Season 27 AL SOUTH PREVIEW

AL South
Last season Fantasy Frea vaulted New Orleans to their first division title in 22 seasons.  That also snapped Tampa Bay's 4 season streak of division titles.   Although Tampa was still right in the thick of things winning 90 games.  San Juan won 87 games last season and still missed the playoffs.  Heartbreaking I am sure.  Meanwhile Nashville remained in rebuilding mode and marked their 5th consecutive losing season.

New Orlean Zephyrs
Owner-Fantasy Frea(6th season)
Last Season- 95-67(1st Place)
Last 5 Seasons- 438-372(.541)
Payroll-$81.2m
Draft Pick-30th

New Orlean's defense is about average.  While they have better speed and baserunning than most, I think their hitting is really going to suffer this season.  They also are really lacking on power hitters.   Their pitching is slightly better than average.  Probably the deepest staff in the division.  I don't think they are going to be close to 95 wins again this season.  I think they might struggle to even hit the .500 mark this season.

Tampa Bay Thunder
Owner-rxw1(26th season)
Last Season-90-72(2nd Place)
Last 5 seasons- 455-355(.562)
Payroll-$94.5m
Draft Pick-81st

Defense is about average.   Baserunning and speed looks pretty strong.    One of the stronger hitting teams in the league with plenty of power.  Pitching is slightly better than average.  I'm sure this team will be in the thick of things, like they always are.

San Juan Polos Hermanos
Owner-Soxfan_9(11th season)
Last Season- 87-75(3rd Place)
Last 5 seasons-420-390(.519)
Payroll-$80.6m
Draft Pick-16th

One of the strongest defensive teams in the league.  Good speed and baserunning.  Their hitting looks about average this season.  Power is about average, maybe slightly below.  While the top of their pitching staff looks pretty darn good, the bottom is really lacking.  Slightly better than average depth. 

Nashville Nalas
Owner-bnags22nd season)
Last Season-57-105(4th Place)
Last 5 Seasons=322-488(.398)
Payroll-$18.3m
Draft Pick-2nd

This team despite their tiny payroll might be much better than you would expect.  Defense is pretty weak.  Probably the worst in the American League by far.  Little to no speed and baserunning.  Also one of the weaker pitching staffs in the league.  They are going to give up a ton of runs this season.  But then I look at the bats in this lineup, and I am quite impressed.  Most certainly one of the best hitting teams in the league with a ton of power hitters.

Prediction
Let's face it.  Tampa Bay knows how to win, and that team is much more consistent across the board.  I don't know if they have enough to win the AL pennant, but should easily win the division.  I think San Juan is going to hover around the upper 80's in wins again.  If they over perform, I think they can get a wildcard.   New Orleans lack of hitting should be overbearing.  But their pitching will keep them out of the cellar.  And Nashville is just going to give up to many runs to win consistently.  I see many 12-10 losses in their  season.

1.Tampa Bay
2. San Juan
3. New Orleans
4. Nashville