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

Even short-term, the A's won't be horrible. They're better at catcher after obtaining Jason Kendall. They're deeper at second base after acquiring Keith Ginter in a trade with the Brewers. And some will scoff that Beane received only complementary parts for Hudson and Mulder, but the trades netted five likely contributors for 2005 with between zero and three years of major league experience--and salaries the low-revenue A's can control.

The rotation of Zito, Rich Harden, Meyer, Joe Blanton and Dan Haren will be dangerously inexperienced. But the bullpen will be stronger with the additions of Cruz and Kiko Calero. The trades replenished the A's diminished supply of young pitching and created depth for additional deals. Even if Hudson and Mulder had been guaranteed to stay healthy, the A's couldn't have afforded to keep the Big Three together. The trades amount to a pre-emptive strike.

[down arrow] Cardinals. Even after getting Mulder, questions abound. The Cardinals have suffered five defections from their 105-win team--Renteria, second baseman Tony Womack, catcher Mike Matheny, No. 2 starter Woody Williams and lefthanded reliever Steve Kline.

Mulder replaces Williams, Yadier Molina will replace Matheny, and free agents Orlando Cabrera and Placido Polanco could replace Renteria and Womack. That's not bad, especially if Cabrera and Polanco come for approximately the same money it would have taken to sign Renteria--approximately $10 million per season.

Here's the problem: Chris Carpenter's season ended prematurely due to a right biceps injury, Matt Morris is coming off shoulder surgery and some suspect that Mulder has an elbow problem. The trades of Haren and Calero cost the Cardinals two promising arms, and they weren't terribly deep in young pitching to begin with.

[down arrow] Orioles. They were shut out on trades for Tim Hudson and Barry Zito and have been quiet on free agents. Rival executives complain that the Orioles are difficult to deal with, that they move at a glacial pace and set unrealistic values on players. The inexcusable loss of infielder Chris Gomez in the Rule 5 draft makes you wonder if Syd Thrift still is running the team.

[up arrow] Mariners. Sometimes, it's the effort that counts. The M's essentially ran off manager Lou Piniella and general manager Pat Gillick by failing to think--and spend--big. Signing Beltre and first baseman Richie Sexson for a combined $114 million represented an admission of past sins, and not just by ownership.

G.M. Bill Bavasi erred by making an old team older last season, but Beltre is only 25 and Sexson is just turning 30.

Both are terrific athletes--Beltre is a Gold Glove quality defender, Sexson an underrated one. The starting lineup also could include catcher Miguel Olivo, 26, shortstop Jose Lopez, 21, and--if Randy Winn is traded--center fielder Jeremy Reed, 23.

Bavasi will look awfully foolish if Sexson doesn't make a successful recovery from shoulder surgery. The splurge on offense means that the G.M. will need to skimp in his quest to add a 200-inning starter and a lefthanded reliever. No matter. The M's finally are awake.