2006 CDBL SEASON PREVIEW "Your Mileage May Vary!" Predicted Playoff Teams: Aaron Division - Manhatten Beach Mashers Paige Division - Madison Muckrakers Gehrig Division - Concord Minutemen Tiant Division - Milwaukee Pilots AP Conference Wildcard - Arkham Investigators GT Conference Wildcard - Albuquerque Maul #1 League Wildcard - Carlsbad Surfers #2 League Wildcard - Tualatin Thunder WORLD SERIES PREDICTION - Mashers over Minutemen ***************************************************************************************** Aaron Division - 1. Manhatten Beach Mashers (Last Season: 96-66, 2nd in Division) PLUSES: David Ortiz is poised to have an MVP season and could capture the home run and RBI titles. Rafael Furcal will score loads of runs and swipe quite a few bases. Brad Hawpe, JD Drew and Brian McCann add to the offense. John Smoltz, CC Sabathia and Francisco Liriano are a solid trio of starters, and BJ Ryan and import Mariano Rivera anchor a strong bullpen. MINUSES: They made need a 5th starter to help eat up some innings during those dog days of summer. OVERALL: Some great hitting, great starters, and great closers makes the Mashers pre-season favorites. 2. Arkham Investigators (Last Season: 83-79, 3rd in Division) PLUSES: Aramis Ramirez, Adrian Gonzalez, Alfonso Soriano and rookie Dan Uggla can really rake. Edgar Renteria provides some table setting with walks and stolen bases. Veterans Ivan Rodriguez and Brian Giles add to an above-average offense. Erik Bedard and Dan Haren can eat up a lot of innings, and Huston Street and Tom Gordon lead a stellar bullpen. MINUSES: The back end of the rotation gets iffy really quick. OVERALL: Arkham have the tools to contend in '06 and provides the main competition for the Mashers in the race for the Aaron Division. 3. Dallas SuperSquad (Last Season: 82-80, 4th in Division) PLUSES: Derek Jeter remains one of the best shortstops in the league, creating a lot of RBI opportunities for Garrett Atkins and Adam Dunn. Jacque Jones and Moises Alou help made a productive outfield. Roy Halladay and Bronson Arroyo are one of the best 1-2 starter combinations in the league. MINUSES: The rest of the pitching staff is somewhat weak for a contending team, may need to play the defensively-sketchy combo of Frank Thomas and Adam Dunn to generate more runs. OVERALL: They have some players and should have a winning record, but pitching depth may hinder their title chances. 4. Montreal Voltigeurs (Last Season: 70-92, 5th in Division) PLUSES: Manny Ramirez is still Manny and should have a all-star season. Young Nick Swisher is a rock solid hitter, and Michael Cuddyer and David Roberts gives the Voltigeurs some solid options up top. Kevin Youkilis and Felipe Lopez should help Montreal be above average in walks. Jonathan Papelbon gives the Voltigeurs an elite closer. MINUSES: Derek Lowe is the ace by default, and the starting pitching gets bad very fast. The lack of consistent extra base power could leave a lot of runners stranded on base. OVERALL: Some nice hitters, but lack of pitching and power will hamper Montreal's efforts this season. 5. Elk Grove Trout (Last Season: 51-111, 6th in Division) PLUSES: Justin Morneau is in line to have an MVP style season. Magglio Ordonez should have another solid season. Chad Cordero leads a solid bullpen. MINUSES: Starting rotation will put the Trout in a hole early, and too many spots in the lineup are automatic outs. OVERALL: It looks like another rebuilding season for the Trout. 6. Point Lomas Friars (Last Season: 98-64, Aaron Division Title) PLUSES: Jason Giambi and Troy Glaus are solid 40 home run threats in the middle of the order, and Kenny Lofton and Luis Castillo are solid walk/stolen base table-setters. Matt Cain is developing into a solid ace starter. MINUSES: Most starters post-Cain are a train wreck, and Glaus may be traded during the year. OVERALL: The Friars made their run in '05. 2006 is going to be when they pay the bill. ***************************************************************************************** Paige Division - 1. Madison Muckrakers (Last Season: 104-58, Paige Division Title) PLUSES: Andruw Jones remains one of the best outfielders in the game. Jimmy Rollins, Corey Patterson and Ryan Freel make the Muckrakers one of the speediest teams in the league. Young David Wright will strive for the all-star team, and Nick Markakis, Orlando Hudson and Richie Sexson help make this one of the best hitting lineups in the league. Josh Johnson, Aaron Harang and AJ Burnett make the rotation competitive. None of the relievers are going to be all-CDBL, but they'll get the job done. MINUSES: Tail end of the rotation may struggle in the playoffs. OVERALL: The hitting is loaded for bear, and the pitching is good enough to make the Muckrakers contenders this year. 2. San Diego Chickens (Last Season: 81-81, 5th in Division) PLUSES: Vladimir Guerrero, Jermaine Dye and Paul Konerko are one of the better core trios in the league. Jamey Carroll, Richi Aurillia and Adrian Beltre add to the lineup. Scott Kazmir, John Lackey, Woody Williams and Tom Glavine give the Chickens one of the better rotations in the division. MINUSES: Bullpen depth is a little weak, they may need to trade for a closer mid-season. OVERALL: A solid hitting lineup and a good rotation will provide competitive for the Muckrakers this season. 