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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Brewers News and Notes Column: CENTRAL DIVISION

Posted on: Sunday, 19 February 2006, 03:03 CST

By Drew Olson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Feb. 19--CHICAGO WHITE SOX

Additions: DH Jim Thome, RHP Javier Vazquez, INF-OF Rob Mackowiak.

Subtractions: DH Frank Thomas, DH Carl Everett, CF Aaron Rowand, RHP Orlando Hernandez, RHP Jose Vizcaino, LHP Damaso Marte, OF Timo Perez, INF Willie Harris, INF Geoff Blum.

Spring focus: Finding a LHP to complement Neal Cotts in the bullpen and getting rookie CF Brian Anderson comfortable.

The skinny: The defending champs hoped to bolster their offense and stabilize the rotation past 2006. GM Kenny Williams did that re-signing 1B Paul Konerko and RHP Jon Garland and picking up Thome and Vazquez. Garland, Freddy Garcia, Vazquez and Mark Buehrle are under contract or control through 2007.

CLEVELAND INDIANS

Additions: RHP Paul Byrd, RHP Jason Johnson, RHP Guillermo Mota, 1B Eduardo Perez, 3B Andy Marte, OF Jason Michaels, INF-OF Lou Merloni, OF Todd Hollandsworth, RHP Danny Graves, RHP Steve Karsay.

Subtractions: RHP Kevin Millwood, RHP Bob Howry, RHP Scott Elarton, OF Coco Crisp, C Josh Bard, RHP David Riske, INF-OF Jose Hernandez, LHP Arthur Rhodes.

Spring focus: Find a dependable setup man to replace Howry, who signed a three-year, $12 million deal with the Cubs. Candidates include RHP David Riske, RHP Rafael Betancourt, RHP Fernando Cabrera as well as veterans Graves and Karsay.

The skinny: The Indians were headed for the wild card last year when they dropped six of their last seven games. Not only that, they lost a stunning 36 games one run. Despite losing their top starter (Millwood) and setup man (Howry), the Indians expect to make a run for the title behind C.C. Sabathia and one of the stronger offenses in the league.

DETROIT TIGERS

Additions: Manager Jim Leyland, RHP Todd Jones, LHP Kenny Rogers.

Subtractions: Manager Alan Trammell, OF BobHigginson, OF Rondell White, RHP Jason Johnson.

Spring focus: Leyland will have to get to know his team -- not to mention the rest of the league -- as the Tigers seek to end a run of 12 straight losing seasons in one of baseball's tougher divisions.

The skinny: The Tigers will need to avoid the usual injury problems and enjoy breakthrough seasons from youngsters such as SP Justin Verlander, a No. 1 pick in 2004 who could make the rotation. Solid production from C Ivan Rodriguez would help a lot.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

Additions: RHP Scott Elarton, LHP Mark Redman, RHP Joe Mays, OF Reggie Sanders, 2B Mark Grudzielanek, 1B Doug Mientkiewicz, RHP Elmer Dessens, C Paul Bako, RHP Joel Peralta.

Subtractions: RHP Jose Lima, OF Terrence Long, RHP D.J. Carrasco, RHP Shawn Camp, LHP Brian Anderson.

Spring focus: Competition on the pitching staff figures to be cut-throat with the addition of Redman, Elarton and Mays. Zack Greinke and Runelvys Hernandez are in the mix, along with several others.

The skinny: In their first 33 years, the Royals never lost 100 games or more in a year. Now, they've done it three of the last four seasons. Sanders and Grudzielanek will help the offense, but the defense must improve.

MINNESOTA TWINS

Additions: DH Rondell White, 2B Luis Castillo, 3B Tony Batista, OF Ruben Sierra.

Subtractions: RF Jacque Jones, LHP J.C. Romero, RHP Joe Mays, 2B Luis Rivas.

Spring focus: The Twins need to find some way to generate consistent offense. They were 15-55 when scoring three or fewer runs but 68-24 when scoring four or more.

