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PREVIEW - Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore Orioles (AL) eryanf View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Overview
The Baltimore Orioles finished the season by capturing their second straight World Series title. The Orioles cruised to 112 wins during the regular season, easily capturing the AL East and a #1 seed in the playoffs. However, things were not so easy for the Orioles once the playoffs began. The Orioles needed seven games in both the ALCS and in the World Series in order to reclaim their title. These ultra-competitive series appear to show that the talent gap between the Orioles and the other contenders is minuscule. As a result, the Orioles are going to need to continue to improve if they want to defend their title once again.

Key Changes
Orioles lost Glen Rhodes and Ray Gilmore to free agency. The Orioles also traded away Glaive 3000 all-time great Rico Estrada . In return for Estrada the Orioles received Bronson Stone , Jorge Lopez , and John Cain . The Orioles also decided to promote phenom Chris Camilli . In addition, the Orioles made a series of smaller moves to cut salary and bolster their bench.

Key Players
Edgardo Rosario 's break out season led the way for a dominant Orioles offense. Rosario will have to have another huge season if the Orioles have any chance of filling the void left by the trade of Rico Estrada.

Reginald Hall leads what looks to be Glavine 3000's deepest pitching staff. While there are teams that have more superstar pitchers than the Orioles no one has more talent top to bottom. However, Orioles depth took a significant hit when Jorge Lopez went down with a season ending injury in spring training.

Outlook
As a result of management's effort to maintain the Orioles success without sacrificing the future, the Orioles under went a tumultuous off-season. Consequently, there are more question marks surrounding this team than last season. Can young Chris Camilli fill the void left by Rico Estrada? Can the five rookies on the opening day roster equal or surpass the production of the veterans that they have replaced? Can the Orioles' bull pen continue their remarkable consistency? These are just some of the questions facing this Orioles squad that hopes to continue their remarkable championship run.

PREVIEW - Honolulu Monk Seals

Honolulu Monk Seals (AL) nadawg77 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Overview:
The Honolulu Monk Seals coasted into the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons last season, securing the # 1 wild card spot well before the season was over. They were eliminated by the Baltimore Orioles in the second round. In Honolulu, however, their sights are set higher for Season 5. They want to retake the AL West Division Pennant as they did in Season 4 and are looking to make it further than the second round of the playoffs for the first time in team history.

Changes from Last Season - The Honolulu squad is an amalgamation of returning veterans and hot young stars. Most of last years squad is returning with exception of grizzly vets Morgan Tyson and Archie Houston who were both signed in Free Agency by Washington D.C. (The Monk Seals were awarded the 19th, 35th and 43rd overall picks in the Amateur Draft for these signings.) Other than those two, the core of the Monk Seals squad will be returning with the addition of hot prospects slugging left fielder Julio Pena and set-up pitcher Placido Cordero who are currently in the minors but will be brought up to the ML squad in the coming weeks.

Key Players:
Season 4 Rookie of the Year, Glendon Carter, will be returning to play his first full major league season, he is looking to improve on his stellar .385 avg, 40 HRs and 128 RBIs in 390 at bats last season. Rookie of the Year finalist, Melvin Zhang is also looking to improve on a fantastic rookie year and to round out the young core of offensive talent, the Monk Seals are guessing that left fielder Julio Pena will be in the running for ROY this year as well.

The pitching staff for the Monk Seals looks very much the same with the starting 5 of last year returning for another season. Jumbo Cruz, Benj Purcell and Tony Jackson all won 15+ games last year and are looking to repeat those successes. The most questionable part of the Monk Seals squad last season was the bullpen and they are looking to bolster it with the addition of hot young pitching prospect Placido Cordero, an international signing who will be making his Major League debut in the coming weeks.

Season Outlook:
Season 6 looks to be another successful one in Honolulu as the team seeks to improve on its 98-64 record last season. The core squad remins the same with a couple of additions that should help them improve on this record and take them to their second division title in 6 years.

