There is one thing the Blue Jays don’t have to worry about this season: high expectations. When they traded ace Roy Halladay, they pretty much gave up on what already were slim chances of contending. Toronto enters spring training with a reduced payroll, a rotation to be determined, an unsettled situation at closer, uncertainty at the corner outfield spots and questions about whether its highest-paid player, Vernon Wells, can bounce back. It isn’t a good formula to compete in the AL East.
Three questions
Can Veron Wells regain the form that made him a 2006 All-Star?
1. Who will take over for Halladay?
No one, of course. Halladay arguably has been the game’s best starter over the past decade. The Jays now don’t have a pitcher who has thrown 200 innings in a season. Subtract Halladay’s 2.79 ERA, and Toronto’s rotation had a 5.28 ERA in 2009.
The Jays are opting for quantity over quality, having invited more than 30 pitchers to major league camp. Seemingly half will be given a chance to start (the Jays used 12 starters last season). Plus, Shaun Marcum is healthy after missing all of ’09 and the Jays traded for two other candidates, Brandon Morrow and Dana Eveland.
Only lefthander Ricky Romero is guaranteed a rotation spot, but pitching coach Bruce Walton is excited about Morrow. "He has electric stuff and he’s a fierce competitor," Walton said. "I think he just needs to find out who he is — what his game style is — and he’s just going to take off."
2. Can Wells get well?
Wells emerged as one of the game’s top center fielders in 2006, when he made the All-Star team, hit .303 with 32 homers and 106 RBIs, won a Gold Glove and signed a huge extension. But in the three seasons since, he has regressed. Big time. Last season was a low point: a .260/.311/.400 stat line with 15 homers and 66 RBIs (both career lows).
What happened? At 31, Wells isn’t too old. Wrist, leg and shoulder injuries, however, have aged him. Wells played 158 games last season but was bothered by a sore left wrist that required offseason surgery. Compounding his struggles: He isn’t being paid like an over-the-hill veteran. The Jays owe him $107 million over the next five seasons, and though they were able to shed Halladay’s and Alex Rios’ big salaries, they likely are stuck with Wells’.
3. So, what’s to like?
New general manager Alex Anthopoulos has impressed his colleagues with his plan to boost the size of Toronto’s scouting department. But that strategy won’t pay off for a while. Likewise, it likely will take a year or two for top prospects Brett Wallace and Kyle Drabek, both acquired in the offseason, to make an impact.
For this season, the Jays will feature a lineup that includes two of the league’s top sluggers, second baseman Aaron Hill (36 homers, 108 RBIs) and DH Adam Lind (35 homers, 114 RBIs). Though Travis Snider struggled as a rookie, he is only 22 and the Jays are hoping he can lock down a starting outfield job during spring training. Finally, the Jays believe Romero can continue to develop into a top-of-the-rotation starter.
Projected lineup
1. RF Jose Bautista. Career-best .349 OBP in ’09.
2. 2B Aaron Hill. Career-high 36 HRs in comeback season.
3. DH Adam Lind. Slugger might hit cleanup if Wells slumps.
4. CF Vernon Wells. .214 AVG, .348 SLG at home.
5. 1B Lyle Overbay. .838 OPS was his best since ’06.
6. 3B Edwin Encarnacion. .240 AVG with Jays, .209 with Reds.
7. C John Buck. Has career .298 OBP.
8. LF Travis Snider. ’09 struggles led to Class AAA demotion.
9. SS Alex Gonzalez. Hit .284 with Red Sox, .210 with Reds.
Projected rotation
1. LHP Ricky Romero. 178 IP, 4.30 ERA in rookie season.
2. RHP Shaun Marcum. Missed ’09 after Tommy John surgery.
3. RHP Brandon Morrow. 3.68 ERA in 10 starts with Seattle.
4. LHP Brian Tallet. 5.41 ERA in 25 starts in ’09.
5. RHP Scott Richmond. Sore shoulder led to 5.52 ERA. (UPDATE: Richmond will begin the season on the disabled list.)
Projected closer
RHP Kevin Gregg. Has edge over Jason Frasor, Scott Downs. (UPDATE: Frasor won the job.)
Grades
Offense. B. Hill and Lind formed one of the most productive duos in the AL last year. They should get more help this season because Wells reportedly is healthy, Snider is a year older and Lyle Overbay is in a contract year.
Pitching. C. There is no shortage of good arms among the rotation candidates, but there is a huge lack of experience. And growing up in the AL East isn’t easy. One problem with having three closer candidates: It typically means each has an issue that prevents him from being the main guy.
Bench. C. John McDonald remains one of the game’s best utility players, and Randy Ruiz showed good power in limited opportunities. The addition of speedster Joey Gathright could boost a thin outfield, and the catcher depth is even thinner as a career backup enters spring training as the starer. (UPDATE: The Jays released Gathright last week.)
Manager. C. Cito Gaston won two World Series with the Jays in the early 1990s, but his old-school approach didn’t play well in 2009. As Gaston enters his final season in the dugout, the Jays could rally around him or they could mail it in and wait for the next guy.
Sporting News prediction: Their rotation lacks experience, their offense lacks a true leadoff hitter and their payroll lacks the oomph needed to hang with the big boys in the AL East. It will be a surprise if the Jays finish anywhere but last.
Coming Friday: Orioles preview.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
There is one thing the Blue Jays don’t have to worry about this season: high expectations. When they traded ace Roy Halladay, they pretty much gave up on what already were slim chances of contending. Toronto enters spring training with a reduced payroll, a rotation to be determined, an unsettled situation at closer, uncertainty at the corner outfield spots and questions about whether its highest-paid player, Vernon Wells, can bounce back. It isn’t a good formula to compete in the AL East.
Three questions
Can Veron Wells regain the form that made him a 2006 All-Star?
1. Who will take over for Halladay?
No one, of course. Halladay arguably has been the game’s best starter over the past decade. The Jays now don’t have a pitcher who has thrown 200 innings in a season. Subtract Halladay’s 2.79 ERA, and Toronto’s rotation had a 5.28 ERA in 2009.
The Jays are opting for quantity over quality, having invited more than 30 pitchers to major league camp. Seemingly half will be given a chance to start (the Jays used 12 starters last season). Plus, Shaun Marcum is healthy after missing all of ’09 and the Jays traded for two other candidates, Brandon Morrow and Dana Eveland.
Only lefthander Ricky Romero is guaranteed a rotation spot, but pitching coach Bruce Walton is excited about Morrow. "He has electric stuff and he’s a fierce competitor," Walton said. "I think he just needs to find out who he is — what his game style is — and he’s just going to take off."
2. Can Wells get well?
Wells emerged as one of the game’s top center fielders in 2006, when he made the All-Star team, hit .303 with 32 homers and 106 RBIs, won a Gold Glove and signed a huge extension. But in the three seasons since, he has regressed. Big time. Last season was a low point: a .260/.311/.400 stat line with 15 homers and 66 RBIs (both career lows).
What happened? At 31, Wells isn’t too old. Wrist, leg and shoulder injuries, however, have aged him. Wells played 158 games last season but was bothered by a sore left wrist that required offseason surgery. Compounding his struggles: He isn’t being paid like an over-the-hill veteran. The Jays owe him $107 million over the next five seasons, and though they were able to shed Halladay’s and Alex Rios’ big salaries, they likely are stuck with Wells’.
3. So, what’s to like?
New general manager Alex Anthopoulos has impressed his colleagues with his plan to boost the size of Toronto’s scouting department. But that strategy won’t pay off for a while. Likewise, it likely will take a year or two for top prospects Brett Wallace and Kyle Drabek, both acquired in the offseason, to make an impact.
For this season, the Jays will feature a lineup that includes two of the league’s top sluggers, second baseman Aaron Hill (36 homers, 108 RBIs) and DH Adam Lind (35 homers, 114 RBIs). Though Travis Snider struggled as a rookie, he is only 22 and the Jays are hoping he can lock down a starting outfield job during spring training. Finally, the Jays believe Romero can continue to develop into a top-of-the-rotation starter.
Projected lineup
1. RF Jose Bautista. Career-best .349 OBP in ’09.
2. 2B Aaron Hill. Career-high 36 HRs in comeback season.
3. DH Adam Lind. Slugger might hit cleanup if Wells slumps.
4. CF Vernon Wells. .214 AVG, .348 SLG at home.
5. 1B Lyle Overbay. .838 OPS was his best since ’06.
6. 3B Edwin Encarnacion. .240 AVG with Jays, .209 with Reds.
7. C John Buck. Has career .298 OBP.
8. LF Travis Snider. ’09 struggles led to Class AAA demotion.
9. SS Alex Gonzalez. Hit .284 with Red Sox, .210 with Reds.
Projected rotation
1. LHP Ricky Romero. 178 IP, 4.30 ERA in rookie season.
2. RHP Shaun Marcum. Missed ’09 after Tommy John surgery.
3. RHP Brandon Morrow. 3.68 ERA in 10 starts with Seattle.
4. LHP Brian Tallet. 5.41 ERA in 25 starts in ’09.
5. RHP Scott Richmond. Sore shoulder led to 5.52 ERA. (UPDATE: Richmond will begin the season on the disabled list.)
Projected closer
RHP Kevin Gregg. Has edge over Jason Frasor, Scott Downs. (UPDATE: Frasor won the job.)
Grades
Offense. B. Hill and Lind formed one of the most productive duos in the AL last year. They should get more help this season because Wells reportedly is healthy, Snider is a year older and Lyle Overbay is in a contract year.
Pitching. C. There is no shortage of good arms among the rotation candidates, but there is a huge lack of experience. And growing up in the AL East isn’t easy. One problem with having three closer candidates: It typically means each has an issue that prevents him from being the main guy.