The skinny: Picking up Castillo will upgrade the offense and defense, but cash-strapped GM Terry Ryan will need a little luck if the Twins are to return to the top of the divisionThe pressure will be on 1B Justin Morneau, who scuffled last season, and the rotation, which is anchored LHP Johan Santana and RHP Brad Radke.

EAST DIVISION

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

Additions: RHP Kris Benson, C Ramon Hernandez, 1B Jeff Conine, OF Corey Patterson, 1B Kevin Millar, RHP LaTroy Hawkins.

Subtractions: LHP B.J. Ryan, OF Sammy Sosa, 1B Rafael Palmeiro, RHP James Baldwin, RHP Jason Grimsley, OF Eli Marrero, LHP Steve Kline, RHP Jorge Julio, RHP John Maine.

Spring focus: The clubhouse must calm down after a series of embarrassments that included Palmeiro's steroid scandal, Sosa's swan dive and Miguel Tejada's off-season trade demand. The pitchers must get used to new coach Leo Mazzone.

The skinny: With eight straight losing seasons in their rear-view mirror and behemoths looming in the division, the Orioles probably will be playing for fourth place. Like many mediocre clubs, their veteran players aren't spectacular and their youngsters are inconsistent.

BOSTON RED SOX

Additions: RHP Josh Beckett, CF Coco Crisp, 2B Mark Loretta, SS Alex Gonzalez, 3B Mike Lowell, 1B J.T. Snow, RHP Julian Tavarez, RHP Rudy Seanez, RHP David Riske, C John Flaherty, C Josh Bard.

Subtractions: CF Johnny Damon, 1B Kevin Millar, SS Edgar Renteria, 3B Bill Mueller, 1B John Olerud, C Doug Mirabelli, RHP Jeremi Gonzalez, RHP Chad Bradford, LHP Mike Myers, RHP Wade Miller, RHP Matt Mantei, 1B Roberto Petagine, OF Adam Hyzdu, C Kelly Shoppach.

Spring focus: Can RHP Curt Schilling be healthy? Will OF Manny Ramirez and LHP David Wells be distractions after off-season trade requests? Will Lowell and Loretta find health and happiness in New England? Can GM Theo Epstein, who quit for 80 days this winter, work with club president Larry Lucchino?

The skinny: With the Yankees and Blue Jays seemingly improved, the Red Sox could have a tough time carving out their ninth straight second-place finish and fourth straight wild-card berth. A key stat to consider: The club was 39-35 within the division last season.

NEW YORK YANKEES

Additions: CF Johnny Damon, RHP Kyle Farnsworth, LHP Ron Villone, LHP Mike Myers, C Kelly Stinnett, INF Miguel Cairo, RHP Octavio Dotel.

Subtractions: RHP Tom Gordon, 1B Tino Martinez, DH-OF Ruben Sierra, RHP Kevin Brown, C John Flaherty, LHP Alan Embree, RHP Felix Rodriguez, OF Matt Lawton, INF Mark Bellhorn, INF Rey Sanchez.

Spring focus: New pitching coach Ron Guidry, a Yankees legend who replaces Mel Stottlemyre, will need to find five healthy starters on a staff hampered injury (Carl Pavano, Jaret Wright and Chien-Ming Wang) and age (Mike Mussina and Randy Johnson).

The skinny: With a payroll of more than $200 million, the Yankees have to win the World Series for the season not to be considered a failure. On paper, the lineup is formidable.

TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS

Additions: 3B Sean Burroughs, RHP Shinji Mori, RHP Dan Miceli, C Josh Paul, RHP Edwin Jackson.

Subtractions: RHP Danys Baez, 3B Alex Gonzalez, 1B-DH Eduardo Perez, RHP Dewon Brazelton, RHP Lance Carter.

Spring focus: First-year manager Joe Maddon must find a closer during camp, but the Devil Rays also must decide whether top prospects B.J. Upton and Delmon Young are ready for prime time.

The skinny: New ownership, new leadership and free parking at home games have energized fans in Florida, but the reality is that this team is headed for about 90-plus losses.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

Additions: RHP A.J. Burnett, LHP B.J. Ryan, 3B Troy Glaus, C Bengie Molina, 1B Lyle Overbay.

