AL NORTH PREVIEW SEASON 9

The AL North had a huge shift in power last year as the Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays both passed the Cleveland Indians at the top of the Division. With little major moves within the division this year it seems as though the finish could be the same as the year before.


1. MINNESOTA TWINS - buy express (5th Season)
Last Year: 93-69 - 1st Place
Prediction: 96-66 - 1st Place

The Twins didn't lose any valuable players from their suprise 93 win season last year. Most of the key contributors are returning for another run at a World Series title while the Twins have added 4 key pitchers from their minor leauges which should boost teams chances for a division title. Given the rest of the division has taken a step back, the Twins should win a few more games this year.

Key Returning Players:
Offense:
Tony Martin: .297 Avg. - .373 OBP - .462 Slug.
Sean Conine: .263 Avg. - 31 HR - 110 RBI
Dennis McCarty: .342 Avg. - 31 HR - 113 RBI
Esteban Furcal: .275 Avg. - 33 HR - 108 RBI

Pitching:
Jamie Bruske: 13-8 - 1.35 WHIP
Dickey Owens: 18-5 - 1.32 WHIP
Gill Cosby: 31 SV 1.42 WHIP

Key Additions:
Derrick Daly: 25 year old lefty 1.07 WHIP in AAA
Luis Jara: 24 year old righty 10-7 in AAA
Boomer Rhodes: 26 year old lefty 15-6 1.30 WHIP in AAA
Doyle Perez: 32-33 Saves - 3.22 ERA

Key Losses:
None


2. TORONTO BLUE JAYS - grissom97 (new owner)
Last Year: 85-77 - 2nd Place
Prediction: 81-81 - 2nd Place

The Blue Jays had a huge turnaround under first year owner last year winning 28 more games than the previous year. However, ownership changed once again and grissom97 now takes over the reins. The team added a slew of new pitchers to an already very strong pitching staff but lost 2 big bats in the middle of the lineup. Because of that loss, the Jays may take a temporary step backwards. However, the young pitchers should improve enough to keep the team heading in the right direction.

Key Returning Players:
Offense:
Brendan Bryant (C): .312 Avg. - .387 OBP - .548 Slug.
Fransisco Tejada (LF): .290 Avg. - .411 OBP - .544 Slug.

Pitching:
Wayne Jones: 26 year old lefty 16-7 - 1.35 WHIP in 220 IP
Trent Blake: 13-9 - 1.39 WHIP
Ruben Vallarta: 22 year old lefty should improve on 7-15 - 1.70 WHIP
Al Ruiz: 39 HR - 1.060 OPS in 110 Games

Key Additions:
Malcolm May: 9-12 - 1.WHIP
Frank Murtz: 1.25 WHIP in 107 IP
Zephyr Casian: 1.35 WHIP in Career

Key Losses:
Jeff Mathews: .285 Avg. - 43 HR - 115 RBI
Doug Daal: .314 Avg. - 32 HR - 122 RBI

3. CLEVELAND INDIANS - hartel (9th Season)
Last Year: 81-81 (3rd Place)
Prediction: 80-82 (3rd Place)

Hartel has been an owner in the Majors League since its inception. However, last year his beloved Indians fell to third place in the division. With no key additions or losses, it looks like Cleveland will remain in 3rd place for another year.

Key Returning Players:
Offense:
David Vargas (C): .331 Avg. - .407 OBP - .583 Slug.
Karl Parker (LF): 53 HR - 126 RBI - 123 R
Alfonso Velazquez (1B): .293 Avg. - 31 HR - 99 RBI
Slim Wise (SS): .315 Avg. - 37 HR - 124 RBI

Pitching:
Walt Moore: 1.31 WHIP in 81 Games
Omar Terry: 22 year old - 1.58 in 22 starts
Miguel Delgado: 16-9 - 1.35 WHIP

Key Additions:
Ernest Norman (OF): 22HR - 78 RBI

Key Losses:
None

4. DETRIOT TIGERS - gull1 (9th Season)
Last Year: 59-103 - 4th Place
Prediction: 60-102 - 4th Place

Owner Gull1 of the Tigers had lead the Tigers to a winning season in 6 of its first 7 seasons but last year his team hit rock bottom winning only 59 games. The Tigers have not done anything drastic to change the outlook for Season 9. However, the Tigers should be building for Season 10 or 11 and should be ready to return to the playoffs by then.

Key Returning Players:
Offense:
John Maeda: .297 Avg. - .372 OBP - .449 Slug.
Toni Harrison (C): .339 Avg. - .424 OBP - .540 Slug.
Roosevelt Henry (CF): 36 HR - 105 RBI

Pitching:
Blake Reed: 24 year old righty 1.56 WHIP in 24 starts
Will Appier: 27 year closer had a down year - 21 saves in 28 chances

Key Additions:
None

Key Losses:
None