WAR Leaders: Nomar Garciaparra (8.8), Ellis Burks (6.6), Dwight Gooden (5.9),  David Ortiz (5.5)

Seattle used the perfect blend of youth and veterans, led by 24-year-old batting champion Nomar Garciaparra and 33-year-old Cy Young favorite Dwight Gooden, and finished the year #1 in offense and #2 in pitching. The R’s 98 wins was the most in franchise history and earned the team’s second President’s Trophy. The lineup featured six batters with 20+ home runs, and eight with 20+ doubles. The 2-3-4 combo was the deadliest in the circuit: LF Ellis Burks (.303-34-89), Nomar (.365-21-118), and 1B David Ortiz (.338-26-129). Leadoff man Johnny Damon got on base at a .369 clip and swiped 48 bases, and three other regulars had 2.8+ WAR seasons: C Jason Varitek, 2B Benji Gil, and 3B Ken Caminiti. The team ranked 1st in runs, average, OPS, and wOBA.

If there were a Comeback Player of the Year award, Dwight Gooden would be the hands down winner. A four-time Cy Young winner from 1984-90, Gooden pitched liked a mere more after turning 30 in 1995 and seemed to be gradually fading into the sunset. But then he was picked up by GM Brandon Tucker in free agency and has had a late-career resurgence. After an impressive 13-9, 2.57 last year he became a Cy Young candidate this year, going 18-6, 2.20 with a 1.06 WHIP and 5.9 WAR. In addition to winning his third ERA title, he was 1st in H/9, 2nd in wins and WAR, and 3rd in quality starts and WHIP, and HR/9. But he was not alone. Fellow FA veteran Erik Hanson was nearly as dominant, going 20-5 with a 3.29 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 5.2 WAR. Add closer Mariano Rivera (2.50, 31 SV) and you get the #2 pitching team.

And the biggest punchline might be this: Seattle built this monster with the smallest cap in the league, a piddling $63 million. Attendance surged to over 2.7 million, a 15-year high, and total revenue will exceed $60 million for the first time in a decade.

WAR Leaders: Juan Gonzalez (7.5), Raul Mondesi (6.5), Derek Lowe (5.3), Mike Grace (4.9)

From 1988-95, the Toronto Polar Bears experienced an unprecedented run of success for an expansion team, just four years from their 1984 debut, the Sailors of the Floe had an eight-year run in which they averaged 93 wins, led the league in scoring six times, made the playoffs 7 of 8 years, and won two UL titles (1990, 1994). The last two year produced unsatisfying fourth place finishes, but in 1998 Toronto recaptured its mojo. Toronto won their sixth division pennant, nosing Brooklyn by one game, with an offense that was still overpowering, if not at the level of those earlier teams.

CF Raul Mondesi (.303-43-115, 6.5 WAR) had a breakout year at age 27, 1996 MVP RF Juan Gonzalez (.339-51-131, 7.5) led the league in HR, SLG, and OPS, and 1B Eric Karros managed his sixth straight 30-HR season despite batting only. 228.

The pitching staff performed well by some measures (2nd in pWAR, 5th in FIP), but was only 13th in runs against, no doubt hurt by the league worst defense (-41.9 ZR). There were no real standouts though Chad Ogea (13-7, 3.92) and second-year righty Derek Lowe (12-8, 3.88) were solid at the top of the rotation and closer Jose Mesa (26 SV, 3.12) got his 150th career save. Lowe pitched the season's only no-hitter Jul 15.

The club was #2 in attendance (3.3 million) and #1 in revenue, producing a 15th straight profitable season. The cherry on top? The Triple-A Ottawa Assassins capture their second Governor's Cup in three years.

WAR Leaders: Carlos Beltran (5.4), Steve Cooke (5.2), Scott Sanderson (4.3), Tim Salmon (4.2)

Scott Sanderson was a controversial free agent signing. At $3.8 million per year for two years, GM Peter Vays appeared  to have overpaid for an overcooked veteran. Instead, the 40-year-old righthander turned into a key cog in the Colts’ return to the playoffs. Picked 13th (BNN) and 7th (Reed) in the preseason prediction, Chicago won 97 games and finished just one game shy of the President’s Trophy.

