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AL preview Indians, Rangers, Red Sox still chasing Yankees
NEW YORK (AP) -- The Cleveland Indians made one major move during the offseason to try to catch the New York Yankees. Signing Yankees killer Chuck Finley might just be enough. "I don't know about the puzzle, but he fits," new Indians manager Charlie Manuel said of Finley, 16-9 in his career against the World Series champions. "Sometimes a puzzle falls apart if you don't glue it together." Cleveland has always had the glue, with a powerful offense that became the first to score more than 1,000 runs since 1950. Now they might have the starting pitching, too, with Finley and ace Bartolo Colon to stop New York from becoming the first team since Oakland from 1972-74 to win three straight World Series titles. "A lot of great teams have won two in a row," said Yankees first baseman Tino Martinez, whose diminishing production the past two years is just one of the questions that could keep New York from winning again. "Three straight is a dynasty-type accomplishment." While the Yankees are almost always the story in the AL in October, there are other more compelling questions in the regular season. Can anyone stop last season's three other playoff teams -- Cleveland, Texas and Boston -- from joining the champs in the playoffs for the third straight year? Will the three great AL shortstops -- Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Nomar Garciaparra -- make the playoffs in the same season, or at least the All-Star game? And can anyone hit Pedro Martinez? While the National League has its Home Run Central division and the potential for races in all three divisions, the AL offers little suspense for the regular season. Only six teams have made the playoffs in five years of wild-card play, with New York and Cleveland having made it every year, and Texas and Boston three times, including the past two years. "Maybe it's time for something new this year," said Oakland manager Art Howe, whose team gave Boston and Texas a run for the playoffs in 1999. "We feel we have a shot. The stretch run last year was invaluable for our confidence." And that brings up the most interesting question: Which of the three AL West contenders will make the playoffs. Texas, which won the last two division titles only to score two runs in six losses to the Yankees, has overhauled more than half its lineup, trading two-time MVP Juan Gonzalez to Detroit. "We still think we can win with this club," GM Doug Melvin said. "The main thing is pitching good at the start of the year, to give our position guys a chance to get some at-bats on the big-league level." Seattle, which was forced to trade Ken Griffey Jr. to Cincinnati, could be in a better position this season than last, following the signings of John Olerud, Aaron Sele, Arthur Rhodes and Kazuhiro Sasaki. "There's a huge void without Griff," Rodriguez said. "But you've got to understand, we've proven that with a great offense, we haven't been able to win. Now we've brought in pitching. It's the most balanced team we've had." But not quite balanced enough. Look for the same four teams to advance to the playoffs, but with Finley knocking the Yankees out and sending Cleveland to the World Series. A look at the AL in predicted order of finish:
AL EastNew York Yankees -- The Yankees have ridden the best and deepest rotation in the league to back-to-back World Series titles. But questions surround this year's staff. New York is counting on a pair of 37-year-old starters, Roger Clemens (14-10, 4.60 ERA) and David Cone (12-9, 3.44), who both struggled in the second half last year. Andy Pettitte's (14-11, 4.70) win total has dropped three straight years and rookie Ed Yarnall (13-4, 3.47 in Triple-A) is untested. Even Orlando Hernandez (17-9, 4.12) was slowed by a bad back in spring training. Age could also be a problem in the lineup that will be without the suspended Darryl Strawberry, as 37-year-old Paul O'Neill (.285, 19, 110) had his fewest homers and lowest average since coming to New York in 1993. That said, New York still has Derek Jeter (.349, 24, 102), Bernie Williams (.342, 25, 115) and Mariano Rivera (1.83, 45 saves) and a wealth of young talent that can be used to bring in key veterans down the stretch. Boston Red Sox -- Boston used two stars -- Pedro Martinez (23-4, 2.07, 313 Ks) and Nomar Garciaparra (.357, 27, 104) -- and a bunch of role players to make the playoffs in consecutive years for the first time since 1913-14. Repeat performances by those two and the addition of Carl Everett (.325, 25, 108) should ensure a third straight postseason trip for first time in team history. But Martinez will need support from a pitching staff that was best in AL last year. John Wasdin's eight wins are the most of any other Boston pitcher on the opening-day roster. Pedro's brother Ramon (2-1, 3.05) will need to replace injured Bret Saberhagen (10-6, 2.95), and Derek Lowe (6-3, 2.63, 15 saves) will be counted on as closer. Toronto Blue Jays -- Fought Boston for the wild-card spot before slipping in September. Overhauled coaching staff and traded Shawn Green (.309, 42, 123) to Los Angeles for underachieving Raul Mondesi (.253, 33, 99). David Wells (17-10, 4.82) anchors pitching staff full of young, hard throwers, but could be traded to contender if Blue Jays falter early. Chris