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2016-2017 Fall/Winter Season Forecast 

September 29, 2016 (Federal League Wire Service)

         Here's how the editors of South Florida Baseball Report see the races shaping up:

Expansion Division

1. Tri-Cities Tritons
Mgr: Mike Whittaker 
Last Season: 27-13 (1st place, won league championship)
The Story: The Tritons finally captured their first league title, ending the longest championship drought in league history. Almost the entire team returns to see if they can make it two in a row.
Strength: The Water Dwellers have developed the league's best hitting lineup. Jay Warman, Zac Miller, Julian Faria, and Chris Marrero anchor a proficient and prolific offense. A pitching staff built around Eric Silverberg, John Hardardt, Tre Dingus, reliever Orlando Fallas, and newcomer Matt Doron should be among the loop's best.
Weakness: The infield defense is rather inconsistent.
Prognosis: If the Sons of Poseidon get injured pitcher Matt Arlick back at 100%, there may be no stopping them.
Writin' Triton: Veteran Andy Ruiz called it a career after helping the Tritons to a long awaited championship. To replace Ruiz's versatility, the Water Dwellers re-acquired veteran Jay Auriemma from the Twins.

2. Davie Goliaths
Mgr: Tony Krahwinkel 
Last Season: 18-22 (4th place)
The Story: The Philistines handed the reins to Tony Krahwinkel last season, but were unable to translate their initial optimism into the win column with sufficient regularity. Despite one of the league's best rosters, the G-Men missed the playoffs. The bulk of the fault cannot be laid at the feet of the new manager, as several of the team's top players had off-seasons.
Strength: The top of the lineup, featuring Eduardo Del Toro, Anthony De Filippis, Jehiel Russo, and Krahwinkel is as solid as any in the league. The mound staff, led by newcomer Seth Natal, Paul Tunink, Chad Wright, and veteran Jason Lipoff should be a bright spot. Outfield defense should be above average.
Weakness: Who will play shortstop? Who will play second base? The Goliaths are loaded on the corners, but have huge holes in the middle infield.
Prognosis: The Goliaths have enough pitching and power to be contenders, but they start the season with more questions than answers.
Goliath Grunts: The Goliaths will begin the season without former all-star infielder Vijay Patel. The loss of Patel may have a ripple effect that costs the team down the stretch.

3. Hollywood Stars
Mgr: Matt Leban
Last Season: 27-13 (2nd place, lost in Play-in Round)
The Story: Under new manager Leban, the Stars took a giant leap in stature, as well as in the standings. Third baseman Ishy Demoya won the triple crown, but remains unsigned heading into the opener.
Strength: The Stars have, perhaps, the loop's top pitching duo in Leban and fireballing Yamil Rivera, providing that Rivera is signed by opening day. The middle of the order, with Demoya (if he plays), Teo Zorrilla, Adrian Giraldo, Ryan Gordon, and newcomer Zach Swanson is expected to be productive. Outfield defense is strong.
Weakness: A reliable leadoff hitter is not immediately apparent. First round draft pick Bryan Charry could be the answer, but has yet to sign with the club. As a result, shortstop is also a question mark.
Prognosis: The Stars may take a small step back this season, unless the can upgrade a few positions as the season progresses.
Star Shines: Catcher Aaron Morris abruptly retired and moved to Canada, perhaps as a political protest.

4. Margate Sentries
Mgr: Dave Munguia 
Last Season: 20-20 (3rd place, lost in semi-finals)
The Story: The Sentries survived an incredibly inconsistent campaign, as well as the death of stalwart Ray Ubiera to make a deep playoff run. 
Strength: The Sentries will have some power. Rob Wiley, Phil Laufman, Alex Rodriguez, Lawrence Weissman, Paul Gonzalez, and Jason Jones tote some productive lumber. Cody Stauble is a solid table setter.
Weakness: The pitching staff has some standouts, particularly reliever Felix Martinez and reliable veteran Joe Feller, but, taken as a whole, does not appear to among the league's best. With shortstop Dave Marquez holding out, middle infield defense may be a huge cause for concern.
Prognosis: If the Gatekeeper offense can produce at a high enough level, they may be able to climb in the standings. Unfortunately, the odds are that the offense may not be able to produce enough to off set the pitching deficiencies. 
Sentry Posts: In addition to Marquez, outfielder Sammy Diaz was also absent from pre-season camp, as was pitcher Pete Ginter. These could be key losses. Veteran lefty Bob Westheimer may not have retired, but he appears to be sitting out this season.

