Tucson Trolls

The following is a team preview for the Tucson TrollsThe Tucson Trolls are coming off a tough season in which they won 84 games, yet finished 4th in the always competitive AL West. New Manager Felipe Morales is hoping a revamped pitching staff can propel the Trolls into the playoffs. Leading the offense is Silver Slugger and All-Star DH Footsie Lee, coming off a 47 HR, 132 RBI season. OF Tris Erdos is looking to build on a 37 HR rookie year while free agent acquisition and shortstop Bernard Jones is coming off an All-Star season with Memphis. The pitching staff is headlined by veteran closer Tito Tanaka and Season 3 call-up Achilles Rivera, who posted an 8-1 record after his promotion from AAA. The Trolls are counting on rookie Jamie Nixon and free agent Will Perez to improve a staff that finished last season with an abysmal 5.12 team ERA. If Tucson can solidify their pitching and continue their offensive production, they will challenge Las Vegas for the division title.

Syracuse Lions Preview

Coming off back to back playoff seasons, the Syracuse Lions are trying to sustain that high level of play going with four new young stars in the making; SP Doyle Blume, SP Steven Miller, SS Julian Costilla, and CF Alex Dong! The Lions concentration will be to improve their home record from the dismal 37-44 they had in season 3. Improvement in the home record, the infusion of young talent, to go along with stars Doc Carter, Fonzie Hamilton, and Parker Dunn should help the team keep pace with division foe Bosie Spuds. Syracuse has a nice balance of young and old talent, and the team owner is counting on that balance to bring another post season birth. The Amateur Draft this year will be exciting and an important one for the Lions future, they hold 5 picks in the first 39 selections.

Las Vegas Preview!!!!!

Las Vegas Runnin' RebelsWho's In: SP Alexander Gray (4 yrs, $52.5million), RP Mac Lowry (1 yr, $1.9million) re-signed RP Alex Torrealba (1 yr, $4.8million), SP Gary Jenkins (trade with San Juan), SP Greg Riggs (trade with Scottsdale), OF Vic Lee (trade with Scottsdale), P Alton Bartee (trade with San Juan) Who's Out: C Phil Koh (traded to Scottsdale), SS James Sugawara (traded to Scottsdale), 1B/DH Darron Corder (traded to San Juan), RP Devon Stargell (Toronto), RP Norberto Baez (Scottsdale), SP Haywood Lincoln (Madison), 2B Andy Reynolds (Vancouver), SP George Seabol (Tucson)Capsule: The season 4 version of the Las Vegas Runnin' Rebels reloads on the run. After a disappointing defense of their season 2 World Series title that ended in an ALCS 7 game heartbreaker to the Boise Spuds, the Rebels targeted pitching this offseason and they hit the jackpot. Their number 1 target was Alexander Gray and he cost them dearly, to the tune of $52.5 million over 4 years. Also acquired was youngster Greg Riggs and highly paid veteran Gary Jenkins. The pitching staff boasts seven quality starters and hope this gets them back to the Series.The offense returns almost completely intact, losing leadoff man and double machine, Andy Reynolds who left via free agency and young catcher, Phil Koh who was dealt to the Scottsdale Bombers.Outlook: The Rebels own 6 of the first 56 picks due to the departure of some key bullpen parts but hope to continue building up a growing farm system while keeping the big league club competitive. Will these guys be the future of the Rebels or will they be used as trade bait and the trade deadline? Stay tuned, this team should be fun to watch.