Carpenter (9-8, 4.38) could be key to team's success if he stays healthy. Loss of Green takes some pop out of lineup, and Tony Batista might have difficult time repeating 26-homer performance in 375 at-bats after trade from Arizona. Jose Cruz Jr. (.241, 14, 45) better reach his potential soon or super prospect Vernon Wells will step into center field. Baltimore Orioles -- The Orioles were once again one of baseball's biggest disappointments in 1999, but new manager Mike Hargrove will try to coax overpaid, underachieving team into the playoffs. Starting pitching, which was to be the strength of the team, was dealt big blow with injury to Scott Erickson (5-12, 4.81), who will miss first two months. Mike Mussina (18-7, 3.50) and Sidney Ponson (12-12, 4.71) still form a formidable 1-2 punch. Albert Belle (.297, 37, 117) struggled in first season in Baltimore, especially in first half. He had similar problem in Chicago before breaking out in 1998. Familiarity and reunion with Hargrove could mean big year for Belle. Cal Ripken (.340, 18, 57), despite playing only 86 games, had one of his best seasons, when he was healthy. Tampa Bay Devil Rays -- If this were Home Run Derby, Devil Rays would be in great position with big swinging Jose Canseco (.274, 34, 95), Greg Vaughn (.245, 45, 118), Vinny Castilla (.275, 33, 102), and Fred McGriff (.310, 32, 104). The four combined for 305 homers past two seasons -- most of any team -- yet also struck out 941 times during that span. Traded best pitcher, Rolando Arrojo to get Castilla, and pitching is thin for Devil Rays. Management hoping sluggers at least bring out fans if they can't win. Attendance dropped 800,000 from first to second year and money is already a problem in Tampa Bay.
AL CentralCleveland Indians -- With Kenny Lofton hurt, another 1,000-run season might be out of the question. But Indians still might have best offense in the league. Together with an improved pitching staff, the division should once again be wrapped up by April 15. The top three in the order -- Lofton (.301, 7, 39), Omar Vizquel (.333, 5, 66), and Roberto Alomar (.323, 24, 120) -- set the table for the sluggers and scored 36 percent (360) of the team's 1009 runs. Dave Roberts, Jacob Cruz and Lance Johnson will get a shot to replace Lofton at top of lineup, but new manager Charlie Manuel won't hesitate to move Vizquel up in the lineup. Manny Ramirez (.333, 44, 165), Jim Thome (.277, 33, 108) and Richie Sexson (.255, 31, 116) form the most fearsome run-producing trio in the league. Finley (12-11, 4.43) takes some pressure off struggling Jaret Wright (8-10, 6.06) and Colon (18-5, 3.95) is a legitimate ace. Biggest question is in the bullpen, where Paul Shuey (8-5, 3.53, 6 saves) and Steve Karsay (10-2, 2.97, 1) need to replace Mike Jackson. Detroit Tigers -- New stadium and Gonzalez (.326, 39, 128) should provide some excitement but pitching staff led by journeyman Dave Mlicki (14-13, 4.61) remains a question mark for new manager Phil Garner. Jeff Weaver (9-12, 5.55) struggled in second half of his rookie year, his ERA was 3.84 before the break and 8.29 after. Spacious Comerica Park could help beleaguered pitchers but will also swallow up long flies from Gonzalez, Dean Palmer (.263, 38, 100) and Tony Clark (.280, 31, 99). Chicago White Sox -- Chicago is building a solid nucleus of young players, but to do any real damage the White Sox need Frank Thomas to return to his MVP days. The Big Hurt had career lows in homers (15) and RBIs (77) and his .305 average was the second lowest of his career. He spent the spring bickering with manager Jerry Manuel and hearing criticism from former teammates. Magglio Ordonez (.301, 30, 117) provides protection for Thomas in the lineup and 23-year-old Paul Konerko (.294, 24, 81) could be ready for a breakout year. Mike Sirotka (11-13, 4.00) had the second lowest ERA in the AL among lefties and Kip Wells (4-1, 4.04) appears ready to step into the rotation. Keith Foulke (3-3, 2.22, 9 saves) is the best setup man most people haven't heard of. Kansas City Royals -- Youth movement brought excitement to Kansas City despite franchise-record 97 losses last season. Rookie of the Year Carlos Beltran (.293, 22, 108) is the best of the group, but 2B Carlos Febles (.256, 10, 53) also was impressive as a rookie. Jermaine Dye (.294, 27, 119) finally had breakthrough year at the plate. Fan favorite Johnny Damon (.307, 14, 77) could be traded to create room for prospect Dee Brown. Team needs to find a spot for Mark Quinn, who homered twice in his major league debut after hitting .360 with 25 homers in Triple-A. Jose Rosado (10-14, 3.85) anchors pitching staff that has few proven commodities. Biggest problem is bullpen, which blew 30 of 59 save chances. Minnesota Twins -- When commissioner's office reminded managers to bring regulars to spring games, Twins manager Tom Kelly said he would as long as he knew whom his regulars were. That's the biggest problem in Minnesota, where there are some promising young players but few who have proved they deserve a regular job. Corey Koskie (.310, 11, 58) might be the best of last year's Kiddie Corps, which hit the fewest homers in the AL despite playing half their games in the Homerdome. With Brad Radke (12-14, 3.75) unlikely to make it through the season in Minnesota, no-hit pitcher Eric Milton (7-11, 4.49) will have to become more consistent.
