2001 CDBL PREVIEW "Your Mileage May Vary!" ******************************************************************************* Aaron Division - 1st - Manhatten Beach Mashers (Last Season - 29-133, 6th place) Team all-time runs leader: Rickey Henderson, 1069 Team all-time RBI leader: Mark McGwire, 960 Team all-time wins leader: Frank Viola, 88 Team all-time saves leader: Ricky Bottalico, 61 After bottoming out in 2000, the Mashers are rested, refreshed, restocked and ready to dominate in 2001. Juan Gonzalez, Cliff Floyd, Ryan Klesko and Jeff Cirillo help make the Mashers offense one of the best in the league. Kevin Brown, Miguel Batista, Tim Wakefield and CC Sabathia make up a rotation that isn't strong on innings but suitable enough to contend. The bullpen is very deep, with Troy Percival, Billy Wagner and John Smoltz leading a marquee bullpen. 2nd - California Kamados (Last Season - 67-95, 4th place) Team all-time runs leader: Derek Jeter, 566 Team all-time RBI leader: Derek Jeter, 443 Team all-time wins leader: Jamie Moyer, 80 Team all-time saves leader: Derek Lowe, 79 Champions in '99 and '00, California is looking to add their 3rd title in 4 years. Derek Jeter is one of the best hitting shortstops in the game, and Scott Rolen is one of the best young third baseman. Tino Martinez and Ray Lankford add to the offense. Jamie Moyer leads a strong pitching staff, with young Roy Halladay, Sean Lowe and Woody Williams filling out the rotation. Jeff Zimmerman, Octavio Dotel, Vladimir Nunez and Derek Lowe lead a strong bullpen. 3rd - Elk Grove Trout (Last Season - 83-79, T-2nd place) Team all-time runs leader: Tony Gwynn, 1283 Team all-time RBI leader: Tony Gwynn, 913 Team all-time wins leader: Chuck Finley, 129 Team all-time saves leader: Robb Nen, 62 The Trout features a strong hitting lineup with the likes of Phil Nevin, Magglio Ordonez, JD Drew and Garrett Anderson, who are all 30+ home run hitters. The pitching staff is quite good as well, with Freddy Garcia, Barry Zito, Jarrod Washburn and AJ Burnett leading one of the deepest rotations in the league. The bullpen is a little shaky, with no proven closers on the roster. Still, the Trout have the talent to complete for a playoff spot this year. 4th - Point Lomas Friars (Last Season - 83-79, T-2nd place) Team all-time runs leader: Tim Raines, 929 Team all-time RBI leader: Ryne Sandberg, 813 Team all-time wins leader: Bud Black, 51 Team all-time saves leader: Jay Howell, 55 The Friars bring the thunder this year, with Jason Giambi, Luis Gonzalez and acquisition Troy Glaus all with 40+ home run power. Those three will be depended on quite a bit as the rest of the lineup is just so-so. Andy Pettitte is their best starter, and the rest of the rotation may have trouble keeping up with the upper third of the division. The bullpen is capable but likely won't have any Fireman of the Year contenders. 5th - Arkham Investigators (Last Season - 84-78, 1st place) Team all-time runs leader: Ken Griffey Jr, 1274 Team all-time RBI leader: Ken Griffey Jr, 1450 Team all-time wins leader: Kevin Appier, 134 Team all-time saves leader: Storm Davis, 43 Breaking up is hard to so as the Investigators said good bye to franchise mainstay Ken Griffey Jr. in the off-season. But there's still enough talent to remain competitive. Aramis Ramirez, Dmitri Young, Travis Lee, Jorge Posada, Reggie Sanders and Jose Valentin give the lineup some thump. Young ace Mark Buehrle should have a good year, and Randy Wolf is a capable #2 starter. The rest of the rotation is iffy. Bob Wickman leads a competant bullpen. 