Pushed to the edge of elimination a year ago, the New York Yankees staged their annual World Series parade anyway. They have a chance this year to become the first team since the Yankees of Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle to win it all four years in a row.
But don’t count on it. While the Yankees have added Mike Mussina, a deep group of American League challengers have positioned themselves to end New York’s run short of the World Series. The Boston Red Sox would love to be the team to upend their old rivals. They have added Manny Ramirez, David Cone, Hideo Nomo and Frank Castillo to a mix that already includes Pedro Martinez and Nomar Garciaparra.
Then there are the White Sox, who added David Wells and sure-handed shortstop Royce Clayton to the team that won 95 games last year, and the Oakland Athletics, who added free agent-in-waiting Johnny Damon to signal their seriousness about getting to the Series. An aging Cleveland team is hoping for a postseason encore behind two-time MVP Juan Gonzalez, who was the Indians’ consolation prize for failing to re-sign Ramirez.
Even the Texas Rangers bought $252 million worth of hope by overpaying to sign Alex Rodriguez.
AL EAST
NEW YORK YANKEES
2000: 87-74 (1st, beat the Mets, Seattle and Oakland to win a third consecutive World Series).
Manager: Joe Torre.
Coming: RHP Mike Mussina, C Joe Oliver, RHP David Lee, RHP Matt Karchner.
Going: RHP David Cone, LHP Denny Neagle, RHP Jeff Nelson, RHP Jason Grimsley, DH Jose Canseco, INF Jose Vizcaino.
Needs fixing: With few pressing concerns, the throwing of 2B Chuck Knoblauch will be much dissected again.
Worth watching: RHP Ramiro Mendoza is returning from shoulder surgery. He would like a shot at the fifth starter’s job but is needed more in the bullpen.
BOSTON RED SOX
2000: 85-77 (2nd).
Manager: Jimy Williams.
Coming: RF Manny Ramirez, RHP Hideo Nomo, RHP David Cone, RHP Frank Castillo, LHP Bryan Ward, INF Craig Grebeck, 3B-OF Chris Stynes.
Going: RHP Tom Gordon, RHP Ramon Martinez, LHP Jeff Fassero, LHP Rheal Cormier, 1B Rico Brogna, RHP Chris Reitsma, INF Donnie Sadler.
Shelved: RHP Bryce Florie will attempt a comeback after being partially blinded by a liner hit back to the mound last season.
Needs fixing: Boston’s rotation was a mess behind Pedro Martinez and Rolando Arrojo but should be much better this year. Nomo and Castillo give Williams a front four that was 46-34 with a 3.82 ERA last year.
Worth watching: Ramirez’s arrival makes it likely that the Red Sox will trade Troy O’Leary, Dante Bichette or perhaps even Trot Nixon in spring training.
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
2000: 83-79 (3rd).
Manager: Buck Martinez.
Coming: LHP Mike Sirotka, RHP Steve Parris, LHP Dan Plesac, 2B Jeff Frye, RHP Kevin Beirne, LHP Scott Eyre, OF Brian Simmons, 3B Cole Liniak, RHP Jaime Navarro, RHP Jamie Dickson.
Going: LHP David Wells, RHP Frank Castillo, RHP Steve Trachsel, LHP Mark Guthrie, OF Dave Martinez, RHP Matt DeWitt, RHP Gary Glover, LHP Clayton Andrews.
Needs fixing: For the first time since Roger Clemens’ arrival in 1997, the Blue Jays have no clear-cut No. 1 starter. If healthy, Sirotka could get the opening day start ahead of Esteban Loaiza, Joey Hamilton, Chris Carpenter, Roy Halladay and Parris.
Worth watching: Martinez, for years part of ESPN’s broadcast team, never has managed at any level. But expect an efficient, detail-oriented camp.
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
2000: 74-88 (4th).
Manager: Mike Hargrove.
Coming: 1B David Segui, SS Mike Bordick, RHP Pat Hentgen, INF Steve Sisco, 1B Jay Gibbons.
Going: RHP Mike Mussina, RHP Pat Rapp, 3B Ryan Minor, 3B Mark Lewis, 2B Jesse Garcia.
Needs fixing: The Orioles had trouble scoring runs a year ago and have made the dimensions of Camden Yards bigger. RF-DH Albert Belle, 3B Cal Ripken and OF Brady Anderson all are on the decline.
