Pistol's MBL Preview - Capitol Division

Pistol, here! (pictured here with my "staff" outside Giants HQ)
I've been asked to assess the National League for the Home Plate Press. The Boys in Research and I have worked tirelessly to gather information, and much like the "real" Capitol division, disgard it whenever and wherever it serves me most. So, here's what we think the Capitol Division of MBL's NL will look like in 2006.

Will the M's repeat? Can 2 teams play in D.C.?
Was Helen Reddy? Is Shecky Greene? Did Lucille Ball?

Let's find out.....

FLORIDA MARLINS - 1st place
Here's how scary this team may be. If they didn't draft anyone, they still proably win it all.
Their accountant better be in mid-season form. They don't have much cap room.

Strengths- Florida's staring 5 pitchers average 200 innings and may account for all but 1 start; The Four M's - Manny Ramirez, Miguel Cabrera, Michael Young and Mark Kotsay will slug this team to a pennant. Oh, I forgot to mention Jeremia Heridia and Brian Giles.

Weakness- Not much on paper. I could make one up.

Draft Needs - A closer and a LH relief specialist. Then order the champagne.

Prediction - What champagne goes well with Marlins?

SEATTLE MARINERS - 2nd place
If only Ichiro coulda pitched, the Mariners might have won the MBLWS. The M's come to camp with the same good team, but find themselves not favored even repeat as division winners. Ouch.

Strengths - Speed and power. And speed. Great young arms and a tough bullpen. Gets to play 18 games vs. the Nationals.

Weakness - Third base and LF are the two areas where the M's need more production. Will Beckett and Sheets rebound after their WS meltdown? Can Buchanan juggle his sore-armed
staff to victory? Why the hell do I ask so many questions?

Draft needs - An innings eater; Ricky Bottalico's phone number. Quentin McCracken.

Prediction - Heavyweight playoff bout with Marlins at season's end. Torch will be passed.


HOUSTON ASTROS - 3rd place
This team is the MBL version of those old Montreal Expos squads. A great team that hasn't been able to put it all together. Major Tom to Houston: Have Jeff Bagwell Day then spend the 650G's on young pitching. Houston will have to work to make the playoffs again this year.

Strengths - Power and speed. 5 20+ HR guys from last season; Julio Lugo and Willy Taveras could swipe 75 bases; Breakout year for 2b Chase Utley; Tom Gordon, Brad Lidge and Billy Wagner make it lights out after the 7th inning.

Weakness - That being said, their starting pitching is hurting. Oswalt and Hudson then take cover; Erik Bedard is a decent #3 at this stage, but Wade Miller and Gavin Floyd won't cut it
this year.

Draft Needs - A young starter (should always be first on all lists); third base (Sean Burroughs not the answer, but perhaps the question); more starting pitching and LH set up guy.

Prediction - Marlins the kingfish of this division, but the bridesmaid Astros could beat out Seattle for a wild card.


WASHINGTON SENATORS - 4th place
Da Guvnah's been wheelin' and dealin' to make his team a contender this season. They could bash the beisol and be in the wild card mix, but then again....

Strengths - Bashing the beisbol. Real life Rangers Mark Teixeira, Kevin Mench and Hank Blalock with Jhonny Perlata give fans 100 (HR) reason to cheer this year; Chone Figgins speed (62 SB) and versitility; This team can hit...

Weakness - And whiff! 4 guys with over 120 times K'd; No staff ace or top notch closer with Gagne injured; solid but unspectacular starters; stuck in very good division.

Draft Needs - Young starters in the first 2 rounds; a closer;

Prediction - Crap shoot in Capitol Division. Senators better beat up on the weaker teams in the league to have any chance. Probably year away for wild card.


DC NATIONALS - 5th place
The fans better hope the consession food is good or there will be alot of Senators hats in the crowd this season. At least barry Bonds won't have to drive far for any Congressional hearings.

Strengths - Vlad Guerrero and Randy Winn's career year; Ryan Zimmerman's 58 AB's. Chad Cordero's a good young closer.

Weakness - Take your pick. Lots of journeymen. Brandon Inge makes Vinny Castilla look good. When Maddox's arm finally falls off, gonna get real ugly 'round these parts.

Draft Needs - Best young talent available. Period. As unpoular as it would be with the fans, trade Guerrero for as much as you can get, and hope a plague hits the pitchers of all the other teams in this division.

Prediction - The basement.