Bench. C. John McDonald remains one of the game’s best utility players, and Randy Ruiz showed good power in limited opportunities. The addition of speedster Joey Gathright could boost a thin outfield, and the catcher depth is even thinner as a career backup enters spring training as the starer. (UPDATE: The Jays released Gathright last week.)
Manager. C. Cito Gaston won two World Series with the Jays in the early 1990s, but his old-school approach didn’t play well in 2009. As Gaston enters his final season in the dugout, the Jays could rally around him or they could mail it in and wait for the next guy.
Sporting News prediction: Their rotation lacks experience, their offense lacks a true leadoff hitter and their payroll lacks the oomph needed to hang with the big boys in the AL East. It will be a surprise if the Jays finish anywhere but last.
Coming Friday: Orioles preview.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
Once mentioned as a contraction candidate, Minnesota will christen its new outdoor Target Field on April 12 and will boast a payroll that suddenly ranks nowhere near the small-market range. However, the new ballpark won’t include a money tree in the outfield. As a result, a cloud will hang over the franchise until it can lock up catcher Joe Mauer to a long-term deal. Mauer is signed through this season, however, and that is just one reason the Twins are primed to repeat as AL Central champions. (UPDATE: The Twins and Mauer agreed to an eight-year, $184 million extension earlier this month.)
Three questions
1. How will the new park affect the team?
Say what you will about the aesthetics of the Metrodome, but you could count on temperatures in the low 70s and a zero percent chance of a rainout/snowout. And it provided quite a home-field advantage; Minnesota’s 393 home wins since 2002 rank behind only the Yankees’ and Red Sox’s totals. Target Field figures to be a challenging place to play early and late in the season when the temperatures hover around/below freezing.
The Twins, with largely the same pitching staff as in 2009, went 55-40 with a 4.35 ERA indoors last season but 32-36 with a 4.72 ERA outdoors. Offensively, they hit 1.01 homers per game in 68 outdoor games and 1.08 homers per game in 95 indoor games. However, the ball doesn’t figure to travel well in the frigid outdoor air.
Does Francisco Liriano have any of the 2006 magic left in him?
2. Is Francisco Liriano back?
The majority of the chatter in Minnesota revolves around whether Mauer will be back in 2011, but a bigger question for this season is whether the 2006 Liriano will reappear. That season, Liriano went 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA and 10.7 K/9 ratio in 28 games (16 starts) and showed the promise of a future ace. Then came Tommy John surgery. In 2009, his first full season back from the procedure, Liriano went 5-13 with a 5.80 ERA and lost his rotation spot.
But just as the organization began to doubt Liriano’s ability to recapture his dominant form, he put on a clinic in winter ball. His velocity returned, along with his confidence. Because of the Twins’ rotation depth, they will take things slowly with Liriano in hopes of jump-starting a once-promising career.
3. Is this bullpen an elite unit?
Twins relievers posted a 3.87 ERA last season, good enough for fourth in the AL and 12th in the majors. However, closer Joe Nathan struggled late in the season and in the ALDS and had offseason surgery to remove bone spurs from his pitching elbow. Setup man Jesse Crain was less than a year removed from shoulder surgery, and late-inning reliever Pat Neshek missed the entire season after Tommy John surgery. Nathan, Crain and Neshek are healthy, and late-season acquisition Jon Rauch will be with the team all season after posting a 1.72 ERA in 17 games with Minnesota in 2009.
"He knows how to pitch, has a good breaking ball. You look at him and think he’s going to be one of these power guys, but he’s at 91, 92, which is plenty enough velocity," manager Ron Gardenhire said about Rauch. "He’s a good finesse guy, a guy who can locate the ball, another guy who can (get) us to our closer."
(UPDATE: Nathan tore an elbow ligament in spring training and underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery. Barring a trade, the Twins will begin the season with a closer-by-committee.)
Projected lineup
1. CF Denard Span: .390 OBP, 17 triples past 2 seasons.
2. 2B Orlando Hudson: Career-worst 99 K’s in ’09 with Dodgers.
3. C Joe Mauer: .444 OBP led MLB; 1.031 OPS led AL
4. 1B Justin Morneau: Averaged 30 HRs, 118 RBIs since ’06.
5. RF Michael Cuddyer: Career-best 32 HRs last season.
6. DH Jason Kubel: First 100-RBI season in ’09.
7. LF Delmon Young: .266 AVG before break; .300 after.
8. SS J.J. Hardy: Hit .169 vs. LHP in ’09.
9. 3B Brendan Harris: .311 AVG at home; .207 on road in ’09.
Projected rotation
1. RHP Scott Baker: 1.08 WHIP at home; 1.30 on road in ’09.
2. RHP Carl Pavano: 5-4, 4.64 ERA after trade to Twins.
3. RHP Nick Blackburn: ’08: 11-11, 4.05 ERA; ’09: 11-11, 4.03.
4. RHP Kevin Slowey: 10-3 before wrist surgery.
5. LHP Francisco Liriano: 5.93 ERA as SP in ’09; 3.52 as RP.
PROJECTED CLOSER
RHP Joe Nathan: Career-high 47 saves last season. Jon Rauch: The likely committee chairman.
Grades
Offense: A. Mauer, the defending AL MVP and batting champion, and Morneau, the 2006 AL MVP, form one of the majors’ best 1-2 offensive punches. Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel also have 30-homer capability, and Minnesota finished fifth in the majors in runs in 2009. Orlando Hudson is ideal fit in the 2-hole, and fellow newcomer J.J. Hardy could provide pop from the bottom of the order.
Pitching: B. The Twins finished 23rd in the majors in ERA last season, thanks in large part to the starters’ 4.84 ERA (26th). However, the return to health in the bullpen and the potential for Liriano to rebound as a starter bump up this grade. (UPDATE: This grade was handed out before Nathan’s injury.)
Bench: B. Few teams have the luxury of calling upon a pinch hitter with 564 career homers. But the Twins have that late-inning option with Jim Thome. Nick Punto will compete for the starting job at third but will be more valuable as a reserve infielder. Minnesota lost outfield depth by trading Carlos Gomez to Milwaukee.
Manager: A. In eight seasons at the helm, Gardenhire has had one losing record (79-83 in 2007). He was brilliant while working with a small-budget squad, so expect even better things with arguably the best collection of talent with which he has had to work.
Sporting News prediction: It won’t be easy — and might take another one-game playoff — but Minnesota will be the first AL Central champion to repeat since … the 2003-04 Twins. (UPDATE: This prediction was made prior to Nathan’s injury.)
Coming Tuesday: Tigers preview.
Chris Bahr is a senior editor for Sporting News. E-mail him at cbahr@sportingnews.com.
Once mentioned as a contraction candidate, Minnesota will christen its new outdoor Target Field on April 12 and will boast a payroll that suddenly ranks nowhere near the small-market range. However, the new ballpark won’t include a money tree in the outfield. As a result, a cloud will hang over the franchise until it can lock up catcher Joe Mauer to a long-term deal. Mauer is signed through this season, however, and that is just one reason the Twins are primed to repeat as AL Central champions. (UPDATE: The Twins and Mauer agreed to an eight-year, $184 million extension earlier this month.)
Three questions
1. How will the new park affect the team?
Say what you will about the aesthetics of the Metrodome, but you could count on temperatures in the low 70s and a zero percent chance of a rainout/snowout. And it provided quite a home-field advantage; Minnesota’s 393 home wins since 2002 rank behind only the Yankees’ and Red Sox’s totals. Target Field figures to be a challenging place to play early and late in the season when the temperatures hover around/below freezing.
The Twins, with largely the same pitching staff as in 2009, went 55-40 with a 4.35 ERA indoors last season but 32-36 with a 4.72 ERA outdoors. Offensively, they hit 1.01 homers per game in 68 outdoor games and 1.08 homers per game in 95 indoor games. However, the ball doesn’t figure to travel well in the frigid outdoor air.
Does Francisco Liriano have any of the 2006 magic left in him?
2. Is Francisco Liriano back?
The majority of the chatter in Minnesota revolves around whether Mauer will be back in 2011, but a bigger question for this season is whether the 2006 Liriano will reappear. That season, Liriano went 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA and 10.7 K/9 ratio in 28 games (16 starts) and showed the promise of a future ace. Then came Tommy John surgery. In 2009, his first full season back from the procedure, Liriano went 5-13 with a 5.80 ERA and lost his rotation spot.
But just as the organization began to doubt Liriano’s ability to recapture his dominant form, he put on a clinic in winter ball. His velocity returned, along with his confidence. Because of the Twins’ rotation depth, they will take things slowly with Liriano in hopes of jump-starting a once-promising career.
3. Is this bullpen an elite unit?
Twins relievers posted a 3.87 ERA last season, good enough for fourth in the AL and 12th in the majors. However, closer Joe Nathan struggled late in the season and in the ALDS and had offseason surgery to remove bone spurs from his pitching elbow. Setup man Jesse Crain was less than a year removed from shoulder surgery, and late-inning reliever Pat Neshek missed the entire season after Tommy John surgery. Nathan, Crain and Neshek are healthy, and late-season acquisition Jon Rauch will be with the team all season after posting a 1.72 ERA in 17 games with Minnesota in 2009.
"He knows how to pitch, has a good breaking ball. You look at him and think he’s going to be one of these power guys, but he’s at 91, 92, which is plenty enough velocity," manager Ron Gardenhire said about Rauch. "He’s a good finesse guy, a guy who can locate the ball, another guy who can (get) us to our closer."
(UPDATE: Nathan tore an elbow ligament in spring training and underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery. Barring a trade, the Twins will begin the season with a closer-by-committee.)
Projected lineup
1. CF Denard Span: .390 OBP, 17 triples past 2 seasons.
2. 2B Orlando Hudson: Career-worst 99 K’s in ’09 with Dodgers.