Worth watching: The Orioles haven’t had a dominant closer since trading Armando Benitez to the Mets. They hope Ryan Kohlmeier’s slider can make him one.
TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS
2000: 69-92 (5th).
Manager: Larry Rothschild.
Coming: LF Ben Grieve, RHP Sean Bergman, RHP Ken Hill, RHP Rusty Meacham, LHP Jeff Wallace, LHP Paul Spoljaric, SS Andy Sheets, RHP Pulsipher, RHP Tony Fiore, RHP Jim Pittsley.
Going: RHP Roberto Hernandez, RHP Cory Lidle, 2B Miguel Cairo, CF Quinton McCracken, LHP Jim Morris.
Needs fixing: Despite playing in a phone booth, the Devil Rays had the least productive lineup in the AL last year. Grieve will help but Rothschild needs Greg Vaughn and Vinny Castilla to have big years.
Worth watching: Third baseman Aubrey Huff has Rookie of the Year potential but is blocked by Castilla.
AL CENTRAL
WHITE SOX
2000: 95-67 (1st, lost to Seattle in first round).
Manager: Jerry Manuel.
Coming: LHP David Wells, SS Royce Clayton, C Sandy Alomar Jr., INF Amaury Garcia, CF Julio Ramirez, RHP Gary Glover.
Going: LHP Mike Sirotka, C Charles Johnson, RHP Kevin Beirne, OF Jeff Abbott, 3B Greg Norton, INF Craig Wilson, OF Brian Simmons, LHP Scott Eyre, RHP Aaron Myette, RHP Carlos Chantres.
Shelved: RHP Bill Simas (elbow surgery, probably out for year).
Needs fixing: Texas was the only AL team to allow more unearned runs than the White Sox last year. Clayton should provide a steadying presence but Manuel must fit displaced shortstop Jose Valentin in elsewhere, most likely in center field and at times third base.
Worth watching: Pitchers James Baldwin, Cal Eldred, Bob Howry and Sean Lowe are recovering from surgery. Their health could determine how big of a role youngsters Jon Garland, Kip Wells, Jon Rauch, Matt Ginter, Rocky Biddle and Glover will play.
CLEVELAND INDIANS
2000: 90-72 (2nd)
Manager: Charlie Manuel
Coming: RF-DH Juan Gonzalez, LF-DH Ellis Burks, C Eddie Taubensee, RHPAriel Prieto, RHP Dan Smith, RHP Jerry Spradlin, RHP Willie Blair.
Going: RF Manny Ramirez, C Sandy Alomar Jr., 1B David Segui, RHP Jason Bere, LHP Tom Martin.
Shelved: LHP Scott Radinsky (elbow surgery, out until July).
Needs fixing: Injuries to Charles Nagy and Jaret Wright contributed to Cleveland using 32 pitchers, a major league record. If Nagy and Wright don’t return to form, the Indians must get two starters from a group that includes Steve Karsay, Steve Woodard, Jake Westbrook and prospects Danys Baez and C.C. Sabathia.
Worth watching: Gonzalez, a two-time MVP, is under the gun as Ramirez’s replacement. He’s fragile both physically and emotionally.
DETROIT TIGERS
2000: 79-83 (3rd).
Manager: Phil Garner.
Coming: C Matt Meluskey, CF Roger Cedeno, RHP Chris Holt, LHP Matt Perisho, C Scott Servais, 1B Randall Simon, 2B Jermaine Clark.
Going: RF-DH Juan Gonzalez, C Brad Ausmus, RHP Hideo Nomo, RHP Willie Blair, 1B Hal Morris, OF Rich Becker, RHP Doug Brocail, RHP Nelson Cruz.
Needs fixing: The Tigers were a poor offensive team last year, lacking both power and speed. Meluskey and Cedeno should help.
Worth watching: First baseman Tony Clark, a chronic slow starter, also must overcome the back problems that shut him down last summer.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
2000: 77-85 (4th)
Manager: Tony Muser
Coming: RHP Roberto Hernandez, C A.J. Hinch, RHP Doug Henry, 2B Luis Alicea, INF Craig Wilson.
Going: OF Johnny Damon, RHP Ricky Bottalico, C Jorge Fabregas, INF Jeff Reboulet
Needs fixing: The bullpen was a mess last season, creating diminished returns for a collection of quality young starters. Hernandez and Henry are major upgrades.
