Rating NFL free agency’s opening day

Free agency brings its share of big-splash deals. It also brings questionable decisions that could haunt teams in the 2010 season and beyond. Here’s a look at significant examples:
 

The Ravens need Anquan Boldin's ability; they also need him to stay healthy.
The Ravens need Anquan Boldin’s ability; they also need him to stay healthy.

Three up

Ravens trade for WR Anquan Boldin: It’s rare to get a big, physical No. 1 receiver on the trade market. Boldin will help Baltimore in many ways, foremost as a top downfield threat for strong-armed third-year quarterback Joe Flacco. General manager Ozzie Newsome also was wise to lock up Boldin with a contract extension through 2013.
 
"He’s a very tough competitor and, with the way he plays with passion, he’ll fit right in with the foundation we have for our team," Newsome told reporters Friday.
 
For this deal to pay off for Baltimore, Boldin must buck history and stay healthy. Still, this is the kind of aggressive maneuver that can put a contender over the top and into the Super Bowl.
 
Bears sign Julius Peppers: So much for a team with a 3-4 scheme signing Peppers and moving him to the unfamiliar, more demanding role of outside linebacker. Instead, Peppers stays in a 4-3 front with cover-2 principles behind it, going from one Tony Dungy disciple (Ron Meeks) to another (Lovie Smith).
 
Like the Colts, Chicago doesn’t like to blitz and that means a high-caliber pass-rush end was critical. "For our defense to be successful, we have to get pressure with our front four," Smith said.
 
Peppers will line up at end and take on the Dwight Freeney-like role, focusing on what he does best — charging upfield and disrupting the pocket.
 
Falcons sign CB Dunta Robinson: Atlanta officials focused on this move in the early hours of the signing period and came through with the right five-year deal to land the Georgia native. The Falcons have a good young front seven, and Robinson gives them a much-needed steady cover man.
 

To live up to his Lions contract, Nate Burleson must show flashes of his Vikings days.
To live up to his Lions contract, Nate Burleson must show flashes of his Vikings days.

Three down

Lions sign WR Nate Burleson: It was obvious Detroit was desperate for a receiver to complement Calvin Johnson, and there is logic behind the signing because Burleson once performed well in a Scott Linehan-coached offense in Minnesota.
 
Burleson, however, wasn’t worth the price of five years, $25 million. He is often injured and never lived up to the big contract the hometown Seahawks gave him.
 
Panthers release QB Jake Delhomme: "It’s been a great run," Delhomme said Friday at an emotional press conference. "I’m leaving with no animosity whatsoever."
 
It’s no surprise the team wanted to move forward with Matt Moore as its starting quarterback after having Delhomme in that position since ’03, but the Panthers should’ve brought Delhomme back in the uncapped year. Competition would have been healthy for Moore, and at worst, Delhomme would be an experienced backup who knows the offense well. After all, the team is paying Delhomme almost $13 million anyhow; why not use him.
 
Bears sign RB Chester Taylor: Chicago needed a versatile back to spell Matt Forte and fit in Mike Martz’s offense but should have gone for a fresh-legged rookie instead of a 30-year-old now former division foe. Even without a first- and second-round pick, the team could have gotten a good backfield value in the third, such as Southern Cal’s Joe McKnight.
 
This story appears in March 6’s edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today.
 
Vinnie Iyer is a staff writer for Sporting News. Email him at viyer@sportingnews.com.
Free agency brings its share of big-splash deals. It also brings questionable decisions that could haunt teams in the 2010 season and beyond. Here’s a look at significant examples:
 

The Ravens need Anquan Boldin's ability; they also need him to stay healthy.
The Ravens need Anquan Boldin’s ability; they also need him to stay healthy.

Three up

Ravens trade for WR Anquan Boldin: It’s rare to get a big, physical No. 1 receiver on the trade market. Boldin will help Baltimore in many ways, foremost as a top downfield threat for strong-armed third-year quarterback Joe Flacco. General manager Ozzie Newsome also was wise to lock up Boldin with a contract extension through 2013.
 
"He’s a very tough competitor and, with the way he plays with passion, he’ll fit right in with the foundation we have for our team," Newsome told reporters Friday.
 
For this deal to pay off for Baltimore, Boldin must buck history and stay healthy. Still, this is the kind of aggressive maneuver that can put a contender over the top and into the Super Bowl.
 
Bears sign Julius Peppers: So much for a team with a 3-4 scheme signing Peppers and moving him to the unfamiliar, more demanding role of outside linebacker. Instead, Peppers stays in a 4-3 front with cover-2 principles behind it, going from one Tony Dungy disciple (Ron Meeks) to another (Lovie Smith).
 
Like the Colts, Chicago doesn’t like to blitz and that means a high-caliber pass-rush end was critical. "For our defense to be successful, we have to get pressure with our front four," Smith said.
 
Peppers will line up at end and take on the Dwight Freeney-like role, focusing on what he does best — charging upfield and disrupting the pocket.
 
Falcons sign CB Dunta Robinson: Atlanta officials focused on this move in the early hours of the signing period and came through with the right five-year deal to land the Georgia native. The Falcons have a good young front seven, and Robinson gives them a much-needed steady cover man.
 

To live up to his Lions contract, Nate Burleson must show flashes of his Vikings days.
To live up to his Lions contract, Nate Burleson must show flashes of his Vikings days.

Three down

Lions sign WR Nate Burleson: It was obvious Detroit was desperate for a receiver to complement Calvin Johnson, and there is logic behind the signing because Burleson once performed well in a Scott Linehan-coached offense in Minnesota.
 
Burleson, however, wasn’t worth the price of five years, $25 million. He is often injured and never lived up to the big contract the hometown Seahawks gave him.
 
Panthers release QB Jake Delhomme: "It’s been a great run," Delhomme said Friday at an emotional press conference. "I’m leaving with no animosity whatsoever."
 
It’s no surprise the team wanted to move forward with Matt Moore as its starting quarterback after having Delhomme in that position since ’03, but the Panthers should’ve brought Delhomme back in the uncapped year. Competition would have been healthy for Moore, and at worst, Delhomme would be an experienced backup who knows the offense well. After all, the team is paying Delhomme almost $13 million anyhow; why not use him.
 
Bears sign RB Chester Taylor: Chicago needed a versatile back to spell Matt Forte and fit in Mike Martz’s offense but should have gone for a fresh-legged rookie instead of a 30-year-old now former division foe. Even without a first- and second-round pick, the team could have gotten a good backfield value in the third, such as Southern Cal’s Joe McKnight.
 
This story appears in March 6’s edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today.
 
Vinnie Iyer is a staff writer for Sporting News. Email him at viyer@sportingnews.com.

Monster day: Bears turn their fortune in spending frenzy

Give a general manager beaucoup bucks a few days before the NFL free-agent market opens and guess what he’s going to do? If he’s Jerry Angelo of the Chicago Bears, he’s going to spend it on upgrading his team.
 
Why is Bears GM Jerry Angelo smiling? Wouldn't you after the day he had?
Why is Bears GM Jerry Angelo smiling? Wouldn’t you after the day he had?

Backed by a $25 million windfall from the McCaskey family, Angelo made the biggest splash on the opening day of free agency Friday when he signed, in order, former San Diego Chargers tight end Brandon Manumaleuna, former Minnesota Vikings running back Chester Taylor, and — trumpet blast, please — former Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers.

 
Note to the rest of the NFC North teams: The Bears’ run for the 2010 playoffs officially has begun.
 
This is usually the time of year when Dan Snyder and the Washington Redskins dominate the NFL headlines. Instead, it was the Bears who surprised everyone on Day 1. With the Bears bereft of a draft pick until the third round, it would not be an exaggeration to say desperation drove Angelo’s spending; after all, if the team doesn’t make the playoffs next season, he and coach Lovie Smith likely will be fired.
 
"I’m not with everybody else, that it’s a sign of desperation," former Bears quarterback and current NFL Sirius Radio host Jim Miller said, "but I do think they had to make a splash because they don’t have a first- or second-round pick. So it makes sense they were pretty aggressive."
 
Not surprisingly, Angelo spent over his budget — way over his budget. If the additions help propel the Bears to a division title, it will have been worth it.
 
Here’s a breakdown on the three (new) Bears:
 

Julius Peppers

Reported contract: Six years, $72 million ($36 million to $40 million guaranteed in the first three years).

Chicago's hope: Chester Taylor, Julius Peppers, Brandon Manumaleuna
Chicago’s hope: Chester Taylor, Julius Peppers, Brandon Manumaleuna

Why his addition will work: One of the premier pass rushers in the NFL, Peppers instantly improves one of the Bears’ weaknesses last season. He has had double-digit sacks in six of his eight seasons.

