Changes: stunning trades and unprecedented free-agent movement have shifted the landscape and affected the balance of power

Sporting News, The, Feb 16, 2004 by Ken Rosenthal

In the bullpen, Terry Adams, Kerry Ligtenberg and Justin Speier provide upgrades--and all have closer experience. In fact, Speier is expected to take over for Aquilino Lopez as the closer. Adams and Ligtenberg combined for30 holds last season, and lefthander Valerio de los Santos, another newcomer, also will be in the mix.--C.B.

RELATED ARTICLE: Team that has changed most.

Devil Raw, Lou Piniella will take a reworked roster into his second season at Tampa Bay. He will have three new starting infielders (1B Tino Martinez, 3B Geoff Blum, SS Rey Sanchez), a new fight fielder (Jose Cruz), at least two new bench players (Brook Fordyce, Eduardo Perez), at least two new starting pitchers (LHPs Mark Hendrickson, Damian Moss), a new closer (Danys Baez) and as many as four other new relievers. The changes make the Devil Rays better, but they won't get them out of the AL. East cellar. The veteran newcomers should take pressure off the young players, but the pitching does not appear good enough. Honorable mention: Rockies. They could have a bold new look if some of their non-roster veterans make the dub out of spring training. --T.G.

RELATED ARTICLE: Team that changed the least.

Reds. You could argue that Cincinnati's offseason work was done last July and August when several veterans were traded for a collection of prospects. You also could claim the lineup doesn't require much tinkering now that all three outfielders are healthy. But the Reds still need to upgrade their infield, and they barely improved the pitching staff with the addition of Cory Lidle and lefthander Mike Matthews. The only new position player is reserve outfielder John Vander Wal, who already is injured. That's not enough activity for a 93-loss team playing in a fast-improving division. The budget-conscious dub seems willing to give its younger players time to develop, but it's doubtful the fans who pay big-ticket prices will be so patient.--T.G.

RELATED ARTICLE: Change, already.

1 Lingering issues that need to be resolved: A new home for the Expos, Major League Baseball, which operates the club, has wasted two years waiting for interested cities to ante up for new stadiums. In the meantime, a promising young team has slowly crumbled. The eventual buyer will be getting, at best, half a cupboard.

2 Jason Kendall's future. The Pirates need to unload their All-Star catcher's inflated contract and proceed with their latest rebuilding plan. Kendall also deserves a resolution; he has given the Pirates maximum effort despite the distracting and unsettling trade talk.

3 Mike Piazza's position. The Mets should move him to first base full time. As much as the Mets' slugger wants to continue catching, he can help the team more by being in the lineup for 150 games rather than 135. A move also would allow Vance Wilson and Jason Phillips, better overall defenders, to run the pitching staff.--T.G.

E-mail senior writer Ken Rosenthal at kenrosenthal@sportingnews.com.