Royals: Predicted Record (25-6) and 5-2 to win the championship

The perennial contender the last 10 years may have gotten a little older and heavier, but never underestimate their ability to win year after year.  Like the Toronto condo market, they just never seem to have an off year! 

The Royals still have the best defense in the league.  That alone almost guarantees the Royals a place in the semi-finals.  You really want no part of them until the finals, and then you gotta hope that your games are either on a long weekend or early morning when you play them to have a chance.

Late news(pun intended): Gbenga Ajasin has been given a special schedule by Manager Grant Brown to ensure that he shows up at least 5 minutes prior to the games

Really Late news:  Assistant coach Donnie Burke has decided to delay his retirement to the Phillipines and play at least one more season in the SABL.  Coach Burke was heard saying “I went to one SABL coaches meeting and had so much fun I could not give this up”

Key additions – GBenga Ajasin in the first inning of most games, Jason Goodlife

Key departures – Paul Barnes, Alvin Monterosso

Astros: Predicted Record (21-10) and 5-1 to win the championship

While other teams like the Royals get bigger, the Astros get smaller by losing veterans Warren Booth, Mark Klamot and Mike Hehir.  But not to worry as they Astros always seem to recruit a few dymonds from the rough over the winter.  It does not hurt that they start practicing in January, but there must be more to the Schiralli recruiting system than meets the Zigzag.

Look for the Astros to get into the semi finals again, and challenge for the big prize if they get on a roll.

Late note:  Jeff Snow and Tony Fishfriere have announced they are attempting to make the Canadian Olympic dodgeball team in 2018.

Key additions – Soohan Singh if he gets a ride to the games, George Kaczmarek, Roone McGlaughlin, Chris Carter

Key departures – Warren Booth, Mike Hehir, Dylon Flores, Mark Klamot

Psycho Braves: Predicted Record (21-10) and 10-1 to win the championship unless it starts the week prior to Labour day for the first time, then the will be 5-2

If the Braves are just able to get the playoff schedule earlier this season they could make waves.  Every year the Braves are surprised that the playoffs start so soon and just are not able to compete with the elite teams with their slim Labour Day roster.  A big and beefy team returns.   But do big bats mean better returns?

Rumour has it that Andre Steer will actually make an A.M. game this year to get to his required 20 games. 

Over and under on the number of games the Braves will be suspended this season is 20.

Late news:  Jason Forbes has returned form his Asian recruiting trip.  Unfortunately nobody he has recruited can actually play baseball

Key additions – Ian McIntosh, Matt Sheasgreen

Key departures – Jessie Steinman(actually he was just Seddiqi’s agent), Mike Churcher

Mets: Predicted Record (18-13) and 12-1 to win the championship

The Mets did not get younger this year but did get a bit of experience back with the comeback attempts of Elroy Bucchan and Adam Beck.  Previously the Mets added three 19 year olds in exchange for 57 year old Pete Dimech.  So the math does work somewhat.

The season successes will depend on how far their pitching can take them in the playoffs.  Last year the Mets rode the arms of Marukami and Stermole during the playoffs.  Hope is for a couple of their young players to flunk out of school and stay for the SABL playoffs, or the Scotch in Beck’s equipment bag is playoff worthy. 

Late note:  Manager Rick Lam is being investigated by the SABL for statements he was overheard saying to long time player Gord Smardenkas.  Unconfirmed reports have him stating “you can sleep with those Dominicans, but don’t promote it and bring them to my games to stiff me on their league fees”

Key additions  - Lincoln Mak, Adam Beck, Elroy “Loose Cannon” Bucchan

Key departures – Jon Collins, Bryan Kong, Clean pants on John Wilson, all those stiffing Domincans

Red Sox:  Predicted Record (17-14) and 15-1 to win the championship

The nucleus of the team is back with the double Chin’s, Feng, Fisico and Chambers back for another summer…..or whatever we are going to have in 2014.  The Red Sox have been on the verge for a couple of years but never have seen the promised land of a semi final series in quite a few years. 

