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Polling a group of GMs, we have pieced together some of the top questions for the coming BLB season.
1) Will Miami (Batavia) repeat this year?
There has not been a repeat winner in the BLB since LAD in 2049, so this does not seem improbable as it once did. Looking at Miami's core and their still unbelievable young treasure chest of talent they'd be hard to bet against. Seattle put up a tough fight in the playoffs last year, but then Batavia steamrolled everyone else, and here's to saying they do it again. Division rival Washington has lost its two best offensive players and two quality starters, so the division would appear to be there's for the taking. The one dark cloud is the loss of Aouita and Michel from the starting rotation, but it's likely just time for McAlpine and Sawyer to take over the mantel as the team Aces.
2) Will Parker Lee hit half of the Bats total home runs this season?
In case you haven't heard, Parker Lee has been tearing up the minors the last few seasons. Although management rarely mentions him and has done their best to keep expectations low, BLB fans are in for a real treat this season. Lee appears to be ready for prime time as he walloped 49 home runs two years ago, and 46 last year. There's no question that a rookie season of 50 bombs is within reach. The real question is whether the rest of the team can match his production? Hugo and Stromain are solid bets to reach 25 each, so if the highly powered infield can somehow pop a few, we'll have a real race on our hands.
3) Can SDR finally make the playoffs?
It's hard to believe that one of the league's flagship teams hasn't been in the playoffs since 2045. With $102M to spend Runners fans were very excited heading into the off season. It appears as though management is continuing to look long term, as SDR was on the outside looking in as one big FA name after another headed elsewhere. A last minute Jessee quoted the fans for a bit, but if things don't turn around quickly, he's likely to become what has been a long line of rentals that will likely become more assets as the trade deadline approaches.
4) Can anyone in the Ale stop Pawtucket?
Six straight first place finishes for the Patriots, and some of them with very little challenge. Is this the year that Pittsburgh or Hartford step up? Pawtucket returns basically the same team as last year, with a different look in the infield as Westerman apparently decide he was Colby Hullinger and wanted to be paid as much. Even with the opening it appears Pittsburgh will not challenge as their entire middle infield walked away in FA. It looks like it'll be up to Hartford, who had a solid offseason. Jessee leaving the lineup will hurt, but adding Bush and Hogan will create a much more formidable staff when the Whalers come to town.
5) Will Syracuse' offseason excitement translate to wins during the season?
Syracuse spent like a drunken sailor on shore leave this off season. Snapper fans are rightfully excited about a return to the glory days for this proud franchise. With minimal FA attrition they added a whopping 20.1 WAR in new blood, headlined by 2B Aubrey Albano, one of the BLB's best players. He'll set the table for the offence and anchor the defence of a wildly improved team that also added former superstar Preston Capps and his gold glove and solid bat. Not only is the offence and defence improved, but the pitching added Aouita, Fioroli, and Hilton to bolster their staff. If the new pieces gel quickly, a return to the playoffs is not out of the questions.
6) Will Philadelphia break the curse with the OOTP AI at the helm?
Philadelphia is one of the league's oldest and winningest franchises (28 years in the playoffs and 14 division titles), but has never tasted the sweet nectar of a Brew victory. It has been run by some of he greatest GMs the league has seen, and still nothing. However, a pile of shrewd moves this offseason has the Freedom poised to crack the playoffs. With a little luck and maybe a slip-up from one of the IL regulars and this could finally be the Year of the Freedom!
7) Is this finally the year Baltimore puts it all together?
2001 a Bulldogs Odyssey was title of the Championship VCR tape put out by management the last time the Bulldogs won a Brew. The Rice years had some close calls and recently, with a starting pitching rotation that is second to none, it again feels like it's Bulldogs time. They return pretty much the same team that last year won 93 games. With McKelvey and Encinia still leading the way, their pitching will line up with anyone, especially once the playoffs roll around. The key will be to see if the offence, centred around Beaumont Sanchez can produce enough runs to give their pitching staff a chance. Only time will tell.