Sanderson was 13-8, 4.09 and pitched 202 innings for a 4.3 WAR, clocking his 250th win (#15) and 3,000th strikeout (#17) along the way. Lefty Steve Cooke (18-9, 3.22, 5.2 WAR) was again the star of the staff, finishing 2nd in strikeouts, 2nd-T in wins, and 7th in ERA. Cory Bailey was 2nd in saves with 36.

In third third year back at Wrigley, the Colts were again a top-2 offense, led by Rookie of the Year favorite Carlos Beltran (.320-18-74, .905) and second-year LF Frank Catalanotto (.325-11-71) who briefly contended for the batting title. Young RF Magglio Ordonez showed moments of brilliance after missing more than a year with an elbow injury. Maggio hit .351 with a 1.012 OPS in 32 games and will be a key bat in the playoffs with Catalanotto and Tim Salmon carrying injuries.

With two playoff appearances in three years, Vays is working on building another dynasty in Chicago, though a third straight financial loss is a reminder of financial constraints that didn’t exist in Los Angeles.

WAR Leaders: Ken Griffey Jr (6.6), Greg Swindell (5.4), Dave Nilsson (5.0), Marty Cordova (4.9)

The only team other than Minneapolis to make a playoff return, the Superbas have made four straight postseasons: the final two campaigns of the Tim Widholm era and two under new/returning GM Glen Reed. The ‘98 Bas dropped two spots to the 3rd-ranked offense, due mainly to a weaker supporting cast. CF Ken Griffey Jr (6.6 WAR), C Dave Nilsson (5.0), and 2B Geronimo Pena (4.1) all increased their WAR contributions—despite injuries to Griffey and Pena—but Paul O’Neill and Dion James proved insufficient replacements for the departed Ivan Calderon and Alvin Davis. 

The pitching jumped six positions to 8th, led by top free agent Greg Swindell (14-10, 3.49). The $10 million signing  posted the second-highest WAR (5.4) of his 12-year career. No other starter had an ERA below the league average, but the bullpen ranked 4th. Closer Greg McMichael got 30 saves for the first time, with a 2.95 ERA, and 34-year-old lefty Norm Charlton was a pleasant surprise with a 2.23 ERA in 73 games.

Brooklyn will make a record 21st playoff appearance in pursuit of its record 9th title.

WAR Leaders: Scott Rolen (7.0),  Bobby Abreu (6.1), Kelvim Escobar (5.8), Jason isringhausen (4.4)

One of just two clubs to make a playoff return, the Foxes were a model of consistency in a topsy-turvy world. GM Steve Haugh’s charges won 91 games, good for 3rd place in a loaded West Division. The Foxes will look to move past the Semi Series, where they were eliminated by eventual champions Cleveland last year.

Minneapolis’ strength was their pitching, which ranked 4th overall and 1st in bullpen ERA. Jason Isringhausen (26) in his third full year cemented his ace credentials with a 15-8 record, 3.62 ERA, and 180 Ks. But he was outshone by 22-year-old Kelvim Escobar (18-3, 3.41, 5.8 WAR). Though technically not a rookie, as he pitched 50 innings last year, the #3 overall pick from 1997 exceeded all expectations and ranks among the league’s elite young arms. The pen featured 34-save Ricardo Rincon (3.09), plus two middle relievers with sub-3.00 ERAs: Danny Patterson (2.83) and Gabe White (2.08). And other than veteran Floyd Youmans, the entire Foxes’ pitching staff was under 30. 

The offense was just midtable in run production, but featured two superstars. Scott Rolen (.310-27-111) joined a shortlist of players with back to back .300/100-RBI/7.0+ WAR seasons and had the league's first 4-HR game on Apr. 24. RF Bobby Abreu (24) enjoyed a breakout year in his third season, and contended for the batting title before settling for 3rd (.342-18-80, .950, 6.1 WAR). Abreu had 57 doubles on Sept. 8, one shy of the single-season record, but then went 17 games without a double to end the season, despite two triples in the last week. The third base coach was subsequently fired.

Pronto Pup Stadium welcomed over 2 million patrons, the 3rd largest gate in franchise history in the last two decades.

