AL Offseason Report

Jason Michael Barker

With Spring Training right around the corner (finally!), here's a quick look at the teams who improved themselves this winter, those who stayed about the same, and those who are probably wishing there were a few more free agents left unsigned. To keep things simple, I've only included changes from last year in terms of players added or lost. In other words, no options picked up or free agents re-signed.

Moving from most-improved to least-improved in the American League...

1. Seattle
In: OF Stan Javier, 2B Mark McLemore, 1B John Olerud, LHP Arthur Rhodes, RHP Kazuhiro Sasaki, RHP Aaron Sele
Out: IF Rafael Bournigal, 3B Russ Davis

Without trying to sound like too much of a homer, congratulations to Pat Gillick for his offseason accomplishments. Olerud is a huge improvement over the first base rotation of last season, while McLemore does a good job getting on base and should improve the top of the batting order. Javier is a solid spare outfielder.

On the pitching side of the ball, Gillick stole Sele away from the Orioles when their contract negations broke down. Sele adds a veteran presence to the rotation to go along with youngsters Freddy Garcia and Gil Meche. Rhodes is another quality arm in the bullpen, and most importantly, as a "veteran" he's likely to be trusted by Lou Piniella and will not be sent down after a bad outing. Japanese import Kazuhiro Sasaki is an unknown at this point, but pitched well in Japan.

2. Boston
In: OF Marty Cordova, OF Carl Everett, LHP Jeff Fassero
Out: OF Damon Buford, OF Butch Huskey, LHP Kent Mercker, RHP Pat Rapp

The Red Sox only made one big move this offseason, but the addition of Everett is a huge upgrade to a weak-hitting outfield. Cordova is a nice signing as well, and he should help in the outfield and at DH. Fassero is only a year removed from being an effective pitcher, and thus a good gamble. Most importantly, Boston improved this winter without losing all that much, which is why they're ranked ahead of some other teams who added more overall talent but lost some as well.

3. Cleveland
In: LHP Chuck Finley, RHP Scott Kamieniecki, RHP Scott Sanders, RHP Bobby Witt
Out: DH Harold Baines, OF Wil Cordero, RHP Dwight Gooden, RHP Mike Jackson

Finley is a great addition, and Kamieniecki is just two years removed from being a very good starting pitcher. He's a nice insurance policy in case injury befalls a member of the starting rotation. The loss of Jackson hurts, but with Paul Shuey and Steve Karsay scheduled to share closing duties the Tribe won't be that much worse off.

4. Texas
In: IF Frank Catalanotto, RHP Francisco Cordero, OF Chad Curtis, OF Gabe Kapler, LHP Darren Oliver, LHP Kenny Rogers, LHP Justin Thompson
Out: LHP Jeff Fassero, OF Juan Gonzalez, OF Tom Goodwin, OF Roberto Kelly, 2B Mark McLemore, RHP Aaron Sele, 3B Todd Zeile

After the Great Juan Gonzalez trade the Rangers would have ranked higher on this list, but they lost quite a bit in Sele, McLemore and Zeile. Overall, they are going to be much better off in the long term with younger players like Catalanotto and Kapler, not to mention a good young reliever in Cordero, but that might not be the case in 2000. Texas also added three left-handed starting pitchers this winter: Oliver, Rogers and Thompson. If two of those three step up with good seasons, the Rangers could win their division.

5. Tampa Bay
In: 3B Vinny Castilla, RHP Juan Guzman, RHP Chad Ogea, RHP Steve Traschel, OF Greg Vaughn, OF Gerald Williams
Out: RHP Rolando Arrojo, 3B Wade Boggs, IF Aaron Ledesma, 1B Paul Sorrento, RHP Bobby Witt

Quite a few people think the Devil Rays were the most improved team in baseball this offseason, while others think their transactions were just plain silly. I think they're somewhere in the middle. Sure, Vinny Castilla and Greg Vaughn aren't likely to duplicate what they did last season, but signing Juan Guzman is a pretty good move. Speaking of which, despite its reputation as a bandbox, Tropicana Field really isn't all that great for hitters. It's basically neutral, although left-handed batters have a decided advantage in terms of home run hitting.

