MAJOR LEAGUE PREVIEW | American League Central

Cleveland Indians
2003: 68-94, 4th place.Manager: Eric Wedge (second season).He's Here: 2B Ronnie Belliard, RHP Jose Jimenez, LHP Scott Stewart, 2B Lou Merloni.He's Outta Here: RHP Danys Baez, DH Ellis Burks, LHP Terry Mulholland, RHP Jose Santiago.Projected Lineup: LF Matt Lawton (.249, 15, 53 in 99 games), SS Omar Vizquel (.244, 2, 19, 7 Es in career-low 64 games), Jody Gerut (.277, 22, 75), CF Milton Bradley (.321, 10, 56, 17 SBs in 101 games), DH Travis Hafner (.254, 14, 40), C Victor Martinez (.289, 1, 16; .328 at Triple-A Buffalo), 3B Casey Blake (.257, 17, 67), 1B Ben Broussard (.249 16, 55), Ronnie Belliard (.277, 8, 50, 15 Es for Colorado).Rotation: LHP C.C. Sabathia (13-9, 3.60 ERA, first-time All-Star), RHP Jason Davis (8-11, 4.68, led AL rookies with 165 1-3 innings), LHP Cliff Lee (3-3, 3.61), RHP Jake Westbrook (7-10, 4.33), RHP Jason Bere (two starts, shoulder surgery).Key Relievers: RHP Bob Wickman (out for first half with sprained elbow); RHP David Riske (2-2, 2.29; 82 Ks in 74 innings), Jose Jimenez (2-10, 5.22, 20 saves for Colorado), Rafael Betancourt (2-2, 2.13), LHP Scott Stewart (3-1. 3.98 for Montreal), RHP Jack Cressend (2-1, 2.51).Hot Spot: Bradley had All-Star caliber first half and was Indians' MVP before missing final six weeks with lower back injury. He must stay healthy and needs to make better decisions on and off field. Some of his showboating antics angered opponents, and he was sentenced to three days in jail this winter for a traffic offense. Gerut must avoid sophomore slump after promising rookie season. Lawton is in best shape of his career, has pledged to make up for two lackluster seasons.Stat Sheet: Only Detroit (591) scored fewer runs in AL last season than Indians (699), who need to find a power surge somewhere in their lineup. The sweet-swinging Martinez, a three-time league MVP in the minors, will help. He spent the winter in the weight room toning his body. Cleveland needs to do a better job of situational hitting and baserunning.Bottom Line: Indians are in weak AL Central but Minnesota and Kansas City are still a little better. Cleveland's trio of starters -- Sabathia, Davis and Lee -- are legit but need run support or the Indians are staring at another 90-loss season. It's crucial they get off to a good start with 22 April games against division foes.
Chicago White Sox
2003: 86-76, 2nd place.Manager: Ozzie Guillen (first season).He's Here: RHP Shingo Takatsu, RHP Cliff Politte, INF Juan Uribe.He's Outta Here: Manager Jerry Manuel, 2B Roberto Alomar, CF Carl Everett, RHP Bartolo Colon, RHP Scott Sullivan, INF Tony Graffanino, RHP Tom Gordon.Projected Lineup: 2B Willie Harris (.204, 0, 5, 12 SBs), SS Jose Valentin (.237, 28, 74, 20 Es), DH Frank Thomas (.267, 42, 105), RF Magglio Ordonez (.317, 29, 99, 46 2Bs), LF Carlos Lee (.291, 31, 113), 1B Paul Konerko (.234, 18, 65), 3B Joe Crede (.261, 19, 75), CF Aaron Rowand (.287, 6, 24), C Miguel Olivo (.237, 6, 27).Rotation: LH Mark Buehrle (14-14, 4.14, 230 IP), RH Esteban Loaiza (21-9, 2.90, 207 Ks), RH Jon Garland (12-13, 4.51), LH Scott Schoeneweis (3-2, 4.18 for Anaheim and White Sox), RH Dan Wright (1-7, 6.15).Key Relievers: RH Billy Koch (5-5, 5.77, 11), LH Damaso Marte (4-2, 1.58, 11), RH Shingo Takatsu 2-3, 3.00, 34 saves in Japan), LH Kelly Wunsch (0-0, 2.75).Hot Spots: Can Harris give the White Sox a reliable leadoff hitter and steady second baseman after departure of Alomar? And is Rowand ready to be an everyday center fielder? Who will replace innings-eater Colon, and was Loaiza's 21-win season for real or a mirage? Will Koch struggle again and lose the closer's role to Japanese saves leader Takatsu or Marte?Stat Sheet: Thomas had another resurgent season, but still isn't thrilled about his contract. He decided to return rather than test the free-agent market for a second straight year. For $14 million in the final year of his contract, the White Sox are expecting a big year from Ordonez. Konerko must get off to a good start after his miserable first half a year ago.Bottom Line: Guillen's nonstop enthusiasm could be watered down by a questionable rotation with the inconsistent Garland, former reliever Schoeneweis and often-injured Wright following Buehrle and Loaiza.