WAR Leaders: Bernie Williams (5.3), Francisco Cordova (4.2), Ben Grieve (4.0), Dmitri Young (3.8)

In his ninth year in South Beach, GM, renowned architect, and international playboy Jo Lima finally led his Pink Birds to the promised land. And he did it part-time while coordinating humanitarian relief operations on the beleaguered island of Cuba and engineering the expansion Puerto Rico Cocodrilos franchise. Florida was first the league in pitching—their first time cracking the top five—led by young righthanders Francisco Cordova (14-10, 2.71) and Bartolo Colon (16-10, 3.55). Cordova was 2nd in ERA, Colon was 4th in strikeouts and tied for 7th in wins, and Mike Mussina () was 5th in strikeouts. Closer Steve Karsay (2.33, 22 SV) headlined the 5th-ranked bullpen.

The offense got a shot in the arm—and buttocks—from 22-year-old LF Ben Grieve (.327-19-94, .913), who led the club in batting, RBI, and OPS. Excellent glove man, RF Bernie Williams led the team in home runs (24) and WAR (5.3), while 24-year-old 1B Dmitri Young broke out with .295-13-83, .816.

Lima leaves a solid legacy in Florida. Though the Pink Birds took more years to reach the playoffs than their co-expansionist Keystone Starlings, Florida has had more winning seasons and more top-five finishes. And now he has a chance to go out with a second UL title for his trophy case to put alongside his 1982 Montreal crown.

WAR Leaders: Pedro Martinez (6.7), Derrek Lee (6.4), Ruben Rivera (4.6), Fernando Valenzuela (4.3)

GM Andy Chaney’s last year in Atlanta was typical one in many senses. The club entered the season with playoff hopes, stumbled out of the gate, only the surge at the end to make the race look closer than it was. We’ve seen this movie before. The Red Blobs were essentially out of the playoff race in August, but decided to go on a 15-9 run to close the season, just for fun. The result was an impressive 87-73 record, sixth best overall, but four games behind third-place Minneapolis.

It was a banner year for Tony Gwynn. “Mr. Topper” gathered his 3500th hit (#2 all-time), 1500th run (#10), and 600th stolen base (#13). Fernie Valenzuela, who was Chaney’s very first draft pick back in 1980 and has been with him all 19 of his seasons, notched his 3500th strikeout (#7 all-time) and ran his all-time record to 240-161. Other highlights were sophomore 1B Derrek Lee’s breakout (.321-35-105, .964) and Robin Yount batting .279 and putting up 3.7 WAR at the age of 41. Oh, and Pedro Martinez led the league in strikeouts (275) for the sixth year in a row and in WAR (6.7) for the fourth time in five years.

Like Charlie Qualls and Lane Mueller, Chaney heads west next year to take over the expansion Portland team. His 19-year reign in Atlanta ended on a strong note, with five straight winning seasons, including two playoffs and the epic 110-win 1994 season.

WAR Leaders: Matt Lawton (6.8), Sean Bergman (4.7), Ben Davis (4.5), Ricky Ledee (3.1)

Amidst the turmoil of the Castro Revolution, which had the front office in flux and the team playing in a half-empty stadium under police escort, the Leones managed to put a decent product on the field. Havana ranked fifth in pitching, highest since 1991 and the club finished 4th place in the East, though only 11th overall. Sean Bergman fell off from his 8.0 WAR season last year, but still managed a 3.79 ERA, 186 Ks, and 4.7 WAR. Free agent signing Scott Bankhead was a solid 12-7 with a 3.06 ERA. And #1 overall pick Roy Halladay led all rookies with 11 wins, 222 innings, and 2.8 WAR. 

The offense improved from last year’s rock bottom performance, but still ranked in the bottom five. You know it’s a problem when your second baseman leads the team in home runs, as 29-year-old Kurt Abbott did, with 22. Shane Mack, with two more years left on a $10 million-per contract, laughed all the way to the bank with a .742 OPS and 0.7 WAR. Matt Lawton (.317-13-83, .869) had a breakout year in his fourth season, and a trio of rookies all had strong debuts: C Ben Davis (4.5 WAR), CF Ricky Ledee (3.1), and 3B Troy Glaus (1.6). Davis was particularly impressive, posting a +4.5 ZR as a catcher at the age of 21 and finishing second only to Chicago’s Carlos Beltran in rookie WAR.

Havana was 30-42 before the revolt and 46-42 after it. Apparently a bit of chaos does this team good. Which is a good thing, because they will spend the offseason relocating the franchise across a continent to San Diego, where refurbishments to Jack Murphy Stadium are already underway.

