American League

Sporting News, The, Nov 27, 2000

Anaheim

PITCHING HUNT: The team won't contend for top free-agent LHP Mike Hampton, RHP Mike Mussina or RHP Darren Dreifort, each of whom should command at least $10 million a year. That will leave the dub pursuing pitching from a second-tier group that includes RHP Rick Reed, LHP Denny Neagle and possibly RHP Tim Belcher, who is willing to return for less than the $5.1 million option the team declined. A trade also is possible. OF Tim Salmon, 1B Mo Vaughn and RHP Troy Percival could be dangled in deals-Salmon has drawn interest from the Diamondbacks, Rangers and Yankees-but it's doubtful the team would find a taker for Vaughn, who is owed $61 million over the next four years.

SECOND BASE ANALYSIS: Adam Kennedy, acquired from the Cardinals in the Jim Edmonds trade, established himself as a very solid second baseman in 2000. He has decent power but is not really a power hitter. He has good speed but probably won't steal more than 30 bases. He has good range, a strong arm and a reliable glove but probably won't win any Gold Gloves. He was not intimidated and was productive in his first full big league season, and that should give him a huge confidence boost going into 2001. --Mike DiGiovanna

Baltimore

BORDICK TARGETED: The Orioles have not given up on trying to reacquire SS Mike Bordick, though Bordick's agent says he has had "fruitful" talks with several other teams. Many of the teams interested in Bordick also are interested in SS Alex Rodriguez, making Bordick a sort of consolation prize for a club that fails to land Rodriguez. The Orioles have targeted Bordick as a solution to their shortstop problem. The team had intended to use Melvin More, acquired from the Mets in the Bordick deal, at shortstop in 2001. But his shaky defense caused it to reconsider. It now projects More as an outfielder. The team isn't likely to make a serious bid for Rodriguez.

SECOND BASE ANALYSIS: After knocking on the door for two years, Jerry Hairston finally appears ready to take over at second base. Hairston hasn't broken into the lineup because the team signed Delino DeShields before the '99 season. But Hairston is clearly the starter for 2001. DeShields was moved to left field late in the season and began to thrive there. Hairston is a solid defensive player with outstanding range. The Orioles do not have a clear-cut utility infielder. Mark Lewis is a free agent, and prospect Jesus Garcia hasn't asserted himself in the majors. --Dave Sheinin

Boston

VOTE OF CONFIDENCE: While discussing his third Cy Young award, RHP Pedro Martinez took time to publicly back volatile CF Carl Everett and expressed hope that the team does not trade him. A few days earlier, the dub picked up Everett's 2003 option, and G.M. Dan Duquette reiterated his position that he does not want to trade Everett. The dub also picked up RHP Rod Back's $4.5 million option for 2000.... Concerned with how healthy 3B John Valentin will be by spring training, the club acquired Chris Stynes from the Reds.

SECOND BASE ANALYSIS: Instead of finding a satisfactory solution, the team seems to have settled on a pricey solution. The club has $12.5 million tied up in the salaries of Jose Offerman and Mike Lansing. Neither is complete enough as a player to make the position a positive. Offerman is a liability in the field. Offensively, he is coming off his worst year in some time but was hampered by injuries. He didn't steal a base, compared with 18 in 1999. Because he bats leadoff, the team needs Offerman to rebound at the plate. Lansing, a throw-in in the deal for RHP Rolando Arrojo, is a solid fielder but did not earn much faith by hitting .194 with 13 RBIs in 136 at-bats. --Michael Silverman

Chicago

VALENTIN DEAL CLOSE: The team has shown some interest in SS Mike Bordick, but Jose Valentin is a much better fit on the roster. The Sox are close to signing Valentin, who teamed with 2B Ray Durham and formed one of the game's best double-play duos. Valentin's bat helped drive the most potent offense in the major leagues.... The White Sox aren't expected to make an offer to DH Harold Baines because he's 41 and there is nowhere to put him. Jeff Liefer is a more appealing reserve. Liefer, a lefthanded hitter, can play first, third and the outfield, and he hit 32 home runs at Class AAA in 2000.

SECOND BASE ANALYSIS: Durham has made the All-Star team twice in the last three years, and he has established himself as one of the best all-around players in the league. Still, Durham, 29, has yet to tap all of his potential. He didn't put up great numbers for a leadoff hitter. He is trying to develop consistency at the plate. When he shows patience and discipline at the plate, he sparks the offense. There are some obvious flaws in Durham, but he is entrenched as the second baseman. He plays the game hard, and he's developing into a quiet leader. Tony Graffanino is the backup. He's a reliable utility player. --Scot Gregor

Cleveland

ODD MAN OUT: Acquiring C Eddie Teubensee means the end of C Sandy Alomar's time with the club. The team never has kept three catchers and thinks Einar DMz, the backup the last two years, is ready to start. GM. John Hart says the team made Alomar a three-year offer but for less than his $2.7 million base salary last year.... CF Kenny Lafton's strong second half convinced the team to pick up his $8 million option. He struggled in the first half after rotator cuff surgery but raised his average from .252 to .278 over the final two months. The team also picked up options on RHP Paul Shuey and LHP Ricardo Rincon. Both are expected to be key setup men.