Monterrey Stars

Monterrey Stars

The Unbeatable

The Stars just won there fourth World Series victory in the last five season. This team is truely a dynasty. The Stars will once again be in the running to win the World Series but I really think the rest has really caught up with him talent wise. Without further ado, let’s introduce you to your Season 9 Monterrey Stars:

Offense

1. LF Vin Cordero (29 years old) - Cordero is not your typical lead-off hitter as he will probably hit around 40 homeruns once again this season. Last year Cordero stole more bases for the Stars then anyone one has in years with 17. Cordero last season hit .293/.340/.549.

2. C Cookie Pena (32 years old) - Pena came over from Atlanta last season and the switch to the National League didn't slow him down at all. The only thing that has held Pena down has been his stamina has going beyond 100 games a season is a stretch. Pena numbers from last season where .341/.411/.627.

3. 1B Mike Bonds (26 years old) - After his MVP preformance, Bonds followed up with one of the best seasons just not another MVP season. Bonds had his fourth straight year of 60 or more homeruns even though he had the fewest homeruns since his rookie year. Last year Bonds went .306/.391/.642.

4. RF P.T Valdes (23 years old) - The Tijuana Crusher P.T Valdes crushed 37 homeruns in just 259 at bats. Would have probably won Rookie of the Year if he had played a whole season. Hague hit .328/.392/.826.

5. 3B Frank Surtain (29 years old) - Surtain was really struggling in Atlanta last season but once he came to Monterrey he really started like he did a couple seasons ago. Surtain should put up a nice season in his first full in Monterrey. Last year Surtain hit .249/.311/.448.

6. SS Clem Barkley (29 years old) - Barkley had a really off year last season hitting his lowest average since season 5 and his lowest runs scored since season 4. Look for Barkley to have nice bounce back this season and come close to career highs. Barkley hit .267/.346/.485.

7. CF Rondell Lowe (27 years old) - There is probably nothing that puts more fear into a pitcher then having to face Lowe in the seventh spot in the order. Lowe hit over 50 homeruns for the third straight season but saw is batting drop to a career low. At 27 Lowe is hitting is peak, so the rest of the league should watch out. Lowe hit .250/.316/.594.

8. 2B Brain Turner (32 years old)- The homeruns hitting machine of the Stars don't even take a break in the eigth hole. Turner in any another lineup would be a number four or fifth hitter but for the Stars he's just another power hitter. Turner last season hit .264/.350/.494.

Players coming off the bench will be veteran, spot-starter Cy Ryan (33 years old), backup catcher Brooks Surtain (26 years old) and pitch-hitter Stone Taylor (22 years old).

Pitching

SP1- Wilson Fisher (31 years old) - Fisher won 23 games for the second straight season but something just really seemed off with Fisher last season. His 84 earned runs and 28 homeruns was the first since season 4. Fisher during the off-season really reditacted himself into becoming the best pitcher in the league once again this season.

SP2- Wilt McGee (33 years old) - At the age of 32 years old, McGee set a career high in wins last season. Since he was traded to Monterrey in season 6, McGee has gone 37-15 and if he can stay on that track he could approach 200 victories for his career.

SP3- Gil Henson (37 years old) - Henson just keeps pitching well evening has his age is getting up there. Henson had a 3.21 ERA last season dropping his career ERA below 4 for the first time. Henson will once again get about 15 wins this season based on his ability to pitch as his abilities are beginning to slip a little.

SP4- Tommie Relaford (31 years old) - After spending eigth seasons in the Pioneers system, Relaford was trading to the Stars last into season last year. In his seven starts Relaford pitched really well even though he went 4-2 for the team. Look to Relaford to have a career year has he will finally have an offense to provide runs and wins for him.

SP5- Tom Smith (23 years old) - The Rookie of the Year had one of the finest season any rookie could ever have. Smith went 21-2 in his 29 starts and if he could repeat this preformance this season, he could see a Cy Young award hanging next to the Rookie of the Year award.

Closer- Donnie Washington (28 years old) - Believe it or not but Washington only had 25 saves last season. The reason for this is that the Stars are in so few close games that it's rare for any closer on the team to pile up the saves.

