Monday, April 01, 2002
AL Central Preview
White Sox move to head of the class
By Bob Matthews
Gannett News Service
1. Chicago White Sox
Manager: Jerry Manuel
Last season: 83-79
Overview: Injuries prevented last year's White Sox from repeating as division champions but they should bounce back this season.
Key additions: OF Kenny Lofton, P Todd Ritchie, INF-OF Willie Harris.
Major losses - OF Chris Singleton, LHP David Wells, OF Jose Canseco, 3B Herbert Perry.
Projected starting lineup: CF Lofton, 2B Ray Durham, DH Frank Thomas, RF Magglio Ordonez, 1B Paul Konerko, LF Carlos Lee, 3B Jose Valentin, SS Royce Clayton, C Josh Paul/Sandy Alomar.
Strengths: Potent lineup featuring four potential 30-HR men (Thomas, Ordonez, Konerko and Lee). ... Talented starting rotation headed by Mark Buehrle, Jim Parque and Ritchie. Potential of No. 4 starter Jon Garland. ... Bullpen stopper Keith Foulke.
Weaknesses/question marks: No. 5 starting pitcher. ... Can two-time AL MVP Thomas come all the way back from a torn triceps (.328, 43 HRs, 143 RBI in 2000)? ... Alomar's knees. ... is Lofton still an effective leadoff hitter?
Don't be surprised if: Thomas is AL Comeback Player of the Year. ... Team at least matches 2000 season's AL-most 95 wins
Reasonable goal: Win AL Central and play in the ALCS.
Predicted finish: 1st place (90-72).
2. Minnesota Twins
Manager: Ron Gardenhire
Last season: 85-77
Overview: The Twins shocked the baseball world with a 55-32 start last season but key injuries and a lack of depth were the major factors in a 30-45 record thereafter. If manager Tom Kelly thought the team was on the verge of becoming a genuine playoff threat, he might not have retired.
Key additions: RHP Mike Jackson, INF Kurt Abbott.
Major losses: RHP Todd Jones, OF Chad Allen.
Projected starting lineup: LF Jacque Jones, SS Cristian Guzman, 1B Doug Mientkiewicz, DH David Ortiz, 3B Corey Koskie, CF Torii Hunter, RF Mike Cuddyer/Brian Buchanan, C A.J. Pierzynski, 2B Luis Rivas.
Strengths: Starting pitchers Brad Radke, Eric Milton, Joe Mays and Rick Reed. ... Decent lineup. ... Solid defense. ... Camaraderie after Major League Baseball tried to make the Twins disappear this winter.
Weaknesses/question marks: Lack of power (disappointing Ortiz and rookie Cuddyer are the long-ball hopes). ... No. 5 starting pitcher. ... Can Eddie Guardado or any other reliever emerge as a reliable closer?
Don't be surprised if: Koskie is AL's all-star third baseman.
Reasonable goal: Finish above .500 and develop a power hitter.
Predicted finish: 2nd place (79-83 record).
3. Cleveland Indians
Manager: Charlie Manuel
Last seaaon: 91-71; lost 3-2 to Seattle in the AL Division Series.
Overview: New general manager Mark Shapiro was ordered to slash the payroll by $20 million and the offense no longer appears capable of carrying the team.
Key additions: OF Brady Anderson, OF Matt Lawton, 2B Ricky Gutierrez, RHP Mark Wohlers, OF Alex Escobar, RHP Jose Mercedes, C Eddie Perez.
Major losses: 2B Roberto Alomar, OF Juan Gonzalez, OF Kenny Lofton, OF Marty Cordova, RHP Dave Burba, LHP John Rocker.
Projected starting lineup: RF Lawton, 2B Gutierrez, DH Ellis Burks, 1B Jim Thome, 3B Travis Fryman, LF Russell Branyan, SS Omar Vizquel, C Einar Diaz, CF Anderson/Milton Bradley.
Strengths: Thome's power. ... Starting pitchers Bartolo Colon and C.C. Sabathia. ... Closer Bob Wickman. ... Vizquel's glove.
Weaknesses/question marks: Depleted lineup minus Alomar, Gonzalez, Cordova and Lofton. ... Is Bradley ready to start in CF? ... Rest of the starting rotation (counting on Danys Baez and Ryan Drese). ... Suspect bullpen depth.
Don't be surprised if: There is a plunge in all major batting statistics and a big drop in home attendance.
Reasonable goal: .500 record. It won't be easy.
Predicted finish: 3rd place (78-84 record).
4. Kansas City Royals
Manager: Tony Muser
Last season: 65-97.
Overview: Muser enters his sixth year as manager of the Royals and would need a miracle to post his first winning season. Penny-pinching management let Johnny Damon and Jermaine Dye get away and Mike Sweeney could be next.
Key additions: OF Chuck Knoblauch, OF Michael Tucker, INF Warren Morris.
Major losses: P Jose Rosado, C Gregg Zaun.
Projected starting lineup: LF Knoblauch, SS Neifi Perez, CF Carlos Beltran, 1B Sweeney, 3B Joe Randa, RF Michael Tucker/Mark Quinn, DH Raul Ibanez/Dee Brown/Dave McCarty, C Brent Mayne, 2B Carlos Febles.
Strengths: Decent lineup featuring Sweeney, Beltran and Randa. ... Closer Roberto Hernandez.
Weaknesses/question marks: Starting rotation. ... Bullpen depth. ... Can Knoblauch be a better leadoff hitter for the Royals than he was for the Yankees?
Don't be surprised if: Sweeney, Hernandez and starting pitcher Jeff Suppan are traded for prospects.
Reasonable goal: Avoid 100 losses and beat out Detroit for 4th place.
Predicted finish: 4th place (70-92 record).
5. Detroit Tigers
Manager: Phil Garner
Last season: 66-96
Overview: A beautiful new downtown stadium hasn't appreciably increased attendance because Tiger fans can recognize a good team and realize owner Mike Ilitch hasn't done much to build one.
Key additions: OF Dmitri Young, INF Craig Paquette.
Major losses: 1B Tony Clark, OF Roger Cedeno, OF Juan Encarnacion, SS Deivi Cruz.
Projected starting lineup: CF Jose Macias, 2B Damion Easley, LF Bobby Higginson, 1B Young, DH Dean Palmer/Meluskey, RF Robert Fick, 3B Paquette, SS Shane Halter, C Mike Rivera/Mitch Meluskey.
Strengths: Solid hitters Higginson and Young. ... Palmer's power. ... Closer Matt Anderson.
Weaknesses/question marks: Many soft spots in lineup. ... Starting rotation. ... Bullpen depth.
Don't be surprised if: Young contends for the AL batting title.
Reasonable goal: Avoid a ninth straight losing season.
Predicted finish: 5th place (68-94 record).
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