D-backs playing a game of risk

Sporting News, The, March 10, 2003 by Ken Rosenthal

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M@IL BONDING

KEN ROSENTHAL ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS

Can the Dodgers win the N.L. West?

Jesse Lopez, Los Angeles

Jesse: The Dodgers definitely stand a chance if the aging Diamondbacks succumb to injuries and the revamped Giants fail to mesh under new manager Felipe Alou. But even if pitchers Kevin Brown and Darren Dreifort are healthy for the entire season, it's difficult to imagine the Dodgers' offense being good enough.

Only one National League team had a worse on-base percentage than the Dodgers last season, and the additions of first baseman Fred McGriff and reserve outfielder Daryle Ward aren't dramatic upgrades. Rookie second baseman Joe Thurston could develop into a hit machine, but he and shortstop Cesar Izturis likely will be below average offensively. Center fielder Dave Roberts is a platoon player coming off a career year. McGriff, 39, declined in OBP the past two seasons. Left fielder Brian Jordan, soon to be 36, frequently gets hurt.

The Dodgers' rotation is potentially the deepest in the division. Their bullpen is thin from the left side but should be more than capable. It's the offense that remains a problem.

SPEED READS

* Yankees pitcher David Wells is a longtime favorite of owner George Steinbrenner's, but the outrageousness of his new autobiography further points out the absurdity of Steinbrenner's criticism of shortstop Derek Jeter's off-field conduct. Jeter is an upstanding professional and a model teammate. Wells is a loudmouthed punk. Steinbrenner owes Jeter an apology.

* Two reforms are necessary to give Hall of Fame aspirants a better chance to be elected by the new Veterans Committee. First, the number of candidates should be reduced from 40-plus to 10, giving voters fewer options. Also elections should be held annually rather than every two years for players and every four years for others.

* When Frank Thomas gripes, it's best to just ignore him. Thomas has lost all credibility, and the White Sox no longer take the his tirades seriously, As for Thomas' measly $5 million salary, he should be grateful owner Jerry Reinsdorf didn't pressure him into accepting even more of a reduction.

INSIDE DISH

By KEN ROSENTHAL

Braves RHP Greg Maddux, who turns 37 on April 14, has exerted himself far less than other aging pitchers, according to research conducted by his agent, Scott Bolas. In the past 15 seasons, Maddux ranks first in innings pitched but only 11th in pitches thrown. During that period, LHP Randy Johnson, 39, has thrown 118 1/3 fewer innings than Maddux but 5,858 more pitches. LHP Tom Glavine, who turns 37 on March 25, has thrown 81 1/3 fewer innings but 4,943 more pitches, Boras' point is obvious: Maddux should have several good seasons left. ... Not content with his Cy Young Award, A's LHP Barry Zito next might aim for an Oscar or Emmy. Zito taped an episode of The Chris Isaak Show during the offseason and says it was "probably the most fun thing I've ever done in my life" Zito was thrilled by the positive feedback he received from people involved with the show. "They said, `Dude, we've seen trained actors come in here and drop the ball. You came in here and dominated,' " Zito recalls, adding, "I think I can act. I think I have some type of talent for that." ... Rangers owner Tom Hicks says of 1B Rafael Palmeiro: "Five hundred home runs isn't going to be his last rodeo." Palmeiro is 10 homers and 366 hits short of joining Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and Eddie Murray as the only players to reach 500 homers and 3,000 hits, "I've got a lot more hits in me than people think; Palmeiro says. "Given the opportunity, it will get done." ... Robert Fick is doing all he can to become a good defensive first baseman. Fick, the first Atlanta player to arrive each day, begins taking ground balls at 8 a.m. "He's working harder than anyone in camp," one team official says.... The news that Orioles RHP Scott Erickson will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery should further persuade teams to stop awarding pitchers long-term contracts. Erickson, considered the portrait of durability when he signed a five-year extension in May 1998, also missed the 2001 season after undergoing elbow ligament replacement surgery. The Orioles' return on their $32 million investment: 25 wins in five seasons .... Diamondbacks LHP Greg Swindell and RHP Armando Reynoso are making terrific progress with their knuckleballs. 3B Craig Counsell says of Reynoso: "It's a great tool for him. He's very underrated in how smart he is as a pitcher. He really feeds off hitters' weaknesses." ... Never count out Reds RHP Jose Rijo, who threw 90 to 91 mph in an intrasquad game after topping out in the high 80s last season. Rijo told Wily Mo Pena and Travis Dawkins his fastball was coming and still threw it by them.... The Rangers play their first 25 games against the Angels, Mariners, As, Red Sox and Yankees, but they're encouraged by closer Ugueth Urbina's combined April numbers from the past three seasons: 19-for-22 in save opportunities with a 3.78 ERA.... More on the Rangers: Some in the organization believe OF Laynce Nix, MVP of the Class A Florida State League with 110 RBIs last season, might prove a better major league hitter than the highly regarded Mark Teixeira and Hank Blalock. ... The Rockies are excited by CF Preston Wilson's positive outlook. G.M. Dan O'Dowd describes Wilson as "almost effervescent," and manager Clint Hurdle says, "He's gotten through some tough personal issues. This opportunity for him is a breath of fresh air." Wilson's son, Preston Jr., lived only 10 days after being born prematurely in August 2001.