 

Original Division

1. Broward Cubs
Mgr: Mike Robbins 
Last Season: 28-12 (1st place, lost in Championship Final series)
The Story: Last season, the Cubs reaffirmed their dominance over the Senior Circuit, before falling one game short of the league title. With the core of the team returning, the Bruins should, once again, lead the pack.
Strength: Any pitching staff that can send Best Pitcher Award winner Chad Volbert to the mound for a regular turn, has, by definition, a strength. However, the real key for the Cubs may be their powerful and balanced lineup. Led by veterans Roberto Galvez, Jamie Bobrow, Kenny Perez, Robbins, and Omar Garcia, as well as newcomer Ramluis Machado, the Cubs should have a decent offense again. When all-star Ricky Quintero returns to action from a broken thumb suffered in the Championship Final Series, the Cubbies should really take off.
Weakness: With Ray Pereira on the inactive list, the Bruins lack depth behind catcher Michael Robbins.
Prognosis: While the Cubs might not have as strong a roster as they did last season, there remains enough quality to expect another championship run.
Cub Cribs:
Certain first ballot hall of famer Keith Nicoll announced his retirement at the end of the last season. Will he remain retired? Consider that Brett Favre is one of his all-time favorite football players.

2. Sunrise Sunsets
Mgr: Brandon Hull 
Last Season: 15-25 (2nd place, lost in semi-finals)
The Story: After a less than inspired regular season, the Twilighters stumbled in, and out, of the playoffs. Manager Hull retooled the roster and there exists enthusiasm and optimism in Sunrise.
Strength: The Sunsets should have a pretty strong pitching staff if free agent Michael Cimilluca signs on as expected. A staff centered around Cimilluca, Ryan Thompson, Tommy Tritz, Andrew McCarty, newcomers Tremaine Wright and AJ Fidalic, and Ted Maceda would be as good as any in the league.  
Weakness: Team defense remains the squad's biggest question mark, but if highly touted shortstop Nick Areta lives up to his potential, this negative could turn into a positive. The catching corps still has a lot of uncertainty.
Prognosis: The Sunsets should pitch well, and have some power with sluggers like Thompson, Tritz, and Demetrio Green. Speed should be in abundance with Areta, Jimmy Schariest, Cal Menechio, and Ronnie Rocca. If Cimilluca is onboard, this could be a championship club.
Sunset Grillings: Injured former all-star catcher Chris Price is hopeful of making a mid-season return after missing most of last season.

3. Hallandale Twins
Mgr: Burke Fox 
Last Season: 11-29 (4th place)
The Story: Despite a season plagued by dissension, the Twins came into the final few days of the campaign with a chance to reach the playoffs, That bid fell short and, as a result, the Twins purged their roster of there strongest dissenters. 
Strength: The Twins could wind up with one of the best pitching staffs in the league. Righties like Ryker Faircloth, Enrique Ortega, and (if he gets signed as expected) Manny Abreu will join lefty Joe Adair in a deep, albeit relatively inexperienced, mound corps. A revamped lineup with all-star Cameron Perry, vastly improved Chris Thompson, powerful Jeff Lynch, and promising rookie Louis Pagan could be a surprise.
Weakness: Brutal team defense, particularly in the infield, has been the squad's Achilles' heel for two seasons in a row.
Prognosis: The Twins have an opportunity to climb in the standing if the pitching staff lives up to its pre-season billing. If not, the team may sit out the playoffs again.
Twin Peeks: The Twins broke camp determined to acquire yet another pitcher in a trade.

4. Delray Beach Mudcats
Mgr: Gus Maestrales 
Last Season: 14-26 (3rd Place, lost in Play-In Round)
The Story: What started with so much promise, ended abruptly with a play-in round loss. Despite a roster filled with former league all-stars, the Whiskered Fish slogged through a disappointing campaign. The 'Cats rebuilt their team via the trade market in the hopes of returning to contender status.
Strength: The team should have tremendous power. Peter Maestrales, Luis Rodriguez, newly acquired Cory McEwen, Jarrod Rubinstein, new catcher Ubaldo Urruitia, and centerfield prospect Keean Pritchard will form a formidable middle of the order. Second baseman Chris Jones could inherit the leadoff spot after a good rookie season.
Weakness: The team's pitching staff lacks depth. Gus Maestrales and McEwen are both innings eaters, but neither have produced winning seasons lately. Veteran Doc Guida and a recycled Zac Chernin head a thin bullpen. 
Prognosis: If they hit like they are capable, they have a chance to challenge for a post-season berth.
Mudcat Musings: October 11 will be the first opportunity for new Mudcats, and former Twins, Cory McEwen and Doc Guida, to face their old team.

 










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