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A.L. east

Sporting News, The, Sept 16, 2005

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

Chris Gomez has earned a contract for next season. He has hit for a solid average and makes good contact. Gomez was supposed to fill in primarily at second and third base but has played mostly at first, where his defense has improved. He also can play shortstop. ... The team will be counting heavily on C Javy Lopez next season. He has been one of the club's most productive players when healthy, and the team's ERA is considerably lower when he plays. The staff credits Lopez for calling a good game. He should tie motivated to have a big season in 2006, the last year on his contract. SCOUTING REPORT: During his six-week stint with the Orioles, LF Eric Byrnes often has been too aggressive chasing fly balls and has gotten mixed up with CF Luis Matos. At the plate, Byrnes struggles against righthanders because he tries to pull everything. Until he starts going with pitches, Byrnes will be inconsistent.--Gary Washburn

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BOSTON RED SOX

The adjustment took four months, but SS Edgar Renteria finally is giving the club what it paid for when it signed him. He seems more relaxed and is hitting the ball to right-center more often. Still, his defense has been less consistent than advertised. ... It might be tempting for the club to put hard-throwing rookie RHP Jonathan Papelbon in the rotation for the stretch run, but it likely will resist. Boston doesn't want Papelbon to overextend himself, so the team's plan is to keep him in a setup rate. SCOUTING REPORT: 3B Bill Mueller is the epitome of a textbook player. He nearly always executes the fundamentals. Mueller is solid from both sides of the plate and rarely chases pitches out of the strike zone. He is having one of the finest defensive seasons of his career and should warrant Gold Glove consideration, He is one of the best in the game at snaring hot shots down the line and then making strong throws to first.--Ian Browne

NEW YORK YANKEES

The addition of Mark Bellhorn gives the team an experienced utility infielder, something it had been missing since Rey Sanchez went on the D.L. in June. Bellhorn's presence also should push rookie 2B Robinson Cano, who has struggled in the second half of the season. Bellhorn will play at second base against lefthanded pitchers and could be the starter by the end of the season if Cano continues to have trouble. ... RHP Mike Mussina has been battling inflammation in his elbow for much of the summer, but he's confident the problem has nothing to do with the elbow injury that sidelined him for almost two months in 2004. SCOUTING REPORT: LHP Randy Johnson believes he has discovered a mechanical flaw in his delivery and is confident he'll finish the season on a high note. Johnson had been finishing his delivery on the third base side of the mound but now is following through toward the plate, increasing his sharpness and velocity.--Mark Feinsand

TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS

Manager Lou Piniella believes the team needs to add two middle-of-the-order hitters, two starting pitchers and a reliever to be competitive in 2006. The offensive help could come from within the organization; players such as OFs Rocco Baldelli and Delmon Young and 3B/SS BJ. Upton could be ready to be key contributors next season. ... Opponents stack their lineups with righthanded hitters when facing LHP Mark Hendrickson. For him to be effective, hitters have to bite on his down-and-away pitches, which force a lot of balls to the right side. SCOUTING REPORT: Pete Laforest showed power at Class AAA before being called up in July, but strikeouts have been a problem for him. Laforest has spent extra time in the cage trying to flatten out his swing. He can be a valuable player for the team, serving as a backup catcher and first baseman and providing a lefthanded bat off the bench.--Bill Chastain

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

1B Eric Hinske turned his sparse playing time in August into his best month of the season, but that might not be enough to secure his future with the team. DH Shea Hillenbrand and IF Aaron Hill have started to crowd Hinske out of the lineup. Hinske has been moderately effective this season, but the Blue Jays likely will try to upgrade at his position for 2006. ... LHP Scott Downs used his August run in the rotation to make a statement. He was 2-1 with a 2.79 ERA in five starts, lasting at least six innings in four of them. Downs still is a long shot to start next year, but he might have sealed a job as a long man and spot starter. SCOUTING REPORT: LHP Ted Lilly (tendinitis) likely will finish the season with the Blue Jays after a rehab stint. He throws a tow- to mid-90s fastball that is complemented by two plus off-speed Pitches--a curveball and a changeup that freezes hitters. Because he doesn't overpower people, Lilly is susceptible to the long ball.--Spencer Fordin

A.L. east

Sporting News, The, Sept 16, 2005

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