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Elendil · 05-10-2007, 10:55 PM

The Goldpanners had some marquee players: they could afford them. Like the Glacier Pilots, though, it wasn't clear that they would be enough. Their batting stars were first baseman Gary Johnson, last year's batting champ (.351!), second baseman Bill Rogers (.277/.354/.440 and great defense), and outfielder Jimmy Williams (.297/.373/.543, 21 HR). The top three in the rotation were solid: Chip Becker (6-4, 2.62), John Robertson (6-5, 3.83), and Quinn Spence (9-6, 3.05). Closer Wes Dionne was a real wild card, though: 6.14 ERA last year with Peninsula.

Financially, the team was still in bad shape. They had lost over $250,000 last year and still didn't look to break even in '08.

Predicted finish: 3rd in the Denali

The Senators staked their hopes on pitching, but they had a fairly well balanced lineup too. Newly signed catcher Bob Russo might make an impact (didn't play last year), Sam Hayashi had hit pretty well at 1B last year (.287/.376/.457), Ralph Collette had some pop as a second baseman (.289/.378/.462), third baseman/shortstop Jeremy Hodges had hit well after being claimed off waivers from the Vortex last year (.329/.375/.454), and rookie center fielder Wynn Dunsmore was expected to do great things after tearing up the ATL last year.

The rotation featured last year's Rookie of the Year, Scott Northeast, offseason signing Louis Mays (did not play last year), and 36 year old submariner Bob Nealon (10-5, 3.47). The team also had one of the best closers in the game in offseason signing Brad Morris. Rookie Don Taggart would start in the bullpen, but he was expected to move into the rotation soon after putting up big numbers in the ATL last year.

The team had made about $100,000 last year and lost half of that in revenue sharing (the league had upped the cash max to $75,000 for this season). They were projected to break even this year.

Predicted finish: 2nd in the Denali

Ketchikan had tried to improve their squad in the offseason by signing premier outfielder John Horswill, who had sat out the league's inaugural season. Otherwise, though, they looked decidedly mediocre all around. Their #1 starter would be John "Refund" Mack, at 26 still possibly possessing some upside. He went 10-8 with a 3.56 ERA last year.

The team had lost about $20,000 last year but expected to make close to $60,000 this year. Perhaps they could make a move toward contention after this season.

Predicted finish: 5th in the Denali

Kodiak emphasized the hitting side of the game. Catcher Alan Sellick (.278/.358/.482) and center fielder Dominique Gaudet (.303/.394/.459) were their biggest contributors. Spud Hill (8-7, 3.18) led the rotation, which was shaky after that. Closer Cole Walters logged big innings but couldn't really shut down a game.

Kodiak had lost almost $100,000 last year and were projected to lose even more this year with declining fan interest. This was truly a franchise on the brink.

Predicted finish: 5th in the Seward

The league champs had not stood idle in the offseason and looked tough again this year. Catcher Pierre-Alexandre Langlois (.285/.375/.434), third baseman John Brown (.289/.370/.466), new shortstop Sherman Ferris (did not play last year), outfielder Rob Corley (.290/.378/.459), and outfielder Dave Langille (.276/.365/.519, 17 HR) would probably make up the top half of the lineup. The starting pitching was actually a bit iffy, with Will Blain at the top (6-5, 3.23). Brent Johnson and Don Thomas had also gotten the job done last year, but they were hardly dominators. Chris Fry (8-4, 2.72) came over from North Pole during the offseason.

Financially, the team was in solid, though not outstanding, shape. They had made money last year and were set to make a few thousand again this year.

Predicted finish: 1st in the Seward

After all their offseason acquisitions, the Nicks were a team built for a championship. Fans expected them to steamroll the opposition. Their top contributors were expected to be catcher Vincent Leroux (.325/.441/.519), infielder Sloan Starr (.273/.357/.415 for Fairbanks, expected to improve), second baseman John Abston (.265/.340/.417 but also expected to improve), shortstop Ron Bishop (you know him by now), outfielder Terry Kuhn (did not play last year), outfielder Bob Horton (.302/.401/.530), starting pitcher Mike Rancourt (8-7, 4.07 but .314 BABIP), starter Tom Pick (did not play last year), starter Ron Quinton (did not play last year), and closer Larry Lovell (did not play last year).

