American League

Sporting News, The, Jan 31, 2000

Anaheim

UNCONVINCED: The team, which has signed only one major league free agent--2B Scott Spiezio--gave minor league contracts to veteran utility IF Archi Cianfrocco, who played last season in Japan, and RHP Brett Hinchliffe, who was considered a promising prospect before flopping with the Mariners last season. Hinchliffe should contend for a rotation spot, but Cianfrocco is considered a long-shot to make the team.... Former dub president Richard Brown last week wrote a letter to the Los Angeles Times calling G.M. Bill Stoneman's claims that the team would contend in 2000 if players remained healthy an "insult." Brown, who said he believed fans would support a rebuilding project if it were accompanied by an honest explanation, said the team did not have enough pitching this season.... Free-agent RHP Steve Trachsel, who played high school and college ball in Southern California, wanted to pitch for the Angels, but Stoneman said he would rather have a talented young player than a mediocre experienced player.

MANAGER ANALYSIS: Hiring Mike Scioscia could be viewed eventually as a stroke of genius by the Angels--or another low-budget decision that blew up in their faces. Scioscia managed only one season at Class AAA Albuquerque in 1999 and one season in the Arizona Fall League in 1997. But he was a hard-nosed, unselfish player, placing winning above personal goals. A daunting task lies ahead: Scioscia must unify a team that bickered throughout the second half of 1999 and returns several veterans who are unhappy with the direction the team is taking. --Mike DiGiovanna

Baltimore

THE NEED FOR SPEED: Every year, the team says the same thing. It wants to get faster; it wants to add another dimension to its offense. This year is no different. CF Brady Anderson again was the only full-time player to make an impact on the bases in 1999, but there is the possibility the dub will be decidedly quicker this year. 2B Delino DeShields, whose playing lime was limited severely by a string of nagging injuries, is supposedly healthy after undergoing surgery at the end of last year to repair a muscle injury in his thigh, and the club still holds out hope that prospect CF Eugene Kingsale will find a place in the lineup and burn up the basepaths.... Kingsale will be out of options at the end of spring training, so the club seems certain to give him a lot of playing time before then. The team could keep him as an extra outfielder--and pinch runner--but does not appear to be in a position to hold open a roster spot for an outfielder who probably won't get significant playing time.

MANAGER ANALYSIS: Mike Hargrove, a very experienced guy with solid credentials and a ton of postseason experience, is the steady hand the club needs to bring together a group of very diverse personalities. Obviously, his ability to deal with volatile OF Belle was a consideration when the team signed him to a three-year contract He won't wow you with his strategy or make headlines with his opinions, but he is a solid tactician and a strong presence in the dugout. The most important thing he brings to the clubhouse is credibility. Even so, he'll have to work some magic to get this team to the playoffs. --Peter Schmuck

Boston

TAKING A CHANCE: The team took a low-budget route to add offense by signing former A.L. rookie of the year Matty Cordova to a minor league contract. Cordova probably will be added to the roster in spring training and will be a reserve outfielder and DH this season. Cordova, 30, hit .285 with 14 homers and 74 RBIs in 124 games last year. The team lost righthanded hitters Butch Huskey and Damon Buford. With Cad Everett playing center, the team has Barren Lewis to platoon with the lefthanded hitting Trot Nixon in right. But the team still needs a righthanded hitter at DH. Brian Daubach is expected to get the majority of at-bats.... Derek Jeter's record-setting contract with the Yankees could cause the team to negotiate an extension with SS Nomar Garciaparra, who has a seven-year, $45.5 million deal that expires in '05. That's less than half the value of Jeter's new contract.

MANAGER ANALYSIS: After leading the team to consecutive playoff appearances, Jimy Williams is earning his due as one of the best managers in the game. He is neither flashy nor self promoting, but he brings depth and intelligence to his job. Williams understands the psyche of his players and can recognize their limitations, which explains why the Red Sox have been better on the field than they appear on paper. Williams-with pitching coach Joe Kerrigan--juggles his pitching staff. Williams and Kerrigan never overwork starters, and they limit their relievers to specific jobs. Under Williams, Bret Saberhagen has won even though his innings have been limited by injury, and Derek Lowe has become a bullpen force as a middle reliever. --Paul Doyle

Chicago

SLOW STARTER: RHP James Baldwin, 28, avoided arbitration and got a nice raise in the process--from $1.9 million in 1999 to $3.3 million. He isn't happy, though, after 2B Ray Durham and LHP Mike Sirotka got multiyear extensions. But Baldwin needs to be more consistent before he deserves a long-term deal. He has been terrible in the first half, where he is a combined 7-12 in the past two seasons. If he has another slow start, expect him to be shipped to the bullpen.... RHP Jon Garland, 20, is expected to get a long look during spring training. He throws a nasty sinker and lively fastball, and he pitched well at Class A and AA in '99.... The team still is looking for a third baseman who can field better than Greg Norton (27 errors in '99). With top prospect Joe Crede expected to be ready for the majors as early as the AU-Star break, the team doesn't want to add a high-priced player. The club has interest in Jeff Manto, George Arias, Bill Mueller and Ed Sprague (despite his shaky defense).