3. Seattle Decaf (Last Season: 90-72, 4th in Division) PLUSES: Joe Mauer elevates his game, likely earning 1st team all-CDBL honors this year. Adam LaRoche and Joe Crede add 30 home run power at the corners, and Juan Rivera and Ian Kinsler are in a lineup that should score plenty of runs. If the Decaf can make it to the playoffs, Anibal Sanchez can go toe-to-toe with any starter in the league. Dontrelle Willis is a capable innings eater, and Billy Wagner lead a strong bullpen. MINUSES: Back end of rotation is weak (as with many other teams!). Seattle needs twice the amount of innings out of Sanchez as it will get. OVERALL: Depending on how the starting rotation goes the Decaf could finish higher behind their strong hitting. 4. Tualatin Thunder (Last Season: 98-64, 2nd in Division) PLUSES: Jim Thome and Miguel Cabrera give the Thunder one of the most fearsome infield corners in the game. Victor Martinez is an elite hitting catcher, and Frank Catalanotto and Matt Murton add to the offense. Chris Carpenter could contend for a Cy this year, and Francisco Rodriguez is a top notch closer. MINUSES: The rest of the pitching staff are mostly scraps, something you don't want on a division contending team. OVERALL: Some nice hitting, but lack of pitching will force the Thunder to play with one hand tied behind their back. 5. Springfield Isotopes (Last Season: 34-128, 6th in Division) PLUSES: Ken Griffey Jr joins the team to give fans someone to cheer about. Dustin Pedroia and JJ Hardy gives fans hope for the future. MINUSES: Much of the hitting is long on potential and short on immediate results. Pitching staff will be very mediocre. OVERALL: Year #2 of the rebuild. Would finish last in the division, except for... 6. DBL Fishbiscuits (Last Season: 96-66, 3rd in Division) PLUSES: Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday should play at an all-star level. Robinson Cano is a young and upcoming infielder. MINUSES: Lots of trades of talent that could have helped in 2006 before the season will give DBL an undercharged offense and a truly awful pitching staff. OVERALL: Going to be a rebuilding year. See you in 2007! ***************************************************************************************** Gehrig Division - 1. Concord Minutemen (Last Season: 83-79, 4th in Division) PLUSES: Johan Santana is one of the best pitchers in the league, and vet Mike Mussina is a capable 2nd starter. Trevor Hoffman should contend for Fireman of the Year honors, and the rest of the bullpen is strong. Lance Berkman, Bill Hall, Mark Teixeira, Craig Monroe and Chipper Jones can all hit the longball in a high powered offense. MINUSES: Very few - and whatever hitting or pitching is needed can be acquired during the season. OVERALL: Concord is in line to make a deep playoff run. 2. Albuquerque Maul (Last Season: 91-71, 3rd in Division) PLUSES: One of the best rotations in the league with Roy Oswalt, Brandon Webb, Chien-Ming Wang and rookie Jered Weaver. Rafael Soriano and Aknori Otsuka lead an elite bullpen. Grady Sizemore, Todd Helton and Pat Burrell lead a solidly consistent offense. MINUSES: No 40 home run guys, suspect defense may cause team ERA to not be best in the league. OVERALL: The Maul have the talent to win the division this year. It will largely be up to their defense to see how well they do. 3. Carlsbad Surfers (Last Season: 77-78, 5th in Division) PLUSES: Jose Reyes and Gary Matthews will should thrive at the top of the order, and Travis Hafner, Scott Rolen and Raul Ibanez will be efficient in manufacturing runs. Ramon Hernandez and Chris Coste will combine for all-star-level play at catcher. Barry Zito, Jeff Suppan and old man Greg Maddux anchor a solid-if-not-spectacular starting rotation. Bob Wickman leads an above average bullpen. MINUSES: None of the starters would likely be an ace on any other division-winning squad. OVERALL: Nice hitting, nice bullpen, but the Surfers will need their starters to consistently perform to live up to their pre-season billing. 