Team Review: Newark Sugar Bears

The Sugar Bears had a historic season. What more can you say? They crushed their way into the playoffs and stomped through the playoffs, winning their unprecedented fourth straight title. The Sugar Bears have had as close to a perfect season as could be expected in the DMBL.

What went right: Um, everything. The offense was legendary, the bullpen was great. The starting rotation was solid. The team won 118 games, for crying out loud! Jim Edmonds and Marlon Anderson had career years, and I mean ridiculous career years. Cla Meredith had a tremendous year in the bullpen and Javy Vazquez seemed to awaken from the dead.

What went wrong:



So anyway, the Sugar Bears will be the target of everyone's "A" game in 2008. Can they win five in a row? Can anyone stop them?

Team Review: New Jersey Team Buddah

As a first year team, New Jersey had low expectations...and met them. The Buddahs finished third from the bottom.

What went right: The starting rotation really wasn't all that bad for a bottom dweller. Jose Contreras was pretty decent for most of the season and Tom Gorzelanny showed signs of being a solid starter. First round pick Joel Zumaya and Bobby Jenks anchored a solid bullpen. Ichiro Suzuki compiled another 200-hit season and rookie Yuniesky Betancourt had an impressive rookie campaign.

What went wrong: The closer position was a mess. Todd Jones blew twelve saves after taking over for the ineffective Bob Wickman midway through the season. Perhaps not coincidentally, Team Buddah led the league in losses after leading after seven innings with 14. The offense was pathetic, ranking 13th in OPS (.728) and 13th in runs created (743).

We'll give Team Buddah a pass in their first year of existence, but it is still unclear what their plans are for 2008. Trading their marketable talent for prospects may be a good idea.

Don't forget to vote!

Seeing as yesterday was election day, I'll use this opportunity to remind everyone to vote for post-season awards. Vote for the top six for the Mitchell (hitter) and McDonald (pitcher) awards and the top there for the Listach (rookie of the year). Voting is open for about another two weeks, so time is running out.

Since 2001, the total votes for post-season awards has averaged just over six votes, with 2003, 2005, and 2006 all maxing out at seven votes. This year we're hoping we can get into the double digits at least.

Look for Zane Smith's World Series recap article to hit the site either today or tomorrow. Finally, we'll know the answer to the burning question - "who won this year's Bud Black (World Series MVP) award?"

Team Review: Matthew's Mighty Men of Marietta

The Mighty Men faced the daunting task of taking on the steamroller known as the Sugar Bears in the DMBL World Series. Still, it has to be considered a successful season. The Mighty Men played in the Series for the second time in franchise history and the first time since 2000 when they were the Jerusalem Rabbis.

What went right: The Mites' offense was probably second only to the Sugar Bears. Wes Helms and Ray Durham had career years. Derek Jeter, Jim Thome, and Todd Helton all had great years and Matt Diaz and Wily Mo Pena had breakout seasons. Francisco Liriano had a McDonald-worthy season, as well as a likely Listach award. Mike Mussina and A.J. Burnett were solid. The bullpen was top notch - with future Hall of Famers Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman joined by late-season acquisition B.J. Ryan.

What went wrong: They had to play the Sugar Bears. You can't say much else went wrong for the Mites. Sure the team never really settled on a fifth starter and Jeremy Sowers was only so-so as the fourth. If you really want to be picky, we'll pick on Morgan Ensberg going 3-27 (.111 average). You suck, Morgan!

The Mighty Men made a strong push to win it all in 2007 and they may end up paying for it in 2008. Still you have to say it was worth it for Marietta.

Team Review: Las Vegas Rat Pack

It was clear from the beginning of the season that the Rat Pack would not contend, so they sacrificed the 2007 season and focused on rebuilding the roster for '08.

What went right: The Rat Pack did in fact gain the top draft position for 2008 and are looking poised for a rebound season. Joe Mauer had another great season and the club made a good deal to bring Matt Holliday in from D.C. Mark Teixeira and Chris Young were solid despite being surrounded by inferior support.

What went wrong: While the Rats ended up with the worst record in the league, that wasn't necessarily a negative. Oliver Perez tied the single season record with 21 losses. The bullpen and rotation were atrocious. Joe Blanton and Jhonny Peralta regressed.

The Rats roster was always in flux in 2007 so they never really did develop a chemistry. The Rats do believe that the rebuilding effort will be a success next season, so it remains to be seen if 2007 was truly a lost season or a successfull one.

Team Review: Honolulu Sharks

After missing the playoffs last season, the Sharks reclaimed their spot in the playoffs in 2007, giving them four playoff appearances in the last five years. The Sharks were pretty steady all year, staying in a playoff spot for most of the year. They ended up winning 86 games and tying with Hoboken for fourth overall.

What went right: The Sharks were a pretty balanced team - decent offense and a decent pitching staff. Rookie Jered Weaver was solid and Jeff Francis was a surprise for the Sharks. Jason Schmidt won 17 games somehow, despite poor peripheral numbers. Veterans Jason Giambi, Jermaine Dye, and Miguel Tejada all had very good seasons, while youngsters Adrian Gonzalez and Brian McCann had breakout seasons.

What went wrong: The obvious target here is the bullpen. Closer Tom Gordon was a disaster, blowing 11 saves and compiling a 5.50 ERA. The usually dependable Roy Oswalt got off to a rough start and ended up with a disappointing 5.20 ERA, though he did end up winning 12 games. The Sharks never did really find a fifth starter as both Kenny Rogers and Cliff Lee were poor.

If the Sharks had a better closer or a dependable fifth starter, they probably could have won a few more games last year. Look for the Sharks to upgrade their bullpen in 2008.

Team Review: Hoboken Cutters

The Cutters have to be happy with their season this year. Butch's Sims picked Hoboken as the second worst team in the league and the Swami picked them to finish middle of the pack. The Cutters ended up tied for fourth in the league with the Sharks with an 86-76 record, tying their previous franchise best in 2002.

What went right: The offense really clicked. Miguel Cabrera led the team with a .363 average, .989 OPS, 50 doubles, and 114 RBIs. Josh Bard and Chris Duncan had breakout seasons. Trades for Greg Norton, Brandon League, and Wes Littleton helped bolster the team. Vicente Padilla had a good year atop the rotation (12-6, 4.35 ERA).
What went wrong: Hoboken had a lot of youngsters in key roles, so it was not a surprise that not all of them panned out. Ian Kinsler, Hanley Ramirez, and Mike Jacobs were just alright at their respective positions and will need to bring their games up to the next level. Scott Kazmir and Boof Bonser are promising, but need a little seasoning. The idea to split Isringhausen's closer role was a good one as Izzy showed signs of losing it (5.69 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, but 11 of 12 in save situations).

Hoboken made a nice run, but they needed just a little bit more to be taken serious as a playoff contender. The youngsters needed to step up, but you really can't fault anyone considering the low expecations of this team early on. Manager Wally Backman earned that new contract extension this year.