S49 Initial Rankings

 Richard Castle - contributing reporter

Let's take a look at our Season 49 initial power rankings. Appears our reigning World Series champs top the list. As we looked last season, this should be no surprise given his young roster. No big surprises in the top 8, you'll see the usual Buffalo, New York, Columbus, OKC, SLC, Scranton, and Montreal. Though a few surprises after that with Anaheim, New Orleans, and Austin within the top 15. But can they hold on? We've seen so many teams start highly rated only to falter down the power rankings as the season goes on. If your hometown starts with an H, you'll likely find yourself at the bottom of this power ranking (Hartford, Huntington, and Houston)

 On the Farm: Cobbfather's Top Ten Farm Systems 

With the regular season almost upon us it’s time to review Cobbfather’s top ten farm systems.  To generate this list we used a complex ground breaking formula to grade each system.  (Or may have just taken a quick glance at each team).

1. Atlanta Expos - Checking in at our #1 spot is the Atlanta Expos.  Boasting an impressive 8 “Tier 1” prospects the Expos are loaded with top end talent.  However, there is a lack of depth behind the top 8 that I’m sure ownership will try to address in coming seasons.  

Notable Prospects: Johnnie Daniels 2B, Kyle Crain C/DH, Damaso Ethier SP, Quilvio Infante SP

2. Houston Space Cowboys - Farm System #2 or 1B?  There’s certainly arguments that can be made for the Space Cowboys to be in our top spot.  Houston currently carries 6 “Tier 1” prospects and is loaded with overall depth.  With an owner that has a history of aggressive trades and rebuilding moves this depth should give owner Rawdk plenty of flexibility to help build the next great team to play in Houston.  

Notable Prospects:  Vin Pirela SS, Bennie Serra SS, Carlos Soto 2B, Yohan Nova SS

3. New Orleans Old Fashioneds -  Another franchise that can make a case for the #1 spot.  The New Orleans’s system is led by 4 “Tier 1” prospects and overall depth that should develop handfuls of big leaguers.  Owner Minihouston's well thought out rebuilding approach has increased the club’s talent at all levels in a quick manner.    

Notable Prospects: Juancito Martin 2B, Douglas Laxton RF, Gregorio Cordero C, Javier Quevedo SS

4. Chicago Gunslingers - How is Chicago #4??? At this point, all of Chicago’s “Tier 1” prospects have been promoted to the majors.  However, Chicago is absolutely chucked with “Tier 2” talent.  From hitters to arms, the Gunslingers have future big leaguers at every level.  With an experienced owner, the possibilities are endless.  Expect owner Slash to take advantage of his depth and be extremely active on the trade market in coming seasons.  

Notable Prospects:  Benito Posada 3B, Kristopher Rudolph RP

5. Washington DC Nationals -  DC rounds of the top 5 carrying 3 “Tier 1” prospects.  While the franchise does have decent overall depth, most prospects outside the top 3 resemble role/bench players rather than impact pieces.  

Notable Prospects: Albert Tomlin SP, Enrique Franco RP, Olmedo Nunez C/DH

1 8 5

   Jessica Fletcher - contributing reporter

One Eight Five Million! That's what every team has...Canadian teams are enjoying a somewhat low exhange rate right now. I wonder if the Canadian Commish has anything to do with it. #rumorstarted. So here we are at another year, another attempt at the Cobbfather World Series, another chance to sign that top International prospect, another chance for Dizzy Leonard to not make it into the Hall. No team has a chance to top alexng688's Season 36 international spending of $51M; Atlanta is closest still still over $8M away. Santa Fe once again as highest payroll; but why change a good thing? He's finished outside of 1st place in the division only 3 times since Season 34 and working on his 8th straight title. 

Here's a look at the payrolls as they stand today (listed by budget remaining)

On The Move!

 Richard Castle - Contributing Reporter

Movin' On Up

Let's quickly cover many of the teams that have moved this offseason. 

NL Moves
Ottawa > Hartford (thankfully moves the team out of Canada)

AL Moves

Cincinnati > Minnesota (same owner)
Jackson > Monterrey (same owner)

Lots of moving parts, let's check out the latest map

Average Factors

The NL South is still the most hitter friendly division out there with the NL North a close second. The NL West takes the W for best pitchers division followed by the NL East. That probably explains the disfunction of the National League I suppose.