Season 15 Previews-AL East

AL East
A season removed from having an exciting race to end a season that featured a team winning the division with a losing record, this division may have had the biggest surprise last season. After a disappointing season in season 13, Atlanta finally put it together last season. Going on to win 104 games may not have surprised management, but it surprised the rest of the league. The talent was there, and I figured they'd win the division, but to do it so convincingly was the surprise. It was the franchises first division title in 11 seasons. Another surprise was that Toledo, now relocated to Boston under new ownership, regressed as much as they did. 2 seasons removed from a division title and coming up just short of the crown in season 13, this team dropped to the back of the pack in almost as convincing a fashion as Atlanta moving to the front. Durham dropped from 1st to 3rd last season and challenged the Toledo team for last place which was a bit of a surprise. The Chicago team improved by 1 game last season for a second straight year as they continued to build the team up to becoming the once proud franchise that they were.

Atlanta Red Tide
Season 14 record- 104-58(AL East Champs)
5 year record- 396-414

Offense- Average-6th(.281), OBP-6th(.343), Slg-3rd(.469), Runs-4th(905), HR-5th(250), SB-4th(160)
Defense- Fielding %-2nd(.988), Plus Plays-5th(62), Minus Plays-2nd(18)
Pitching- ERA-3rd(3.90), OAV-2nd(.247), SO-13th(1000), Saves-6th(44/53)
Key Additions-1B Tommy Parker(tr-Nash), RP Will Bergen(resigned)
Key Losses- C Guy Robinson(released), LF/1B Roberto Flores(FA)

Atlanta didn't make a lot of noise in the off season as they are pretty confident in what they have. They made a trade for Parker to add a little offense and resigned Bergen, but that was all they added. They lost a decent catcher in Robinson and another good player in Flores, but those were guys that they could afford to lose. The owner radkison moves into a 5th season as owner of the team and has done a really good job at putting together a good team that can challenge for a league title. The defense and offense are really pretty good. Last season they traded for Reggie Creek, who is a phenomenal player and adds a lot to the team. Phil North was brought up last season and will be a good player that can fill in in center and second base. The pitching staff was great last season, but some of that can be attributed to the really good defense. If there is one spot I feel this team is weak then it would be the starting pitching. They have a couple youngsters in triple in Offerman and Simmons that should be able to help that out this season if the players they have falter. Overall this looks like the team to beat in the East and if things go right, they could make a push for the league title.

Chicago Wind Tunnel
Season 14 record- 71-91
5 year record- 371-439

Offense- Average-14th(.255), OBP-13th(.325), Slg-14th(.397), Runs-13th(731), HR-15th(180), SB-5th(152)
Defense- Fielding %-14th(.979), Plus Plays-8th(40), Minus Plays-9th(47)
Pitching- ERA-7th(4.61), OAV-7th(.270), SO-14th(992), Saves-9th(40/51)
Key Additions- 2B Miguel Flores(FA)
Key Losses- 1B Trent Lange(released), RP Harry Moreno(released), RP Chuck Carson(FA)

skidmark took over this team in season 12 and hasn't had much luck in Chicago. The team has added one win each of the last 2 seasons though and are continuing to build. They added one good player in Flores through free agency and didn't lose a whole lot. The team did finish second last season and were pretty average in pitching and defense. The offense had it's struggles though. The good thing for Chicago is that this is a young and inexpensive team, so they are able to put money where it needs to go in order to build. Ownership is shooting for a 500 season, as they have said that is the goal.  The defense isn't very good, but it's not the worst by far. The hitting is improved over where they were last season at this time and I expect them to finish higher than they did last season in the key categories, by a little bit. The pitchers on the staff lack control, but should be OK. This is a pretty average to just below average team, and a 500 season isn't out of the question.

Durham Doormats
Season 14 record- 66-96
5 year record- 377-433

Offense- Average-7th(.278), OBP-8th(.337), Slg-5th(.462), Runs-10th(805), HR-2nd(258), SB-15th(47)
Defense- Fielding %-3rd(.987), Plus Plays-6th(58), Minus Plays-7th(43)
Pitching- ERA-16th(5.86), OAV-15th(.294), SO-16th(979), Saves-11th(39/50)
Key Additions- 2B Rob Mercedes(resigned), C Jason Sager(promoted), SP Glenn Hafner(promoted), SP Vinny Shouse(promoted), SP Timothy Douglass(promoted), RP-Courtney Cashman(promoted)
Key Losses- C Dale Simon(released), SP Jeff Spivey(released), SP Julian Castro(FA)

Durham struggled badly last season. Even though they finished fairly good in hitting and fielding, this teams pitching staff struggled badly in season 14. Coming off a season that saw the team finish first in the division with a losing record, I don't think anyone expected them to struggle as bad as they did. The franchise has only had 3 winning seasons in their history, but I don't think they are too far off from adding to that. alogman1 heads into the sixth season as owner of the franchise and this season they have brought up some youngsters that should be able to step in and help immediately. The pitching needed upgraded and rather than do it in free agency, they brought up some young pitchers that are ready to help out. Overall I think the pitching is improved, but still not above average in the league. The fielding should still be good. Their hitting isn't great, but they have some pop and should be alright. The team is still in rebuilding mode, but I think they'll be improved upon last season. I wouldn't be at all surprised if this team finishes around 500.

