A.L. NORTH PREDICTIONS

Portland Rogues 1st A.L. North Last Season: 96-66

The Portland Rogue enjoyed their 1st A.L. North Division Title under manager Ridney and what a season it was that saw the Rogue beat not 1, not 2 but 3 100 win teams in the playoffs in route to the franchises first World Series berth. The Rogue kept the nucleus of their team intact and bolstered their bullpen by adding Garrett Duff and Julian Ozuna. All-Star Emmett Chiasson leads the offense by slugging 50 Home Runs and totaling 122 RBI's last season. The Rogue pitching staff have the luxury of pitching in a pitcher's park and Spud Logan took advantage of that by going 12-5 and posting a 4.09 ERA last season. Logan hopes to better those numbers to help lead the Rogue to their 2nd straight Division title. Solid hitting and solid pitching should keep the Rogue on top of the Division and like last year, anything can happen in the playoffs.

Prediction: 93-69 1st A.L. North

KEY LOSSES: Angel Zurbaran, Efrain Woodson

KEY ADDITIONS: Julian Ozuna - FA, Garrett Duff - FA

Montreal Mallards 2nd A.L. North Last Season: 78-84

The Mallards fell just short of finishing .500 last season and a lot of the problem had to do with poor pitching. The Mallards signed 4 free-agents to try to solve their pitching woes. Most notable is Gene Hague who signed a 4 year 41 Million dollar contract and the Mallards are hoping he is worth every penny. Hague is leaving one hitters park, where he posted a 31-40 record and a 5.42 ERA over 3 seasons, to go to another hitters park. The Mallards are hoping Hague's numbers improve but past results say the Mallards just spent a ton of money on wishful thinking. Offensively, Douglas Quinn and Mike Taylor both drove in 100 runs and hit over 20 Home Runs last season but the Mallards are lacking a true power bat as no one hit 30 Home Runs for them last season. The Mallards lack of power and average pitching in a hitters park are not a good combination and will leave the Mallards again falling short of .500.

Prediction: 71-91 4th A.L. North

KEY LOSSES: Victor Javier, Cesar Abreu , Taylor Guerrero, Wally Blair

KEY ADDITIONS: Dean Duffy - FA, Robert Henderson - FA, Gene Hague - FA , Albert Merced - FA

Seattle Stormbringers 3rd A.L. North Last Season: 77-85

The Stormbringers are looking to turn the corner this season and fight for a playoff spot. Rudy Hernandez and Bob Gunderson hope to continue bashing the ball as they did last season when they combined for 76 Home Runs and 197 RBI's. Seattle shouldn't feel the loss of Fred Seay and his .282 BA and 16 Home Runs as they upgraded with Javier Estrella. Young 25 year old George McPherson paces the pitching staff with his 17 wins last season and 3.92 Era. Health will be the big issue for Seattle and could be the difference in Seattle contending for the Division or staying out of the North cellar.

Prediction: 85-77 2nd A.L. North

KEY LOSSES: Fred Seay .282 BA, 16 HR'S, Herm Banks

KEY ADDITIONS: Nate Soriano - FA, Javier Estrella - FA, Bill Hammond - FA , Bud Case - FA, Benny Lee - CLAIMED OFF WAIVERS

Pittsburgh Pirates 4th A.L. North Last Season: 68-94

The Pirates took a step back last season which was due to their pitching woes. The Pirates only had 3 pitchers with an Era under 5.00. Pitcher Al Romo led the Pirates with 11 wins but is hoping to step up this season and post more wins. Pittsburgh is hoping the addition of Michael Chase will help their pitching problems and lead to more wins this season. I don't think there is a pitcher in Ott that wants to throw to Al Roberts and who blames them with his 40 Home Runs and 132 Rbi's. Robert's is a Rbi machine averaging 132 Rbi's a season in his young career and if he stays healthy will be a shoe in for the HOF. The Pirates have a solid offense that could have them contend for the Division but with the pitching woes, the Pirates will probably be fighting for third in the A.L North.

Prediction: 72-90 3rd A.L. North

KEY LOSSES: Mac Satou, Placido Vega .281 BA, 39 SB, 100 RUNS , Mike Gomes, Jiggs Clontz, Tony Rosado

KEY ADDITIONS: Sid Rivera - PROMOTED, Johnny Tollberg - FA, Michael Chase - FA , Donaldo Maduro - RULE 5, Benji Sanchez - RULE 5