Worth watching: Center-fielder Carlos Beltran, the 1999 Rookie of the Year, appears back in form after a big winter in Puerto Rico. His play will determine how badly Damon is missed.
MINNESOTA TWINS
2000: 69-93 (5th)
Manager: Tom Kelly
Coming: RHP Brandon Knight, C Tom Prince.
Going: 1B Ron Coomer, RHP Jason Ryan.
Needs fixing: The Twins are baseball’s most punchless team. But rather than address the problem, the front office let cleanup hitter Coomer walk while giving his job to Doug Mientkiewicz, who has two homers in 129 big-league games.
Worth watching: RHP Matt Kinney and Knight, a Rule 5 pick, could join Brad Radke, Eric Milton and Mark Redman to give Kelly a first-division rotation.
AL WEST
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
2000: 91-70 (1st, lost to the Yankees in the first round).
Manager: Art Howe
Coming: LF Johnny Damon, LHP Mark Guthrie, RHP Cory Lidle, LHP Micah Bowie, RHP Chad Bradford, 2B Miguel Cairo, RHP Eric Ireland.
Going: LF Ben Grieve, RF Matt Stairs, 2B Randy Velarde, RHP Kevin Appier, 1B Mike Stanley, RHP Doug Jones, RHP Ariel Prieto, OF Bo Porter, C A.J. Hinch, C Miguel Olivo.
Needs fixing: Fielding was Oakland’s one weakness last year. Damon will improve the outfield defense but Velarde could be missed in the infield.
Worth watching: With a strong rotation and loaded lineup, the heat’s on Jason Isringhausen to perform in his second year as the Athletics’ closer.
SEATTLE MARINERS
2000: 91-71 (2nd, advanced as wild card, beat White Sox and lost to Yankees in ALCS)
Manager: Lou Piniella
Coming: CF-RF Ichiro Suzuki, 2B Bret Boone, RHP Jeff Nelson, 2B Carlos Baerga.
Going: SS Alex Rodriguez, C Joe Oliver, LF Rickey Henderson, RHP Jose Mesa, RHP Frankie Rodriguez, OF Raul Ibanez.
Shelved: RHP Gil Meche (shoulder surgery, out for year).
Needs fixing: Rodriguez’s departure will be felt in the field and the lineup. Carlos Guillen takes over at shortstop.
Worth watching: The Mariners would like to add another middle-of-the-order bat. They are expected to scout Sammy Sosa and Robin Ventura, among others, this spring.
ANAHEIM ANGELS
2000: 82-80 (3rd)
Manager: Mike Scioscia
Coming: RHP Patt Rapp, RHP Ismael Valdes, 1B Wally Joyner, DH Jose Canseco, SS Wilmy Caceres, C Jorge Fabregas, RHP Randy Espina
Going: OF Ron Gant, SS Kevin Stocker, C Matt Walbeck, RHP Mark Petkovsek, LHP Kent Mercker, RHP Scott Etherton
Shelved: 1B Mo Vaughn (torn bicep tendon, out all year).
Needs fixing: Reliever Shigetoshi Hasegawa was the only Anaheim pitcher with 10 victories last year. The Angels need Valdes, Rapp and Tim Belcher to step up.
Worth watching: SS Gary DiSarcina is trying to hold off Caceres after signing a minor-league contract. Benji Gil, who started 84 games last year, is also in the shortstop mix.
TEXAS RANGERS
2000: 71-91 (4th)
Manager: Johnny Oates
Coming: SS Alex Rodriguez, DH-1B Andres Galarraga, 3B Ken Caminiti, 2B Randy Velarde, RHP Mark Petkovsek, RHP Jeff Brantley, RHP Pat Mahomes, RHP Kevin Foster, RHP Aaron Myette, RHP Brian Schmack, LHP Chris Haney, OF Bo Porter.
Going: RHP John Wetteland, SS Royce Clayton, 2B Luis Alicea, OF Scarborough Green, LHP Matt Perisho.
Shelved: LHP Justin Thompson (three shoulder surgeries in a year, out until June).
Needs fixing: The Rangers allowed the most runs in the AL last year and failed to improve their pitching staff. They still don’t know who will replace Wetteland, who retired because of back problems. Tim Crabtree gets first crack at the job.
Worth watching: Rodriguez’s $252 million contract puts the pressure on the back of Oates, who has one playoff win in 10 years with Texas and Baltimore.
