October, 2005

Sneaking a Peak at '06

With the 2005 season in full swing, and so many exciting pennant races still to be decided, it seems foolish to think about anything else but the current season.  But here at "The Desk," we always have an eye on the future.  And with the MLB season wrapping up, and the BDBL season nearing its end, it seems like a good time to take a quick peak ahead to see what may be in store for us in 2006.

Of course, this exercise comes with many caveats.  The BDBL off-season is still eight weeks away, and plenty of things can and will change before Opening Day, 2006.  Teams that appear to have no prayer of competing today may look totally different three months from now.  In fact, last year at this time, in my "Quick Sneak Peak at 2005", I ranked the Wapakoneta Hippos as the 20th-best franchise in the BDBL.  And of the seven teams I rated as "sure-fire contenders," two of them (Manchester and New Milford) are anything but.  So, in other words, take all of this with a giant, Barry-Bonds'-head-sized grain of salt.

Below, I've listed my own version of the "Power Rankings," including the returning players for each team, and the amount of salary committed toward the 2006 season (including players under contract and "Type H" players.)

(Note: the MLB stats listed below are as of 9/29.)

"Sure-Fire Contenders"

1. Villanova Mustangs

Returning players: Edgardo Alfonzo, Garrett Atkins, Eric Byrnes, Morgan Ensberg, Johnny Estrada, Travis Hafner, Brian McCann, Reggie Sanders, Chris Snyder, Nick Swisher, Brandon Backe, Joe Blanton, Neal Cotts, Jesse Crain, Zach Greinke, Mike Hampton, Rich Harden, Dontrelle Willis
Committed salary: $27.1m

After what seems like a never-ending rebuilding period, the Villanova Mustangs could finally be in a position to compete in 2006.  With Willis (229+ IP, 2.59 ERA), Harden (126 IP, 2.57 ERA) and Blanton (195+ IP, 3.55 ERA) in the starting rotation, and Crain (78 IP, 2.31 ERA) and Cotts (59 IP, 1.98 ERA) in the bullpen, they certainly have enough pitching.  Hafner (.300/.407/.587), Ensberg (.287/.390/.567) and Sanders (.268/.338/.535 in 284 AB) give them a solid foundation upon which to build an offense.  They could also have a Draft Day budget of around $35 million, which would certainly push them in the right direction.  Of course, all of that money would only help them if they actually spend it this year...

2. Nashville Funkadelic

Returning players: Wilson Betemit, Jorge Cantu, Lew Ford, Ken Griffey, Ryan Howard, Tad Iguchi, Phil Nevin, Jose Reyes, Brian Schneider, Ichiro!, Jack Wilson, Paul Byrd, Bartolo Colon, Eddie Guardado, Shiggy Hasegawa, Kaz Ishii, Jason Marquis, Joe Nathan, Derrick Turnbow
Committed salary: $35.1m

Ever so quietly, the Funkadelic have assembled a very impressive team for the 2006 season.  Their lineup, featuring Cantu (.287/.311/.500), Griffey (.301/.369/.576), Howard (.283/.350/.550 in 300 AB), Iguchi (.278/.343/.431) and Ichiro! (.298/.345/.432), looks complete already, even before any free agent acquisitions.  Their starting rotation includes three full-time quality pitchers: Colon (217+ IP, 3.51 ERA), Byrd (204+ IP, 3.74 ERA) and Marquis (201 IP, 4.03 ERA).  And their bullpen includes not one, but three closers in Nathan (68 IP, 2.78 ERA), Guardado (54+ IP, 2.82 ERA) and Turnbow (65+ IP, 1.79 ERA).  This team could sit out the draft and they'd still be competitive.  Instead, they'll spend upwards of $20 million to improve themselves even more.