4. Topeka Stingers (Last Season: 93-69, 2nd in Division) PLUSES: Ryan Howard is going to devour opposing pitching, likely leading the league in home runs. Carlos Guillen and Scott Podsednik are demons on the base paths, and Andre Ethier and Jeff Kent will contribute to the lineup. Jason Schmidt and Nate Robertson are solid starters. MINUSES: There's a big gap between Howard and the rest of the hitters. Topeka may not have enough starting pitching to compete in the division, and the bullpen is a little shaky. OVERALL: Howard will be a joy to watch, but the lack of depth elsewhere will hamper hopes of a playoff return repeat. 5. Hong Kong Cavaliers (Last Season: 96-66, Gehrig Division Title, 2005 CDBL Champions) PLUSES: Team Carlos (Beltran, Delgado and Lee) are all 40 home run threats, and Miguel Tejada should play at an all-star level at SS. The rest of the lineup have thumpers with 20 home run potential. Joe Nathan and Chris Ray lead a lights-out bullpen. MINUSES: Big questions in the starting rotation. Bring back Pedro Martinez! OVERALL: The 2005 CDBL championship made everything worth it. The Cavaliers have a punishing hitting lineup, but the lack of starting pitching will make a repeat title very difficult to do. 6. Anchorage Gold Diggers (Last Season: 69-93, 6th in Division) PLUSES: Nick Johnson does everything but hit home runs, and Eric Byrnes and Mike Cameron are quality hitting outfielders. Curt Schilling, Jake Peavy and Kenny Rogers are vets who know how to pitch. MINUSES: The hitting is fairly consistently anemic, and the pitching won't be enough to overcome that. OVERALL: Likely to be a long year in Anchorage. ***************************************************************************************** Tiant Division - 1. Milwakuee Pilots (Last Season: 70-92, 4th in Division) PLUSES: Vernon Wells and Chase Utley have some smack in their bats, and Ichiro still has elite walk and steal capability. Young Ryan Zimmerman and veteran Nomar Garciaparra adds to a competitive lineup. Jason Jennings and Jeremy Bonderman lead a solid if unsepctacular pitching lineup. MINUSES: Bullpen is kind of ho-hum, starting rotation could use another strong arm, and the lineup could use another big bat. OVERALL: The Tiant division may be one of the weakest divisions this year, and someone has to win it. 2. Boston Bulldogs (Last Season: 83-79, 2nd in Division) PLUSES: Ray Durham, Ty Wigginton and Lyle Overbay give Boston some talented hitting infielders. Sabremetric wonder Bobby Abreu and slugging Marcus Thames will give run production in the outfield. Carlos Zambrano and Kelvim Escobar are a solid 1-2 combo in the rotation. No big names in the bullpen but they'll get the job done. MINUSES: Randy Johnson starting to feel his age, James Shields not quite ready to take over the ace role, and the Bulldogs could use another big bat to contend for the division title. OVERALL: In a weaker division Boston has a chance to win the title, but some in-season moves may need to be done. 3. Avila Dragons (Last Season: 103-59, Tiant Divison Title) PLUSES: Alex Rodrigeuz is still an elite infielder, albiet now a 3rd baseman only. Johnny Damon is one of the better center fielders in the league, and longtime Isotope Barry Bonds will put up ridiculous stats (when he plays). Roger Clemens may be the best playoff-eligible starter in the league. Takashi Saito will be an elite closer. MINUSES: Years of high salaries and age are finally catching up to the Dragons. No longer can 5 elite players (now 2 1/2) carry the rest of the roster. Roger Clemens deciding to take half the year off to fish. OVERALL: Avila's had a great run, but their playoff window is rapidly closing. 4. Georgia Pines (Last Season: 56-106, 6th in Division) PLUSES: Jason Bay will play at an all-star level in the outfield. Justin Verlander is an exciting young ace who will start opening day for years to come. JJ Putz can close with the best of them. MINUSES: Not a lot of depth in the hitting or pitching. OVERALL: Some talented young players, but Georgia is at least another year out from contending. 5. Alphaville Caution (Last Season: 79-83, 3rd in Division) PLUSES: Hanley Ramirez is emerging as one of the best young shortstops in the league. Clay Hensley, Scott Olson and Chris Young form a competitive starting rotation. MINUSES: After Ramirez the hitting isn't much to write home about. Mediocre bullpen and the top 3 starters won't be able to compensate for it. OVERALL: Likely a long season for Alphaville, if Ramirez can make the all-star team that will be a win for the franchise. 6. Dedham Destroyers (Last Season: 61-101, 5th in Division) PLUSES: Prince Fielder is a promising young first baseman, and Torii Hunter and Josh Willingham are solid veterans in the outfield. MINUSES: Pitching staff is going to be one of the worst in the league. OVERALL: 2006 looks to be a rebuilding year for Dedham.