3. C Joe Mauer: .444 OBP led MLB; 1.031 OPS led AL
4. 1B Justin Morneau: Averaged 30 HRs, 118 RBIs since ’06.
5. RF Michael Cuddyer: Career-best 32 HRs last season.
6. DH Jason Kubel: First 100-RBI season in ’09.
7. LF Delmon Young: .266 AVG before break; .300 after.
8. SS J.J. Hardy: Hit .169 vs. LHP in ’09.
9. 3B Brendan Harris: .311 AVG at home; .207 on road in ’09.
Projected rotation
1. RHP Scott Baker: 1.08 WHIP at home; 1.30 on road in ’09.
2. RHP Carl Pavano: 5-4, 4.64 ERA after trade to Twins.
3. RHP Nick Blackburn: ’08: 11-11, 4.05 ERA; ’09: 11-11, 4.03.
4. RHP Kevin Slowey: 10-3 before wrist surgery.
5. LHP Francisco Liriano: 5.93 ERA as SP in ’09; 3.52 as RP.
PROJECTED CLOSER
RHP Joe Nathan: Career-high 47 saves last season. Jon Rauch: The likely committee chairman.
Grades
Offense: A. Mauer, the defending AL MVP and batting champion, and Morneau, the 2006 AL MVP, form one of the majors’ best 1-2 offensive punches. Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel also have 30-homer capability, and Minnesota finished fifth in the majors in runs in 2009. Orlando Hudson is ideal fit in the 2-hole, and fellow newcomer J.J. Hardy could provide pop from the bottom of the order.
Pitching: B. The Twins finished 23rd in the majors in ERA last season, thanks in large part to the starters’ 4.84 ERA (26th). However, the return to health in the bullpen and the potential for Liriano to rebound as a starter bump up this grade. (UPDATE: This grade was handed out before Nathan’s injury.)
Bench: B. Few teams have the luxury of calling upon a pinch hitter with 564 career homers. But the Twins have that late-inning option with Jim Thome. Nick Punto will compete for the starting job at third but will be more valuable as a reserve infielder. Minnesota lost outfield depth by trading Carlos Gomez to Milwaukee.
Manager: A. In eight seasons at the helm, Gardenhire has had one losing record (79-83 in 2007). He was brilliant while working with a small-budget squad, so expect even better things with arguably the best collection of talent with which he has had to work.
Sporting News prediction: It won’t be easy — and might take another one-game playoff — but Minnesota will be the first AL Central champion to repeat since … the 2003-04 Twins. (UPDATE: This prediction was made prior to Nathan’s injury.)
Coming Tuesday: Tigers preview.
Chris Bahr is a senior editor for Sporting News. E-mail him at cbahr@sportingnews.com.
Joe Girardi wore No. 27 last season and the Yankees won their 27th World Series. This season, he is sporting No. 28. Next year, no one will be surprised if he asks backup catcher Francisco Cervelli to give up his No. 29. The Yankees are primed to become the first team to repeat since, well, the Yankees completed a three-peat 10 years ago. "They’re the team to beat once again," Rays manager Joe Maddon says.
Javier Vazquez looks like an upgrade for the Yankees’ pitching staff.
Three questions
1. Are the Yankees better than last season?
They don’t need to be to repeat. On paper, however, they should be slightly improved because of the addition of righthander Javier Vazquez. His numbers with the Braves last season were better than any of the Yankees’ starters. The offense will be younger with center fielder Curtis Granderson, DH Nick Johnson and left fielder Brett Gardner replacing Melky Cabrera, Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon. Being younger doesn’t mean the offense will be better, but as long as the hitters with the eight-figure salaries — Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada — don’t suffer drastic drop-offs, the Yankees’ offense should be as dangerous as a year ago.
2. Who’s in left?
The leading contender to replace Damon is Gardner, who is faster and superior defensively but doesn’t have Damon’s power. Gardner will have competition, however, from Randy Winn, Marcus Thames and Jamie Hoffmann, the first pick in the Rule 5 draft. Winn, 35, signed a discount deal after enduring his worst season (.318 OBP, two homers in 538 at-bats) with the Giants. Thames, who was signed to a minor league deal, has the power the other candidates lack (13 homers in 258 at-bats with Detroit last year). Hoffmann, 25, hit .283/.355/.401 in five minor league seasons in the Dodgers’ system. (UPDATE: Gardner is the man in left. Also, the Yankees shipped Hoffmann back to the Dodgers after he cleared waivers.)
"Gardner is a young player trying to establish himself in the game who’s got well above average defensive ability," says Yankees general manager Cashman, before addressing another possibility. "He’s, we think, one of the best center fielders in the game. There are a lot of different ways we can go, including being open-minded to having Gardner in center and Granderson in left. We’ll have to see how it shakes out."
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman would like to see the homegrown Gardner win the job. "Gardner is a young player trying to establish himself in the game who’s got well above average defensive ability," says Cashman, before addressing another possibility. "He’s, we think, one of the best center fielders in the game. There are a lot of different ways we can go, including being open-minded to having Gardner in center and Granderson in left. We’ll have to see how it shakes out."
3. Joba or Hughes for the fifth spot?
Talent evaluators from other clubs believe Phil Hughes is better suited to start than Joba Chamberlain. Chamberlain is best when he can go all-out one trip through the lineup; his fastball velocity was noticeably diminished last season when he started. As obvious as the decision seems, what were the Yankees thinking last season when they started Chamberlain but severely limited his pitch counts? That was like having a reliever start the game.
Perhaps because the bullpen solidified when Hughes took over the eighth-inning role, the Yankees stayed the course before adding Chamberlain to the bullpen for the playoffs. Both guys say they want to start in 2010. (UPDATE: Hughes beat out Chamberlain for the rotation spot; Joba returned to a setup role.)
Projected lineup
1. SS Derek Jeter: 107 runs, AL-best 289 times on base.
2. DH Nick Johnson: Career-best .426 OBP for Nats, Marlins.
3. 1B Mark Teixeira: Led club with 39 HRs, 122 RBIs, .948 OPS.
4. 3B Alex Rodriguez: 12th straight 30-HR, 100-RBI season (despite missing 38 games).
5. C Jorge Posada: .891 OPS was second-best among catchers.
6. CF Curtis Granderson: Newcomer hit 30 HRs for first time.
7. 2B Robinson Cano: Led second basemen with .320 AVG, .520 SLG.
8. RF Nick Swisher: Would clean up for some teams (29 HRs, .371 OBP).
9. LF Brett Gardner: Must Beat out Randy Winn, Marcus Thames.
Projected rotation
1. LHP CC Sabathia: Typical dominance (19-8, 3.37 ERA, 230 IP).
2. RHP A.J. Burnett: 1.40 WHIP was his highest since 2003.
3. LHP Andy Pettitte: Best during the postseason: 4-0, 3.52 ERA.
4. RHP Javier Vazquez: Had more IPs, Ks and lower ERA than Sabathia.
5. RHP Phil Hughes: His maturity gives him the edge over Joba.
Projected closer
RHP Mariano Rivera: At 40, still the best in the business.
GRADES
Offense: A. The Yankees were the only team to score more than 900 runs last season, their .362 on-base percentage led the majors by 10 points and their 244 homers were 20 more than the Phillies. Even if the newcomers can’t match the departed, the mainstays are back. And New York will have A-Rod for the entire season.
Pitching: A. They lack the Red Sox’s depth, but any club with the best closer and one of the top starters deserves a high mark. Vazquez gives the rotation a third pitcher capable of 200-plus innings after Sabathia and Burnett. Chamberlain will fit nicely into the eighth-inning role.
Bench: C. This is where the Yankees typically save payroll, and they can because they have six regulars who figure to play at least 150 games. The outfield is deep but, to nitpick, the club could use an upgrade over Ramiro Pena at utility infielder.
Manager: B. Until he started making defensive changes in the middle of an inning during the playoffs, Girardi didn’t over-manage as much in 2009. After winning a championship, he should be even more relaxed in his third season as the Yankees’ skipper.
Sporting News prediction: Money can’t buy a championship, but having the highest-paid players at six positions (third, shortstop, first, catcher, starting pitcher and closer) remains reason No. 1 the Yankees will repeat.
COMING TUESDAY: Red Sox preview.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
Joe Girardi wore No. 27 last season and the Yankees won their 27th World Series. This season, he is sporting No. 28. Next year, no one will be surprised if he asks backup catcher Francisco Cervelli to give up his No. 29. The Yankees are primed to become the first team to repeat since, well, the Yankees completed a three-peat 10 years ago. "They’re the team to beat once again," Rays manager Joe Maddon says.
Javier Vazquez looks like an upgrade for the Yankees’ pitching staff.
Three questions
1. Are the Yankees better than last season?
They don’t need to be to repeat. On paper, however, they should be slightly improved because of the addition of righthander Javier Vazquez. His numbers with the Braves last season were better than any of the Yankees’ starters. The offense will be younger with center fielder Curtis Granderson, DH Nick Johnson and left fielder Brett Gardner replacing Melky Cabrera, Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon. Being younger doesn’t mean the offense will be better, but as long as the hitters with the eight-figure salaries — Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada — don’t suffer drastic drop-offs, the Yankees’ offense should be as dangerous as a year ago.
2. Who’s in left?
The leading contender to replace Damon is Gardner, who is faster and superior defensively but doesn’t have Damon’s power. Gardner will have competition, however, from Randy Winn, Marcus Thames and Jamie Hoffmann, the first pick in the Rule 5 draft. Winn, 35, signed a discount deal after enduring his worst season (.318 OBP, two homers in 538 at-bats) with the Giants. Thames, who was signed to a minor league deal, has the power the other candidates lack (13 homers in 258 at-bats with Detroit last year). Hoffmann, 25, hit .283/.355/.401 in five minor league seasons in the Dodgers’ system. (UPDATE: Gardner is the man in left. Also, the Yankees shipped Hoffmann back to the Dodgers after he cleared waivers.)
