A.L. reports

Sporting News, The, March 1, 2004

ANAHEIM ANGELS G.M. Bill Stoneman insists IF Alfredo Amezaga has a chance to take the shortstop job away from David Eckstein, but that might not be realistic considering Amezaga looked overmatched at the plate in 105 at-bats last season. Before the team would consider a change, Eckstein would have to struggle mightily, and Amezaga would have to sizzle in spring games.... RF Vladimir Guetraro has been experiencing tightness in his legs, but the Angels aren't concerned that it will keep him out of exhibition games. The team says Guerrero probably won't try to steal as many bases as he normally would. YOUNG ARM: RHP Ervin Santana is one of the organization's highest-ranked pitching prospects because of a 97-mph fastball that has good movement. His slider isn't quite where it needs to be, but the Angels--and many major league scouts--remain excited about his potential. Santana, 21, will be in his first big-league camp this year and surely will benefit from the teaching of pitching coach Bud Black and minor league pitching instructor Mike Butcher. BURNING ISSUE: It will be interesting to see whether the team's high-profile additions--Guerrero, RHPs Bartolo Colon and Kelvim Escobar and OF Jose Guillen--will buy into the system and quickly jell with the holdover veterans. In 2002, a team without big-name stars blended seamlessly behind a blue-collar work ethic and executed well on offense..--Doug Hiller

BALTIMORE ORIOLES Will RHP Kurt Ainsworth and LHPs Matt Riley and Eric DuBose fulfill their potential and contribute to a shaky rotation? Ainsworth says he has recovered from a fractured right shoulder blade; Riley and DuBose are even further removed from career-threatening arm injuries.... Oft-injured 1B/DH David Segui wants to make an impact in his final major league season, but the team does not expect much from him. There is a possibility he will be released in spring training.... Veteran B.J. Surhoff and youngster Jack Cust will battle for a job as a pinch hitter and backup outfielder. Cust, who is out of minor league options, appears to have lost weight and could even emerge as the starting DH. YOUNG ARM: RHP Denny Bautista was the main reason the team agreed to trade Jeff Conine to the Marlins last August. Bautista, 21, is Baltimore's top pitching prospect after holding similar status in Florida. He throws extremely hard but struggles with control--he averaged 4.6 walks per nine innings in the minors last season. Some scouts believe Bautista will reach the majors by September. BURNING ISSUE: The club finally will decide between Brian Roberts and Jerry Hairston at second base. Hairston was on his way to a solid season last year before breaking his foot. Scouts love Roberts' intensity. Roberts, who also can play shortstop, would be more attractive to other teams if the Orioles want to make a trade.--Gary Washburn

BOSTON RED SOX RF Trot Nixon, a lefthanded swinger, spent the winter trying to improve his hitting against lefties. Nixon batted against a pitching machine that simulates a lefthander's delivery at big-league speeds. Nixon has a career .216 average against southpaws, and with OFs Ellis Burks and Babe Kapler, both righthanded hitters, available off the bench, Nixon will need to make a big impression on new manager Terry Francona to earn more playing time against lefthanders.... G.M. Theo Epstein had no reservations about giving RHP Curt Schilling a three-year contract extension, partly because he knows how committed Schilling, 37, is to conditioning and preparation. Schilling reported to spring training two days early last week and says he feels so good that it makes him nervous. YOUNG ARM: At 27, RHP Bronson Arroyo doesn't necessarily qualify as young, but the dub still has high hopes for him. He had a breakout season at Class AAA Pawtucket in 2003 and was impressive enough in a September call-up to make the postseason roster. A starter in the minors, Arroyo will open the season as a reliever. But if one of the five starters is injured, the club won't hesitate to put him in the rotation. BURNING ISSUE: With most of the roster spots set, the biggest issue entering the season is how the team's six potential free agents--including RHPs Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe, SS Nomar Garciaparra and C Jason Varitek--will respond to the uncertainty surrounding their futures. The team hopes there won't be an issue with distractions.--Ian Browne

CHICAGO WHITE S0X C Miguel Olivo will continue to focus on improving his defense, but the team also wants him to boost his offense. It would like to see Olivo raise his average to the .250-.260 range (he batted .237 last year), hit more home runs and strike out less. Olivo worked out with a trainer in California during the offseason and is in excellent condition. YOUNG ARM: RHP Kris Honel, 22, already has the swagger and fearlessness of a major league ace, but he still needs another year or two of minor league experience. Honel (6-5, 190), the team's first-round pick in 2001, has good command of his 95-mph fastball and changeup, but his out pitch is a knuckle-curve. He is expected to begin the season at Class AA Birmingham and could be part of the White Sox rotation as early as 2005. BURNING ISSUE: Can RHP Billy Koch again be a top closer? He doesn't throw a lot of perfect innings, but he pitched out of jams in Oakland and Toronto. He didn't do that last season in Chicago. If Koch struggles, LHP Damaso Marte, RHP Cliff Politte or RHP Shingo Takatsu could take over.--Scott Merkin