Boston Pilgrims
Season 14 record- 65-97
5 year record- 344-466

Offense- Average-11th(.268), OBP-11th(.329), Slg-11th(.433), Runs-11th(767), HR-7th(224), SB-7th(124)
Defense- Fielding %-9th(.983), Plus Plays-11th(37), Minus Plays-15th(74)
Pitching- ERA-14th(5.33), OAV-14th(.292), SO-4th(1079), Saves-15th(31/55)
Key Additions- RP Chico Guerrero(tr-Van), RF Houston Baptist(promoted), SS Patrick Jefferson(promoted), SS Sammy Espinosa(rule V)
Key Losses- C Teddy Johnson(released), SP Albert Castillo(released), C/1B Jude Cole(released), SS Victor Ramsay(FA)

Over the past few seasons the results for this team have been mixed. Back in season 11, when the last owner took over the team finished last in the division. The following season the franchise earned their first division title and had  their first season with a winning record. It's been all down hill since. The teams victories have dropped each of the past 2 seasons as they fell to the bottom of the division once again. A move to new ownership was set in place. kjmulli, stepped up to take over this team that was in bad need of a new direction. New ownership has said that they are planning on rebuilding this team and picked up the franchise from Toledo and moved to Boston. Last season the team finished near the bottom of the league in hitting, fielding, and pitching. In trying to rebuild the franchise they let a few players go in free agency and released a few. They also traded for a good young relief pitcher in Guerrero and promoted a good outfielder in Baptist. The fielding should be improved by promoting Jefferson and drafting Espinosa in the rule V draft. The hitting seems a bit improved heading into the season. The pitching isn't bad either. I think this team will actually see their win total improve upon last season as the new ownership works to rebuild this franchise.

Prediction
Overall, I see an improved division. Atlanta has a really good team and should be able to run away with the division again, although repeating the 100+ wins will be tough to accomplish. Chicago will continue to rebuild and could finish close to 500 but I'm guessing somewhere in the 70 to 80 range of victories. Durham is improved and I'll predict they will finish with around 80 wins. Boston shouldn't finish as bad as last season, but still has a ways to go to get to the top.

1. Atlanta
2. Durham
3. Chicago
4. Boston

Season 15 previews-AL North

AL NORTH
This division keeps putting out phenomenal win totals and some of the best teams in Pine Tar. Led by the powerhouse Syracuse Snow Pirates, it seems like this division has at least 3 teams in the post season yearly. 12 times now this division has put a team in the ALCS. 4 times the division has put a team in the World Series. Twice the division has been home to the World Champion and each of those happened with in the last 5 seasons. Those numbers have set the standards pretty high in the North. Minnesota, a team in rebuild mode, has found it tough to even get back into the thick of things with now 4 straight 4th place finishes. Rebuilding in this division isn't kind to a team.

Syracuse Snow Pirates
Season 14 record-115-47(1st division, AL Champ)
5 year record-540-270

Offense- Average-2nd(.290), OBP-4th(.347), Slg-1st(.502), Runs-2nd(964), HR-1st(308), SB-16th(31)
Defense- Fielding %-1st(.990), Plus plays-1st(87), Minus Plays-3rd(20)
Pitching- ERA-1st(3.64), OAV-1st(.242), SO-5th(1056), Saves-1st(55/67)
Key Additions-None
Key Losses-2B Karl Shumaker(released), RP Bill Walker(FA)

Syracuse was a team on a mission in season 14. Putting up 115 wins and making a second straight trip to the World Series they fell just short of that mission. The team owner, prezuiwf, has now been in control of this team for going on 11 seasons and has taken this team to the top of the league. Unfortunately, a second straight trip to the top of Pine Tar wasn't to be. Losing to Scottsdale in the World Series left the team wondering what went wrong. Poised to make another run this season, the team stuck with what they had in place and chose to not sign any free agents or make a big trade to bring in a big name player. Why would they? I feel like it was a good decision to stick with what works and brush the World Series loss of and go for it again this season. After all, they do have a pretty young team that should be able to stay near the top for seasons to come.

