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South America Caribbean
San Juan Senators, 399-249, .616
On the field: Well-oiled machine. The Senators have made the playoffs in each of the last 4 seasons, winning the America’s Cup in 2001.
Top Player in Team History: Tough choice but I will side with LF Serafin Doriva. 148 career homers, 2002 SA MVP and a favorite to repeat as 2003 MVP. League all-time batting leader Steven Crosby (.346) comes in a close 2nd.
Finances: Perfect model. Will make over $10 million this season for the 4th year in a row.
2003 Record: 102-60, 1st
Minor League System: 13th, SP Roy Rita, 21 (17 wins between AA and AAA in 2003)
Port-au-Prince Nez Longue, 359-289, .554
On the field: Besides the silly name, PAP has the distinction of being the first league champion. Of course they have fallen a bit from there and suffered their first losing season in 2003.
Top Player in Team History: OF William “Mirror Man” Correa. Absolute beast, 2-time league MVP, career top 10 in most offensive categories, 174 career homers. And get this, he is only 24.
Finances: Doing OK but need to turn the losing trend around or they could be in some trouble.
2003 Record: 79-83, t-3rd
Minor League System: 25th, SP Steven So, 22 (13-5, 3.89 ERA in first pro season in AAA)
Havana Leones, 332-316, .512
On the field: Slightly above .500 for each of the first few seasons, the Leones finished under that mark for the first time this year.
Top Player in Team History: SP Harold Snider. Still young at 27, Snider has a 60-43 career record and an ERA of 2.80.
Finances: The people of Cuba haven’t really taken to the Leones despite not being a bad team. They traded some high payroll guys early in the year and still stand to lose money.
2003 Record: 79-83, t-3rd
Minor League System: 21st, 3B Reinaldo Mariscal, 24 (A little old for AA but hit .286 with 21 HR and 60 RBI.
Santo Domingo Dragons, 315-333, .486
On the field: Won 85 games each of the first 2 seasons but have taken 2 steps backward the last 2 years, finishing in the basement in 2003.
Top Player in Team History: SP Brain (not Brian) Montalvo. Won 50 games in first 3 years with a sub-3.00 ERA in all 3 seasons. Traded to Ciudad Juarez in May of this year. Could be best player never to make an All-Star team.
Finances: Not bringing in a whole lot of revenue. Could be tough to compete with the big boys.
2003 Record: 70-92, 5th
Minor League System: 11th, SP Jerrod Berrios, 23 (12-10, 3.41, 170 K in 184.1 IP at AAA).
Caracas Cocodrilos, 307-341, .474
On the field: Went from 84 wins to 65 over 2 years but rebounded nicely this year with a 2nd place finish.
Top Player in Team History: More for the future but I’ll go with 2002 SA Rookie of the Year, 1B Richard Greenhaw. Just 21 but has career average of .316 and 51 career homers.
Finances: Picked up a big contract at the deadline (ace SP Benny Frisina) but failed to make any noise in the playoff race. They’ll need to decide which direction they want to go in the offseason.
2003 Record: 82-80, 2nd
Minor League System: 15th, C Joaquim Nabuco, 22 (#8 overall pick in 2003, .295, 9, 61 between A and AA)
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