Hold onto your hats. And your heads.
In the American League East, this promises to be one incredible ride. The 1998 season will be major-league baseball’s fifth in its three-division format, and never before has there been so much talent in one division.
With pitching coach Ray Miller’s supplanting Davey Johnson as manager, the Baltimore Orioles are taking one more run at the World Series that has eluded them after great seasons in 1996 and ’97. The New York Yankees are trying to duplicate the ticker-tape parade Joe Torre brought them two years ago. And Roger Clemens’ old team (the Boston Red Sox) and new team (the Toronto Blue Jays) are spending furiously in an attempt to establish a new order in the Big East.
This much is for sure: When the season is over, the third- and fourth-place teams in the East will be among the most disappointed in baseball. The Cleveland Indians and Seattle Mariners should travel smoother roads in defending their division titles.
A look around the league where games can last longer than a Ken Burns documentary:
CENTRAL
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
1997: 80-81, 2nd.
Manager: Jerry Manuel.
New guys: SS Benji Gil, RF-DH Ruben Sierra, C Charlie O’Brien, C Chad Kreuter, RHP Jim Bullinger, LHP Larry Casian.
Missing: SS Ozzie Guillen, OF-1B Dave Martinez, C Jorge Fabregas, C Ron Karkovice, OF Lyle Mouton, INF Norberto Martin, RHP Doug Drabek, LHP Chuck McElroy, RHP Al Levine, LHP Larry Thomas.
Working on: Manuel faces a difficult task in improving a defense that allowed the most unearned runs in the league (85) while blending in many rookies and second-year players. Particular attention must be paid up the middle, where 2B Ray Durham will work with either Gil or rookie Mike Caruso.
Keep an eye on: Jaime Navarro. With three years and $15 million left on his contract, the Sox have no choice but to hope he’s better than he showed last year (9-14, 5.79). He needs a good spring to jump-start his confidence.
CLEVELAND INDIANS
1997: 86-75, 1st.
Manager: Mike Hargrove.
New guys: CF Kenny Lofton, 3B Travis Fryman, 2B Carlos Garcia, DH-OF Geronimo Berroa, C Ron Karkovice, RHP Dwight Gooden, RHP Steve Karsay, RHP Ben McDonald, LHP Tom Martin, LHP Ron Villone.
Missing: 3B Matt Williams, 2B Tony Fernandez, CF Marquis Grissom, 2B-LF Bip Roberts, 1B-3B Kevin Seitzer, RHP Orel Hershiser, RHP Jack McDowell.
Working on: Closer Jose Mesa must shake off a troubled season that ended with his becoming the first pitcher ever to blow a lead in the ninth inning of the seventh game of the World Series. If he can rebound to his old form, the Indians will have one of baseball’s best bullpens.
Keep an eye on: 1B Sean Casey. A .348 hitter in the minors, Casey has begun to hit with power. He would be a regular on many teams but must bide his time behind Jim Thome with the Indians.
DETROIT TIGERS
1997: 79-83, 3rd in AL East.
Manager: Buddy Bell.
New guys: 3B Joe Randa, INF Billy Ripken, OF Luis Gonzalez, DH Pete Incaviglia, C Joe Oliver, RHP Frank Castillo, RHP Tim Worrell, RHP Bryce Florie.
Missing: RHP Willie Blair, LHP Mike Myers, 3B Travis Fryman, DH Bob Hamelin, SS Orlando Miller, RF Melvin Nieves, DH-OF Bubba Trammell, C Matt Walbeck.
Working on: The departure of Blair leaves more questions for a young starting rotation led by LHP Justin Thompson. Worrell and Castillo add depth, but the Tigers need to get contributions from kids such as Seth Greisinger and Greg Keagle.
Keep an eye on: RF Juan Encarnacion. The 22-year-old has a chance to jump from Double-A Jacksonville to the middle of the Detroit lineup, but high strikeout totals and a .274 career average in the minor leagues raise questions. If he’s not quite ready, the Tigers can bide time with Gonzalez.
KANSAS CITY Royals
1997: 67-94, 4th.
Manager: Tony Muser.
New guys: LF Jeff Conine, SS Orlando Miller, 1B-DH Hal Morris, RHP Brian Barber.
Missing: DH Chili Davis, SS Jay Bell, INF David Howard, RHP Ricky Bones.
Working on: Even with Davis and Bell, the Royals were 12th in the AL in runs scored last year (747). It’s unrealistic to expect them to improve on that with management’s taking a passive approach.
