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

The Marlins are weaker, but the continued development of their young stars--most notably right fielder Miguel Cabrera and pitchers Josh Beckett and Dontrelle Willis--could help mask their losses.

Phillies go for the kill

It's an expensive pitching staff that general manager Ed Wade has assembled. Wagner will be paid $8 million this season, Eric Milton $9 million and Millwood between $10 million and $12.5 million, depending on the outcome of his arbitration hearing.

In each case, the Phillies might be overpaying. But they're in strong financial position as they open Citizens Bank Park, and their staff should be one of the deepest and most balanced in the N.L.

Milton has recovered from the knee surgery that kept him out most of last season. Millwood promises to be in better shape after wearing down in the second half. Wagner figures to be his usual 100-mph self. And the bullpen features two other impact newcomers--setup man Tim Worrell, who had 38 saves with the Giants last season, and Roberto Hernandez, who was the Braves' setup man before injuries derailed him. It would not be a surprise to see the Phillies jump from eighth in ERA to the N.L.'s top five.

If third baseman David Bell recovers from two stress fractures in his back, left fielder Pat Burrell benefits from working with hitting guru Charlie Manuel and manager Larry Bowa stays reasonably sane, the Phillies could win a pennant.

Royals refuse to give in

There's only so much a team can do with a $45 million payroll. But give Allard Baird credit for overcoming one of the most daunting challenges any G.M. faced in the offseason. Baird pieced together a contender despite facing the prospect of losing 15 free agents, the most of any team except the Cardinals, who had 16. Left fielder Raul Ibanez bolted immediately for the Mariners, but Baird re-signed five of his players and added six from the outside. Those 11 players cost approximately $22 million, with outfielder Juan Gonzalez the most expensive at $4.5 million.

The Royals' pitching remains an open question, but the A.L. Central is so weak that even the 119-loss Tigers dream of contention. The Twins parted with their top two relievers, LaTroy Hawkins and Eddie Guardado, and three starting pitchers, Milton, Rick Reed and Kenny Rogers. The White Sox lost Colon and failed to make a significant upgrade. The Indians are at least a year away, and the Tigers, while more respectable, still can't be considered a factor.

Tejada defects from Oakland

The A's react to the losses of major stars the same way they greet whoever shows up to be their closer--with a shrug. This is a team that increased its victory total from 102 to 103 the season after losing Jason Giambi, Johnny Damon and Jason Isringhausen. But the departure of Miguel Tejada leaves Eric Chavez as the team's only major offensive threat. Even scarier, Chavez will be a free agent after the 2004 season.

Sure, designated hitter Erubiel Durazo might go off in his second A.L. season, and Jermaine Dye could improve upon his pedestrian .797 career OPS in the final year of his contract.