"Gardner is a young player trying to establish himself in the game who’s got well above average defensive ability," says Yankees general manager Cashman, before addressing another possibility. "He’s, we think, one of the best center fielders in the game. There are a lot of different ways we can go, including being open-minded to having Gardner in center and Granderson in left. We’ll have to see how it shakes out."
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman would like to see the homegrown Gardner win the job. "Gardner is a young player trying to establish himself in the game who’s got well above average defensive ability," says Cashman, before addressing another possibility. "He’s, we think, one of the best center fielders in the game. There are a lot of different ways we can go, including being open-minded to having Gardner in center and Granderson in left. We’ll have to see how it shakes out."
3. Joba or Hughes for the fifth spot?
Talent evaluators from other clubs believe Phil Hughes is better suited to start than Joba Chamberlain. Chamberlain is best when he can go all-out one trip through the lineup; his fastball velocity was noticeably diminished last season when he started. As obvious as the decision seems, what were the Yankees thinking last season when they started Chamberlain but severely limited his pitch counts? That was like having a reliever start the game.
Perhaps because the bullpen solidified when Hughes took over the eighth-inning role, the Yankees stayed the course before adding Chamberlain to the bullpen for the playoffs. Both guys say they want to start in 2010. (UPDATE: Hughes beat out Chamberlain for the rotation spot; Joba returned to a setup role.)
Projected lineup
1. SS Derek Jeter: 107 runs, AL-best 289 times on base.
2. DH Nick Johnson: Career-best .426 OBP for Nats, Marlins.
3. 1B Mark Teixeira: Led club with 39 HRs, 122 RBIs, .948 OPS.
4. 3B Alex Rodriguez: 12th straight 30-HR, 100-RBI season (despite missing 38 games).
5. C Jorge Posada: .891 OPS was second-best among catchers.
6. CF Curtis Granderson: Newcomer hit 30 HRs for first time.
7. 2B Robinson Cano: Led second basemen with .320 AVG, .520 SLG.
8. RF Nick Swisher: Would clean up for some teams (29 HRs, .371 OBP).
9. LF Brett Gardner: Must Beat out Randy Winn, Marcus Thames.
Projected rotation
1. LHP CC Sabathia: Typical dominance (19-8, 3.37 ERA, 230 IP).
2. RHP A.J. Burnett: 1.40 WHIP was his highest since 2003.
3. LHP Andy Pettitte: Best during the postseason: 4-0, 3.52 ERA.
4. RHP Javier Vazquez: Had more IPs, Ks and lower ERA than Sabathia.
5. RHP Phil Hughes: His maturity gives him the edge over Joba.
Projected closer
RHP Mariano Rivera: At 40, still the best in the business.
GRADES
Offense: A. The Yankees were the only team to score more than 900 runs last season, their .362 on-base percentage led the majors by 10 points and their 244 homers were 20 more than the Phillies. Even if the newcomers can’t match the departed, the mainstays are back. And New York will have A-Rod for the entire season.
Pitching: A. They lack the Red Sox’s depth, but any club with the best closer and one of the top starters deserves a high mark. Vazquez gives the rotation a third pitcher capable of 200-plus innings after Sabathia and Burnett. Chamberlain will fit nicely into the eighth-inning role.
Bench: C. This is where the Yankees typically save payroll, and they can because they have six regulars who figure to play at least 150 games. The outfield is deep but, to nitpick, the club could use an upgrade over Ramiro Pena at utility infielder.
Manager: B. Until he started making defensive changes in the middle of an inning during the playoffs, Girardi didn’t over-manage as much in 2009. After winning a championship, he should be even more relaxed in his third season as the Yankees’ skipper.
Sporting News prediction: Money can’t buy a championship, but having the highest-paid players at six positions (third, shortstop, first, catcher, starting pitcher and closer) remains reason No. 1 the Yankees will repeat.
COMING TUESDAY: Red Sox preview.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
Assuming the Eagles trade quarterback Donovan McNabb — and their silence in the face of rampant rumors suggests they eventually will — he has more than a few potential new homes. Though only a handful have been mentioned, the Eagles reportedly are talking to teams that want their interest not to be disclosed, given they already have guys on the roster who think they’ll be the starting quarterback in their current cities when the 2010 season commences.
There’s a long list of possible destinations for Donovan McNabb.
So let’s take a look at where McNabb might land, if/when he indeed is traded.
Buffalo
The Bills have a trio of second-tier quarterbacks, and they are one of only two teams who have been linked to McNabb that have not denied it.
Some think that owner Ralph Wilson won’t pay McNabb’s eight-figure salary for 2011 or give him an extension that might approach nine figures. But if the Bills are serious about becoming a contender in this quarterback’s league, they need an elite quarterback.
The bonus for the rest of us? One game per year in Miami. Which is located in Florida. Which is the state where Donovan has a habit of losing his lunch during games.
Cleveland
Sure, the Browns have guaranteed $7 million to quarterback Jake Delhomme in 2010. But what’s $7 million to a franchise that has been handing out buyouts like comedy show fliers in Times Square?
McNabb would instantly make a franchise nudging toward legitimacy fully and completely legitimate, thrusting them into contention in the highly-competitive AFC North.
Thus, if he Browns are serious about improving, they need to be serious about getting McNabb — even if they already have Delhomme.
Pittsburgh
Though it’s still way too early in the Ben Roethlisberger case to justify serious considerations of trading for McNabb, the Steelers need to be considering their alternatives — and McNabb could be the best one available.
It’s highly unlikely that the Steelers would pursue McNabb absent the filing of charges against Roethlisberger. If, however, Ben does a perp walk before McNabb is moved, the Steelers need to run to the phones and see what it would take to get him.
Jacksonville
Coach Jack Del Rio has suggested that David Garrard isn’t an elite quarterback. McNabb clearly is.
Amid the fading chatter of the Jaguars taking a chance on Tim Tebow, the fact remains that they need short-term help in the hopes of securing long-term future in Jacksonville.
So why not McNabb? If the Jaguars are serious about getting better, McNabb gives them their best shot.
Denver
Why should the Broncos be pursuing McNabb? We can think of two reasons.
Kyle Orton and Brady Quinn.
Though it would make the team better, trading for a franchise quarterback a year after trading one away would look a little odd, but if they can get McNabb for far less than the two first-round picks that the Bears coughed up for Jay Cutler, the Broncos could hold their heads high, for a change.
Oakland
The mere fact that the Raiders have been linked to McNabb and haven’t had John Herrera issue a statement applying "false rumor monger" to anyone who has reported on this possibility is all the proof we need that they’ve concluded that their investment in JaMarcus Russell was a major blunder.
Getting McNabb could help get them out of their mess. The team has talent; it just needs a leader on the offensive side of the ball. McNabb would be that leader — and he could help turn around a team that has struggled since 2002, a season in which both the Raiders and McNabb’s Eagles fell to the eventual champs from Tampa.
Washington
The Redskins need a long-term answer at quarterback, but the Eagles aren’t likely to hand McNabb to a division rival.
That said, the Eagles haven’t been bashful about doing deals with division foes. Indeed, they moved out of round one in 2007 and used a pick at the top of round two to get Kevin Kolb in a deal with Dallas.
Still, it’s one thing to swap picks with the Cowboys; it’s quite another to hand a franchise quarterback over to an archrival, especially when said franchise quarterback knows the ins and outs of his former franchise.
Minnesota
The Vikings would likely prefer that McNabb stay put for one more year. Then, they can sign him after Favre makes one last run at a walk-off Super Bowl win.
But if the market for McNabb is softer than previously believed, the Vikings would be wise to at least explore the possibility of securing a quarterback who would help the team for multiple years beyond 2010.
The fact that McNabb and Brad Childress have an extensive history in Philly could make Childress take a little more seriously the possibility of McNabb being the 2010 version of Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay — and Favre being the 2010 version of, well, Brett Favre.
Carolina
The Panthers have jettisoned Delhomme, and they’ve made Matt Moore the starter.
Who?
Exactly.
The problem is that a lame-duck coach and a lame-duck GM. likely can’t get ownership’s approval to make a deal for a quarterback the next regime might want.
Arizona
The Cardinals say they’re not interested in McNabb. Well, they should be.
With McNabb, they’d remain contenders in a watered-down NFC West. Without him, they’ll struggle to tread water — and they’ll end up wishing they had made the move. Especially if he ends up with another team in the division.
St. Louis
The Rams had been linked to Eagles quarterback Mike Vick. Rumors that they might make a play for another Eagles quarterback heated up last week, only to be shot down by the powers-that-be.
The Rams apparently not wanting McNabb makes it more clear that they’ll find their quarterback in the draft, presumably at the top.
While that likely will make Sam Bradford happy, it provides the Eagles with one less viable suitor for McNabb’s services.
San Francisco The 49ers have been trying to prop up and dust off the first pick in the 2005 draft, and they’ll continue that effort in 2010, as Alex Smith returns as the starter.
Though Smith hasn’t been terrible, McNabb could help push the team to the top of the division. Presumably, the 49ers hope to return to the top of the division.
If they did, they’d send one of their first-round picks to Philly for the guy who instantly would be their best quarterback since Steve Young.
Seattle
The Seahawks have been flirting with making a big splash in the 2010 offseason, but they have consistently stopped short of pulling the trigger.
McNabb would allow them to shake up the division.
The Seahawks could also give Philly something no one else can — a backup quarterback who is schooled in the West Coast offense. Then again, the Eagles could balk at Matt Hasselbeck as part of the offer, given that Hasselbeck could be cut, which would give the Eagles a free and clear shot at him.