 
Why his addition might not work: He has a reputation for not playing hard all the time, although he apparently played much of last season with a broken hand and still had 10 1/2 sacks. If defensive tackle Tommie Harris and middle linebacker Brian Urlacher can’t stay healthy or make their own impacts, opponents will double-team Peppers.
 
An observation: "The guy’s a monster, he’s an animal," Bears defensive end Alex Brown said, speaking on Chicago sports-talk radio show "Waddle and Silvy." "He’s the biggest guy and the fastest guy I think I’ve ever seen."
 

Chester Taylor

Reported contract: Four years, $12.5 million ($7 million guaranteed in the first year).

Why his addition will work: He’s a veteran back who can do everything — rush, catch passes and block. Injuries hampered second-year back Matt Forte last season, and the Bears didn’t have much of a running threat behind him.
 
Why his addition might not work: Taylor has averaged 97.5 carries over the past two seasons. He and Forte are similar backs; neither one offers a change of pace.
 
An observation: "I thought they would go after someone who’s more dynamic," Miller said. "I know he has the concussion issue, but Brian Westbrook is a little more dynamic. Although don’t get me wrong; Taylor is solid."
 

Brandon Manumaleuna

Reported contract: Five years, more than $17 million ($6 million guaranteed).

Why his addition will work: He played in the same offense new coordinator Mike Martz is installing in Chicago when he played for Martz in St. Louis. He’s one of the NFL’s best blocking tight ends.
 
Why his addition might not work: Manumaleuna has mainly been a situational player during his career. If his addition leads to the exit of Greg Olsen, the Bears’ leading receiver last season, quarterback Jay Cutler might not be happy.
 
An observation: "He’s 6-2, 295, perfect for what Mike Martz wants to do," Miller said.
 
In the three seasons since they lost to Indianapolis in Super Bowl 41, the Bears have gone 7-9, 9-7 and 7-9, and they haven’t been back to the playoffs. Miller believes they could have won at least three more games in ’09 if Cutler had made a few better decisions.
 
"That team is a little bit better than people give them credit for," Miller said. "They probably could have squeaked out three more wins just on their quarterback play alone."  
 
One player who probably isn’t happy to see Peppers come to the NFC North is Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie. During a Week 15 game against the Vikings last season, Peppers had a sack and three quarterback hurries. He so overwhelmed McKinnie that the Pro Bowl tackle got benched during the second half.
 
Now, thanks to the generosity of Angelo and the Bears, McKinnie can look forward to playing against Peppers twice a season.
 
This story appears in March 6’s edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today.
 
Senior writer Dennis Dillon covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at ddillon@sportingnews.com.
Give a general manager beaucoup bucks a few days before the NFL free-agent market opens and guess what he’s going to do? If he’s Jerry Angelo of the Chicago Bears, he’s going to spend it on upgrading his team.
 
Why is Bears GM Jerry Angelo smiling? Wouldn't you after the day he had?
Why is Bears GM Jerry Angelo smiling? Wouldn’t you after the day he had?

Backed by a $25 million windfall from the McCaskey family, Angelo made the biggest splash on the opening day of free agency Friday when he signed, in order, former San Diego Chargers tight end Brandon Manumaleuna, former Minnesota Vikings running back Chester Taylor, and — trumpet blast, please — former Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers.

 
Note to the rest of the NFC North teams: The Bears’ run for the 2010 playoffs officially has begun.
 
This is usually the time of year when Dan Snyder and the Washington Redskins dominate the NFL headlines. Instead, it was the Bears who surprised everyone on Day 1. With the Bears bereft of a draft pick until the third round, it would not be an exaggeration to say desperation drove Angelo’s spending; after all, if the team doesn’t make the playoffs next season, he and coach Lovie Smith likely will be fired.
 
"I’m not with everybody else, that it’s a sign of desperation," former Bears quarterback and current NFL Sirius Radio host Jim Miller said, "but I do think they had to make a splash because they don’t have a first- or second-round pick. So it makes sense they were pretty aggressive."
 
Not surprisingly, Angelo spent over his budget — way over his budget. If the additions help propel the Bears to a division title, it will have been worth it.
 
Here’s a breakdown on the three (new) Bears:
 

Julius Peppers

Reported contract: Six years, $72 million ($36 million to $40 million guaranteed in the first three years).

Chicago's hope: Chester Taylor, Julius Peppers, Brandon Manumaleuna
Chicago’s hope: Chester Taylor, Julius Peppers, Brandon Manumaleuna

Why his addition will work: One of the premier pass rushers in the NFL, Peppers instantly improves one of the Bears’ weaknesses last season. He has had double-digit sacks in six of his eight seasons.

 
Why his addition might not work: He has a reputation for not playing hard all the time, although he apparently played much of last season with a broken hand and still had 10 1/2 sacks. If defensive tackle Tommie Harris and middle linebacker Brian Urlacher can’t stay healthy or make their own impacts, opponents will double-team Peppers.
 
An observation: "The guy’s a monster, he’s an animal," Bears defensive end Alex Brown said, speaking on Chicago sports-talk radio show "Waddle and Silvy." "He’s the biggest guy and the fastest guy I think I’ve ever seen."
 

Chester Taylor

Reported contract: Four years, $12.5 million ($7 million guaranteed in the first year).

Why his addition will work: He’s a veteran back who can do everything — rush, catch passes and block. Injuries hampered second-year back Matt Forte last season, and the Bears didn’t have much of a running threat behind him.
 
Why his addition might not work: Taylor has averaged 97.5 carries over the past two seasons. He and Forte are similar backs; neither one offers a change of pace.
 
An observation: "I thought they would go after someone who’s more dynamic," Miller said. "I know he has the concussion issue, but Brian Westbrook is a little more dynamic. Although don’t get me wrong; Taylor is solid."
 

Brandon Manumaleuna

Reported contract: Five years, more than $17 million ($6 million guaranteed).

Why his addition will work: He played in the same offense new coordinator Mike Martz is installing in Chicago when he played for Martz in St. Louis. He’s one of the NFL’s best blocking tight ends.
 
Why his addition might not work: Manumaleuna has mainly been a situational player during his career. If his addition leads to the exit of Greg Olsen, the Bears’ leading receiver last season, quarterback Jay Cutler might not be happy.
 
An observation: "He’s 6-2, 295, perfect for what Mike Martz wants to do," Miller said.
 
In the three seasons since they lost to Indianapolis in Super Bowl 41, the Bears have gone 7-9, 9-7 and 7-9, and they haven’t been back to the playoffs. Miller believes they could have won at least three more games in ’09 if Cutler had made a few better decisions.
 
"That team is a little bit better than people give them credit for," Miller said. "They probably could have squeaked out three more wins just on their quarterback play alone."  
 
One player who probably isn’t happy to see Peppers come to the NFC North is Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie. During a Week 15 game against the Vikings last season, Peppers had a sack and three quarterback hurries. He so overwhelmed McKinnie that the Pro Bowl tackle got benched during the second half.
 
Now, thanks to the generosity of Angelo and the Bears, McKinnie can look forward to playing against Peppers twice a season.
 
This story appears in March 6’s edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today.
 
Senior writer Dennis Dillon covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at ddillon@sportingnews.com.

Kansas City Royals 2010 preview

Kansas City Royals preview By Ryan Fagan

The 2009 season was a different kind of disappointment for the Royals. Coming off a 75-win campaign in 2008 — their highest win total since 2003 — there was hope that they would contend in the wide-open AL Central. When Kansas City started 18-11 and held a three-game lead on May 7, it looked like the franchise finally was turning the corner. But the Royals went 5-16 to end May and finished in a last-place tie in the division.

Will Zack Greinke have a better supporting cast this year?
Will Zack Greinke have a better supporting cast this year?

Three questions

1. What impact will the free agents have?
Rick Ankiel, Jason Kendall and Scott Podsednik join the starting lineup. Kendall is a below-average hitter who was brought in to improve the defense behind the plate. Podsednik revived his career with the White Sox last season (.353 on-base percentage) and will lead off. Ankiel will take over center field.

"Obviously we have a lot of acreage in our ballpark in the outfield, and we need a player who’s experienced and has good reads and good routes," Royals manager Trey Hillman said. "Rick has shown that in his short center field career. And he helps us if we can get his bat back to his offensive numbers of a couple of years ago." Ankiel hit 25 homers in 2008 and was just starting to heat up in 2009 before crashing into the outfield wall at Busch Stadium. He posted just a .285 on-base percentage last season and hit .110 (10-for-91) in his first at-bat against that game’s starting pitcher.