WAR Leaders: Tony Batista (9.1), Chipper Jones (8.3), Michael Tucker (7.3), Bret Saberhagen (5.6)

GM Jeremy Lemmon inherited a solid team at the end of 1996 and has left it intact, yet finished tied for 5th two years in a row despite having the best player in baseball and some of the finest glove men in the league. Four-time MVP Barry Bonds signed a five-year $97 million contract in the offseason, the biggest contract in UL history, then promptly posted his worst season since his 1986 rookie year, with his .291-31-87, .918 falling into the mere superstar tier from demigod, even accounting for six weeks on the IL. Bonds became the 8th player in the 500-HR club in May. 3B Chipper Jones at long last had his long-anticipated breakout year, batting .325-45-112, 1.029 and earning his first All-UL Team nomination. The Maroons were a top-2 defensive team for the fourth straight year, led by Willie Mays Award winning SS Rey Sanchez (27.3), 2B Tony Batista (24.6), and CF Michael Tucker (21.6).

The Maroons pitching staff, as it often does, defied aging, ranking 3rd in runs against with the #1 ranked rotation (3.61 ERA). Going with a four-man setup, Frank Viola, Britt Burns, Bret Saberhagen, and Jim Gott averaged 247 innings despite an average age of 37. Viola (18-8, 3.22, age 37) set career marks with 18 wins, 39 starts, and 284 innings, while posting a 1.12 WHIP. Burns, one year older, had career bests with 18 wins, 3.01 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 5.0 WAR.

Lemmon’s main task will be injecting some youth in the pitching, a task that should be made easier as the team gets its first 1st round pick since 1993. The club had a grand total of zero draft picks from 1994-97 and, not surprisingly, has the lowest-ranked farm system with 0 of the league’s top 85 prospects.

Bond’s big payday didn’t help the bottom line, and the Maroons saw red ink for the third straight year and will take their first significant cap cut (to $70M) for the first time in two decades.

WAR Leaders: Vladi Guerrero (7.0), Jermaine Dye (4.9), Livan Hernandez (3.8), Mike Mason (3.8)

A consensus top-3 pick by both BNN and Reed's Read, the Voyaguers were the top flop of 1998, perhaps crumbling under the pressure of expectations. And they flopped from the start, going 9-19 in April and never coming within a sniff of the playoff zone. The Canoeists were 3-9 in extra innings and 17-33 in one-run games, both league worsts.

One player who did not crumble under pressure was 1997 MVP Vladi Guerrero (.352-35-108), who finished 2nd in the batting race and 6th in WAR. Another star was RF Jermaine Dye (.322-26-87, .951) who had a breakout season at age 24. Rookie 3B Mike Lowell (#7 overall pick), showed flashes of greatness with a .281 average and 65 RBI in just over 100 games.

On the pitching side, $6 million free agent ace Mike Mason lived up to billing, leading the team with a 12-6 record and 3.16 ERA while announcing his retirement at the end of the season. Third year starters Livan Hernandez (244) and Chan Ho Park (205) turned into innings-eaters, though Park regurgitated most of his (5.52 ERA). The bullpen struggled as well, though somehow closer Jerry Dipoto managed 34 saves despite a 4.52 ERA.

Nine years into his tenure, GM Bryan Gryka has yet to play October ball. However, the club turned a third straight profit and will see a second straight maximum cap upgrade next year, giving the club its biggest payroll cap since 1992.

WAR Leaders: Ismael Valdez (5.7), Rich Gedman (4.6), Carlos Delgado (4.5), Alex Rodriguez (4.0)

In a season peppered with stories of disappointment and underachievement, the Cleveland Barons were perhaps the biggest flop. One of just two consensus picks for a playoff spot, the Barons instead finished tied for fifth with nine fewer wins than last year. The culprit was a colossal pitching collapse, from 2nd to 15th. The departure of Greg Swindell didn’t help things, but more fault lies with ace Ismael Valdez (+1.09 ERA to 3.70), Alex Fernandez (+1.66 to 4.92), and Jose DeLeon (+1.88 to 4.67). DeLeon at least has the excuse of age (36). The others were just sucky. Closer Toby Borland shone again, with a 2.07 ERA and league-best 39 saves.