Milwaukee Cream Citys
Season 14 record-100-62(Wild Card)
5 year record-487-323

Offense- Average-10th(.271), OBP-10th(.331), Slg-4th(.466), Runs-3rd(914), HR-3rd(253), SB-11th(109)
Defense- Fielding %-5th(.986), Plus Plays-4th(70), Minus Plays-5th(30)
Pitching-ERA- 6th(4.51), OAV-5th(.266), SO-10th(1015), Saves-1st(55/77)
Key Additions-RP Jayson Crawford(FA), IF David Bako(resigned), SP John Ashley(FA)
Key Losses-3B Hector Cairo(FA), RP Roy Hiatt(FA), RP Luis Seguignol(FA), RP Matthew Goodwin(FA), SP Vernon Hamilton(FA)

Milwaukee is a good team and has been for many seasons, so it's hard to criticize them. jquick1 has been around since season 3 and while it took a little while to get the team on track, he has done an amazing job the past 7 seasons. If I had to find one thing I didn't like about this team though, it would be the lack of a really good shortstop. The team doesn't have a lot of power but it's hard to say that about a team that finished 3rd in homers and 4th in slugging. They don't have a dominant number 1 starter, but they get every bit out of what they have. They lost some pitchers in free agency, but replaced them with a couple good pitchers. Overall though, this is a solid team that should put up a good amount of wins again this season.

Ottawa Otters
Season 14 record-98-64(Wild Card, ALCS runner up)
5 year record-507-303

Offense- Average-5th(.282), OBP-5th(.344), Slg-8th(.447), Runs-5th(899), HR-8th(221), SB-2nd(173)
Defense- Fielding %-6th(.984), Plus Plays-7th(55), Minus Plays-4th(24)
Pitching- ERA-2nd(3.83), OAV-2nd(.247), SO-3rd(1080), Saves-4th(45/64)
Key Additions-RP Emil Campos(tr-Sea), RP Felipe Lee(tr-Vanc), 1B Matty Coco(tr-Vanc), SP Bret O'Leary(FA), RP Zack Prince(FA), C Clay Henderson(Resigned)
Key Losses-SP Benji Crespo(tr-Sea), 2B Alfredo Colome(FA), DH Clyde Burns(FA), RP Robin Schalk(FA), RP Carlton Harding(FA)

As ewd330 heads into his sixth season as owner of this proud franchise, they have their sights set high. In 5 previous seasons he has led this team to 2 World Series with one title, and 4 ALCS appearances. With the only 3 losing seasons in their history coming way back in the first 3 seasons this franchise has only experienced success since. I don't think this season will be any different. While they did lose some good players in the off season, they also added some players that will help this team battle for a division title. While Syracuse still remains the team to beat in the division, Ottawa is a well put together team that can challenge them. They have the hitting, speed, defense and pitching that should make teams worry when facing them.

Minnesota PeaceFrog
Season 14 record-61-101
5 year record-391-419

Offense- Average-12th(.267), OBP-12th(.326), Slg-13th(.411), Runs-15th(697), HR-14th(182), SB-12th(100)
Defense- Fielding %-10th(.981), Plus Plays-8th(40), Minus Plays-13th(63)
Pitching- ERA-11th(5.01), OAV-11th(.285), SO-12th(1003), Saves-14th(31/55)
Key Additions-RP Jorel Austin(FA), 1B Frank Martin(FA), RP Jair Bonilla(Rule V)
Key Losses- LF Jerry Truman(released), Junior Brogna(released), SP Rob Murray(FA), C Jacque Chang(FA)

This is a team that has seen it's share of troubles over the past couple seasons. After dominating the division for the first 9 seasons of Pine Tar, the team has seen it's wins decrease in each of the last 5 seasons. Clearly in rebuilding mode, roundfrog who has been in control of the team since season 2, is hoping to see the losing ways end sooner rather than later. The team feels as though their pitching and defense will be improved over last season, but aren't too excited about the offense. Overall they are expecting a bit better season as they are expected to bring some of the younger players up and maybe next season a couple more of the bigger potential young guys they've picked up during the rebuild.

Predictions
I think Syracuse is the team to beat again this season in this division and possibly the AL. They are returning nearly the same team that ran through the competition last season. I expect Milwaukee to be a good team, but maybe not quite as good as last season as far as wins. Ottawa can make a push for the division title, but for now I'm predicting they won't. Minnesota continues the rebuild and finishes in the basement again. This is still a very tough division and probably the best in Pine Tar.