2. Will the supporting cast be more supportive?
The Royals have a trio of promising young stars in Zack Greinke, Joakim Soria and Billy Butler. Greinke, 26, is the reigning AL Cy Young award winner. Soria, who turns 26 in May, is 72-for-78 in save opportunities the past two seasons. Butler, who turns 24 in April, led the Royals in homers (21), RBIs (93), batting average (.301), on-base percentage (.362), OPS (.853) and doubles (51).

Still, the Royals finished with just 65 wins. Five of the nine players in this season’s projected lineup hit .245 or worse last season. Of the five projected starters, four had ERAs of 4.73 or higher. Those performances must improve for Royals to contend past May.

3. Will Alex Gordon claim the third base job?
The Royals would like Gordon to win the job with a huge spring, then establish himself as a rising star during the season. One AL scout thinks that is possible: "Gordon has a chance to be that (breakout) guy this year. He had a chance to be that guy last year, except for the injuries." The No. 2 overall pick of the 2005 draft, Gordon hit .247 with 15 homers as a rookie in 2007, then .260 with 16 homers in ’08. In an injury-marred ’09, Gordon hit .232 with six homers in 49 games.

Gordon is the front-runner at third, but the Royals have a backup plan in Josh Fields. Fields hit 23 homers in just 100 games for the White Sox as a rookie in 2007. He spent much of 2008 in the minors and began 2009 as the starter. But he lost the job to rookie Gordon Beckham after struggling offensively (.222 average).

Projected lineup
1. LF Scott Podsednik: .304 AVG, 30 SBs for White Sox in ’09.
2. 2B Chris Getz: .261 AVG, 25 SBs as White Sox rookie last season.
3. RF David DeJesus: ’08: 12 HRs, 73 RBIs; ’09: 13 HRs, 71 RBIs.
4. 1B Billy Butler: 1.027 OPS at home; .679 on road.
5. CF Rick Ankiel: HRs dropped from 25 in ’08 to 11 in ’09.
6. DH Jose Guillen: Injuries limited him to 81 games, 9 HRs.
7. 3B Alex Gordon: Career .250 AVG in three MLB seasons.
8. SS Yuniesky Betancourt: Impatient: career high is 21 BBs.
9. C Jason Kendall: Has hit .242, .246, .241 past three seasons.

Projected rotation
1. RHP Zack Greinke: Cy Young winner had 2.16 ERA, 242 K’s.
2. RHP Gil Meche: 5.09 ERA, only 23 starts in injury-marred season.
3. RHP Brian Bannister: 3.66 ERA in first half; 6.63 ERA after break.
4. RHP Luke Hochevar: 5.17 ERA at home; 8.14 on the road.
5. RHP Kyle Davies: Righthanders hit .284 vs. him; lefties hit .239.

Projected closer
RHP Joakim Soria: Career 2.09 ERA, 10.0 K’s per 9 IP.

Related Links

Grades

Offense: D. The Yankees had a team .362 on-base percentage last season; Butler’s .362 OBP led the Royals. Alberto Callaspo, who hit .300 with a team-high 79 runs and had more walks (52) than strikeouts (51) will move to the bench in favor of Chris Getz, a superior defensive player. There is much work to do.

Pitching: C. Even with A-plus guys Greinke and Soria, this unit is a concern. If Gil Meche is healthy, that would be a big plus; he won 23 games with a 3.82 ERA in his first two seasons with K.C. Trying to convert Kyle Farnsworth from a setup man to a reliever is a long shot at this point in his career.

Bench: B. Callaspo should be an offensive asset, assuming the demotion doesn’t affect him. Brian Anderson and Mitch Maier can cover all three outfield spots, and Willie Bloomquist and Mike Aviles — when healthy — can play multiple infield spots.

Manager: C. After the 75-win season and the strong start to the 2009 season, things came crashing down for Trey Hillman. The challenge this season is to not only get off to another strong start, but to learn from the mistakes of last season and maintain it.

Sporting News prediction: The Royals have a great young core with Greinke, Butler and Soria, but there aren’t many other reasons to expect better than a fourth-place finish in the AL Central.

Coming Monday: Cardinals preview.

Ryan Fagan is a staff writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at rfagan@sportingnews.com.

Kansas City Royals preview By Ryan Fagan

The 2009 season was a different kind of disappointment for the Royals. Coming off a 75-win campaign in 2008 — their highest win total since 2003 — there was hope that they would contend in the wide-open AL Central. When Kansas City started 18-11 and held a three-game lead on May 7, it looked like the franchise finally was turning the corner. But the Royals went 5-16 to end May and finished in a last-place tie in the division.

Will Zack Greinke have a better supporting cast this year?
Will Zack Greinke have a better supporting cast this year?

Three questions

1. What impact will the free agents have?
Rick Ankiel, Jason Kendall and Scott Podsednik join the starting lineup. Kendall is a below-average hitter who was brought in to improve the defense behind the plate. Podsednik revived his career with the White Sox last season (.353 on-base percentage) and will lead off. Ankiel will take over center field.

"Obviously we have a lot of acreage in our ballpark in the outfield, and we need a player who’s experienced and has good reads and good routes," Royals manager Trey Hillman said. "Rick has shown that in his short center field career. And he helps us if we can get his bat back to his offensive numbers of a couple of years ago." Ankiel hit 25 homers in 2008 and was just starting to heat up in 2009 before crashing into the outfield wall at Busch Stadium. He posted just a .285 on-base percentage last season and hit .110 (10-for-91) in his first at-bat against that game’s starting pitcher.

2. Will the supporting cast be more supportive?
The Royals have a trio of promising young stars in Zack Greinke, Joakim Soria and Billy Butler. Greinke, 26, is the reigning AL Cy Young award winner. Soria, who turns 26 in May, is 72-for-78 in save opportunities the past two seasons. Butler, who turns 24 in April, led the Royals in homers (21), RBIs (93), batting average (.301), on-base percentage (.362), OPS (.853) and doubles (51).

Still, the Royals finished with just 65 wins. Five of the nine players in this season’s projected lineup hit .245 or worse last season. Of the five projected starters, four had ERAs of 4.73 or higher. Those performances must improve for Royals to contend past May.

3. Will Alex Gordon claim the third base job?
The Royals would like Gordon to win the job with a huge spring, then establish himself as a rising star during the season. One AL scout thinks that is possible: "Gordon has a chance to be that (breakout) guy this year. He had a chance to be that guy last year, except for the injuries." The No. 2 overall pick of the 2005 draft, Gordon hit .247 with 15 homers as a rookie in 2007, then .260 with 16 homers in ’08. In an injury-marred ’09, Gordon hit .232 with six homers in 49 games.

Gordon is the front-runner at third, but the Royals have a backup plan in Josh Fields. Fields hit 23 homers in just 100 games for the White Sox as a rookie in 2007. He spent much of 2008 in the minors and began 2009 as the starter. But he lost the job to rookie Gordon Beckham after struggling offensively (.222 average).

Projected lineup
1. LF Scott Podsednik: .304 AVG, 30 SBs for White Sox in ’09.
2. 2B Chris Getz: .261 AVG, 25 SBs as White Sox rookie last season.
3. RF David DeJesus: ’08: 12 HRs, 73 RBIs; ’09: 13 HRs, 71 RBIs.
4. 1B Billy Butler: 1.027 OPS at home; .679 on road.
5. CF Rick Ankiel: HRs dropped from 25 in ’08 to 11 in ’09.
6. DH Jose Guillen: Injuries limited him to 81 games, 9 HRs.
7. 3B Alex Gordon: Career .250 AVG in three MLB seasons.
8. SS Yuniesky Betancourt: Impatient: career high is 21 BBs.
9. C Jason Kendall: Has hit .242, .246, .241 past three seasons.

Projected rotation
1. RHP Zack Greinke: Cy Young winner had 2.16 ERA, 242 K’s.
2. RHP Gil Meche: 5.09 ERA, only 23 starts in injury-marred season.
3. RHP Brian Bannister: 3.66 ERA in first half; 6.63 ERA after break.
4. RHP Luke Hochevar: 5.17 ERA at home; 8.14 on the road.
5. RHP Kyle Davies: Righthanders hit .284 vs. him; lefties hit .239.

Projected closer
RHP Joakim Soria: Career 2.09 ERA, 10.0 K’s per 9 IP.

Related Links

Grades

Offense: D. The Yankees had a team .362 on-base percentage last season; Butler’s .362 OBP led the Royals. Alberto Callaspo, who hit .300 with a team-high 79 runs and had more walks (52) than strikeouts (51) will move to the bench in favor of Chris Getz, a superior defensive player. There is much work to do.

Pitching: C. Even with A-plus guys Greinke and Soria, this unit is a concern. If Gil Meche is healthy, that would be a big plus; he won 23 games with a 3.82 ERA in his first two seasons with K.C. Trying to convert Kyle Farnsworth from a setup man to a reliever is a long shot at this point in his career.