Detroit Tigers
2003: 43-119, 5th place.Manager: Alan Trammell (second season).He's Here: C Ivan Rodriguez, OF Rondell White, 2B Fernando Vina, SS Carlos Guillen, RHP Jason Johnson, RHP Al Levine, C Mike DiFelice.He's Outta Here: INF Shane Halter, SS-2B Ramon Santiago, 3B Dean Palmer, C Matt Walbeck, OF Gene Kingsale.Projected Lineup: OF Alex Sanchez (.289, 1, 22, 46 SBs), 2B Fernando Vina (.251, 4, 23 for St. Louis), C Ivan Rodriguez (.297, 16, 85 for Texas), DH Dmitri Young (.297, 29, 85), OF Rondell White (.278, 18, 66 for San Diego and Kansas City), OF Bobby Higginson (.235, 14, 52), 3B Eric Munson (.240, 18, 50), 1B Carlos Pena (.248, 18, 50), SS Carlos Guillen (.276, 7, 52 for Seattle).Rotation: RH Jason Johnson (10-10, 4.18, 118 Ks, 80 BBs), LH Mike Maroth (9-21, 5.73), RH Nate Cornejo (6-17, 4.67), RH Jeremy Bonderman (6-19, 5.56), LH Nate Robertson (1-2, 5.44).Key Relievers: RH Fernando Rodney (1-3, 6.07), RH Al Levine (3-5, 2.90), LF Jamie Walker (4-3, 3.32), RH Matt Anderson (0-1, 5.40).Hot Spot: Tigers' lineup appears to be capable of scoring runs, but rotation is a huge question mark. Johnson, with a 36-58 career record, is the ace of an inexperienced staff. Maroth, Cornejo and Bonderman were assured of middle spots in the rotation after combining for 57 losses last season.Stat Sheet: Tigers not only lost an AL-record 119 games, falling one short of post-1900 record, but also finished 20 games behind Tampa Bay, baseball's next-worst team, and 47 behind AL Central champion Twins.Bottom Line: Virtually impossible for Tigers to be worse than last season, but even a 19-game improvement would make them 100-game losers. If newcomers Rodriguez, White and Vina stay healthy, Detroit's lineup should be at least respectable. Defensively, the team should be much improved after rushing prospects to majors in 2003. A startling turnaround season will depend on a breakout year -- or two -- from pitching staff.
