NL Preview

Let's see who bitches and whines, oh wait, already did Burlington in the AL.

NL North:

Buffalo Wooden Nickle
Last Season: 65-97 3rd
Payroll: $73.3 mil
Offense: C
Pitching: C+
Defense: C
Overall: C
Outlook: Should see a slight improvement over last season, but won't challenge for the division title. Or maybe they will.
Season 6 Record: 70-92

Iowa City Corn-ish Hens
Last Season: 91-71 1st
Payroll: $100.5
Offense: C
Pitching: B-
Defense: C
Overall: C+
Outlook: I can't see 90 wins again, but then, apparently, I don't know what I'm talking about anyways. Biggest issue is a lack of power in the line-up.
Season 6 Record: 85-77

Cincinnati Red Thumpers
Last Season: 86-76 2nd
Payroll: $28.9 mil
Offense: B-
Pitching: C
Defense: B-
Overall: B-
Outlook: Pitching is what's holding back the Thumpers from elite club status. My pick to finish first in the division.
Season 6 Record: 92-70

Minnesota Salvation
Last Season: 62-100 4th
Payroll: $48 mil
Offense: C-
Pitching: C
Defense: C
Overall: C
Outlook: 70 wins is a realistic goal, but stilllooks to finish fourth in the division.
Season 6 Record: 70-92

NL East

Hartford Insurance Men
Last Season: 94-68 2nd
Payroll: $72.7
Offense: B-
Pitching: C+
Defense: C+
Overall: C+
Outlook: Much the same as last year, could use another power hitter in the mix
Season 6 Record: 92-70

Dover Destroyers
Last Season: 64-98 3rd
Payroll: $65.3 mil
Offense: C-
Pitching: C
Defense: B+
Overall: C
Outlook: The solid gloves on this team won't be enough to pull Dover into a playoff spot, but there should be an improvement on last seasons record
Season 6 Record: 72-90

Durham Bulls
Last Season: 46-116 4th
Payroll: $77.6
Offense: C
Pitching: C-
Defense: C-
Overall: C-
Outlook: Another season to build for the future
Season 6 Record: 56-106

Wichita Thunder
Last Season: 96-66 1st
Payroll: $103.5 mil
Offense: B-
Pitching: B
Defense: A-
Overall: B
Outlook: Another division title is in the cards, one more power bat would be a huge plus to the line-up
Season 6 Record: 95-67

NL South

New Orleans Posse
Last Season: 72-90 4th
Payroll: $73.4 mil
Offense: C+
Pitching: C
Defense: C
Overall: C
Outlook: Won't be an easy win by any means, but a ways to go still, before playoff contention.
Season 6 Record: 76-86

Jackson Generals
Last Season: 101-61 1st
Payroll: $82.2 mil
Offense: A-
Pitching: B+
Defense: B+
Overall: B+
Outlook: With the rise of Jacksonville, a fifth straight division title will be less than guaranteed. Still a formidable squad and WS favorite
Season 6 Record: 100-62

Louisville Madness
Last Season: 92-70 3rd
Payroll: $62.9 mil
Offense: C+
Pitching: B+
Defense: A+
Overall: B+
Outlook: I might be under rating the offense, but it appears to be the slightest weakness for what is otherwise a solid ML squad. Could be tough to land a WC berth, but Louisville will be in the mix
Season 6 Record: 94-68

Jacksonville Jimmies
Last Season: 92-70 2nd
Payroll: $86.6 mil
Offense: A
Pitching: B+
Defense: B
Overall: B+
Outlook: Possibly the class of the NL and a WS favorite. No real weakness. Be afraid, be very afraid.
Season 6 Record: 104-58

NL West

Colorado Swingers
Last Season: 84-78 2nd
Payroll: $77.7 mil
Offense: C+
Pitching: C
Defense: C
Overall: C
Outlook: A big power line-up should send the ball flying out of Coors, but might struggle on the road.
Season 6 Record: 81-81

San Diego Toreros
Last Season: 96-66 1st
Payroll: 84.3 mil
Offense: B-
Pitching: B-
Defense: B
Overall: B-
Outlook: Will face a challenge from Oakland for the division title, but still a dangerous team.
Season 6 Record: 94-68

Oakland Ownage
Last Season: 76-86 3rd
Payroll: $67.6 mil
Offense: A
Pitching: A
Defense: C+
Overall: B+
Outlook: Last seasons debacle should be erased, a serious threat for the WS title this season, especially if Oakland lands that SS and CF it seeks
Season 6 Record: 104-68

Las Vegas Bandits
Last Season: 72-90 4th
Payroll: $50.9 mil
Offense: C
Pitching: C
Defense: C
Overall: C
Outlook: For the first time in this franchise's history it has the same owner for consecutive seasons, so a direction can be given to this team. Will be an also-ran, but should be able to add some prospects this season.
Season 6 Record: 76-86