Either way, getting McNabb would be precisely the kind of splash that the Seahawks are looking to make.
Mike Florio writes and edits ProFootballTalk.com and is a regular contributor to Sporting News. Check out PFT for up-to-the minute NFL news.
Assuming the Eagles trade quarterback Donovan McNabb — and their silence in the face of rampant rumors suggests they eventually will — he has more than a few potential new homes. Though only a handful have been mentioned, the Eagles reportedly are talking to teams that want their interest not to be disclosed, given they already have guys on the roster who think they’ll be the starting quarterback in their current cities when the 2010 season commences.
There’s a long list of possible destinations for Donovan McNabb.
So let’s take a look at where McNabb might land, if/when he indeed is traded.
Buffalo
The Bills have a trio of second-tier quarterbacks, and they are one of only two teams who have been linked to McNabb that have not denied it.
Some think that owner Ralph Wilson won’t pay McNabb’s eight-figure salary for 2011 or give him an extension that might approach nine figures. But if the Bills are serious about becoming a contender in this quarterback’s league, they need an elite quarterback.
The bonus for the rest of us? One game per year in Miami. Which is located in Florida. Which is the state where Donovan has a habit of losing his lunch during games.
Cleveland
Sure, the Browns have guaranteed $7 million to quarterback Jake Delhomme in 2010. But what’s $7 million to a franchise that has been handing out buyouts like comedy show fliers in Times Square?
McNabb would instantly make a franchise nudging toward legitimacy fully and completely legitimate, thrusting them into contention in the highly-competitive AFC North.
Thus, if he Browns are serious about improving, they need to be serious about getting McNabb — even if they already have Delhomme.
Pittsburgh
Though it’s still way too early in the Ben Roethlisberger case to justify serious considerations of trading for McNabb, the Steelers need to be considering their alternatives — and McNabb could be the best one available.
It’s highly unlikely that the Steelers would pursue McNabb absent the filing of charges against Roethlisberger. If, however, Ben does a perp walk before McNabb is moved, the Steelers need to run to the phones and see what it would take to get him.
Jacksonville
Coach Jack Del Rio has suggested that David Garrard isn’t an elite quarterback. McNabb clearly is.
Amid the fading chatter of the Jaguars taking a chance on Tim Tebow, the fact remains that they need short-term help in the hopes of securing long-term future in Jacksonville.
So why not McNabb? If the Jaguars are serious about getting better, McNabb gives them their best shot.
Denver
Why should the Broncos be pursuing McNabb? We can think of two reasons.
Kyle Orton and Brady Quinn.
Though it would make the team better, trading for a franchise quarterback a year after trading one away would look a little odd, but if they can get McNabb for far less than the two first-round picks that the Bears coughed up for Jay Cutler, the Broncos could hold their heads high, for a change.
Oakland
The mere fact that the Raiders have been linked to McNabb and haven’t had John Herrera issue a statement applying "false rumor monger" to anyone who has reported on this possibility is all the proof we need that they’ve concluded that their investment in JaMarcus Russell was a major blunder.
Getting McNabb could help get them out of their mess. The team has talent; it just needs a leader on the offensive side of the ball. McNabb would be that leader — and he could help turn around a team that has struggled since 2002, a season in which both the Raiders and McNabb’s Eagles fell to the eventual champs from Tampa.
Washington
The Redskins need a long-term answer at quarterback, but the Eagles aren’t likely to hand McNabb to a division rival.
That said, the Eagles haven’t been bashful about doing deals with division foes. Indeed, they moved out of round one in 2007 and used a pick at the top of round two to get Kevin Kolb in a deal with Dallas.
Still, it’s one thing to swap picks with the Cowboys; it’s quite another to hand a franchise quarterback over to an archrival, especially when said franchise quarterback knows the ins and outs of his former franchise.
Minnesota
The Vikings would likely prefer that McNabb stay put for one more year. Then, they can sign him after Favre makes one last run at a walk-off Super Bowl win.
But if the market for McNabb is softer than previously believed, the Vikings would be wise to at least explore the possibility of securing a quarterback who would help the team for multiple years beyond 2010.
The fact that McNabb and Brad Childress have an extensive history in Philly could make Childress take a little more seriously the possibility of McNabb being the 2010 version of Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay — and Favre being the 2010 version of, well, Brett Favre.
Carolina
The Panthers have jettisoned Delhomme, and they’ve made Matt Moore the starter.
Who?
Exactly.
The problem is that a lame-duck coach and a lame-duck GM. likely can’t get ownership’s approval to make a deal for a quarterback the next regime might want.
Arizona
The Cardinals say they’re not interested in McNabb. Well, they should be.
With McNabb, they’d remain contenders in a watered-down NFC West. Without him, they’ll struggle to tread water — and they’ll end up wishing they had made the move. Especially if he ends up with another team in the division.
St. Louis
The Rams had been linked to Eagles quarterback Mike Vick. Rumors that they might make a play for another Eagles quarterback heated up last week, only to be shot down by the powers-that-be.
The Rams apparently not wanting McNabb makes it more clear that they’ll find their quarterback in the draft, presumably at the top.
While that likely will make Sam Bradford happy, it provides the Eagles with one less viable suitor for McNabb’s services.
San Francisco The 49ers have been trying to prop up and dust off the first pick in the 2005 draft, and they’ll continue that effort in 2010, as Alex Smith returns as the starter.
Though Smith hasn’t been terrible, McNabb could help push the team to the top of the division. Presumably, the 49ers hope to return to the top of the division.
If they did, they’d send one of their first-round picks to Philly for the guy who instantly would be their best quarterback since Steve Young.
Seattle
The Seahawks have been flirting with making a big splash in the 2010 offseason, but they have consistently stopped short of pulling the trigger.
McNabb would allow them to shake up the division.
The Seahawks could also give Philly something no one else can — a backup quarterback who is schooled in the West Coast offense. Then again, the Eagles could balk at Matt Hasselbeck as part of the offer, given that Hasselbeck could be cut, which would give the Eagles a free and clear shot at him.
Either way, getting McNabb would be precisely the kind of splash that the Seahawks are looking to make.
Mike Florio writes and edits ProFootballTalk.com and is a regular contributor to Sporting News. Check out PFT for up-to-the minute NFL news.
You can call them X-factors, wild cards or catalysts. The name doesn’t matter. What does is their performance. Whether filling in for the injured or stepping into new situations, such players can figure into a team’s success as much as the superstars.
A look at six such players, one per division:
The Red Sox signed Mike Cameron to a two-year contract.
AL East
Mike Cameron, Red Sox
Instead of bringing back Jason Bay on a long-term deal, the Red Sox signed Cameron for two years. The change is expected to mean a drop in home runs — Bay led Boston with 36 last year — and an upgrade on defense. The Red Sox like Cameron’s glove work so much they are moving the younger and faster Jacoby Ellsbury to left field to allow Cameron to man center. With one of baseball’s best pitching staffs, the move should work as long as Cameron doesn’t begin to show his age. At 37, he’s the oldest center fielder in the majors.
AL Central
Jon Rauch, Twins
This was shaping up to be a splendid summer in Minnesota until Joe Nathan blew out his elbow and was lost for the season. Instead of turning to leads over to one of the game’s best closers, Ron Gardenhire now says he will use a closer-by-committee approach — another way of saying he doesn’t really have a bonafide closer. Rauch is the committee member with the most closing experience. He will share opportunities with Matt Guerrier, Jesse Crain and lefty Jose Mijares.
The M’s hope Milton Bradley will help improve their offense.
AL West
Milton Bradley, Mariners
Who’s bothered that Bradley flamed out in Chicago and already has stirred his share of controversy in Seattle? Not Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu.
After all the strides the Mariners have made in the past year behind pitching and defense, they must improve their offense to truly challenge the Angels. Wakamatsu could have reduced the spotlight on Bradley by putting him in the lower half of the order. Instead, Wakamatsu seriously is considering Bradley as the cleanup hitter in a lineup that will rely on the middle of the order to drive in All-Star table-setters Ichiro Suzuki and Chone Figgins.
Bradley seems ready for the challenge. He says his legs are stronger than they have been in years and though he has popped off about his failed season in Chicago, he is fitting in with his new teammates. Bradley even has pulled one over on the Mariners’ No. 1 jokester, Ken Griffey Jr., by placing a bottle of hair coloring in the greybeard’s locker. "I bought it for myself," Bradley said in an interview. "I noticed he had a little gray in the chin so I figured it would be a good little joke so I put this Just For Men in his locker and he took it and used it."
NL East
Troy Glaus, Braves
The team with the best chance to stop the Phillies from winning their fourth consecutive division title is Atlanta, which would like nothing more than to send Bobby Cox into retirement with a trip to the playoffs.
The Braves have a deep rotation and a retooled bullpen but the offense needs a lift in the power department. While 20-year-old Jason Heyward has hogged the attention this spring, he is a rookie who never has played in a big-league game. The Braves are counting on Glaus to produce in the five-hole behind Chipper Jones and Brian McCann. Glaus missed most of last season because of shoulder surgery and signed a bargain one-year deal to play first.
"No limitations on what I can do, or what I did in the offseason," Glaus said. "I really was healthy at the end of last season."
The Brewers plan to use Randy Wolf as their No. 2 starter.
NL Central
Randy Wolf, Brewers
Milwaukee led this division in runs, homers and OBP last season but finished 11 games out mainly because of the NL’s worst rotation. Enter Wolf, who was signed a three-year deal after posting a 3.32 ERA in 34 starts with the Dodgers. He assumes the No. 2 spot behind Yovani Gallardo, who at 24 could be headed for a breakout year under new pitching coach Rick Peterson.
