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AL West could claim superiority
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By Peter Gammons
Special to ESPN.com
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March 22
PHOENIX -- It has been assumed that the 2004 wild card would come out of the banking division, the AL East, thanks to the money the Yankees and Red Sox have shelled out in their own private -- and public -- war.
But injuries have slowed down each club's bravado, at least until they see how Donovan Osborne and Jose Contreras fit at the end of the Yankee rotation, and when Trot Nixon and Nomar Garciaparra return. They are both going to be good ... very good ... and Toronto isn't far behind. But once again it is not etched in stone that the wild card will come out of the East, because the West is stronger than it was last year, which was the first season since 1999 that the wild card didn't come out of that division.
"We can play with the Yankees and Red Sox," says one member of the Angels' staff. "We can be as good as anyone."
Their feeling is that the addition of Bartolo Colon and Kelvim Escobar gives them innings and starting depth they didn't have before; last week, Jarrod Washburn and Aaron Sele pitched in the same game, dubbed "Showcase Wednesday."
The Angels are trying to move Sele and have talked to Boston about a Ramiro Mendoza swap. Anaheim would release Mendoza.
Even with Brendan Donnelly likely not ready for the opener because of the broken nose he suffered when hit by a line drive, the bullpen is still one of the best in the game.
|  | | Darin Erstad appears to be a natural at first base. |
The good news is that Darin Erstad has played first base well enough to draw comparisons from Mike Scioscia to J.T. Snow. "I decided against the surgery (for his hamstring injury) and I think the rehab route was the correct one," says Erstad. "I feel great."
Troy Glaus is healthy and on a mission.
"What I never realized is how much fun Vladimir Guerrero is on a team," says Scioscia. "He never stops working, and having fun. He's an amazing guy."
The one problem has been Garret Anderson's right shoulder stiffness, which has limited his playing time and may force the Angels to open the season with Jose Guillen in center. "I can play there," says Guillen. "But I never realized how much running you do. Sometimes if I have to run a long way for a ball for the final out and I lead off the next inning, I'm a little tired. But I can handle it."
The Angels may indeed be in the league of the Yankees and Red Sox, but the A's believe they are, as well, as long as Mark Mulder's back problems are nothing but spring aches resulting from the comeback rehab following the stress fracture of his hip. He has already had an epidural injection. If Mulder is all right and Rich Harden -- who has hit 98 mph on the radar guns but has seriously overthrown -- takes to the fifth hole, the pitching will be fine as long as Arthur Rhodes can close.
Yes, they lost Miguel Tejada, but Bobby Crosby has had a strong spring. He is big (eventually a potential 30-homer shortstop), adept at short with a plus arm, and can hit. "I had no idea that he was this good a defensive player," says one opposing team's assistant GM. "He's been one of the best young players I've seen." Growing up with a major league father (Ed), Crosby isn't fazed by the anticipation of replacing a former MVP.
The A's had to improve their offense, especially in the outfield, which was the least productive in the majors. Mark Kotsay has looked good, which improves them defensively and in the leadoff spot. Bobby Kielty is healthy, which he was not last season. As for Jermaine Dye, who batted .172 with 20 RBI last season, he feels "as I did before the broken leg. I'm running better, and my balance is back at the plate." Then add Eric Karros to platoon with Scott Hatteberg.
|  | | Freddy Garcia has given up just two earned runs this spring. |
Then there are the Mariners, who after winning 116 games in 2001 have won 93 each of the last two years ... and finished second and third. "Sometimes people act as if we finished last," says Bob Melvin. "We didn't play as well at the end as we should have, but we had a pretty good year."
Seattle's strength was its starting pitching, in which five iron horses started every one of the 162 games and averaged 205 innings apiece last season. The good news this spring is that Freddy Garcia seems back. "He's focused, he's throwing the ball better, he seems bent on returning to being a top starter," says Melvin. "He's only 27, after all."
With Everyday Eddie Guardado at the end and Rafael Soriano, Shigetoshi Hasegawa, Julio Mateo and Mike Myers (who is now throwing overhand to right-handed batters) to set up, the bullpen is more certain -- if Soriano is all right. Early in spring training, Soriano was bothered by a strained oblique muscle, but Melvin thinks he'll get into three or four games before the season. "He is very important to us," says Melvin. "He can be special."
