Funny how fast things can change. Just two seasons ago, Mike Lowell was the salary liability that Boston had to take off the Florida Marlins’ hands to get Josh Beckett. But last October, Lowell was more valuable than any other third baseman in the major leagues, including Alex Rodriguez.
While Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz are perennial All-Stars, the Red Sox wouldn’t have won the World Series without the contributions from unsung heroes like Lowell, Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis.
Here’s a look at some other guys whose contributions are bigger than their stats and their contracts:
CASEY BLAKE
Indians
Nobody is more versatile than this guy. He can hit anywhere in the lineup and play just about anywhere on the field.
BRIAN SCHNEIDER
Mets
He long has been one of the best catchers in the game and can be a tough out in big situations. He finally might get noticed with trade from Washington.
LUIS VIZCAINO
Rockies
He is as durable as any reliever in the majors and does a great job in the middle innings. The Yankees will miss him, just as the White Sox did after trading him to Arizona.
MARK DeROSA
Cubs
He’s versatile and a surprisingly good runproducer. He’s also a leader.
DAVID BUSH
Brewers
There’s nothing impressive about his stuff but he provides innings and doesn’t back down from pressure. He will have to fight for his rotation spot in Milwaukee, but don’t bet against him.
MICAH OWINGS
Diamondbacks
He’s a quality starting pitcher and a really good hitter. Arizona manager Bob Melvin plans to look at him at first base in spring training, which could help him get more at-bats as a reserve.
SCOT SHIELDS
Angels
He has become one of the best setup men in the majors. With Francisco Rodriguez eligible for free agency after the season, he could move into the closer’s role in 2009.
KENJI JOHJIMA
Mariners
He’s the best catcher nobody talks about–a quality receiver and a tough out. He loves to hack but could be a .300 hitter if he laid off a few more pitches.
MELKY CABRERA
Yankees
Once a fourth outfielder, the switch-hitter has shown he’s capable of being a solid center fielder.
MICHAEL CUDDYER
Twins
Drafted as a shortstop, he has emerged as a runproducing right fielder. There was talk of moving him to center before Carlos Gomez was added in the Johan Santana trade.
– – –
Chicago story
MICHAEL BOWDEN
Red Sox
The Waubonsie Valley prospect climbed to the Double-A Eastern League at age 20 and appears ready to move on to Triple-A Pawtucket. He’s a polished strike-thrower who will be in the mix to replace Curt Schilling and Tim Wakefield in the Boston rotation in 2009. It’s not out of the question he will be on the mound at Fenway Park this year.
AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST
RED SOX
Last year: 96-66, 1st; beat the Angels in the first round, Cleveland in the ALCS and Colorado in the World Series.
Manager: Terry Francona.
Payroll: $170 million.
Headliners: Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz, Josh Beckett, Jonathan Papelbon, Jason Varitek.
Additions: David Aardsma.
Losses: Eric Gagne, Matt Clement, Eric Hinske.
Health watch: Curt Schilling re-signed a one-year contract but is expected to be sidelined at least until July because of a shoulder injury.
X-factor: Jacoby Ellsbury hit .353 in 33 games last year and then went 7-for-16 in the World Series. He could be a major upgrade over Coco Crisp in center field, but he will be hard-pressed to meet expectations.
Tipping point: Very little has changed since the World Series parade. The performance of young pitchers Clay Buchholz and Jon Lester is especially important with Schilling sidelined. Repeating is never easy, but the Red Sox open the spring as baseball’s best team and have plenty of reinforcements in a deep farm system.
YANKEES
Last year: 94-68, 2nd, wild card; lost to Cleveland in the first round.
Manager: Joe Girardi.
Payroll: $230 million.
Headliners: Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano, Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera.
Additions: LaTroy Hawkins, Jose Molina, Morgan Ensberg.
Losses: Roger Clemens, Luis Vizcaino, Doug Mientkiewicz, Ron Villone, Andy Phillips.
Health watch: This is an old team prone to injury. Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Jason Giambi bear watching closely.
X-factor: Pettitte’s mental state can’t be good after testifying before Congress that Clemens told him he had taken human growth hormone years ago. The Yankees have young pitching but need contributions from Pettitte, Mike Mussina and Chien-Ming Wang.
Tipping point: A pitching shortfall has contributed to the Yankees falling short in recent years. Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy could make this a deep rotation but the Yankees might wish they had given up a couple of them to get Johan Santana.
BLUE JAYS
Last year: 83-79, 3rd.
Manager: John Gibbons.
Payroll: $92 million.
Headliners: Vernon Wells, Scott Rolen, Roy Halladay, A.J. Burnett, Frank Thomas, Alex Rios.
Additions: Rolen, David Eckstein, Marco Scutaro, Buck Coats.
Losses: Troy Glaus, Josh Towers.
Health watch: B.J. Ryan hopes to return from Tommy John surgery to reclaim his job as closer, but he will have to push it to be ready by Opening Day. Rolen (shoulder) and Eckstein (back) both will be watched closely after being limited by injuries a year ago in St. Louis.
X-factor: Burnett can opt out of his contract after this season. If both he and Halladay have big years, this team could challenge for 90 victories and possibly even a wild-card playoff spot.
Tipping point: The Blue Jays were a combined 17-19 against the Red Sox and Yankees a year ago. They need to win the season series against both to show the East is more than a two-team division.
ORIOLES
Last year: 69-93, 4th.
Manager: Dave Trembley.
Payroll: $75 million.
Headliners: Nick Markakis, Brian Roberts, Adam Jones, Melvin Mora.
Additions: Jones, Luke Scott, Troy Patton, Matt Albers, George Sherrill, Chris Tillman, Ryan Bukvich.
Losses: Erik Bedard, Miguel Tejada, Corey Patterson, Octavio Dotel, Kris Benson, Paul Bako.
Health watch: Former first-round pick Adam Loewen is expected to return to the rotation after being sidelined by a stress fracture in his elbow. Chris Ray, who had claimed the closer’s job, may have to miss the season after Tommy John surgery.
X-factor: Mora, signed for two more years with a full no-trade clause, has been a big disappointment. His 2007 season (14 homers, 58 RBIs) made him an immovable object.
Tipping point: Few teams rebuild anymore, but the Orioles were wise to realize they weren’t going to get anywhere with the cast of veterans they had. The key to their future is the development of Markakis, Jones and catcher Matt Wieters.
RAYS
Last year: 66-96, 5th.
Manager: Joe Maddon.
Payroll: $40 million.
Headliners: Carl Crawford, B.J. Upton, Carlos Pena, Scott Kazmir, James Shields.
Additions: Matt Garza, Troy Percival, Cliff Floyd, Jason Bartlett, Eric Hinske, Trever Miller.
Losses: Delmon Young, Elijah Dukes, Brendan Harris, Jason Pridie.
Health watch: The Rays are cautiously optimistic about Rocco Baldelli, who has been limited to only 127 games the last three seasons because of a series of injuries, most recently a hamstring tear.
X-factor: Third baseman Evan Longoria has star potential. He allows Akinori Iwamura to move to second base, where he could hit his way into All-Star consideration.
Tipping point: The Rays should get out of last place this season, thanks to a pitching staff that should improve with the addition of Garza and Percival and a deep cast of quality prospects on their way.