3. Corona Confederates

Returning players: David Bell, Mike Cameron, Austin Kearns, Julio Lugo, Joe Mauer, David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Noah Lowry, Brett Myers, Horacio Ramirez, John Smoltz
Committed salary: $37.1m

It won't take long at all for this franchise to get back to the top of the division.  After a one-year hiatus, it looks like the Confederates are in good position to make another run at the playoffs in '06.  Ortiz (.296/.392/.600) and Ramirez (.287/.382/.573) are the Ozzie League's version of Bonds and Pujols.  It will be difficult to find a better pair of hitters batting back-to-back in any OL lineup next season.  Mauer (.299/.375/.418), Lugo (.295/.359/.404) and Cameron (.273/.342/.477 in 308 AB) provide ample filler.  And Smoltz (229+ IP, 3.06 ERA), Myers (208+ IP, 3.71 ERA) and Lowry (198+ IP, 3.90 ERA) give Corona one of the better rotations in the league.  All this team needs is a bullpen; and $25 million should be enough to buy a pretty good one.

4. New Milford Blazers

Returning players: Jason Bay, David Eckstein, A.J. Pierzynski, Alfonso Soriano, Greg Zaun, Chris Crapuano, Justin Douchesharer, John Grabass, Danny Haren, Aaron Small, Jared Washburn
Committed salary: $11.9m

With the core of players New Milford is carrying over into 2006, there is no longer any excuse for poor performance.  The Blazers' starting rotation, featuring Haren (217 IP, 3.73 ERA), Washburn (175+ IP, 3.23 ERA), Crapuano (213+ IP, 3.96) and Small (69+ IP, 3.25 ERA), is as strong as any team in the BDBL.  Bay (.306/.400/.561), Eckstein (.292/.363/.396) and Soriano (.268/.306/.510) provide a strong foundation for the offense.  And Douchesharer (83+ IP, 2.26 ERA) gives the New Milford bullpen a legitimate stopper.  Add into the equation the fact that this team will have roughly $48 million to spend this winter -- more than any other team in the BDBL -- and the Blazers should dominate the Ozzie League in 2006.  Let's put it this way: After the stunt they pulled this year, they'd better dominate.

5. Akron Ryche

Returning players: Russ Branyan, Chone Figgins, Ryan Freel, Brian Giles, Jonny Gomes, Mark Kotsay, Jhonny Peralta, Scott Rolen, Cory Sullivan, Jason Varitek, Bronson Arroyo, Mike Gonzalez, Pedro Martinez, Matt Miller, Oliver Perez, David Riske, Jeff Weaver
Committed salary: $57.8m

Usually, the strength of the Akron Ryche lies in their pitching staff, but in 2006, the Ryche look to be a formidable offensive powerhouse.  The starting lineup features two players whose moms don't know how to spell "Johnny" -- Peralta (.292/.365/.519) and Gomes (.288/.380/.547 in 333 AB) -- surrounded by the likes of Giles (.304/.427/.489), Kotsay (.279/.326/.418), Varitek (.279/.367/.487), Sullivan (.293/.343/.386 in 365 AB) and Figgins (.288/.346/.393).  This lineup is so strong, they won't even miss Rolen (.235/.323/.383 in 196 AB).  On the mound, Pedro (217 IP, 2.82 ERA) leads the way for Akron for the eighth year in a row, backed by Arroyo (204+ IP, 4.54 ERA) and Weaver (224 IP, 4.22 ERA).  The bullpen trio of Gonzalez (47+ IP, 2.83 ERA), Riske (70 IP, 3.21 ERA) and Miller (29+ IP, 1.82 ERA) should provide good quality at a low cost.  With nearly a full roster, the Ryche won't need to spend very much money this winter -- which is a good thing, since they don't have much money.

6. Chicago Black Sox

Returning players: Jose Castillo, Darin Erstad, Khalil Greene, Vlad Guerrero, Aubrey Huff, Victor Martinez, Neifi Perez, Aramis Ramirez, Jose Vidro, Vernon Wells, Jeremy Bonderman, Kevin Brown, Mark Prior, Ben Sheets, Brandon Webb
Committed salary: $52.1m

It looks as though we may have another Hrbek Division dogfight on our hands in '06.  The Black Sox, as usual, carry a formidable lineup into the 2006 season: Guerrero (.317/.392/.565), Huff (.261/.320/.427), Ramirez (.302/.358/.568), Wells (.272/.320/.469), Martinez (.305/.377/.476) and Vidro (.275/.339/.424 in 309 AB).  The rotation is among the best in the BDBL at this point: Sheets (156+ IP, 3.33 ERA), Bonderman (189 IP, 4.57 ERA), Webb (222 IP, 3.57 ERA) and Prior (166+ IP, 3.67 ERA).  The only missing ingredient is a strong bullpen.  But with roughly $10m in spending money, a stable full of tradeable prospects, and a prime tie-breaking position, the Black Sox should have no trouble filling that void.

