Turner Field

Strengths: Offensive team with very good starters.  Ortiz (300-47-148) had career highs in HR and RBI in 2005.  Tony Clark, acquired from Miami for 3 picks, smacked 30 HR in 300 + at bats.  Very good in game managing skills, but DMB meltdown a strong possibility this year.  Lock down the silverware!

Weaknesses:  Middle infield is a serious question.  Perez OBP (.298) and 2B platoon may hurt boppers production.

Prediction: 2nd place.  The Rockers have a chance at the postseason in 2006, but they will only go as far as their starting pitching takes them.  In long run, team may not score enough runs to win title.

Simulated Finish:  The Rockers finished 1st in the AL East in the January 31 simulation.  Click here for team stats. 

Petco Park

Strengths: Offense is very good, especially at corner IF.  Giambi will contribute alot to team in 2006.  Excellent closer in Wagner.

Weaknesses:  Midline starting pitching is not very strong.  Capuano decent numbers, but not true ACE.  Schmidt may have better numbers in DMB than in MLB.

Prediction: 1st place.  Okay, I bet everyone is wondering how we could go from last to first in one year.  It won't be easy, but the team from Jersey is ready to make some NOISE!

Simulated Finish:  The Damage finished 2nd in the AL East in the January 31 simulation.  Click here for team stats. 

Minute Maid Park

Strengths: Team is doing a nice job retooling.  Some moves are still to come.  Chacin a quality starter.

Weaknesses:  Offense is a bit weak.  Piazza has seen his better days behind the plate.

Prediction: 5th place.  The trades made by the Devils are clearly pointing to the future.  A year of auto playing some games may be upcoming.

Simulated Finish:  The Devils finished 4th in the AL East in the January 31 simulation.  Click here for team stats. 

Jacobs Field

Strengths: Good power and best prospect in game on team.  Lineup has alot of flexibility with Figgins, Inge and Berkman.

Weaknesses:  OVERUSAGE!  For the second year in a row, the Monnies were the most penalized team in the TBBL.  Team only has 15 pitchers on roster.

Prediction: 3rd place.  The 3rd place finish is about right for this team.  Lack of time may cause Mike to quickly finish up games.  Team is about to get real good however.

Simulated Finish:  The Monnies finished 3rd in the AL East in the January 31 simulation.  Click here for team stats. 

McAfee Coliseum

Strengths: Starting pitching is the clear strength of the team.  Oswalt and Beckett will make teams see K's ring up. 

Weaknesses:  Defense at SS isn't great, and team lacks a bit of power.  Bullpen is a bit of a concern.

Prediction: 4th place.  Will battle it out with Devils all season.  Expect a big trade during the year from this team.

Simulated Finish:  The Paddlers finished 5th in the AL East in the January 31 simulation.  Click here for team stats. 

Rogers Centre

Strengths: Has anyone noticed this bullpen?  Gagne, Jenks and Foulke are top notch closers!  Great job of drafting in October.

Weaknesses:  Not much pop from the lineup.  Team has almost no speed either.  Farm is bare.

Prediction: 6th place.  Mashers will take a year to get into swing of things.  Bright future for team with regards to their pitching.

Simulated Finish:  The Mashers finished 6th in the AL East in the January 31 simulation.  Click here for team stats. 

Great American Ballpark

Strengths: Very well rounded team with power, speed and defense.  Hafner is an animal (.305-33-108)

Weaknesses:  Starters aren't as good as in years past.  Garland may be a one year wonder?  Loss of Gagne may hurt in future years.

Prediction: 1st place.  Rocky will find a way to get his team to the playoffs.  1st place is all the Wildcats know in the TBBL.  Team will be tested though.

Simulated Finish:  The Wildcats finished 1st in the AL West in the January 31 simulation.  Click here for team stats. 

Fenway Park

Strengths: 100 win team from last year capable of repeating win total in 2006.  Power is the best in the AL. 

Weaknesses:  If there is a weakness, its the back of the rotation.  The Big Unit wasn't himself in 2005, but should do better in DMB.

Prediction: 2nd place.  Another battle with their West opponents is coming for the Smackdown.  Has a chance to win AL West, but will need big year from the Unit.

