NL SOUTH PREVIEW

... LITTLE ROCK LIGHTNING ... (78-84 in S8)

PAYROLL: $92.5M
KEY ADDS: Paul Wang, Luis Sanchez, Omar Melian, Danny Pose, Milton Jenkins
KEY LOSSES: Brandon Walker, Hector Cerda, Lou Nicholson, Pedro Velazquez

Folks, the SJW Blog LOVES the makeup of this team. If there is a team that will challenge Rochester for the NL Crown, it's Little Rock. They have a superstar on their hands with Edwards Osik. He's a straight up beast. Fausto Liriano is primed for a huge year. And you want the FA sign of the season? Locking up Paul Wang for 2yr and 8M? Are you kidding me? For that talent, that was one heck of an acquisition. SP Charlie O'Keefe, the ace of the staff, is ready for an all-star season. He's that good, folks. Russell Fitzgerald is a legit closer, but we need that ERA to dip a tad for him to be an "elite" closer.

ONE KEY QUESTION: Can Edwards Osik match in S9 the career season he had back in S8?

PREDICTION: NL SOUTH CHAMPS



... ST. LOUIS SOUL ... (79-83 in S8)

PAYROLL: $88.2M
KEY ADDS: Willie Butler, Julio Tavarez
KEY LOSSES: Flash Lewis, Yoo-Nah Tabaka

The St. Louis Soul should be as competitive as ever this season. Mandy Adkinson and Dennys Rando make a nice defensive combo with the ability to hit as well. Keep an eye on Derrek Dodson, we think he can improve even more from last season. Hi Priest is the ace and will lead that club. Let's not forget about Vicente Trevino either. Maybe the best 1-2 SP combo in the division. If there's a team to overthrow Little Rock in the division, it'll be the Soul.

ONE KEY QUESTION: A lot of youth in the lineup, can they all get it together and lead the Soul to a division title?

PREDICTION: 2nd NL SOUTH



... SANTA FE SANTA CLAUSES ... (95-67 in S8)

PAYROLL: $96.5M
KEY ADDS: Charlie Wilson, Lou Roberts, Lucas Hall, Andres Redondo
KEY LOSSES: Rene Howry

Same ole situation in Santa Fe: devastating lineup, questionable pitching situation. Losing Howry hurts, as he declined his option to become a FA. They signed a ton of talent to help the bullpen, highlighted by Charlie Wilson. Offensively, it's the same cast and crew. Ewell Bierbrodt, Luis Trevino, and Walt Cox lead the way. Santa Fe owner tisi29 has beautifully created that lineup to fit their home ballpark. They'll lead the league in offense every season, book it.

ONE KEY QUESTION: Will the new pieces in the SFE pitching staff be enough to catapault them up the standings?

PREDICTION: 3rd NL SOUTH



... MONTGOMERY SMOOTH SKIES ... (58-104 in S8)

PAYROLL: $76.8M
KEY ADDS: Tim Dodd, Earl Wakeland, Gregory Burch, Yoo-Nah Tabaka, Jose Bocachica
KEY LOSSES: Miles Hynes, Bernie Lee

This team is currently a "work in progress". It's been a while since this franchise has seen success. Enter new Montgomery owner Scottie14. There was a reason why SJ commissioner Rob Root brought him in. Tim Dodd was brought in to add offense to this ballclub. Luis Servet will also bring the offense, as well as newcomers Wakeland and Bocachica. They will instantly improve their hitting numbers. Ken Owens is a nice young arm to anchor that rotation. R5 pickup Miguel Miranda and acquisition Gregory Burch will make nice additions to the Montgomery rotation. Things are definitely looking up for this squad.

ONE KEY QUESTION: Has the official Hideki Shin ML debut clock begun to tick in Montgomery yet?

PREDICTION: 4th NL SOUTH