6th - Montreal Voltigeurs (Last Season - 58-104, 5th place) Team all-time runs leader: Rafael Palmeiro, 853 Team all-time RBI leader: Rafael Palmeiro, 989 Team all-time wins leader: Denny Neagle, 56 Team all-time saves leader: Dave Smith, 146 In the midst of a multi-year rebuilding project, the Voltigeurs should start showing signs of life this season. Jimmy Rollins and Roger Cedeno are going to be demons on the basepaths, and Jose Vidro and Torii Hunter are decent hitters. Not a whole lot of power in the lineup, though, so they'll have to score runs via small-ball. Jeff Weaver leads an innings-eating rotation that may have trouble winning games with their low run suport. *********************************** Paige Division - 1st - DBL Fishbiscuits (Last Season - 40-122, 6th place) Team all-time runs leader: Larry Walker, 1045 Team all-time RBI leader: Sammy Sosa, 1172 Team all-time wins leader: Mike Scott, 66 Team all-time saves leader: Todd Frohwirth, 33 The Fishbiscuits cratered in 2000, but hope to have restocked enough to make a run in 2001. And they restocked in a big way, nabbing impact rookie Albert Pujols in the draft. Pujols will join Larry Walker, Sammy Sosa, Bernie Williamd and Jim Thome in an all-star hitting lineup. Pitching has traditionally been a weakness for the Fishbiscuits, but not this year. Wade Miller, Tom Glavine, Cory Lidle and Brad Penny lead one of the strongest rotations in the league. None of the relievers are name-brand, but they should be able to protect a lead. 2nd - Tualatin Thunder (Last Season - 80-82, T-4th place) Team all-time runs leader: Jeff Bagwell, 1184 Team all-time RBI leader: Jeff Bagwell, 1079 Team all-time wins leader: Steve Avery, 81 Team all-time saves leader: Bobby Thigpen, 91 The Thunder have always been highly praised in the pre-season, but have yet to tie it togther with a division title in Tualatin. Jeff Bagwell and Mike Piazza once again anchor the lineup, and Sean Green, Eric Chavez and Frank Catalanotto should help make sure plenty of runs are scored in Tualatin. Bartolo Colon and Chris Carpenter lead a rotation of guys who can pitch 200 innings, but won't be making any all-star appearances. The bullpen is led by Mariano Rivera, who should finally get his chance to close in his 4th year with the team. 3rd - Springfield Isotopes (Last Season - 113-49, 1st place, CDBL Champs) Team all-time runs leader: Barry Bonds, 1782 Team all-time RBI leader: Barry Bonds, 1720 Team all-time wins leader: Curt Schilling, 136 Team all-time saves leader: Doug Jones, 94 Champions. The Isotopes finally made it to the summit in 2000, winning their first ever title. In defense of their title, the Isotopes will once again have the services of Barry Bonds, who just seems to get better with every year. Gary Sheffield, Mark Kotsay, Miguel Tejada and Rafael Palmeiro make this a lineup that should score plenty of runs. Curt Schilling returns as the ace, but after Joe Mays, the rest of the rotation is batting-practice worthy. Steve Karsay and Jeff Tam are good relievers, but the depth thins out rapidly after that. If you face the Isotopes on the days when Schilling or Mays starts, watch out. 4th - Madison Muckrakers (Last Season - 107-55, 2nd place) Team all-time runs leader: Brett Butler, 806 Team all-time RBI leader: Joe Carter, 871 Team all-time wins leader: David Wells, 108 Team all-time saves leader: Billy Taylor, 76 After winning triple digit games in 2000, the Muckrakers face a different league in 2001. Ivan Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez, Mark Grace and Andruw Jones will help manufacture runs, and David Eckstein and Luis Castillo will help swipe a lot of bases. Eric Milton leads a rotation that will have trouble against the playoff-bound teams, and the bullpen is "OK". 5th - Seattle Decaf (Last Season - 94-68, 3rd place) Team all-time runs leader: Fred McGriff, 815 Team all-time RBI leader: Fred McGriff, 909 Team all-time wins leader: Ken Hill, 98 Team all-time saves leader: Dennis Eckersley, 91 After almost reaching the playoffs last year, the Decaf may find the momentum against them in 2001. Raul Mondesi, Jeromy Burnitz, Fernando Vina and John Olerud will keep pitchers honest. Other than reliever Mike Stanton, the pitching staff won't strike fear into any opponents. 