Gentlemen, here are the fearless predictions and Vegas odds for 2010 from our mystery correspondent.
1. Royals (3-1 to repeat)
The defending champions have made some changes to the roster. Back is Paul Barnes and some young guns from Brampton(I assume the mean players and not arms). The Royals may be resting on their laurels (or is that crowns) and have not been seen on the field this spring. Most of the winter has been spent watching allstar pitcher Mike Barnett parade the trophy around Scarborough, and making big bets on a repeat..... oh and apologizing to the Dragons Andy Ryder!
Key arrivals - two dudes from Brampton
Key departures - 120 lb catcher, 30 lbs on Phil Hiemstra, Shamil Hassan's ex-girlfriend
2. Dragons (7-2 and even odds Victor Chan is late for his wedding)
The finalist have spent a ton of NIKE money to attract free agents Cam Kirby and Tim March to the fold. They are hungry....but will the team be torn between making the playoffs or attending Victor Chan's wedding on August 28th? Stay tuned!
Key arrivals - Tim March, Cam Kirby, Dean Pecarski, Lego's girlfriend and one Callaway umbrella
Key departures - Loose Cannon Buchanon, Phil Tsafaridis
3. Astros (4-1)
Major changes to the Astro lineup makes this year's team somewhat of a mystery and in obvious transition. Gone are Jason Andrews and Soohan Singh(rumour is due to more stringent HGH testing in the SABL). Incoming are a bunch of young studs from McGill. Do they remember? Coach Schiralli has kept his practices low key. The question is who for the Astros will show up on opening day? Who will they show up on time? Does Schiralli's cellphone have enough battery for late arrivals to call? So many questions!!
Key arrivals - a couple more Herschs, another Hehir that throws right, Sean Atkinson, Jayar Green
Key departures - Jason Andrews, Chris Theodoreau, Soohan Singh
4. Reds (9-2)
Coach Dymond has given up the reigns of the Reds to SABL Hall of Famer Matt Lister. Only time will tell if this will make a difference. The Reds have certainly beefed up and gotten younger with newcomers Harrison, Hennah, Yarmo and Robinson. Not as young as Lister's girlfriend's but who is? The 3 run homer may rule with this lineup
Key arrivals - Paul Harrison, Matt Yarmoluk, Anders Robinson, Brian Hennah
Key departures - A couple of Mike's, Jeff O'Brien, most of Cecchetto's foot speed
5. Red Sox (5-1)
The Sox were close last year, and could have done a lot more damage if it was not for some devastating injuries to their lineup. All players are back in good health and we expect some more surprises from the Red Sox. Rumour has it that Travis Young will make not 19 games this year to avoid any playoff controversy.
Key arrivals - Brian Luke, Brandyn Agnew
Key departures - Travis Young, Brian Sewells
6. Psychos (11-2 but even odds Brian Bileski shows up game 1 to un-retire)
The Psychos have rounded up a solid 13 man lineup during the SABL monthly meetings. Rumour is that coach Sargeant wanted no teams to have knowledge to their new players, and scheduled practices only during SABL meetings. Vegas odds have it at 100-1 that Russ Forster will go 2 years without being suspended(and then take the position of SABL Discipline Director), and even bigger odds that Jason Forbes will show up more than 5 minutes prior to gametime? Bob Clarke may be rolling over in his gutter!
Key arrivals - Brian Bileski for 14 games, Fernando Acevedo when they want to avoid a default
Key departures - Ian McIntosh, Chris Park's 11 games, Andre Steer
7. Jays (7-1)
Gone are the days of the Jays burning up the league! Coach Morton has his hands full this year with many departures from his team. The nucleus of Brittain, Morton, Steinman and Hall are there there but most of the support cast has departed. Dao was last seen on the Facebook and has since long retired to VIP chasing Fortune magazine covers. Good sources have it that the Gabe may make an appearance if he can bat cleanup and be the starting catcher. The only given this year is that the Jays will have the real Adam Morton in the lineup.
Key arrivals - a few intercounty guys
Key departures - Steve Dao, Mike Rodriques, Dave Albertheny
8. White Sox (9-1 and 25-1 Soohan Singh and Jason Andrews are recruited)
The surprises of last year's SABL season have a lot to prove that it was not a fluke. Coach Singh has kept his secretive practices in Markham to avoid the eye of the media(and perhaps the law). Not sure what to expect this year from the Sox except the smell of team spirit after each White Sox game is a given.
Key arrivals - Potentially Jason Andrews and Soohan Singh
Key departures - Cam Kirby, Sean Trimble, Steamwhistle truck
9. Mets (25-1)
A full ethnic cleansing of the Mets has revamped the lineup. The Mets are certainly better looking, faster and younger, but will this translate into wins? Only time will tell. Gone are a number of veterans to retirement, and in are some very hungry players that love going down south(and some that don't). Health of aging veterans remains a concern. A good thing that Ontario already has universal healthcare.
Key arrivals - John Wilson, Henry Rondo, Luis Pinieda, Craig Estano, Junior, Raul Turcios
Key departures - Alex Terpin, Laurent Bellion, Sean Atkinson, Jayar Green
10. Gentlemen of all Time ( 50-1)
The new kids on the block may goad their way out of the basement once they get used to the league....but probably not this year. Vegas has the Goats at even odds to get 5 wins this year. Stranger things have happened in the SABL, and perhaps the Goats will not find a shortstop that is not lefthanded by year's end.
Key departures - 10 guys from their original 25 man roster