American League

Sporting News, The, Oct 30, 2000

Anaheim

SHORT OUTLOOK: The club has a perplexing decision at shortstop. Kevin Stocker and Benji Gil did a reputable job filling in for the injured Gary DiSarcina. Although neither will win a Gold Glove, neither was a liability. The Angels would like a little more offense out of the position and have to decide whether Stocker and/or Gil can provide it. It's doubtful the team will pursue free-agent SS Alex Rodriguez, so Stocker could return, Stocker is in the final year of a three-year, $7.5 million deal, but the Devil Rays paid almost all of his $3.3 million salary this year. If Stocker is deemed too expensive, the Angels could bring Gil and Justin Baughman back to compete with DiSarcina, who hopes to return after rotator-cuff surgery.... RHP Tim Belcher, who has been plagued by elbow problems for two seasons and went 4-5 with a 6.86 ERA last season, says he wants to return and is willing to renegotiate his contract to do so. He also says his elbow is fully recovered. The Angels have a $5.1 million option on Belcher for 2001; they can buy out the contract for $1 million.

RELIEF COMPETITION: Lefthanded relief specialist Mike Holtz will have some more competition next spring because the Angels recently claimed LHP Mark Lukasiewicz off waivers from Toronto and added him to their 40-man roster. Lukasiewicz, 27, was a first-round pick of the Blue Jays in 1993. He went 2-1 with a 3.48 ERA, striking out 52 and walking 25 for Class AAA Syracuse. --Mike DiGiovanna

Baltimore

WILEY GETS THE BALL: The team made Mark Wiley its eighth pitching coach in as many years. Former pitching coach Sammy Ellis never seemed to develop any rapport with many of the pitchers. Wiley's three-year contract is one of several moves designed to restore some stability to a franchise that has become accustomed to offseason turnover in its front office and in its field staff, not to mention on its roster. Wiley, 52, served with the Orioles in the minor leagues from 1981-86 and on Cal Ripken Sr.'s major league staff in 1987. He was the pitching coach for the Indians under manager Mike Hargrove from 1995-98.

STICK WITH HARDGROVE: The team also exercised the option on Hargrove's contract, guaranteeing him a fourth year with the club. The decision to extend his deal for 2003, which he said caught him by surprise, is an endorsement of his work in a trying season.... The team sent C Willie Morales, who appeared in three games this season to AAA Rochester last week. He made the opening day roster after going to spring training as a non-roster invitee. He batted .249 in 73 games for Rochester before being recalled September 6.... OF Karim Garcia, acquired from Detroit in early June, refused an outright assignment and has elected to become a free agent. He batted a combined .283 with 28 homers and 92 RBI in the minors, but he was hitless in 16 at bats for the Orioles after being called up September 1. --Dave Sheinin

Boston

POSSIBLE SIGNINGS: The club was still negotiating on several fronts concerning the six options it holds for next year: RHPs Ramon Martinez, Hipolito Pichardo, Rod Beck, Tom Gordon and Tim Wakefield and LHP Pete Schourek. Pichardo still appears to be the only sure thing, though the club is pushing to get Gordon signed. If Gordon returns, the club will take the option on Beck as insurance in case Gordon's arm does not recover from surgery. That would allow RHP Derek Lowe, last year's closer, to join the rotation.... The team might be interested in 3B Ken Caminiti and OF Matt Stairs, both free agents. The team talked to the Padres last summer about a trade for Caminiti. 3B John Valentin, out for most of the past season because of a knee injury, is expected to be ready by spring training. If that changes for the worse, interest in Caminiti may grow.

STAYING FOR NOW: Reports that had CF Carl Everett wanting to be traded turned out to be wrong, or at least premature. But the reports emphasized the internal split within the organization on how to handle this volatile talent. Everett and manager Jimy Williams are stubborn enough to carry their grudges a long time. It seems reasonable that if another team made an attractive offer for Everett, the club would listen.... Angels 1B Mo Vaughn reportedly is open to the idea of a trade back to Boston. --Michael Silverman

Chicago

CENTER SEARCH: The long-term outfield picture looks promising for the most part, with Magglio Ordonez in right and rising star Carlos Lee entrenched in left. But the club must make a decision in center. Chris Singleton has manned the position the last two seasons with mixed results. In his second season, Singleton wasn't able to adjust to a steady diet of inside pitches and was jammed on a regular basis. The team carried speedy McKay Christensen on the playoff roster, and he flashed strong defense, but he needs to improve significantly at the plate to be a starter. Jeff Abbott is an option, but neither Christensen nor Abbott have impact potential. The team has high hopes for Joe Borchard, a former starting quarterback at Stanford who was the, first-round draft pick this year. He hit .288 at Class A. Borchard (6-5, 220) isn't expected to make the 25-man roster out of spring training but should be in the majors at some point in the second half.