6th - Chicago Black Sox (Last Season - 80-82, T-4th place) Team all-time runs leader: Gary Gaetti, 774 Team all-time RBI leader: Gary Gaetti, 860 Team all-time wins leader: Jack McDowell, 78 Team all-time saves leader: Tom Henke, 76 Vladimir Guerrero may not hold any franchise records yet, but he will. The franchise outfielder is joined by Sean Casey, Ray Durham and Jermaine Dye in the lineup. While the hitting is respectable, the pitching is not -- it will likely be the staff that gives up the most runs in the conference. *********************************** Gehrig Division - 1st - Hong Kong Cavaliers (Last Season - 83-79, 2nd place) Team all-time runs leader: Roberto Alomar, 1165 Team all-time RBI leader: Roberto Alomar, 787 Team all-time wins leader: Pedro Martinez, 125 Team all-time saves leader: Johnny Franco, 98 The Cavaliers feature one of the most punishing hitting lineups in the majors. Roberto Alomar, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Rich Aurilia, Carlos Lee, Pat Burrell and Aaron Boone will help drive up ERAs across the league. Pedro Martinez may struggle through injuries this year, but with the help of Brian Lawrence, Jon Lieber, Jason Johnson and Shane Reynolds the Cavaliers should win plenty of games. Tom Gordon, Ugueth Urbina and Armando Benitez give Hong Kong plenty of options in the bullpen. 2nd - Concord Minutemen (Last Season - 68-94, 5th place) Team all-time runs leader: Jose Canseco, 1051 Team all-time RBI leader: Jose Canseco, 1190 Team all-time wins leader: Jimmy Key, 111 Team all-time saves leader: Bryan Harvey, 56 Talk about punishing lineups! With Moises Alou, Lance Berkman, Bret Boone, Chipper Jones, Fred McGriff and Preston Wilson, the Minutemen are jam-packed with sluggers. The starting rotation is a little shaky, but will have plenty of run support so just need to avoid getting blown out. The bullpen is decent, with Robb Nen, Jason Isringhausen and Felix Rodriguez able to hold out in the late innings. 3rd - Albuquerque Maul (Last Season - 46-116, 6th place) Team all-time runs leader: Albert Belle, 1071 Team all-time RBI leader: Albert Belle, 1155 Team all-time wins leader: John Smoltz, 166 Team all-time saves leader: Gregg Olson, 84 The Maul have put together a squad to make a playoff run this year. Juan Pierre can get on base and steal some runs, and Doug Mientkiewicz, Marty Cordova, Brian Jordan and Craig Biggio are all good hitters with a little bit of power. The rotation is very deep, with Roy Oswalt, Steve Sparks, Kevin Appier and Shawn Estes able to match up with anyone in the league. The bullpen is also one of the best in the league, featuring the likes of Byung-Hyun Kim, Jose Mesa and Norm Charlton. 4th - Topeka Stingers (Last Season - 82-80, 3rd place) Team all-time runs leader: Jeff Kent, 733 Team all-time RBI leader: Jeff Kent, 669 Team all-time wins leader: Charles Nagy, 89 Team all-time saves leader: Dave Righetti, 89 The Stingers are geared to win this year, with Richie Sexson set to have a monster year. Mike Lowell, Paul Lo Duca, Jeff Kent and Paul O'Neill lead a deep and talented lineup. Matt Morris, Russ Ortiez and Javier Vazquez are one of the strongest 1-2-3 in the league. Steve Kline is a solid reliever, but the bullpen lacks a little depth after that. 5th - Encinitas Surfers (Last Season (99-63, 1st place) Team all-time runs leader: Mickey Tettleton, 646 Team all-time RBI leader: Andres Galarraga, 663 Team all-time wins leader: Greg Maddux, 228 Team all-time saves leader: Mark Davis, 50 The league is breathing a bit easier in 2001, as the big 3 starters of Kevin Brown, Greg Maddux and Mike Mussina became the big 2 with the trade of Brown in the off-season. Maddux and Mussina are still as dangerous as ever, but the rest of the rotation (or bullpen) doesn't measure up. Ellis Burks, Jose Hernandez and Matt Stairs will provide some offense but the rest of the lineup will be challenged to scored runs. 6th - Anchorage Gold Diggers (Last Season - 73-89) Team all-time runs leader: Barry Larkin, 936 Team all-time RBI leader: Ken Caminiti, 729 