6. Detroit
In: OF Juan Gonzalez, RHP Hideo Nomo, RHP Mike Oquist, RHP Danny Patterson, C Gregg Zaun
Out: IF Frank Catalanotto, RHP Francisco Cordero, OF Gabe Kapler, LHP Justin Thompson

Despite getting the short end of the big trade with Texas, adding Gonzalez will improve the Tigers' offense next season (that could be all, though, if he chooses to walk away from a reported $140M contract offer and head to free agency). Nomo isn't going to win the Cy Young next season, but he's still an effective pitcher. Detroit failed to address their biggest problem, however, which is a lack of hitters to get on base in front of Gonzalez.

7. Toronto
In: LHP Pedro Borbon, C Alberto Castillo, OF Raul Mondesi, LHP Lance Painter
Out: OF Shawn Green, RHP Pat Hentgen, LHP Graeme Lloyd, LHP Paul Spoljaric

Not pictured is the re-signing of 1B Carlos Delgado -- had the Jays been forced to trade both he and Green, they would have found themselves much lower on this list. Considering the contract Green received upon getting to Los Angeles, Mondesi isn't a horrible player to get in return, and his numbers should improve now that he's left Dodger Stadium.

It remains to be seen if Hentgen can be an effective pitcher again, but if he turns it around that deal (Hentgen and Spoljaric for Painter, Castillo and minor-league RHP Matt DeWitt) could wind up being a bad one for the Jays. But with some good young pitchers ready to step into the rotation, it was a chance they could afford to take.

8. Chicago
In: RHP Cal Eldred, SS Jose Valentin
Out: RHP Jamie Navarro, RHP John Snyder

Navarro for Eldred is a wash, with the former being a very bad pitcher and the latter being a very injured pitcher, and Snyder isn't a big loss. That leaves Valentin, who can't be any worse than last year's shortstop, Mike ".280 OBP" Caruso. Valentin doesn't hit for much of an average, but has some pop in his bat and isn't afraid of the old base-on-balls. It's a minor improvement, but an improvement nonetheless.

9. Baltimore
In: DH Harold Baines, LHP Chuck McElroy, RHP Pat Rapp, RHP Mike Trombley
Out: RHP Scott Kamieniecki, LHP Jesse Orosco, IF Jeff Reboulet, LHP Arthur Rhodes

McElroy and Trombley are good bullpen additions, but pitching wasn't really the problem in Baltimore last season. The Orioles didn't really make any other moves this offseason, which lands them right in the middle of the pack.

10. Minnesota
In: RHP Bobby Ayala, OF Butch Huskey
Out: OF Marty Cordova, C Terry Steinbach, RHP Mike Trombley

I assume Ayala is going to close games for the Twins? He isn't as good as Trombley, but can be effective if used correctly. Cordova for Huskey is a tossup. Steinbach, who retired a few years too late, wasn't a very good hitter anymore, but at the very least he was a good veteran to work with all the Twins' young pitchers. Minnesota doesn't really have another catcher ready yet, either.

11. Kansas City
In: RHP Ricky Bottalico, OF Todd Dunwoody, C Jorge Fabregas, C Brian Johnson, IF Jeff Reboulet, 1B Paul Sorrento, RHP Jerry Spradlin
Out: RHP Jeff Montgomery

A bundle of questionable moves here, with the signing of Sorrento leading the way. This club still needs some relief help, and Bottalico was the best they could do in free agency. I hear the Mariners would be willing to trade Jose Mesa...

12. Oakland
In: LHP Mike Magnante
Out: OF Tim Raines, 2B Scott Spiezio

The A's have an improving young team, so a ton of moves were not in order. Not pictured are a couple of important re-signings: John Jaha, Randy Velarde and Omar Olivares, plus Kevin Appier's option for 2000. Might the A's be the favorite in the AL West next season?

13. New York
In: IF Rafael Bournigal, OF Roberto Kelly, OF Tim Raines
Out: OF Chad Curtis, DH Chili Davis, C Joe Girardi, RHP Hideki Irabu, IF Luis Sojo

When you win the World Series for the third time in four years, I guess there isn't much room for improvement. I do think the Yanks might wind up missing Irabu, particularly if Cone or Clemens have any health problems next year.

14. Anaheim
In: RHP Tom Candiotti, LHP Kent Mercker, 2B Scott Spiezio
Out: LHP Chuck Finley, IF Jeff Huson, LHP Mike Magnante

What does it take to finish last on this list? First, lose your ace starter to free agency. Second, sit back and don't sign any players of consequence.

about the author

Looks like those Excel spreadsheets have got a hold of Dave Paisley again. Send him the antidote at drdjp@strikethree.com and make it snappy.