AL North Preview

The AL North continues to be the most competitive division in the AL. Three teams will fight it out and probably make the playoffs.

Sioux Falls Fighting Pheasants
Last year: 94-68
RS 744, RA 680, 21-9 division
Key Losses: Danys Ortiz (released), Dean Bradley (FA - Norfolk), Edgar Martin (traded - CSP), Julio Gil (released - Salem)
Key Additions: Brandon Moore (promoted), George Richardson (FA - Char), Javy Castro (trade - CSP), Steve Wheat (FA - Salem)
Outlook: A young, but very dangerous team. Dewey Halter is a future MVP. One of the most curious free agent signings was Richardson for $62 million over 4 years. Evidently they feel that they needed a closer to go with their offense. Should score more runs this year than last.
Prediction: 96-66, Division Winner


Fargo Moorhead Redhawks
Last year: 93-69
RS 815, RA 716, 15-15 division
Key Losses: none
Key Additions: Rick McClain (promoted)
Outlook: A very quiet off season for Fargo. They are counting on their young players to carry them to a division title. Super lead off man Angel Johnson sets the table for Robin Hines, Glen Turner, and Pat Chin. It remains to be seen what kind of impact McClain can make on the offense. The pitching staff is mostly unchanged from the staff that gave up 716 runs. The results should be pretty much the same unless someone steps up.
Prediction: 95-67, 2nd in Division


Kansas City T-Bones
Last year: 89-73
RS 873, RA 724, 13-17 division
Key Losses: Carlos Molina (FA - New Brit), David Cela (FA - New Brit), Howard Zambrano (FA - Boise), Jose Mateo (FA), Ricky Schwartz (FA), Ryan Maroth (FA - Louisville), Tony Viriato (FA - Charl)
Key Additions: Chris Cummings (trade - Fresno), Omar Romero (FA - Van/NB), Rabbit Brow (FA - Colum)
Outlook: There will not be a drop off in the offensive production, and that could be scary to the rest of the league since they scored the most runs in the AL. The loss of Tony Virato could really hurt the T-Bones. But their younger pitchers will have to prove their mettle if KC is to climb back into the playoffs. The wild card will be the eventual call up of super prospect Lucas Rodgers.
Prediction: 92-70, 3rd in division and wild card


Portland Sea Dogs (Formerly Seattle Generals)
Last year: 65-97
RS 563, RA 694, 11-19 division
Key Losses: Josh Pettyjohn (FA), Kenneth Pearson (FA), Tomas Maduro (trade - SA)
Key Additions: Giovanni Hodges (FA - Syr), Ken Benson (rule 5 - LV), Lyle Mays (trade VC), Shea Clark (FA - Charl), Sonny Mohler (FA - Boise), Steward Aspromonte (FA - San Antonio), Tony Ramos (promoted)
Outlook: Didn't do much to fix their offensive problems. With the loss of some pitching, and with a pitcher like Aspromonte as the #2, don't expect much from this club.
Prediction: 59-103