alpha_omega
01-30-2004, 10:43 AM
http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/7043518
Offseason progress reports: AL Central
The most apt move in the division last year wasn't Bartolo Colon's to Chicago, or Kenny Rogers' to Minnesota. It was Kansas City moving its spring camp to Surprise, Ariz.
The Royals' new digs only set the stage for the bigger surprise they sprung on the rest of baseball once the season started.
The Royals' 83-79 mark under manager of the year Tony Pena was miraculous, and the trick now will be to take another step forward. And you know what? Between some smart moves by GM Allard Baird and some backsliding by Minnesota and Chicago, the Royals should close the gap some more this summer.
And given the fact they finished only seven games behind the Twins last year (and three behind the White Sox), there isn't much of a gap to close.
Winter Power Rankings 2004 Ranking Team 2003 Ranking 1 Kansas City Royals (http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/teams/page/KC) 3 Pitching staff looks like it arrived from the Island of Misfit Toys, but it works. 2 Detroit Tigers (http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/teams/page/DET) 4 Owner Mike Ilitch's operating philosophy has made zero sense since 2000, but the Tigers at least will have a growl this year. 3 Cleveland Indians (http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/teams/page/CLE) 5 It hasn't been this quiet in Cleveland since Jack Brohamer was in the infield. 4 Chicago White Sox (http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/teams/page/CHW) 1 They really thought they were going to retain Bartolo Colon. 5 Minnesota Twins (http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/teams/page/MIN) 2 Worse in both the rotation and the bullpen. Disclaimer: These rankings are solely based on what clubs have done from Nov. 1 through now, so don't be outraged because I picked Kansas City to finish first. These aren't predictions, just impressions of the winter. So, as our friend David Letterman would say, please, no wagering (and that means you, too, Pete Rose).
Breaking it down
Best move: Kansas City keeping outfielder Carlos Beltran. A year ago, it appeared Beltran, a free agent after this season, was a short-timer in Kansas City. The Royals have not been able to negotiate a multiyear deal with Beltran's agent, Scott Boras, and he had trade written all over him. But after the Royals' blazing start last summer, Baird reconsidered. Now, the Royals wound up keeping him through the winter, too. Smart move, even if he does leave town via free agency next year. This division is up for grabs, and the Royals have the pieces to win.
Worst moves: Twins losing closer Eddie Guardado and setup man LaTroy Hawkins and trading Eric Milton to Philadelphia. Last one out turn off the lights? A fun team got too expensive for Owner For Eternity Carl Pohlad, so some of them had to go. The Twins still can be competitive if a domino-effect number of things occur, but there is no question they have taken several steps backward. Spring training will be like cleaning up on the morning after a weekend party: It will be time to restock the shelves, take inventory on what's left and hope the damage wasn't too severe.
Worst moves II: White Sox losing Colon and outfielder Carl Everett. These were two major pieces of last year's team and neither is easily replaced. Colon pitched 242 innings -- that's a huge load to carry, and the trickle-down could affect pitchers such as Esteban Loaiza, who had a surprisingly good year in 2003 while pitching in Colon's shadow. As for Everett, the White Sox's center fielder now is Aaron Rowand -- and, in cost-cutting moves, they still might deal Magglio Ordonez or Paul Konerko before opening day. The Comiskey Park All-Star Game seems a lot further away than six months ago, doesn't it?
Most off the wall move: Detroit producing an assembly line of free agents. Under Ilitch, the Tigers have had more makeovers than Cher, and the guy still doesn't seem to have a handle on what he wants to do. So, after stripping down last year to a total youth movement, the Tigers suddenly up and sign second baseman Fernando Vina, outfielder Rondell White and pitcher Jason Johnson? And they trade for shortstop Carlos Guillen? And try to sign catcher Ivan Rodriguez? Those moves aren't the answer. But in baseball's weakest division, the Tigers at least will be more competitive this year. Which is saying a mouthful, given last year's 43-119 mess.
Most underrated move: Kansas City re-signing Brian Anderson. It didn't break the Royals' bank (two years, $6.5 million) and it gives the Royals and skipper Tony Pena just what they need: Depth on the mound. The Royals had so many injuries in their rotation last summer they practically qualified for Medicaid, and Anderson's presence will help. The biggest problem, though, is Anderson currently slots in at the top of the rotation, and if he's matched too many times against the Pedro Martinezes and Mike Mussinas of the American League, it could get ugly in a hurry.
Division real estate award: Juan Gonzalez. The guy is working his way through the entire division, now suiting up for his third AL Central team (Kansas City, after working for Cleveland and Detroit) since 2000.