Bench: B. Callaspo should be an offensive asset, assuming the demotion doesn’t affect him. Brian Anderson and Mitch Maier can cover all three outfield spots, and Willie Bloomquist and Mike Aviles — when healthy — can play multiple infield spots.

Manager: C. After the 75-win season and the strong start to the 2009 season, things came crashing down for Trey Hillman. The challenge this season is to not only get off to another strong start, but to learn from the mistakes of last season and maintain it.

Sporting News prediction: The Royals have a great young core with Greinke, Butler and Soria, but there aren’t many other reasons to expect better than a fourth-place finish in the AL Central.

Coming Monday: Cardinals preview.

Ryan Fagan is a staff writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at rfagan@sportingnews.com.

Super 99: Maryland’s Campbell in top 15 after Combine

Sporting News staff reports

Maryland OT Bruce Campbell was one of the Combine's most impressive players.
Maryland OT Bruce Campbell was one of the Combine’s most impressive players.

The War Room’s latest Super 99 ranking of 2010 draft prospects is out, and not surprisingly, several stars of the Combine are in the top 15.

Maryland OT Bruce Campbell moved up four spots to No. 15 after an impressive performance in Indianapolis, which included a 4.85-second 40-yard dash. The War Room’s Russ Lande was among the scouts who were impressed. He said, "After his dominating workout at the Combine, [Campbell] proved he is a rare athlete and has assured himself of being a first-round pick.

Ohio State OLB Thaddeus Gibson moved up two spots to No. 14. Before the Combine, pro scouts wondered if Gibson could make the transition from 4-3 DE in college to 3-4 OLB in the NFL. "He answered those questions at the Combine, looking explosive, quick, agile and athletic in all drills," Lande said. "More than a few scouts said he looked like he had been playing linebacker his whole life."

One prospect who disappointed at the Combine was Florida CB Joe Haden, who ran the 40-yard dash in a slower-than-expected 4.57 seconds. While Lande said GMs with top-10 picks might be scared off by Haden’s performance, his opinion of Haden won’t change because he looks faster and more athletic on film. Haden’s position in the Super 99 didn’t change either; he stayed at No. 5.

Below are the top-15 players in the Super 99. To see the full list, visit SportingNews.com’s Pro Football War Room.

Rank Name School Position
1 Sam Bradford Oklahoma QB
2 Ndamukong Suh Nebraska DT
3 Derrick Morgan Georgia Tech DE
4 Demaryius Thomas Georgia Tech WR
5 Joe Haden Florida CB
6 C.J. Spiller Clemson RB
7 Russell Okung Oklahoma State OT
8 Gerald McCoy Oklahoma DT
9 Dez Bryant Oklahoma State WR
10 Trent Williams Oklahoma OT
11 Sergio Kindle Texas OLB
12 Jason Pierre-Paul South Florida DE
13 Rob Gronkowski Arizona TE
14 Thaddeus Gibson Ohio State OLB
15 Bruce Campbell Maryland OT
Sporting News staff reports

Maryland OT Bruce Campbell was one of the Combine's most impressive players.
Maryland OT Bruce Campbell was one of the Combine’s most impressive players.

The War Room’s latest Super 99 ranking of 2010 draft prospects is out, and not surprisingly, several stars of the Combine are in the top 15.

Maryland OT Bruce Campbell moved up four spots to No. 15 after an impressive performance in Indianapolis, which included a 4.85-second 40-yard dash. The War Room’s Russ Lande was among the scouts who were impressed. He said, "After his dominating workout at the Combine, [Campbell] proved he is a rare athlete and has assured himself of being a first-round pick.

Ohio State OLB Thaddeus Gibson moved up two spots to No. 14. Before the Combine, pro scouts wondered if Gibson could make the transition from 4-3 DE in college to 3-4 OLB in the NFL. "He answered those questions at the Combine, looking explosive, quick, agile and athletic in all drills," Lande said. "More than a few scouts said he looked like he had been playing linebacker his whole life."

One prospect who disappointed at the Combine was Florida CB Joe Haden, who ran the 40-yard dash in a slower-than-expected 4.57 seconds. While Lande said GMs with top-10 picks might be scared off by Haden’s performance, his opinion of Haden won’t change because he looks faster and more athletic on film. Haden’s position in the Super 99 didn’t change either; he stayed at No. 5.

Below are the top-15 players in the Super 99. To see the full list, visit SportingNews.com’s Pro Football War Room.

Rank Name School Position
1 Sam Bradford Oklahoma QB
2 Ndamukong Suh Nebraska DT
3 Derrick Morgan Georgia Tech DE
4 Demaryius Thomas Georgia Tech WR
5 Joe Haden Florida CB
6 C.J. Spiller Clemson RB
7 Russell Okung Oklahoma State OT
8 Gerald McCoy Oklahoma DT
9 Dez Bryant Oklahoma State WR
10 Trent Williams Oklahoma OT
11 Sergio Kindle Texas OLB
12 Jason Pierre-Paul South Florida DE
13 Rob Gronkowski Arizona TE
14 Thaddeus Gibson Ohio State OLB
15 Bruce Campbell Maryland OT

Piniella disputes Bradley’s take on his Cubs career

Sporting News staff reports

Responding to criticism from Mariners outfielder Milton Bradley, Cubs manager Lou Piniella told the Chicago Tribune that the team never tried to turn Bradley into a power hitter in 2009.

"We never put any expectations on Milton," Piniella said. "I don’t really have anything else to add to that. … I think getting off to a struggling start didn’t help him. … I think he tried to make up for it with one swing of the bat."

Earlier this week, Bradley told The New York Times that the Cubs tried to turn him into something he wasn’t. "I never hit more than 22 homers in my career, and all of a sudden I get to Chicago and they expect me to hit 30. It doesn’t make sense. History tells you I’m not going to hit that many. Just a lot of things that try to make me a player I’m not."

And Bradley didn’t stop there, saying there was no communication in Chicago and that he was disrespected there.

"Two years ago, I played and I was good," Bradley told The New York Times. "I go to Chicago, not good. I’ve been good my whole career. So, obviously, it was something with Chicago, not me."

Bradley hit .257 with 12 homers and 40 RBIs for the Cubs last season and was suspended by the team for the final two weeks of the season because of his conduct. He was traded to Seattle in the offseason.

Sporting News staff reports

Responding to criticism from Mariners outfielder Milton Bradley, Cubs manager Lou Piniella told the Chicago Tribune that the team never tried to turn Bradley into a power hitter in 2009.

"We never put any expectations on Milton," Piniella said. "I don’t really have anything else to add to that. … I think getting off to a struggling start didn’t help him. … I think he tried to make up for it with one swing of the bat."

Earlier this week, Bradley told The New York Times that the Cubs tried to turn him into something he wasn’t. "I never hit more than 22 homers in my career, and all of a sudden I get to Chicago and they expect me to hit 30. It doesn’t make sense. History tells you I’m not going to hit that many. Just a lot of things that try to make me a player I’m not."

And Bradley didn’t stop there, saying there was no communication in Chicago and that he was disrespected there.

"Two years ago, I played and I was good," Bradley told The New York Times. "I go to Chicago, not good. I’ve been good my whole career. So, obviously, it was something with Chicago, not me."

Bradley hit .257 with 12 homers and 40 RBIs for the Cubs last season and was suspended by the team for the final two weeks of the season because of his conduct. He was traded to Seattle in the offseason.

Sheets leads five rehabbing players who can shape the races

PHOENIX—For players returning from injury-marred 2009 seasons, the start of the exhibition schedule means it is time to put spring training optimism to the test.

Ben Sheets will make his Oakland debut by facing his former team, Milwaukee.
Ben Sheets will make his Oakland debut by facing his former team, Milwaukee.

Five rehabbing players who could help shape this season’s playoff races:

Ben Sheets, SP, A’s

2009 injury: Elbow surgery
Last pitched: September 2008
Status: Sheets will face his old team, the Brewers, Friday. "I’m not worried about who I’m facing," said Sheets. "I’m just worried about getting back out there and back in the swing of things." The normally thrifty A’s gave Sheets a one-year, $10 million contract and named him their opening day starter. "I’m ready to get out there," he said.

Brandon Webb, SP Diamondbacks

2009 injury: Shoulder surgery
Last pitched: Opening day 2009
Status: Throwing off mound. The 2006 N.L. Cy Young award winner isn’t expected to make his spring debut for about two weeks but hasn’t reported any setbacks.
Next step: Webb will throw live batting practice.

Josh Hamilton, OF, Rangers

2009 injuries: Back, ribs, abdomen
Last played: September 2009
Status: Sidelined by bruised shoulder. He was limited to 89 games last season and finished with 10 homers, 54 RBIs and a .741 OPS. Hamilton should make his Cactus League debut next week. "He can crush the ball," Mariners closer David Aardsma said. "If he’s healthy."