1. Syracuse
2. Ottawa
3. Milwaukee
4. Minnesota

Owner of the year-Season 14

Sorry guys about the lack of blogging lately. It's been a busy few months on the personal level and I've just struggled for time. Season 14 was another great season here in Pine Tar and quite truthfully, I'm kind of bummed that I didn't get more info on here about it. It really was quite a fun and shocking season for the world. Scottsdale winning the championship was just amazing to me. Fargo finally not winning the division? What the heck happened in the NL North? The NL South didn't have one team with a losing record and was a dog fight. Syracuse reeling off 115 wins, and Nashville wasn't too far behind with 110. Both had amazing seasons. Atlanta surprised the heck out of me with 104 victories. Just an amazing season for the world. With that being said, we need to vote on owner of the year. I'll keep the rundowns of each owner brief and to the point.

prezuiwf-Syracuse Snow Pirates(115-47, AL Champs)-prez continues to be an amazing owner and could possibly rack up a few of these awards. After winning the championship in season 13, the team returned to the World Series only to be upset by Scottsdale.

radkison-Atlanta Red Tide(104-58, AL East champs)-After 7 straight seasons without making the playoffs, this owner took his team to the top of the division and racked up 104 wins. That was a 27 win improvement over the previous season.

bnags-Nashville Nalas(110-52, AL South champs)-Nashville has improved in victories each of the last 7 seasons and made the biggest leap in victories last season by besting the previous season by 14 victories.

ewd330-Ottawa Otters(98-64, Wild Card, ALCS runner up)-ewd330 has Ottawa consistently around 100 victories each season and being a contender. 3 straight ALCS appearances and last season losing out to a very good Syracuse team.

moosedrool-Helena Ass Hats(92-70, NL North Champs)-Last season moosedrool steered this team to the top of the division to end a 13 season strangle hold by Fargo on the division title. The 92 wins put up last season was a 34 game improvement over season 13.

jbburner-Cincinnati Firestorm(93-69, NL East Champ)-jbburner led this team to their most wins in team history last season. They won the divison for the first time since season 5.

Starbuckdc-Fargo Wood Chippers(87-75, Wild Card, NLCS runner up)-Just when this owner made it look like there was no we to be included on this list, Starbuckdc goes on to make the NLCS and prove everyone wrong. They may not have won the division but they did finish runner up for the league title.

vector21-Scottsdale Scorpions(88-74, NL West champs, World Champs)-Taking over a team in turmoil back in season 11, vector21 has improved the team record every season since. 88 wins may not have been eye popping, but this team went on to win the World Championship.

Pine Tar News

With another season winding down, I figure it's time to do another league update. Another fun and exciting season is just a couple weeks from being over. A couple things I want to go over are the league rankings, replacement owners and the league Hall of Fame.

Hall of Fame
While I know that the world has only been around for a fairly short time, my concern is that their aren't very many owners that even care enough about it to vote. The whole thing is obviously cosmetic and really means nothing in overall value to the league. It is another thing that adds a little bit of fun to the game though. To have one of your players in the hall is about the same as having one of your players win the MVP or any award. In my personal opinion, I see at least three players that I feel like are worthy of making the Hall of Fame.
 OF Bob Wood, played 11 seasons and was a very well rounded player. He was a member of the 40-40 club once, had 5 seasons over 40 homers with a 61 home run season. He hit 385 homers in his career and stole 275 bases. He also had 9 seasons of 100+ rbi's and had 203 in season 6. He also had 8 seasons of 100+ runs scored. He was a 4 time all star and a one time silver slugger left fielder.
SP Rich Meyers, played 11 seasons and was a very good starting pitcher in that time. He finished his career with 170 wins and only 55 losses. He also had a dynamite ERA of 3.08 for his career. He never had a season with double digit losses. He was a two time Cy Young winner and six time all star.
RP Moises Bennet, only played 6 seasons but was dominant in his short time. He saved 244 games and only blew 26 saves in that time. He pitched 311 games and had a 2.94 ERA. The thing that stands out with Bennett is that he won the Fireman of the Year award 3 times, was an all star 5 times, and won a world series ring twice. In the post season he had 17 saves in 20 opportunities. He pitched 22 games, but had a 6.48 ERA in those games.

Next Season
As of right now, I haven't heard from anyone that they are not returning. If you are reading this and don't plan on returning, then let me know now. This is very important, so that I can find a replacement asap. These days, it is tough to find new owners that are willing to take on teams. Most people in the game that already have teams are not looking to add teams and new owners that have never played are really hard to find. Of course, I would love it if everyone was returning. That makes for a much better league and each team actually would have a direction. With new owners, you just don't know what you get and if they will do the right thing with the team. We have a great group of owners and it is very hard to find a world with so many good owners. If everyone stays then we will roll over to a new season just a few days after the World Series. That is why I need to know if anyone is leaving. I'd like to be able to do that after this season.

World Ranking
1.Syracuse Snow Pirates 93-36, 1st place AL North
2.Nashville Nala Bears 86-43, 1st place AL South
3.Atlanta Red Tide 84-45, 1st place AL East
4.Ottawa Otters 79-50, 2nd place AL North
5.Seattle Strikers 75-54, 1st place NL West

also receiving votes, Fargo Wood Chippers, Cincinnati Firestorm, Milwaukee Cream Citys