NL
South
The
South is home to two of the better teams in Kinsella,
the Marlins and Braves. Could this be the year that the Braves rise up
and
knock the Marlins back into second place? It looks like a minimum of
100 wins
will be required.
The
Marlins are re-tooling the franchise, but don’t appear
to have lost a step. While the two top teams occupy the penthouse, the
bottom
two are in the outhouse. The Cardinals and Astros offer very little
competition.
The
predicted standings for this season are:
Florida
Marlins
104-58 (Division Champ)
Atlanta
Braves
96-66 (Playoff, WC)
St.
Louis Cardinals
71-91
Houston Astros 52-110
Houston
Astros (dherz_263, 3rd
year
w/Astros, 14 w/Mets)
Last Year: 64-98
Runs Scored/Allowed: 676/945
Players Added: 2b – David Lo (ruleV,
Mil)
Players Lost: ss – Quilvio Espinosa
(fa), of – Diory
Valezquez
Preview: Dherz made some eye popping
trades early in the
year as he rebuilds the Astros. The minor leagues are now stocked with
tremendous players, and they would have been much better had Diory
Velazquez not
gone down with a herniated disc in his neck (a pain I personally know
all too
well). It was a gamble (with 21 health) but one worth taking. Since
they can’t
put him in a bubble, Houston parted ways.
There doesn’t seem to be many changes
coming to Houston
other than letting Espinosa and Valesquez walk. The pitching staff is
still in
bad shape and it’s unclear who will make starts. With a $60 of the $64
million
used in player payroll this could be the scrap heap all stars.
With the money, it appears that DHerz
is finding every broke
down old veteran that he can find. At the time of this writing they are
still
unassigned so it’s interesting to see who makes the club.
Overall: It’s going to be a long hot
summer. Maybe they sell
tickets with 10 cent beer night?
Prediction: 52-110
St.
Louis Cardinals (cyben5150, 4th
season)
Last Year: 72-90
Runs Scored/Allowed: 621/689
Players Added: c – Aaron Hernandez
(tb)
Players Lost: sp – Al Courtney (fa),
of – Walter Philips
(fa), c – Austin Lane (AZ)
Preview: The Cardinals used to have a
questionable pitching
staff, but under owner Cyben they have made strides (finishing with
only 689
runs allowed). Unfortunately, the pendulum has swing the other way, and
now
offense needs fixed.
Overall: Erik Reed can’t do this
thing all alone. The Cards
have $29 million left to spend, but the big question is will they do
it? It
looks like prospects are getting the lions share while the team
continues their
decent into the cellar.
Prediction: 71-91
Florida
Marlins (tedwmoore, 9th
season)
Last Year: 110-52
Runs Scored/Allowed: 784/501
Players Added: of – Daren Bennett
(t-Pit), ss – Rodrigo
Marin (Fla)
Players Lost: sp – Yamid Quixote
(SD), sp – Manuel Johnson
(fa), ss – Benito Velasquez (PIT)
Preview: The Marlins made it to the
World Series only to
lose to the crabman. Before the window closes for Ted and the gang,
they look
to be making another run. Word from South Beach is that the Marlins
will be
looking to retool on the fly. With an owner like Ted you can bet they
won’t
fall very far.
Overall: The Marlins are a premier
team, and have remained
so for the last six years. Book them into the playoffs for number seven
and a
chance to make even more noise this season.
Prediction: 104-58
Atlanta
Braves (bux_express, 9th
season, 11 w/Knights *Founding member)
Last Year: 95-67
Runs Scored/Allowed: 753/668
Players Added: ss Hughie Barney (aaa)
Players Lost: ss Warren Parker (TB)
Preview: The Braves made a splash a
few years ago as owner
Bux rebuilt the Atlanta chop shop into a contender. With the Marlins
looking at
a possible decline the Braves might just be the team to take the helm
as THE
team in the NL South and possibly the team to beat in the National
League.
The loss of Warren Parker to Tampa
Bay was a loss. Parker
sported a .284/.352/.409, a 3.2 War, and 80 runs created. Most
importantly is
the defense lost, which could make the biggest difference. Barney will
have
growing pains with his glove but has a strong accurate arm. Parker had
16
errors and 17 plus plays at short.
Overall: The Braves play in a tough
division and are tougher
for it. With so many good NL teams, they have as good a chance as
anyone to
represent the senior circuit in the NL.
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