Busy day

Yesterday was a heavy transaction day. The Newark Sugar Bears continued their two-a-day cuts by releasing Doug Mientkiewitzkyovichsteinburgarciaparra and George Sherrill. Vancouver cut David Dellucci, Josh Hancock, and Dioner Navarro. Navarro has already drawn interest on the waiver wire.

D.C. has signed backup catcher Eliezer Alfonzo and cut Xavier Nady. Starting catcher Ronny Paulino breathed a heavy sigh of relief. "Thank you thank you thank you thank you" said a fatigued Paulino in the clubhouse after the game. Paulino was seen relaxing with a large chunk of ice on his knees after playing in the first 24 consecutive games.

Finally Carolina signed veteran second baseman Jose Vidro who was recently signed and released by Arkansas.

Meanwhile the final spring training games have finished. Marietta and Hillsborough finished with the best records in the league at 17-9. Las Vegas finished in last at 8-18 (only one win in their last 10!) followed closely by Vancouver at 9-17. Hoboken finished as the hottest team closing out the preseason, winning their last four and seven of their last nine. Hoboken scored the most runs in the preseason and Philadelphia surrendered the least.

Hoboken had the best offense in the league, scoring 148 runs and compiling a .793 OPS. Hillsborough led the league in homers with 35 and Arkansas topped the league in batting average with .280. Hillsborough and New Jersey swiped the most bases with 18 each.

Speaking of the new clubs, both put in respectable records in the pre-season. New Jersey finished slighly ahead with a 12-14 record and Sardine City was right behind at 11-15. Who knows, maybe we'll see a surprise this year, a la the 1993 Cheyenne Warhawks?

Finally, wrapping up the pre-season pitching... Philadelphia led the league with a 3.22 team ERA. Arkansas led the league in strikeouts (159). Hoboken led all bullpens with 8 saves. Marietta led the league in runners/9 innings (10.6) and D.C. led the league in WHIP (1.13). The Sugar Bears had the worst ERA (4.96).