American League

Sporting News, The, Jan 29, 2001

Anaheim

THE REPLACEMENTS: With Mo Vaughn out at least six months with a ruptured tendon in his arm, the team needs to fill holes at first base and at the No. 3 spot. Scott Spiezio or Larry Barnes are in-house possibilities at first. Barnes would be a considerable upgrade over Vaughn defensively. Outside the team, Wally Joyner is an option. As for the lineup, the team could move OF Tim Salmon from cleanup to third and 3B Troy Glaus from sixth to fourth ahead of OF Garret Anderson.... The signing of DH Jose Canseco was viewed with some skepticism in Anaheim. Canseco has power but strikes out a lot, runs poorly and can play no defensive position adequately.

MANAGER ANALYSIS: In his first season, Mike Scioscia brought harmony to a fractions clubhouse by being even-tempered and even-handed in his dealings with players. His managing style is aggressive but not reckless. --Mike DiGiovanna

Baltimore

HOME NEEDED: Manager Mike Hargrove says he would like to play 1B/OF Chris Richard four or five times a week. But where? Albert Belle might be back in fight, David Segui was signed to play first, and Brady Anderson is the front-runner in left if Delino DeShields is traded.... Belle will swing a bat on February 1 to test his arthritic right hip. He is working with a physical therapist, and his progress is said to be encouraging, though the hip isn't expected to be 100 percent this season.

MANAGER ANALYSIS: Is there a manager facing less pressure than Hargrove? The team isn't expected to finish higher than fourth after losing RHP Mike Mussina, so a losing year would be blamed on personnel deficiencies. In his second season with the club Hargrove will have more maneuverability with a roster that's more versatile. On a team loaded with questions, Hargrove remains its surest thing. --Roch Kubatko

Boston

TALL ORDER: RHP David Cone, who will be given every chance to make the rotation, wants pitching coach Joe Kerrigan to help fix his faulty mechanics and predictable pitching patterns. In a best-case scenario, Cone would jump to the No. 2 spot in the rotation. The team asked Cone to fill a leadership vacuum, and he agreed to try, adding that the request was a factor in his decision to join the team. He said redemption, not revenge against the Yankees, prompted him to sign with Boston.

MANAGER ANALYSIS: Jimy Williams is a notorious fiddler of batting lineups. He and Kerrigan have done a masterful job with the pitching staff, and back-to-back ERA titles cannot be explained merely by citing the stats of RHP Pedro Martinez. Williams has a good working relationship with most of his players, who know he does not talk behind their backs and is a tireless promoter of the team concept. --Michael Silverman

Chicago

TRADE BAIT? With the addition of LHP Davis Wells, the team's roster is all but set. But with new G.M. Kenny Williams showing he's more than willing to make a trade, another move could be coming. One possibility is a trade of 1B Paul Konerko. The team likes Konerko's skill and leadership. But it could use a lefthanded hitter. How about Konerko for Mets 3B Robin Ventura, one of the most popular players in team history? Not likely, but the fans would love it.

MANAGER ANALYSIS In his third year on the job, Jerry Manuel molded a young, aggressive team into an offensive juggernaut. He's a big mason why the team is so optimistic. Manuel has a knack for making the right moves, and he is well-liked and respected by his players. With the addition of Wells, SS Royce Clayton and C Sandy Alomar, expectations will be high. The pressure will be, too. --Scot Gregor

Cleveland

THE SWITCH: RHP Steve Karsay, recently signed to a one-year deal, has been told to report in the spring thinking he'll be in the rotation. The team thinks it would be easier for Karsay, a setup man and closer the last two seasons, to return to the bullpen that it would be to adjust to starting after camp begins.... If Karsay starts, the team will need another setup man. If it doesn't sign or trade for one, RHPs Sean DePaula and Gavid Riske, who missed most of 2000 with injuries, will get a look.

MANAGER ANALYSIS: Charlie Manuel's rookie season began with him missing me early in the season because of poor health. Injuries forced him to use a major league-record 32 pitchers. He also had problems with 2B Roberto Alomar. Manuel's club still won 90 games. The Indians hold an option on Manuel for 2002. He'll likely have to get them into the playoffs for it to be picked up. --Steve Herrick

Detroit

FICK'S FUTURE: The signing of veteran C Scott Servais further clouds the future of Robert Fick, who not too long ago was regarded as one of the team's best hitting prospects. Now Fick has no role with the dub. The team may try to trade him. What return he could bring is questionable, because he is an unknown commodity. He could thrive if given the necessary at-bats. Fick's solid power and gap-to-gap ability are perfect for Comerica Park. It remains a mystery why the team hasn't made a genuine attempt to see what he can do.