Here is a team by team look at the 2003 season (as I see it):
Cairo - The Leveemen are in for a long season. They have one of the best MR in the game James Dambrosio and arguably the best closer in Ariel Santos...the problem is that they will probably not get too many opportunities to get to them with the lead. The fact that the Leveemen took 4 of the 5 players selected in the Rule V draft should tell you something.
What to watch for - James Pila the #2 overall prospect in the game should see some ML action this year. Too bad he probably will not get that many wins.
Maryland - The Poedamnedmonium have one of the longest names and are looking to make a playoff run this year. They only finished 8 games out of the wild-card in the PL last season and with the additions of 3B Andre Hanson and SS Charles Fordyce to big FA contracts will help solidify the left side of the infield and add some pop in the lineup. The big question comes in if Wilfredo Solares and Wayne Dick will be able to make rookie contributions to the starting rotation.
What to watch for - Silvia Ruiz to have a break out year now that he is the man in RF. Arguably the best young OF in the game will get the chance to show us what he his future is going to look like.
Pittsburgh - The Fish are looking to make another run to the playoffs in the 2003 season. Last year their wildcard run was impressive with the trades of many of their big names on the team. This season they were in the heat of the Gaby Duran sweepstakes, but fell short to the upstart CPU managed Sylva Black Bears. Even without a true top flight starter, the Pisces look to be right in the playoff push in the PL. Their main off-season moves were to add some MR help in the FA market. They added Jeffery Avelar and Bill McLaurin...will it be enough to put them back into the playoffs?
What to watch for - The development of Donald Parson and Gary "Tiny" Croce the 10th and 5th prospects in the game...will they make their way to Pittsburgh eventually or will they be traded for that #1 starter that the Pisces may need to make the playoffs this season.
Seattle - Whoa Nelly...The Ministry of Silly Walks are going to be tough to beat this year. Barring injury this team should walk away (or run away) with the PL again this year. Billy Lowry and Thomas Holte are the best one-two punch in the starting rotation in the league. When they turn it over to th bullpen, they keep up the intensity with closer Wesley Savage shutting the door in the 9th inning. The lineup is solid from 1-8 with RF George Pullum (44 HR and .340 BA for 2002) anchoring the lineup.
What to watch for - Another dominate season for the Ministry as they should go wire to wire as the leader of the PL.
Stockholm - The Sluggers have a very solid team this season and should improve on their 4th place finish last year. The rotation is anchored by Chad Gomez who has a lifetime 2.65 ERA and should post another 15+ win season. The Sluggers were also happy when Saul Galinas floated his homemade raft from Cuba to Miami and was rewarded with a 4 year $4M/year deal with the sluggers. Cedrick "We're Talking about Practice" Iverson was another big FA signing by the Sluggers and should help solidify the bullpen.
What to watch for - Can the sluggers catch up to Seattle's domination of the PL. Also, the emergence of Ben "Sugar" Towell as the #1 SS on the team...is he ready to take the reigns?
Sylva - The Black Bears defiantly had the most interesting off-season of any team. The computer went computer on us and spent like crazy adding close to $30M to the payroll of the team. The big signing that everyone was talking about is 5-Star SP Gaby Duran. He gives them a solid #1 starter that should compliment their impressive offense that includes a lineup that is solid from top to bottom.
What to watch for - Does spending equal a better record...can they catch Seattle or are they just going to lose millions this season?
Here is how I think the final standings will shake out:
1. Seattle
2. Stockholm
3. Pittsburgh
4. Sylva
5. Maryland
6. Cairo
Well there it is how I think each of the PL teams will perform. What do you guys think? Comments I'm sure will follow.
Tomorrow - If I find the time...preview of the SL!!!!!
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3 comments:
The tintinnabulation of the bells, bells, bells will be the sign of Maryland wins.
Well, my goal for the Pisces will be to have Croce and Parsons ready for prime time in 2004. Infielder Alan Williams fits in that category as well.
Otherwise, I don't have a lot of star players on the ML roster, but I have five useful starting pitchers and solid players throughout the infield. My outfield is a bit weak, as is the perpetually putrid Pisces bullpen (outside of the astonishingly awesome Vincent Furness).
I think I will be more likely to be dealing than acquiring at the trading deadline.
I also agree Matt is the runaway favorite, but I would expect no less from an OOTP team based in Seattle. (laugh)
Well, Mack, now that my team is on the upswing, we all know what happens when "Seattle" faces up against "Stockholm." :)
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