Troy Glaus, 1B, Braves

2009 injury: Shoulder surgery
Last played: October 2009
Status: In action. He hit .172 in 29 at-bats for the Cardinals last season after debuting in September. Glaus, on the same workout schedule as his new teammates, is hoping the move from third base to first will decrease the wear and tear.

Jose Reyes, SS, Mets

2009 injury: Hamstring surgery
Last played: May 2009
Status: In action. Reyes is running at full speed and has reported no problems. He was scheduled to play his first Grapefruit League game Thursday but didn’t because he needed follow-up work on his physical. He should debut Friday. UPDATE: Reyes is returning to New York for tests and is not expected to take part in any physical activity while he is gone.

Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.

PHOENIX—For players returning from injury-marred 2009 seasons, the start of the exhibition schedule means it is time to put spring training optimism to the test.

Ben Sheets will make his Oakland debut by facing his former team, Milwaukee.
Ben Sheets will make his Oakland debut by facing his former team, Milwaukee.

Five rehabbing players who could help shape this season’s playoff races:

Ben Sheets, SP, A’s

2009 injury: Elbow surgery
Last pitched: September 2008
Status: Sheets will face his old team, the Brewers, Friday. "I’m not worried about who I’m facing," said Sheets. "I’m just worried about getting back out there and back in the swing of things." The normally thrifty A’s gave Sheets a one-year, $10 million contract and named him their opening day starter. "I’m ready to get out there," he said.

Brandon Webb, SP Diamondbacks

2009 injury: Shoulder surgery
Last pitched: Opening day 2009
Status: Throwing off mound. The 2006 N.L. Cy Young award winner isn’t expected to make his spring debut for about two weeks but hasn’t reported any setbacks.
Next step: Webb will throw live batting practice.

Josh Hamilton, OF, Rangers

2009 injuries: Back, ribs, abdomen
Last played: September 2009
Status: Sidelined by bruised shoulder. He was limited to 89 games last season and finished with 10 homers, 54 RBIs and a .741 OPS. Hamilton should make his Cactus League debut next week. "He can crush the ball," Mariners closer David Aardsma said. "If he’s healthy."

Troy Glaus, 1B, Braves

2009 injury: Shoulder surgery
Last played: October 2009
Status: In action. He hit .172 in 29 at-bats for the Cardinals last season after debuting in September. Glaus, on the same workout schedule as his new teammates, is hoping the move from third base to first will decrease the wear and tear.

Jose Reyes, SS, Mets

2009 injury: Hamstring surgery
Last played: May 2009
Status: In action. Reyes is running at full speed and has reported no problems. He was scheduled to play his first Grapefruit League game Thursday but didn’t because he needed follow-up work on his physical. He should debut Friday. UPDATE: Reyes is returning to New York for tests and is not expected to take part in any physical activity while he is gone.

Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.

Scouts’ views: There aren’t any free agents worthy of a blockbuster deal

Observations and opinions from an NFL scout on this year’s free-agency period, which opened at 12:01 a.m. ET Friday:

Who is one running back teams should be wary of? Thomas Jones.
Who is one running back teams should be wary of? Thomas Jones.
 

Five things to ponder

1. Nobody is worthy of a budget-breaking deal. I just don’t know that I would go out and pay a lot of money to any of these guys. If you’re looking for the combination of a guy who’s played 16 games for (each of) the last four years, is good off the field and is still young and in his prime, I just don’t see anybody who fits that bill.
2. I think there’s some pretty good restricted receivers out there, like Brandon Marshall and Miles Austin, but as has been shown — Marshall was a fourth-round pick and Austin was a free agent — you can develop those players. So to give up a first-round pick, or more, for them would be pretty expensive in my opinion.
3. I would definitely stay away from those veteran running backs — Brian Westbrook, LaDainian Tomlinson, even Thomas Jones. Jones is the best of those players, but he ran behind one of the best offensive lines (with the Jets). As running backs get older, their acceleration, ability to take hits and bounce off them and gain more yardage diminishes.
4. When you ask the question about a trade, the most common answer would be one of those quarterbacks in Philly. And it makes sense to get rid of one of those guys. But I just don’t see how the Eagles are going to give up on Kevin Kolb. They’ve groomed him, they like him, and he’s produced well. Donovan McNabb is the guy I think will be traded. I think he’s been underappreciated for what he’s done, but you have to cut ties with him and get something for him while you can — especially if you have the guy already on your roster who you think can take his place.
5. Redskins owner Dan Snyder just can’t help himself in free agency, as has been proven over and over again. Hopefully, they have the right guy in there finally in (general manager) Bruce Allen to at least steer them in the right direction. As a personnel guy, it would be great to work for Snyder because he’s willing to spend money. It’s just that they haven’t made the right decisions in a number of years.

Five most overrated unrestricted free agents

1. Keith Bulluck, LB, Titans. He’s coming off an ACL injury, and I don’t think he played as well last year.
2. Darren Sharper, FS, Saints. I know a lot of people are excited about him. But as you watched the season progress and got to Weeks 11, 12 and on, he really wasn’t playing that well.
3. Leigh Bodden, CB, Patriots. Can he start and be a good corner? Yes, he can. But for the amount of money he’s going to command on the market — because he’s one of the best corners out there — I think he’s going to be overpaid.
4. Kyle Vanden Bosch, DE, Titans. I think he’s done. Without Albert Haynesworth next to him, his limitations kind of showed up. He wasn’t just in chase mode and didn’t get too many of what I call cleanup sacks. He actually had to beat his guy, and he had a hard time doing it.
5. Julius Peppers, DE, Panthers. If you’re approaching a million dollars a game, you should have an impact or be a key contributor every game. If he gets that amount of money, I’m not sure he’s going to be worth it. Now if some team pays him $10 million a year, I don’t necessarily feel the same way. All of a sudden, it’s a good deal.
 

Five most underrated unrestricted free agents

1. Ryan Clark, FS, Steelers. He’s one of those smart, tough, aggressive guys.

Related Links

2. Ben Watson, TE, Patriots. I think he was underused in New England. With the way teams are looking for tight ends who can run and stretch the field, I think he’s probably a little underrated.
3. Rex Hadnot, G, Browns. I don’t know why this guy isn’t more of a household name. Maybe it’s because he’s been on bad teams. He’s still young — he’s 28 — and is pretty strong and very physical.
4. Chad Pennington, QB, Dolphins. I think he would make a great backup. I know he’s been injured, but he’s just so smart and he works really well with other quarterbacks. If I was a team looking for a veteran backup and I had a young quarterback I wanted to help groom, I’d definitely sign him.
5. Dwan Edwards, DE, Ravens. He was injured in ’08, but he came back and played well last season. He’s kind of in between a tackle and an end. As an interior guy rushing the passer, he’s pretty good. And he’s pretty good against the run.  

 
This story appears in March 5’s edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today.
 
Senior writer Dennis Dillon covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at ddillon@sportingnews.com.
Observations and opinions from an NFL scout on this year’s free-agency period, which opened at 12:01 a.m. ET Friday:

Who is one running back teams should be wary of? Thomas Jones.
Who is one running back teams should be wary of? Thomas Jones.
 

Five things to ponder

1. Nobody is worthy of a budget-breaking deal. I just don’t know that I would go out and pay a lot of money to any of these guys. If you’re looking for the combination of a guy who’s played 16 games for (each of) the last four years, is good off the field and is still young and in his prime, I just don’t see anybody who fits that bill.
2. I think there’s some pretty good restricted receivers out there, like Brandon Marshall and Miles Austin, but as has been shown — Marshall was a fourth-round pick and Austin was a free agent — you can develop those players. So to give up a first-round pick, or more, for them would be pretty expensive in my opinion.
3. I would definitely stay away from those veteran running backs — Brian Westbrook, LaDainian Tomlinson, even Thomas Jones. Jones is the best of those players, but he ran behind one of the best offensive lines (with the Jets). As running backs get older, their acceleration, ability to take hits and bounce off them and gain more yardage diminishes.
4. When you ask the question about a trade, the most common answer would be one of those quarterbacks in Philly. And it makes sense to get rid of one of those guys. But I just don’t see how the Eagles are going to give up on Kevin Kolb. They’ve groomed him, they like him, and he’s produced well. Donovan McNabb is the guy I think will be traded. I think he’s been underappreciated for what he’s done, but you have to cut ties with him and get something for him while you can — especially if you have the guy already on your roster who you think can take his place.
5. Redskins owner Dan Snyder just can’t help himself in free agency, as has been proven over and over again. Hopefully, they have the right guy in there finally in (general manager) Bruce Allen to at least steer them in the right direction. As a personnel guy, it would be great to work for Snyder because he’s willing to spend money. It’s just that they haven’t made the right decisions in a number of years.

