1993 CDBL PREVIEW "Your Mileage May Vary" ******************************************* Gehrig Division Preview: 1. Manhatten Beach Mashers (Last Year: 112-50, 1st in division, CDBL Champs): Last year's champs look to defend their title. The lineup is potent with Kevin Mitchell, Harold Baines, Paul O'Neil, Rick Wilkins, and Rickey Henderson. Mark Portugal and Tom Candiotti pack a 1-2 punch in the starting rotation, and Danny Jackson and Cal Eldred round out a good rotation. The bullpen is a little weak, but Jesse Orosco should do OK as closer. 2. Arkham Investigators (Last Year: 105-57, 2nd in division): The Investigators and Mashers have been the top two teams for years now, and 1993 will be no exception. Ken Griffey Jr, Wally Joyner, Reggie Sanders and Robin Ventura will provide plenty of pop, and Tony Phillips is one of the best leadoff hitters in the league. Jose Rijo, Kevin Appier and Danny Darwin lead one of the better starting rotations in the league. The bullpen is not especially deep, but with this lineup it is not that big of a problem. The Mashers will have to bring their A game if they want to maintain their spot at the top of the Gehrig division. 3. Elk Grove Trout (Last Year: 86-76, 3rd in division): The Trout have 2 of the better top of the order hitters in the league in Lenny Dysktra and Gregg Jefferies. Tony Gwynn is another. The team as a whole hits for a high batting average, if not for a lot of power. Alex Fernandez, Chuck Finley, Ben McDonald and Pedro Astacio form one of the best rotations in the league. Donn Pall and Mitch Williams are above average relievers. 4. California Kamados (Expansion Team): This team is geared to win now. Lou Whitaker, Julio Franco, Mike Macfarlane and Al Martin are all guys who are good at driving in runs without having to depend on the homer. Tino Martinez, Mark Whiten and Phil Plantier provide the longball. The starting rotation is the shining beacon on the team. Billy Swift, Terry Mulholland, Tommy Greene, Jamie Moyer and Chris Bosio form an elite rotation. Duane Ward is one of the better closers out there. 5. Shoeless Joe's (Last Year: 72-90, 5th in division): In a division with so many heavyweights, it can be hard to contend. But the Shoeless Joe's will still try. The lineup has some decent hitters, featuring Brett Butler and Delino Deshields at the top, and Rafeal Palmeiro and Tim Salmon in the middle knocking them in. Eric Hanson and Pat Hentgen are good starters, and Charlie Hough, Jack Armstrong and Charlie Leibrandt round out a rotation that could surprise. Gene Harris is the leading candidate for closer. 6. Point Lomas Friars (Last Year: 81-81, 4th in division): A bit of sadness, as this is the first year the Friars are without the services of Ryne Sandberg. But Tim Raines is still here and as good as ever. Luis Gonzalez and Otis Nixon help add to the speed based attack. Acquisition Ramon Martinez is a solid ace, and Greg Hibbard is a decent #2. Jay Howell is a solid candidate for closer. Some nice overall talent, but may need some more star power to contend in this division. ******************************************* Paige Division Preview: 1. Dewey Beach Lush (Last Year: 94-68, 2nd in division): Expert draft picking in earlier seasons continues to pay off. Frank Thomas, Gary Sheffield, Craig Biggio, Larry walker and Sammy Sosa are all young stars who will only get better. Armando Reynoso, Kevin Gross and Greg Harris will benefit from all of the run production. Mike Perez, Graeme Lloyd and Matt Turner are all decent relivers. 2. Tualatin Thunder (Last Year: 64-98, 5th in division): Jeff Bagwell and Mike Piazza give the Thunder a 1-2 punch in the order for the next 10 years. Bernard Gilkey, Jeff King and Ryne Sandberg add to the offense. What will really drive this team to success is the pitching. Sid Fernandez, Doc Gooden, Steve Avery and Pete Harnisch make up one of the best rotations in the game. Robert Hernandez, Norm Charlton, Xavier Hernandez and Tom Henke make up one of the best bullpens in the game. This is a team on the rise, and they are doing it with pitching. 3. Springfield Isotopes (Last Year: 102-60, 1st in division): Ah, Barry Bonds in his prime. That would help any team. But the Isotopes also have Mark Grace, Jeff Blauser, Dave Hollins and Greg Vaughn to help crank out the runs. Curt Schilling is a winner, and Dave Fleming and Kevin Tapani flesh out the rotation. The Isotopes may need to look for closing help as the season progresses, as nobody really stands out in the current crowd. 4. DC Riots (Last Year: 79-83, 3rd in division): The Riots have sluggers that are ready to roll. Fred McGriff, Chris Hoiles, and Charlie Hayes can all hit it out of the park. Lance Johnson is a speedster who should score lots of runs at the top of the order. Ken Hill, Roger Pavlik and Jason Bere provide quality if not quantity innings in the starting rotation. Jeff Russell and Larry Andersen provide quality relief innings. 