Subtractions: 2B Orlando Hudson, RHP Miguel Batista, 3B Corey Koskie, RHP David Bush.

Spring focus: After an extensive -- and expensive -- makeover, the Blue Jays have to mix in their new pieces and get the players comfortable with each other quickly.

The skinny: With roughly $100 million invested in a starter (Burnett) and a closer (Ryan), the Blue Jays can't allow themselves to even think about injuries. RHP Roy Halladay and LHPs Gustavo Chacin and Ted Lilly form a solid rotation and Glaus, Overbay and Molina should boost the offense.

WEST DIVISION

LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM

Additions: RHP Hector Carrasco, LHP J.C. Romero, 3B Edgardo Alfonzo.

Subtractions: LHP Jarrod Washburn, RHP Paul Byrd, LHP Jason Christiansen, C Bengie Molina, C Josh Paul, OF Steve Finley, OF Jeff DaVanon, INF Lou Merloni.

Spring focus: The Angels are looking for a fifth starter, with Carrasco favored, and must figure out who will get the bulk of the DH at-bats (Juan Rivera, perhaps). They also must get Darin Erstad comfortable in his return to center field and hope none of their players get hurt in the World Baseball Classic.

The skinny: The Angels' on-base plus slugging percentage of .734 ranked 11th in the AL last season and GM Bill Stoneman's efforts to land a bopper failed. In other words, pitching has to carry the day until some of the club's younger prospects begin to blossom. If Romero pitches well, the bullpen could be one of the best in baseball.

OAKLAND ATHLETICS

Additions: OF Milton Bradley, DH Frank Thomas, RHP Esteban Loaiza, INF Antonio Perez, RHP Chad Gaudin

Subtractions: 1B Scott Hatteberg, LHP Ricardo Rincon, DH Erubiel Durazo, RHP Octavio Dotel, RHP Keiichi Yabu.

Spring focus: Making sure Bradley is healthy, happy and comfortable.

The skinny: At 88-74, the A's certainly weren't bad last season. But they will be better if SS BobCrosand RHP Rich Harden stay healthy and Thomas is able to play at least 100 games on his twice-broken foot. In order to stay in contention, they need to avoid the slow starts.

SEATTLE MARINERS

Additions: LHP Jarrod Washburn, C Kenji Johjima, DH-OF Carl Everett, OF Matt Lawton, LHP Jake Woods, RHP Marcos Carvajal.

Subtractions: RHP Ryan Franklin, C Dan Wilson, INF Pokey Reese, RHP Shigetoshi Hasegawa, RHP Jeff Nelson, OF Jamal Strong.

Spring focus: To assimilate Johjima, Japan's best catcher, who must prove he can communicate with the pitchers and to figure out if Jose Lopez is ready to be the everyday second baseman.

The skinny: The Mariners, the first team in 90 years to follow two straight 90-victory seasons with two straight 90-loss efforts, may have to overachieve to avoid their third straight last-place finish. Everett and Lawton must help the offense and 19-year-old RHP Felix Hernandez will need to be solid.

TEXAS RANGERS

Additions: RHP Kevin Millwood, RHP Adam Eaton, RHP Vicente Padilla, RHP Akinori Otsuka, OF Brad Wilkerson, 2B Ian Kinsler.

Subtractions: LHP Kenny Rogers, 2B Alfonso Soriano, RHP Chris Young, C Sandy Alomar Jr., OF Richard Hidalgo, RHP Doug Brocail, RHP Ricardo Rodriguez, 1B Adrian Gonzalez, pitching coach Orel Hershiser.

Spring focus: With 1B Mark Teixeira, 3B Hank Blalock and SS Michael Young, the Rangers will look to fill out one of baseball's better infields finding a new second baseman to replace Soriano. Organizational product Kinsler is the top contender, but veteran Mark DeRosa has a shot. The Rangers also have to rebuild the bullpen.

The skinny: The Rangers led the majors in HRs last season, but new GM Jon Daniels knows that offense isn't enough so he rebuilt the rotation around Millwood, Eaton and Padilla.

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Copyright (c) 2006, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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Source: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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