... TRENTON JOKERS ... (87-75 in S8)

PAYROLL: $91.3M
KEY ADDS: Hal Bynum, Emil Martin, Charles Carson, Bart Dellaero, Shane Fleming
KEY LOSSES: David Wang, Lawrence Brantley, Merv Hunter, Jose Bocachica, Glendon Cone

Trenton just came off their 3rd playoff appearance in franchise history, and just narrowly missed out on the AL North title. The Jokers were dealt a huge blow when SP David Wang refused to sign back with the team. TRE will miss his talents, no question about that. The Hal Bynum trade was a necessity for the team, but they lose out in the long run by the loss of prospects. Phil Anderson thrived in TRE last season, and he should have another big year. They'll battle CIN once again for the top division crown.

ONE KEY QUESTION: Can the Jokers head to the playoffs again without David Wang anchoring their starting rotation?

PREDICTION: AL NORTH CHAMPS



... CINCINNATI RED STOCKINGS ... (87-75 in S8)

PAYROLL: $81.8M
KEY ADDS: Orber Aparicio, Stan Fitzgerald, Rafael Furcal
KEY LOSSES: Heinie Roberts, Pedro Jacquez, Jeffrey Powell

Another solid season appears to be on the horizon for Cincinnati. The trade of Heinie Roberts indicates one thing: this is now Brant Jackson's team. He'll be the unquestioned leader from now until whenever. They got good value in return for Roberts, along with the salary relief. Aparicio and Fitzgerald will contribute right away. S8 Fireman Of The Year Darrin Baldwin is lights out when he enters the game. The rest of their core remains intact, which is good news for CIN fans.

ONE KEY QUESTION: Can Brant Jackson effectively lead this team back to the division title?

PREDICTION: 2nd AL NORTH



... MILWAUKEE NATURALS ... (83-79 in S8)

PAYROLL: $62.9M
KEY ADDS: Al Small, Flash Lewis, Miles Hynes, Julio Castillo, Milt Webb
KEY LOSSES: Todd Miller, Tim Dodd, Gregory Burch, Arthur LeCroy, Willie Butler

Milwaukee made a lot of acquisitions this season, and they'll be in the mix for the AL North title as well. They have an emerging superstar combo on board with Luis Candelaria and Del Gutierrez. We knew it was a matter of time before they both started to dominate. William Yamaguchi is a real nice player, if only he hit for better average. The Naturals got great value back in the LeCroy trade. Al Small is really going to help out guys like Jeremy Slocumb and Lew Blalock in their pitching staff out.

ONE KEY QUESTION: Who will emerge as the ace of the MIL pitching staff?

PREDICTION: 3rd AL NORTH



... SYRACUSE IRIQUOIS ... (80-82 in S8)

PAYROLL: $89.5M
KEY ADDS: Lonnie Strange, J.T. O'Shea, David Garza
KEY LOSSES: Ellie Donovan

Nobody really knows what to expect from this Syracuse team. Here's what we do know: they lost Ellie Donovan, who accepted a boat load of cash from the defending champion Rochester franchise. That's a huge loss. They made up a little ground by resigning Bryan Bolden, who was extremely valuable for them last season. They got Zeus Wohlers help in the lineup with the Lonnie Strange trade. Wohlers absolutely rakes against right handing pitching, and the two could cause major havoc to opposing pitchers. Stephen Banks is back, and he'll contribute as he always does. This team isn't bad, by any stretch. However, somebody has to finish last.

ONE KEY QUESTION: To avoid last place, they need help from the unexpected. Who will step up for the Iriquois this season?

PREDICTION: 4th AL NORTH