Prediction: 102 - 60 -- 1st place AL West -- Advance to AL Championship Game

PREVIEW - Las Vegas Dealers

Las Vegas Dealers (AL) TheCoach21 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Overview:
The Las Vegas Dealers were able to retake the division title in season 5 after lossing it for the first time in history to their top division rival, the Honolulu Monkseals in the season prior. After finishing the season strong to earn the #2 playoff seed in the final week, the Dealers were chased from the playoffs in 5 games by the Toledo War Kittens. Despite the playoff loss, the season was considered successful, accumulating a franchise high 106 wins.

Changes from Last Season - A veteran team, the Dealers had most of their players tied up to long term contracts. Only two key members were lost, RF Vern Cole and reliever F.P. Flanagan. To bolster the pen and fill the void left by Flannigan, the Dealers signed free agent Willie Miranda to a three year deal, their only free agent signing. Coming off a successful season, the Dealers feel this is all that is needed to continue their success.

Key Players:
Offensively, reigning AL MVP [URL=http://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerProfile.aspx?pid=1311311]Manny Lewis[/URL] will continue to lead the offense, hoping to build on his 58 HRs and 153 RBIs from season 5. Other key players include slugging third baseman Chris Wayne, who hopes to rebound from a down year and SS Chad Forbes who lead a defense near the top of the league in defense.

Pitching is still a strength of the Dealers with their entire rotation returning. Season 1 Cy Young winner Harry Hendrickson leads the staff, picking up at least 16 wins and 200 Ks in each of his 5 seasons. Ace closer Darryl Fassero comes off a career high 45 saves and looks to equal or better his career 1.06 WHIP and 2.35 ERA.

Season Outlook:
Season 6 looks to be another successful one in Las Vegas as they return most of the players who led the team to 106 wins in Season 5. The division should be more challanging with division rivals Honolulu and Colorado Springs both making significant offseason improvements. Despite this, Las Vegas hopes to again take the division title and enter the playoffs as no less than a three seed.

Prediction: 100 - 64 -- 1st place AL West -- Advance to AL Championship Game

Off-Season Free Agent Movement

Many teams dabbled in the free agent market this season, with a few willing to sacrifice a high draft pick in order to sign players in the top 20% at their position group in the big leagues. Washington signed two Type A free agents with Charlotte, New York (NL) and Louisville signing one each. Whether looking to turn around a losing trend, like NY, make a push to return to the playoffs, like DC or take the next step by going deeper into the playoffs, like Charlotte and Louisville, each team hopes these signings will help them reach their season's goal.

Morgan Tyson - CF - 35 and Ray Gilmore - SP - 32 - Washington D.C. Snipers
GM Dunndada was not pleased to be on the outside looking in on the playoffs in season 5, so he took matters into his own hands signing two top free agents. Tyson should help with the Snipers most pressing problem last season, scoring runs. With Honolulu since season 1, Tyson had 3 seasons with at least 30 homers and 100 RBIs. Defensively he is an asset as well, averaging 4 plus plays in CF per season while commiting only 10 errors per season in a key defensive position. Known to steal a base or two as well, the Snipers hope the aging Tyson can keep his production up for a few more seasons, sigining him to a two year contract worth $5 mil per season.

His new teammate should bolster an already impressive pitching staff. Ray Gilmore was a major contributor on the back to back World Series Champion Baltimore Orioles, but left to test the free agent market. Contracted to play for $6.8mil per season for 3 years, Gilmore and the Snipers are looking for a repeat of his career best Season 5. Splitting duty between the pen and the starting rotation, Ray tallied 11 wins, a 1.08 WHIP and a 2.76 era. DC did lose the 19th and 64th picks in the upcoming amatuer draft, but the talent gained should be worth the prospects lost.

