AL NORTH PREVIEW

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... Milwaukee Naturals ... (82-80 in S10)

PAYROLL: $79.7M
KEY ADDS: Otis Long, Jacque Doyle, Russell Fitzgerald, Heinie Roberts
KEY LOSSES: William Yamaguchi, Eddie Fultz, Jerrod Flair, Milt Webb, Russell Gibson, George Forest

It's the Naturals' time to shine, guys. Milwaukee will repeat in their S9 footsteps and win the division title. They picked up big time talents (Roberts, Fitzgerald) to go along with the talent they already have. Luis Candelaria is coming off a monster year, and as he goes, so goes the Naturals. If you told me this team would make a deep run into the playoffs, I'd believe you. In fact, you don't have to tell me.

PREDICTION: AL NORTH CHAMPS



... Trenton Jokers ... (88-74 in S10)

PAYROLL: $104.4M
KEY ADDS: Cozy Murphy, Willie Karl
KEY LOSSES: Al Calderon, Dan Salmon

Trenton is coming off the 2nd division title in franchise history. After an early exit from the playoffs, they knew that more improvements were needed to take that 2nd giant step. In comes Cozy Murphy and that gigantic contract he signed. Murphy and Hal Bynum will be counted on to win a slew of games for the Jokers. Resigning Phil Anderson was a top priority, and they did just that. If they can find other offensive components to contribute along with Anderson, then a Wild Card could be in the works.

PREDICTION: 2nd PLACE



... Cincinnati Blue Darters ... (68-94 in S10)

PAYROLL: $73.0M
KEY ADDS: Dan Salmon, Toby Blasingame, Milton Jenkins, Olmedo Cela, R.J. Sheldon, Torey Ontiveros
KEY LOSSES: Garrett O'Leary, Billy Fitzgerald, Milton Gibson, Quinn Hanson

I can't wait to see this team in a few seasons. They made noise last season by dealing for Zack Hernandez and Billy Fitzgerald. This season, they deal Fitzgerald to Montreal for former #1 pick Ed Kennedy. They have a terrific blend of talent in both the majors and the minors. Unfortunately for the Blue Darters, their talented minor league system isn't majors ready now. Cincy will win some games, but they'll land in the middle of the division.

PREDICTION: 3rd PLACE



... Syracuse Iriquois ... (54-108 in S10)

PAYROLL: $78.9M
KEY ADDS: Ted Wall, Diego Flores, David Marte
KEY LOSSES: R.J. Sheldon, Walt Young, Thomas Lee,

Well, onto the good news. Things can't get that much worse in Syracuse, or can they? We don't think so. Before S10, the Iriquois never won less than 72 games in a season. So we think last season's 54 win total was a fluke. They went out and got some talented FAs (Marte, Flores, Wall) to go with the talent they already have (Zeus Wohlers, Lonnie Strange). They'll win a lot more than 54, but they'll once again be in the basement of the division.

PREDICTION: 4th PLACE