Melvin communicated with Ichiro Suzuki this winter -- in person and by email -- about taking more pitches and trying to hit in better counts. This spring, it's worked, and while the Mariners don't think Ichiro's home runs will jump appreciably, they do believe that if he sticks with this Ichiro will drive the ball more consistently. Then Melvin is going right-left the rest of the way, with Randy Winn, John Olerud and Raul Ibanez in front of Edgar Martinez in the five hole, followed by Bret Boone, Scott Spiezio and Rich Aurilia. It's not only a deep lineup, but it's a better contact lineup than in years past.
Age may be a factor ... when Winn turns 30 during the season every one of the regulars will be between 30 and 41. "Not many of us feel old," says Boone. "There's a lot to be said for experience."
As the Yankees and Red Sox play in a division that has Toronto and the improved Orioles and Devil Rays, the AL West has three teams capable of 90-100 wins and a Texas club that will be better and can wipe out any pitching staff playing in Arlington. "There is baseball on the West Coast," Scioscia likes to say. No kidding. The five teams in California drew 13.7 million fans, and throw in Seattle and it was nearly 17 million for six teams on the West Coast. The Angels and Dodgers are in the top five in payroll, the Mariners not far behind.
Wide open NL West
The two divisions that no one can predict are the NL West and the AL Central, sometimes dubbed baseball's Divisions I-AA.
The defenders, San Francisco. The consensus is that the Giants are going to take a fall. "If Barry and Robb Nen are healthy, we're going to be fine," says Marquis Grissom, who will bat third in front of Bonds, with Edgardo Alfonzo in the five-hole. "A lot of us were banged up last year," says Ray Durham, "and we won 100 games." And folks can underestimate the creativity of Brian Sabean and Ned Colletti, although cash is tighter this season than in the past.
| Power shortage? |
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Barry Bonds is "five or six" pounds heavier. "At my age," he says, "you don't get smaller." He is absolutely crushing balls, with three titanic homers in three days this past week.
"I am older, and it's hard to play more than 10 or 12 days in a row," Bonds says. "I have to be smart about it. But I can still hit. I laugh when I hear people say that I only hit 45 home runs last year because I was supposed to be off some stuff. My father was dying. I played in 130 games, had only 390 at-bats and still hit 45 home runs. Come on." No kidding.
"It is hard without my dad," says Bonds. "He was a great hitting coach. He taught me things you won't hear anywhere else. Look at his record -- the '93 Giants won 103 games and a lot of players had their best seasons, the '87 Indians had Joe Carter and Cory Snyder have their best seasons. I have a lot of the stuff written down, and I have all kinds of tapes from him that I listen to. It's great stuff."
Ask Marquis Grissom. He talked hitting with Barry everyday, and batted .300 with 20 homers.
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With Barry out of the lineup, this is not a pretty offensive team, but then Bonds changes the games in which he plays more than any athlete in any of the four major pro sports today. They need Jason Schmidt healthy, and indications are pretty good. They need Nen, who has been throwing in simulated games and will soon pitch in exhibitions. He's encouraged. "He is throwing better than at any time last season," says Felipe Alou. "I think he will come back strong."
Alou has been extremely impressed this spring with rookie reliever David Aardsma, whom the Giants drafted in the first round out of Rice last June. Aardsma had a phenomenal summer in the Cape League in 2002, but had a so-so junior season for Rice. "The ball explodes out of his hand, 95, 96 miles an hour," says Alou. "And he's got a tight, hard slider. I really like him." Chances are that Aardsma will open the season in Double-A, but be in San Francisco by midseason.
The 2001 world champions, Arizona. The good news is that Richie Sexson does give them an imposing figure in the middle of the order, and the Diamondbacks' offense beginning with Steve Finley at the top may be older, but better. Like most everyone else in the division, the important thing is going to be pitching, and they're coming out of spring training with Elmer Dessens and Shane Reynolds as their 3-4 starters.