Best imitation of Looking for Mr. Goodbar: Or something like that. It has been awfully quiet in Cleveland -- so quiet, in fact, it was difficult to keep under wraps one bit of Indians news this winter: The club will invite to camp a pitcher who acted in a Japanese gay pornographic movie. Yes, Kazuhito Tadano might be one of the most-watched pitchers in Indians' camp, and not necessarily for his 93 mph fastball.
The story goes, Tadano was nearly broke and took the role in the film to help support himself while going to school. Word broke of his acting career just before the 2002 Japanese draft, in which Tadano was expected to be one of the top players taken. Once Japanese clubs learned of Tadano's past, they passed over him in the draft. Several major-league clubs considered signing him as a free agent, but many bowed out after confirming his screen resumé as well.
The Indians took a chance, and they will give Tadano another chance this spring. He has apologized for his past and says he is not gay (not -- as the Seinfeld gang would say -- that there is anything wrong with it.)
On the rise: Kansas City. The Royals went from 62 victories in 2002 to 83 in 2003. Gonzalez and Benito Santiago should further solidify their attack. Rookie of the year shortstop Angel Berroa is another year older. Mike Sweeney's back should be better. Adding reliever Scott Sullivan strengthens the bullpen, which is a must for the Royals, given their underwhelming rotation. Best of all, Tony Pena is hitting his stride as manager.
On the decline: Minnesota Twins. You know how Oakland in recent years has lost Jason Giambi, Johnny Damon and Miguel Tejada? The Twins now are the Athletics on training wheels. Minnesota sat idly by and watched Guardado and Hawkins sign elsewhere over the winter, putting a severe dent in its bullpen depth. The Twins traded Milton to Philadelphia, which chips away at their rotation. Super-sub Denny Hocking left for Colorado. The Twins are still good enough to be competitive in a weak division. But they are not as good even as the team that was brushed aside in four games by the Yankees last October.
Keep an eye on: The relationship between new White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen and first baseman/designated hitter Frank Thomas. Guillen was outspoken at times as a player, and it chapped Big Frank. Now, since getting the Sox managerial job last fall, Guillen has mentioned numerous times Thomas needs to be a team player. As much as Guillen talks, this is a situation that could lead to several clashes between these two strong personalities.
Keep an eye on II: Joe Mauer, Twins catcher. If the kid is as good as advertised while replacing A.J. Pierzynski, the Twins can win their division again. If not, there's going to be trouble. Big trouble.
Offseason progress reports: AL Central
The most apt move in the division last year wasn't Bartolo Colon's to Chicago, or Kenny Rogers' to Minnesota. It was Kansas City moving its spring camp to Surprise, Ariz.
The Royals' new digs only set the stage for the bigger surprise they sprung on the rest of baseball once the season started.
The Royals' 83-79 mark under manager of the year Tony Pena was miraculous, and the trick now will be to take another step forward. And you know what? Between some smart moves by GM Allard Baird and some backsliding by Minnesota and Chicago, the Royals should close the gap some more this summer.
And given the fact they finished only seven games behind the Twins last year (and three behind the White Sox), there isn't much of a gap to close.
Winter Power Rankings 2004 Ranking Team 2003 Ranking 1 Kansas City Royals (http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/teams/page/KC) 3 Pitching staff looks like it arrived from the Island of Misfit Toys, but it works. 2 Detroit Tigers (http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/teams/page/DET) 4 Owner Mike Ilitch's operating philosophy has made zero sense since 2000, but the Tigers at least will have a growl this year. 3 Cleveland Indians (http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/teams/page/CLE) 5 It hasn't been this quiet in Cleveland since Jack Brohamer was in the infield. 4 Chicago White Sox (http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/teams/page/CHW) 1 They really thought they were going to retain Bartolo Colon. 5 Minnesota Twins (http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/teams/page/MIN) 2 Worse in both the rotation and the bullpen. Disclaimer: These rankings are solely based on what clubs have done from Nov. 1 through now, so don't be outraged because I picked Kansas City to finish first. These aren't predictions, just impressions of the winter. So, as our friend David Letterman would say, please, no wagering (and that means you, too, Pete Rose).
Breaking it down
Best move: Kansas City keeping outfielder Carlos Beltran. A year ago, it appeared Beltran, a free agent after this season, was a short-timer in Kansas City. The Royals have not been able to negotiate a multiyear deal with Beltran's agent, Scott Boras, and he had trade written all over him. But after the Royals' blazing start last summer, Baird reconsidered. Now, the Royals wound up keeping him through the winter, too. Smart move, even if he does leave town via free agency next year. This division is up for grabs, and the Royals have the pieces to win.
