NML
Well-Known Member
Just as a way to get some immersion up, thought I'd throw together a power rankings list as of now. Feel free to disagree or make ur own list or make the case for ur team to be higher. Here we go
1) Halifax - despite a couple losses, this is the team that broke the win record by six games and has a majority of its pieces back. Not crazy to think that they'll challenge their own record. The World Series still alludes them, however. Losing one of the best closers in the game probably won't help.
2) Las Vegas - reigning champs return almost everyone of note. Having already signed the top MLIFA in Zhang, LV is a lock for the playoffs. The majority of the rotation takes the step across the wrong side of 30, joining the main pieces in the bullpen. A lineup that's in its prime should overcome any drop off, however.
3) Helsingborg - there's a drop off after the top two, even though this team won 100 games. A big loss in Ice Man, coupled with a handful of contributors departing, namely the ageless Funk. However, Borg seemingly has a ton of space to work with and will fill these holes over the coming sims.
4) Cairo - they have some holes, which they'll likely fill over the next few sims, but this team could see the biggest win improvement of teams that made the playoffs. They are well positioned to challenge LV/Borg for homefield in the first round as this young core returns, hopefully improved. They need to start making their move - this team is going to get expensive soon and needs the attendance to match the salaries.
5) Buffalo - this team finished on a high, and for the first time in several years was within striking distance of the playoffs. They've already signed two of the biggest FAs in Reyes and Ichi. Almost everyone returns, and while they sit fourth now, they'll likely be passed as teams with bigger budgets fill in their gaps. Still, the young team should improve and the playoffs are possible, and might be necessary as three of their top players have opt out clauses after this season.
6) North Dakota - the kings of consistency lost two major pieces: the aforementioned Reyes and Rubio, who opted out of his contract for the second straight season. No replacements for either (at the moment) might knock them down to the giant pack of mediocrity in the SL. For the third straight season, Balbuena missed significant time, and Pinky played in the least amount of games since he was 19.
7) Lisbon - the surprise of last season, one of the smallest budgets in the league snuck into the playoff picture, dropping the play in game. They lose arguably their second best player in Romero, and will look to the rookie Kamihara to replace him. He'll need to be close, because the margins are small. Lots of young pieces should improve.
8) Buenos Aires - they fell on the wrong side of Mount 500, but still snuck into the playoffs. They lose Nelson to a career ending injury, but the rotation should still be good. A questionable bullpen could hurt, but the trio of Gold Mine, Pete, and Liu should be enough to carry the offense.
9) United Kingdom - UK had a great post-AS record after a few late trades, and nearly snuck into the playoffs despite being in 8th midway through the year. Almost everyone is back, with lots of pieces in their prime offensively. It's a very old pitching staff, however, that is continuing to drop off after their excellent 2065 season.
10) Moscow - the Mules took a huge step backward after a 103 win season in 65, winning just 83 and needing a play-in game to make the playoffs. That combined with a lot of turnover this offseason could spell trouble for a team that's made the playoffs five straight years. Offense should still be one of the best.
11) Kabul - no team lost more this offseason than the Bulls, who should reload over the next few sims and move up. Stilts took a major step back last season and is 31 now. Everyone else is under 30 and should be enough to keep them in the playoffs.
12) Little Rock - is it finally the year? Little Rock is the only franchise to never make the playoffs, finishing 5th only once. With two winning seasons in twenty years, LR should be better. Is Noberto the missing piece?
13) Istanbul - not much changes, and that's okay. The rotation is hitting their prime and should be one of the best in the league. Will they add any pieces? With some uncertainty above them, this team could push for a playoff spot with a big addition or two.
14) Seoul - the rebuild started last season. Can they make enough moves to hop back up the standings this season? Not having Goerts at the start of the season won't help, but there's still lots of nice pieces. A rebound season from Vittore would be a good start.
15) Amsterdam - the bottom has fallen out and now Dam is back on their way up. This year is too soon, as a significant number of contributors will be under 23. The staff hasn't developed like they can - will they be hurt by getting shelled? ERAs include 8.6 and 7.2, some improvement here would help.
16) Miami - the rebuild is under way. They probably won't bottom out completely, but look to be a lock for a top five pick. There's some decent players in Wade, Bjorno, and Pale - but they are on the downturn of their careers. The lack of any kind of funds will make it tough for a quick climb over the coming years.
17) False Bay - the once dominant franchise has finished in the bottom two of the league in seven straight seasons. Getting out of the cellar would be a start, but it probably doesn't happen yet. Luckily, all big contracts are off the books by 2069.
18) Dublin - finished with the first overall pick and lost its second best player. Creswell is still elite, though he's tailed off and suffered an injury last year. Norman, Prignano, and Mitchell are among notable deaths over the past two seasons.