"We got a lot out of our young pitchers (38 wins from rookies) last year, and I'm not afraid to pitch kids," says Bob Brenly, which is why Casey Finch -- er, Casey Daigle, who is engaged to Jenny Finch -- may be the fifth starter. Greg Aquino might not be far behind.
Matt Mantei has had some bizarre minor setbacks this spring, but has thrown the ball extremely well. "I feel as good as I have," says Mantei. Now they need Oscar Villarreal healthy.
The pretenders, San Diego. The Padres should hit, especially when they get Phil Nevin back early in the season to go with Brian Giles, Ryan Klesko, Sean Burroughs, Jay Payton, Mark Loretta, et al. Khalil Greene has had a very impressive spring, so much that Rey Ordonez walked out of camp. Burroughs has adjusted to the leadoff hole.
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| Burroughs |
Both Kevin Towers and Bruce Bochy believe PETCO Park will be a pitchers' haven, much like Pac Bell in San Francisco. "From what we've seen, the ball isn't going to carry," says Towers. "It's a big park, too, so it should be good for pitching, and that's good because it's a lot easier to build a winner in a pitchers' park."
"Right field is going to be very tough, between all the room and some of the weird angles," says Bochy. "Giles is going to have his work cut out for him."
Other than pitching, the Padres' biggest concern is outfield defense, and while Payton should be back in the lineup this week, his hamstring pull was a major setback. It's one thing for fly balls not to fly out of the park, but they need to have them caught.
David Wells has had a good spring, as has Sterling Hitchcock and Towers believes that Jake Peavy and Adam Eaton will blossom into frontline starters. "We're both ready," says Peavy. "We've learned a lot, and it's time to produce."
Akinori Otsuka (pronounced OAT-ska) has thrown strikes and been impressive, which helps make up for the departure of Rod Beck in front of Trevor Hoffman.
"This is one of those years where everyone has a chance," says Towers. "We feel pretty good, of course, it's spring training."
White Sox getting into Ozz-fest
Yes, Kansas City is rising, and the Twins will be there if they settle the end of their pitching staff. But the White Sox's spring has them convinced that they should be considered close to the divisional favorite. "I had several concerns before I came to Tucson," says Ken Williams. "Most of those concerns have been answered positively."
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| Guillen |
If anyone worried about Ozzie Guillen's brash energy rubbing players the wrong way, it seems as if it's the opposite. His energy has revitalized a team that under performed last season. "He's there, talking to everyone every day," says Jose Valentin. "He's right there, in your face, and it's great for us. We need that."
"I thought this was either going to be great or a disaster," says one veteran. "It's turned out to be great. Ozzie's great."
"What people don't understand is Ozzie the person," says Williams. "I remember when I was traded. I got back to my place and Ozzie was sitting there, waiting for me, crying. He's a very good people person."
Yeah, yeah, yeah, the White Sox have some problems. They are overly right-handed. The defense is below average in spots. And there are concerns about the pitching. "Jon Garland has thrown really well, and so has Scott Schoeneweis," says Guillen. "They can make a big difference." Schoeneweis, throwing that sinking, running 93 mph fastball, has gone to an Esteban Loaiza cutter, and thinks he's finally come up with a grip for a changeup. "Schoeneweis will be our sleeper this season," says Williams.
Rookie center fielder Jeremy Reed was slowed by injuries and is hitting under .200, but the stunning development has been 19-year-old Ryan Sweeney, who at this time last year wasn't playing because Iowa high schools don't play baseball. "He's hit balls hard off Bartolo Colon and Loaiza in an intrasquad, some good pitchers," says Guillen. "He's an amazing story."
News and notes
The Odalis Perez-for-Jay Gibbons rumors continue, but 1) Erik Bedard was outstanding Sunday, lessening the desire for a lefty who'll be a free agent at the end of the year, and 2) the Dodgers' starting pitching is very questionable; Paul DePodesta would like to move Kazuhisa Ishii. Good luck, Ishii retired 16 of his first 38 baserunners this spring. When L.A. checked in on Adam Dunn, the asking price was Edwin Jackson plus a prospect. Yeah, right.
| Boone targets August |
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Aaron Boone spent the weekend in Arizona watching brothers Bret and Matt play for Seattle and Tacoma.
