American League

Sporting News, The, Dec 18, 2000

Anaheim

DISARCINA GETS MINOR LEAGUE DEAL: After cutting SS Gary DiSarcina in October, the team reeled him back with a minor league contract loaded with incentives that could pay him as much as he would have made had the club picked up his option. By signing him to a minor league deal, the Angels won't have to decide whether to release DiSarcina, who's recovering from rotator-cuff surgery, if he's not ready by April 1. He can rehabilitate his rotator cuff in the minors.... The Angels gave RHP Tim Belcher, 39, a chance for redemption, signing him to a minor league contract that will give him the chance to erase the taste from a disappointing 1999 season and an injury-plagued 2000. Belcher was encouraged by several strong September starts.

LEFT FIELD ANALYSIS: Darin Erstad is one of the best left fielders in baseball. In addition to having one of the best offensive seasons in franchise history, Erstad won a Gold Glove. He has excellent speed, and he is fearless on defense, diving into gaps and crashing into walls to make spectacular catches. No one is better at running down balls into the corner, then spinning and firing to second, a skill that enabled Erstad to hold numerous hitters to singles last season. On rare days when Erstad isn't in the outfield, he will be spelled by Orlando Palmeiro, a competent defensive player who hits for average but no power. --Mike DiGiovanna

Baltimore

YOUTH MOVEMENT: As more free-agent pitchers reject the team's overtures, it is shifting its attention toward trade possibilities as a way to rebuild the pitching staff. Among the most attractive starters believed to be available are Expos' RHP Dustin Hermanson and Padres' RHP Matt Clement. The Orioles also have discussed a trade for Reds RHP Scott Williamson. A pair of successful drafts and last July's veterans-for-youth salary purge have left the Orioles with an impressive cache of young arms, and vice president of baseball operations Syd Thrift says he has told other teams that he would be willing to trade three prospects for an established pitcher under the right circumstances. Premium prospects such as LHP Richard Stahl and RHP Beau Hale are considered off-limits.... Thrift has gotten rave winter-league reports about young RHP Luis Rivera, the centerpiece of the package the Orioles received from the Braves in the trade for B.J. Surhoff.

LEFT FIELD ANALYSIS: Converted 2B Delino DeShields is the anointed starter heading into spring training. He shifted to left late last July and took to it quickly, improving rapidly in range and instincts. He has a relatively weak arm and still lacks the instincts of an experienced outfielder. Brady Anderson also could see action in left field or even become the starter if DeShields doesn't work out. --Dave Sheinin

Boston

MAKE WAKEFIELD A STARTER: At 34, Tim Wakefield may be entering his prime as a knuckleballer. The club would be wise to make him the No. 5 starter, rather use him out of the bullpen. Wakefield often has said he feels unappreciated and believes the club has taken advantage of his versatility. That may be true, but Wakefield's love of Boston apparently superseded his desire to find a more appreciative employer. Wakefield has proved to be a productive winner over his six seasons with the Red Sox. If the team rides Wakefield through his slumps--and like all knuckleballers, he will have many--he will reward them with as many winning streaks. He will give the team lots of innings and anywhere from 12 to 20 victories.

LEFT FIELD ANALYSIS: After a career year in 1999, Troy O'Leary slumped badly in 2000. Distracted by personal problems--he was in the midst of a divorce--O'Leary struggled all season. While O'Leary has turned into an adequate defensive left fielder, his offensive inconsistency has led the club to search for an alternative. Dante Bichette, a righthanded hitter who is expected to be the club's primary DH, could get playing time in left. Trot Nixon could move to left and share playing time with Bichette. In addition, the team has moved its best hitting prospect, Dernell Stenson, back to the outfield. --Paul Doyle

Chicago

ANOTHER CHANCE: Signing RHP Cal Eldred to a one-year contract with an option for 2002 is a minor gamble. Eldred, 33, has been on the D.L. six times in the past six years and had a five-inch screw inserted into his elbow in early September. Eldred was a force for the team before the All-Star break last season, going 10-2, but elbow woes kept him out for much of the second half. ... The team designated RHP Chad Bradford for assignment and then traded the reliever to the A's for a player to be named. Bradford spent most of last season at Class AAA Charlotte. But after being called up in September, the sidearmer was devastating against righthanded hitters. Bradford is an effective reliever, but the team felt he was too much of a specialist to keep on the roster.... The team offered arbitration to free-agent C Charles Johnson, but it doesn't expect to sign him. Johnson wants a multiyear contract at $10 million per season--a price too high for the club.