[chucksabr]

If the League votes to expel any bad D2 teams and vote in a Central League team this year, West Ham won't be in the mix, although they're pretty close. They finished fourth out of twenty teams in '01 (49-27, .645 WPCT), so they could compete. Their financials are good enough but, again, fourth in the Central. So the League will probably vote in Hull City or Huddersfield Town, if they take in any.

If the Hammers can make it soon, we would see the top offense in that League step into D2. They led the Central in a number of categories: 446 runs; .305 average; .376 OBP; 315 BB; 154 SB. On base skills and speed, and a bit HR pop (second in the league, but with only 20), but their Achilles heel is gap power.

On the other side of the ball, West Ham are in the second quartile in different run prevention metrics, which is pretty good too. I'd say, if they can keep up the hitting, and tighten up the pitching/defense just a bit, they'll put themselves in a good spot to be voted in soon. It's up to them to make it happen.