NL West
Franklin Morales, Rockies
A healthy Huston Street at closer would make picking the Rockies ahead of the Dodgers an easy decision. But a shoulder problem is jeopardizing Street’s season and, perhaps, the Rockies’ best chance of winning their first division title. Street reported stiffness after playing catch over the weekend and is expected to start the season on the disabled list.
Without Street, the Rockies figure to turn to the lefty Morales, who went 7-for-7 in save chances last September when Street was unavailable. Morales, however, spent 2 1-2 months on the disabled list last season with his own shoulder injury. The Rockies’ top setup man, Rafael Betancourt, also has suffered arm woes this spring.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
You can call them X-factors, wild cards or catalysts. The name doesn’t matter. What does is their performance. Whether filling in for the injured or stepping into new situations, such players can figure into a team’s success as much as the superstars.
A look at six such players, one per division:
The Red Sox signed Mike Cameron to a two-year contract.
AL East
Mike Cameron, Red Sox
Instead of bringing back Jason Bay on a long-term deal, the Red Sox signed Cameron for two years. The change is expected to mean a drop in home runs — Bay led Boston with 36 last year — and an upgrade on defense. The Red Sox like Cameron’s glove work so much they are moving the younger and faster Jacoby Ellsbury to left field to allow Cameron to man center. With one of baseball’s best pitching staffs, the move should work as long as Cameron doesn’t begin to show his age. At 37, he’s the oldest center fielder in the majors.
AL Central
Jon Rauch, Twins
This was shaping up to be a splendid summer in Minnesota until Joe Nathan blew out his elbow and was lost for the season. Instead of turning to leads over to one of the game’s best closers, Ron Gardenhire now says he will use a closer-by-committee approach — another way of saying he doesn’t really have a bonafide closer. Rauch is the committee member with the most closing experience. He will share opportunities with Matt Guerrier, Jesse Crain and lefty Jose Mijares.
The M’s hope Milton Bradley will help improve their offense.
AL West
Milton Bradley, Mariners
Who’s bothered that Bradley flamed out in Chicago and already has stirred his share of controversy in Seattle? Not Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu.
After all the strides the Mariners have made in the past year behind pitching and defense, they must improve their offense to truly challenge the Angels. Wakamatsu could have reduced the spotlight on Bradley by putting him in the lower half of the order. Instead, Wakamatsu seriously is considering Bradley as the cleanup hitter in a lineup that will rely on the middle of the order to drive in All-Star table-setters Ichiro Suzuki and Chone Figgins.
Bradley seems ready for the challenge. He says his legs are stronger than they have been in years and though he has popped off about his failed season in Chicago, he is fitting in with his new teammates. Bradley even has pulled one over on the Mariners’ No. 1 jokester, Ken Griffey Jr., by placing a bottle of hair coloring in the greybeard’s locker. "I bought it for myself," Bradley said in an interview. "I noticed he had a little gray in the chin so I figured it would be a good little joke so I put this Just For Men in his locker and he took it and used it."
NL East
Troy Glaus, Braves
The team with the best chance to stop the Phillies from winning their fourth consecutive division title is Atlanta, which would like nothing more than to send Bobby Cox into retirement with a trip to the playoffs.
The Braves have a deep rotation and a retooled bullpen but the offense needs a lift in the power department. While 20-year-old Jason Heyward has hogged the attention this spring, he is a rookie who never has played in a big-league game. The Braves are counting on Glaus to produce in the five-hole behind Chipper Jones and Brian McCann. Glaus missed most of last season because of shoulder surgery and signed a bargain one-year deal to play first.
"No limitations on what I can do, or what I did in the offseason," Glaus said. "I really was healthy at the end of last season."
The Brewers plan to use Randy Wolf as their No. 2 starter.
NL Central
Randy Wolf, Brewers
Milwaukee led this division in runs, homers and OBP last season but finished 11 games out mainly because of the NL’s worst rotation. Enter Wolf, who was signed a three-year deal after posting a 3.32 ERA in 34 starts with the Dodgers. He assumes the No. 2 spot behind Yovani Gallardo, who at 24 could be headed for a breakout year under new pitching coach Rick Peterson.
NL West
Franklin Morales, Rockies
A healthy Huston Street at closer would make picking the Rockies ahead of the Dodgers an easy decision. But a shoulder problem is jeopardizing Street’s season and, perhaps, the Rockies’ best chance of winning their first division title. Street reported stiffness after playing catch over the weekend and is expected to start the season on the disabled list.
Without Street, the Rockies figure to turn to the lefty Morales, who went 7-for-7 in save chances last September when Street was unavailable. Morales, however, spent 2 1-2 months on the disabled list last season with his own shoulder injury. The Rockies’ top setup man, Rafael Betancourt, also has suffered arm woes this spring.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
TV: Will Erin Andrews become a free agent? If ESPN re-signs her, she says she’s hoping to work the NCAA Tournament should ESPN secure those rights. And she wants to keep doing college hoops and grid coverage for the network. But her contract’s up in July, and she wouldn’t tell USA Today whether she’s talking to other networks, referring that question to her agent.
MLB: The discussion on whether Joba Chamberlain is a reliever or a starter who does fine in a relief role doesn’t seem to be settled in Yankeeville. The team’s top scout and G.M., while deferring to each other, have differing thoughts. While Brian Cashman sees Joba as a "starter who can relieve," the scout says he doesn’t see Chamberlain cracking the rotation in 2011.
NBA: Seems kinda weird that Amare Stoudemire would hold a grudge against Tracy McGrady all the way back from his high school days. In any case, McGrady tells the New York Post that Stoudemire’s claim that T-Mac blew him off when he asked about making the jump to the NBA is "childish" and says he did speak to the young Amare.
NFL: You all know the story of Kurt Warner: grocery clerk turned Super Bowl champion. It appears Hollywood would like to tell that story on the silver screen. Scribe Bernie Miklasz proposes that Jon Hamm, Jim Caviezel or Josh Brolin should play the role of Warner, with Hilary Swank playing Brenda Warner.
ECHL: The Johnstown Chiefs, made famous as the Charlestown Chiefs in "Slap Shot," are leaving Johnstown, Pa., for Greenville, S.C. Owner Neil Smith says, "I’ve been committed to keeping the team here. We tried and tried and tried. But it’s not like this was about to turn around."
TV: Will Erin Andrews become a free agent? If ESPN re-signs her, she says she’s hoping to work the NCAA Tournament should ESPN secure those rights. And she wants to keep doing college hoops and grid coverage for the network. But her contract’s up in July, and she wouldn’t tell USA Today whether she’s talking to other networks, referring that question to her agent.
MLB: The discussion on whether Joba Chamberlain is a reliever or a starter who does fine in a relief role doesn’t seem to be settled in Yankeeville. The team’s top scout and G.M., while deferring to each other, have differing thoughts. While Brian Cashman sees Joba as a "starter who can relieve," the scout says he doesn’t see Chamberlain cracking the rotation in 2011.
NBA: Seems kinda weird that Amare Stoudemire would hold a grudge against Tracy McGrady all the way back from his high school days. In any case, McGrady tells the New York Post that Stoudemire’s claim that T-Mac blew him off when he asked about making the jump to the NBA is "childish" and says he did speak to the young Amare.
NFL: You all know the story of Kurt Warner: grocery clerk turned Super Bowl champion. It appears Hollywood would like to tell that story on the silver screen. Scribe Bernie Miklasz proposes that Jon Hamm, Jim Caviezel or Josh Brolin should play the role of Warner, with Hilary Swank playing Brenda Warner.
ECHL: The Johnstown Chiefs, made famous as the Charlestown Chiefs in "Slap Shot," are leaving Johnstown, Pa., for Greenville, S.C. Owner Neil Smith says, "I’ve been committed to keeping the team here. We tried and tried and tried. But it’s not like this was about to turn around."
Clayton Kershaw, SP, Dodgers
When searching for breakout pitchers, look to the fringes. No, we’re not talking about fifth starters like Todd Wellemeyer, although he has his usefulness. By fringes, we mean examining non-traditional stats. So instead of focusing on Clayton Kershaw’s 8-8 record from a year ago concentrate on other indicators.
Kershaw was seventh in ratio of strikeouts per nine innings with 9.74 last season. That put him ahead of Zack Greinke (9.50) but behind Tim Lincecum, the leader in the category at 10.42. Still, that’s pretty good company for Mr. Kershaw, being mentioned in the same paragraph as 2009’s Cy Young winners.
Kershaw was just outside the top 10 in batting average on balls in play at .274, placing right behind Chris Carpenter. And Kershaw’s fielding independent pitching number of 3.08 put him in the top eight, sandwiched between Josh Johnson and Felix Hernandez.
So assuming Kershaw pitches like he did last year, significant improvement on that 8-8 record is forthcoming. You don’t want to miss out on that jump when it happens, so look for Kershaw as your No. 2 fantasy pitcher. He just might turn out to be your ace.
Clayton Kershaw, SP, Dodgers
When searching for breakout pitchers, look to the fringes. No, we’re not talking about fifth starters like Todd Wellemeyer, although he has his usefulness. By fringes, we mean examining non-traditional stats. So instead of focusing on Clayton Kershaw’s 8-8 record from a year ago concentrate on other indicators.
Kershaw was seventh in ratio of strikeouts per nine innings with 9.74 last season. That put him ahead of Zack Greinke (9.50) but behind Tim Lincecum, the leader in the category at 10.42. Still, that’s pretty good company for Mr. Kershaw, being mentioned in the same paragraph as 2009’s Cy Young winners.
Kershaw was just outside the top 10 in batting average on balls in play at .274, placing right behind Chris Carpenter. And Kershaw’s fielding independent pitching number of 3.08 put him in the top eight, sandwiched between Josh Johnson and Felix Hernandez.