"I don't want to put a specific timetable on things," says Boone, "but it's coming along well. There's a good chance that I could be back in early August." Which would make Boone a terrific pennant-race acquisition.
"I miss certain things; I stopped to see my old (USC) roomie Geoff Jenkins, and I realized how much I miss seeing friends, being at the park, working and getting home tired. But I've had fun at home, sitting and watching all the games. When the season starts, I'll be the biggest fan, watching games in the afternoon and at night."
What speaks volumes about who Aaron Boone is and what he represents is the fact that when he hurt his knee playing basketball, he didn't concoct some excuse about falling off his treadmill or washing his car. He called the Yankees and told them the truth, which cost him $5 million. "Aaron wouldn't sell his integrity for $5 million," says Bret.
"I don't want to make it sound as if I did something heroic," says Aaron. "All I did was the right thing."
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The Reds continue to shop Junior Griffey, but the Mets looked and said no. So did the White Sox, who while overly right-handed, worried about the cost and a Junior/Frank Thomas clubhouse.
The consensus in the Cleveland camp was that Grady Sizemore was the Indians best player this spring. But with Jody Gerut, Milton Bradley and a healthy Matt Lawton, Sizemore will start the season in Buffalo. Alex Escobar has had an extraordinary spring and is close to being back to his former skills.
The Red Sox think Nomar Garciaparra can be ready for the beginning of the season, but if Trot Nixon returns slowed down, they have some serious defensive outfield issues.
If the draft were held tomorrow, Jared Weaver would be the Padres' pick at No. 1. "He's as good as what we have," says one San Diego official.
Pat Borders, a Mariners' non-roster invitee, will be 41 in May. Last year when he was catching in Triple-A, an opposing hitter said, "I watched your father play in the World Series for Toronto in the early 90s." Hmm.
Damian Miller now has the Oakland Big Three after catching Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling, then the Cubs' Fab Four last season. Opposing hitters keep saying Carlos Zambrano has the best stuff of the Cubs' pitchers, but Miller says that's not quite so. "No one has as good stuff as Kerry Wood," says Miller, "It's electric, and he's got the great breaking ball. I'd say the only comparable is Randy."
Bobby Crosby and Jeremy Reed were Long Beach State roommates. And they rave about Abe Alvarez, who was two years behind them. The lefty has two impressive outings for the Red Sox in his first pro spring.
The Cubs are drawing 11,000 a game in Mesa, and will top the 180,000 mark for the spring, "I'm playing in front of more people every day in spring training," says Cubs catcher and former Expo Michael Barrett, "than we drew for most regular-season home games."
One member of the 2002 negotiation team says the most animated and profane responses from Gene Orza and Don Fehr were over drug testing. "Bud (Selig) was way out front in this," says the negotiator. "He saw where this could go. But Don and Gene would have struck over this, and the game couldn't handle a work stoppage." Which raises the issue of whether of not the best interests of the ACLU or MLBPA are being represented. But, as several have pointed out, why is there the outrage over THG? It wasn't illegal until after the last World Series.
"Larry Lucchino is one of the most influential figures of the last 15 years," says one baseball official. "He changed the business with Camden Yards. Look what he did for the Padres. And now he's got George Steinbrenner's payroll up $50 million." Problem is, the Red Sox can't play there.
One extremely credible baseball man compares Indians first baseman Michael Aubrey to Todd Helton.
There are rave reviews on Montreal's Chad Cordero, drafted as a closer last June. Ditto Ryan Wagner, to the Reds from Houston. With Aardsma on the way to the Giants, the draft outlook for University of Texas closer Huston Street is very good.
Kurt Ainsworth, like Bedard, has had a good spring for the Orioles.
Just for some perspective on the meaning of won-loss records in spring training, the Marlins were 14-16 last spring, and the last five world champions were a combined 77-84 in the springs they won. Of course over the last five years the Yankees have two world championships, four pennants and five divisional titles, and have a combined spring training record of 71-86.
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