American League Central

Sporting News, The, Feb 19, 2001

Chicago

GRADING THE OFFSEASON: The team settled for injury-prone C Sandy Alomar Jr. instead of Charles Johnson. But trading for LHP David Wells was a statement deal. The Sox won a league-high 95 games before collapsing in the first round of the playoffs last year. Should they return, Wells might have an immediate impact. Grade: B.

SPRING THING: Because of last year's record and Wells, the team is sky-high heading into camp. But health is a concern. Four key pitchers are coming back from surgery: starting RHPs Cal Eldred and James Baldwin and righthanded relievers Bob Howry and Sean Lowe.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: There won't be a lot of competition for starting positions, but infield prospect Joe Crede has a slight chance of beating out Herbert Perry at third base. Then there's the No. 5 starter, which will go to either RHPs Jon Garland, Jan Rouch or Kip Wells. CF Jose Valentin will be given every chance to beat out incumbent Chris Singleton, who had a miserable season at the plate in 2000.

SLEEPER: Rauch still might be a season away, but the 6-11 pitcher, who was a combined 16-4 (2.66 ERA) at Class A and AA in 2000, makes quite an impression on the mound. If Rauch has a strong spring, his chances of making the 25-man roster are good.

ACHING: Baldwin (shoulder) and Eldred (elbow) aren't expected to be 100 percent until late in camp. In the bullpen, Howry and Lowe face similar situations. Howry says he should be at 80 percent heading into spring training. The team already lost a key reliever when RHP Bill Simas had reconstructive elbow surgery in late December Simas, a workhorse who averaged 63 appearances over the last three seasons, is out for the season. --Scot Gregor

Cleveland

GRADING THE OFFSEASON: Only time will tell whether Juan Gonzalez and Ellis Burks can make up for Manny Ramirez and David Sagui. Gonzalez and Burks should put up good numbers in a lineup that will get plenty of runners on base. The team decided not to re-sign C Sandy Alomar Jr. Instead, the Indians traded for Eddie Taubensee, who will back up Einar Diaz. Taubensee adds a lefthanded bat, but he's coming off back surgery and has defensive problems. Grade: C SPRING THING: The team must straighten out the pitching staff. A record 32 pitchers were used last season. That can't happen again.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Wil Cordero, Russell Branyan and Jacob Cruz will battle for at-bats at DH. Cordero, a righthanded hitter, could be traded. That would open up playing time for Branyan and Cruz, who bat lefthanded. The team needs to find out what each can do with extended playing time. The fourth and fifth spots in the rotation are problems. RHP Steve Karsay might move from the setup spot to the rotation. RHP Steve Woodard could win a rotation spot. If Karsay moves to the rotation, RHPs Justin Speier, Sean DePaula and David Riske will battle for his setup spot.

SLEEPER: If it were up to manager Charlie Manuel, top pitching prospect C.C. Sabathia, a lefthander, would make the team in spring training. That probably won't happen. But he could reach Cleveland by midseason.

ACHING: RHP Jaret Wright (shoulder surgery) has been throwing but is a question mark going into spring training. The team has no idea whether RHP Charles Nagy (elbow surgery) will be able to pitch again. LHP Chuck Finley (knee surgery) won't pitch in exhibition games until mid-March. --Steve Herrick

Detroit

GRADING THE OFFSEASON: If not for the trade for OF Roger Cedeno, C Mitch Meluskey and RHP Chris Holt, the grade would be a lot worse. While Cedeno brings proven leadoff ability and Meluskey is a step up offensively, the club could sorely miss the defense of C Brad Ausmus and the reliability of setup man Doug Brocail. Both went to Houston in the trade. The need for a proven rotation ace was ignored again. The free-agent departure of Juan Gonzalez rids the club of a big headache and someone who was a terrible fit from the start. Grade: C

SPRING THING: Establishing bullpen roles is the top priority. RHP Matt Anderson must excel as the new setup man. Manager Phil Garner will reinforce his mantra from last season: smarter hitting.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: RHP Steve Sparks, RHP Adam Bernero and LHP Matt Perisho will compete for the fifth spot in the rotation. Sparks, a knuckleballer, has the edge, based on his surprising 5-0 August last year. The team also likes Bernero, who had some good moments as a rookie last year and changes speeds well. He also has value as a potential long man or as trade insurance. Perisho has struggled with wildness and has paid the price for having to throw strikes when hitters are ahead. A dark horse is RHP Dave Borkowski, who is coming off arm problems last year. He failed in a brief rotation audition two years ago.

SLEEPER: 1B Randall Simon might prove a valuable pickup. The team needs insurance at first base, especially with Tony Clark's back a question mark.

ACHING: Clark's back spasms prematurely ended his 2000 season. With Gonzalez gone, a productive Clark is essential if the team is to have any hope of contending. --Reid Creager