5. Largo Longshots (Last Year: 67-95, 4th in division): Mike Greenwell, Jim Eisenreich and Moises Alou lead a doubles-heavy hitting attack. Jack McDowell should be in prime form as the staff ace. Jim Abbott and Greg Swindell round out the rotation. John Wetteland should be among the premier closers in the league on this above-average pitching staff. 6. White Rock Mighty Pugs (Last Year: 57-105, 6th in division): 1 more year of rebuilding? Eddie Murray and Joe Carter are mighty bats, and Luis Polonia adds speed on the basepaths. Mark Langston and Bobby Witt are solid starters, but the bottom half of the rotation is iffy. Jim Gott is a quality closer, but the trading of Ramon Martinez in the off-season may indicate they are looking to rebuild for one more year. ******************************************* Aaron Division Preview: 1. Ocean Beach Surfers (Last Year: 98-64, 1st in division, GT Conf Champs): Andres Galarraga, Mickey Tettleton and Danny Tartabull provide the RBI opportunities, and Joey Cora and Walt Weiss provide the tablesetting abilities at the top of the order. Greg Maddux, Orel Hershiser and Kevin Brown lead one of the best rotations in the league. Bullpen is solid if unspectacular, but that's not a requirement with this squad. 2. Topeka Stingers (Last Year: 65-97, 3rd in division): Mo Vaughn, Ron Gant, Dante Bichette, Marquis Grissom, Jeff Kent, you gotta love the batting talent on this team. Wilson Alvarez is a legit ace, and the rest of the rotation is capable. Mike Henneman, Roger McDowell and Mel Rojas are all closer quality. If Ocean Beach can't cut it this year, look for Topeka to win the division. 3. Albuquerque Maul (Last Year: 65-97, 3rd in division): Lots of heavy hitters like Dean Palmer, Albert Belle, Travis Fryman and Kent Hrbek. Runs will come in bunches (or not at all). John Smoltz and Donovan Osborne are decent starters, but the rest of the rotation will be patchwork. A bevy of part time relievers means they'll always have someone for late night innings but perhaps nobody to lead the league saves category. 4. Boulder County Trustafarians (Last Year: 91-71, 2nd in division): Not a whole lot of power, but John Kruk, Barry Larkin, Chad Curtis, David Hulse and Chuck Knoblauch will just have to single in a lot of runs. Juan Guzman, Jose Guzman, Kenny Rogers and Frank Tanana are all workhorse starters. Jeff Montgomery will be an ace closer. 5. San Franciso Samurai (Last Year: 64-98, 5th in division): Supreme 2B Roberto Alomar leads the little lineup that could. Ellis Burks, Brady Anderson and Orestes Destrade will look to manufacture runs. Frank Viola is the ace of the present, while superstar in waiting Pedro Martinez could be a super closer in 1993. After those 2 the pitching gets a little thin. 6. Concord Minutemen (Last Year: 58-104, 6th in division): Where did you go, Jose Canseco? The multi year MVP is injured this year. Carlos Baerga, Kirby Puckett, Troy Neel and John Jaha provide 20 homer power. Bryan Harvey is an uber closer, and Jimmmy Key is a worthwhile ace. After Key, the starting pitching gets really suspect. ******************************************* Tiant Division Preview: 1. Orange Whoop (Last Year: 82-80, 3rd in division): The Whoop have some significant firepower this year. John Olerud could win a battle crown at first base. The outfield of Juan Gonzales, Kenny Lofton and Jay Buhner could be the best in the league. Tom Glavine and David Cone lead a solid rotation. Bob Tewksbury is a great #3. Rod Beck and Rick Aguilera lead a solid reliever corps. 2. Boston Bulldogs (Last Year: 97-65, 1st in division): Paul Molitor and Darren Daulton lead an offense that's heavy on the doubles, not the homers. Randy Johnson is coming into his own, and the Bulldogs hope the rest of the staff gels together. Greg McMichael is as good of closer as anyone in the league. 3. San Diego Stars (Last Year: 71-91, 5th in division): Bobby Bonilla and Pete Incaviglia are the big boppers in this lineup. Robby Thompson and Cal Ripken provide some punch in the double play combination. Darryl Kile leads a starting rotation that will look to win through run production, but the 9th inning should be a done deal with Gregg Olson as the closer. 4. First Coast Riders (Last Year: 81-81, 4th in division): Matt Williams and Cecil Fielder provide power at the corner fielding positions. Dave Winfield adds some thump in the outfield. John Burkett and Andy Benes provides workhorse innings, but curiously Roger Clemens will have a down year. Mark Eichhorn leads a solid and capable bullpen. 5. Dedham Destroyers (Last Year: 91-71, 2nd in division): Alan Trammell is the team's best pure hitter, although David Justice will be the one getting the most headlines with his home run bombs. After Doug Drabek, the starting rotation is a little iffy, and the bullpen is a little sparse this year. 6. Avila Dragons (First year expansion team): This first year expansion team will struggle as it prepares for future success. Chili Davis, Will Clark and Eric Young are the bright spots on offense.