7. Marlboro Hammerheads

Returning players: Moises Alou, Tony Clark, Troy Glaus, Ryan Klesko, Eli Marrero, Jimmy Rollins, Tom Gordon, Craig Hansen, Tim Hudson, Brian Shouse, Brett Tomko, Carlos Zambrano, Barry Zito
Committed salary: $63.5m

Trying to predict what the Hammerheads roster will look like five months from now is as foolish as trying to predict what next week's winning lottery numbers will be.  As it stands today, the 2006 Hammerheads look very strong.  The rotation includes three solid starters in Zambrano (216+ IP, 3.33 ERA), Zito (221+ IP, 3.74 ERA) and Hudson (192 IP, 3.52 ERA).  And the bullpen features a capable closer in Gordon (79+ IP, 2.50 ERA).  The offense has an excellent foundation in Alou (.322/.403/.517), Clark (.307/.368/.643 in 345 AB) and Glaus (.262/.365/.533).  The problem is that, with $63.5m in committed salary, there isn't much room here for improvement.

8. Sylmar Padawans

Returning players: Craig Biggio, Casey Blake, Carl Crawford, Bobby Crosby, Brandon Inge, Lyle Overbay, Juan Rivera, Danys Baez, Kris Benson, A.J. Burnett, Zach Day, Roy Halladay, Jason Jennings, Ray King, Bobby Madritsch, Francisco Rodriguez
Committed salary: $37.1m

In Halladay (141+ IP, 2.41 ERA) and Burnett (209 IP, 3.44 ERA), the Padawans have a one-two punch in their starting rotation that is rivaled by few other teams heading into the off-season.  With a bullpen fronted by Rodriguez (65+ IP, 2.62 ERA) and Baez (72+ IP, 2.86 ERA), and a solid lineup featuring Crawford (.301/.331/.469), Biggio (.264/.325/.464), Inge (.256/.326/.412), Crosby (.276/.346/.456 in 333 AB) and Overbay (.280/.373/.459), Sylmar should have no trouble competing in what could be another two-team race in the Griffin Division.  They will have holes to fill at catcher and second base, but otherwise, this team is good to go.

"Still Have Some Work to Do"

9. Allentown Ridgebacks

Returning players: Marcus Giles, Carlos Guillen, Todd Helton (??), Bobby Kielty, Felipe Lopez, Larry Walker, Felix Hernandez, Roy Oswalt, Aki Otsuka, Jake Peavy, Glendon Rusch
Committed salary: $42.6m

With a rotation that includes Oswalt (235+ IP, 2.86 ERA) and Peavy (203 IP, 2.88 ERA), and a Draft Day budget that could be in the neighborhood of $35 million, the Ridgebacks should be in good position to compete once again.  But with $26 million tied up among Guillen, Walker and Helton (assuming Helton is not released with a $5m penalty), the R-Backs will have to spend wisely, as they have many holes to fill.  Giles (.293/.366/.465) and Lopez (.291/.350/.479) form a solid duo in the middle of the lineup, and Guillen (.323/.372/.438 in 331 AB), Walker (.285/.379/.482 in 309 AB) and Kielty (.261/.350/.395 in 372 AB) fill out the lineup nicely, though they are limited in usage.  The back of the rotation and bullpen will need help as well.  If past history is any indication, however, this team's financial outlook will be vastly different by Cutdown Day.