1) Will Miami (Batavia) repeat this year?
There has not been a repeat winner in the BLB since LAD in 2049, so this does not seem improbable as it once did. Looking at Miami's core and their still unbelievable young treasure chest of talent they'd be hard to bet against. Seattle put up a tough fight in the playoffs last year, but then Batavia steamrolled everyone else, and here's to saying they do it again. Division rival Washington has lost its two best offensive players and two quality starters, so the division would appear to be there's for the taking. The one dark cloud is the loss of Aouita and Michel from the starting rotation, but it's likely just time for McAlpine and Sawyer to take over the mantel as the team Aces.
2) Will Parker Lee hit half of the Bats total home runs this season?
In case you haven't heard, Parker Lee has been tearing up the minors the last few seasons. Although management rarely mentions him and has done their best to keep expectations low, BLB fans are in for a real treat this season. Lee appears to be ready for prime time as he walloped 49 home runs two years ago, and 46 last year. There's no question that a rookie season of 50 bombs is within reach. The real question is whether the rest of the team can match his production? Hugo and Stromain are solid bets to reach 25 each, so if the highly powered infield can somehow pop a few, we'll have a real race on our hands.
3) Can SDR finally make the playoffs?
It's hard to believe that one of the league's flagship teams hasn't been in the playoffs since 2045. With $102M to spend Runners fans were very excited heading into the off season. It appears as though management is continuing to look long term, as SDR was on the outside looking in as one big FA name after another headed elsewhere. A last minute Jessee quoted the fans for a bit, but if things don't turn around quickly, he's likely to become what has been a long line of rentals that will likely become more assets as the trade deadline approaches.
4) Can anyone in the Ale stop Pawtucket?
Six straight first place finishes for the Patriots, and some of them with very little challenge. Is this the year that Pittsburgh or Hartford step up? Pawtucket returns basically the same team as last year, with a different look in the infield as Westerman apparently decide he was Colby Hullinger and wanted to be paid as much. Even with the opening it appears Pittsburgh will not challenge as their entire middle infield walked away in FA. It looks like it'll be up to Hartford, who had a solid offseason. Jessee leaving the lineup will hurt, but adding Bush and Hogan will create a much more formidable staff when the Whalers come to town.
5) Will Syracuse' offseason excitement translate to wins during the season?
Syracuse spent like a drunken sailor on shore leave this off season. Snapper fans are rightfully excited about a return to the glory days for this proud franchise. With minimal FA attrition they added a whopping 20.1 WAR in new blood, headlined by 2B Aubrey Albano, one of the BLB's best players. He'll set the table for the offence and anchor the defence of a wildly improved team that also added former superstar Preston Capps and his gold glove and solid bat. Not only is the offence and defence improved, but the pitching added Aouita, Fioroli, and Hilton to bolster their staff. If the new pieces gel quickly, a return to the playoffs is not out of the questions.
6) Will Philadelphia break the curse with the OOTP AI at the helm?
Philadelphia is one of the league's oldest and winningest franchises (28 years in the playoffs and 14 division titles), but has never tasted the sweet nectar of a Brew victory. It has been run by some of he greatest GMs the league has seen, and still nothing. However, a pile of shrewd moves this offseason has the Freedom poised to crack the playoffs. With a little luck and maybe a slip-up from one of the IL regulars and this could finally be the Year of the Freedom!
7) Is this finally the year Baltimore puts it all together?
2001 a Bulldogs Odyssey was title of the Championship VCR tape put out by management the last time the Bulldogs won a Brew. The Rice years had some close calls and recently, with a starting pitching rotation that is second to none, it again feels like it's Bulldogs time. They return pretty much the same team that last year won 93 games. With McKelvey and Encinia still leading the way, their pitching will line up with anyone, especially once the playoffs roll around. The key will be to see if the offence, centred around Beaumont Sanchez can produce enough runs to give their pitching staff a chance. Only time will tell.
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