Bart Rusch - 3B - 33 - Louisville Pack Mules
The young Louisville Pack Mules are looking to make a deep playoff run in season 6. Coming off their 1st division title and a 2nd round playoff series loss, GM Luisemilio decided it was time to pull the trigger on an offensive juggernaught. Bart Rusch was the guy, inking a deal worth $9.5 mil in season 6 and $10.5 mil in seasons 7 through 9 including a mutual option in season 9 and a no trade clause. Rusch was a terror at the plate his first two seasons, reaching 40 HRs both seasons. A serious shoulder injury derailed his third season, and Bart has been attmepting to reach his prior production ever since. His most recent seasons have netted a .300 average, 28 HRs and 100+ RBIs. The Pack Mules hope to relieve Bart's glory days during his tenure in Louisville.

Socks Stynes - SP - 36 - New York Baseball Giants

Taking over as GM for the New York franchise, GM Warswics is looking to make an impact. With a young team, some elder leadership was necessary in the pitching staff, leading to the signing of Stynes. Despite his age, Stynes has done an excellent job continuing his high level of performance season after season. Signing on for 3 years in New York, $10.5 in season 6, $8.5 in season 7 and $7.5 in season 8, Stynes will look to match his career best season of 15 wins and a 3.29 era in season 4 with DC. The Baseball Giants were in a good spot to sign a type A free agent, only losing the 54th overall pick.

Vern Cole - RF - 35 - Charlotte Greener Pastures
Much like the Washington DC Snipers, the Greener Pastures were a team with a strong pitching staff who lacked punch in their offense. GM Jimmyof looked to the free agent market and found the 35 year old Cole. A steady offensive performer, Vern has never hit less than 25 HRs or 96 RBIs while getting on base at a clip of .405 for his career. Cole will not impress with his defense, but the price was right on the aging star, signing for just $5 mil per year for two seasons.

Season 5 NL Cy Young - Danny Cummings - Helena Camp Dissapointments

Danny Cummings Helena Camp Dissapointments Age: 31 B/T: R/R Born: Glen Rose, TX Position(s): P (SP2) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

The most dominate pitcher in the National League remained dominate in season 5. Danny Cummings earned his fourth Cy Young Award in five years with another masterful season, accumulating a 21-6 record, a 2.58 ERA and 243 strikeouts in 34 starts. A bastion of durability, starting at least 34 games in all 5 seasons, Danny led his team to their first division title and their deepest playoff run to date. At 31, scouts say he is as stong as ever, even though his strikeout total was his lowest since season 1, and his 1.12 WHIP and 2.58 ERA were his "worst" to date. Of course any owner would be crazy to complain about that kind of production. Just ask Helena GM Bpdelia. "Danny Cummings is quite simply a perfect pitcher" states Bpdelia. "He has pinpoint conrol and devastating pitches. He is perhaps the one man that can least afford to be lost by any team."

Season 5 AL Cy Young - Wayne Stratton - Charlotte Greener Pastuers

Wayne Stratton Charlotte Greener Pastures Age: 31 B/T: R/R Born: Oberlin, OH Position(s): P (SP1) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

The Wayne Stratton story has been full of successes culminating in the season 5 AL Cy Young Award. Acquired in a blockbuster deal back in season 3 by the Greener Pastuers, Stratton has proved to be the ace Charlotte needed. He has led them to a wildcard berth in each of the past three seasons, posting win totals of 15, 22 and 18 while keeping healthy, starting at least 34 games each of those years. With two dominate pitches and excellent contol, Stratton has been among the league leaders in strikeouts each season, whiffing 262 batters in season 5, good for 5th alltime and 2 Ks behind last season's totals. At 31 years old, Stratton has shown no signs of decline. "Stratton has easily been one of the best pitchers in the AL the last three seasons. What's so great about him is he can pitch so many innings and when you are scared of your middle relievers that makes him that more valuable." stated Charlotte GM JimmyOF who hopes his performance will lead the franchise to great heights in season 6.