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What to Look for in Season six- 1/10/10 - Every year players, teams and stores come and go. There's only a handful of players in the league that can say they were around in 2006. A time that saw the Cyclones make there mark in HFWB history, and a year later a bunch of 'No Names' become a household name. Remember those kids from the Reds? As it is today, only two of the original Reds are on a current HFWB roster and it sure seems like a long time ago that CPD, Aussy and Popp were on a field together. Can you imagine a Popp-Leffler-CPD rotation? It would be too perfect. Nowadays headlines are plastered with Hess, BK's, T.O.'s and Longo's, but it's a pitchers world, and we're all just living in it. The way things are shaping up in the off season/preseason lead me to believe that 2010 will be the most interesting year yet. Free agent signings may be the key to some teams success this year, while it's business as usual for others. Here's the 5 most important things to look for in 2010.

#5. Teams under the Radar: There's at least one team every year that overachieves and sometimes they use that as a springboard to become even better. This year there are several candidates; the most obvious of which is the Red Sox. If the 'Sox sign Nick Leffler they will have filled there only void, a good #2 pitcher, but even without Leffler I think they'll be an improved team. John Dyer really pitched well down the stretch for the Sox. Dyer actually no hit the Angels in the playoffs, what more could you ask for? They also have an underrated offense, it's tough to standout in a 12-man lineup as they sometimes rolled with last year, but the fat has been cut so to speak. What's left is the best team they could produce. So don't be surprised if the 'Sox make a run in this years playoffs. Another team that's flying so low that they're actually off the radar, is the Orioles. Captain Scott DeBiase is entering his third year of play and knows the leagues ins and outs by now. DeBiase also knew to re-sign Mike Curtin, who was the best player for their team last year. The Orioles also have gone after Nick Leffler, which would be an unbelievable signing, but Scott will also go after other free agents and has a few young prospects to choose from if free agency isn't the answer. Making the playoffs this year would be a big accomplishment but the Orioles may just have enough talent to do it.

#4. Steve Weeks How far the Angels go may very well be based on how well Steve Weeks performs on the mound. He's only started two games in his career but both were shutout victories, and one was on the biggest stage possible-an elimination game in last years finals. For the past couple years the Angels have turned to Adam Trigger for many starts and he has delivered, Trigger is the third winningest pitcher in league history and his win over T.O. in the 2008 finals proved he can win big games too. As last year wound down though, Weeks began to show promise from the mound in practice and Trigger voiced his desires to concentrate on his performance at the plate, the move was made. Now Steve joins his brother Matt among others as pitchers looking to make big impacts for their respective teams, an impact that the Angels cannot go without. Captain Josh Longo will remain the teams ace for the third consecutive year and will get the start against most quality opponents, the value of a good #2 pitcher however cannot be understated as it's no coincidence that the teams with the 5 best records last year also had the 5 best #2 pitchers, statistically. Steve will have more than enough opportunities to showcase his skills in 2010 for the Angels as they begin their quest to become the first team to appear in back-to-back-to-back HFWB finals.

#3. Indians Offense The Indians pitching rotation is sure to be solid this year. BK will presumably be even better than last year and whether it's AK or Ricky who wins the #2 spot for the Indians, you can be sure their rotation will be among the best. The offense however leaves a lot to be desired; their league low 82 runs in 2009 is indication of their struggles. Make no mistake about it, pitching and defense wins championships but timely hitting can be crucial especially, in the playoffs.

The Indians to their credit also recognize their lack of offense as a problem. Immediately following their loss in the HCS, they went after free agent Joe Villalovos and signed him shortly after. Playing for the 'Jays last year Joe averaged .418 which was a hundred points higher than anyone on the Indians roster, his 28 hits and 6 homers were much more than anyone on the Indians and his 39 RBI's would have been nearly half of the Indians total runs for the year. They can't simply count on Joe though, BK will need to improve on his .286 average from a year ago, and Rafferty and Peniazek will need to be more capable at the plate if the Indians offense is to make a difference this year. I would be surprised if the Indians don't get back to the HCS but they will need to buckle down and connect with some swings if they're to capture a league title.

#2. Nick Giordano As much as people give Hess credit for carrying the Braves to a championship, the truth is other people have to step up. Last season when Gio pitched well, the Braves played well. Through the Braves first seven regular season games last year Nick was 0-3 with an ERA of 5.03 and the Braves were 3-4. Over the final nine however Nick went 4-0 with an ERA of 1.50 and the Braves went 9-0. The Braves will look to get off to a much better start this year as their slow start last year cost them the division. If they're to do this than Nick Giordano will have to pitch patiently and solidly, a couple of long balls really hurt him last year. If he can avoid those this year the Braves should be in good position to win their division and possibly repeat as champions.

#1. Greg Freaking Fuchs It isn't often the league loses an MVP type player and then gets him back, but that's exactly what's supposed to happen this year when Greg Fuchs returns to the Lamb League to lead the Rockies. Not only is Greg a proven hitter but his limited time on the mound early last year indicated that he was improving as a pitcher as well; a scary thought for those who stand in the way of the Rockies. The players who entered the league last year weren't around to see Fuchs carry the Nats offense in '08 but the players that were will tell you it was even more impressive than what T.O. did this past year for the Nats. He led the league in HR's and RBI's in '08 and he accounted for an unbelievable 66% of the Nats total offense, and on the mound he won 5 of his last 7 starts

and lead them to a Lamb League Championship. The only thing hotter than Greg's bat in 2010 will be his sister, and she doesn't pitch so who needs her? Seriously though if Greg isn't in the MVP race at the end of the season I'll be shocked, as he goes the Rockies go, and he just may go all the way to the top.