Financially, the team had gone all out and was expected to make significant profit only if they went to the postseason.

Predicted finish: 1st in the Denali, and ACS champs

The Oilers had arguably been financially mismanaged, and they lost a lot of players over the offseason. Some of them were still unsigned and perhaps would become available at some point. This year they would rely particularly on second baseman Tommy Lambert (.289/.354/.362, very good defense), third baseman Jim Noel (.253/.339/.367 but expected to improve significantly), and starting pitcher Jeff Simmons (3.11 ERA in 46 bullpen innings).

The team had lost a bundle last year (over $150,000), but they were on track to make that back this year... just so long as their fans weren't alienated by the likely losing season awaiting them.

Projected finish: 3rd in the Seward

After winning the division, the Sentinels had lost a number of players through free agency, desertion, and trade. Their key pieces would probably be infielder Jonathan Bertrand (.254/.355/.502, 18 HR), third baseman Edison Dwyer (picked up last September, played only a bit in the postseason), outfielder Connor Poapst (.251/.373/.450), and SP Trevor Wiggins (10-8, 3.94). The rotation looked mediocre at best, but closer Edward Long (1.94, 26 SV) should be an asset again this year.

The team had actually lost a little money last year, but they expected to make it all back and then some. They had a little room then for deadline pickups if they managed to be in contention again.

Projected finish: 4th in the Denali

Summary of Predictions

Seward Division

1. Mat-Su Miners
2. Anchorage Glacier Pilots
3. Peninsula Oilers
4. Eagle River-Chugiak Jets
5. Kodiak Grizzlies
6. Anchorage Bucs

Denali Division

1. North Pole Nicks
2. Juneau Senators
3. Fairbanks Goldpanners
4. Sitka Sentinels
5. Ketchikan King Salmon
6. Bethel Mushers