So assuming Kershaw pitches like he did last year, significant improvement on that 8-8 record is forthcoming. You don’t want to miss out on that jump when it happens, so look for Kershaw as your No. 2 fantasy pitcher. He just might turn out to be your ace.
After a month-long trip through Cactus League and Grapefruit League camps, Sporting News’ Stan McNeal reviews some of the biggest trends, story lines and injuries to track heading into the regular season.
The return of small ball will benefit players like the Yankees’ Curtis Granderson.
1. As the steroids era fades, small ball has returned. Scouts, catchers and basestealers agree: "The real game of baseball is coming back," Nationals speedster Nyjer Morgan said. "It’s a beautiful thing."
Look for more teams to imitate the Angels and Rays with aggressive baserunning. Last year, the Red Sox, Rangers and, in the second half, Athletics picked up their paces. The Mariners, White Sox, Padres and Rockies figure to be among the clubs that join the run fun in 2010.
Beating the best, however, will take balance. The Yankees will run more with Brett Gardner and Curtis Granderson in the lineup, but they still will feature power. The Phillies have the game’s best mix of power and speed with two players, Chase Utley and Jayson Werth, capable of 30-homer, 30-steal seasons.
2. Pujols is the best (here’s more proof): When Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols first was sidelined with a back issue this month, he said one reason for the injury was because he was feeling so good. That’s right. Because his surgically repaired elbow felt strong, Pujols spent even more time in the batting cages. He thought too much swinging so early in the year could have caused his back stiffness, or at least contributed to it.
Pujols pledged to take it easy for a day or so and not swing the bat. But bright and early the next morning, he was back in the cage. At least Pujols wasn’t swinging the bat. He was watching pitches, trying to get used to game speed. Three weeks later, however, his back still is bothering him.
3. Damon fits in: Not surprisingly, Johnny Damon has had no trouble fitting in with the Tigers. The guy’s a pro. If he feels any disappointment about the Yankees and his offseason, he hides it easily. A shorter spring training commute has helped. Damon said the daily drive from his home outside of Orlando is about 45 minutes to Tigers camp in Lakeland, compared to about 90 minutes each way from the Yankees’ base in Tampa.
Staying at home in spring training is a big deal to Damon, too. "I had an offer from one team in Arizona (White Sox), but they would have had to pay me a lot more money," Damon told me one day in the Tigers’ clubhouse, his son hanging out near him. Damon even invited teammates to his home when the Tigers visited the Braves at nearby Disney last week. He had no trouble accommodating them: His house is more than 22,000 square feet.
The Brewers’ Jeff Suppan could find himself out of a job if he doesn’t improve.
4. Suppan is struggling: One of a beat writer’s chores each day is to talk with the starting pitcher after he puts in his work. No matter the results, the pitcher is satisfied if he is able to put in his work. Early on, it is about fastball command. Then it is about working in breaking pitches. Then it is building arm strength. Rarely is all about getting out hitters.
Brewers starter Jeff Suppan is an exception. "Every time I’m out there, no matter what time of year it is, I am concentrating on getting out the hitter," he said.
When you are fighting for your job, you must have results. Suppan isn’t faring too well. His ERA this spring is 7.71, and that is down after allowing two runs in 4 1/3 innings in his most recent start. He will be relegated to the No. 5 spot in the rotation—at best—a year after starting on opening day.
Three strikes
1. Don’t expect Lance Berkman to be 100 percent for a while. The Astros first baseman took his first batting practice swings just two weeks after March 13 surgery on his left knee, but the knee remains swollen.
2. I had a feeling Jason Heyward was different when, a few weeks ago, he said this offseason was the same as any other for him. "I used the same batting instructor and the same conditioning guy that I have since I was 14," he said. A conditioning guy at 14? Heyward, 20, has known what he has wanted for a long time. He didn’t get his childhood number, though. He said No. 24 has been his number, but the Braves issued him No. 22 after they told him he had made the club. Veteran Nate McLouth sports No. 24 in Atlanta.
3. Two Orioles to watch: lefthander Brian Matusz and outfielder Felix Pie. With Nolan Reimold dealing with a foot problem, Pie—a favorite of manager Dave Trembley—could see more playing time than most so-called fourth outfielders. Matusz, 23, has shown this month that he has the stuff to be a No. 1 starter.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
After a month-long trip through Cactus League and Grapefruit League camps, Sporting News’ Stan McNeal reviews some of the biggest trends, story lines and injuries to track heading into the regular season.
The return of small ball will benefit players like the Yankees’ Curtis Granderson.
1. As the steroids era fades, small ball has returned. Scouts, catchers and basestealers agree: "The real game of baseball is coming back," Nationals speedster Nyjer Morgan said. "It’s a beautiful thing."
Look for more teams to imitate the Angels and Rays with aggressive baserunning. Last year, the Red Sox, Rangers and, in the second half, Athletics picked up their paces. The Mariners, White Sox, Padres and Rockies figure to be among the clubs that join the run fun in 2010.
Beating the best, however, will take balance. The Yankees will run more with Brett Gardner and Curtis Granderson in the lineup, but they still will feature power. The Phillies have the game’s best mix of power and speed with two players, Chase Utley and Jayson Werth, capable of 30-homer, 30-steal seasons.
2. Pujols is the best (here’s more proof): When Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols first was sidelined with a back issue this month, he said one reason for the injury was because he was feeling so good. That’s right. Because his surgically repaired elbow felt strong, Pujols spent even more time in the batting cages. He thought too much swinging so early in the year could have caused his back stiffness, or at least contributed to it.
Pujols pledged to take it easy for a day or so and not swing the bat. But bright and early the next morning, he was back in the cage. At least Pujols wasn’t swinging the bat. He was watching pitches, trying to get used to game speed. Three weeks later, however, his back still is bothering him.
3. Damon fits in: Not surprisingly, Johnny Damon has had no trouble fitting in with the Tigers. The guy’s a pro. If he feels any disappointment about the Yankees and his offseason, he hides it easily. A shorter spring training commute has helped. Damon said the daily drive from his home outside of Orlando is about 45 minutes to Tigers camp in Lakeland, compared to about 90 minutes each way from the Yankees’ base in Tampa.
Staying at home in spring training is a big deal to Damon, too. "I had an offer from one team in Arizona (White Sox), but they would have had to pay me a lot more money," Damon told me one day in the Tigers’ clubhouse, his son hanging out near him. Damon even invited teammates to his home when the Tigers visited the Braves at nearby Disney last week. He had no trouble accommodating them: His house is more than 22,000 square feet.
The Brewers’ Jeff Suppan could find himself out of a job if he doesn’t improve.
4. Suppan is struggling: One of a beat writer’s chores each day is to talk with the starting pitcher after he puts in his work. No matter the results, the pitcher is satisfied if he is able to put in his work. Early on, it is about fastball command. Then it is about working in breaking pitches. Then it is building arm strength. Rarely is all about getting out hitters.
Brewers starter Jeff Suppan is an exception. "Every time I’m out there, no matter what time of year it is, I am concentrating on getting out the hitter," he said.
When you are fighting for your job, you must have results. Suppan isn’t faring too well. His ERA this spring is 7.71, and that is down after allowing two runs in 4 1/3 innings in his most recent start. He will be relegated to the No. 5 spot in the rotation—at best—a year after starting on opening day.
Three strikes
1. Don’t expect Lance Berkman to be 100 percent for a while. The Astros first baseman took his first batting practice swings just two weeks after March 13 surgery on his left knee, but the knee remains swollen.
2. I had a feeling Jason Heyward was different when, a few weeks ago, he said this offseason was the same as any other for him. "I used the same batting instructor and the same conditioning guy that I have since I was 14," he said. A conditioning guy at 14? Heyward, 20, has known what he has wanted for a long time. He didn’t get his childhood number, though. He said No. 24 has been his number, but the Braves issued him No. 22 after they told him he had made the club. Veteran Nate McLouth sports No. 24 in Atlanta.
3. Two Orioles to watch: lefthander Brian Matusz and outfielder Felix Pie. With Nolan Reimold dealing with a foot problem, Pie—a favorite of manager Dave Trembley—could see more playing time than most so-called fourth outfielders. Matusz, 23, has shown this month that he has the stuff to be a No. 1 starter.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
The Diamondbacks’ trip to the 2007 NLCS was considered an indicator of a franchise on the rise, a franchise with young major league talent and a stocked minor league cupboard. But the past two seasons have been disappointments. Some of the young players haven’t developed as expected, and injuries have proved detrimental. Last May, it all cost manager Bob Melvin his job. Optimism remains, but the expectations aren’t as high as they were before the 2008 season.
Mark Reynolds had a big 2009, with 44 homers and 24 steals.
Three questions
1. Will the heart of the lineup be good enough to contend?
Last season, Mark Reynolds surpassed every expectation with his 44-homer, 24-steal season. His strikeouts — he has set new single-season MLB records each of the past two seasons — haven’t hurt his ability to produce at an All-Star level. Justin Upton began to tap into his potential with 26 homers and a team-leading .899 OPS; he was rewarded with a six-year, $51.25 million deal in the offseason. He will be mentioned in MVP conversations for many years to come. Joining Upton and Reynolds in the heart of the order is newcomer Adam LaRoche. The veteran is a perfect fit; he will provide the power the Diamondbacks have lacked at first base, and his one-year, $6 million deal is budget-friendly for a franchise that doesn’t have a huge margin for error.
2. Will the rotation be better?
It should be improved with the eventual return of Brandon Webb and the additions of Edwin Jackson and Ian Kennedy. However, there are questions about all three of those hurlers. Webb still is working his way back from shoulder surgery and will start the season on the disabled list. Therefore, expecting more than 25 starts might be unrealistic. Jackson was a 2009 All-Star and should benefit from the move from the AL to the NL, but he was awful in the second half of the season. Kennedy was hurt most of 2009.