10. Great Lakes Sphinx

Returning players: Carl Everett, Scott Hatteberg, Derek Jeter, Kevin Millar, Justin Morneau, Lance Niekro, Corey Patterson, Chad Tracy, Fernando Cabrera, Freddy Garcia, Jon Garland, Dustin Hermanson, John Maine, Chad Orvella, Andy Pettitte, J.C. Romero, C.C. Sabathia
Committed salary: $52.6m

The Sphinx were counting on big 2006 contributions from Morneau (.237/.304/.432) and Patterson (.218/.255/.353) this year, but it looks like they'll have to wait at least one more year for that.  Instead, Great Lakes' big investment in Chicago White Sox pitchers paid off big-time with the performances by Garcia (221 IP, 3.91 ERA), Garland (214+ IP, 3.53 ERA) and Hermanson (55+ IP, 2.11 ERA).  With Pettitte (215+ IP, 2.42 ERA) and Sabathia (188+ IP, 4.20 ERA) also having strong years, this could be the best pitching staff this franchise has owned since the days of Tim Zigmund.  Offensively, Jeter (.310/.391/.449) continues to carry the load, while Everett (.248/.308/.432) and Millar (.274/.355/.402) contribute very little to the rest of the offensive core.  Unfortunately for Sphinx fans, this team doesn't have much of a budget for improvements this winter, so -- barring trades -- what you see is what you'll get in '06.

11. Las Vegas Flamingos

Returning players: Jeromy Burnitz, Johnny Damon, Javy Lopez, Tino Martinez, Hideki Matsui, Erik Bedard, Doug Davis, Jon Lieber, Chien-Ming Wang
Committed salary: $29.1m

With Davis (217+ IP, 3.85 ERA), Bedard (139+ IP, 3.74 ERA), Lieber (211+ IP, 4.22 ERA) and Wang (109+ IP, 4.02 ERA), the Flamingos nearly have a full pitching rotation heading into the draft, which is always a nice starting point.  They also have a full starting outfield with Damon (.315/.363/.441), Matsui (.300/.362/.482) and Burnitz (.258/.323/.439.)  With roughly $30 million to spend on free agents, the Flamingos will need to fill all four infield positions (excluding catcher) and their bullpen.  To do so, they'll need to stretch every dollar of their roughly $30 million budget.

12. Atlanta Fire Ants

Returning players: Bobby Abreu, Ryan Church, Coco Crisp, Ray Durham, Jeff Francoeur, Joe Randa, Miguel Tejada, Chad Cordero, Jason Frasor, Jaret Wright
Committed salary: $30.3m

If the Fire Ants had any pitching at all, they would easily be ranked among the "Sure-Fire Contenders."  As it stands today, the Ants head into 2006 with a pitching staff of just Cordero (74+ IP, 1.82 ERA) and Frasor (71+ IP, 3.27 ERA.)  That's the bad news.  The good news is that their offense -- led by Abreu (.290/.409/.481), Tejada (.308/.354/.524), Francoeur (.306/.343/.565 in 248 AB), Crisp (.305/.350/.473), Durham (.290/.358/.427) and Randa (.276/.336/.453) -- is very strong, and nearly complete.  Atlanta can concentrate most of their budget on starting pitching this winter and be in good shape.  Because they need so many innings, however, they may have to spread out that budget as thinly as possible, forgoing the aces in favor of the inning-eaters.

13. Ravenswood Infidels

Returning players: Russ Adams, Michael Barrett, Larry Bigbie, Robinson Cano, Adam Dunn, Mike Lowell, Luis Matos, Placido Polanco, Jim Thome, Tom Glavine, Bung-Hole Kim, Danny Kolb, Brad Penny, Johan Santana, Shingo Takatsu, Ron Villone
Committed salary: $51.3m

Any team with a $3.5m Johan Santana has a chance to compete.  With Santana (224+ IP, 2.92 ERA), Glavine (202+ IP, 3.69 ERA), Kim (142+ IP, 4.87 ERA) and Penny (175+ IP, 3.90 ERA), the Infidels have a very nice rotation for 2006.  Offensively, Cano (.294/.318/.458), Dunn (.253/.394/.549) and Polanco (.334/.386/.453) are all studs.  The biggest obstacle for the defending champs is the $15.5m allocated to sinkholes Thome (.207/.360/.352 in 193 AB) and Lowell (.235/.296/.360).  Unfortunately for them, there is not enough money left in the budget to spackle over those holes in the roster.