There are a few question marks for this team in 2014.  Could the ghettoblaster be making a comeback for Danny Fisico’s last season?  Will Jay Chin be doing the mixing?  Will Martino have that old Oakland A’s hat still?  Will he show up to games?  Who will take over as best looking Red Sox in a uniform with Eailey now retired?

So many questions so little space.

Key additions – Brian Luke, Joe Martino, Anthony Martino

Key departures – Sean Agnew, Mike Rochon, Darryl Eailey

Reds:  Predicted Record (15-16) and 20-1 to win the championship

This looks like a year of transition for the Reds.  Dymond, Cuthbert, Pearson, Nemo Zambrano and Lister are still around, but a full sled of new blood has arrived on the roster.  Maybe there are enough surprises in the roster there that will make a playoff run possible.  Only time will tell.

Rumour of a Lister/Fishfriere union were exaggerated as it seems that both players are staying put on their respective teams.

Key additions – See SABL email tryout list, Carlos Molina, Adam Chamberlain, Todd Morris

Key departures – Mark Cecchetto, Robin Fraser, Paul Harrison, Anders Robinson, Chris Chow

Giants: Predicted Record (13-18) and 100-1 to win the championship

The Giants have made steady progress every year they have been in the league.  Could this be the year they can get to the .500 mark?  Anthony Warren will again put up big numbers, but a supporting cast is needed if there is any thought of advancing past the first round of the playoffs.

The Giants brought in a young flamethrower last year that made the Braves and the Psychos look like Thursday elimination teams.  Are there more pitchers like this in the Giants farm system?  We will know in a couple of weeks.

Key additions  - Legit scorekeeper

Key departures – Hopefully the young kid that embarrassed the Mets and Braves

Jays: Predicted Record (10-21) and 125 to 1 to win the championship

The Jays are fresh off a near upset over the champion Royals in the 2014 playoffs.  It was so close for the perennial under achievers.  Perhaps the near victory of defeat will allow them to recruit a couple of much needed pitchers to the roster.  Perhaps it will just mean they will accept their fate as a second tier SABL team.

Gone are Swaggers, Ebreo, King, Brittain, Morton and of course the infamous Gabe.  New ownership has promised to bring the team to respectability, with new uniforms the first priority. 

Late news:  It seems like the Jays were seen practicing the 1-6-3 double play all spring.  If they would have converted it last fall they would have knocked off the Royals!

Key additions – Jamie Farrow, Brian Malloy, Brad C., Adam P

Key departures –  Jessie ”no celebration” Steinman, Jeremy Brittain

White Sox: Predicted Record (9-22) and 135 to 1 to win the championship

Rich Singh has been very quiet over the winter.  It appears that manager has been doing some extra recruiting this year at George Brown in his concierge jacket.  There is now some young blood on the White Sox to rekindle the fire that may have been smoldering for years in the White Sox dugout.  In the past that smoke was just the smell of team spirit, in 2014 it may all be different.  Could this translate into a move up the SABL standings?  Only time will tell.

Key additions – 4 guys from Fine Arts Program at George Brown College

Key departures – Sean Trimble, Clint Shepherd, Pat Jachyra, Andy Posluszny

Bucs: Predicted Record (6-25) and 200-1 to win the championship provided all the playoff games are Saturday’s, otherwise they just will default and all bets are off

This will be the sophomore season for the Bucs.  The lineup has changed substantially from their rookie season with the addition of a predominately Saturday hitting lineup.  It will be interesting how this will affect their playoff run if they are slotted into the more likely Sunday schedule.  But lets not get ahead of ourselves, the Bucs must first get past elimination Thursday.

Coach McEnroe has been quietly dreaming of a .500 season.  Perhaps it was just the bad draft beer, but a few of the Buc players were even seen singing “Bohemian Rhapsody” at the Queenshead!

Key additions – John Schade, Ben Chisholm, Doug Clark, Danny White, Shawn Milloy

Key departures –  Patrick Chan, Kelvin Ramchand, Carlos Sanchez, Brendan Monk