AL west at the quarter pole

Vancouver Vigilantes - Owner: Crump123 2,1,1,1,WC,1 - has been the big dog in the AL west but has made the League championship only once and never has been the the WS. Player Salaries has been around 75M most years, HS/Col Scouting, Adv Scouting, and training have all been kept at 20M for several years. The question is not whether the Vigilantes will make the playoffs but can they advance. The starting pitchers are older than average and time may be running out on the Team. Catcher and SS are an issue with a rule 5 starter at SS and no prospects apparent in the minors at either position. IF the Vigilantes make the WS the games in the national league parks are going to be an issue, but even the AL games are going to offer the opposing pitcher some easy innings. Through 36 games the Vigilantes are in 1st with a 29-8 record and are the likely division winner but with the weaknesses on the team I do not see them progressing to the WS unless they are active in the trade market and willing to give up some future for a better chance in the present. Predicition 1st 106-56 but out no later than the league championship



Las Vegas Outlaws: Owner tmf12 - the once and ? future Kings of the NL west - 1,2,WC,WC,1,WC - Like Vancouver Las Vegas has 5 trips to the playoffs with not league championships to show for it. At 25-12 they appear headed for another playoff trip - but will it be with the same result? The team can hit (2nd in runs scored), field, and pitcher (3rd in ERA). They are a mixture of veterans who will begin to fade soon and younger stars. The minors are average and well balanced but there are not any budding superstars that could fill in for an injury to a major player. An injury in the starting pitching will send the Outlaws scrambling. If they can avoid injury they do not have the holes in the line up that the Vigilantes have and are a better bet to get to the league championship and even the World Series. Prediction 102-60 WC and out by the league championship (unless they meet Vancouver in which case the go to the WS).



Anaheim Arch Angels: New owner kcg67 - 3,3,3,3,3,3 - Kcg67 could have a multiyear challenge to get out of third and into the playoffs. Unless he gets very aggressive expect a 7th straight year in the 3 hole for Anaheim. With a cut player budget and beefing up the scouting and training the rebuilding process has started, but it could be a chore. There are pieces in the minors but by the time some of these players are ready for the ML some of the present quality MLers will be fading. This observer thinks kcg67 needs to go one way or the other - youth or experience -he could go with youth and try to shed a couple of older players for some AA/AAA ML prospects. Unfortunately there are a dozen other teams that wish to do the same thing. So maybe he should gamble and try to pick off a few quality players and go for the last WC - at 18-19 he is tied for the last WC. Prediction: If kcg67 goes for it and makes a couple of trades for quality he takes down the last WC - if not another "3" on the record.

Santa Cruz Manresa Boys: Newer Owner rockindock -4,4,4,4,4,4- The salary is down but has more to go. There are a couple of MLers left on the parent club but I'm not sure the ML team would win a 7 games series with the minor leagers. Management could move some of the pitchers up this year but the question would be ?why. All it might do to the ML club is loss some draft slots, but it may be time from the player prospective to get this done. There are some MLers that could help another team now - would management trade them off? present record 13-24. Prediction: 60 - 102 - a couple of drafts and maturing prospects away for respectibility.