The 22-year-old SS Alex Rodriguez (.245-40-133) had a career-worst batting average, but career best power numbers, winning the RBI title. 1B Carlos Delgado hit career best 37 HR and 121 RBI. The WAR leader was 38-year-old Rich Gedman, earning his $13.6 million paycheck with an .804 OPS and 72 RBIs while wearing the tools of ignorance.

Still, GM Charlie Qualls goes out on a high. The team won 85 games, good for a fourth successive winning season, one shy of the club record from 1964-68. Qualls will ply his trade with the expansion Bay Area Breakers next year.

WAR Leaders: Rondell White (5.3), Jeff Bagwell (5.2), Kevin Millar (3.8), Butch Henry (3.2)

Since their 1995 pennant, the Starlings have ensconced themselves in 6th place in the East. Keystone finished in that position for the third straight year, behind average hitting an abysmal pitching. CF Rondell White ( .280-32-94, +11.8 ZR, 5.3 WAR) led both the offense and the defense, SS Wil Cordero (.258-37-117) had his most RBIs since his 1995 MVP season, and #24 overall pick 1B Kevin Millar (.341-17-90, .912) was a top rookie.

The pitching staff and starting rotation both ranked second bottom, and nearly every every veteran had a season to forget. The few bright spots included RP Matt Whiteside (1.97, 1.01 WHIP, 11 SV) and RP Pat Clements, who posted a 2.59 ERA in 67 appearances at age 36.

The bloom is off the rose at New Shibe Park, however. The club welcomed just over 2 million patrons and the club posted a loss for the fifth straight season and will face a salary cap crunch in 1999.

WAR Leaders: Darin Erstad (6.4), Kal Daniels (4.7), Joe Magrane (4.6), Jay Bell (3.7)

After ending a 17-year playoff drought in 1997, the 14ers hoped for a playoff return. GM Tim Smith’s club was within striking distance much of the season, occupying 4th place a few games behind Minneapolis most of the year. But a 9-16 September, culminating in a 1-7 collapse in the final week, saw Denver drop three spots in seven days to a depressing 7th place finish. On the bright side, the Teeners notched three straight 80-win seasons for the first time in club history and the offense ranked in the top-5 for the first time since 1990.

Darin Erstad (.286-10-105, 6.4) led the offense while playing Gold-Glove defense in CF, the big free agent signing Kal Daniels provided the power punch he was hired for (.307-23-104, .882 OPS), and veteran SS Barry Larkin batted .293, his best average in six years. Tim Raines collected his 2500th hit, though at age 38 he only started 41 times.

Joe Magrane (16-8, 3.76) was solid again in the ace role, and Hideo Nomo (15-10, 4.19, 1.24 WHIP) was decent, if not spectacular, in his return to the rotation after a year in the pen. But a pair of 35-year-olds hit the wall after great 1997 seasons. Greg Mathews slumped to 9-15, 5.25 after last year’s 17-win campaign, and Todd Frohwirth, of 24 saves and 1.84 fame, collapsed to a 5.53 ERA and 1.52 WHIP.

The club spent in pursuit of the playoffs, resulting in a third straight financial loss and another salary cap cut next season.

WAR Leaders: Matt Morris (5.4), Frank Thomas (4.1), Bubba Trammell (3.4), Terry Mulholland (3.1)

After back-to-back playoff years, including the East Division pennant last year, the Dingy Hose dropped six positions to a 7th place tie in 1998. The league’s best pitching staff in 1997 ranked just 11th in 1998. Roger Clemens (4-9, 5.17) could not recapture his late-career magic he conjured last year, and Pat Hentgen (+1.33), Bobby Munoz (+1.25), and Terry Mulholland (+2.24) all regressed, although it was arguably a reversion to mean, as all four had strong seasons last year. Matt Morris (13-11, 3.30) was the only starter who had a good season. The sophomore northpaw from Middletown, N.Y. reached 13 wins, 225 innings, 150 Ks, and 5.0+ WAR in his first two seasons, which puts him in elite company.

The offense was led by Frank Thomas (.300-28-85, .949) who experienced a ballpark-assisted resurgence after a super-slumpy final season in Tinseltown. Second-year LF Bubba Trammell (.340-24-75, 1.006) had a breakout season, and second-year CF Richard Hidalgo drove in 88 runs. 

Attendance dipped 400k, slashing revenues by $14 million and producing the first financial loss in five years.

