The end of the season is a tale of two seasons. The first season is for the teams that made it to the playoffs, and they generally spend their time looking over what went right, and what could have gone better. The other teams, well, they are already thinking of next season and trying to figure out how much is really going to change from this year to the next. Do I hope for the best, or do I make some much-needed adjustments.
In order to help teams be a bit more realistic about their chances, the writers at the Commish’ Office are including a brief overview of every team and where they stand if they were to play the 2016 season with the same roster they ended with in 2015.
Robinson Division
1. Montreal — 69.4
2. Bristol — 60
3. Ottawa — 49.7
4. Beaconsfield — 34.9
Montreal’s strong hitting sets this team apart from Bristol with a 41.3-33.6 edge. Bristol needs to pick up two bats for the OF to really make an impact in the order of finish. Starting pitching is just about equal with Montreal having the easier time improving on what they have.
Ottawa has some solid pieces but their starting staff is not as strong as last years, which really made the difference. How things could have been different had Ottawa used their pick for Sydengaard instead of trading him away for retired Prince Fielder.
And Beaconsfield, here is hoping they find the right path up the standings. They are one of the most aggressive teams in the league and they have been stockpiling picks, so here’s hoping they can draft the right players.
Jenkins Division
1. North Bay — 63.5
2. Langley — 55
3. Hamilton — 41.1
4. Waterloo — 40.1
North Bay remains in the top spot, but for how long? Langley will no longer be bottom feeding and hoping for the top pick. Hamilton needs to drastically rebuild as does Waterloo.
North Bay remains strong, with only a dire need of a 3B to replace the injured Mike Moustakas and the Trappers are sure to compete within this division. Langley has a chance to overtake as they have the most holes to fix. They have no bullpen so look for them to add some quality arms and add a few bats to improve. Their pitching staff is pretty solid as well. Hamilton looks to be planning for a rebuild and will make some serious moves to build up youth. Waterloo, lacks two quality arms and a pen. They could fight it out for third in their division. They certainly have some great trading bait of they become serious rebuilders.
Frobel Division
1. Sacramento — 70.7
2. Yorkshire — 59.5
3. Sao Paulo — 56
4. Nassau — 45.2
Sacramento thought they had a legitimate shot last year, and they would be correct in thinking so, but so did Sao Paulo and Yorkshire. This season, Sacramento will think the same, but thy start off the season as the favourite and everyone else is just a contender. Yorkshire has some stockpiled talent going into the draft and could be moving players to make their run. Sao Paulo has always relied on a few extra bats to perform and they could find them. Nassau freely admits that they are taking their playoff building plans from the Toronto Maple Leafs. That means, it may be another 49 years until Nasaau competes, but as long as there is a chance, MacPhail will be happy.