Five most overrated unrestricted free agents

1. Keith Bulluck, LB, Titans. He’s coming off an ACL injury, and I don’t think he played as well last year.
2. Darren Sharper, FS, Saints. I know a lot of people are excited about him. But as you watched the season progress and got to Weeks 11, 12 and on, he really wasn’t playing that well.
3. Leigh Bodden, CB, Patriots. Can he start and be a good corner? Yes, he can. But for the amount of money he’s going to command on the market — because he’s one of the best corners out there — I think he’s going to be overpaid.
4. Kyle Vanden Bosch, DE, Titans. I think he’s done. Without Albert Haynesworth next to him, his limitations kind of showed up. He wasn’t just in chase mode and didn’t get too many of what I call cleanup sacks. He actually had to beat his guy, and he had a hard time doing it.
5. Julius Peppers, DE, Panthers. If you’re approaching a million dollars a game, you should have an impact or be a key contributor every game. If he gets that amount of money, I’m not sure he’s going to be worth it. Now if some team pays him $10 million a year, I don’t necessarily feel the same way. All of a sudden, it’s a good deal.
 

Five most underrated unrestricted free agents

1. Ryan Clark, FS, Steelers. He’s one of those smart, tough, aggressive guys.

Related Links

2. Ben Watson, TE, Patriots. I think he was underused in New England. With the way teams are looking for tight ends who can run and stretch the field, I think he’s probably a little underrated.
3. Rex Hadnot, G, Browns. I don’t know why this guy isn’t more of a household name. Maybe it’s because he’s been on bad teams. He’s still young — he’s 28 — and is pretty strong and very physical.
4. Chad Pennington, QB, Dolphins. I think he would make a great backup. I know he’s been injured, but he’s just so smart and he works really well with other quarterbacks. If I was a team looking for a veteran backup and I had a young quarterback I wanted to help groom, I’d definitely sign him.
5. Dwan Edwards, DE, Ravens. He was injured in ’08, but he came back and played well last season. He’s kind of in between a tackle and an end. As an interior guy rushing the passer, he’s pretty good. And he’s pretty good against the run.  

 
This story appears in March 5’s edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today.
 
Senior writer Dennis Dillon covers the NFL for Sporting News. E-mail him at ddillon@sportingnews.com.

3 things learned at the Cactus League

Sporting News’ Stan McNeal’s six-day stint in Arizona ended Thursday. Next up: an extended tour of the Florida’s Grapefruit League.

Jose Lopez really could end up at third base.

Jose Lopez might be able to hide his defensive liabilities better at third base.
Jose Lopez might be able to hide his defensive liabilities better at third base.

When the Mariners said they would give Jose Lopez some work at third base in spring training, I figured they were planning for in-season emergencies. Maybe not.

Now I’m thinking the Mariners would like to move Lopez to third because he would do less harm than he did at second (15 errors in 2009). Wherever he is, Lopez will be a defensive liability on a club built around defense and pitching. With first base occupied, third becomes the logical option. At third, Lopez wouldn’t need to range far to his left because the Mariners have Jack Wilson at shortstop.

For more than a week, Lopez has been playing third base and Chone Figgins second in Mariners’ infield drills. When the team began Cactus League play Wednesday, Lopez was at third and Figgins at second. General manager Jack Zduriencik said the club plans to keep them there for at least a couple of weeks, and then will talk seriously about a potential change.

The Mariners know Figgins can excel at second or third, and he said he is fine playing either. He doesn’t want to go back and forth, however, and wants to be sure Lopez is "happy" with the move. "If we’re comfortable, that’s good for the team," Figgins said.

Lopez is not yet comfortable at third but said he is working on it. The Mariners want Lopez somewhere in the lineup because he is their only projected regular other than Ken Griffey Jr. to hit more than 22 homers in a season.

Tim Lincecum rolls with the punches

To say Tim Lincecum had an eventful offseason would be like saying the Yankees have a lot of resources. He won his second NL Cy Young award, made headlines for possession of marijuana and signed a two-year, $23 million contract after making $650,000 in 2009.

After he struggled in his spring training debut Wednesday, I wasn’t sure how he’d handle his post-outing media scrum. Well, I was more than a little impressed.

First, Lincecum signed autographs for at least 15 minutes — no exaggeration, he must have signed 100. He was on one side of the fence and the hounds were on the other. For a while, no one from the team was present to orchestrate the event.

Lincecum was polite and patient as he pumped out the signatures. Then he turned around and saw a dozen media types. He answered all the questions — he really knows how to analyze his mechanics, too — and then sat smiling through a somewhat ridiculous interview with a Japanese TV station. "Tim, I know we asked you this last year, but how is your dog?" "Tim, could you write your motto (Roll with the Punches) on this whiteboard, then look at the camera and read it?"

It is difficult to imagine many players who would sit through such a session, much less a two-time Cy Young winner. Then Lincecum went out and did his running.

An aside: In the middle of his media session, Lincecum was properly awestruck when Ken Griffey Jr. interrupted to introduce himself as he was heading back to the Mariners’ clubhouse. Lincecum grew up in Seattle and never had met the all-time great Mariner. (This, by the way, said something about Griffey, too).

Related Links

As for Lincecum’s struggles, he wasn’t concerned. He said his release point and his balance were off, which isn’t unusual for this time of year. He says he had the same problems last spring because his delivery has so many moving parts and takes awhile to get tuned properly.

Even so, he wouldn’t have given up three runs and been forced to throw 33 pitches in his lone inning if Aubrey Huff had handled a throw at first and not allowed Ichiro Suzuki to reach. Eric Byrnes added to Lincecum’s workload, too, by fouling off about six consecutive two-strike pitches. Lincecum eventually struck him out with a changeup. "Finally got one down," he said.

The A’s are going to run more often

Oakland’s days of waiting for three-run homers might be history. The A’s led the majors in stolen bases after the All-Star break last season, after ranking 14th in the first half. The more they ran, the more they scored. They finished fourth in the majors in runs after the break, compared to 25th in the first half.

They’re working on bunting, too. Rickey Henderson and bench coach Tye Waller had a few players, including Rajai Davis, out for early work Thursday. Davis had a .360 on-base percentage and stole 41 bases after Oakland picked him up off waivers last April. Henderson believes the speedster could steals 70 bases this season — if he gets on base often enough. Davis had only one bunt hit in 2009.

Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.

Sporting News’ Stan McNeal’s six-day stint in Arizona ended Thursday. Next up: an extended tour of the Florida’s Grapefruit League.

Jose Lopez really could end up at third base.

Jose Lopez might be able to hide his defensive liabilities better at third base.
Jose Lopez might be able to hide his defensive liabilities better at third base.

When the Mariners said they would give Jose Lopez some work at third base in spring training, I figured they were planning for in-season emergencies. Maybe not.

Now I’m thinking the Mariners would like to move Lopez to third because he would do less harm than he did at second (15 errors in 2009). Wherever he is, Lopez will be a defensive liability on a club built around defense and pitching. With first base occupied, third becomes the logical option. At third, Lopez wouldn’t need to range far to his left because the Mariners have Jack Wilson at shortstop.

For more than a week, Lopez has been playing third base and Chone Figgins second in Mariners’ infield drills. When the team began Cactus League play Wednesday, Lopez was at third and Figgins at second. General manager Jack Zduriencik said the club plans to keep them there for at least a couple of weeks, and then will talk seriously about a potential change.

The Mariners know Figgins can excel at second or third, and he said he is fine playing either. He doesn’t want to go back and forth, however, and wants to be sure Lopez is "happy" with the move. "If we’re comfortable, that’s good for the team," Figgins said.

Lopez is not yet comfortable at third but said he is working on it. The Mariners want Lopez somewhere in the lineup because he is their only projected regular other than Ken Griffey Jr. to hit more than 22 homers in a season.

Tim Lincecum rolls with the punches

To say Tim Lincecum had an eventful offseason would be like saying the Yankees have a lot of resources. He won his second NL Cy Young award, made headlines for possession of marijuana and signed a two-year, $23 million contract after making $650,000 in 2009.

After he struggled in his spring training debut Wednesday, I wasn’t sure how he’d handle his post-outing media scrum. Well, I was more than a little impressed.

First, Lincecum signed autographs for at least 15 minutes — no exaggeration, he must have signed 100. He was on one side of the fence and the hounds were on the other. For a while, no one from the team was present to orchestrate the event.