Los Angeles Galaxy

Los Angeles Galaxy

The Western King

The Galaxy won there fifth National League West division crown last season but once again really couldn't do anything in the playoffs. The Galaxy really tried to make moves this off-season to not only win the division but make a run in the playoffs as well. Without further ado, let’s introduce you to your Season 9 Los Angeles Galaxy:

Offense

1. CF Khoury Glass (33 years old) - Glass made his return to Los Angeles last season where he had trouble getting a ton of at bats finishing the season with only 349 at bats. Glass was excited about returning to the starting lineup once again promising the fans of Los Angeles that he's going to return to his glory years this season. Glass last season hit .298/.364/.433.

2. 2B Odalis Montanez (31 years old) - Montanez really saw his numbers take a huge drop last season. Montanez really needs to improve on his 57 RBI effort last season and get is average around his mark of .280. Montanez numbers from last season where .255/.352/.409.

3. RF Glenn Matheson (27 years old) - Matheson came over near the beginning of last season and had one of his finest season for the Galaxy. Look for Matheson to once again be in the race for the National League MVP. Last year Matheson went .319/.377/.618.

4. LF Lewis Hague (24 years old) - It's the simple fact that if Hague would have had a better average of .258 he might have won the Rookie of the Year award. Hague is just another great young hitter that the Galaxy just seem to bring up every season. Hague hit .258/.349/.531.

5. 1B Antonio Frye (30 years old) - Frye continued his streak of a great season to a below season with the below season coming last season. Look for Frye to bounce back and do what he always does and have a great year this season. Last year Frye hit .258/.324/.403.

6. C Ricardo Ramirez (33 years old) - Ramirez wasn't getting any playing time while he was he was in Monterrey but once he got traded to the Galaxy he proved why is one of the best offensive catchers in the league hitting 12 homeruns in just 75 games for the Galaxy. Ramirez hit .311/.360/.486.

7. 3B Arnold Buchanan (26 years old) - Buchanan came off the bench last season after getting the starting job the during season 6 and 7. Buchanan should really become a man on mission this season to earn back his starting spot. Buchanan hit .253/.309/.402.

8. SS Archie Hitchcock (26 years old)- After spending five years in Tacoma, Hitchcock went Galaxy hoping that his luck could change. Hitchcock put up the same offensive numbers he's put up in his career but really improved his defense having a career low in errors with 23. Hitchcock last season hit .225/.293/.365.

Players coming off the bench will be veteran, pinch hitter Heath Fitzgerald (35 years old) and backup catcher Robin Lily (26 years old.

Pitching

SP1- Bartolo Rosado (30 years old) - Rosado always found winning games tough in the league until the team came to Los Angeles. Since the move Rosado has a 29-13 record with his ERA well below 4. Look for his numbers to come close to last season numbers with his wins improving a little.

SP2- Aaron Hernandez (26 years old) - Hernandez rookie season was a huge success for the Galaxy. Hernandez will get a full season in the rotation and with the teams history should get around 15 wins with around 200 innings pitched.

SP3- Daisuke Lui (31 years old) - No one really knows what happened to Lui last season for the Beefpound but pitching just over 100 innings and having a 5-11 record really hurt his chances of returning to the team. The Galaxy really knew how much he loved living in the Los Angeles area so it wasn't a big sell sign a contract with them.

SP4- Butch Magee (26 years old) - You can't ask any more from a rookie then what Magee did for the Galaxy last season. It's amazing that a rookie could win 20 games and not win the Rookie of the Year but Magee is looking to prove that last season wasn't a fluke.

SP5- Peter Baek (37 years old) - Baek was once worth 18 million dollars a season but now at 37, 18 million dollars now is paying alot for a fifth starter. Look for Baek to have a fine season, as the 37 year old arm simply knows how to pitch and sometimes that's all you need.

Closer- Jeremy Morris (39 years old) - The Galaxy loves what Morris brings as a closer even at the age of 39. After losing the closing job a couple of season ago for the Stars the writing was on the wall he wouldn't return once his contract was up and that's what happened this off-season. The Galaxy said he was going to be the closer and he signed a two year contract that day.