WAR Leaders: Justin Thompson (5.2), Todd Helton (3.9), Marc Newfield (3.2), Andy Benes (2.9)

The Flyin’ Lions’ pitching improved quite a bit in 1998, but not enough to prevent a third straight 8th place finish in a hyper-competitive West Division. Probably no club is looking forward to the divisional realignment more than Detroit. The pitching improved from 15th to 9th, despite Justin Thompson’s 18 losses and only one pitcher posting an ERA under 4.00. Pete Schourek (age 29) was probably the best pitcher, though at 9-8, 3.98 he was far from a world-beater. The bullpen however, ranked 2nd overall, led by 26-save Billy Wagner, who featured for the USA in the All-Star Classic in July.

The offense suffered a power outage, led by Ryan Klesko (19-53) whose power numbers were less than half of last year’s SLG and OPS title campaign. Sophomore Todd Helton (.307-28-98, .906) continued to emerge as an elite first baseman and young LF Marc Newfield (.317-17-60) had his second .300 season in three years. 2B Todd Walker, acquired midseason in the Fernando Vina trade, hit a fine .315 with a .370 OBP in the second half.

WAR Leaders: Gary Sheffield (6.5), Gregg Jefferies (4.2), Andruw Jones (4.0), Jorge Posada (3.2)

The Mons suffered through a sixth straight losing season under GM Jason Gudim, again landing in the bottom three of the East, but Washington saw some glimmers of hope, particularly in the dramatically improved pitching staff. Geremi Gonzalez (11-6, 3.31) had a creditable rookie campaign, Tom Glavine won 13 games, Doug Drabek had his best WAR in four years, and Julio Valera—acquired from Atlanta last year— consolidated his role as a top-3 starter.

At the plate, Gary Sheffield returned to his All-Star numbers, batting .302-24-103, and RF Shawn Green (.281-28-109) had a breakout year. Andruw Jones provided an elite glove in center field, while contributing 71 RBIs, and Jorge Posada gives the club its first consistent regular behind the plate since Rich Gedman left in 1993. Gregg Jefferies hit the league's only cycle on Aug. 5.

The club turned a profit for the fifth year running, as Gudim effectively controlled costs. An aging pitching staff will be a concern in the offseason, as the top three innings-eaters (Drabek, Glavine, and Brown) are all over 31.

WAR Leaders: Shane Andrews (2.9), Adrian Beltre (2.6), Chris Haney (2.2)

The second year of Tim Widholm's reign at Arroyo Seco Stadium resembled scorched earth. The club spent under $30 million on payroll, a record low, resulting in a $33 million profit, of which $25 million was surrendered to the league per the max-cash rule. Of the eight regulars, only CF Stan Javier returned from last year, and he and Van Slyke were the only players earning more than $2.5 million.

The result was a predictable crash-and-burn of the likes not seen in decades. The Outlaws lost 114 games, second most in league history, shattering the former club record of 96 losses, set last year. For a fanbase just three years removed from a record run of 15 consecutive playoff seasons, including four league titles, the comedown was too much to take. Attendance plummeted to 2.1 million, less than half that of the 1995 title season, 20 percent below league average, and the lowest since 1974.

L.A. does have a raft of 1999 picks, including three first rounders, and fans and Widholm alike will be hoping for a quick rebuild. For context, after Widdy took the helm at Brooklyn in 1977 his Superbas were in the playoffs in his third year and he put together nine straight winning seasons including four playoff appearances.

WAR Leaders: Jim Thome (4.7), Julian Tavarez (3.5), Mike Piazza (3.5), Ron Darling (3.4)

After back-to-back playoff appearances, including the league title in 1996, the Feds finished in their division for the first time since 1986. Both their offense and defense were third-worst in the league, but the offensive collapse was almost unprecedented. Last season's #2 offense finished 16th in the scoring table this year. Jim Thome moved from third base to first base, usually a favorable move for hitting, but saw OPS shrink 100 points to .853. Albert Belle's OPS also dropped 100 points to .800, and Sammy Sosa's plummetted 140 points to .728, below the league average. Mike Piazza hit 30, but still only hit .241, making last year's down year look more like a career inflection point.

Julian Tavarez, last year's win leader with 21, won just 4 this year and former ace Jon Lieber suffered his first losing campaign (9-18) and led the league in losses.