Simulated Finish:  The Smackdown finished 3rd in the AL West in the January 31 simulation.  Click here for team stats. 

Bank One Ballpark

Strengths: Very good OF production with Jones, Jenkins and Wilkerson.  Excellent middle defense as well.  Well put together bullpen.

Weaknesses:  Injury to Rolen will hinder production from 3B.  Power may be at a minimum.

Prediction: 5th place.  This team may be better than I expect, however with the power houses at the top of the division, it's hard to make the Coyotes a playoff team.

Simulated Finish:  The Coyotes finished 5th in the AL West in the January 31 simulation.  Click here for team stats. 

Angel Stadium

Strengths: Pettitte had a career year in 2005.  Rollins a great table setter. 

Weaknesses:  Team lacks a run producer as Helton's numbers have slipped a bit.  Not a great pen, despite having Wise and Heilman.

Prediction: 3rd place.  The Smackdown and Wildcats have been there before, so it's hard to count them out.  The Rats may be the victim of the division this year.

Simulated Finish:  The Rats finished 2nd in the AL West in the January 31 simulation.  Click here for team stats. 

Busch Stadium

Strengths: Pretty good lineup with Castillo and Abreu at the top, followed by Manny and Huff.  Great starting pitching from top to bottom.  May be best staff in league.

Weaknesses:  As most teams in the TBBL, great middle relief is at a premium.  Crain and Jones are good, but the rest of the pen is suspect.

Prediction: 4th place.  The Rangers are a pretty good team and will give TBBL teams problems all year.  A playoff push is very possible for Peter's club.

Simulated Finish:  The Rangers finished 4thin the AL West in the January 31 simulation.  Click here for team stats. 

Tropicana Field

Strengths: Draft picks over the next couple of years (just kidding).  This is a true expansion team, will take a little time to build itself up.

Weaknesses:  Lineup lacks run producers.  Walker retiring opens hole in RF.

Prediction: 6th place.  I don't expect any of the expansion teams to finish ahead of anyone else in their division, so the Miami situation is no different.  Already moving players for picks has this team in the right directions.

Simulated Finish:  The MetallicAts finished 6th in the AL West in the January 31 simulation.  Click here for team stats. 

Miller Park

Strengths: Excellent starting pitching headlined by Willis (XX).  Rd 1 pick Turnbow set to close door.  Ryan Howard a hitting machine at 1B

Weaknesses:  Defense in outfield isn't great with Pierre in CF and White in LF. 

Prediction: 1st place.  This division is a real toss up.  The Confederates have a good balance and a decent pen.  The playoff hunt should be a good one with several teams in division having a chance at the division title.

Simulated Finish:  The Confederates finished 2nd in the NL East in the January 31 simulation.  Click here for team stats. 

Wrigley Field

Strengths: GM can certainly draft young players. Utley is becoming a star in the league and will be centerpiece of team in future.  Zito is one of the best lefties in baseball.

Weaknesses:  As some other NL teams have seen, power is at a minimum.  Encarnacion and Shelton will be counted on to provide run support.

Prediction: 5th place.  Another team with the future on it's mind.  Mike has accumulated a good aaa squad, one that could certainly beat Bobby V's Japanese team!

Simulated Finish:  The Eagles finished 5th in the NL East in the January 31 simulation.  Click here for team stats. 

Yankee Stadium

Strengths: Pitching staff is locked and loaded.  Clemens had best ERA in MLB last year.  A nice New York flavor on team.  Terrific pen.

Weaknesses:  Playing time may be a concern for the Crawdads, but there aren't many weaknesses for this squad. 

Prediction: 2nd place.  Its hard to count out a team with Clemens, Prior and Haren in their rotation.  The Crawdads may be the most balanced team in the TBBL, and should get into the playoffs either via the wildcard or division.

Simulated Finish:  The Crawdads finished 3rd in the NL East in the January 31 simulation.  Click here for team stats. 

Safeco Field

Strengths: Harden and Bonderman are future of teams pitching staff.  Kazmir is also an up and comer.  Great middle of the order power.

Weaknesses:  Missing a