1) Halifax - despite a couple losses, this is the team that broke the win record by six games and has a majority of its pieces back. Not crazy to think that they'll challenge their own record. The World Series still alludes them, however. Losing one of the best closers in the game probably won't help.
2) Las Vegas - reigning champs return almost everyone of note. Having already signed the top MLIFA in Zhang, LV is a lock for the playoffs. The majority of the rotation takes the step across the wrong side of 30, joining the main pieces in the bullpen. A lineup that's in its prime should overcome any drop off, however.
3) Helsingborg - there's a drop off after the top two, even though this team won 100 games. A big loss in Ice Man, coupled with a handful of contributors departing, namely the ageless Funk. However, Borg seemingly has a ton of space to work with and will fill these holes over the coming sims.
4) Cairo - they have some holes, which they'll likely fill over the next few sims, but this team could see the biggest win improvement of teams that made the playoffs. They are well positioned to challenge LV/Borg for homefield in the first round as this young core returns, hopefully improved. They need to start making their move - this team is going to get expensive soon and needs the attendance to match the salaries.
5) Buffalo - this team finished on a high, and for the first time in several years was within striking distance of the playoffs. They've already signed two of the biggest FAs in Reyes and Ichi. Almost everyone returns, and while they sit fourth now, they'll likely be passed as teams with bigger budgets fill in their gaps. Still, the young team should improve and the playoffs are possible, and might be necessary as three of their top players have opt out clauses after this season.
6) North Dakota - the kings of consistency lost two major pieces: the aforementioned Reyes and Rubio, who opted out of his contract for the second straight season. No replacements for either (at the moment) might knock them down to the giant pack of mediocrity in the SL. For the third straight season, Balbuena missed significant time, and Pinky played in the least amount of games since he was 19.
7) Lisbon - the surprise of last season, one of the smallest budgets in the league snuck into the playoff picture, dropping the play in game. They lose arguably their second best player in Romero, and will look to the rookie Kamihara to replace him. He'll need to be close, because the margins are small. Lots of young pieces should improve.
8) Buenos Aires - they fell on the wrong side of Mount 500, but still snuck into the playoffs. They lose Nelson to a career ending injury, but the rotation should still be good. A questionable bullpen could hurt, but the trio of Gold Mine, Pete, and Liu should be enough to carry the offense.
9) United Kingdom - UK had a great post-AS record after a few late trades, and nearly snuck into the playoffs despite being in 8th midway through the year. Almost everyone is back, with lots of pieces in their prime offensively. It's a very old pitching staff, however, that is continuing to drop off after their excellent 2065 season.
10) Moscow - the Mules took a huge step backward after a 103 win season in 65, winning just 83 and needing a play-in game to make the playoffs. That combined with a lot of turnover this offseason could spell trouble for a team that's made the playoffs five straight years. Offense should still be one of the best.
11) Kabul - no team lost more this offseason than the Bulls, who should reload over the next few sims and move up. Stilts took a major step back last season and is 31 now. Everyone else is under 30 and should be enough to keep them in the playoffs.
12) Little Rock - is it finally the year? Little Rock is the only franchise to never make the playoffs, finishing 5th only once. With two winning seasons in twenty years, LR should be better. Is Noberto the missing piece?
13) Istanbul - not much changes, and that's okay. The rotation is hitting their prime and should be one of the best in the league. Will they add any pieces? With some uncertainty above them, this team could push for a playoff spot with a big addition or two.
14) Seoul - the rebuild started last season. Can they make enough moves to hop back up the standings this season? Not having Goerts at the start of the season won't help, but there's still lots of nice pieces. A rebound season from Vittore would be a good start.
15) Amsterdam - the bottom has fallen out and now Dam is back on their way up. This year is too soon, as a significant number of contributors will be under 23. The staff hasn't developed like they can - will they be hurt by getting shelled? ERAs include 8.6 and 7.2, some improvement here would help.
16) Miami - the rebuild is under way. They probably won't bottom out completely, but look to be a lock for a top five pick. There's some decent players in Wade, Bjorno, and Pale - but they are on the downturn of their careers. The lack of any kind of funds will make it tough for a quick climb over the coming years.
17) False Bay - the once dominant franchise has finished in the bottom two of the league in seven straight seasons. Getting out of the cellar would be a start, but it probably doesn't happen yet. Luckily, all big contracts are off the books by 2069.
18) Dublin - finished with the first overall pick and lost its second best player. Creswell is still elite, though he's tailed off and suffered an injury last year. Norman, Prignano, and Mitchell are among notable deaths over the past two seasons.