Arizona lost two reliable pitchers from last season’s rotation. Doug Davis tied for the league lead with 34 starts, and Max Scherzer — shipped to Detroit in the deal that landed Jackson and Kennedy — was eighth in the NL in strikeouts per nine innings (8.8).
3. Will the lineup’s bounce-back candidates bounce back?
Conor Jackson missed most of the 2009 season because of valley fever, which often left him fatigued. He has looked good this spring. "Jackson can hit anywhere in the lineup, gets on base and can be a run producer," manager A.J. Hinch said.
Chris Young was awful for most of last season. He has a power-speed combination matched by few players in the majors, but has had an increasingly tough time making contact the past few years. Kelly Johnson started last season as the Braves’ leadoff hitter and starting second baseman but hit just .224 and was released. The bottom half of the lineup, where he will hit for the Diamondbacks, is a better fit for Johnson.
Porjected lineup
1. SS Stephen Drew: OPS past three seasons: .683, .836, .748.
2. LF Conor Jackson: Only 99 at-bats, .182 AVG in ’09.
3. RF Justin Upton: 42 RBIs in ’08; career-best 86 in ’09.
4. 1B Adam LaRoche: At least 20 HRs each of past 5 seasons.
5. 3B Mark Reynolds: Led team in HRs, runs, RBIs, SBs.
6. C Miguel Montero: .832 OPS ranked second among NL catchers.
7. CF Chris Young: .297 AVG in final 26 games of ’09; .187 in first 108 games.
8. 2B Kelly Johnson: AVG fell from .287 in ’08 to .224 in ’09.
PROJECTED ROTATION
1. RHP Dan Haren: 30 wins, 3.23 ERA in two seasons with D-backs.
2. RHP Brandon Webb: Will start on D.L. after making just 1 start in ’09.
3. RHP Edwin Jackson: 2.52 ERA in first half; 5.07 in second half for Tigers.
4. RHP Ian Kennedy: 6.03 ERA, 1.68 WHIP in 14 MLB games.
5. RHP Billy Buckner: 3.32 ERA at Class AAA in ’09; 6.40 ERA in majors.
Projected closer
RHP Chad Qualls: 3.15 ERA, 1.11 WHIP in two season with Arizona.
Grades
Offense: C. The potential is there for an A-caliber offense, if Jackson, Johnson, Young and Stephen Drew are better — which could very well could be the case. Until that happens, though, there will be plenty of pressure on Reynolds, Upton, LaRoche and Miguel Montero to produce comparably or better than they did in 2009.
Pitching: C. Much depends on the healthy and productive return of Webb. Haren is an elite starter. Chad Qualls settled nicely into the full-time closer role last season for the first time in his career, but producing save opportunities could be challenging because of the team’s middle relief.
Bench: B. Gerardo Parra played 120 games and played all three outfield positions even though he wasn’t recalled until mid-May. Ryan Roberts also was versatile, making at least 12 starts at second, third and left field. Backup catcher Chris Snyder provides some pop off the bench.
Manager: C. Hinch didn’t have any managerial experience when he was tabbed to replace Melvin last season, but as the director of player development in the organization, he knew plenty about the struggling youngsters on the roster. He is learning on the job, and the youngsters did respond better as the season progressed.
Sporting News prediction: There is potential for much improvement, but the other NL West teams also are better. Arizona won’t finish as far back as in ’09, but will finish fourth.
Ryan Fagan is a staff writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at rfagan@sportingnews.com.
The Diamondbacks’ trip to the 2007 NLCS was considered an indicator of a franchise on the rise, a franchise with young major league talent and a stocked minor league cupboard. But the past two seasons have been disappointments. Some of the young players haven’t developed as expected, and injuries have proved detrimental. Last May, it all cost manager Bob Melvin his job. Optimism remains, but the expectations aren’t as high as they were before the 2008 season.
Mark Reynolds had a big 2009, with 44 homers and 24 steals.
Three questions
1. Will the heart of the lineup be good enough to contend?
Last season, Mark Reynolds surpassed every expectation with his 44-homer, 24-steal season. His strikeouts — he has set new single-season MLB records each of the past two seasons — haven’t hurt his ability to produce at an All-Star level. Justin Upton began to tap into his potential with 26 homers and a team-leading .899 OPS; he was rewarded with a six-year, $51.25 million deal in the offseason. He will be mentioned in MVP conversations for many years to come. Joining Upton and Reynolds in the heart of the order is newcomer Adam LaRoche. The veteran is a perfect fit; he will provide the power the Diamondbacks have lacked at first base, and his one-year, $6 million deal is budget-friendly for a franchise that doesn’t have a huge margin for error.
2. Will the rotation be better?
It should be improved with the eventual return of Brandon Webb and the additions of Edwin Jackson and Ian Kennedy. However, there are questions about all three of those hurlers. Webb still is working his way back from shoulder surgery and will start the season on the disabled list. Therefore, expecting more than 25 starts might be unrealistic. Jackson was a 2009 All-Star and should benefit from the move from the AL to the NL, but he was awful in the second half of the season. Kennedy was hurt most of 2009.
Arizona lost two reliable pitchers from last season’s rotation. Doug Davis tied for the league lead with 34 starts, and Max Scherzer — shipped to Detroit in the deal that landed Jackson and Kennedy — was eighth in the NL in strikeouts per nine innings (8.8).
3. Will the lineup’s bounce-back candidates bounce back?
Conor Jackson missed most of the 2009 season because of valley fever, which often left him fatigued. He has looked good this spring. "Jackson can hit anywhere in the lineup, gets on base and can be a run producer," manager A.J. Hinch said.
Chris Young was awful for most of last season. He has a power-speed combination matched by few players in the majors, but has had an increasingly tough time making contact the past few years. Kelly Johnson started last season as the Braves’ leadoff hitter and starting second baseman but hit just .224 and was released. The bottom half of the lineup, where he will hit for the Diamondbacks, is a better fit for Johnson.
Porjected lineup
1. SS Stephen Drew: OPS past three seasons: .683, .836, .748.
2. LF Conor Jackson: Only 99 at-bats, .182 AVG in ’09.
3. RF Justin Upton: 42 RBIs in ’08; career-best 86 in ’09.
4. 1B Adam LaRoche: At least 20 HRs each of past 5 seasons.
5. 3B Mark Reynolds: Led team in HRs, runs, RBIs, SBs.
6. C Miguel Montero: .832 OPS ranked second among NL catchers.
7. CF Chris Young: .297 AVG in final 26 games of ’09; .187 in first 108 games.
8. 2B Kelly Johnson: AVG fell from .287 in ’08 to .224 in ’09.
PROJECTED ROTATION
1. RHP Dan Haren: 30 wins, 3.23 ERA in two seasons with D-backs.
2. RHP Brandon Webb: Will start on D.L. after making just 1 start in ’09.
3. RHP Edwin Jackson: 2.52 ERA in first half; 5.07 in second half for Tigers.
4. RHP Ian Kennedy: 6.03 ERA, 1.68 WHIP in 14 MLB games.
5. RHP Billy Buckner: 3.32 ERA at Class AAA in ’09; 6.40 ERA in majors.
Projected closer
RHP Chad Qualls: 3.15 ERA, 1.11 WHIP in two season with Arizona.
Grades
Offense: C. The potential is there for an A-caliber offense, if Jackson, Johnson, Young and Stephen Drew are better — which could very well could be the case. Until that happens, though, there will be plenty of pressure on Reynolds, Upton, LaRoche and Miguel Montero to produce comparably or better than they did in 2009.
Pitching: C. Much depends on the healthy and productive return of Webb. Haren is an elite starter. Chad Qualls settled nicely into the full-time closer role last season for the first time in his career, but producing save opportunities could be challenging because of the team’s middle relief.
Bench: B. Gerardo Parra played 120 games and played all three outfield positions even though he wasn’t recalled until mid-May. Ryan Roberts also was versatile, making at least 12 starts at second, third and left field. Backup catcher Chris Snyder provides some pop off the bench.
Manager: C. Hinch didn’t have any managerial experience when he was tabbed to replace Melvin last season, but as the director of player development in the organization, he knew plenty about the struggling youngsters on the roster. He is learning on the job, and the youngsters did respond better as the season progressed.
Sporting News prediction: There is potential for much improvement, but the other NL West teams also are better. Arizona won’t finish as far back as in ’09, but will finish fourth.
Ryan Fagan is a staff writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at rfagan@sportingnews.com.
Joe Girardi has named Phil Hughes the Yankees’ fifth start, the New York Post reports.
Hughes has been competing for the rotation slot with Joba Chamberlain, Sergio Mitre and Alfredo Aceves.
"We evaluated it the whole spring and we were very excited with the improvement in his changeup," Girardi said.
The decision means Chamberlain will move back into the bullpen, where he likely will the eighth inning set-up man, the Post reports.
"I think Joba could do either one (start or relieve), but right now we feel Phil is a little bit ahead as a starter," Girardi said.
Hughes was 8-3 with a 3.03 ERA, mostl in relief, while Chamberlian was 9-6 with a 4.75 ERA in 2009. Chamberlain started 31 games.
Joe Girardi has named Phil Hughes the Yankees’ fifth start, the New York Post reports.
Hughes has been competing for the rotation slot with Joba Chamberlain, Sergio Mitre and Alfredo Aceves.
"We evaluated it the whole spring and we were very excited with the improvement in his changeup," Girardi said.
The decision means Chamberlain will move back into the bullpen, where he likely will the eighth inning set-up man, the Post reports.
"I think Joba could do either one (start or relieve), but right now we feel Phil is a little bit ahead as a starter," Girardi said.
Hughes was 8-3 with a 3.03 ERA, mostl in relief, while Chamberlian was 9-6 with a 4.75 ERA in 2009. Chamberlain started 31 games.
