NL North Season 45 Preview

Wichita Tornadoes (Owner pinetaar-19th season)

Season 44/ 95-67 (Division Champ)

Owners thoughts/pinetaar's take- Missing Arbitration hearings is bad.  Especially two years in a row.  Self inflicted wounds are NOT helping, considering this year's Tornadoes may be more a fart in the wind losing Hades Zambrano to the reigning NL Champs Little Rock.  This team returns the same offensively (above average), defense above average, pitching staff includes 3 new free agent starters that will need to outperform their ratings to contend for the NL North crown.  I'm a cheap bastard and was never going to resign Hades.  I may need to reconsider my frugal ways watching talent drain.  

Key signings:  Jerry Corino (SP, via NOR), Ehire Fernandez (SP, via CHI).  Key losses:  Hades Zambrano (SP, to LR), Rusney Alvarez (SP, to LR)  **pinetaar note.  this is the first i noticed LR ganked not only hades, but the traitor rusney. war!**


Iowa City Hawkeyes (Owner tk21775-30th season)

Season 44/ 72-90 (2nd Place)

Owners thoughts-Really satisfied with the way FA went this off-season, missed out on a few guys last year so was left with a bunch of unused cash. Paid more than I wanted for Jairo Cedeno (3B) but needed another impact bat which he should provide, plus he's capable of playing multiple positions for me. Bolstered the bullpen with Ben Boyer (P) and Clayton Webster (P). Webster's contract isn't as bad as first looked at since I gave him $bonus to help land him as I had the cash available. Missed out on Hades but assumed going in my chance was small to land him even at max contract and instead it took the max to land Cedeno. I've got a young nucleus that is mostly making min. salary so I knew going in I could afford to sign some bigger contract this offseason and it wouldn't handcuff me later on as those contracts will be over by the time I need to start paying my younger guys. Still 1 or 2 pitchers short of feeling confident which I hope to land next off-season but I believe this year we can get back into the playoffs and from there it's always a crap shoot. Also get to land a decent draft pick this season which I'll try and turn around and trade to pick up a SP next season.

pinetaar's take-I liked it last year when you had 2 sentences, and Iowa under performed ;-)  This team on paper should kick some ass.  Iowa City also likes to under perform.  If the pendulum can swing the other way, this will be a dangerous squad.  Iowa Cities offense with the huge Cedeno signing should be top third.  Greg Lamb leads an otherwise meh but capable starting rotation.  Better do your damage there, because this bullpen is lights out with future HOF Ben Boyer anchoring long relief.  Excellent defense, best in the division.


Key signings:  Jairo Cedeno (3B, via LR) (*huge*), Ben Boyer (RP, via BUF).  Key losses:  Dave Coleman (RP to ALB), Ray Henry (SP to LOU)


Pawtucket Patriots (Owner bigronnie-9^th season)

Season 44/ 71-91 (3rd Place)

Owners thoughts-None provided

pinetaar's take-bigronnie has found himself a bargain with legit rotation ace Ivan DeRojas' salary of only $3.4M.  5th starter Luigi Nieves fills out a starting rotation that otherwise may be better served in AAA.  The bullpen fares a little better.  This squad will give up a ton of runs.  Offense is set up for small ball, excellent contact hitters, good speed, marginal power.  Above average.  Defense C-.  Pitching needs to be addressed for PAW to reclaim its old glory.

Key signings:  Irv Henry (C, via DUR), Cy Ackley (3B, via JAX).    Key losses:  None


Toronto Nice for What (Owner iain-1st season)

Season 44/ 69-93 (4th Place)

Owners thoughts- An underrated pitching staff should lead a lineup which added some depth in FA but still lacks a bit defensively. Expect a stronger fight from this team than they showed last season.

pinetaar's take-Prior ownership(s) kept the franchise afloat, not much more imo.  Involved/long term ownership will get this franchise to .500 sooner than later...and build.  iain has the pedigree to turn it around.  Average offense, some pop, a little slow.  C+ pitching with a strong bullpen, below average defense.  Another high round draft pick coming, this squad is a few years off, has potential.

Key signings:  Eduardo Aguilar (RF, via FLO), Abraham Logan (LF, via BUF).  Key losses:  Ehire Fernandez (SP, to WIC).


Prediction:
Iowa
Wichita
Toronto
Pawtucket