Kansas City Royals
2003: 83-79, 3rd place.Manager: Tony Pena (third season).He's Here: OF Juan Gonzalez, C Kelly Stinnett, C Benito Santiago, SS Tony Graffanino, OF Byron Gettis, OF Matt Stairs, RHP Scott Sullivan.He's Outta Here: RF Raul Ibanez, C Brent Mayne, C Mike DiFelice, RHP Jose Lima, OF Michael Tucker, OF Rondell White, LHP Graeme Lloyd.Projected Lineup: SS Angel Berroa (.287, 17, 73), CF Carlos Beltran (.307, 26, 100, 102 runs, 41 SBs), DH Mike Sweeney (.293, 16, 83), LF Juan Gonzalez, (.294, 24, 70 for Texas), 3B Joe Randa, (.291, 16, 72), LF Aaron Guiel (.277, 15, 52), 1B Ken Harvey (.266, 13, 64), C Benito Santiago (.279, 11, 56 for San Francisco), 2B Desi Relaford (.254, 8, 59).Rotation: LH Brian Anderson (5-1, 3.99), LH Darrell May (10-8, 3.77), LH Jeremy Affeldt (7-6, 3.93), RHP Kevin Appier (7-7, 5.93), LH Jimmy Gobble (4-5, 4.61).Key Relievers: RH Mike MacDougal (3-5, 4.08, 27 saves), RH Jason Grimsley (2-6, 5.16), RH Curtis Leskanic, (1-0, 1.73), RH D.J. Carrasco (6-5, 4.82), RH Scott Sullivan (6-0, 3.77).Hot Spot: Royals' 21-game turnaround of 2003 reignited baseball interest in a town accustomed to small-market mediocrity. It also spurred renewed offseason effort by general manager Allard Baird, whose signing of two-time MVP Gonzalez could give KC its most potent slugger since heyday of John Mayberry in mid-1970s. Fences in Kauffman Stadium were moved back 10 feet, but the team record for home runs in a season -- a paltry 36 by Steve Balboni-- could still be in danger if 34-year-old Gonzalez remains healthy. Prospect of being a free agent in 2005 should keep him motivated.Stat Sheet: Beltran may be finest player hardly anyone has ever heard of. The soft-spoken switch-hitter missed the first 14 games last year with a muscle strain, but still led club in most key offensive categories. He's the majors' all-time leader in stolen base percentage (150-for-170, .882) among players with at least 100 steals. A potential free agent in 2005, he could be barreling toward a monster season.Bottom Line: This could be Royals' best club since the 1985 World Series champs -- which was also the last time Kansas City printed a postseason ticket. Positive-thinking Tony Pena, AL Manager of the Year, seems to be the perfect skipper for an intriguing mix of veterans and youngsters who seem to be blending a nice chemistry. There could be budding stars in Berroa, last season's AL Rookie of the Year, Affeldt and MacDougal, who was perfect in his first 10 save opportunities last year but wilted in second half. The question mark is the rotation.
Minnesota Twins
2003: 90-72, 1st place.Manager: Ron Gardenhire (third season).He's Here: RHP Joe Nathan, RHP Carlos Silva, RHP Rick Helling, C Henry Blanco, INF Jose Offerman, INF Nick Punto.He's Outta Here: LHP Eddie Guardado, RHP LaTroy Hawkins, C A.J. Pierzynski, LHP Eric Milton, LHP Kenny Rogers, RHP Rick Reed, INF Denny Hocking, OF Dustan Mohr, INF Chris Gomez.Projected Lineup: LF Shannon Stewart (.307, 13, 73 for Toronto and Minnesota), 1B Doug Mientkiewicz (.300, 11, 65), CF Torii Hunter (.250, 26, 102, Gold Glove), 3B Corey Koskie (.292, 14, 69), RF Jacque Jones (.304, 16, 69), DH Matthew LeCroy (.287, 17, 64 in 345 at-bats), 2B Luis Rivas (.259, 8, 43), C Joe Mauer (rookie), SS Cristian Guzman (.268, 3, 53, major league-leading 14 triples).Rotation: RH Brad Radke (14-10, 4.49), LH Johan Santana (12-3, 3.07), RH Kyle Lohse (14-11, 4.61), RH Carlos Silva (3-1, 4.43 as reliever with Philadelphia), RH Rick Helling (7-8, 5.71 with Baltimore).Key Relievers: RH Joe Nathan (12-4, 2.96, 83 Ks in 79 innings with San Francisco), LH J.C. Romero (0-2, 5.00, 42 walks in 63 innings), RH Juan Rincon (5-6, 3.68).Hot Spot: Mauer, 20 and the first overall pick in 2001 draft, was given catcher's job when Pierzynski was traded to San Francisco in cost-cutting move. Lefty-hitting Mauer, who has one of the sweetest swings around and is considered very strong defensively, will try to make a difficult jump from Double-A. He grew up about eight miles from Metrodome in St. Paul, so the hometown boy will have plenty of pressure to perform. Nathan, the centerpiece acquisition of the Pierzynski trade, is the leading candidate to replace Guardado as closer.Stat Sheet: The Twins lost 22 of last 28 games of the first half last season before trade for Stewart revitalized their lineup. A similar slump could knock them out of contention this season in an improved division.Bottom Line: Despite the departure of several important players for budgetary reasons, Twins remain strong contender in the not-so-strong AL Central because of their balanced lineup, good gloves. Whether they win third straight division crown depends on capability of newcomers Silva, Helling and Nathan and holdovers Romero and Rincon to fill holes in pitching staff.
2003: 90-72, 1st place.Manager: Ron Gardenhire (third season).He's Here: RHP Joe Nathan, RHP Carlos Silva, RHP Rick Helling, C Henry Blanco, INF Jose Offerman, INF Nick Punto.He's Outta Here: LHP Eddie Guardado, RHP LaTroy Hawkins, C A.J. Pierzynski, LHP Eric Milton, LHP Kenny Rogers, RHP Rick Reed, INF Denny Hocking, OF Dustan Mohr, INF Chris Gomez.Projected Lineup: LF Shannon Stewart (.307, 13, 73 for Toronto and Minnesota), 1B Doug Mientkiewicz (.300, 11, 65), CF Torii Hunter (.250, 26, 102, Gold Glove), 3B Corey Koskie (.292, 14, 69), RF Jacque Jones (.304, 16, 69), DH Matthew LeCroy (.287, 17, 64 in 345 at-bats), 2B Luis Rivas (.259, 8, 43), C Joe Mauer (rookie), SS Cristian Guzman (.268, 3, 53, major league-leading 14 triples).Rotation: RH Brad Radke (14-10, 4.49), LH Johan Santana (12-3, 3.07), RH Kyle Lohse (14-11, 4.61), RH Carlos Silva (3-1, 4.43 as reliever with Philadelphia), RH Rick Helling (7-8, 5.71 with Baltimore).Key Relievers: RH Joe Nathan (12-4, 2.96, 83 Ks in 79 innings with San Francisco), LH J.C. Romero (0-2, 5.00, 42 walks in 63 innings), RH Juan Rincon (5-6, 3.68).Hot Spot: Mauer, 20 and the first overall pick in 2001 draft, was given catcher's job when Pierzynski was traded to San Francisco in cost-cutting move. Lefty-hitting Mauer, who has one of the sweetest swings around and is considered very strong defensively, will try to make a difficult jump from Double-A. He grew up about eight miles from Metrodome in St. Paul, so the hometown boy will have plenty of pressure to perform. Nathan, the centerpiece acquisition of the Pierzynski trade, is the leading candidate to replace Guardado as closer.Stat Sheet: The Twins lost 22 of last 28 games of the first half last season before trade for Stewart revitalized their lineup. A similar slump could knock them out of contention this season in an improved division.Bottom Line: Despite the departure of several important players for budgetary reasons, Twins remain strong contender in the not-so-strong AL Central because of their balanced lineup, good gloves. Whether they win third straight division crown depends on capability of newcomers Silva, Helling and Nathan and holdovers Romero and Rincon to fill holes in pitching staff.
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