Anaheim Beefpound

Anaheim Beefpound

The Return (just not this season)

The Beefpound saw there third straight season where they didn't make it to the playoffs even though they had a winning record. The team this team is very young this season so it could be a struggle to expect the Beefpound to make a return to the playoffs. Without further ado, let’s introduce you to your Season 9 Anaheim Beefpound:

Offense

C Alex Franco (29 years old) - Franco had a really nice year last season setting career highs in at bats, hits, homeruns, RBI's and batting average. Franco is also one of the toughest catchers to steal against as you threw out 26 attempts last season. Last year Franco hit .280/.338/.440.

1B David Taylor (27 years old) - Taylor seemed to take a small step back last season setting career lows in most offensive catergorys. Taylor should bounce back as it always seems with a young player once they get there bad year out of the way they really start playing well after that. Taylor numbers from last season where .262/.324/.418.

2B Ezdra Martin (26 years old) - Martin was traded from the Headhunters during the off-season and the team is really excited about what they think Martin can do this season. Beefpac told me he didn't know how Martin wasn't in the majors all ready but they where more then happy to get him.

SS Don Guerrero (24 years old) - Guerrero really seems to puzzle me and probably the Beefpound as well. Guerrero really seems to be struggling offensively but the team hopes that keeping him at one position instead of seven like last season will improve those numbers. Guerrero hit .239/.94/.273.

3B Danny Stratton (26 years old) - Stratton really struggled during his rookie season but coming from HI-A to the major would be a major jump for any player to over come. Also the team is hoping with him as well keeping at one position will hlep him. Last year Stratton hit .229/.315/.431.

CF Juan Amaro (27 years old) - Amaro once again a very solid season, not only with his bat but in the field as well. Amaro will be player centerfield for the first time in his career but I don't think it will be a big problem for him. Amaro hit .306/.361/.461.

LF Gene DeJean (24 years old) - DeJean made his debut about half way through the season and really took off. DeJean might struggle a little this season but a solid season shouldn't really be a surprise to anyone. DeJean hit .331/.404/.431.

RF Vic Robertson (24 years old)- Robertson had a great year last season and will really look to take a big jump in becoming the offensive weapon for this team. Robertson should have no problem getting over 100 RBI's this season. Robertson last season hit .290/.346/.495

DH Bing Kolb (24 years old) - Kolb only played 24 games last season and only hit 2 homeruns but his 117 carreer homeruns in the minors should tell you what Kolb could do in a full season. Expect Kolb to be in the running for Rookie of the Year at the end of the season.

The Bench players for the Beefpound are backup catcher Wascar Ozuna (25 years old), 100 RBI producer from last season Robinson Buckley (27 years old) and big power bat Andrew Stevenson (27 years old)

Pitching

SP1- Miguel Martinez (27 years old) - Martinez had his best season last year setting a career high in innings pitched and ERA. The team will really look for Martinez to be the staff ace this season and help the young offensive in tight games. Injury update: Forearm strain will have Martinez miss his next two starts.

SP2- Herbert Brandt (29 years old) - Brandt set career highs in games started, wins and innings pitched. The only reason Brandt isn't the number one starter for the team is only averaged five innings a start last season and team ace should go more innings then that per start.

SP3- Paulie Yarnall (31 years old) - Yarnall really struggled last season having his worst season eight year major league career. The team really needs Yarnall to find his old form or could Yarnall already beginning the down turn of his career.

SP4- John Wang (24 years old) - Wang will finally be given a chance to be in the starting rotation this season after starting in the bullpen the last couple years before moving into the rotation. Another season with 10 or more wins should be within reach this season as well.

SP5- Steve McIntyre (29 years old) - I really don't know if the Beefpound was desperate for starting pitchers during the off-season but I really don't think they should have signed McIntyre to a 3 year 18 million contract. Since McIntyre had elbow surgrey during season five, he's gone 26-29 with his ERA close to 5.

Closer- Rodrigo Romero (25 years old) - Romero is only 25 years old but is already one of the top closer in the game. Something happen with Romero last season as he had 13 blown saves and an ERA over 5. Could last season just be a hiccup in his career or is it a beginning of a trend?