Arrows point in different directions for the most active clubs: with two bold strokes, Braves G.M. John Schuerholz has established the best rotation in the N.L. East

Sporting News, The, Dec 27, 2004 by Ken Rosenthal

Judging a team's offseason reconstruction is difficult until every brick is in place. But as the week began, the foundations of some clubs looked solid, while others were decidedly less firm.

[up arrow] Yankees. The completion of the Randy Johnson trade would give the team a $60 million-plus rotation, one that still is old--Johnson is 41, Kevin Brown 38, Mike Mussina 36--but no longer a weakness.

Newcomers Johnson, Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright were the best pitchers for their respective teams last season. And the Yankees' overhaul, though a reflection of their spending power, looks even better when compared to the Red Sox's uninspired maneuvering.

The addition of free-agent center fielder Carlos Beltran would make the Yankees the prohibitive World Series favorite, if they aren't already.

[down arrow] Dodgers. The endgame isn't yet clear, making it difficult to assess just how far the N.L. West champions have fallen. General manager Paul DePodesta, presumably honoring the wishes of owner Frank McCourt, would create significant payroll flexibility with his role in the Johnson trade. But to what end?

Let's say the Dodgers added free-agent center fielder J.D. Drew on top of second baseman Jeff Kent, third baseman Jose Valentin and outfielder Ricky Ledee. Their offense still wouldn't be as good after the trade of right fielder Shawn Green and the free-agent defections of third baseman Adrian Beltre and center fielder Steve Finley. What's more, Kent no longer is a good defender, and Valentin is a liability at third.

The pitching remains in flux, and the Dodgers could end up using a rookie catcher, Dioner Navaro, whom they would acquire from the Yankees. DePodesta surely is thinking three steps ahead, but the whole thing is dizzying, especially considering that he also tore up his roster at the July 31 non-waiver deadline.

[down arrow] Red Sox. Shortstop Edgar Renteria is a championship player, but David Wells and Matt Clement are risky choices to replace Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe in the rotation. Wells can't be trusted to stay healthy, and the quirky Clement might struggle in the American League. Adding another quality starter would help.

[down arrow] Diamondbacks. The D-backs' offseason plan consists of overspending on free agents and trading one of the greatest pitchers of all time. I wrote five weeks ago that their best response to a 111-loss season would be to rebuild with young talent. Club officials saw it differently, and they've made a series of jaw-dropping moves, trying to scramble back into contention.

Can't wait to hear how the commissioner's office views the payroll-guzzling actions of a club that supposedly is in financial trouble, but there's little doubt that the Diamondbacks are improved. Green, who hits well at Bank One Ballpark, would team with Troy Glaus to boost the offense. And the revamped infield, with Glaus at third, Royce Clayton at short and Craig Counsell at second, will be much better defensively, enhancing the pitching staff.

The Diamondbacks' goal is to drop righthander Brandon Webb to the No. 4 spot in the rotation, but the additions of Brad Penny and a free agent like Shawn Estes to go with Russ Ortiz wouldn't necessarily turn the trick.

I admire the D-backs' moxie. I'll hold off on the endorsement.

[up arrow] Brewers, General manager Doug Melvin is conducting a clinic on how to operate a low-revenue franchise--acquire players such as closer Dan Kolb and center fielder Scott Podsednik on the cheap, then flip them either for prospects or more useful talent as other youngsters develop.

[up arrow] Braves. Explain this: In John Schuerholz's 14 seasons as the Braves' general manager, his peers never have voted him major league executive of the year. Maybe soon that will change. With two bold strokes--trading two of the game's best pitching prospects in righthander Jose Capellan and lefthander Dan Meyer--Schuerholz has established the best rotation in the N.L. East.

Capellan brought closer Dan Kolb from the Brewers, allowing John Smoltz to return to starting. Even more stunning, Schuerholz acquired A's righthander Tim Hudson without giving up a front-line player; Meyer could develop into a solid starter, but righthanded reliever Juan Cruz now has been traded twice and outfielder Charles Thomas probably is best coming off the bench.

Hudson, a free agent after the 2005 season, has a history of hip trouble and struggled against lefthanded hitters last season. Smoltz, starting for the first time since 1999, has undergone four elbow surgeries. Kolb never has closed for a contender. But as usual, pitching should be the least of the Braves' problems.

[up arrow] A's. Billy Beane might be proved wrong. His visionary ideas might stem only from ownership pressure to reduce payroll. But all general managers should operate with such guts and conviction. The A's won't be as good next season after reducing the Big Three to the Big Z, Barry Zito. But if Beane and his staff are correct in their evaluations--a must when trading studs such as Hudson and lefthander Mark Mulder--the team should be a force for the rest of the decade.