Keep an eye on: Lee Smith. The former Cubs closer turned 40 in December but is coming out a short-lived retirement. He’s with his fourth team in three years and needs a strong spring to assure himself of a spot as a setup man for Jeff Montgomery.
MINNESOTA TWINS
1997: 68-94, 4th.
Manager: Tom Kelly.
New guys: RHP Mike Morgan, RHP Ricky Bones, LHP Eric Milton, RF-1B Orlando Merced, CF Otis Nixon, OF Alex Ochoa, INF Brent Gates.
Missing: 2B Chuck Knoblauch, 1B Greg Colbrunn, CF Rich Becker, OF Brent Brede, C Greg Myers.
Working on: Pitching, as always, is once again the central issue for the Twins. Pitching prospects Dan Serafini, Travis Miller, Mark Redman and Milton are in the wings, meaning Kelly won’t have much patience should LaTroy Hawkins or Frank Rodriguez start slowly.
Keep an eye on: 2B Todd Walker. A bust when he was handed the job at third base a year ago, the one-time terror of college baseball returns to the position he played at LSU. Walker showed promise by hitting .364 last September but has fences to mend.
EAST
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
1997: 98-64, 1st.
Manager: Ray Miller.
New guys: DH-LF-1B Joe Carter, INF Ozzie Guillen, RHP Doug Drabek, LHP Norm Charlton.
Missing: LHP Randy Myers, OF-DH Geronimo Berroa, INF Aaron Ledesma, OF Jerome Walton.
Working on: With Myers gone, the Orioles will look at Armando Benitez and Arthur Rhodes as their primary short relievers. Both will have to learn to develop the thick skin necessary to shake off the inevitable failures faced by closers.
Keep an eye on: Guillen. A regular for 13 years, the former White Sox shortstop will have to earn his spot on the Orioles’ bench. It’s a difficult adjustment but one he is willing to make in search of a World Series ring.
BOSTON RED SOX
1997: 78-84, 4th.
Manager: Jimy Williams.
New guys: RHP Pedro Martinez, RHP Dennis Eckersley, DH-C Jim Leyritz, CF Damon Buford.
Missing: RHP Aaron Sele, RHP Jeff Suppan, LF Wil Cordero, OF Shane Mack.
Working on: Pitching coach Joe Kerrigan will be a central figure as the Red Sox try to achieve a quick about-face with a pitching staff that had the third-worst staff ERA in the AL last year (4.85). He’ll need a diplomatic touch in using both Eckersley and converted starter Tom Gordon in short relief.
Keep an eye on: Bret Saberhagen. The two-time Cy Young winner would love nothing better than a second Comeback Player of the Year award. He appears recovered from the arm problems that limited him to six starts over the last two seasons. He’ll get a chance to win a spot in the rotation.
NEW YORK YANKEES
1997: 96-66, 2nd.
Manager: Joe Torre.
New guys: 2B Chuck Knoblauch, DH Chili Davis, 3B Scott Brosius, 3B Dale Sveum, RHP Darren Holmes.
Missing: RHP Dwight Gooden, LHP Kenny Rogers, RHP Brian Boehringer, 3B Wade Boggs, DH Cecil Fielder, 3B Charlie Hayes, DH-1B Mike Stanley, INF Rey Sanchez.
Working on: A team that is solid elsewhere has a hole to fill at third base. A return to form by Brosius would answer that question, but Sveum is likely to force his way into a platoon.
Keep an eye on: Darryl Strawberry. This could be the year the stylish veteran plays more than 63 games, which hasn’t happened since 1991. He’s running well after last year’s slow rehab from knee surgery and figures to open the season as a platoon left-fielder.
TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS
Inaugural season
Manager: Larry Rothschild.
1997: Top minor-league club finished 81-56 in the Class A Florida State League.
(Best-known) new guys: LHP Wilson Alvarez, RHP Albie Lopez, LHP Tony Saunders, RHP Roberto Hernandez, 1B Fred McGriff, SS Kevin Stocker, 3B Wade Boggs, OF-1B Dave Martinez, DH-1B Paul Sorrento, DH-OF Brooks Kieschnick.
Working on: Competition for jobs in the starting rotation will be fierce. Cuban import Rolando Arrojo, RHP Dennis Springer, RHP Bryan Rekar, LHP Terrell Wade and Lopez are in the running behind Alvarez and Saunders.