Team all-time wins leader: Brad Radke, 74 Team all-time saves leader: Trevor Hoffman, 131 The days of Barry Larkin and Chuck Knoblauch patrolling the infield are long gone. Mike Cameron, Cristian Guzman and Jose Macias will try to make small-ball work in Anchorage, but the Gold Diggers may struggle to generate runs. John Burkett and Brad Radke are decent starters, but the rest of the pitchers will struggle this year. *********************************** Tiant Division - 1st - Alphaville Cautions (Last Season - 104-58, 3rd place) Team all-time runs leader: Matt Williams, 615 Team all-time RBI leader: Matt Williams, 742 Team all-time wins leader: Roger Clemens, 143 Team all-time saves leader: Lee Smith, 113 The Cautions feature quite a few hitters with some pop. Mike Sweeney, Trot Nixon and Korey Koskie are all 30+ home run threats. Shannon Stewart hits for average, power and can steal a base or two. Al Leiter and Kerry Wood form a solid 1-2 combination in the rotation, and Kazuhiro Sasaki leads a deep and capable bullpen. 2nd - Boston Bulldogs (Last Season - 92-70, 5th place) Team all-time runs leader: Edgar Martinez, 1045 Team all-time RBI leader: Edgar Martinez, 1027 Team all-time wins leader: Randy Johnson, 180 Team all-time saves leader: Jim Gott, 55 After winning 90+ games yet finishing in the lower part of the division, Boston looks to be the team that can keep its winning momentum going. Edgar Martinez is once again a mainstay in the middle, and he'll be joined by Bobby Abreu, Scott Brosius and Carl Everett. Lots of part time role players will contribute to the lineup. Randy Johnson is as good as ever, and Mike Mulder and Chan Ho Park make the Bulldogs rotation a force to be reckoned with. The weak point will be the bullpen, where leads will be a bit shaky heading into the 8th inning. 3rd - Avila Dragons (Last Season - 98-64, 4th place) Team all-time runs leader: Jim Edmonds, 706 Team all-time RBI leader: Alex Rodriguez, 709 Team all-time wins leader: Roger Clemens, 105 Team all-time saves leader: Keith Foulke, 64 An Alex Rodriguez in his prime will make the Dragons always dangerous. Rodriguez has a strong chance to repeat as CDBL MVP. Joining him in the lineup are Jim Edmonds, Kevin Millar and Johnny Damon. Roger Clemens anchors the rotation, and Aaron Sele is a strong #2. The rest of the rotation is iffy. The bullpen is a highlight, with Keith Foulke leading a strong set of relievers. 4th - Dedham Destroyers (Last Season - 109-53, 2nd place) Team all-time runs leader: David Justice, 789 Team all-time RBI leader: David Justice, 837 Team all-time wins leader: Doug Drabek, 143 Team all-time saves leader: Todd Jones, 57 4th place in the Tiant division in 2001 won't be the same as it was in 2000. Todd Helton and Brian Giles are all-star candidates, but other than Richard Hidalgo the rest of the hitters are forgettable. Trevor Hoffman and Jeff Shaw are name-brand relievers, but the rest of the staff certainly won't match the quality of the 109-game winning staff of 2000. 5th - San Diego Rude Dawgs (Last Season - 113-49, 1st place) Team all-time runs leader: Cal Ripken, 1034 Team all-time RBI leader: Cal Ripken, 1145 Team all-time wins leader: Bruce Hurst, 122 Team all-time saves leader: Mitch Williams, 59 5th place in the Tiant division in 2001 won't be the same as it was in 2000. When Bobby Higginson is your best hitter, your team will struggle to score runs. Darryl Kile and Tim Hudson are division-title winning quality starters, but are surrounded by minor-league quality pitchers. 6th - Milwaukee Pilots (Last Season - 59-103, 6th place) Team all-time runs leader: Juan Gonzalez, 971 Team all-time RBI leader: Juan Gonzalez, 1196 Team all-time wins leader: Tom Glavine, 175 Team all-time saves leader: Rick Aguilera, 85 The Pilots made the decision to build for the future in the off-season. Paul Konerko, Jose Cruz Jr, Alfonso Soriano and Jose Cruz Jr will help score some runs, but the pitching staff is a tire fire.