PAYROLL: $120.9M
KEY ADDS: Darryl Pryce, Ellie Donovan, Glendon Cone
KEY LOSSES: Alfredo Martin, Gerald Vining
Folks, this team is loaded. Is it possible for them to be even better this season? When you acquire an SP like Ellie Donovan, you get better. They took criticism for the contract they dished out, but if you have the cash, it's a no-brainer. He'll take Vining's place in the rotation. The meat of this team remains, with the likes of Casey Combs and Milt Kipling in that lineup. And let's not forget, when they have a lead (and that's quite often), they hand the ball off to super closer Hick Quinn for the win. Sounds like a winning formula to me.
ONE KEY QUESTION: Will Ellie Donovan live up to that huge contract?
PREDICTION: NL NORTH CHAMPS
PAYROLL: $87.8M
KEY ADDS: Jumbo Simmons, Bailey Howard, Alex Diaz, Jon Cooper
KEY LOSSES: Andres Redondo, Lazy Smith, Jose Limon
Rochester is so far ahead of the rest of this division, it's a battle of 2nd place for the rest of the clubs here. The leader of this ballclub is Curt Humphries, who Seattle management would like to see revert back to all-star form back in S7. Charley Sullivan helps out that lineup, and Jumbo Simmons was a great sign for this club. Pitching wise, this is Cozy Murphy's team. As he goes, so goes Seattle. They need a big season from Ajax Hosmer if Seattle wishes to stay close at all to the defending champs.
ONE KEY QUESTION: Can this team be less than 10 GB in the standings by the all-star break?
PREDICTION: 2nd NL NORTH
PAYROLL: $53.9M
KEY ADDS: Alfredo Martin, Tom Brand
KEY LOSSES: Edgar Estrada, Garry Lewis, Benjamin Nelson
Not many notable changes on this club. This team remains in the hands of R5 pickup from last season Billy Fitzgerald, who had a huge season last year for Chicago. Zack Hernandez should have a big year as well for the Rooftops. Those two sluggers have the potential to knock home 90+ HR between the two. Keep an eye on John Martin, he could fly under the radar and have a breakout season. The unquestioned strength of the pitching staff is the bullpen, where the likes of Mickey Ankiel and Moises Rosado are featured. They're both young, and will both experience growing pains this season. Make no doubt about it though, they'll be worth the playing time.
ONE KEY QUESTION: How long will it take until we see super stud SB LaTroy Cook in the Rooftop lineup?
PREDICTION: 3rd NL NORTH
PAYROLL: $53.5M
KEY ADDS: Victor Valdivia, Jeff Sheets, John Murray, Hipolito Rijo, Toby Duckworth
KEY LOSSES: Alberto Carrasquel, Jon Cooper, Julio Castillo
If you're an Olympian fan, last season was extremely rough for you. They may not get a lot of wins this season, but you can not say they aren't trying to get better. They picked up a ton of R5 talent, with Jeff Sheets being the best of the bunch. He should contribute immediately. Sheets makes a nice combo in their lineup with Tom Zoltan. The ageless wonder Dale Eaton should have another good season. Pitching wise, they acquired John Murray, as they hope his experience will rub off on the rest of the staff. Duckworth will be an important factor as well for the Olympian rotation. With what they've done this season so far, there's no chance they get less than last season's 53 wins.
ONE KEY QUESTION: Does Montreal have what it takes to win 60 games?
PREDICTION: 4th NL NORTH
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