Keep an eye on: 2B Miguel Cairo. Despite having a hole at second base, the Cubs didn’t protect Cairo after he batted .279 with a league-leading 40 stolen bases at Iowa. He could play 150 games for the Devil Rays if he stays healthy.
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
1997: 76-86, 5th.
Manager: Tim Johnson.
New guys: LHP Randy Myers, DH-1B Mike Stanley, DH Jose Canseco, Darrin Fletcher, 2B Tony Fernandez, 2B Pat Kelly, INF Craig Grebeck.
Missing: LF-1B Joe Carter, C Charlie O’Brien.
Working on: The Blue Jays believe their pitching is as good as anyone’s in the league, but they must find a way to improve an offense better suited for the National League Central. Nothing’s more important than getting 3B Ed Sprague turned around after a horrible season (.228-14-48).
Keep an eye on: RF Jose Cruz Jr. He faces expectations the height of Mt. Everest, but remains a work in progress. Cruz’s defense is such a liability that it will take 30 homers and 100-plus RBIs to make his season a true success.
WEST
ANAHEIM ANGELS
1997: 84-78, 2nd.
Manager: Terry Collins.
New guys: DH Cecil Fielder, INF Norberto Martin, C Matt Walbeck, RHP Omar Olivares, RHP William VanLandingham.
Missing: LHP Mark Langston, DH-2B Tony Phillips, LF Rickey Henderson, 2B Luis Alicea.
Working on: Four years after allowing 44 passed balls at Class A, converted outfielder Todd Greene takes over as the Angels’ top catcher. He figures to be a force at the plate–he hit 34 homers between two levels last year–but needs work handling Anaheim’s pitching staff. A broken wrist ended his 1997 season early.
Keep an eye on: SS-3B Troy Glaus. The UCLA product took all of last summer to negotiate his $2.25 million signing bonus but goes directly to big-league camp. He is expected to advance quickly, keeping veteran 3B Dave Hollins on his toes.
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
1997: 65-97, 4th.
Manager: Art Howe.
New guys: LHP Kenny Rogers, RHP Tom Candiotti, RHP Mike Fetters, LF Rickey Henderson, 3B Mike Blowers, SS-LF Kurt Abbott, OF Shane Mack, C Damon Berryhill.
Missing: DH Jose Canseco, 3B Scott Brosius, RHP Steve Karsay.
Working on: Rogers and Candiotti add presence to a starting rotation that badly needed an overhaul. The A’s used 13 starting pitchers en route to the major leagues’ worst staff ERA last year. RHPs Brad Rigby, Jimmy Haynes and Ariel Prieto and LHP Mike Oquist are front-runners to fill out the rotation.
Keep an eye on: RF Ben Grieve. The most complete hitter to come along in a long time, the son of former Washington-Texas outfielder Tom Grieve is a good bet to win Rookie of the Year. He combined to hit .344 with 34 homers, 160 RBIs, 139 runs scored and 106 walks between Double A, Triple A and the majors last year. Mark McGwire was never this productive.
SEATTLE MARINERS
1997: 90-72, 1st.
Manager: Lou Piniella.
New guys: 1B David Segui, LF Glenallen Hill.
Missing: 1B Paul Sorrento, LF Roberto Kelly, RHP Omar Olivares, RHP Scott Sanders, RHP Bob Wolcott.
Working on: With no established closer having been added, the Mariners need to build some confidence in their battle-scarred bullpen. Heathcliff Slocumb returns as the closer despite a 5.16 ERA last year.
Keep an eye on: Randy Johnson. Upset that he didn’t receive a contract extension, the Big Unit badly wants a trade. It’s a hot-button issue that isn’t going to go away and could poison what has been one of baseball’s best clubhouses in recent years.
TEXAS RANGERS
1997: 77-85, 3rd.
Manager: Johnny Oates.
New guys: RHP Aaron Sele, LHP Matt Perisho, RHP Mark Brandenburg, RHP Al Levine, LHP Larry Thomas, SS Kevin Elster, 2B Luis Alicea, OF Roberto Kelly, C Bill Haselman.
Missing: C-DH Jim Leyritz, SS Benji Gil, INF Billy Ripken.
Working on: A fundamentally sound team with a deep pitching staff, the Rangers must restore pop to their lineup. CF Tom Goodwin and 2B Mark McLemore, who returns after an injury-plagued year, need to get on base at the top of the order.
Keep an eye on: 1B Will Clark. The six-time All-Star is entering the last season of his five-year contract. He needs to do a better job driving in runs if he is to get another big deal.