05-10-2007, 10:55 PM	#35
Elendil Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: the dynasty forum Posts: 2,318	'08 previews (cont.) The Goldpanners had some marquee players: they could afford them. Like the Glacier Pilots, though, it wasn't clear that they would be enough. Their batting stars were first baseman Gary Johnson, last year's batting champ (.351!), second baseman Bill Rogers (.277/.354/.440 and great defense), and outfielder Jimmy Williams (.297/.373/.543, 21 HR). The top three in the rotation were solid: Chip Becker (6-4, 2.62), John Robertson (6-5, 3.83), and Quinn Spence (9-6, 3.05). Closer Wes Dionne was a real wild card, though: 6.14 ERA last year with Peninsula. Financially, the team was still in bad shape. They had lost over $250,000 last year and still didn't look to break even in '08. Predicted finish: 3rd in the Denali The Senators staked their hopes on pitching, but they had a fairly well balanced lineup too. Newly signed catcher Bob Russo might make an impact (didn't play last year), Sam Hayashi had hit pretty well at 1B last year (.287/.376/.457), Ralph Collette had some pop as a second baseman (.289/.378/.462), third baseman/shortstop Jeremy Hodges had hit well after being claimed off waivers from the Vortex last year (.329/.375/.454), and rookie center fielder Wynn Dunsmore was expected to do great things after tearing up the ATL last year. The rotation featured last year's Rookie of the Year, Scott Northeast, offseason signing Louis Mays (did not play last year), and 36 year old submariner Bob Nealon (10-5, 3.47). The team also had one of the best closers in the game in offseason signing Brad Morris. Rookie Don Taggart would start in the bullpen, but he was expected to move into the rotation soon after putting up big numbers in the ATL last year. The team had made about $100,000 last year and lost half of that in revenue sharing (the league had upped the cash max to $75,000 for this season). They were projected to break even this year. Predicted finish: 2nd in the Denali Ketchikan had tried to improve their squad in the offseason by signing premier outfielder John Horswill, who had sat out the league's inaugural season. Otherwise, though, they looked decidedly mediocre all around. Their #1 starter would be John "Refund" Mack, at 26 still possibly possessing some upside. He went 10-8 with a 3.56 ERA last year. The team had lost about $20,000 last year but expected to make close to $60,000 this year. Perhaps they could make a move toward contention after this season. Predicted finish: 5th in the Denali Kodiak emphasized the hitting side of the game. Catcher Alan Sellick (.278/.358/.482) and center fielder Dominique Gaudet (.303/.394/.459) were their biggest contributors. Spud Hill (8-7, 3.18) led the rotation, which was shaky after that. Closer Cole Walters logged big innings but couldn't really shut down a game. Kodiak had lost almost $100,000 last year and were projected to lose even more this year with declining fan interest. This was truly a franchise on the brink. Predicted finish: 5th in the Seward The league champs had not stood idle in the offseason and looked tough again this year. Catcher Pierre-Alexandre Langlois (.285/.375/.434), third baseman John Brown (.289/.370/.466), new shortstop Sherman Ferris (did not play last year), outfielder Rob Corley (.290/.378/.459), and outfielder Dave Langille (.276/.365/.519, 17 HR) would probably make up the top half of the lineup. The starting pitching was actually a bit iffy, with Will Blain at the top (6-5, 3.23). Brent Johnson and Don Thomas had also gotten the job done last year, but they were hardly dominators. Chris Fry (8-4, 2.72) came over from North Pole during the offseason. Financially, the team was in solid, though not outstanding, shape. They had made money last year and were set to make a few thousand again this year. Predicted finish: 1st in the Seward After all their offseason acquisitions, the Nicks were a team built for a championship. Fans expected them to steamroll the opposition. Their top contributors were expected to be catcher Vincent Leroux (.325/.441/.519), infielder Sloan Starr (.273/.357/.415 for Fairbanks, expected to improve), second baseman John Abston (.265/.340/.417 but also expected to improve), shortstop Ron Bishop (you know him by now), outfielder Terry Kuhn (did not play last year), outfielder Bob Horton (.302/.401/.530), starting pitcher Mike Rancourt (8-7, 4.07 but .314 BABIP), starter Tom Pick (did not play last year), starter Ron Quinton (did not play last year), and closer Larry Lovell (did not play last year). Financially, the team had gone all out and was expected to make significant profit only if they went to the postseason. Predicted finish: 1st in the Denali, and ACS champs The Oilers had arguably been financially mismanaged, and they lost a lot of players over the offseason. Some of them were still unsigned and perhaps would become available at some point. This year they would rely particularly on second baseman Tommy Lambert (.289/.354/.362, very good defense), third baseman Jim Noel (.253/.339/.367 but expected to improve significantly), and starting pitcher Jeff Simmons (3.11 ERA in 46 bullpen innings). The team had lost a bundle last year (over $150,000), but they were on track to make that back this year... just so long as their fans weren't alienated by the likely losing season awaiting them. Projected finish: 3rd in the Seward After winning the division, the Sentinels had lost a number of players through free agency, desertion, and trade. Their key pieces would probably be infielder Jonathan Bertrand (.254/.355/.502, 18 HR), third baseman Edison Dwyer (picked up last September, played only a bit in the postseason), outfielder Connor Poapst (.251/.373/.450), and SP Trevor Wiggins (10-8, 3.94). The rotation looked mediocre at best, but closer Edward Long (1.94, 26 SV) should be an asset again this year. The team had actually lost a little money last year, but they expected to make it all back and then some. They had a little room then for deadline pickups if they managed to be in contention again. Projected finish: 4th in the Denali Summary of Predictions Seward Division 1. Mat-Su Miners 2. Anchorage Glacier Pilots 3. Peninsula Oilers 4. Eagle River-Chugiak Jets 5. Kodiak Grizzlies 6. Anchorage Bucs Denali Division 1. North Pole Nicks 2. Juneau Senators 3. Fairbanks Goldpanners 4. Sitka Sentinels 5. Ketchikan King Salmon 6. Bethel Mushers __________________ Heaven is kicking back with a double Talisker and a churchwarden stuffed with latakia. Last edited by Elendil; 05-10-2007 at 10:57 PM.