AL WestTexas Rangers -- Few teams endured as many player losses as the Rangers, as they try to retool their team without falling into a rebuilding stage. Gone are two-time MVP Gonzalez, 3B Todd Zeile, 2B Mark McLemore, 1B Lee Stevens and CF Tom Goodwin from lineup that was second in the AL in runs scored last year. David Segui (.298, 14, 52) and youngsters RF Gabe Kapler (.245, 18, 49), CF Ruben Mateo (.238, 5, 18; .336, 18, 62 in Triple-A), 3B Mike Lamb (.324, 21, 100 in Double-A) and 2B Frank Catalanotto (.276, 11, 35) will be called on to replace the 96 homers and 385 RBIs that have left Texas. The four young players have combined for one more homer (40) and two more RBIs (130) in their careers than Gonzalez had last year. The pitching could be better, though, despite the loss of Aaron Sele. Kenny Rogers (10-4, 4.19) returns to the site of his greatest success. Darren Oliver (9-9, 4.26) also returns as the Rangers tilt their rotation to the left to try to reverse their fortunes against the Yankees, who swept Texas out of the playoffs the last two years. While Kapler and oft-injured left-hander Justin Thompson were the biggest names in the Gonzalez trade, Francisco Cordero (2-2, 3.32) could be the most important as he reinforces setup crew that tired at end of last season. Oakland Athletics -- Teams that show dramatic improvement one year tend to fall back the next. Oakland improved 13 games last year, surprising the experts by staying in contention despite a low payroll. Power and patience are the keys for the A's, whose 770 walks were the most in the majors since 1949 and whose 235 homers set a franchise record. A healthy John Jaha (.276, 35, 111) will once again be key to the Athletics. Look for better seasons from Eric Chavez (.247, 13, 50) and Ben Grieve (.265, 28, 86) and more improvement from Miguel Tejada (.251, 21, 84) to offset any drop in production from Jaha, Jason Giambi (.315, 33, 123) or Matt Stairs (.258, 38, 102). Kevin Appier (16-14, 5.17) and Omar Olivares (15-11, 4.16) are in Oakland for the whole year and Tim Hudson (11-2, 3.23) proved as a rookie that he will be a future ace. Jason Isringhausen (8 of 8 in save chances for Oakland) will have to stay healthy and be consistent in his first full season as a reliever. Seattle Mariners -- Perhaps the busiest team in the offseason: Junior is gone, A-Rod is staying, for now, and GM Pat Gillick has tried to build a team for Safeco Field. Sele (18-9, 4.79), Rhodes (3-4, 5.43) and Japanese import Sasaki will help make pitching one of Seattle's strengths for a change. Team ERA was 4.01 at Safeco, where it played the second half of the season, compared with 6.67 in the Kingdome. Jamie Moyer (14-8, 3.87) continues to get people out with his slow and slower approach, Freddy Garcia (17-8, 4.07) showed as a rookie that he has ace potential and scouts are in love with Gil Meche (8-4, 4.73). Might try Mark McLemore (.274, 6, 45) in left field and leadoff spot but would like to find left-handed hitting outfielder. Olerud (.298, 19, 96, .427 on-base percentage) and Edgar Martinez (.337, 24, 86, .447 on-base) will give Jay Buhner (.222, 14, 38) RBI opportunities as he returns from injury-plagued '99. Anaheim Angels -- One of the favorites last season, the Angeles are only team without a legitimate chance to win AL West in 2000. Desperate for pitching help, the Angels finally unloaded Jim Edmonds, acquiring All-Star Kent Bottenfield (18-7, 3.97). He will join a rotation that includes journeymen Ken Hill, Tom Candiotti and Kent Mercker. Mo Vaughn (.281, 33, 108) was supposed to provide fire in the clubhouse. All he did was help get manager Terry Collins fired.
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