If anyone should understand the importance of strength at the top of the starting rotation, it’s fans of the Minnesota Twins. IThe Twins won the 1987 World Series behind Frank Viola and Bert Blyleven, then did it again in 1991 with Jack Morris carrying the load. That’s why the biggest move of this off-season might have been the Twins re-signing Brad Radke to a two-year, $18 million contract.
Minnesota has arguably the best 1-2 combination of starters in the major leagues in Radke and reigning AL Cy Young winner Johan Santana. They make the Twins a favorite to win a fourth consecutive Central title despite the off-season maneuvering of the White Sox and Detroit Tigers.
A year ago, Santana and Radke combined to go 31-14 with a 3.04 earned run average over 447 2/3 innings. That doesn’t make them the second coming of Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling, but no other pair of starters came close to such a low ERA over that many innings in 2004. To have done that in the land of the designated hitter is especially impressive.
Yes, there are guys with bigger names. But with Oakland having broken up its trio of starters and Mark Prior coming off a six-win, 21-start disaster, the Twins have the best combination in the big leagues.
TWINS
2004: 92-70
(1st), lost to Yankees in the first round
Mgr: Ron Gardenhire
Additions:
SS-3B Juan Castro
C Mike Redmond
3B Eric Munson
LHP C.J. Nitkowski
SS Andy Fox
Losses:
3B Corey Koskie
SS Cristian Guzman
C Henry Blanco
For starters: Gardenhire must rebuild the left side of his infield. Michael Cuddyer, who played all over the field last season, and Munson could wind up sharing third. Rookie Jason Bartlett, who hit .331 at Triple-A Rochester last year, gets a shot to be the shortstop.
Fresh face: Right-hander Jesse Crain figures to make a solid bullpen even better. He throws in the high 90s and held AL hitters to a .179 average in 27 innings last year.
OUTLOOK
Re-signing Brad Radke was huge. The Twins are younger, and probably better, with Justin Morneau at first base and Joe Mauer ready to return as the regular catcher.
INDIANS
2004: 80-82
(3rd)
Mgr: Eric Wedge
Additions:
RHP Kevin Millwood
2B Alex Cora
IF-OF Jose Hernandez
OF Juan Gonzalez
LHP Arthur Rhodes
LHP Chad Zerbe
RHP Paul Shuey
RHP Denny Stark
1B-OF Jeff Liefer
Losses:
SS Omar Vizquel
RHP Rick White
OF Matt Lawton
IF John McDonald
DH-1B Josh Phelps
For starters: For the first time since 1993, Vizquel won’t be the Indians’ primary shortstop. Jhonny Peralta and Brandon Phillips compete for the job with Hernandez as an insurance policy.
Fresh face: Grady Sizemore had been expected to be a regular before Casey Blake was moved to the outfield and Gonzalez was signed. Don’t be surprised if he has a big spring to avoid a return to Triple-A.
OUTLOOK
With Aaron Boone joining a solid lineup, the Indians believe they can compete for a playoff spot. They may miss Vizquel more than they expect, however.
TIGERS
2004: 72-90
(4th)
Mgr: Alan Trammell
Additions:
OF Magglio Ordonez
RHP Troy Percival
RHP Kyle Farnsworth
RHP Colby Lewis
LHP Mike Bynum
OF Dewayne Wise
Losses:
3B Eric Munson
RHP Esteban Yan
RHP Al Levine
RHP Roberto Novoa
For starters: Catching the ball is of prime concern for a team that was last in the AL in fielding a year ago. Brandon Inge, who takes over at third, might lead the Grapefruit League in fungos fielded.
Fresh face: University of Illinois-Chicago product Curtis Granderson, who hit .303 with 21 homers and 80 walks in Double-A, is putting heat on center fielder Alex Sanchez, who hit a soft .322 last season.
OUTLOOK
The Tigers are taking a major risk on Ordonez. If his left knee allows him to play 130 games and hit like his old self, Detroit could have its first winning season since 1993. It’s not out of the question it could be competitive enough to be in the market for midseason pitching help.
ROYALS
2004: 58-104
(5th)
Mgr: Tony Pena
Additions:
RHP Jose Lima
CF Terrence Long
OF-IF Eli Marrero
3B Chris Truby
Losses:
3B Joe Randa
C Benito Santiago
LHP Darrell May
OF Juan Gonzalez
IF Desi Relaford
C Kelly Stinnett
For starters: Runelvys Hernandez was among the most effective pitchers in the AL before being sidelined by elbow problems in 2003. He is returning from Tommy John surgery and could give his teammates a big lift. The rotation behind Zach Greinke is a work in progress.
Fresh face: Right-hander Denny Bautista, acquired from Baltimore in a trade for Jason Grimsley, got knocked around in September but has three plus pitches. He could be special.
OUTLOOK
While Carlos Beltran has gone on to big things, the Royals need to get some good years out of the players they received for him–right-hander Mike Wood, catcher John Buck and third baseman Mark Teahen. Pena’s got his work cut out for him.