Worst moves: Twins losing closer Eddie Guardado and setup man LaTroy Hawkins and trading Eric Milton to Philadelphia. Last one out turn off the lights? A fun team got too expensive for Owner For Eternity Carl Pohlad, so some of them had to go. The Twins still can be competitive if a domino-effect number of things occur, but there is no question they have taken several steps backward. Spring training will be like cleaning up on the morning after a weekend party: It will be time to restock the shelves, take inventory on what's left and hope the damage wasn't too severe.
Worst moves II: White Sox losing Colon and outfielder Carl Everett. These were two major pieces of last year's team and neither is easily replaced. Colon pitched 242 innings -- that's a huge load to carry, and the trickle-down could affect pitchers such as Esteban Loaiza, who had a surprisingly good year in 2003 while pitching in Colon's shadow. As for Everett, the White Sox's center fielder now is Aaron Rowand -- and, in cost-cutting moves, they still might deal Magglio Ordonez or Paul Konerko before opening day. The Comiskey Park All-Star Game seems a lot further away than six months ago, doesn't it?
Most off the wall move: Detroit producing an assembly line of free agents. Under Ilitch, the Tigers have had more makeovers than Cher, and the guy still doesn't seem to have a handle on what he wants to do. So, after stripping down last year to a total youth movement, the Tigers suddenly up and sign second baseman Fernando Vina, outfielder Rondell White and pitcher Jason Johnson? And they trade for shortstop Carlos Guillen? And try to sign catcher Ivan Rodriguez? Those moves aren't the answer. But in baseball's weakest division, the Tigers at least will be more competitive this year. Which is saying a mouthful, given last year's 43-119 mess.
Most underrated move: Kansas City re-signing Brian Anderson. It didn't break the Royals' bank (two years, $6.5 million) and it gives the Royals and skipper Tony Pena just what they need: Depth on the mound. The Royals had so many injuries in their rotation last summer they practically qualified for Medicaid, and Anderson's presence will help. The biggest problem, though, is Anderson currently slots in at the top of the rotation, and if he's matched too many times against the Pedro Martinezes and Mike Mussinas of the American League, it could get ugly in a hurry.
Division real estate award: Juan Gonzalez. The guy is working his way through the entire division, now suiting up for his third AL Central team (Kansas City, after working for Cleveland and Detroit) since 2000.
Best imitation of Looking for Mr. Goodbar: Or something like that. It has been awfully quiet in Cleveland -- so quiet, in fact, it was difficult to keep under wraps one bit of Indians news this winter: The club will invite to camp a pitcher who acted in a Japanese gay pornographic movie. Yes, Kazuhito Tadano might be one of the most-watched pitchers in Indians' camp, and not necessarily for his 93 mph fastball.
The story goes, Tadano was nearly broke and took the role in the film to help support himself while going to school. Word broke of his acting career just before the 2002 Japanese draft, in which Tadano was expected to be one of the top players taken. Once Japanese clubs learned of Tadano's past, they passed over him in the draft. Several major-league clubs considered signing him as a free agent, but many bowed out after confirming his screen resumé as well.
The Indians took a chance, and they will give Tadano another chance this spring. He has apologized for his past and says he is not gay (not -- as the Seinfeld gang would say -- that there is anything wrong with it.)
On the rise: Kansas City. The Royals went from 62 victories in 2002 to 83 in 2003. Gonzalez and Benito Santiago should further solidify their attack. Rookie of the year shortstop Angel Berroa is another year older. Mike Sweeney's back should be better. Adding reliever Scott Sullivan strengthens the bullpen, which is a must for the Royals, given their underwhelming rotation. Best of all, Tony Pena is hitting his stride as manager.
On the decline: Minnesota Twins. You know how Oakland in recent years has lost Jason Giambi, Johnny Damon and Miguel Tejada? The Twins now are the Athletics on training wheels. Minnesota sat idly by and watched Guardado and Hawkins sign elsewhere over the winter, putting a severe dent in its bullpen depth. The Twins traded Milton to Philadelphia, which chips away at their rotation. Super-sub Denny Hocking left for Colorado. The Twins are still good enough to be competitive in a weak division. But they are not as good even as the team that was brushed aside in four games by the Yankees last October.
Keep an eye on: The relationship between new White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen and first baseman/designated hitter Frank Thomas. Guillen was outspoken at times as a player, and it chapped Big Frank. Now, since getting the Sox managerial job last fall, Guillen has mentioned numerous times Thomas needs to be a team player. As much as Guillen talks, this is a situation that could lead to several clashes between these two strong personalities.
Keep an eye on II: Joe Mauer, Twins catcher. If the kid is as good as advertised while replacing A.J. Pierzynski, the Twins can win their division again. If not, there's going to be trouble. Big trouble.