American League

Sporting News, The, Nov 29, 1999

Anaheim

NUKED NUCLEUS? Manager Mike Scioscia took the job talking about the team's "good young nucleus," but it's unlikely he will have the same players he talked about last week. LHP Chuck Finley is fielding offers from the Indians, Mariners and Yankees that are in the three-year, $25 million range. Finley expects an offer closer to $17 million from the Angels. Team president Tony Tavares says the club, which has $43 million committed to 10 players in 2000, will not increase the projected $60 million payroll next season.... Scioscia did not reveal his coaching staff, but three former Dodgers--Mickey Hatcher (batting instructor), Ron Roenicke (third base) and Alfredo Griffin (first base)--are expected to be included. Bench coach Joe Maddon, a finalist for the manager's job, will be retained, and Tony Pena likely will be the bullpen coach.

SECOND BASE ANALYSIS: After the team traded Randy Velarde, its most consistent hitter and a superb fielder, it closed the season with Class AA recall Trent Durrington and utilitymen Jeff Huson and Andy Sheets sharing the position. The club doubts speedster Justin Baughman can return from a broken leg by spring training. Durrington can play defense, but he was overmatched by big-league pitching, hitting .180 with 28 strikeouts in 122 at-bats. Sheets is a solid defender, but he hit. 197 last season.

--Mike DiGiovanna

Baltimore

MAKING THEIR PITCH: Syd Thrift, director of player personnel, has been talking with agents for veteran starters Chuck Finley and David Cone. Both would fit nicely in a rotation that already has Mike Mussina and Scott Erickson, and youngsters Sidney Ponson and Jason Johnson. If the season started today, the team would go with those four and possibly rookie phenom Matt Riley. Club officials would like to keep Riley in the minors another year. Finley may be the best fit because he is a hardthrowing lefthander who could help balance the allright-handed starting nucleus. Cone is attractive because of his postseason experience.

SECOND BASE ANALYSIS: If top minor league prospect Jerry Hairston plays well in the exhibition season, he could challenge veteran Delino DeShields, who signed a hefty three-year contract last winter. DeShields could become a very expensive platoon player if Hairston is too good to send back to Class AAA. Hairston is a speedy defensive specialist who figures to hit for average and steal a lot of bases. DeShields is a speedy veteran with more offensive potential but has a suspect glove. The backup role also will be in question because Hairston will not stay in the majors to sit on the bench. Minor league prospect Jesse Garcia, who can play both middle infield positions, could displace veteran utilityman Jeff Reboulet.

--Peter Schmuck

Boston

GORDON'S DISPUTE: The team continues to argue with closer Tom Gordon, who has asked for help from the players' association in his dispute. Gordon wants tendon transfer surgery on his right elbow, but the team wants him to have exploratory surgery before committing to a more severe procedure that would keep him out next season. The team cites C Scott Hatteberg, who returned three months after exploratory elbow surgery last summer. If Gordon's elbow could be treated the same way this winter, he could pitch next summer.

SECOND BASE ANALYSIS: Jose Offerman proved to be the offensive catalyst the team was seeking when it signed him to a four-year contract last winter. He hit .294 with 11 triples, eight homers, 37 doubles and 69 RBIs as the team's leadoff man. Offerman offset some of his offensive contribution by playing poor defense. He started the season at DH and played some at first. His biggest weakness is turning double plays. He catches flies over his shoulder and chases pop-ups into the shallow outfield. If Offerman moved to the outfield, the team has a superior defender in Donnie Sadler. Sadler committed nine errors in 49 games, but he has good speed and range. He needs to improve his offense. In the minors, the dub has David Eckstein at Class AAA. Sadler likely will back up Offerman unless the team trades to upgrade the position.

--Paul Doyle

Chicago

CATCHING ON: The team thinks it finally has some stability at catcher with Brook Fordyce. Fordyce, who agreed to a two-year, $1.5 million contract last week, batted .297 with nine homers and 49 RBIs in 333 at-bats last season. He also showed good leadership with a young pitching staff. Fordyce will get more playing time if he improves his throwing.... It seemed like OF Chris Singleton had guaranteed himself a full-time position in 2000 with an impressive rookie campaign, but OF McKay Christensen is trying to force his way into the picture. Christensen was hitting .362 with 10 steals in his first 130 at-bats in the Arizona Fall League and is expected to challenge Singleton for playing time in spring training.

SECOND BASE ANALYSIS: Ray Durham has worked hard to become one of the league's best second basemen. He hit a career-high .296 last year and added 13 homers, 60 RBIs and 34 steals. Durham still needs to work on his defense; he committed a career-high 19 errors last season. Despite his outstanding range, Durham continues to straggle with ground balls that are hit to his right. He does, however, have an excellent work ethic and will make defense his top priority in spring training. He hit in the No. 3 hole with Frank Thomas out but will return to the leadoff spot this year. Utilityman Liu Rodriguez will remain Durham's backup.