What happened last year: San Juan and Atlanta battled in the most hotly contested division race in the league, with the Flyers hanging on in the end and the Senadores snatching the wildcard. Neither won the pennant. Baltimore showed some improvement, posting a winning record on the road (and vs. the WL) but they failed to finish with a winning record for the 13th straight year. Savannah brought up the rear after a down year from several key players. Atlanta superstar Darren Lemming won his 4th MVP award and the league's first ever Triple Crown with his ludicrous .381, 54, 145 line. Homer Bailey had another Cy Young caliber season (17 wins, 251 K's) while Zambrano won 19. Baltimore saw three veterans hang it up after the season; Pujols, Guerrero and McPherson all called it a day, with the latter making the Hall of Fame. Surprisingly good starting pitching on the Panthers kept them respectable. San Juan's young offense clicked all year, with Larkin putting up legit MVP numbers. Five San Juan pitchers eclipsed 10 wins. Savannah's offense was anemic, finishing last in the AL in runs and homers. Phillip Humber was dominating as usual, and reliever Wade Townsand managed to collect 16 decisions in just 80 IP.
What happened in the offseason: The South saw some pitching head overseas. Baltimore veteran Dennis Tankersly signed with Paris, while San Juan hurler Kevin Thompson inked a deal in Ireland. The Panthers signed Jed Lowrie, who put up great numbers in the spring and will replace McPherson. After leaving him unprotected in the Rule 5 draft, Atlanta sent a draft pick to Ireland to reacquire Rene Delmas, who is penciled into their rotation despite getting roughed up this spring. San Juan continued to shop Dennis Dennis around, but has had no takers.
What will happen this year: Looks like more of the same, though San Juan looks the best on paper. Their offense is hitting their prime and the starting pitching is the best top to bottom. Atlanta will have a terrific offense, but the back end of the rotation and bullpen are looking like danger spots. Seeing Guerrero and McPherson retire is probably a blessing in disguise for the Panthers, who have failed to fully commit to a youth movement. We'll see if their young and talented rotation can finally get the team a winning record. Savannah needs a lot of help and will continue to struggle; expect them to be active on the trade market.
Division's 5 best pitchers: 1. Homer Bailey (ATL), 2. Zach Putnam (BAL), 3. Phillip Humber (SAV), 4. Carlos Zambrano (ATL), 5. Alvin Dailey (SJ)
Division's 5 best batters: 1. CF Darren Lemming (ATL), 2. SS Floyd Larkin (SJ), 3. RF Dennis Dennis Jr. (SJ), 4.CF Buzz Bliss (SJ), 5. 2B Curt Smaza (ATL)
Division's 5 best prospects: 1. 3B Josh Rodriguez (ATL), 2. SP Anthony Rodriguez (SJ), 3. SP Chico Salazar (SAV), 4. RF Charlie Proly (SJ), 5. SP Peanuts Plantier (ATL)
Order of Finish: 1. SJ, 2. ATL, 3. BAL, 4. SAV
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1 comment:
nice job darin. really enjoyed reading it.
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