Lincecum was polite and patient as he pumped out the signatures. Then he turned around and saw a dozen media types. He answered all the questions — he really knows how to analyze his mechanics, too — and then sat smiling through a somewhat ridiculous interview with a Japanese TV station. "Tim, I know we asked you this last year, but how is your dog?" "Tim, could you write your motto (Roll with the Punches) on this whiteboard, then look at the camera and read it?"

It is difficult to imagine many players who would sit through such a session, much less a two-time Cy Young winner. Then Lincecum went out and did his running.

An aside: In the middle of his media session, Lincecum was properly awestruck when Ken Griffey Jr. interrupted to introduce himself as he was heading back to the Mariners’ clubhouse. Lincecum grew up in Seattle and never had met the all-time great Mariner. (This, by the way, said something about Griffey, too).

Related Links

As for Lincecum’s struggles, he wasn’t concerned. He said his release point and his balance were off, which isn’t unusual for this time of year. He says he had the same problems last spring because his delivery has so many moving parts and takes awhile to get tuned properly.

Even so, he wouldn’t have given up three runs and been forced to throw 33 pitches in his lone inning if Aubrey Huff had handled a throw at first and not allowed Ichiro Suzuki to reach. Eric Byrnes added to Lincecum’s workload, too, by fouling off about six consecutive two-strike pitches. Lincecum eventually struck him out with a changeup. "Finally got one down," he said.

The A’s are going to run more often

Oakland’s days of waiting for three-run homers might be history. The A’s led the majors in stolen bases after the All-Star break last season, after ranking 14th in the first half. The more they ran, the more they scored. They finished fourth in the majors in runs after the break, compared to 25th in the first half.

They’re working on bunting, too. Rickey Henderson and bench coach Tye Waller had a few players, including Rajai Davis, out for early work Thursday. Davis had a .360 on-base percentage and stole 41 bases after Oakland picked him up off waivers last April. Henderson believes the speedster could steals 70 bases this season — if he gets on base often enough. Davis had only one bunt hit in 2009.

Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.

Jeter: It’s ‘about time’ an elite shortstop plays there his whole career

Sports Radio Interviews

Fifteen seasons into his major league career, Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter is a New York institution. Not only does he have five World Series rings, but he’ll most certainly enter the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

Jeter joined Mike Francesa of WFAN in New York to talk about getting older and the upcoming baseball season.

To listen to Derek Jeter on WFAN, go to Sports Radio Interviews.

Derek Jeter says he takes each baseball season as it comes.
Derek Jeter says he takes each baseball season as it comes.

What does he do in preparation for the season?

Jeter: I worked real hard at moving around a lot better and strengthening my legs. My whole thing is, I just want to healthy. Last year I felt pretty good the entire season. If you work hard and make adjustments from year-to-year, it pays off.

How was last year different from years past?

Jeter: We pitched. Bottom line. I’ve been saying it for years. Everyone looks at me like they are tired of what I am saying. If you have guys that go out there and throw the ball well you have a chance to win every day — especially in the post-season because there are not a lot of high scoring games. Our pitching staff was unbelievable. We scored a lot of runs. We hit well. But bottom line is that our pitching carried us.

Can Jeter be the an elite offensive shortstop and spend his entire career at the position?

Jeter: My goal is to play this season. I don’t sit around and think about where I’m going to be playing or what I am going to be doing six, seven, eight years from now. If you say no one has ever done it, then it’s about time someone does… I never sit here and try to project what is going to happen. My entire career I have gone one year at a time and try to help the team win that particular year. I’m not a fortune teller.

Some people thought his defense last season was better than it’s ever been. Is there a reason for that?

Jeter: You work hard. You have to make adjustments. If anyone has any advice [to help me] improve, then I’ll try to do it because the better I play, the better the team is. I’ve never shied away from trying to make adjustments, and I’m sure I’ll have to make more throughout the years.

Did Jeter like playing in the new Yankee Stadium? Jeter: I loved it. At the beginning of the season, players and fans, everyone came to see the stadium.

Maybe a month or two into the season, the fans started to come to watch the team and the team went out there to focus on playing. It’s almost like if you build a new house. It takes a little while to get adjusted to it, but I don’t have any complaints… They did a good job of replicating the old Stadium into the new one.

More from SRI

Taylor Mays says he doesn’t believe eight other players ran faster than him at the combine
David Ortiz says he wants to continue playing for the Red Sox

Sports Radio Interviews

Fifteen seasons into his major league career, Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter is a New York institution. Not only does he have five World Series rings, but he’ll most certainly enter the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

Jeter joined Mike Francesa of WFAN in New York to talk about getting older and the upcoming baseball season.

To listen to Derek Jeter on WFAN, go to Sports Radio Interviews.

Derek Jeter says he takes each baseball season as it comes.
Derek Jeter says he takes each baseball season as it comes.

What does he do in preparation for the season?

Jeter: I worked real hard at moving around a lot better and strengthening my legs. My whole thing is, I just want to healthy. Last year I felt pretty good the entire season. If you work hard and make adjustments from year-to-year, it pays off.

How was last year different from years past?

Jeter: We pitched. Bottom line. I’ve been saying it for years. Everyone looks at me like they are tired of what I am saying. If you have guys that go out there and throw the ball well you have a chance to win every day — especially in the post-season because there are not a lot of high scoring games. Our pitching staff was unbelievable. We scored a lot of runs. We hit well. But bottom line is that our pitching carried us.

Can Jeter be the an elite offensive shortstop and spend his entire career at the position?

Jeter: My goal is to play this season. I don’t sit around and think about where I’m going to be playing or what I am going to be doing six, seven, eight years from now. If you say no one has ever done it, then it’s about time someone does… I never sit here and try to project what is going to happen. My entire career I have gone one year at a time and try to help the team win that particular year. I’m not a fortune teller.

Some people thought his defense last season was better than it’s ever been. Is there a reason for that?

Jeter: You work hard. You have to make adjustments. If anyone has any advice [to help me] improve, then I’ll try to do it because the better I play, the better the team is. I’ve never shied away from trying to make adjustments, and I’m sure I’ll have to make more throughout the years.

Did Jeter like playing in the new Yankee Stadium? Jeter: I loved it. At the beginning of the season, players and fans, everyone came to see the stadium.

Maybe a month or two into the season, the fans started to come to watch the team and the team went out there to focus on playing. It’s almost like if you build a new house. It takes a little while to get adjusted to it, but I don’t have any complaints… They did a good job of replicating the old Stadium into the new one.

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Cleveland Indians 2010 preview

Chris Bahr

Just a couple of seasons removed from an ALCS loss to the Red Sox, the Indians are back in rebuilding mode. Last year’s 97-loss campaign left Cleveland in a last-place tie with Kansas City in the A.L. Central. The Indians have a new manager this season, will have a new general manager after the season and have plenty of offensive potential, but their biggest problem from 2009 remains a glaring weakness in 2010: pitching.

Having a healthy Jake Westbrook is important for the Indians.
Having a healthy Jake Westbrook is important for the Indians.

1. Will the rotation get some veteran leadership?
There isn’t a CC Sabathia or a Cliff Lee, but there is a Jake Westbrook. A two-time 15-game winner, Westbrook missed the 2009 season after Tommy John surgery. But the better Westbrook pitches this season, the more likely it is that he will follow Sabathia and Lee out the door. Westbrook is in the final year of a contract that will pay him $11 million in 2010.

After going 19-8 with a 3.06 ERA in 2007, Fausto Carmona is 13-19 with a 5.89 ERA since. Further regression can’t be tolerated, especially with a group of still-developing arms behind the two veterans. "Having Jake Westbrook healthy is huge for us. I think he proved in winter ball that he’s ready to go. … Not only him staying healthy, but for Fausto to come back and pitch well for us. He made some adjustments in winter ball and looks like he’s on the right path," manager Manny Acta said.

2. Is it wise to remove Grady Sizemore from the leadoff spot?
All it took to make Sizemore’s long-anticipated drop in the batting order a reality was a managerial change. Acta announced last week that Sizemore would hit second, after serving as the team’s primary leadoff man the past five seasons. Given Sizemore’s power — he averaged 27 homers per season from 2005-08 before injuries limited him to 18 last season — he no longer was an ideal fit atop the order.

Sizemore, who is fully recovered from groin and elbow surgeries, will get more RBI opportunities — his career high is 90 RBIs — and better pitches to hit with emerging slugger Shin-Soo Choo hitting behind him.

3. How much does Pronk have left?
Travis Hafner drove in 100-plus runs each season from 2004-07 and hit 42 homers in 2006, but then came the shoulder problems that resulted in surgery. Although his power rebounded last season (16 homers), Hafner played in only 94 games. "He’s two years removed from that surgery. We’re anticipating him being able to be on the field more often," Acta said. "The fact that he’s healthy, it’s going to be a big lift for our lineup."