14. Silicon Valley CyberSox

Returning players: Clint Barmes, Adrian Beltre, Ben Broussard, Hee Seop Choi, Brady Clark, Adam Everett, Orlando Hudson, Carlos Lee, Yadier Molina, Luis Rivas, Chris Carpenter, Giovanni Carrara, Ryan Drese, Keith Foulke, Danny Graves, Trevor Hoffman, Sunny Kim, Braden Looper, Odalis Perez, Nate Robertson, Carlos Silva, Huston Street, T.J. Tucker
Committed salary: $67.6m

The good news for CyberSox fans is that they could field an entire 25-man active roster next year solely with the players they are carrying over from this season.  The bad news is that -- at a league-high $67.6 million in committed salary -- this team doesn't have much room for improvement this winter.  Of course, a lot can happen between now and Cutdown Day, and this team has the potential to be extremely active in the trading market this winter.  Offensively, Lee (.266/.325/.493), Clark (.308/.373/.427), Choi (.257/.339/.460 in 315 AB) and Barmes (.294/.337/.435 in 333 AB) form the heart of the lineup at the moment.  The CyberSox need only one more outfielder and they'd have a full starting lineup.  On the mound, Carpenter (241+ IP, 2.83 ERA) should be a Cy Young contender next season, while Silva (188+ IP, 3.44 ERA, 9 BB's) and Robertson (189+ IP, 4.41 ERA) provide solid rotation filler.  In the bullpen, Street (77+ IP, 1.63 ERA) is a stud, while Hoffman (56+ IP, 3.02 ERA), Carrara (74 IP, 4.01 ERA) and Looper (59+ IP, 3.94 ERA) provide ample setup abilities.

"Still Have a LOT of Work to Do"

15. Wapakoneta Hippos

Returning players: Mark Bellhorn, Barry Bonds, Matt Holliday, Kaz Matsui, Albert Pujols, Tony Womack, Ezequiel Astacio, Shawn Chacon, Steve Kline, Brad Lidge, Tomo Ohka, Jon Papelbon, John Patterson
Committed salary: $32.2m

Now that they've officially dodged a $20.5 million bullet, the Hippos will have plenty of money to put toward defending their division title next year.  With Pujols (.329/.427/.602), the Hippos always have a nice offensive centerpiece to build around.  The rotation, led by Chacon (151 IP, 3.40 ERA) and Patterson (192+ IP, 2.90 ERA), also has a solid foundation, and Lidge (67+ IP, 2.13 ERA) gives the team a ready-made closer.  All this team needs is six more quality batters in the lineup, three more quality starters and a couple of quality setup men and they'd be in business.  With roughly $30 million to spend this winter, they'll need to stretch every dollar.

16. South Carolina Sea Cats

Returning players: Hank Blalock, Tony Graffanino, Dan Johnson, Nick Johnson, Andruw Jones, Jason LaRue, Scott Baker, Gustavo Chacin, Matt Clement, Juan Rincon, Kenny Rogers
Committed salary: $27.0m

With the Johnson Brothers, Nick (.293/.410/.488 in 443 AB) and Dan (.281/.362/.464 in 360 AB), manning first base, Blalock (.265/.319/.435) at third, and MVP candidate Jones (.264/.347/.579) in center, the Sea Cats are in good shape offensively.  On the mound, Chacin (195+ IP, 3.82 ERA), Clement (186 IP, 4.50 ERA) and Rogers (189+ IP, 3.42 ERA) represent a solid foundation of starting pitching, while Rincon (75+ IP, 2.50 ERA) gives the bullpen a legitimate stopper.  With roughly $35 million to spend this winter, the Sea Cats could buy their way into contention ala 2001.

17. Salem Cowtippers

Returning players: Lance Berkman, John Olerud, Jay Payton, Dave Roberts, Ivan Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, Joe Borowski, Marcos Carvajal, Bruce Chen, Greg Maddux, Chris Ray
Committed salary: $33.5m

With the injury to Berkman (.297/.413/.521 in 455 AB) and the horrific lack of plate discipline by Rodriguez (.278/.292/.448), the Salem offense is going to need some major help this winter, despite the presence of Teixeira (.298/.376/.571).  With Roger Clemens departing via free agency and Barry Zito departing via ill-advised trade, the Salem rotation currently consists of Cliff Lee Chen (191+ IP, 3.86 ERA) and Maddux (219+ IP, 4.18 ERA).  And with Mariano Rivera heading to the auction, the Salem bullpen is left with just Ray (38+ IP, 2.58 ERA), Borowski (45+ IP, 3.97 ERA) and Carvajal (53 IP, 5.09 ERA).  More and more, 2006 is looking like a rebuilding year in Salem.  But then, maybe you've heard that one before.

