The Projected wins are based on the % of available roto points multiplied by maximun possible wins, actual wins are taken from standings, but a half win and half loss were added in case of a tie. So what does it mean? Julian has had some rough luch, and Wisconsin has had some great luck. Thought this was an interesting look at the league.

Team		Off	Pit	Tot	% Tot	ProjW	ProjL	ActW	ActL	+/-
Julian		79.0	71	150.0	0.092	88	32	68.5	51.5	-19.5
Heat		87.0	56	143.0	0.088	84	36	77	43	-7
Rangers		58.5	69.5	128.0	0.078	75	45	75	45	0
Slammers		73.0	42	115.0	0.070	68	52	64.5	55.5	-3.5
Carolina		60.5	51.5	112.0	0.069	66	54	57.5	62.5	-8.5
NJ Mets		75.0	36.5	111.5	0.068	66	54	70	50	4
Dallas		30.0	81	111.0	0.068	65	55	56	64	-9
Knoxville		70.5	39.5	110.0	0.067	65	55	69	51	4
Gaylord		41.0	55	96.0	0.059	56	64	51.5	68.5	-4.5
Northside		31.0	63.5	94.5	0.058	56	64	57	63	1
Wisconsin		61.0	32.5	93.5	0.057	55	65	69.5	50.5	14.5
E.S.		25.5	57	82.5	0.051	49	71	50	70	1
Mid Mich		34.0	47	81.0	0.050	48	72	54	66	6
Olivet		18.5	61.5	80.0	0.049	47	73	50.5	69.5	3.5
Miracles		45.0	26.5	71.5	0.044	42	78	48.5	71.5	6.5
Encinitas		26.5	26	52.5	0.032	31	89	41.5	78.5	11.5

Disapointing start

The Slammers front office is frustrated at the teams early performance, and the owner called out starting pitcher Tim Hudson specifically. "That type of performance might have been acceptable back in Dallas, but it won't fly here." With the current injuries to Dmitri Young and Coco Crisp the Slammers have had to turn to Newhan and Matt Murton to help stop the bleeding.

In other news the players the Slammers have traded away have been off to hot starts...

Paul Konerko .362, 13 R, 4 HR, 12 RBI, 6 BB, 0 SB
Andruw Jones .294, 11R, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 5 BB, 2 SB
Adam Dunn .310, 14 R, 7 HR, 11 RBI, 9 BB, 0 SB

Compared to their replacements
Ryan Howard .317, 6 R, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 6 BB, 0 SB
Hideki Matsui .311, 10 R, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 5 BB, 0 SB
Juan Pierre .261, 9R, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 4 SB

In other news the top 3 Starting pitchers all have 6.00+ ERA's and the combined starting 5 have tallied only 3 wins thusfar. Owner Liehr expects the rotation to settle down as 4 of the 5 SP's have sub 1.21 WHIP's. Expect a drastic change in the team's makeup if things don't change within the next two weeks.

Preparing for the season

News from Slammers spring training complex

Things are looking good so far this spring for owner John Liehr and the Slammers. With a balanced lineup described as "scary", and an extremely strong bullpen the Slammers are ready to claim their first playoff birth in 2006. With a healthy balance of power and speed and average the only holes in the Slammers lineup are at catcher and in the bottom half of the rotation. But Liehr addressed the lack of K's from his starting rotation by adding several high k middle relievers and 2 solid closers to help out in that category. Springfield is excited about the new season and rumor has it they may look for a new catcher if one of the young prospects doesn't start playing well in Spring Training.

On Monday morning the Slammers added their second closer to the roster. Many had predicted that the owner would fill the need in the outfield or add another front line starter, but after there was a run on closers Springfield's hand was forced in the second round.

"We were looking for an outfielder in the second round, but not having a third round pick forced us to rethink our plan a bit. A player of Derrick's caliber would not be available in the fourth round, we are excited to have a great tandem of closers to lead us to the title this year."

Here is a current look at the Slammers roster.
C-
1B- Ryan Howard
2B- Alfonso Soriano
SS- Jhonny Perralta
3B- Aramis Ramirez
OF- Coco Crisp
OF- Juan Pierre
OF- Hideki Matsui
OF-
UTIL- Tadahito Iguchi

SP- Barry Zito
SP- Tim Hudson
SP- Jeremy Bonderman
SP- Kris Benson
SP- Bruce Chen
RP- Billy Wagner
RP- Derrick Turnbow

Newest Slammers report to Springfield

All 4 of the newly acquired Springfield Slammers made it to Springfield early this morning for a press conference. Juan Pierre expressed happiness on his "Escape" from Upper Peninsula. Pierre said, "With Broskey in charge we never even knew what our team name was, and could never get comfortable knowing how often he wheels and deals, it will be nice to play for a contender in the West this year, hopefully I can lead this team to it's first playoff birth."

The harshest comments came from veteran Tim Hudson however, "I can't wait to suit up against the Redbirds! They promised me they'd be a contender last year and Doyel lead us right to the bottom of the division. I'm glad to get out of that organization and I am looking forward to the opportunity to shove it down his throat!"

Zito, as eccentric as usual seemed unaware he had even been traded, when reminded he responded, "That's cool, I guess...I need to go paint my fingernails, later."

Hideki Matsui waved and smiled showing off his new uniform, but his translator was not in town yet so we are not really sure what he said.

The 2006 season is shaping up to be a great one in Springfield.

Welcoming the newest Slammers

Springfield's new lineup

C- Unfilled
1B- Ryan Howard
2B- Alfonso Soriano
SS- Jhonny Perralta
3B- Aramis Ramirez
OF- Hideki Matsui
OF- Juan Pierre
OF- Coco Crisp
OF- Unfilled
UTIL- Tadahito Iguchi

SP- Barry Zito
SP- Tim Hudson
SP- Jeremy Bonderman
SP- Kris Benson
SP- Bruce Chen
RP- Unfilled

Slammers change course...

Late breaking news out of Springfield. Slammers owner John Liehr surprised the league and fans by totally revamping their team. They traded away franchise players Adam Dunn, Paul Konerko and Andruw Jones while also letting go of Adam Eaton and Michael Cuddyer. In return the Slammers acquired Hideki Matsui, speedster Juan Pierre and frontline starters Tim Hudson and Barry Zito.

When asked why the sudden change in plans Liehr explained that he simply wanted to provide a balanced team on the field this year. Despite trading away 131 homeruns, 300+ runs and 325+ RBI's from last year Liehr believes that the returning core of Ryan Howard, Alfonso Soriano, Jhonny Perralta, Aramis Ramirez, Coco Crisp and Tadahito Iguchi coupled with the additions of Matsui and Pierre will provide a still explosive offense with a better average and more speed. And adding veteran pitchers Zito and Hudson should take some of the load off of young Jeremy Bonderman.