With a healthy Sizemore, the power-hitting Choo and new addition Russell Branyan, the Indians’ offense has potential to post some impressive production. Getting 130 games and 25 homers from Hafner would boost it even more.

PROJECTED LINEUP
1. SS Asdrubal Cabrera: .301 AVG, .340 OBP leading off in ’09.
2. CF Grady Sizemore: .216 AVG, .309 OBP vs. lefties in ’09.
3. RF Shin-Soo Choo: Only Indian with 20 HRs, 20 SBs last season. 4. DH Travis Hafner: .873 OPS at home; .768 on road in ’09.
5. 3B Jhonny Peralta: 11 HRs last season: career-low for full season.
6. 1B Russell Branyan: 28 HRs at Progressive Field (most at any park).
7. LF Matt LaPorta: Battling Michael Brantley for starting job.
8. 2B Luis Valbuena: Just a .298 OBP last season.
9. C Lou Marson: Soon could give way to Carlos Santana.

PROJECTED ROTATION
1. RHP Fausto Carmona: Since ’08: 140 BBs, 137 Ks.
2. RHP Jake Westbrook: Career 1.38 WHIP is troubling.
3. RHP Justin Masterson: 4.32 ERA in career as SP; 3.28 as RP.
4. LHP Aaron Laffey: 2.85 ERA at home in ’09; 5.98 on road.
5. LHP David Huff: Allowed .317 AVG vs. lefties as rookie in ’09.

PROJECTED CLOSER
RHP Kerry Wood: 5.28 ERA in first half of ’09, 2.96 ERA after break.

GRADES

Offense: B. Even with Sizemore and Hafner banged up and only one 20-homer hitter, the Indians finished 12th in the majors in runs scored and 10th in on-base percentage last season. With continued maturation from LaPorta and the addition of Branyan, there is room for improvement. The bottom of the order can’t be a black hole, however.

Pitching: F. The Indians’ 5.06 ERA was 29th in the majors, and the struggles were staff-wide. The starters’ 5.30 ERA ranked 28th; the relievers’ 4.63 ERA was 27th. Cleveland’s 25 saves tied for last in the majors, and the rotation’s 45 wins were 27th. The staff was 28th in baserunners allowed per nine innings and 29th in opponents’ batting average. And that was with four months of Cliff Lee.

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Bench: D. The loser of the left field competition is expected to return to Class AAA, leaving second-year Trevor Crowe as the fourth outfielder. Disappointing Andy Marte provides corner-infield depth, with light-hitting Brian Bixler replacing Jamey Carroll in a super-utility role. Backup catcher Mike Redmond is around for his mentoring ability, not his bat.

Manager: C. Fired during the 2009 season by the last-place Nationals, Acta takes over the last-place Indians. As in Washington, he must try to find a way to boost a pitching staff that ranked among the majors’ worst — and wasn’t upgraded during the offseason. Acta will have a better offense in Cleveland, with several more promising prospects on the way.

Sporting News prediction: The rebuilding process rarely is a quick (or enjoyable) one, and even in a balanced division, the Indians once again will sink to the bottom.

COMING FRIDAY: Royals preview.

Chris Bahr is a senior editor for Sporting News. E-mail him at cbahr@sportingnews.com.

Chris Bahr

Just a couple of seasons removed from an ALCS loss to the Red Sox, the Indians are back in rebuilding mode. Last year’s 97-loss campaign left Cleveland in a last-place tie with Kansas City in the A.L. Central. The Indians have a new manager this season, will have a new general manager after the season and have plenty of offensive potential, but their biggest problem from 2009 remains a glaring weakness in 2010: pitching.

Having a healthy Jake Westbrook is important for the Indians.
Having a healthy Jake Westbrook is important for the Indians.

1. Will the rotation get some veteran leadership?
There isn’t a CC Sabathia or a Cliff Lee, but there is a Jake Westbrook. A two-time 15-game winner, Westbrook missed the 2009 season after Tommy John surgery. But the better Westbrook pitches this season, the more likely it is that he will follow Sabathia and Lee out the door. Westbrook is in the final year of a contract that will pay him $11 million in 2010.

After going 19-8 with a 3.06 ERA in 2007, Fausto Carmona is 13-19 with a 5.89 ERA since. Further regression can’t be tolerated, especially with a group of still-developing arms behind the two veterans. "Having Jake Westbrook healthy is huge for us. I think he proved in winter ball that he’s ready to go. … Not only him staying healthy, but for Fausto to come back and pitch well for us. He made some adjustments in winter ball and looks like he’s on the right path," manager Manny Acta said.

2. Is it wise to remove Grady Sizemore from the leadoff spot?
All it took to make Sizemore’s long-anticipated drop in the batting order a reality was a managerial change. Acta announced last week that Sizemore would hit second, after serving as the team’s primary leadoff man the past five seasons. Given Sizemore’s power — he averaged 27 homers per season from 2005-08 before injuries limited him to 18 last season — he no longer was an ideal fit atop the order.

Sizemore, who is fully recovered from groin and elbow surgeries, will get more RBI opportunities — his career high is 90 RBIs — and better pitches to hit with emerging slugger Shin-Soo Choo hitting behind him.

3. How much does Pronk have left?
Travis Hafner drove in 100-plus runs each season from 2004-07 and hit 42 homers in 2006, but then came the shoulder problems that resulted in surgery. Although his power rebounded last season (16 homers), Hafner played in only 94 games. "He’s two years removed from that surgery. We’re anticipating him being able to be on the field more often," Acta said. "The fact that he’s healthy, it’s going to be a big lift for our lineup."

With a healthy Sizemore, the power-hitting Choo and new addition Russell Branyan, the Indians’ offense has potential to post some impressive production. Getting 130 games and 25 homers from Hafner would boost it even more.

PROJECTED LINEUP
1. SS Asdrubal Cabrera: .301 AVG, .340 OBP leading off in ’09.
2. CF Grady Sizemore: .216 AVG, .309 OBP vs. lefties in ’09.
3. RF Shin-Soo Choo: Only Indian with 20 HRs, 20 SBs last season. 4. DH Travis Hafner: .873 OPS at home; .768 on road in ’09.
5. 3B Jhonny Peralta: 11 HRs last season: career-low for full season.
6. 1B Russell Branyan: 28 HRs at Progressive Field (most at any park).
7. LF Matt LaPorta: Battling Michael Brantley for starting job.
8. 2B Luis Valbuena: Just a .298 OBP last season.
9. C Lou Marson: Soon could give way to Carlos Santana.

PROJECTED ROTATION
1. RHP Fausto Carmona: Since ’08: 140 BBs, 137 Ks.
2. RHP Jake Westbrook: Career 1.38 WHIP is troubling.
3. RHP Justin Masterson: 4.32 ERA in career as SP; 3.28 as RP.
4. LHP Aaron Laffey: 2.85 ERA at home in ’09; 5.98 on road.
5. LHP David Huff: Allowed .317 AVG vs. lefties as rookie in ’09.

PROJECTED CLOSER
RHP Kerry Wood: 5.28 ERA in first half of ’09, 2.96 ERA after break.

GRADES

Offense: B. Even with Sizemore and Hafner banged up and only one 20-homer hitter, the Indians finished 12th in the majors in runs scored and 10th in on-base percentage last season. With continued maturation from LaPorta and the addition of Branyan, there is room for improvement. The bottom of the order can’t be a black hole, however.

Pitching: F. The Indians’ 5.06 ERA was 29th in the majors, and the struggles were staff-wide. The starters’ 5.30 ERA ranked 28th; the relievers’ 4.63 ERA was 27th. Cleveland’s 25 saves tied for last in the majors, and the rotation’s 45 wins were 27th. The staff was 28th in baserunners allowed per nine innings and 29th in opponents’ batting average. And that was with four months of Cliff Lee.

Related Links

Bench: D. The loser of the left field competition is expected to return to Class AAA, leaving second-year Trevor Crowe as the fourth outfielder. Disappointing Andy Marte provides corner-infield depth, with light-hitting Brian Bixler replacing Jamey Carroll in a super-utility role. Backup catcher Mike Redmond is around for his mentoring ability, not his bat.

Manager: C. Fired during the 2009 season by the last-place Nationals, Acta takes over the last-place Indians. As in Washington, he must try to find a way to boost a pitching staff that ranked among the majors’ worst — and wasn’t upgraded during the offseason. Acta will have a better offense in Cleveland, with several more promising prospects on the way.

Sporting News prediction: The rebuilding process rarely is a quick (or enjoyable) one, and even in a balanced division, the Indians once again will sink to the bottom.

COMING FRIDAY: Royals preview.

Chris Bahr is a senior editor for Sporting News. E-mail him at cbahr@sportingnews.com.