18. Cleveland Rocks

Returning players: Ronnie Belliard, Joe Crede, Damon Hollins, Jacque Jones, Matt LeCroy, Kenny Lofton, Brad Wilkerson, Rafael Betancourt, Kiko Calero, Ryan Dumpster, Craig Dingbat, Adam Eatme, Scott Elarton, Kyle Farnsworth, Casey Fossum, Cliff Chen-Lee, Arthur Rhodes, David Wells, Bob Wickman
Committed salary: $18.0m

Every year, it seems as though the Rocks head into the off-season with a fully-stocked pitching staff and a completely barren offense.  2006 will be no exception.  The starting rotation -- Lee (202 IP, 3.79 ERA), Eaton (121+ IP, 4.51 ERA), Wells (177 IP, 4.47 ERA), Elarton (179+ IP, 4.51 ERA) and Fossum (160+ IP, 4.65 ERA) -- is all but set.  The bullpen features the entire Cleveland Indians bullpen -- Betancourt (65+ IP, 2.88 ERA), Rhodes (43+ IP, 2.08 ERA) and Wickman (60 IP, 2.55 ERA) -- plus Calero (54+ IP, 3.29 ERA), Dumpster (90 IP, 3.20 ERA) and Farnsworth (68 IP, 1.99 ERA).  That's more than enough arms for one 'pen.  With just $18 million tied up in committed salary (the second-lowest total in the BDBL), the Rocks will have gobs of money to spend on Draft Day.  And it's always fun when the Rocks have gobs of money to spend on Draft Day, isn't it?

19. Southern Cal Slyme

Returning players: Torii Hunter, Geoff Jenkins, Derrek Lee, Edgar Renteria, Willy Taveras, Josh Beckett, Jose Contreras, Brad Halsey, Esteban Loaiza, Joel Pineiro, Jon Rauch, Ervin Santana, Jose Valverde.
Committed salary: $27.4m

Despite the presence of the guy who could very well win the 2006 EL Babe Ruth award, Derrek Lee (.339/.422/.668), I have a hard time picturing this team in contention in '06.  This team has a good starting rotation, fronted by Loaiza (217 IP, 3.77 ERA), Beckett (178+ IP, 3.38 ERA) and Halsey (160 IP, 4.61 ERA).  But aside from Lee, the offense is extremely thin, and there are a lot of holes to fill in the infield and bullpen.  With around $30 million to spend this winter, the fate of this team rests upon how that money is spent.

20. New Hope Badgers

Returning players: Eric Chavez, Adam Kennedy, Bengie Molina, Grady Sizemore, Daniel Cabrera, Jorge Julio, Eric Milton, Carl Pavano, Victor Santos, Michael Wuertz, Chris Young
Committed salary: $21.6m

This team will likely part ways with Milton (179+ IP, 6.62 ERA) and Pavano (100 IP, 4.77 ERA), which would cost them a $3 million penalty.  Getting rid of those two would leave them with a rotation of Cabrera (161+ IP, 4.52 ERA), Santos (141+ IP, 4.57 ERA) and Young (164+ IP, 4.26 ERA).  Wuertz (73+ IP, 3.91 ERA) is currently the team's only reliable reliever, as "Jerk" Julio (69+ IP, 5.81 ERA) has once again disappointed.  With Edmonds bolting to free agency, Chavez (.271/.331/.470) is the new building block of the offense.  Kennedy (.303/.357/.374), Molina (.294/.332/.448) and Sizemore (.294/.353/.494) provide good filler in the lineup, but there are lots of holes to fill here.  Fortunately for Badgers fans, their team has plenty of funny money to throw around this winter.

"Is It Too Early to Build for 2007?"

21. Kansas Law Dogs

Returning players: Carlos Beltran, David DeJesus, Nick Green, Ken Harvey, Eric Hinske, Reed Johnson, Adam LaRoche, Magglio Ordonez, Mike Sweeney, David Wright, Jeremy Affeldt, Miguel Batista, Zach Duke, Aaron Harang, Ryan Madson, Chad Qualls, Todd Williams
Committed salary: $32.7m

Once again, the Law Dogs will be looking to add quality pitching this winter.  The rotation currently consists of Harang (211+ IP, 3.83 ERA) and Duke (77+ IP, 1.85 ERA), while the bullpen consists of Batista (74+ IP, 4.00 ERA), Qualls (77+ IP, 3.36 ERA), Madson (86+ IP, 4.07 ERA) and Williams (74 IP, 3.41 ERA).  Unlike past years, the Law Dogs offense does not look very strong at this point.  Aside from Wright (.306/.387/.512), there are no impact studs here.  Even Beltran (.270/.334/.420) had an off season.  There are just too many holes here to fill, and not enough money with which to fill them. 

22. Manchester Irish Rebels

Returning players: Miguel Cabrera, Sean Casey, Jose Guillen, Jeff Francis, John Halama, Scott Kazmir, Rodrigo Lopez, Brad Radke, Mike Timlin, Kerry Wood.
Committed salary: $45.9m

On the plus side, the Rebels will be welcoming back Cabrera (.324/.385/.563), who will be earning only $1.6m in 2006.  On the minus side...well, everything else.  As of this moment, Manchester will be paying $25 million for Nomar Garciaparra (.276/.316/.453 in 214 AB), Wood (66 IP, 4.23 ERA) and Casey (.312/.371/.423).  That doesn't leave much money with which to fill the gaping holes in the rotation, lineup and bullpen.  While the Irish Rebels have a shortage of spending money this winter, there is certainly no shortage of tradeable prospects and players on the Manchester roster.  If "Trader Jim" can work some magic this winter, Manchester's stay in first place in 2006 may last longer than it did in '05.

23. Los Altos Undertakers

Returning players: Miguel Cairo, Carlos Delgado, Cliff Floyd, Jason Lane, Rafael Palmeiro, Eduardo Perez, Chris Shelton, Rickie Weeks, Ryan Franklin, Aaron Heilman, Robinson Tejeda, Dave Williams
Committed salary: $18.3m

Great pitching has been a trademark of this franchise since its birth, but as of this writing, the Undertakers' team ERA hovers around 5.00.  Unfortunately for Undertakers fans, it doesn't appear that will improve any time soon.  To rebuild this pitching staff, the Undertakers would either have to spend a ton of money and/or trade a lot of top prospects, and I just don't see either one happening at this point in their success cycle.  The more likely option is that GM Paulson gives Jared Weaver, Edwin Jackson, Adam Miller, Jeremy Sowers et al another year to develop, building the staff from within.  Offensively, Delgado (.302/.400/.587), Floyd (.274/.357/.505) and Shelton (.298/.361/.511 in 372 AB) give the Undertakers a fighting chance of competing, but run-scoring (as always) will be tough in that ballpark.  On the plus side, the Undertakers currently rank third in the BDBL in available spending money.

24. Bear Country Jamboree

Returning players: Jeff Cirillo, Jody Gerut, Luis Gonzalez, Chipper Jones, Carlos Pena, Scott Podsednik, Alex Rodriguez, Richie Sexson, Sammy Sosa, Kevin Youkilis, Jason Isringhausen, John Lackey, Scott Munter, Ramon Ortiz, Dan Wheeler
Committed salary: $47.4m

Sorry, Bear Country fans, but I just don't see this team contending any time soon.  On the positive side, I also don't see this team losing 100 games next year.  Unlike this year, this team has some decent pitching in Lackey (204 IP, 3.53 ERA), Isringhausen (57 IP, 2.21 ERA) and Wheeler (69+ IP, 2.34 ERA), and the offense now features Sexson (.260/.367/.541) backing up Rodriguez (.319/.421/.610).  Jones (.292/.406/.547 in 353 AB) and Gonzalez (.272/.365/.460) also had decent seasons.  But Gerut (.253/.330/.347), Sosa (.221/.295/.376 in 380 AB) and Pena (.238/.330/.480) all took a step backwards, and this team still needs to fill too many holes in the rotation and lineup to be considered seriously at this point.